Thursday, December 20, 2012
Just Checking In.....
Well, I'm personally glad to announce that all of my major homework projects before Christmas Break are over. Bring on the hot cocoa, the peppermint, and the wrapping paper! I've got a few projects that I'm hoping to get done over the break (and hopefully share with you guys). Hopefully be back soon!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Updates...
Well, to follow up on my last post, I did not get Sterling Scholar. Was I disappointed? I don't know that I can really explain how disappointed I was, or in what way exactly. Yes, I was very disappointed, but I'm also very happy for the girl who did get it, one of my best friends in the whole world. I know she worked hard for it, and I'm proud of her for it. People have asked me several times now if I was mad. No, I was never mad she got it. The fact that Katie got it and I didn't are completely different events in my mind. I do feel however that being given the opportunity to try was a blessing, and I'm grateful for it.
So, with that out of the way, I'm back! Today, I finally went and viewed my list of my favorite blogs, and I realized, I have been too long away. I fully plan on making a comeback, which shall be amazing, because IT'S CHRISTMAS. Suffice it to say that at this moment, my crafty little fingers are itching to find something to do, whether it be making another pair of cozy slippers (do you think I'm obsessed much?), or making my own gingerbread house, or DIY Christmas presents. Believe me when I say that I fully intend to come back.
Especially now that I'm essentially done applying to Colleges. Pretty much all that I have left for anything is to pay that silly little fee. So now, I will have free time! Yay!
So, with that out of the way, I'm back! Today, I finally went and viewed my list of my favorite blogs, and I realized, I have been too long away. I fully plan on making a comeback, which shall be amazing, because IT'S CHRISTMAS. Suffice it to say that at this moment, my crafty little fingers are itching to find something to do, whether it be making another pair of cozy slippers (do you think I'm obsessed much?), or making my own gingerbread house, or DIY Christmas presents. Believe me when I say that I fully intend to come back.
Especially now that I'm essentially done applying to Colleges. Pretty much all that I have left for anything is to pay that silly little fee. So now, I will have free time! Yay!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Hillary Hahn and My Own Musical Escapades
Hello, World! I'm ba-ack! Sorry, life kind of exploded ( I will explain at a later date), but I'm hoping that in the next few weeks I can get back into blogging fairly regularly. Oh, gosh, I've seriously missed this, and I hadn't realized it until just now as I started typing.
So, last night, I got the chance to go to an amazing concert with one of my best friends, Delaney. I'm grateful to have Delaney around, she is my fellow extreme music nerd friend, who will just talk auditions and orchestrations with me for hours. So, on my birthday this year, she texted me, wanting to know if I was busy November 16th. I told her no, so she told me that she had two tickets to the Hillary Hahn concert with the Utah Symphony. For those of you who are unaware, Hillary Hahn is one of the best violinists in the world. I've loved listening to her play since I was little, and getting to see her play live always is a highlight of the YEAR. It's that good guys.
So, last night, Delaney and I made the trek out to Abravanel Hall (and nearly got mugged in the alley between the Salt Palace and Abravanel- jk!) to watch the performance. Guys, I was riveted. I could not take my eyes off of her as she sawed at her violin. It was amazing to watch her perform, and to make it seem so effortless and natural. It's one of those dreams of mine that I keep buried at the back of a drawer that maybed someday I could play a piece like that.
Speaking of musical dreams, I went through the first of a series of auditions in the next few months this week. I applied for Sterling Scholar down at the school. For Utah, Sterling Scholar is huge, it's the chance to compete with the best high school musicians from all over the state. Each school can pick only one per department- and at my school, eight applied for the music division. And I gotta say, the people who applied are GOOD. They are also my friends- this is what I get for hanging out with a bunch of music nerds.
So, like everyone else, I'm stuck waiting to find out who got it until Monday at 2:18. And while, I wish that I could say that I obviously won (snobbish, I know), I can't. I heard everyone warming up for auditions, and they're all really good. So all I can do is hope. Until Monday at least!
So, last night, I got the chance to go to an amazing concert with one of my best friends, Delaney. I'm grateful to have Delaney around, she is my fellow extreme music nerd friend, who will just talk auditions and orchestrations with me for hours. So, on my birthday this year, she texted me, wanting to know if I was busy November 16th. I told her no, so she told me that she had two tickets to the Hillary Hahn concert with the Utah Symphony. For those of you who are unaware, Hillary Hahn is one of the best violinists in the world. I've loved listening to her play since I was little, and getting to see her play live always is a highlight of the YEAR. It's that good guys.
