Meet Mike. He Scrapbooks.

Several months ago, I was cruising through the Creative Memories Go Digital Facebook Fan Page when I ran across some fantastic heritage digital scrapbook pages. As I clicked in to look closer at them, I noticed that the creator of the pages was a man. Odd, since we don't get many guys who frequent our page, let alone post awesome pages on a regular basis. Mike made his way into the group pretty naturally - he posted pages and everyone loved them. He became one of us.

We all thoroughly enjoyed his creations, as did all of our fans, so one day I decided to reach out to him and ask him if he'd be interested in joining the admin team of the fan page, and to our delight - he agreed! He's fit in perfectly with all of us, and we thoroughly enjoy having him on the team.

I was curious, though, how does a guy like Mike get into digital scrapbooking - so I asked him. Here's the story:

"What’s a regular guy like me doing in a place like this? The scrapbooking universe. Truth be known, it was quite by accident really. In September of 2010 I was looking at all the pictures my wife and I had on our computer that dated back about 6 years from the birth of our son Halen. There were hundreds of them, and other than printing out the odd one to send with Christmas cards or letters to the grandparents they just sat on the computer collecting electronic dust.

For some strange reason the idea of a scrapbook came to mind for a Christmas present for my wife. I had never actually even really seen one before but I figured, how hard could it be? You just need a photo album with construction paper and some glue right? 3 months and plenty of cuss words later it was completed and I was quite content to retire from this new found hobby so I could continue on with my various other ones. Besides I had completed what I set out to do.

One of those other hobbies was genealogy. I had spent about 10 years doing research and collecting family information. Anyone that traces their roots I think suffers with the same problem, what does one do with the mounds of paper that inevitably accumulate? How does one organize it in such a way so that it is reader friendly and appealing to look at?

I began to wonder if a scrapbook was the answer to my problem, but honestly dreaded the thought of how much work it would be. Then, a lady from work asked to see my traditional scrapbook of my son and asked me if I had given any thought to digital scrapbooking. She told me about the Creative Memories Storybook Creator and I thought I just might have the solution to my problem. It turns out I did.

I have been working on my heritage album now on Storybook Creator for about a year now and thankfully it is nearing completion. I really enjoyed visiting the Creative Memories Go Digital Facebook page to post my work looking for advice and to see what kind of projects everyone was doing. I quickly discovered that being a guy I was in the large minority as far as scrapbooking goes. I was, and still am, so appreciative of all the advice and tips I get from the visitors on the page.

I already have some more ideas in mind to try once my heritage album is completed and can’t wait to get started. So, what’s a regular guy like me doing in a place like this? Having an absolute blast!"

Here are some samples of what Mike has created that we all love:

If you haven't yet discovered Mike's creations, visit the Creative Memories Go Digital Facebook Fan Page - chances are you'll find him there. If you have discovered them, share some love here for Mike - he rocks! :)

Comments

[Maureen]

Love your all your pages -- I am about to embark on a heritage album done digitally. Never used SBC 3.0 b4 but will be starting today. I just inherited a ton of photos from my mom and am struggling with where to start! 1. do I organize my pages by person? 2. how do i show the family tree that i have going back to 1800, and in some cases, 1700's? 3. I have a large wedding photo from early 1900's with many of my ancestors in it. how do i pull each face from it digitally? 4. where do I start? help...i just don't know where to begin. I've been scrapbooking traditionally for years, but thought that digital would be best since many of my relatives are still in england.

[Dave Welter]

Congratulations, Mike it is nice to see another guy doing scrapbooks. I have been doing the traditional albums now for 17 years and hope to some day join the digital world.

What a great gift you did for your wife.

I have done scrapbooks for my nieces and nephews as graduation gifts the first 18 years.

[marilyn]

You do great work, its not a girl or guy thing. Its being creative and that can not be pinpointed on gender. Keep it up! Cant wait to see more pages.

[rosie]

You do awesome work Mike. I a glad it was brought to my attention. I hope more people see how easy and great scrapbooking is and join the ranks.

[Katrina Hall]

Way to go Mike, love your page, wish more men would digital scrap. Most love the computer, it seems like a perfect fit. I also think its great at you're taking your time to complete your album and not rushing, it will be a family treasure!

[Jeff]

It's not a gender thing -- it's a memories thing. Guys can discover how fun this is, too! Thanks for jumping in the pool, Mike.

[Jen]

My seventeen year old son scrapbooked his Boy Scout Twelve Day Backpacking Trek in Philmont, NM. The book he made is a treasure. And he discovered all kinds of things about SBC 4.0 that I did not know how to do (!).

Now, one of his friends is working on his Boy Scout album. After all, the Scout pictures are THEIR memories, not their momma's!!

[Carol Painter]

I so enjoy seeing the pages that you create. Both your Heritage pages and the awesome ones you do of your son. He must be very proud of you and will so enjoy sharing them down the road with his wife and children and will have a smile on his face when he says "My Dad" did this for me.

[Jennifer]

I love it that we have a male scrapbooker here. Love Mike's work and I always enjoy seeing what he is creating. Especially the heritage pages as I am in the process of gathering all of mine to create albums for those as well. Thank you so much Mike for your inspiration!!!!

[Pam Russell]

Mike can join my husband Bob at a crop. My husband loves my albums both traditional and digital. After our trip to Boston in March he decided he would make the album of this trip. He even came to our Super Saturday workshop.

[Jodi Eisner]

Great to have Mike on board over at CM Go Digital. Loved hearing your 'how did I get myself into this' story. Thanks for sharing.

[Donna]

Mike is a welcome addition to the CM Go Digi Admin team, and he doesn't seem to mind when someone hollers for the "girls." I love having a fellow genealogist on board and find his heritage pages a bit unique.

[Jessica]

Spotted Mike's work about a month ago and began "liking" his pages so that I could revisit them to gain a little scrap-lifting inspiration while scrapbooking my own photos. Like Anna, my 9 year old son likes scrapbooking and has even been asking for lessons with Storybook so he can scrap on the computer; it's awesome to be able to show him some male role models interested in the hobby.

[Kelly Kieser]

That is awesome Mike! Who says a guy can't scrapbook? And your pages are great. Keep up the great work!!!

[Sue Philips]

Loved your story, Mike! Keep those pages coming!

[Sharon]

I love your heritage page. It is terrific. I'm a consultant and my best client is my friend's husband. He has created several digital albums and they have been outstanding. Looking forward to teaching my boys how to use SBC.

[Andrea]

I love your work Mike! I always catches my attention!

[Anna]

All I can say is thank you! My son, who is 8, is now willing to scrapbook with me. He thinks it's really cool a guy scrapbooks and loves looking at the pages posted. Love your work Mike!