Perenelle knits

My Kit from Fleur!!!! It's here!!

2010-12-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

I got the most wonderful kit from Fleur yesterday!! Here are the pictures because words just won't do it justice. I love, love, love it all!

my kit arrived with a lovely note from fleur

to represent slytherin's locket she made me a beautiful blue cowl! i love it!

This cute bag w/Harry on it had so many goodies inside

stitch markers & a row counter bracelet, a cable needle, scissors & tape measure (attached to each other!), chocolates, a cute pin that says "behave or i will felt you" haha

and a green chibi

close up of the bracelet & stitch markers

so pretty & in ravenclaw colors! made with resurrection stones to represent gaunt's ring

close up (sort of) of the behave or i will felt you button

my yarn in beautiful blue colors for the stephen west pattern clockwork (another locket horcrux which is not pictured but that's the one fleur sent!) i can't wait, it will be my first stephen west pattern!

kitchener stitch dogtag! i've wanted one of these for a while

my beautiful wand!! aka a shawl pin :)

frog legs &

bat brains! to lure nagini from hiding. haha

fleur also sent a box of peppermint cocoa which i am about to make! i was too excited looking through the package that i didn't get a photo of the hot cocoa.

fleur thank you so much! i love everything & enjoyed having you as my spoiler for HSKS 12!!

thank you!!

Owls are flying!

2010-11-29T22:59:00.000-08:00

All of the kits should be soaring through the air or have already landed for HSKS 12. I've sent Gryphon the Great's kit & I can't wait to see what he thinks.

Another great term has come to an end & we will be taking a brief pause until Spring (which works out really well for me actually - I was afraid I was going to have to skip next term).

What will I be doing from now until Spring? Well, I have about a million projects that have been long neglected. A certain baby blanket that is the never-to-be-finished-because-i-keep-refusing-to-work-on-it phase is a must! A pair of gloves started last winter for my sister must be finished before this winter is over! And a few other projects that I've had planned must be not only started but completed.

Oooooh & I've finally learned to make...x.... Remembered I can't say because I would spoil some of Gryphon's surprise. But once he gets his kit I will post pictures of this new skill I'm working on. So needless to say, I'd like to do a lot more of___x___.

Week 9 quiz

2010-11-13T21:46:00.000-08:00

To which prison was Gellert Grindelwald sent after he was defeated by Dumbledore in 1945? Nurmengard

Who is the first casualty in The Deathly Hallows? Professor Charity Burbage

What does Draco Malfoy name his son? Scorpious Hyperion Malfoy

Before Harry gains control of it, who is the master of the Elder Wand? Draco Malfoy

Severus Snape’s Patronus takes the same form as which other character’s? Lily Potter

Where do Ron, Hermione and Harry apparate when Death Eaters invade Bill and Fleur’s wedding? Tottenham Court Road

Who does Harry send to search for Mundungus Fletcher and the missing locket? Kreacher

Who destroys Salazar Slytherin’s locket? Ron

What does Hermione use to destroy Helga Hufflepuff’s cup? Basilisk fang

Following the death of Lord Voldemort, who is named temporary Minister of Magic? Kingsley Shacklebolt

Anagram Fun

2010-11-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

These were a bit tricky!

SPARSE VENUES - Severus Snape
GO UNLOAD LOVE - Luna Lovegood
A MOTH SEDAN - Dean Thomas
FLUSH CIGAR - Argus Filch
SLICK AIRBUS - Sirius Black
DUMB ANALOG - Ludo Bagman
A DRY MOO-CALF - Draco Malfoy
UNSNAP THE SKI - Stan Shunpike
PIT-A-PAT RIVAL - Parvati Patil
AN OLD JEER - Lee Jordan

The Seven Horcruxes

2010-10-24T08:56:00.001-07:00

All 7 of the Horcruxes can be seen above, but here they are in their individual glory.

