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I miss my needles!

It's been seven long weeks since I've had my needlepoint fix!  I'm still recuperating from the trip, (3 AM is the new 10 AM around here), I've unpacked everything as of this morning, but still have laundry, and then there are all the missed episodes of "The Killing" to watch.  Today Nina and I are traveling to see Nomi!  Now that overrides everything.  Then we have the very early Jewish holidays coming up next week, and we are going to the US Open on Tuesday. Whew. 

Still, I miss my needles.  I will be back to you, my delicate #24s,  very soon, I promise!

In the meantime, Nina took some wonderful Photoshop classes at summer camp in Israel and has done some amazing camera/photoshop work!  Here are some of her creations, (so proud!!).

Nina is making my work sing!!



a study in Israeli ants...




Nina's inspirational message

I love how she sees simple beautiful moments.

Dancers glowing in the dark

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A highlight of my visit... Ayala Gordon

I missed you!

Looking back on the last 6 weeks, I see many highlights.  One of my new "art-online-friends", Shulli Goitein, took me on a day trip to Jerusalem.  We were going up to see the end of the year exhibit of the graduating class at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design.  But before that we were to meet at her aunt's home in a wonderful neighborhood of Jerusalem called the German Colony, "Moshava Germanit" established by the German Templer Sect.  It is a charming neighborhood with old stone houses and beautiful vegetation all around. 

Shulli's aunt is Ayala Gordon, one of the pioneers of art in the burgeoning State of Israel.  She established the Youth Wing of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. A curator, educator and author, she worked at bringing the love and appreciation of art to the youth of Israel.

Here she is with a class of children circa 1960
We were to meet at Ayala's home and see her fiber art, stories of her family done in mixed media with a strong base of embroidery and fiber applications.  I arrived to a beautiful spread for lunch, a typical Israeli meal of pita bread, salad, cheeses and pickled vegetables.  Ayala was a delightful host, sitting me down at her table as if I was a regular weekly guest. We ate, chatted and enjoyed the cool breeze from the open windows of this stone home.  After the meal we went to see her studio behind the house.  The door opened to walls of art, beautiful storytelling using threads, fabric, paint, sculpture, separately and all together.  Breathtaking!





I was so honored to be invited to meet Ayala Gordon, a true highlight of my trip.

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...continued: Why can't we have these??

I can't say for sure that these are not sprinkled in public parks around the country, but I can say for sure that I hadn't seen them till I came here.  Free, fun, attractive public fitness equipment are available in neighborhood parks as well as the large city parks.  So cool!! (and no more excuses...)




an orthodox boy using the elliptical 

xoxo
O

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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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©Orna Willis
All images, text, and content on this site are the sole property of Orna Willis and may not be used, copied or transmitted without the express consent of Orna Willis. Any other inquiries please email me at orna@ornadesign.com

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