Why can't we have these??

List of things that bring to mind the question...  Why can't we have these??

1.  Pango - a service that lets you pay for street parking, parking lot parking, gas stations and car washes via an application on your smart phone.  Example: yesterday I took my mother to the doctor.  I found a parking space in the busy city, parked, called a code on my cell phone and after the prompt, said the name of the city I parked in.  That's it, I had started my parking meter.  This was good for 2 hours, but 15 minutes before my time is up I get a reminder on my cell.  So I press the code again, and two more hours are added.  I didn't even see my car, didn't need to run across town to get to it, just a cell phone away.  Yesterday the appointment went very quickly, so as we left the office, I dialed the code again and the parking meter stopped!  No 1/2 hour increments, real time!  Why can't we have these??

2.  Rooftop solar water tanks - for as long as I can remember, hot water in Israel came from the rooftop water tanks.  They aren't a very beautiful site, but they use energy that is there, the sun, and voila, hot water in the shower.  On cold winter days, you turn on an electric heating element that heats up the water taking over the sun's job.  Very little electricity used, very efficient, so much friendlier!  Why can't we have these??

3. Toilets with #1 and #2 options - I  know, it's not something I expected to talk about, but it struck me that every single toilet I've seen here, no matter how simple or fancy, has two options for flushing; a short flush for #1 and a longer, stronger one for #2.  Every single toilet I've seen here!  Why can't we have these??

4.  and back to doctor appointments - my mother hasn't been feeling well.  She called her doctor's office, the doctor answered the phone.  No, I don't mean after pressing 1 for this and pressing 2 for that, I don't mean after she was interogated by the receptionist, I don't mean at the end of the day after all the patients left, I mean my mother called, the doctor answered.  It happened again later the same day and the next morning as well.  Just like that.  Why can't we have this??

Today I'm taking a class in metal wire knitting.  I'll let you know how it went.  Miss you all!

Orna

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Hello from waaaayyyyyy over here!

It's been a little more than a week and I'm having a very good, relaxing time!
First on the family front, we had a delightful birthday party for Nina with all the aunts, uncles and cousins at my mother's place.

Nina went off to her two week camp and after a week there, she was forced to call home, (by me calling the camp and telling them to get her to the  phone). Her first time away from home and she doesn't even miss us a tiny little bit?  Her counselor very gently recommended I not be insulted...

I took a workshop in leather manipulation and made a clutch bag.  Of course I had to do something different than the assigned bag, therefore being the last one to complete my project.  It was fun!

Next, I went to see the Israeli Biannual Ceramic exhibit which was beautiful!

and in the meantime, Reid visited with Shiri and family in their new home in their new city...

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Bon Voyage!

Just a quick note before I run off to Target for a few last items.  Yesterday a huge box went out to California with all the models for my three Chicago Seminar classes and one Cyberworkshop class.  The Glory cuffs will be offered for an online class and with that in mind I decided to bring a new colorway to the mix, (top right).

"The Village I Built" is on it's way as well along with a sample of the kit for this piece placed a neat clear box to see the silks in all their glory.

I also sent out all the inspiration photos for the color class I will be teaching in September here in Pennsylvania.  I love teaching, but more than anything I love teaching this color workshop! 

I will be writing to you on Facebook, or here, so please stay close by. 

Love to all,
Orna

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Gift Giving

I always like to bring goodies to my nieces and nephews when I visit them in Israel.  I try NOT to be practical, there is nothing less appealing to a child than a practical gift. This year I decided to make jewelry for each of my nieces.  I made necklaces with their names stamped on metal. I hope they love them... what do you think?

Tal is the youngest

Necklace for Yuval, (of the Yuval cuff!)

And talking about jewels... this is the cutest jewel around!

Wearing one of Aunt Nina's stylish hats

Back to packing!  BLAH

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Samburu, all four colorways for you to preview.

Happy 4th of July weekend!  

Here they are, the four colorways for my Samburu class at ANG Seminar 2014 in Chicago.  This class will be about stitching the amulet but also about the finishing, the beading, the tassel making, in short, you will learn how to make what you see!  

SAMBURU - Vast Sunset Colorway

SAMBURU - Cast Shadows Colorway

SAMBURU - Desert Thorns Colorway

SAMBURU - Animal Instinct Colorway

I hope you are all enjoying your 4th of July weekend and staying safe!