The diary -first horcrux destroyed by Harry in the Chamber of Secrets:

The ring - destroyed by Dumbledore:

The locket - destroyed by Ron:

The cup (Hufflepuff's cup) - destroyed by Hermione:

The diadem - destroyed by Crabbe's Fiendfyre:

Harry, actually just the Voldemort soul fragment in Harry - destroyed by Voldemort:

Nagini - destroyed by Neville:

October is coming to a close....

2010-10-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

And that means we are that much closer to the Deathly Hallows movie! I'm so excited! I've already bought my tickets for the first matinee on Nov 19th. I can't handle going to the movie at midnight; I might fall asleep (I blame it on the fact that I have a 30th birthday coming up).
And I'd rather go on Nov 19th because that is my 1 year heartiversary!!! AKA 1 year since I had open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect. So I've taken that day off from work. The DH & I will have a nice breakfast, then go to the movie, and later that evening we'll go out for dinner at my favorite sushi restaurant (Musashino). We're both vegetarian so we won't have any of the fishy sushi, but the vegetable tempura is so amazing!! And they have these really yummy salads with a tomato & ginger dressing that I could eat just on it's own - an entire bowl, like it's gazpacho. Their veggie friendly rolls are incredibly delicious. Of course some tempura fried ice cream w/espresso beans will be in order too. Soooo I might have to fast for a few days before we go so that I can eat everything!
I can't wait!!!
It's the perfect way to celebrate!
<3

Week 5: Matchy Matchy

2010-10-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Vine wood and Dragon Heartstring - i. Hermione Granger
Walnut and Dragon Heartstring - k. Belatrix Lestrange
Hawthorn and Unicorn tail hair - m. Draco Malfoy
Hornbeam and Dragon Heartstring - d. Viktor Krum
Ash and Unicorn hair - g. Cedric Diggory
Rosewood and Veela Hair - l. Fleur Delacour
Elder and Thestral Hair - b. Albus Dumbledore
Mahogany and an unknown core - j. James Potter
Elm and Dragon Heartstring - e. Lucius Malfoy
Cherry and Unicorn hair - c. Mary Cattermole
Yew and Phoenix Feather - h. Tom Riddle
Holly and Phoenix Feather - f. Harry Potter
Willow and Unicorn Hair - a. Ron Weasley

Quiz & Essay

2010-10-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

It's really time for homework this term (essay even - let's hope it doesn't have to be a 6 foot long parchment). I'll have to work on this a little bit at a time over the next few days.

Why does Harry accuse Remus Lupin of being a coward? Lupin wanted to leave a pregnant Tonks behind while he joined Harry, Ron & Hermione on their quest.
Who is R.A.B.? Regulus Arcturus Black
According to legend, what would a person become if he could assemble the Deathly Hallows? master death
What is Ariana Dumbledore rumored to be? a squib
What is written on Harry’s parents’ gravestone? The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed is Death
Why does Krum want to fight Xenophilius Lovegood? Krum thought that Xenophilius was wearing Grindelwald's mark - but it's really just the symbol of the deathly hallows
Why does Voldemort seek the Elder Wand? In order to finally conquer Harry
Where did Dumbledore’s family live? Godric's Hollow - this is where they moved after Ariana was attacked
Whose eye does Harry see in his magic mirror shard? Aberforth Dumbledore's
What item does Harry steal from Gringotts? Hufflepuff's cup
Where does Rita Skeeter get her information about Dumbledore? From Bathilda Bagshot
What is inside the Snitch that Dumbledore leaves Harry? The resurrection stone
Why does Dumbledore leave Ron a Deluminator? because he knew Ron would leave Harry & Hermione & the deluminator could help him get back to them
Why has Hermione not read The Tales of Beedle the Bard? Because they are stories told to wizard children not to muggle borns.
What is Dumbledore’s greatest regret? The death of his sister.
Whose mail did Snape open?
What form does Snape’s Patronus take? a silver doe
Why can the Sword of Gryffindor destroy Horcruxes? because it has absorbed basilisk venom
What name is given to wizards who help Mudbloods? blood traitors
How do Harry and his friends enter the Ministry of Magic? using polyjuice potion
Who made Harry’s wand? olivander

Essay Question

Choose one of the following questions and post your answer to your blog.

