This Is Why (Gary Scrapbooks).
| This Is Why (Gary Scrapbooks). |
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| Written by Liv Esteban | |||
| Monday, 03 August 2009 19:00 | |||
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I remember when the new strip mall went in across the street from us and one of the stores about to open was called "Scrapbook Magic". Scrapbooks? Who's going to use that? (I'm a guy, remember. Forgive me.) It wasn't long after that day (the 31st of October 2004 actually), when the lighting bolt hit me. I invited a bunch of friends together for a Murder Mystery party and asked them to dress up in 50's garb. The pictures of poodle skirts and leather jackets and slicked back hair came out so fantastic that I knew I had to do something special with them instead of just throwing them into another magnetic album. It occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, that scrapbook store might have something for me. So I ventured into those previously demeaned doors and touched my first Bazzil paper. $4,000 later I knew I was hooked. Now, now, pick your jaws up from the floor. I didn't spend that all at once. But I did a tally at the end of my first year of fanatical scrapping and it was up to that height. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. But after that year I looked back at all that I had accomplished. All of my shoeboxes were now empty of photographs and could be used for other purposes, like, well, bills. My precious childhood photos from the 70's were no longer being eaten away from harmful chemicals, but are in organized storage boxes. Three big books were filled with my creations, layout upon layout that celebrated my life. I had been published in three different magazines. And most of all I found a bunch of women who were as crazy about sharing memories as I was becoming. Another new obsession came about after that. Online chatting. Yep, didn't see that coming; did you? I was meeting people left and right who enjoyed life as much as I do. We got a little group going and began our monthly meetings in person, mind you. A great bunch of people we affectionately called the Georgia Peaches. We made the local scrapbook store rounds and even did a road trip to Alabama for some sacred shopping. Fantastic friends to this day, each and every one. Being one of a handful of men who scrapbook didn't make my entry into this world easy. There were arguments about whether or not to even invite me to attend real world scrap events. Discussions were had about how I could be a perv just waiting to take advantage of a roomful of unsuspecting women. Once they weighed my merits and watched me closely in the chatroom for seven months, they agreed to meet as a group in some place extremely public--Starbucks. Thankfully, my personality won them over and they saw how harmless I really was. Strong bonds grew from there. Oh, being male does have its perks in this arena. Don't get me wrong. I stick out like a sore thumb in a car door. It makes me instantly recognizable and awards me semi-tabloid status. No need to toot my own horn, but I do enjoy the lifestyle of the not so rich and definitely infamous. Scrapbooking opened up new doors for me creatively. I tried a lot of different crafts, painting, cross stitch, quilting, embroidery, piano. Yet never could get it exactly right. I needed something different. Something that allowed me to express myself easily and that I felt I was good at. Scrapping does all of that and more. But I harbored a secret. One I was reluctant to share with my paper and tactile embellishment friends. I had discovered an even better way to scrap. One that didn't cost so much or make me panic when I didn't have the right paper for a layout. One that didn't make me nervous, wondering what to do. One that made me feel I could SCRAP just like you (sorry, that came out of nowhere). I was a closet digi scrapper. I made the transition quickly and found time beyond my Peaches to enter a new set of friends. I became a member of the Spraground. Oh, and how very happy I was. Talking and hanging out with so many awesome and talented people made me want to reveal my secret. I still remember the first time I brought my laptop to a Peach Greet. There was shock at first. Some incredulous staring. But they slowly came around once they realized how little room I took up at the table. Soon everyone wanted to sit next to me so that they could spread out. My friends accepted my new passion and some even began a little hybrid testing. One I completely transformed to the dark side. Mwhahahaha. Not mentioning any names (Hi, Meg!), for I would never reveal another's secrets. Here I am five years later still scrapbooking. Still meeting new people. Still trying to save money to attend digital scrapbooking experiences. Still taking many pictures. Still loving every minute of it. Eagerly awaiting what is to come next. Note: Gary's secret code name on our forum boards is scrappyguy. :D Trackback(0)
Comments (27)
 
gary, you are hilarious! we should crown you prince of the spraground!
 ... but only after you serve us your chicken cacciatore! mmmmmmmm!  1
August 05, 2009
Hi Gary! Thanks for sharing this part of yourself with us Sprague-mates
I think it's admirable that you enjoy scrapbooking in general and wanted to share with you that my dear son-in-law is also a scrapbooking guy who is not afraid to show himself and his albums at public crop-settings and weekend retreats! In fact, the women tend to flock around him during the course of an evening just to see if he truly is creating a LO and not just there to visit with his wife :lol: ! I've enjoyed your creative work in the past and look forward to more of it and to your posts, as well  -- kimB 3
August 05, 2009
Loved your story, Gary. Now look what great journaling you have done for a layout! Gotta post that one for sure!
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August 05, 2009
So glad that you were determined to be yourself and find your creative outlet. And so glad that I've got to meet you through the spraground! It is good to have a guys perspective on things. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
5
August 05, 2009
This is a great story. Thanks for sharing with all of us - you sound like a lot of fun to hang out and scrap with. And what a great idea - it never occurred to me to bring a laptop to a crop and scrapbook on line instead of hauling my big suitcase only to wonder if I brought the right stuff. Keep up the good work and I haven't looked yet, but hopefully some of your layouts are on line to view.