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Going away sale!

To keep you busy while I'm away, I've put my new cuffs on sale!  

These complete kits of four new cuff designs are normally $44-$46 each.  Want all four?  The regular special price was $140.  

NOW until Sunday morning these four cuffs are $100, making them $25 each!  

Complete kits!  Really!!

Grab them while sale lasts...  HERE!

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A letter to you.

My window sills are blooming with orchids and cacti

Good morning!  It's the first week of summer vacation here.  Nina will be turning 12 in a couple of weeks, going into 7th grade next year.  Some of you remember her as a toddler, a tiny, very cute toddler.  She is now a teenager, a beautiful, thoughtful, and very creative young person. 

When she was much younger I remember trying to keep her busy and "doing" as much as possible all through the summer.  When both my girls were very young I knew I would be full-time busy with them over the summer.  I forgot, (as I have with many other aspects of child rearing), that they need just as much attention, care and supervision as they grow older.  In fact, I am reminded, they actually need more.  A tub of building blocks and a juice box just don't cut it anymore.  The older they get the more they need presence, watchfulness and lots of chatting time.  What am I leading to? I have been a bit absent from you all, here on the blog, and I wanted to explain why.  I don't want to seem as if I'm floating in and out of your lives, with no rhyme or reason.  This is the reason and I really appreciate your understanding.

On to another matter... I am quite ashamed of having found a few errors on one of my new cuff charts :(  My very dear friend and best proof stitcher in the world, Kathy, did not get to see this instruction manual. She is so kind with her time and I didn't want to abuse it, but after this cuff issue, I'm going to have to go back and abuse it!  Do you hear me Kathy?  If you ordered a kit of my new "Flower Cuff", please write to me and I will send you the corrections. 

I am leaving for our trip to Israel soon and therefore need to send out all the models for the ANG 2014 Seminar before I leave.  I will also be teaching an ANG Cyberworkshop and those models need to be sent out as well.  Stitch stitch stitch along with Wimbledon tennis is actually nice.  Most of this is done in the wee hours of the night.  Anyone else stitching to the sounds of balls hitting racquets or grunts of certain tennis pros?  

Each of the orchids has re-bloomed and I am very proud of them!

 

Lastly, I promised a sale before I leave.  You will hear all about it by the end of the week.

Enjoy your week, my friends!

Orna

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New design for ANG 2014...

I've mentioned before that I will be teaching three classes at the Chicago ANG Seminar in 2014.  One of them is a fab-u-lo-so color class.  I've designed a new piece for the class, this is the piece we will stitch as an interpretation of our color photograph.  I'm almost done with my second colorway sample so I just had to show you!  I'm loving the piece, it is very, very, very fun to stitch.  In fact, if I have the time before I leave for Israel, I may try one more colorway.

It amazes me every time, the same design in different colors gives the piece an entirely different look, mood, sensibility.  Please join me in this class, although I must warn you,  it is addictive!
Enjoy your weekend!
xo
Orna

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Prior warning!

Dramatic opening, eh?   I wanted to let you know about my summer travels.  I will be leaving for Israel on July 16th and coming back August 25th.  I know, long long trip!  I haven't been home in two years.  It's time, and I plan on spending some quality time with my family, my friends, as well as some planned studio visits with artists.  During that time I will not be able to send out orders so please don't worry if you don't receive your merchandise.  If you do place an order, I will send you a reminder with the date I return to my studio.

While in Israel, I try to plan at least one project with my mother, some type of home improvement.  This time we are redoing her bathroom, taking out the bathtub and putting in a nice spa shower.  I actually enjoy these projects, and feel satisfied when I leave and know something has been done to improve my mother's quality of life.  Nina will be going to a two week overnight camp, (OMG! she has never even spent one overnight at a camp but she wants to do this).  It a great place for kids from Israel and all over the world who love computers, photography, digital music, robotics, and all that jazz.  Cross your fingers that we don't need to make a middle of the night trip to bring an unhappy camper home...

Between now and my trip I plan on having an amazing, blow out sale for you!   Sign up for updates and notices on the right side of this blog.  Perfect time to load up on projects for the holidays, gifts, much needed "I don't have anything to stitch" type kits...  Should be coming soon.

In the meantime, what are your plans for the summer?  

Talk soon!

O

 

a MOST amazing website of graphic designers, phenomenal talent!!  HERE

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