[elismom]

I am looking for advice on what albums to use for my 12 X 12 LO's. I need albums that you can add to because I like lots of pages. Do you use post bound, 3 ring, and if you need to use adhesive which one do you recommend? Too many choices! Thanks!

[Vaughnde]

Don't use the Adhesive Books. They are not worth it. Post Bound or 3 Ring depending on what you want. We have a few MM Consultants here but most everyone must be busy for the weekend. So I'll bump this up for ya

[B&K Mom]

I am a fan of post bound albums. There are extension posts for them, so they can "grow with you". I like the way they open and the pages lay close together (important to me if I have 2 page LOs). They are a little bit more difficult to add pages to as you have to unscrew them. But it's not that bad. I usually add 10-15 page protectors at a time and then can just drop pages in as I go (I like top loaders...pages stay in better). So I have a bit of time before I have to open it up and add more protectors. I became a fan of Close to My Heart albums when I was paper scrapping. They are really great quality. To be honest, I haven't printed many LOs since I went digital, so I have just gotten albums at Target or Michael's.

HTH. Look around. Try a few different kinds, and you'll figure out what works for you.

Debbie

[BarbaraC1977]

In our area, Pioneer Photo Albums come in both 12x12 and 8x8; they're available in other sizes, too, I think. I'm using the post-bound, and really like them. The silk-covered ones I bought include a plastic cover for the time you're working with them a lot, to keep them clean. They also have an "extension" for the spine cover fabric if you have added post extenders--a nice touch. They make linen-covered albums in many colors, also, and I believe they also do leather covers. The pages are top-loading.

They also have a snap load style that local scrappers seem to really like, and you can convert a post-bound to snap load. I haven't had a chance to try it. The Pioneer Photo Albums web site is very minimalist, but you can find their products both online with more comprehensive descriptions, and in local craft and scrapbook specialty stores.

When searching online, be sure to look for "scrapbook" or "memory book" or "memory album" to find books designed for 12x12 pages, rather than photos inserted in smaller slots. Hope this helps.

[Bitsnpieces]

I agree with all Debbie said. I prefer the post bound albums. Your lo pages lay flat and don't get bent.

[catvinnat]

I'm with Debbie all the way on this - I use postbound with top loading pages. I print out all my LO's as I love to look at them full size.
For me it can often be cheaper to buy a whole album than for 10 refils (prices are crazy in the UK) so I try and pick up albums at sale prices and store them until I need them. I am not too fussy about the cover but try and stick to a shade of blue so they all blend together in the bookcase.
I have dabbled with 8 by 8 but keep coming back to 12 x 12 - you just can't beat the impact

[catvinnat]

grrrr, been trying to see how the snap fit converter works as it sounds really interesting and my media player won't work. I have been having trouble with flash player and java for weeks now.
Has anyone used this snap fit?

[Glorie]

I am a Close to my Heart post bound fan too! I love the top loading pages and since I do my books chronologically I do not put my pages in a book until that year is complete. With that said, I really like Debbie's idea of adding a bunch of page protectors and then just adding as you go. My books are probably 4 inches thick which is one year of LO's!

[glassbird]

Catvinnat...re: the snap converter...

It seems like a really good idea and I bought several when they first came out. (In case anyone is wondering what I am talking about...the snap converter is used with post-bound albums to replace the posts. Basically the posts are removed, and a strap goes thru the holes and can be cinched in place instead of unscrewing and rescrewing posts. The strap converter makes it MUCH easier to add pages.) I found that the snap converter worked well as long as the album did not have too many pages...no more than 30 sheet protectors. After that, they do not hold their grip, and the album gets "loose and sloppy". Maybe they have improved the design since then, but I gave up on using them on any album that I anticipate might get big. Which is self-defeating since those big albums are the ones that get added to the most!

Just my two cents...

Cathy T.

[catvinnat]

thanks Cathy, thats really helpful, think I'll stick with the posts for now

[angelaNussbaum]

I use pioneer albums. The local Archivers sends out 30% off coupons and i always sneak in to get an album. *gasp*. I like thier post bound too, but i wont put much more in. I like the look of the books when they are not too over extended. Pioneers books have a neat little spine that expands too... so it looks nice still.

ANgela N

[April Showers]

My 12 x 12 albums are leather CTMH post bound. I also use the 8x8 pioneer ones.

[elismom]

I just wanted to say thanks for the replies. I think the Close To My Heart albums are exactly what I am looking for. Off to find a consultant in Louisiana!