Vietnam 2015

More snippets of Hoi An

Still hanging out in Hoi An. I was flattened for a couple of days with a bad flu so missed out on a photography course I was planning on doing.  Just slept and took panadol until the worst was over. Viewed a few samples by Ms Huong and picked up my order of buffalo horn.

This morning feeling a little better went for an early morning walk with my camera so here are a few more snippets of Hoi An.

Vietnam 2015

Hoi an

Rainy day today in Hoi An so some catch up work to be done. Yesterday I came upon some irresistible sock toys. These toys are made by disadvantaged vietnamese people to help them become self sufficient with the support of The Lifestart Foundation which is a not for profit charity set up by an Australian Karen Leonard which she runs with the great support of many volunteers. 

Each sock monster is named with a short background of the person who made it.
I bought all they had of the sock monsters so I hope you will like them so I can buy more to support this foundation. 







I also stocked up on buffalo horn from Miss Mai. I have been buying my supply of buffalo horn hair pins from Miss Mai for some years now and it was great to see her and her lovely warm welcome. the new stock will be in Omnia when I get back.

This evening we finished off the day with buckets of cocktails (really buckets) and a fine meal

& 

This morning off to find the perfect coffee!!!

Vietnam 2015 Hoi An

Arrived in Hoi An a few days ago, our favourite place to relax in Vietnam and also my place of creation and manufacture. From the sleepy little town we came upon back in 2000 (before heritage listing) Hoi An now has expanded 4 fold with hotels, restaurants and shops to satiate the never ending stream of tourists. The amount of tourists pouring in daily and the constant sound of renovating and rebuilding is phenomenal. But despite all this there is an air of calmness. 

This trip we opted for a new hotel in one of the new emerging areas on the river but still only a short walk to the old town centre.

View from our balcony Hoi An 2015

our pool

 The pool in our hotel which is mostly covered with a little end of sun to lay in. Not much time spent here yet  as we get under way with working with Thao & Huong on some new ideas, designs and concepts for Omnia. Yesterday I went in search of fabrics but leave the negotiating up to Huong as the prices given to me are a little inflated to say the least.

toothpaste provided in our hotel

 Despite the throngs of tourists there are serene snippets like this that catch your eye while sitting in a cafe wiling away the day.

Vietnam 2015

It has been 2 1/2 years since my last trip to vietnam but heading back down the manufacturing path again finds me here ready to be inspired and creative.

Arrived Ho Chi Minh City to find our hotel facing a massive street / boulevard renovation happening before our eyes. In the 4 days we were there the amount of pavement laying and construction by bare foot un protected workers is amazing. also for residents and tourists it is just a matter of walking through the building site to get where you need to go but what ever you do don't fall down a hole as I don't think travel insurance would cover it.

street works

 Some things just don't change like their system of electricity. Is this what a bundle package is??

We visited the Fine Arts gallery in Saigon which inspired me to contemplate my guava juice.

me contemplating

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.