Working on life

I have been busy with school so that I hardly have time for crafts. I have however done two scarves and a beanie. I have also done a few sculptures. I am still waiting for photos of the baby blanket I finished. I am so excited for Christmas even though I know it's not even thanksgiving yet. I have a great idea of what to do for my family. I want to post my ideas do other people can like them and help themselves to my ideas but my family reads this... I think I love Christmas on a low budget. It makes the gifts more thoughtful and more from the heart and sometimes more creative. Gah! I'm talking about Christmas and Halloween was just last week! Dang those department stores! Macy's had their Christmas decorations up on Halloween day! I think that that is so insane. Is it just me or is the Christmas season starting earlier and earlier? Halloween was a blast I dressed up an artist on Friday and Saturday and as batgirl on Monday. On Sunday I went to Yellowstone and it was amazing. It was cold and smelt like sulfer but it was so pretty and I enjoyed my company. I want to go again when it is covered in snow. The snow makes such a nice background. I heard that "Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?" is being turned into a movie! That makes me quite happy. I think Hollywood needs to start coming up with new ideas so that things of our past aren't ruined for our futures. So I'm still watching castle, leverage and big bang theory. I have also gotten into how I met your mother. I have caught up in the baking murder mysteries. I just finished a few more scarves! Here's one I made for my roommate. it's the same pattern I used for myself and for the snow cow Craig and I will be making.

The one I made for me is black and the one I made for the snow cow is red. The black scarf matched my black hat as seen here:

Alright well I need to get back to reality. Until next time.

- ^-^

Jasmine Updates

so things have been very busy. I graduated with my associates from BYU-Hawaii. Now I am in Idaho working on a graphic design major. I am having fun and trying to stay warm. The baby was born this week. It was soooo early. Now I have to power up my hands and finish the blanket. I have seen pictures and he is so dang cute! Well I have class so until the blanket is done I will be off doing homework and classes. Until then.

- ^-^

Thinking about life

I have so much that I am supposed to do and most of it I just don't want to but I should and I end up doing it. There are also so many things that I want to do but don't have time for and so they never get done. I do not want this blog to be like one of those things that I do that I quit not too long after I started like me being an accounting major.

Mocktails! And cool beans!

Mocktails: virgin cocktails; fake cocktail.

Some make this a theme for a party for an underage girl's birthday party, some for a baby shower, and some for bridal showers. We had one just because. I threw it to celebrate all the fun and great things happening to us. We have each other. Amanda and I got accepted to and plan on attending BYU Idaho. I will start in the spring and she will come join me in the fall. We are all still very close and There is so much to be grateful for and enjoy. At the last minute I decided that we were also celebrating that the tsunami did not destroy us and that no damage (or not a lot of damage) happened to our side of the island. We celebrated with just a few drinks but we had plenty to drink. We started off with a batman cocktail which is virgin to begin with. It is just a concoction of orange juice, grenadine and club soda. Honestly I expected more from it and a darker richer taste. For me it tasted odd but at the same time I did not add ice and there was no measurement for the club soda. As we all got comfortable and waited for others who were invited to arrive we started the next drink. It was suppose to be Hawaiian passion punch which included POG, so everyone was excited! As we poured the drinks into the blender bugs rose in the liquid and maggots were found crawling around the top. It was gross but it kept us entertained all night. It was a great night and there was uncontrollable laughing by me. I definitely had way too much to drink. My words were slurred and I was having trouble walking straight. Wow sugar is a powerful stimulant. I woke up the next day with a major headache and complete grogginess. If I didn't know better I would be concerned there was alcohol in the drinks but I check the labels and there was only lots of sugar. Well that was the weekend. It was so much fun we are going to do it again soon as a goodbye party for yours truly.

Some extra special on the side news:
I finished the middle panel today!!!!!!!!!!! It looks so good and it's really really long.I'll upload some pictures in the next few days and compare it to someone (probably myself) to show the craziness of the length. Basically it could be my blanket but just wait and see. Well I'm off to do some more of the things I do. Until next time.

- ^-^

big news!

Today I learned how to crochet!!!!! I made a cute little granny square. It only took me an hour or so to master but I think I have the hang of it so I can make a granny square afghan! oh that could be so freaking cute! oh I am so excited of all the possibilities! look out world here I come, skilled in both the skill of knitting and the art of crocheting. here's a picture of my adorable little square:

until next time! I promise it is going to be good!
- ^-^

T Day!!!!