So, last night, Delaney and I made the trek out to Abravanel Hall (and nearly got mugged in the alley between the Salt Palace and Abravanel- jk!) to watch the performance. Guys, I was riveted. I could not take my eyes off of her as she sawed at her violin. It was amazing to watch her perform, and to make it seem so effortless and natural. It's one of those dreams of mine that I keep buried at the back of a drawer that maybed someday I could play a piece like that.
Speaking of musical dreams, I went through the first of a series of auditions in the next few months this week. I applied for Sterling Scholar down at the school. For Utah, Sterling Scholar is huge, it's the chance to compete with the best high school musicians from all over the state. Each school can pick only one per department- and at my school, eight applied for the music division. And I gotta say, the people who applied are GOOD. They are also my friends- this is what I get for hanging out with a bunch of music nerds.
So, like everyone else, I'm stuck waiting to find out who got it until Monday at 2:18. And while, I wish that I could say that I obviously won (snobbish, I know), I can't. I heard everyone warming up for auditions, and they're all really good. So all I can do is hope. Until Monday at least!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Oh, So Sorry
Seriously guys, I'll make a comeback. I promise that I have no intentions of continuing blog breaks, but last week, life got exciting.
This has been just a part of my AP English work for the past few weeks. (And guys, I'm taking a break from more AP English just to type this. Seriously, this class is pretty much all of my homework.) Do you see that grey paper? IT'S NOT GREY. I wrote quite possibly the smallest I've ever written so I can write down every thought I could possibly have on a 166 page book. I did not think I had that many thoughts!
And then there's The Kite Runner. I'm probably annotating it to death, considering every page is crammed full of underlines and thoughts. But I'm really loving this book so much! It is teaching me so much about life from a different perspective, and what I believe in.
And as if I didn't have enough going on, I'm also painting my bedroom, so there's my DIY for the time being. I'll take pictures when it's all done, but for now, do you notice something? Like maybe the bed in the middle of the room? Turns out that everything but my bed can find a home in the basement, so my bed is covered in plastic with all my bedding still on it. This means that I'm sleeping on a foam pad in the living room. Guys, I have to admit, life is fantastic just now. Seriously, I'm living the dream.
And then there's The Kite Runner. I'm probably annotating it to death, considering every page is crammed full of underlines and thoughts. But I'm really loving this book so much! It is teaching me so much about life from a different perspective, and what I believe in.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Happy Birthday to Bilbo Baggins!
I seriously think that sharing a birthday with Bilbo Baggins has determined my geekhood for life. Seriously, I now have a life-goal of living to one hundred and eleventy, among other things.
Oh by the way, I had a birthday. NBD. I'm just an adult who can buy dry ice now and go to big-person jail. Seriously, guys, no biggie. Not freaking out over that or anything.
But, I can say that I honestly have the best friends in the world! Seriously, I felt pretty lucky this birthday. My friends made a cake, and decorated my room, and I got to spend time with some of my favorite people in the whole wide world! And quite honestly (since my birthday wish obviously came true), I think this was the best birthday yet. Thanks a million to everyone!
Here is my beautiful TARDIS cake. Very soon, I will let you know the complete glory of my Doctor Who obsession, but not now-it would take quite some time.
My fabulous birthday present from one of my friends- no, I'm not in any way shape or form a Twitard, but there's a history to the picture.
Lastly, my beautiful gift from my amazing sister/best friend. I'm serioulsy in love with the card, for the images (because I kind of have a thing for cupcakes too), and because she's so sweet. Plus, my entire room has been heart-attacked. That's a part of just one wall. My entire ROOM looks like that. And it still makes me happy to see it.
Oh by the way, I had a birthday. NBD. I'm just an adult who can buy dry ice now and go to big-person jail. Seriously, guys, no biggie. Not freaking out over that or anything.
But, I can say that I honestly have the best friends in the world! Seriously, I felt pretty lucky this birthday. My friends made a cake, and decorated my room, and I got to spend time with some of my favorite people in the whole wide world! And quite honestly (since my birthday wish obviously came true), I think this was the best birthday yet. Thanks a million to everyone!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Thoughts To Occupy
Well, sorry guys, I had a plan for a really cute post this past weekend, but that kind of fell through. And I need to take photos before I can brag about yet another of my projects. So, today, you just get me babbling!
