13 Things We've Learnt from our PG Live 2014 Experience ...

1. Although road trips with mice can be fun, never totally trust your Sat Nav (or you might end up doing a ten point turn in a back alley the size of a 2 man tent).

2. Industrial strength velcro and freshly painted MDF are not a match made in greeting card stand heaven. Avoid such a combo at all costs.

3. Carrying paint pots, brushes and metre-long spirit levels (amongst other things) on public transport does not go un-noticed (even in London where supposedly 'anything goes').

4. 'Granny Chic' is the future. Long live the M&S natural tan tight.

5. We really do love a nice glass of wine.

6. Its very useful to take a useful note book with you wherever you go to jot down lots of very useful stuff.

7. Chalk (essential for drawing aeroplane 'zooms' on our stand) is very hard to come by in the big smoke. That stuff is sacred. If you ever find yourself in such a predicament head to your nearest coffee shop and ask for assistance.

8. Me and Louis were meant to be together.

9. It's scary how much fun you can have with a stuffed crocheted mouse. DJ Rad-Maus is in da haus.

10. This trade show malarky is very tiring.

11. It's amazing how everything seems hilarious after very little sleep. (See most of the above).

12. The world of greeting cards is such a wonderful, friendly industry to be part of and we loved every minute of it ... It was made even better to come home to pack orders for our lovely new customers!

13. 13 really is our lucky number. We were established in 2013. PG Live started on the 13th May and our bestselling card to date is number 13 in the 'Scribbles By Radish' range ... Radish loves being a little clever clogs!

Amy Xx

Radish - Our Lucky Mascot...

It all started with a little throwaway comment with my friend Liz over coffee. She had shown me a picture of a gorgeous little crocheted mouse she had made for our friend's little boy and I said "Can you imagine a crocheted Radish?!"

I didn't even think it would be possible. Liz had no pattern and only the illustrations of little Radish to go from but for the last few weeks important questions like this have been raised...

"Just how big is Radish's tummy - little pot belly or big?"

"Should he have eyebrows?"

"How curly should his tail be?"

"Are his ears floppy or structured?"

"Whiskers pointing out or down?"

"How thick should the stripes be on his jumper?"

After crocheting up an absolute storm, I came face to face with Radish's crocheted counterpart yesterday. It was such a lovely feeling to see a little character that first came to life in my head, then my sketchbook, then in Amy's card designs and then finally, in full 3d form, sitting in front of me, complete with a little crocheted yellow balloon, good luck card and his belongings all packaged up ready for his trip to the Big Smoke next week at PG Live! Liz is truly the Crochet Queen!!!!

From illustration...

...to real life crocheted Radish!

If you would like to see this cheeky little fellow in person, he will be resting his little pot belly and floppy ears on Stand 655 at PG Live on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Come along and say hello!

Love,

Helen
x