I started scrapbooking before I had ever heard of Creative Memories. I went to the craft stores, bought a lot of the really great styles of paper, scissors, stickers, as well as books on the neatest looking pages and how to do it. I am pretty proud of some of the pages I managed to put together in those days too. However, I would pull everything out and take hours just trying to figure out what wonderful papers, stickers and die cuts to use and how to cut the pictures and frames to try to make the pages as wonderful as those in the books. I ended up having time to work on a few pages at a time and then putting it all away for months at a time.

My sister-in-law had a Creative Memories party one day and I attended with an "I know what I'm doing!" attitude and while I had fun and created a really nice page, I was shocked at how expensive everything was and the limited designs for papers and stickers. I attended a second party for my sister-in-law and created another really nice page and started paying attention to what was being said about the quality of the products.

I ended up having my own party because I wanted to "add" some quality Creative Memory products to my already existent supply of scrapbook items, like their cutting system (great!!!) As I prepared for my party, I pulled out my old scrapbook pages and after comparing the old with the new, I decided to start scrapbooking the Creative Memories way.

For one thing, my old pages, while utilizing really cool designed papers and stickers, seemed really busy and crowded. Or else most of the page would be the cool decorations and paper, without much of what I really cared about. The Creative Memories way is a much classier look with punch but not overwhelming to the eye. Their ideas bring the attention to the pictures, not the paper.

Ever heard that saying "Keep it simple, stupid"? I can actually finish a page with Creative Memories in half the time it took me just to figure out the set up with all the other fancy stuff. I'd like for my kids to get their albums before they have families of their own. CM may not have the fancy papers, but when you see what pages they come up with utilizing the supplies they offer, who needs all that other stuff?!

Finally, quality. You just cannot beat it. I want my kids to remember how much they were loved even when they are 86 and I'm not around anymore. What better way then for them to pull out the old pictures with my memories written down for them and laid out the same way as when I first put it together. While I can't guarantee the products will last that long, I honestly believe from looking at other products that my pages made with Creative Memories products have the best chance of making it that long.

Best of all, my daughters are both scrapbooking with me now. And it is so easy and simple that even at the ages of 6 and 12 they have made some beautiful pages and we have memories that I hope will always make them smile!

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