It's been exciting so far, I'm finally a Senior, and for once, it's not my homework that seems to have me buried! I know, I know, it's a shock, but honestly, my homework everyday is pretty minimal. I have AP English this year, and my Stats homework is mostly busywork.
I'm way more busy with music and being involved at school. All right, I'm involved with music more than anything. It's true, I'm an officer in a few groups at school, and I'm in a few more (or as is the case with band, I'm the "honorary" member they can't ever seem to get rid of), but it's music that seems to keep my occupied.
Honestly, I had 4 1/2 quality hours with my instruments yesterday, and that's the average somedays, sometimes, it's only an hour or two, but lately, music is an everyday, all the time kind of thing for me. I'm really starting to love my practice. If I skip a day, I miss it. I seriously am starting to get withdrawals from my violin on the days I don't practice! And I have to say, it's nice. I'm starting to really make progress, which is fantastic, because if I even think of doing college auditions in the next few months, I am going to need all of that progress.
And ya, that's kind of been my life this past week. Toodles!
It's been exciting so far, I'm finally a Senior, and for once, it's not my homework that seems to have me buried! I know, I know, it's a shock, but honestly, my homework everyday is pretty minimal. I have AP English this year, and my Stats homework is mostly busywork.
I'm way more busy with music and being involved at school. All right, I'm involved with music more than anything. It's true, I'm an officer in a few groups at school, and I'm in a few more (or as is the case with band, I'm the "honorary" member they can't ever seem to get rid of), but it's music that seems to keep my occupied.
Honestly, I had 4 1/2 quality hours with my instruments yesterday, and that's the average somedays, sometimes, it's only an hour or two, but lately, music is an everyday, all the time kind of thing for me. I'm really starting to love my practice. If I skip a day, I miss it. I seriously am starting to get withdrawals from my violin on the days I don't practice! And I have to say, it's nice. I'm starting to really make progress, which is fantastic, because if I even think of doing college auditions in the next few months, I am going to need all of that progress.
And ya, that's kind of been my life this past week. Toodles!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
DIY Pencil Case
Hey guys, back again. Told you I would have more DIY. I'm actually really excited by this one. For the past probably six years off and on, I've always used the same pencil bag. It was black, and shiny, and kind of boring. And since I"m me, I decided to reward myself for finishing Frankenstein with this fun thing!
Then, I got super sneaky guys. Using the gold again, I sl st the four pieces together in a straight line. Seriously sneaky, right?
Then, you sl st the ends together, and continue working down the long edge. You now have the outer casing!
Next, you're going to want to get a small zipper, about 7", a fabric to make your lining, and interfacing.
Measure out your lining fabric- it should be about 1/8" shorter than your casing from side to side, and about an inch taller than your casing when it's folded in half. Cut out interfacing to cover the entire back and iron it on. It's rough I know, but everything stretches in the casing, so you don't need to be precise.
Fold your fabric so right sides are facing. Fold down that extra inch so the right side is facing you, and pin the zipper down over the lip. Sew down the edge of the zipper as closely as you can, about 1/8" seam. Repeat with the other side.
The zipper should be on top, with the right sides inside. This way, when you put your hand in, you see the lining and not the interfacing. This is also the perfect time to make sure it fits in the casing and trim off any excess. Sew 1/4" seam down both of the edges. You should now have a pouch with the interfacing facing out.
Put the lining inside the casing. It really doesn't matter if the lining sticks out a bit; once it's been sewn in, it fits perfectly. With the needle and thread, sew the zipper edge to the casing, making sure to keep your stitches small, and to not just loop up between stitches, but actually sew over the yarn.
Tie off the thread and weave in any loose ends, and it's all done, ready for school or wherever else! Tada!
What You Need:
Three colors of yarn
Crochet Hook
Scissors
Fabric for lining
Interfacing
A zipper
Needle and three
To start with, I did four granny squares with a flower center. I found the pattern here, then added an extra layer of the dc around the outside to make the squares bigger, and did a sc border in gold.
Next, you're going to want to get a small zipper, about 7", a fabric to make your lining, and interfacing.
Measure out your lining fabric- it should be about 1/8" shorter than your casing from side to side, and about an inch taller than your casing when it's folded in half. Cut out interfacing to cover the entire back and iron it on. It's rough I know, but everything stretches in the casing, so you don't need to be precise.
Fold your fabric so right sides are facing. Fold down that extra inch so the right side is facing you, and pin the zipper down over the lip. Sew down the edge of the zipper as closely as you can, about 1/8" seam. Repeat with the other side.
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