Scrapbooking Newbie.....

OK Jeff my scrapbook stuff sat in the bag I bought it in for a year. The friend that sold it to me (a creative memories consultant) asked me one day if I had used any of it. I sheepishly told the truth and said no. She invited me to a "crop" at her house and said bring photos I'll get you going. That's all it took was someone showing me what to do with all the stuff. My suggestion would be for you, her or the both of you check out a local scrapbook store and see what classes they teach. They'll usually teach a beginner scrapbooking class. Take it. It will really get you inspired and maybe her too. Also a lot of scrapbook stores have something called a "crop". Scrapbookers get together and scrapbook. Experienced people will be there and we all yak. I never mind someone asking questions or asking for help.

Now we do have men scrapbookers, so don't be shy if you want to jump in and get started yourself.

Lynne

Jeff we have a very talented MALE scrapper here but unfortunately is on the road for his job.

A lot of scrapbooking merchandise is starting to lean towards the male market -- nascar, nfl, nhl, etc.

It can't hurt to try. Either that or put everything on eBay and hope for your money back.

LOL, Kate

Cute story :-) Maybe she is intimidated by the "blank slate"? In answer to your question about straight men etc, Scrapbooking really incorporates many of the techniques that are taught in fine arts programs in many universities! If you're artistically inclined (painting, drawing, creating, designing etc.) then it's just another method of expressing your creativity. I think more men should be encouraged to scrapbook. It would bring such an interesting twist to the market. Sign up for a private scrapbooking class with your wife and see how it goes?

Sure straight men scrap! We have a "male picture placer", as he calls himself, who is on the road right now, but he would love some company here amongst all these women. :-) Scrapbooking is all about preserving memories. There's nothing that says men can't scrapbook. If your wife sees your interest in it, she just might get involved with you. Most importantly...have fun with it!

I gave my FIL an album with some simple layouts glued in by me so he just had to put in the pictures for his trip. I even had the journaling done from the emails he sent us along the way. I think he liked it completing it WAY more than he let on.

Maybe you could go to a workshop and do the album and then give it to your wife. I would bet that every time she sees that scrapbook she feels guilty over not having done it and if you gave it to her she would be very happy.

Or, you could both go to a workshop. If you liked it, you could continue.

Viv

LOL Hi Jeff. Of course they do! Granted some of them are still in the scrapbooking closet. But more and more are coming out every day. We've had our fair share of guys stop by this newsgroup asking advice and sharing their work w/ us. We actually have one that has stuck around and is a big part of our community. And, yes, he's straight. Feel free to ask us for any advice you may need. Just get the pics out and get started. Who knows, maybe your wife'll decide to give it a go too! Hopefully? Good luck!

Katrina in KS

Actually, there are quite a few mail scrappers out there. Most of them started scrapping because they wanted a record of their children and their wives were either unable (because of work or family obligations) or uninterested. My friend Kenny is a case in point. He's known as "The McDaddy of Scrap" or "Scrapdaddy" for short on the Simple Scrapbooks Magazine Message Board. And he is one good scrapper! He's developed what he calls "The Scrapdaddy Method" for getting organized and getting started, and a lot of friends have told me they use it to get themselves going. You can see it at

Along with a snapshot of Kenny. The easiest way to get started is to do just that... Get started! And don't worry about your image. Trust me... When people see the finished product, they'll wish they had their own gentleman scrapper to make one for them.

Long life, prosperity and chocolate, Raz

Plenty of straight men scrapbook. It is a great creative outlet. I think my hubby would do it if he had more time, he is super creative. I know of 3 men... friends and relatives that scrap.

I wish I could get my hubby to try it., He's very sentimental about family things and he'd LOVE it, once he started.

I say GO JEFF! Have fun with it!

I like the idea of both going to a workshop if she is willing. It would be interesting to see how your styles side by side. I sometimes wish my hsband was more interested in scrapbooking 'cause it would be nice to have hs perspective in the albums. I would also say don't nag her about it 'cause it can be hard to get started. Even now I have "dry spells" where the creativity just isn't there.

Good Luck whichever way you choose.

Hi Jeff, and welcome to the group !! Just wait til Dave gets home and sees your posts! He will be glad to see a fellow scrapper ! Many of us have had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with Dave if he travels to our city and he is a great scrapper!! So you can feel right at home here and happy to have you. If you are able to share your work, we love looking at other scrappers work.

Hugs, Sabrina

We got an 84 years young man in our Friday night crop group. I pick him up at the retirment home and return him after lights out.

But remember what you wished for. Your wife might take it up and start buying ALL kinds of things!!!

Welcome to RCS Jeff. It looks like all you questions were answered by the others.

Teresa in MD