6
August 05, 2009
Gary I am thankful that you wondered into Scrapbook Magic! It has been a pleasure being your friend! Now what Gary didn't tell all of you is that in his desire for more Bazzill paper he would call me at the store during his lunch hour to pull a variety of colors for him! And let me say....his list was always LONG! Sure enough, after work, there was Gary pulling into the parking lot with the biggest smile on his face as he approached the front door of the store! :-)
7
August 05, 2009
Gary, I think it's awesome that you scrapbook. It truly is about capturing memories and telling stories, and that certainly is restricted to the women of the world. I think a guy's perspective is awesome and very important to the stories. I learn a lot from you here on the forums, and I look forward to learning more for a very long time.
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August 05, 2009
Oops. In my previous post I typed "is restricted" but I meant "isn't restricted". My fingers sometimes can't keep up with my brain.
9
August 05, 2009
Hi, Gary! You don't know me, but I used to shop/crop/take classes at Scrapbook Magic also! I was so sad when it closed. Now I have moved to Orlando and live 1/2 an hour AT LEAST from the LSS here! Anyway, I just signed up here recently and paid for some classes that I have yet to take! You have inspired me...I can't wait to get started.
BTW, HOLLY! HI!!!!!!!! 10
August 05, 2009
What a wonderful story. I bet you have no problems when it comes to journaling on your layouts! Your story just made my day. Thank You!
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August 05, 2009
Gary, I enjoyed your story so much. I had no idea guys who wanted to scrap were treated like that. Glad you won them over and that you are part of the Spraground.
12
August 05, 2009
Gary,
Loved this; thanks so much for sharing how you got started in this "hobby"! 13
August 05, 2009
Hi Gary! I am ever indebted to you for creating for me a new passion - one that feeds my need to be creative & is gentler on the wallet! Your story rocked! Even though I'd heard bits & pieces over the years, it was awesome to read it all at once. Big hugs to you, my friend - and thanks for sharing so much of yourself so freely - love ya!
14
August 05, 2009
Gary, I'm so glad you found the Spraground, and I definitely don't think your're a perv! LOL! Loved your story! You're certainly a peach!
15
August 06, 2009
Gary!! Another male!! I totally understand what you are saying about being a man in the scrapbooking world is difficult. You wouldn't believe some of the stories I could tell you...but I also know that I couldn't imagine my life without it. I am currently an avid digi scrapper, as well as a digital scrapbooking products designer. Like you, I was reluctant to let my friends know my "secret", however, once I started, my friends have been nothing but supportive! Keep it up, so great to see another man scrapper!
16
August 06, 2009
I really enjoyed your story! I wondered about the male perspective beyond, "that's crafty honey". Thank you so much for sharing. You must have ones that clank to get started in the first place. hehehe.
17
August 06, 2009
Hey - where in GA are your Georgia Peaches? I am an avid scrapper - and none of my friends scrap nearly as much as I do!!!
18
August 06, 2009
I'm proud to say that I had the pleasure of hanging out with Gary at a scrap retreat and he is as fabulous in person as he is online! Thanks, Gary, for telling us your story!
19
August 07, 2009
OMG! Your story is awesome and sooo well written! You are a true born Storyteller Gary! I feel your personality coming through loud and clear. Can't wait to meet you at DSE!
Mind if I post this to my blog? I have several male friends who I talked into doing books for their wives last Valentines day and every single one of those 12 secretly told me they loved doing it. Several are now creating books for their wives as presents for Birthdays and Anniversaries too! LOL Going to show them that they are not alone as "Closet Scrappers". LOL Thanks sooo much for sharing! HUGS 20
August 07, 2009
Gary, you make me smile! Thanks for sharing your story.
 21
August 08, 2009
I loved your story! But, there is no way I'm adding up everything I've spent, digital or otherwise I would just have a coronary!
22
August 08, 2009
What an inspiring article, Gary. Your work is so great and I have really enjoyed knowing you here for these couple of years. Keep up the good work and may the (darkside) force be with you! ~Ann
23
August 10, 2009
Gary, you are hysterical and I love your sense of humor! Can't wait to meet you at DSE! Thanks for sharing your story and I'm so glad you found your way to the Spraground!
24
August 10, 2009
awww, you guys made me feel so great today. A day I sorely needed after my near run in with the police!
Cilenia: Have at it! 25
August 12, 2009
Great story and lovely to hear from the "other" sex. I always knew that there must be guys scrappin' but figured they were hiding...!
 26
August 31, 2009
I just discovered your story Gary, and loved it! Don't know why scrapbooking should be such a female thing; my dh loves taking photos as much as I do, but wouldn't dream of doing anything more. Back in the olden (pre-scrapping) days he always left it to me to put the photos in the albums. Maybe I should show him your story?
27
September 02, 2009
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Hello, Fellow Spraguers! I heard Jessica's call for more back stories from the swing set and thought I'd heed it. Why do I scrap, you ask? Well, there's a funny story attached to that.
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