How does Harry change over the course of the novel? Is The Deathly Hallows a true coming-of-age story?
In what ways do the dead speak to the living in this book?
In what way do Ron and Hermione act as foils for Harry, drawing out his qualities and characteristics more clearly?

Word Association Game

2010-09-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

We're doing word association this week for our assignment. I love this sort of thing, plus it makes blogging this week really fast & fun.

1. Pumpkin Patch
2. Owl Box
3. Leaf Fall
4. Weasley Sweater
5. Quaffle Broom
6. Hallow Deathly
7. Mad Max
8. Dragon Hobbit
9. Crystal Dark (as in The Dark Crystal)
10. Trees Branches
11. Hermione Bagnold (haha)
12. Hogwarts School
13. Burrow Home
14. Dobby Sad :(
15. Horcrux Kill!
16. Ministry Magic
17. Magic Mary Poppins
18. Sirius Black
19. Apple Pie
20. Juice Orange
21. Candle Vanilla
22. Ghost Story
23. Snake Bite
24. Wand Wave
25. Invisibility Cloak
26. Tent Pole
27. Spell Book
28. Umbridge BOO
29. Dursely UGH
30. Prophet Paper

My 5 favorite things...

2010-09-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

If I were on the run from Death Eaters I would have to take a few things with me.

1) A Kindle so I could read up on the Deathly Hallows in Tales from Beedle the Bard. It would also be helpful to be able to download travel guides on the spot while on the run. (I actually don't have a Kindle but would most certainly get one before going into hiding, running away, or being stranded on a deserted island. It may be on my Xmas list for this year.)
2) An iPod filled with my favorite music & the Harry Potter audiobooks read by Jim Dale (for inspiration on ways to escape from the Death Eaters). It would also have to have some movies, maybe Rear Window & some Thin Man movies. Or TV shows, my current pick would be Dexter. And of course photos of the people I'm leaving behind while on the run.
3) Knitting needles & yarn of course!
4) A Nintendo DS with a Pokemon game & a Final Fantasy game. Those games take so freaking long to play that you could keep playing them one after the other for quite a while & not get tired of them.
5) My husband & my dog....I know that's really two "things", but I couldn't be forced to pick between them & I wouldn't want to give up my yarn or my electronics! I could however be persuaded to leave our betta - George the IV - behind (don't let the roman numeral fool you, we don't intentionally kill fish they just don't live much more than a year or two for us.)

First Assignment for HSKS 12

2010-09-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

A little bit about me to help everyone else with their homework.
1. I knit. I've tried to crochet a few times & maybe with a few more attempts I might catch on.
2. Birthday December
3. I'm in the USA
4. I'm not new, I think this is my 4th HSKS swap.
5. This is my 4th HSKS swap.
6. I have 44 stashed on ravelry - in reality there is way more than that but I try not to count.
7. I don't crochet. I only knit.
8. My favorite color is Blue, but I also love Grays, Ivory, some greens.
9. I really like Christmas. I think because I love all of the lights & bundling up in warm clothes, drinking hot cocoa & having a fire in the fireplace (which I can finally do in my new house!!).
10. I love any wool, alpaca is fabulous. I'm not too hot on acrylics or anything itchy.

