hello bloggers! well we've sure been busy on this journey and i have lots to catch you up on. our crew (alain, dyan, mario, and myself) took an early morning flight on thursday to very snowy and cold olso, norway. this was my first visit ever to norway for a visit to a wonderful shop called bikuben. this shop has been on my waiting list for years, and this year everything finally worked out. when we arrived, we were greeted by ellen the owner of the shop, and one of her staff hege (aka "jenny") and took a ride into downtown oslo for a quick afternoon of sightseeing, shopping, and food. we stopped at a local bakery for some cappuccino, pastries, preserves, and try a taste of the local "brown cheese" before heading to our amazing countryside bed & breakfast to check in for our stay...
no doubt even though there was snow on the ground, that didn't stop mario from wearing his shorts (after all "that's what he's know for"...). then we were off to bikuben to get set up. when we arrived at bikuben i was absolutely blown away. i mean, i've been to lots of stores all over the world and when i tell you i've not seen anything like this store, i mean it. this store had every product imaginable (and lots of it). inks, stamps, paper, embellishments, dies, machines, you name it, they had it. dyan and i were there for a demo event on friday but set up early to give ellen's staff the vip treatment of a private demo session that night - it was great fun, and ellen, her husband, and her team were really incredible...
the next morning we arrived at the store early to a crowd of eager students. dy and i were on a busy demo schedule since we planned to meet and demo for 9 hours straight to 180 students! the day truly turned out to be the best though, so many wonderful, kind, and creative people showed up to share in the excitement and inspiration - it was amazing to meet all of them. the staff worked tirelessly to make sure everyone was happy (including us) and i thank each and every one of them too. after a long day we headed out to a delicious dinner with ellen, her husband, and the staff to celebrate the day. then we were back to the hotel for some much needed sleep...
this morning we caught an early flight from oslo back to london and we said goodbye to dyan since she was able to fly straight home from oslo. we spent the day in london doing some last minute sightseeing as we traveled the city by bus, cab, and of course the tube. what a perfect ending to another amazing international adventure. tomorrow we're on our way home, and even though we have about a 20 hour travel day door to door, i'm so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night no matter what. thanks for sharing in the journey once again...t!m
I've always wanted to go to Norway! What an amazing store. Save travels back home! XO!
Posted by: Joy Kennedy | February 25, 2012 at 06:22 PM
It looks like an amazing journey!
Posted by: Tammy Tutterow | February 25, 2012 at 06:24 PM
How fun. Would love to be able to see the world like you! Have an amazing flight home!
Posted by: lauren | February 25, 2012 at 06:28 PM
Mr BTS Mario has kept us all updated with some fabulous pics! Y'all be safe coming back home.
Posted by: Sue W | February 25, 2012 at 06:29 PM
Love the update -Mario will wear shorts I think to the North Pole when he visits there...Looks like everyone is having a great time. Safe journey home to AZ.
Posted by: Joyce A. | February 25, 2012 at 06:29 PM
Norway is on my bucket list...what a great store. Safe trip to you all.
Posted by: linda Woerth | February 25, 2012 at 06:30 PM
TIM-Mart! What an amazing store.
Love the UK. Would go back in a heart beat. If you ever need a stand in I will be glad to go! lol.
Posted by: ValBeakes | February 25, 2012 at 06:31 PM
What an awesome adventure!
Posted by: Rebekah Woosley | February 25, 2012 at 06:33 PM
That store looks amazing! WOW
Posted by: Autumn | February 25, 2012 at 06:33 PM
What a fabulous trip and a great recap! I'm happy for you guys and for all those students who've no doubt been waiting a very long time to meet you and learn from you in person. Safe, smooth travels to you all as you make your way home.
Posted by: Linda Ledbetter | February 25, 2012 at 06:34 PM