Scrapbooking isn’t in every little corner of the world, of course, but it is very wide-spread and very much a passion for many, all over the world. I love that. I love that this desire to do something with our photos, record our memories, and express creativity through scrapbooking is shared with so many … in Finland, South Africa, New Zealand, Chile, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia …
These 3 women – Linda, Outi, and her daughter Heini – are a few of my parents’ many new friends there in Finland. They also happen to be scrapbookers. It was a pleasure to stop by their scrapbook gathering to say hi on one of the evenings while we were there.
I noticed Sanna’s comment in yesterday’s post and wanted to briefly address the concern she expressed about so many disappointed Finns not knowing that I was coming. First of all, I send big hugs. I know I would have loved meeting all of you.
You should know that I made a very thoughtful, intentional decision a few years ago to stop traveling for work. I haven’t been teaching classes, doing book signings, or making appearances since then.
That said, David and I went to Finland to experience Finland, to spend time with my parents, and to enjoy a getaway together. My reason for the brief visit to this scrapbook gathering was 100% personal. It was not about who I am or what I do or promoting my brand or selling products or any of that. It was because a few of these women and their families have become so dear to my parents over the past year. We wanted to stop by and say hi, but they kept it on the down-low because they weren’t even 100% sure if I was going to come. They were very respectful of our vacation time. I love them for that.
(I love them even more for so many other reasons. We ended up spending more time with Outi and Heini and their lovely family at their summer cottage and it was just remarkable. David and I will always be grateful for their generosity and examples of being completely lovely and inviting and genuine.)
It’s also worth noting that these ladies wanted to have a smaller, more intimate gathering. They didn’t want it to be any bigger than it was and they didn’t make any money doing this. I was so touched that they put this together purely to share their love of scrapbooking with others in the area and to create an opportunity for these women to connect on this level.
Tags: Finland, scrapbookers
Becky you have the biggest heart! One day I hope to run into you somewhere, you touch me in so may ways! Have a great day!
Hi Becky – it looks like you had so much fun! I have a crazy question – you look really good – very healthy! Have you been following a specific diet and exercise plan? If so, could you please share! Thanks!!
Makes perfect sense to me Becky! Thanks for sharing so much of your life with us; you are an inspiration in so many ways!
~Hey Becky~
Thank you so much for sharing your trip to Finland with us. My Dad’s side of the family is from there, so I was excited to see the pictures you posted. Some day I hope to go and visit Finland too.
I’m so glad you had a wonderful family trip!
Thanks again for sharing!
Janet
Looks like a fun gathering. I’m glad you got to meet some new friends and I’m sure you made their day!
I think it is so wonderful that you were able to get away with your family and spend some much needed vacation time with family and friends of your family. I think it is important for the public to realize and remember that celebrities underneath their fame are just people like everyone else and they need their time with family as much as the next person does. Like you said it is different if a person travels for work and is advertising where they will be and invites their ‘fans’ to come out and see them, as opposed to traveling for personal time with family and friends.
It is awesome that you had such a great time away, it looks like from your pics that you enjoyed yourself immensely.
Hey Becky!
although I´m thirteen years old..
Just wanted to say, that I loooove your blog, and I´m a fan of yours
Also wanted to say, that I´m a Finnish scrapper
It was a pitty, that I couldn´t make it to the cut and glue gathering to meet you, but what so ever, it was nice to hear that you liked Finland. Hope you will come again
Becky:
I think you don’t owe anyone any explanations.
If you want to take a trip somewhere and be anonymous,
that is your decision. I can’t believe someone
would question that.
Love reading your blog.
I’m so sorry. I apologize for saying those things. I didn’t realize that you were only on a vacation here. My bad and I am shamed because of it. Ofcourse you have your right to privacy as well! I really thought that you were coming here as Becky Higgins the Scrapbooking celebrity, not the Becky Higgins as herself.
And I apologize for the ladies who arranged this crop, too. I thought that they didn’t realize how many would had come and because of that they just rent a small place. I know now that they really wanted to keep this crop small and intimate. And I understand now that you wanted to spend some time with your family and you just stopped to say hi to all those scrapbookers at the same visit.
Please accept my apologies.
Thank you for answering. I just hope your writing wont ruin this great atmosphere what has been here in your blog. You are so kind and warm person and Kathy (above) is right. You don’t owe any explanations to anyone!
Knitters AND scrapbookers…now this is a place I would love to visit!! Do they have scrapbook stores with products specifically designed for Finland? While in Hawaii I always visit Island Paperie because they have papers and die cuts specifically designed for the Islands and I LOVE that.
Valerie
PS Are there any places to buy your baby albums kits? I made one for my husbands daughter and now she is having another baby so I need to make another one!!
How nice that you get to do the same as the rest of us……..visit with extraordinary women in a small gathering where it isn’t all about you. So nice to see you get the chance to just “be”. Enjoy the time with your family.
Thank you for your encouraging and kind words to us. You are one amazing lady.
What an honor it was to have you visiting our little event in Finland! Thank you so much. And thanks also for explaining the nature of your visit and our event. You got it right! I am happy to hear that you had a lovely holiday with your husband. I wish you all the best for the summer and I hope we meet again someday somewhere. You are wonderful!
A big hug from Malaysia. I love your blog.
What a wonderful vacation to take. i hope you enjoyed it. i love reading your blog it so inspiring. i have question though. i was trying to access some of your achieve videos like in nov. 2007 your twelve days of christmas & crew baby album oct. 2008, but it tells me that they are no longer available. i would love to see them, could you send me them by email (mamaburse@sbcglobal.net) or is their a particular link to go to view them. please let me know, thank you. keep doing what your doing, because you are awesome in everyway.
!!!!!!
Yes, we do scrap in Finland! And thank you so much for the Project Life book I won on that day over a year ago – my year-long project is now complete!
http://lehtipollo.vuodatus.net/blog/2980862/valmis-project-life-kirja/