What I've found out about everyone so far:
1. Someone with the same craft as you (either those listed above or another one). Rowena Bladvak, rav id: Ronni-licious - knitting
2. Someone who was born in the same month as you. Cassandra Crimsonchin, rav id: dramaqt99 - December
3. Someone from a different country. Emma Gorodok, rav id: Selana - Germany
4. A new HSKS Family member. Morgianna Defeufaucon, rav id: staroftwilight - Welcome Morgianna!!
5. Someone who has been in 3 or more HSKS swaps. Wisteria Lovegood, rav id: Neila - she's been in more than me, so that's more than 3!
6. Someone who has a bigger stash than you! (And if your stash is the biggest, proudly say so!) Bella Shacklebolt, rav id: Smartchick - 110 stashed
7. Someone who both knits and crochets. Intarsia Bindoff, rav id: Mutz - my sister!
8. Someone who has the same favorite color as you. Genevra Dreamy, rav id: suenosdejmi - blue
9. Someone who has the same favorite season/holiday as you. Hermione Bagnold, rav id: smileynetta - Christmas
10. Someone who has the same favorite fiber as you. Vevina McFey, rav id: mrsmama - Noro & Malabrigo

An Owl Has Arrived

2010-06-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Mistry Moonbleu's owl arrived with a fantastic package! I'm so excited about everything in it! She chose Hagrid as the person to base my kit on :)
Here are some pictures:

Like a niffler to sparkly things, I went to the squishy yarn first! I can't wait to use my beautiful yarn! Thanks Mistry this was on my wishlist!

Here is everything all wrapped up:

And unwrapped! Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Socks from the Toe Up book, chocolate mint patties, gummy frogs, cute japanese creatures, needle wraps & a emergency crochet hook, and 2 fabulous handmade items! Mistry made an incredible yarn bowl for me to use (I can't wait to use this!), it's got a beautiful glaze and a really creative way to have run your yarn through the side of the bowl. The other handmade item is a rock cake, so cute!

Here are a few close ups of the items:

Thanks, Mistry!! I love everything so much!!

Moving is a Pain

2010-06-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is how my very first craft room appears at the moment:

The garage is much worse.
I'll be so happy when the last box is unpacked. But at the rate that everything is going I'm not sure I'll be finished anytime soon.
I'm contemplating just donating boxes without even looking inside them. If I've lived without it for a week, then maybe I can live without it for good :)
I did treat myself to some pretty yarn today though. I had promised myself that I would go to the yarn store & buy a very pretty be sweet yarn called bambino taffy when I moved into my new house. It was on sale today! I had completely forgotten to go get it when we closed on the house, and I'm glad I did because I got 20% off & decided to get some malabrigo lace as an extra treat haha!
Oh & I received a lovely ceramic mug from my head of house Hermione! It's gorgeous! It's my prize for being the random winner in our house's weekly contest. I'd take a picture but it's already put away in the disaster zone that is my kitchen.
Well, I'm off to unpack more boxes.

Arithmancy Homework

2010-05-24T17:43:00.001-07:00

Puzzle #1: Dobby

Puzzle #2: Harry Potter

Puzzle #3: Hogs Head

Homework for the winners of the last Quidditch match (that we be us Ravenclaws)!

2010-05-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

PART 1

Find one person for each of these questions. No repeats!

Who is new to HSKS this Term? Genevra Dreamy - Hufflepuff
Who has played Quidditch for their House this Term? Mistry Moonbleu - Gryffindor
Who is working on the same project (WIP) as you? No one seems to be currently working on any of my WIPS :( (Well my sister Intarsia & I are working on the same socks but we can't have repeats and I need to have her for the person who lives w/in 100 miles).
Who has more items in their Queue than you? Megaera Black - Slytherin
Who has donated to SPEW this Term? - Clara Clovenhoof - Slytherin
Who has participated in Dueling Club this Term? Rowan Dragonsinger - Hufflepuff
Who lives within 100 miles of you? Intarsia Bindoff - Gryffindor
Who is from a different country than you? Emma Gorodok - Ravenclaw

PART 2

Comment on at least one blog from each of the other houses. List their names here and something you learned about them from their blog post.