As I was sitting knitting and watching Big Bang Theory when my boss messaged me at 8 letting me know that there was going to be a tsunami at 3 am. I went downstairs to ask the RA if we need to start preparing, they said no that it is just a watch and sent me away. I went upstairs and something did not feel right. I talked to my relief society president and we started getting the ward ready for the attack. Not an hour later it turned into a warning. I have been just sitting around trying to help as many people as I can and have started preparing for the worst. I have also kept my mother updated on my happenings along with Ben. Ben is so sweet, he called me and kept texting me until I responded letting him know I was okay. that was so nice of him, Elke met up with me and now we are upstairs just on the comps and hanging out. My screen is really bright and my comp won't let me adjust it so I am going to restart it and hope it fixes it. It did. Not long after my comp restarted I decided that I did not care if the tsunami got to me anymore I was more tired than anything else. I went to bed probably about 3 4 ish and my body woke me up at 6. Nothing had happened in my sleep. Elke and I were happy that nothing too bad happened in the night. We got ready to go to sleep and then the texts and calls and emails came. They read that school is open and that we need to go to class. We read the messages, heard the calls and said, "What the heck? We have been up all night, school should be closed so we can get some sleep..." These messages were of course sent a few minutes before my first class. I didn't have time to shower or change because I was going to be late. I almost ran to my class hoping it would be just extra credit or a super easy day. I get there and the door is locked and no one else was around. I then went to the seasider to get some food, tsunamis always make me hungry. The seasider was closed so I walked back to class to see if anyone decided to show up, there is a little torn up piece of paper that said my class was canceled. I almost didn't want to believe it but I really wanted to shower and wake up a bit. I then went home and got ready for work. No one had been in the office that morning and I was almost scared that I was in trouble that I was a few minutes late just because there was no coverage of the building. I wasn't and as soon as I got off from work I went home laid down and finally got some rest. Now it's about 7 my time and I am so hungry and in need of entertainment. I think I'm going to watch the TV movie Alice that came out last year, and eat some Spaghetti-O's, popcorn, and pickles. mmmmm food. If I finish my food before the movie/show thing is over hopefully I can finish my second panel today. I have been working on this panel for what feels like almost too long but that's fine. I've been busy and stuff. Well I hope that none of your friends, family, or someone you may have know was in the earthquake. If they were, they will in the prayers of many and mine. Now it is time for food and to make sure I have everything ready for our mocktail party tomorrow night. Now we are going to be celebrating that we survived. Until next time.

- ^-^

Mistakes happen even to the best of us...

Sometimes along the way we fall and make mistakes, I made a nasty one that led to a series of problems... I am of course talking about my knitting.... I switched a stitch and has messed up about twelve rows. Oh well, now I have something that looks kind of cool, no worries though, I will fix it as I watch Big Bang theory. I think I made the mistake in religion class. On a separate note, I got my best friend into a great show. He is now hooked on.....  drum roll please.... (insert a drum roll).... Castle! Oh how I love that I have finally shown him something that he actually likes. I tries leverage but he was indifferent to it. He however enjoyed Nightmare Before Christmas! We watched it on christmas together. He is seriously one of the nicest people I have ever met. There is something about him that is so warm and welcoming and trustworthy. I trust him with my life. Last night we had an interesting chat and I found out that my personality type is a four, this is like the pained artist personality. Here is a link that describes my personality....http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/typefour.asp#arrows. But anyhow back to the knitting... I don't know if I can finish this blanket before the birth of the baby.... I need to concentrate on school so I can graduate but I am finding nothing interesting in my classes for me to focus on. I think that because I can see that the finish line is so close that I just want to finish, be done, party, then get the heck out of here. ^-^ I mean that in a nice way, who doesn't enjoy being a slave to something? Well that is me to school... I'm also thinking about starting another blog... It shall be something like a bucket list but we shall see how long I can keep it up. I want for this one to have at least a post a week. I love writing on here, I can get all my emotions out even though I am not writing about them. I feel so much more calm, energetic and just overall happier. This blog is an accomplishment and I hope that someday I can keep a regular beat to it. Well it is time for me to get ready for the day and study my butt off, gotta pass the classes. Until next time.

- ^-^

btw I finished Big Bang Theory.... Im kinda sad about that... It was so funny!

the baby head!!!!!

I am so freaking excited it is done. However, I haven't worked on the blanket in about a week.... shame, shame. I'll work on it at church tomorrow. But look it's kinda cute and for me it kinda looks like a Mario mushroom. I find it kind of funny because my uncle loves Mario and other classic games. It almost makes it perfect. But lookie:

I think it's cute. but the fact that it almost looks like a baby with a fro (which is what i'm going for is completely awesome!

