What have I been designing lately?

I am always working on at least 2 designs simultaneously.  I need to go back and forth to keep my mind fresh and in addition to new needlepoint designs, I'm also usually beading or wire-working something as well.  I don't think it's short attention span, I think it's just too much in my head that wants to get out through my hands and fingers. 
Anyway... here are a few things I'm working on -

A new sampler on 40 count silk gauze

New colorways for one of my ANG Chicago seminar classes

A new design I painted on congress cloth inspired by a piece of Japanese handmade paper

I don't stitch during the day.  That's when I do charting, writing, sending orders, etc.  I stitch in the evenings, starting around 8-9:00  and go for a few hours.  Sometimes if I'm really tired I will find myself dozing off, needle in hand and on special occasions I will even find a few strange stitches on the canvas that must have been done while I was semi asleep/awake.  How strange is that!

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NEW Series, Cuffs, Lockets and Colorways!

 Finally here, the new cuff series - 

A celebration of color and design, three new cuffs are ready for you.  On my Etsy site I have them listed for you to choose one or all three.  

NIGHTSHADE CUFF

The Nightshade cuff combines lovely purples and greens placing them on a background of a beautiful overdye blue.  Delica beads adorn the center and the ends of the cuff.  An elegant piece that will easily call for compliments.

 

OCEAN CUFF

The Ocean cuff with Delica beads and fresh water pearls is a unique piece of jewelry.  Using overdye fibers, ribbon and wire this cuff is striking!

SPECIAL 3 CUFF DISCOUNT

THE FLOWER CUFF

The Flower cuff seems to be blooming with an array of pinks, turquoises and greens.  The stitches beautifully portray the petals and leaves of a lovely flower.  Using overdye fibers and ribbons accentuated by gold colored beads, you will stand out in a crowd!

If you are ambitious and want to take advantage of a special price break, purchase the threesome at a discounted price. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first of the new Locket series!

The Eastern Door Locket design is a piece done on 40 count silk gauze.  The kit includes all silk fibers and includes the mounted silk gauze, needle, backing tissue, all the fibers and a wonderful small door shaped locket.  The finished piece of jewelry is 1.5"x1" and can be immediately mounted on a chain, ribbon or leather necklace. 

Front locket, THE EASTERN DOOR

There are no two colorways alike!!  You can choose from a variety of colorways all shown on our Etsy site.  See a colorway you love, don't wait, it won't be replicated. 

INSTRUCTION BOOK, LOCKET, MOUNTED SILK GAUZE AND ALL SILK FIBERS!

FEELING GOOD COLORWAY

HOT MAMA COLORWAY

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Follow ups...

1. Follow up on this post...
    Susan Miller, from my class, writes: Thanks for a great class.  As you can see, I'm a type A
 personality. I will be heckled at our next ANG meeting!  

You've done an amazing job Susan! (I may have heckled you too!!)

2. Follow up on this post...
    I received the box of glasses as you can see in the photos below.  Very timely, nice service, great frames.  Sad news, nothing looks good on me :(  Back you go!

 

3.  Follow up on this post...
     I've returned all rugs so far.  I think I've got some sort of block.  This has never happened to me before.  Here are my new possibilities.  Any thoughts?

 

and a reminder of our living room:

Thank you!!

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Try them on? too cool.

I've always loved glasses.  I remember clearly sitting in a movie theater when I was about 21. One minute I saw it all clear as day and the next... things got fuzzy.  From that day I've worn glasses, then contact lenses and now back to glasses.  Many a frame have come and gone.  Frames have become so expensive, and then adding the lenses, with a bit of anti-glare, one needs to dip into an IRA to afford a nice pair. 

Imagine my surprise when I found this:  WARBY PARKER.  Just the name makes you feel you are about to be invited to Gatsby's home for a garden party.  You can order frames you like, have them shipped to you for try on, and then ship them back if you don't like them, all for free!! They are much more affordable than what we usually pay, and the most fun is the virtual try-on. OMG!!