Andromeda Finch-Fletchley - Our very own Ravenclaw. I've learned she loves Lemonheads, Jeff Burton, and posted amazing photos for potions homework.
Storm Ivory - Hufflepuff, She is making a "reasons why I should buy an iPad" list just like I am!
Mistry Moonbleu - Gryffindor, She's amazing! She tats, she can handle ceramics, she takes care of large parrots for her neighbors. Oh & she's my spoiler! ;)
Quietus - Slytherin, What an amazing looking rock cake! If you haven't checked out the transfiguration homework, you should at least go and look at the picture.

Quidditch training

2010-05-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

I'm just about to rush off to a team meeting to prepare for the upcoming quidditch game against Gryffindor this Sunday. I'll be up against my sister Intarsia. I'm not used to dueling with her, but it should be fun! A little sibling rivalry never hurt anyone.

I've also decided to do my own self-study program. I am determined to get my Spanish skills back to where they used to be so that I can really become truly fluent in the language. I have an opportunity to possibly use my Spanish skills in the muggle world, so that will help me keep refreshed & using the language.
If anyone has any suggestions on online resources, books or apps that might be helpful to dust off the synapses that contain my Spanish language memories I would appreciate your comments. ;)

Potions Homework

2010-05-02T18:45:00.001-07:00

I'm determined to finish this homework early this week! It will be a work in progress, so please bear with me as I finish each section.

Part 1:
Originality Marker

Amaryllis Belladona: possibly used in the love potion Amortentia

Aloe Vera: used for burns and scrapes

Peppermint: When you add a sprig of it to the Elixir to Induce Euphoria it will counteract the potion's side effects of unrestrained singing and nose-tweaking.

Yarrow: Closely related to Sneezewort, may be used in Confusing Draughts.

Eucalyptus: can be used in potions to help w/colds.

Part 2:
Answer the following potions questions:

1. Sneezewort, scurvy grass, and lovage are used to make what?
B:Confusing Draught - or Bufuddlement Draught

2. Porcupine quills are to be added when to a Boil Cure Potion?
D: After it is removed from the fire

3. What potion, if brewed correctly, should change color numerous times throughout brewing including deep purple, lilac, and finishing clear?
A: The Draught of Living Death

4. This ingredient in the Draught of Peace, would likely bring you permanent peace since it is poisonous, what is it?
D: Hellebore

5. Chopped daisy roots, skinned shrivel-fig, sliced caterpillar, one rat spleen, dash of leech juice are all ingredients to what?
C: Shrinking Solution

Part 3: Pimm's Cup

Fill 12 oz glass halfway with ice.
Add 1.25 oz of Pimm's #1
Squeeze in some lime juice
Top off with 7-Up
Garnish with cucumber & lime

Quidditch Match this Saturday

2010-04-29T19:47:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited about Ravenclaw's first quidditch match against the Slytherins. I'll be cheering from the stands, but I've agreed to be an alternate so maybe you'll see me out on the pitch.

I think we've got a strong team. The Slytherin beaters are going to have their work cut out for them!

Since we didn't have any homework this week, I've decided to do the Mad-Libs that was posted in my common room:
Part 1, the words:
1. a verb: skip
2. a number: 4011
3. a body part: ear
4. an abstract noun: beauty
5. a noun: sausage
6. a skin condition: eczema
7. a body part: elbow
8. type of person/stereotype: hipster
9. a substance: goo
10. a fortune cookie phrase in all capital letters: A PLEASANT SURPRISE IS IN STORE FOR YOU
11. article of clothing: ascot
12. verb ending in "-ed": punched
13. neurological disorder: narcolepsy
14. an animal: emu
15. a fruit: kiwi
16. a latin (sounding) phrase in all capital letters: PERGO MOVARTIS
17. a body part: ankle
18. a large animal: humpback whale
19. a food: edamame
20. a body part in plural: fingers
21. a verb ending in "-ing": leaping
22. a nonsensical word in all capital letters: CREMTILBEG
23. a container: bucket
24. a body part: wrist
25. a noun: tile

Part 2: The story
Harry Potter And The Curse of Dudley

Harry Potter, the boy wonder, the (hipster) of the wizarding world; sat alone in his tiny bedroom scratching his (elbow) and cleaning the (goo) out of Hedwig's cage. This summer wasn't nearly as boring as his previous summers had been.

