Felt Flower

I just discovered the new blog site of my favorite felt artist and teacher. Carol Cypher, is so talented in her craft, her felt artistry will blow you away. I have been lucky enough to take many classes with Carol and I was given the opportunity to submit one of my felted pieces that was included in her first book; Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads, 25 Artful Designs. What an honor for me! Follow her blog and take one of her classes if you have the opportunity. It will prove to be very inspiring.

Melon Heads

Wishing for an early spring!

Beautiful hats I made for my daughters!

I have been know to be a procrastinator. Not because I’m lazy or anything, but simply because I don’t want to see things come to an end. I get emotionally attached to things that I do. I’m a pure Pieces, what can I say. Lately though, I have the need to finish up on pending projects in order to clear my head and make way for some new.  Here are a few finished projects:

Felted Purse, Etcetera Design Source 5, done in Manos Del Uruguay Yarns.

Felted Purse (Finished)

Detail of Button

Before Felting Process

Copyright

• All Images and material on this blog are copyright protected by Carissa Schlesinger. Please do not use without written permission. Thanks

 

I have been in a knitting frenzy lately. I never leave the house without a bag containing a knitting project. Currently,  I have 3 knitting projects happening at the same time. I am also in the process of teaching my 10 year old daughter how to knit. I am very active in our local community project; Charitable Hands-repairing the world one stitch at time,  knitting for the homeless and patients who are going through Chemotherapy.

Tara Hat

Size 11 sticks: I am in love with the book 25 Bags to Knit by Emma King! All the projects are very cute and take no time at all. I am knitting the Sherbet Bag on page 108 using Glimmer Print Vertegri by Rowan. The yarn is fabulous because it is a wide ribbon like cotton with gold flecks! Too bad its discontinued. I did find it in an online shop from England. I bought as much as they had in my color.   This bag is finished!

Size 8 & 7 sticks: Naturally Noro by Jane Ellison. I am knitting the Lizzy sweater on page 31. I had to use a 7 & 8 to get the tension correct.

Size 8 Circular: Optic Waves Shawl bySheila January. I purchased the Brooks Farm Yarn at the Sheep and Wool Festival in NY and I needed a pattern. Low and behold the pattern was in my house all the time.  Knitters Book of Yarn, by Clara Parkes . I am so excited to have found this pattern in a book that I have owned for a year!

Copyright

• All Images and material on this blog are copyright protected by Carissa Schlesinger. Please do not use without written permission.Thanks

Studio

Yes!! I am a major procrastinator! However, the job is finally complete after 2 paint jobs and many shopping trips to Ikea. I am very happy with the results of my Art Studio. It finally came to  fruition after I took the time to focus and write down my objectives for the project.  The first thing I knew that  had to be done was de-clutter the space. Once I did that I made a list of how the space needed to function, followed by how it would look. Yes,  form follows function!  I Had help with this process by consulting with a personal life coach. This was time well spent. It helped me to focus and envision what needed to be done. I executed the plan. The plan was a “Celery Green” studio that was used for felt making, sewing and painting.

Some plans need revision. I use this space for felt making, sewing and painting,  but Celery Green, I don’t think so.

My studio  is now  warm and inviting. The soft buttery yellow color is happy and works well with all the items I own. With a Rainbow Rug from Ikea, how can I go wrong. I made sure I had a space for a small desk to hold my laptop and printer. My bookshelves have been cleaned up and organized. The studio is located in a finished basement with drop ceilings, so I added sheer white and yellow curtains to make the space feel taller.  I purchased a counter height work table for felt making. My supply bins are categorized and labeled.   Everything works in this room, including me! I have been very productive and creative in the new space. Yea Me!!

Believe me when I tell you that this “tree of life” is located right here in Central NJ.  We have a fabulous park within the Monmouth County Park System, called Deep Cut Gardens. It has a rich history in gardening and is a beautiful place to sit and have a picnic lunch. I took this particular picture in the Fall of 2008. Every time I look at this shot I am amazed once again by nature. That sweet bench next to the tree looks like a perfect spot for some “knitting meditation”.

Take Control of your Weight

As a Shaklee Distributor, I have personally had the Cinch products for controlling my weight. I love the Chocolate Soy flavor and mix it up with bananas and blueberries for my morning meal. The shakes, snack bars, vitamins and teas are gluten free, which is important for me since I have Celiac Disease. The shakes keep me satisfied until lunch. Look at the contest sheet on my Shaklee website and see official information on how you can become the Cinch Biggest Looser  You could win $25,000.

Bagless Vacuums are the worst invention know to man. I can’t think of one reason why someone would think this technology is better.
Usually when I’m finished emptying the bagless canister I need to shower since I am now covered in DUST. I usually need to blow my nose too!
The canister cannot be simply emptied into the kitchen trash can (like we see on all those TV commercials) since it is usually necessary to clean the surrounding area where you’ve  just emptied the can.
The term bagless? What is that? I have to use a tall kitchen garbage bag just to collect the contents of my bagless vacuum. My second vacuum, which uses bags, is onhand to vacuum out the bagless vacuum.
It make so much sense to have a vacuum that has a collection bag to keep all that nasty debris in one place.
Why would anyone buy a bagless vacuum?

Today I had a fabulous facial. It included a paraffin mask for the face, hands and feet. I was so totally relaxed I almost forgot about my “to do” list. A small luxury break is all a stay at home mom needs every once and a while.

Speaking of to do lists… my to do list is on my Palm z22. It has one constant thing listed – “get organized”  oops actually two things; “make a will”  I’m off the topic… continue

I don’t know if the “get organized” task will ever be removed. I am constantly in a state of “organization”. I use the term endlessly. I use it to get myself out of a jam, I use it to excuse myself from engagements or obligations. I use it when I lack creative spark. Sometimes, I use it to define who I am !!! When will I ever be organized?

Whats so great about being organized?

I am more creative surrounded by chaos.

(or that’s what I keep telling myself)

Being organized takes time, money and discipline. Three things of which I have little of. I figured that in the past few months alone I have spent 80% of my time trying to organize. I have purchased 4 books on the subject, lots of bins and a Brother P Touch. I’m on the right track, the first area of business: my studio of shame.

This needs some major work.

I have been a fiber artist all my life. Learning to knit at a very young age was a wonderful gift that has remained with me throughout my life. I studied textile design in college and became a Weave Designer for a studio in NY. Eventually, I wanted to pursue other forms art, so I returned to school and earned my Masters Degree in Art Education; so I would continue to learn and grow as an artist. When I am not surrounded by art students, I am busy with my family or working in my studio. 

I try to put my creative thumb print on just about everything I do.    I work with wool as a felt maker, I am an obsessed knitter, a surface designer, and a teacher. I care deeply about the health and well being of my family, which is why I decided to join Shaklee as a distributor. I’ve  even incorporated using Shaklee to create my Mixed Media Felted Pieces. One of my favorite parts of the day is when the house is quiet and the creativity takes over.  I’ll have my sketchbook at hand and I will design and plan how I am going to approach my latest  project for the next day.