Now please, please, please if you are reading this go back to my last post and tell me what you think about which color I should do the border.

Until next square.

- ^-^

Happy Day!!!!!!

So I am super super freaking excited!!!! There is a lot going for me right now!!! I fix my blog app problem!!!!! I would be posting this on it except there is no wifi reception in my room. I have found a new show to watch (Thanks to bestie)... Hogan's Heroes. I know this show is super old but it is really funny... I can't stop watching it. Oh also I found out that I am almost done with my baby head square. Now I need to know what you think! I have options for the baby blanket and I want your opinion on which colors I should do. Please leave a comment on which one you like more: the white or the navy blue. Most votes wins!

The WHITE:

The NAVY BLUE:

Ok these photographs are a little lighter than the actual yarn but I'm sure you get the point of what they look like together. Please let me know what you think so we can finish this baby blanket ASAP!!!

- ^-^

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today seems extra special than all the others. Maybe it is because it's another gift giving holiday. Maybe because this holiday is all about love. Maybe it is because I am wearing lots of red and some sexy over the knee boots. ^-^ whatever the case is I love today, what today does to people, and what today just means. Valentine's Day means something different for most people, some it's an anniversary of a relationship or a death, it is a reminder that yes, I am single, and for some it is just another silly holiday that big corporations invented so that people will spend a lot of money on candies, cards, and cute little things (like a mini Christmas). For me today is the day to spread love and good feelings by being with those you love and to just do things that make you feel good!

I am excited for tonight and spending it with my best friend. We are just going to watch some movies and eat some good food.

Hopefully my package will come in, I ran out of blue and cannot continue without it. I'm not going to lie, ordering yarn online scares me. Well, it only scares me if I already have a skein that I need to match. Even if it's from the same company, and same lot number I am always scared that something will happen so that it will not match. For example they could send me one that they were running out of dye and made the skein before replacing/replenishing it, or if it is spotty or random colors by accident, or if they send me the wrong color altogether. These thoughts haunt me at night as I dream of knitting up a storm. Ok maybe they don't, maybe they just make me hesitate to buy yarn from places that I do not trust to have multiples of the same color... but I still think about it and I think that that semi-counts.

Well graduation is coming up in 54 day and my parents will be her in 53! I can't wait and now I have to get all of my stuff in order... So I will be on after I finish this section to show you a fun little pattern I made!

- ^-^

Minor Delays

I have had to stop progressing in this endeavor for a wee bit. There are a lot of things going on that I need to figure out that are a smidge more important than this blanket. I really feel like I need to find myself and even though I know I am crafty and a knitter there is still so much more I do not know. I have went through many changes this last year and I am not sure about much; like I have no idea what my favorite food is, or even what color my hair is(naturally and currently), I have no idea what three words I would use to describe myself. I am going for a trek to figure myself out (most people would call it a small hike). I hope that I will get in tune with nature and myself. It might even give me some inspiration to do something amazing. Until next time.