Over the summer, his cousin Dudley had grown quite frightened of him. Harry secretly kept cursing him, even though under age use of magic was strictly forbidden outside of Hog(eczema)'s school of (sausage)craft and (beauty).

It seemed the wizarding world turned a blind (ear) when it came to Harry, and he never got in trouble for his... transgressions.

One particularly memorable curse on Dudley happened on the (4011)th/nd/st of June. It was so hot, you could (skip) a/an (tile) on the sidewalk.

Dudley sat on his enormous (wrist) in front of the telly, spooning (bucket)ful after (bucket)ful of (edamame) down his throat. Harry thought he looked rather (humpback whale)ish, with his piggy little eyes and fat body.

Harry got an evil little grin on his (ankle) and raised his wand behind Dudley's head. "(PERGO MOVARTIS)" he shouted; which translated to English means "Turn this boy's head into a (kiwi) and make him dance around like a (emu) with (narcolepsy)!"

And that's just what Dudley did! He (punched) off the couch, screamed "(CREMTILBEG)!" to the top of his lungs, and began (leaping) on the floor, while turning in circles and flapping his (fingers).

Harry was laughing so hard, he almost peed his (ascot). He was still laughing, and Dudley was still flapping, when Uncle Vernon came thundering down the stairs. He had gone a nice shade of purple. He looked at Harry, shaking in anger, then looked at Dudley, horrified. "(A PLEASANT SURPRISE IS IN STORE FOR YOU)!" he screamed, then calmly turned and walked away.

Harry and Dudley looked at each other in abject confusion. Harry shrugged his shoulders in a "beats me" gesture, and the two cousins sat on the sofa, temporarily forgetting their animosity toward one another.

Dudley lifted the half empty (bucket) of (edamame) and offered it to Harry.

"Don't mind if I do!" said the bespectacled young man, grabbing a spoon and preparing to dine.

Dudley's (fingers) gave one mighty final flap, and the boys had a most enjoyable evening, indeed.

S.P.E.W. & the beginning of a beautiful Quidditch season

2010-04-23T19:07:00.001-07:00

I've made some little booties for Ms. Mooney our S.P.E.W. coordinator for this term.

I think I'll try to knit another pair but change the pattern to in the round, maybe use smaller needles as well.

Tomorrow is the first Quidditch game of the season! My sister Intarsia Bindoff is keeper for Gryffindor! I'm going to be cheering loudly from the stands. Gooooo Intarsia!!!! Knit Crochet now Knit again like the wind!

Care of Magical Creatures Homework

2010-04-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Part One:
For my Care of Magical Creatures homework, this will be my originality marker:

Here are 5 items that I always like to have handy for Care of Magical Creatures:
1) A shiny gold bank filled with shiny coins to attract Nifflers. There is a handy "mute" button on the bottom to make the bank & its contents not shiny so the Nifflers don't attack the person holding it or destroy the room that it's in.

2) Gloves for handling Blast-Ended Skrewts & other such spiny creatures.

3) Goggles for protecting my eyes from venom, nasty juices, and other hazardous fluids that a creature might spit or emit.

4) Chocolate in case you run into dementors, or in case you need a pick me up after a long, boring afternoon of observing flobberworms.

5) This item was originally going to be my "happy thought" for conjuring my patronus to protect myself from dementors:

but when I tried to capture my "happy thought" with my originality marker, it turned into a not so happy thought:GRRR!!

