Paperworld, Franfurt 2009

Spotted: Trends that seem to dominate state-side are a pish in the ocean when it comes to the mother of all papercraft trade events... Paperworld. It was a massive show that encompassed a variety of stationery, home decor, paper and seasonal decorative crafts. It was a visual banquet...

Trends I spotted included texture. STILL big news - glitter, flock, and velvet effects (huge in home wares and Christmas decor!!) Also there was a really strong representation of natural fibres and colours. Europeans are more proactive in using recycled materials; and there was a real lush hint of raw wood, creative uses of wood pulp and bark. CHA may have dipped its toe in the water of eco-wise... but paperworld was awash with it. Lastly, I noticed that crocodile texture print was adorning everything from notebooks, bags, shoes to your very own handmade paper! Not my *thang* but no doubt we are sure to see it making a big impression in the months to come...

...I was working hard, promise! xxx

Heading to Frankfurt, Paperworld Show

I am back in the hot seat as I head to the Paperworld trade show in Frankfurt, Germany. It is a 4 day show, and is *even bigger* than CHA (mainly because it is not so paper-centric!) So I have my walking boots, camera, plasters (for those annoying blisters) and some trend spotting antennae...

This is my first encounter of Paperworld; having in the past opted for SMAC & STITCHES as my foray into international trade fairs. I am looking forward to the imperfect booths, cluttered with gazillions of non-coordinated products... all looking for a home. I am brushing up my rusty Deutsche (I went to a German school whilst living in Turkey... so it won't all be Bratwurst and Bahnhof ;)

I will add *little* nick-knacks which I pick up along my way...so that heaving WISH WEDNESDAY WONDER-STASH prize will be awarded on Wednesday week... (as this allows me time to read properly through comments and get over the cumulative jet lag ;) Some lucky follower is going to be like a pig in poo... lucky you!!

Ok... Tschüss for now!

Shanghai

I have photos on Holly's camera of the BUND (this is the famous Shanghai district) and will have to upload them later. We had a night out with our office colleagues here, and boy was that fun. You have to experience Shanghai from a local perspective to really get a flavour. (My fav place is still Hong Kong!!) I leave tomorrow for home (hurray!!) and am looking forward to my bed, my pillow... and my family ;)

Day Four...

It is a little unreal to be in Hong Kong. My parents have visited here before - and I have seen the pictures, but it is something totally different to visit it for yourself! I managed to bump into some familiar faces at the show we are attending, which was a miracle in itself as the place is HUGE!!

We head to Shanghai tonight, and then it is into REAL China (Hong Kong is pretty 5-Star.) My credit card has dust accumulating, as there is absolutely no time to shop (...CHA means it takes a real beating, which is why I love going to the US ;)

Hello to my kiddies - who I am missing A LOT. When you are away you actually miss HUGGING. I am not about to hug Hols and TB... and am looking forward to getting home, to my own bed and my own family.

Just discovered too that Anthony Heywood is the QVC personality who will be hanging out with me for 2 hours on the 28th (4-6pm show)... so should be fun!!

Day Three...

Wake up in Taipai...

Go to sleep in Hong Kong...

Flippin' awesome man...

Day Two...

I spotted this cow and fell in love with it.

Not that I am about to leave my husband or anything for a foam cow... but it's big googly eyes were dead cute, and I could not resist.

A bloke made this - and I said that in his honour I would post his grand achievement publicly... as he was dead proud about his *I CAN craft* fuzzy warm feeling.

Today was spent out of the sunshine in offices and meetings. It is what I am here to do I guess, so can't complain. I did manage to pep the proceedings up with off-key karaoke in the car, as well as a night at TGI Fridays with Benji (superstar)... I now have belly-ache from laughing and a doggy bag crammed full of brownie {as promised} for Holly.

Day One...

It is HOT out here... like sizzling (which would be OK if I was on a beach somewhere in less than the business attire I have ;) We caught the High Speed Rail to different areas of the island... and got to see some great new product ideas which we are developing. Think, hybrid textures ;) Also spotted some fab ideas for gifts.... just you wait!!

I am NOT adventurous with my cuisine at all (stems from days living in Turkey being fed who knows what... scarred my tongue for life!) I however had my first scallop tonight, and Holly (Roche) ate a SNAIL!! This is not the grossest food I bet we can eat... but for me that was pushing *it*. Good food, great company (with our Taiwan Ma Ma *waves* to Brad and the gang!!)

Finally got a shot of the 101 at night. Very pretty. Lots of crazy cyclists on the roads - and I would not like to be behind the wheel here.

Night xxx

Taipei

It is a little surreal to be in a place that I have only ever seen on TV. Although I am a far cry from travel superhero Michael Palin...

Taipei is a bustling city (seriously... no one seems to sleep here!) The people are warm and welcoming. We drove past Taipei 101 (the second largest building in the world) and headed to our hotel. I don't eat airplane food since my unfortunate *puking* experiences (is that too much info?!!) So I was starving, and have to confess that the KFC across the road was shouting at me. I think it is safety in familiarity (plus I *knew* for sure it wasn't dog food... literally ;)

After bod all sleep (roughly 2 hours) it is on the road to visit factories - we get on the SUPER FAST train (it's like the Japanese Bullet) in an hour or so... so I better get dressed!

Updates later xxx