A CREATIVE SPURT

I was meant to do my Christmas window today for my shop Omnia but stock came in so there were boxes to unpack, had to find places for stock BUT just was not in the mood. So instead I made this light cover for our standard lamp as people keep buying the lamp shades off it. This one  is made from bits of the white paper some handmade Christmas decorations came packed in so not something I can sell but I kinda like it!!!!

Keeping up to date on social media

Well it is a long time in between blog posts and so much has been happening but my aim now is to try and spread my news I regularly post on FB.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Omnia-a-little-bit-of-everywhere
 I will be including my overseas adventures,  and my random creative spurts in my studio for my shop Omnia. www.omniagiftboxes.com.au

So this week I managed to make up all the little retro sunsuits I cut out the week before. Generally my policy is to only use fabrics & notions available in my work shop. I have collected fabrics and buttons and lace from all my travels so I have plenty to choose from. I am a fabric addict. Whenever i find a pattern or colour i like I just have to have it. Like this retro 50's print cotton.

These little sunsuits are for 6-9mths old kiddies, some have frilly bottoms and others don't.  I especially like the Dr Seuss one featured in our shop window this week along with a little crocheted sun hat and Dr Seuss singlet.

Here are some of the others I made.

Now I have to clean up my studio before I start the next project.

ICONIC PARIS

Well we arrived in Paris and it was Mark's turn to have the flu but no holding him down, off we go to Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and all the iconic places you must see on a short first time trip to Paris.

Map in hand we conquer the metro

Not too bad for a guy with a really bad flu.

                                                                       

Many cakes were devoured as well as cheeses and other fine foods

meringues as big as my head

sweet breakfasts

Heart shaped goats cheese bought for me by Marky!!
What a guy.

             

Our converted barn in Henwood Uk was lovely. we stayed a week and spent time with Tully, Ed, Izzy, Elsa and baby Sebastian. they live in an old cottage looking out to the fields and they have horses, chickens, rabbit, guinea pigs, dog and cat. The road to their place is very narrow and the local sheep, lambs and horses roam free.

Unfortunately I developed a really severe flu here and was a little under the weather, but our cottage and environment made it bearable.

While we were in this part of the Uk we decided to visit Brian. Brian was an icon of Katoomba with his book shop. He has retired and is now 81 and still nimble in mind and body. It was great to see him.

So we are coming to the end of our Uk part of the trip and handing over our shiny red car today in Bristol then off to Paris.
Last post I see we were still in Ludlow. Well our next stop was in wales at Tintern, a sleepy little place on the Wye river in the Wye valley in Wales. We stayed at the Rose and Crown in a comfy room with a lovely view.

We got up and faced another English breakfast before heading down the road to see the ruined Tintern abbey which started in the 11th century and trashed by Henry early 15th century.

We decided we have come all this way so we couldn't miss a chance to visit more expats from Katommba so we headed off to Wooton under edge near Gloustershire to see Glendon and Catherine and their 3 children who we havn't seen in 10 yrs. 

We arrived and it was Eurovision party night so costumes had to be found.

Said our good byes and hoped it won't be another 10years before we see them again and headed for our cottage stay in Cornwall . detoured to Glastonbury and found a good coffee in the medieval town full of 70's dated magic shops!!!

Onwards to Henwood where we are staying for the next week in a converted barn. What a charming corner of the world.

We came here to visit Mark's daughter and 3 children. What a delight!!!

Off we go!!!! Picked up our shiny red hire car in Manchester. What a lark when you are use to driving older cars and find yourself in a brand new no key technology vehicle. Luckily there was a fellow standing by who showed us how to start the car and get us on our way.
A brief stop at sainsburys to pick up some food stuffs for the journey and OH!! we can't find reverse!!! So we sat in the car until someone driving the same car parked and we asked them if they could show us. He looked at us like we were from a different planet but still assisted us.
Now we are on our way. So we head for Ludlow as we have some friends from our home town who have purchased a house there.

We arrive in Ludlow and fall in love instantly. Ludlow is steeped in history with a medieval castle, a wealth of Tudor timber framed buildings as well as Georgian & Regency architecture. Lots of narrow lanes, small and interesting shops, markets and courtyards.
We find our friend Di and she takes us to see their three storey Georgian place they are renovating. It is right in the market square and looks awesome.

 Di takes us to the pub next to her accom which is the wheatsheaf Inn was built in 1668 and was first licensed as guest house in 1753 and has remained one ever since. It adjoins the towns historic 13th century broad gate. Our room is cosy and warm and we have to duck the broad centuries old beams.

We spent the next day exploring Ludlow, a walk by the river, climbed the 200 steps to the top of the church tower for a fantastic 360 view of Ludlow.

                                      

Could have spent so much more time here but as a visitor our time is limited and we made contact with some more escapees from Katoomba so decided to move on.

Well for the last few days we have continued visiting places around Manchester UK. Yesterday we were at Chatsworth which I prefer to call Pemberly. Yes, Pemberly from Pride & Prejudice. the movie made in 2005 was filmed here but I do prefer the BBC series. As we approached I exclaimed "It's Pemberly!!!"

I can see how Elizabeth fell for Mr Darcy after visiting Pemberly. The wealth this took to create is unimaginable.

Such oppulence, Such decadence, such lusiousness. One of my favourite rooms was the library

But the guest bedrooms OMG. Canopy beds with hand painted wall papers from China, sent over in the height of chinsoire in the late 1800's.

This place has been through so many centuries from extreme wealth and oppulence, to a girls school during the war, almost loss due to taxes and returned to it's former glory for the public to enjoy by hard working people and volunteers. The vast gardens and lands are so manicured yet inviting.

Another site well worth visiting if you are in this part of the world.