You webcam a photo of yourself, I decided to take a photo in my least flattering self, no make-up, no fixing hair, just me on a regular morning.  If the glasses looked OK on my looking like that, there was a chance they would look even better if I made a small effort.  I've just ordered 5 (!!) pairs for home try-on, they should arrive in 5 days.

Wanna laugh?  Here are the webcam photos of me trying on a couple of frames...

The bad news?  I just spent a whole hour messing around!

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Central Jersey Weekend, thank you ladies!

I spent the weekend with a lovely group of ladies from ANG's Central Jersey chapter.  The weather was perfect, the location was lovely, the stitching was wonderful and we had too much fun to call it work!

Silky Safari Class

Starting on the animal spots!

Using the laminated Master Chart to mark the animal print section

Magnified work

Padded Ultrasuede Applique was Sharon's own twist!

Lovely stitchers!

Some show and tell on the table, I was so touched to see my designs...

Wonderful progress made!

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Words can not describe.

The Cantor singing at the opening of the Gala Concert in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

Zubin Mehta conducting the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra

Across the street from the house where my father grew up.

Inside the Museum for the History of the Jews of Poland

Outside the Museum lines were long

The memorial for the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto

Warsaw Jewish Cemetery

Warsaw Jewish Cemetery

The memorial for Janusz Korczak who chose to walk with his students, the little children,  and comfort them  on the way to the gas chambers.

 

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I am leaving on Wednesday, an emotional journey...

On Wednesday I travel to Poland.

I've been invited to the celebration of the opening of The Museum of the History of Polish Jews, in Warsaw, Poland.  This month is the 70th year anniversary of the uprising of the Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, where my grandfather was killed.  For three days dignitaries from Israel, Europe and the United States will gather to commemorate the rich history of the Polish Jews dating back to the 16th century.  I am so honored to be able to be there.  My sister will be coming from Israel. 

You may remember that I traveled to Poland back in 2008.  I never thought I'd go back, but I have known for quite some time that you never say never.  

Tomorrow we are making our way to Brooklyn to celebrate Nomi's second birthday.  Spring is a big birthday month for our family.  We will have a car loaded with gifts, cupcakes, decorations and one happy family!  

Then, on to teaching at the end of the month.  I'd say April is quite hectic, special and exciting!

Please know that if I don't have much time to write, I still make mental notes of everything I will tell you.  So stay tuned!

xo

Orna

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Emma Broidery's Blog about me (-:

I was interviewed by the DMC blog queen, a few weeks ago.  We had a fun time chatting.  Usually there is a large lapse in time between the chat and the published interview, and I don't always remember what my answers were to certain questions and whether I sounded intelligent or more of a dimwit!  I think I did OK, you can read for yourself HERE.

Spring is here, can you feel it?!

xo

Orna

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The importance of remembering.

I just had to add one more thing to this entry.  Throughout the entire country of Israel, at 10AM in the morning, a siren sounds to signal 2 minutes of silence and attention to the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.  The photo below is what it looks like.  This is a very busy freeway at 10 am.  It is chilling and beautiful to witness.

This evening is the eve of Israel's memorial day for the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis and their collaborators.  The expression, never again!, is used often; never again will we let this happen, never again will we allow the world to stand by.

And yet I saw a headline today that made me both sad and angry. Anti-Semitic Incidents Surged in 2012.  The Associated Press reports a 30% jump in anti-Semitic violence last year.  30%!  Ranging from killings at a Jewish school in France, to desecration of cemeteries, these incidents occurred in 34 countries around the world.  What is this? What stands behind this ancient, fierce hatred? Why is this a constant and why does it get worse?  I don't have answers, you probably don't either.

Tonight I will light a memorial candle for the millions who were murdered and for the children and grandchildren they never had.  I will light a candle for my father.

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