Hi Jen! I also do the 12x12 books. I used to have a hard time finding cute 12x12 paper, but now both Hobby Lobby and Michael's near me have a good selection. Have you seen the "Craft Pads" by Prove Craft? I got one a few weeks ago and love it. They come in themes (winter holidays, sports, quilted, etc.) and they also have cut-outs in the back. I think they are around $8.99 and mine has 32 pages of page in it. If you watch the Michael's ads you can cut out their 40% off coupon and get a good deal on it.

I also use the 12x12 albums, although, I also use the 8.5x11 paper on the 12x12. Depending on the design on the 8.5x11 you can either center it on the 12x12 page cordinating the paper color, mat the 8.5x11 paper, or cut it into triangles for the corners or other shapes. Also, use it to mat your pictures. You don't have to limit your paper size if you like the 12x12 album size. Hope that helps.

Pam

I use the 8.5x11. I have found the most options with that size and being a beginner I wanted the most flexibility. Maybe when I get a "style" going and have more experience I will do a 12x12, but I think the 8.5 will be easier for me. Most examples in the ideas books, magazines, etc. are the 8.5x11 so, once again, being a beginner, I found the most resources with the 8.5x11. I just got the Frances Meyer catalog today. It's 380+ pages! (I spent about an hour looking through it and just skimmed most of it!) They have a bunch of 12x12 papers. It doesn't look like you can order right from the catalog, but they sent a 9 page list of all their retailers along with the catalog. If you have the item# you can call your local retailer to see if they carry that particular paper. If not, they gave their 800# and they can tell you the closest store to you that carries it. You can probably call that store and order it with a credit card and they can mail it to you if the store's really far away. That sounds like a lot of work, but we scrapbookers have been known to do stranger things! :) The Frances Meyer catalog is free!!! and you can order it on their website. francesmeyer.com You've got to wonder how huge a profit they're making on these products since they can UPS all these $10.00 catalogs when you can't even order from the catalog...! Well, anyway, good luck and happy scrappin'!
-Sarah

I am not sure which size I prefer yet. LOL I like the paper variety in the 8 x 11, (the size I started with) but oddly enough since I started my brother's album in the 12 x 12 I find it easier to add the details to, and I think it might be the easier choice for a beginner who is having a hard time fitting in all the items. I like having more room to add to a 12 x 12 page. With the smaller pages you have to crop more photos to make room for the die cuts, stickers, page toppers, etc... Yes I know that the photos are supposed to be the spotlight and too many other items can detract from them but let's face it if we wanted plain albums we would have stuck with the old styles. Penny

I use 12x12 mostly because I got started with CM and that's what they initially introduce you to (although they do carry 8 1/2 x11). I like the size and find it pretty comfortable to work with. I can't imagine changing at this point.

I do agree that there are more paper choices in the 8 1/2x11 but I still buy them and use them for matting and stuff like that. Works for me! :)