-  ^-^

Blanket still in Progress

I've been wanting to write for days, I have just had not much to write about. This pattern that I am working on is incredibly adorable yet it a pain in the butt!! It takes a long time to do but it will be worth it in the end! I need someone to remind me not to do this one pattern again until I actually have time to do it, like a year or so. Right now, I have a couple months. To finish this blanket I still have this panel and another full one, I also have to learn how to crochet and put them together. At least the hat is done. ^-^
Well some good news! I found someone to teach me how to crochet, I will see if we can start lessons either next week or the week after. I am super excited. When I think about all the things I will be able to do after I master this talents my brain goes a kagillion miles a minute! I also found the perfect color or yarn that will go with my other colors of the blanket. It was really hard to do that. I wanted to go with a bold blue but it just did not fit. We went with a beautiful pearl white instead. If the baby or the parents don't like the blanket, that's fine, I want it. I have grown so attached that I almost feel like it's my baby (the blanket not the actual baby).
Some other exciting news: I got accepted to the Fall/Spring track at BYU-Idaho. I know that it is nothing like Hawaii and will be cold like hell when it freezes over but at least they do not want me there for winter! I will be reunited with some old friends and some newer ones that I met here in Hawaii. I also have a friend or two that are going to follow me to BYU-I eventually. It will be party central once I get there.
However before I make my decision I have to hear back from the main BYU campus. I honestly have no idea what I want to do or what I am going to do but I know that I need to sit it out and wait for the response.
Recently while trying out new candles and incense I found that I like a candle that is scented like air and so far I am trapped between the scents sunrise and air again. Now for those of you who are read this and are thinking "What the heck?! why does she like the scent of air? if you like it so much why don't you go outside?" well to answer you, outside has an interesting smell. It always changes, however right now it is one of just fallen rain. It is nice but not strong enough to make the room ( my super small dorm room that I share) smell nice. Usually when we walk into our room (me and the roommate) it smells moldy, musty and stuffy! And they tell us not to have candles, incense or anything else that can make the room smell nice. Ok we can have febreze but that smell doesn't last long in a place that nothing really ever dries. I am not trying to complain, I just wanted to give some background of my new obsession (ok, obsession isn't the right word but it is kind of close) of incense.
Well I have started this new thing when I backtrack to all of my new favorite TV shows and watch all of them, I know this takes a while but I work on my knitting as I do it, I have watched all of the seven seasons of Desperate Housewives (this one I might have started and finished before the knitting project).... I am currently working on Leverage (only three seasons, about halfway done with the second), I want to get to Chuck and I am open to any suggestions on shows that I am not currently up-to-date with. These shows include but are not limited to (mainly because I cannot remember them all): Castle, Psych, White Collar, Royal Pains, Cougar Town, Desperate Housewives, Glee, and 30 Rock.
Well while watching something online I found my camera SD card and here is a picture of the pattern that is beautiful but takes a bit too much time:

Hopefully I finish this week, if not then hopefully next week. Well Leverage is calling my name, until next time.

-^-^

Pictures of the beanie and the blanket (so far...)

So I got super excited about blogging that I bought a ton of apps for my phone. So far none of them work... lol just my luck. oh well. I'm updating my phone now so hopefully it will work later. However the camera app is still working so I took pictures of the beanie and what I have of my baby blanket.

Here is the baby hat that I made a while ago. It is super stretchy and will last little baby Bean for awhile. 

These are my first squares of the blanket and I think they came out pretty good! I want to add a couple of pictures to it and Mom and I decided that the V not only stands for Valdez but also for Vanilla Beaner ^-^! I am super excited for this blanket and am working on making a pattern for the middle square today. When I knit it I will make sure you guys can tell what it is supposed to be. Oh! I forgot that I have a picture of the three together! Here it is:

The blanket is about three and a half feet long. This blanket will last the baby for a while! (hopefully)

I have decided on my next project after this! I am super excited for it! I can't keep it in anymore! I am going to knit a pop tart pillowcase. It will look something like this:

It will of course be bigger (so my pillow will fit in it)! Also instead of strawberry I am going to make Wildbery!! The colors are beautiful and are going to pop while it sits on my bed! I am way excited to start my pillowcase! Mmmmmm pop tarts sound so good. I think I am going for lunch! I'll keep you updated as I finish stuffs! - ^-^

Blogging is the new black?

I went to a very uplifting Family Home Evening where the lesson was on journal writing. I do not like writing in a book and having to keep track of it. At times I feel like my life is not interesting enough for a journal to be written about my life. I know now that every life has a story and each story is priceless and should be written down to be preserved and to show our posterity what we have made of our lives. There is a famous quote that says something like a man learns from his mistakes, a genius learns from the mistakes of others. We do not have time on this earth to make all the mistakes we want, we must learn from others what not to do so we can progress. The best way for us to learn is from reading about other lives. This blog for me is mainly for my crafts. I have a long list and want to complete as much of them in this life as I can. I also may include my feelings from time to time. I want this to be a fun and uplifting experiment. I want to feel something from this blog. I am hoping for accomplishment, but just it being here for me to go to will suffice. There are so many things I want to do but there is so little time, so now I go in order to get things done.

I am starting off the year with a huge project and a quick deadline. I am working on a baby blanket for one of my very best friends, My uncle Ben. He has been there for me through most of my life and when he lived with us (my parents and siblings) we got even closer and I am so excited for the baby!!! We found out that it is going to be a boy so I am making him a baby blanket and a matching(ish) beanie. The beanie is done and I will take a picture and upload it shortly along with the progress of my baby blanket. It is about a third done but I keep putting off what I am going to do next. I want to add some pictures but I do not know which ones.

If there is anyone out there reading this please send me some inspiration (and possibly a pattern (that's ok if its too much just inspiration then)). Well it is time to enjoy the stars and good company. Until next time. ^-^




Currently Listening to Skillet radio on Pandora with every now and again interjections from my cellular device.