...The kind of things I like to write about when I freelance!!
Value and Beauty built in: We R Memory Keepers Albums By Alison K. MacDonald
I’m a scrapbooker… I save memories through photos and stories. I’m making sure those memories, thoughts and little information tidbits will be available to future generations.
Because I see the value in memory keeping, I’ve always had an appreciation for items that are “can’t live withouts” in my role as protector of these precious memory treasures.
I’ve discovered products that I can rely on to help me safeguard what is important. These are products that I know and love for their quality finish, richness of design, ease of use, and most especially for their sturdiness. Today I’ve been asked to share one such product with you.
The We R Memory Keepers Album made for 12x12” scrapbook page layouts. I was given one of these by my parents a few years ago as part of my Christmas gift, and wow: I was very impressed! Here’s what happened.
In 2004, I’d been scrapbooking for about two years, and intensely disliked post-bound albums. I had recently discovered the convenience and ease of 3-ring binders for my layout storage. This happened right around the time that many scrappers had discovered the handy nature of 3–ring binders and there was a big demand for them. The binders were being made for a hasty sale and a quick buck, with poor quality materials and awful workmanship. Having to spend money on albums that were flimsy, unattractive, and made of cheap-looking materials had me discouraged. There seemed to be nothing sturdier and attractive available!
My Mom, a lifelong crafter and professional home economist, listened to the frustration in my complaints and asked me what would work better. Then she looked for a solution every time she shopped in craft stores. She kept me posted on her progress, and lo and behold, Christmas arrived: she’d done it! I had never seen anything that could be called a decent 3-ring 12x12” scrapbook album until my parents happened across the WRMK ones and rescued me!
I now use the WRMK 12x12” D-ring albums exclusively in which to store all of my newly created layouts. I’m working on transferring the pages stored in other MUCH less sturdy 3-ring albums over to these. Once I am caught up with WRMK storage for my 3-ring pages, I will also need to transfer several of my post-bound albums, which are falling apart- terribly, after only a few years!!
I unhesitatingly recommend these WRMK albums to EVERYONE. Let’s go over exactly what these albums look like and WHY I am such a fan. Here is a photo of the wine coloured album…
These We R Memory Keepers albums are imported from Italy. They’re made of acid free archival materials and are readily available for purchase.
I now order mine from Scrapbook.com ... having found a reliable source to use when a sale peeks up! Right now, Canadian $ is almost as par with American, so what a GREAT time to take advantage of this finding!
Here is that Scrapbook.com link: http://store.scrapbook.com/brand/we+r+memory+keepers.html
The colours are richly-toned and look classic no matter where you display them. Colours I have ordered include the kiwi, buttercup, lilac, cobalt, "Real red", burgundy and navy. In the past, I've had wine, cream, and yep: classy black! These sit proudly on my shelves! I use the wine one for Christmas layouts. Seems the perfect choice.
As a major benefit, this is a 3-ring binder style album, so you can open the D-rings to load or move pages around. This is a convenient time-saver, meaning no need to feel that you can ‘only’ scrapbook chronologically!! The D-rings are sturdy, “sit” properly, and can be popped open and closed when you wish.
The album is roomy; more than true 12x12” in size. I measured: the closed album is = 15.5” wide x 12.5” tall.
Although I do not scrap this size, they also have the 8.5x 11" sized WRMK Classic Leather albums available at scrapbook.com http://store.scrapbook.com/wr-40367-8.html?t12-13=we+r+memory+keepers
The finish is a smooth-to-the touch yet faintly-textured faux leather and can easily be wiped clean. The album is very slightly padded.
All edges are beautifully finished with decorative, sturdy stitching.
The lining inside matches the cover & is securely stitched in place.
Album corners are tipped in durable, attractive metal. This metal has been shaped to prevent any snagging or scratching. This feature is also self-protective and keeps the album’s corners from becoming bumped or damaged.
The album spine features a timelessly attractive metal-rimmed identification holder for labeling the album’s contents. Simply change the ID tag in the holder if you change the contents of your album.
Each album normally retails for $29.99 at Scrapbook.com and comes complete with 10 top-loading page protectors (ie: holds 20 layouts). I counted, and currently one of my WRMK albums is filled with 30 page protectors (= 60 layouts). If your layouts are “lumpy,” I’d recommend storing no more than 25 layouts in each album. (Tip : Remember that scrapbook albums are meant to be stored standing up.)
I have also used my favourite brand of panoramic style (fold-out) page protectors in my WRMK albums, and have been thrilled with the results. They fit beautifully, fold out the way they’re meant to, and perfectly display memories that “need” to be seen together.
Try one: I guarantee that this will become your “go-to album” style. Its’ high quality and richness make WRMK albums the only ones worth storing your precious memories in!
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A Late-Breaking Tip: If you’re into thinking about Christmas in August, why not ask a family member add this to your special list? Better yet, treat a scrapbooking family member to the value built in to this beautiful product. Money is almost at par, and there is a small sale going on at a reliable and well-stocked online store. A good time to tell a friend of family member your wish!
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I wonder if I got an old version of the We R Memory Keepers albums? Mine doesn't have the hardware on the binding....it has a plastic sleeve type thingy on it. However it does have the We are Memory keepers stamp on the inside of it..........