Soooo, instead item #5 will be my lunar calendar & wolfsbane potion to help relieve werewolves of some of their pain during the full moon. (Looks like I'm almost out of wolfsbane potion, must remember to brew some more)

Part Two:
1. Please describe the physical appearance of a house elf.
Large, pointy ears, long nose, bulging eyes, 2-3 feet tall, spindly arms & legs
2. Kreacher is the house elf of which wizarding family?
The Black Family (inherited by Harry Potter, after Sirius' death)
3. What is Hermione Granger making for the house elves?
Little house elf sized hats & socks
4. How do you free a house elf?
Present him/her with clothes
5. What does S.P.E.W. stand for?
Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare

Part Three: Bonus/Extra Credit assignment, S.P.E.W. hat

Transfiguration Homework

2010-04-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

I've finally managed to complete my transfiguration homework.
Here is my originality marker.

Now for the Bowtruckle:

Vigoro Virga (turns the twigs, tape & paper into a bowtruckle)

The Rememberall:

Creo Memoria (creates a rememberall from paper after being cut with scissors & colored with markers):

Golden Snitch:

Vegeto Snitchium (creates a golden snitch from paper after being cut with scissors & colored with markers):

Hagrid's Rock Cakes (yuck!):

Burnio Crustium repeat 15 times or until you smell something burning in the kitchen (creates rock cakes from slices of baguette placed in oven)

Decoy Detonator:

Creo Diverto (creates decoy detonator out of foil)

Nose-Biting Teacup

Aggro Taza (creates nose-biting teacup using paper, tape, scissors, marker & teacup)

Spectrespecs:

Coloro Oculus (creates spectrespecs from glasses, candy wrappers & foil)

Time Turner:

Reddo Tiempo (creates time turner using old top, paper, foil & marker)

And now for a look at all my work (minus the stinky rock cakes):

I'm pleased with my creations. Unfortunately slices of bread were harmed during the completion of this assignment. I really meant to get them just nice & brown & toasty. sigh

Soar Ravenclaw!!

2010-04-02T17:51:00.000-07:00

The new term has started. I'm so excited to be at Hogwarts, and I was sorted into Ravenclaw!
For our first homework assignment we are supposed to write about three of our favorite people from the wizarding world. It is so hard to pick just three! I love so many. But I have chosen and here they are along with their qualities that I love.

1)Sirius Black: I love Sirius. He doesn't play by the rules, he is loyal to his friends, and he's an animagus! How cool is it that he can turn into a big, black dog? He follows his heart and he is passionate about what he believes in. I love his devil-may-care attitude. I was terribly upset when he died; poor Harry could have had wonderful summers if only Sirius had survived. (I really love the way Gary Oldman portrays him in the movies.)

2)Hermione: She is, as we all know, amazingly smart and ingenious. I love that she knits hats for house-elf liberation and that she put together S.P.E.W.! Hermione is loyal and compassionate. She has an obsession with finding the answer to every problem (I'm the same way). I also love that she challenges herself. I've never had to use a time turner so that I could make it to all of my classes, but I would really like to have one!

3)Hagrid: Who else could take care of the most dangerous magical creatures? I love animals just as much as he does. He, like Sirius, doesn't mind breaking a rule or two. I think I must like people who aren't afraid to bend the rules. I love that he always wanted a baby dragon & that he got one! If I had a dragon I would want this one:

Where's the stolen trophy at??

2009-12-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

Well, with winnie's latest package she included the trophy thief's possessions. All of these items are things that Draco malfoy would carry. And they were items that he used in the room of requirement. I'm guessing the thief hid the trophy in the room of requirement, hogwarts, UK. (I'm trying to be vague because there is talk of the trophy being in a region that may not be in the HP world)

Winnie's Secret Letters

2009-12-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

At last we get to find out what Winnie has been searching for on her travels & what all those mysterious bold letters were all about. Those letters were clues to the item she was searching for. And that item was :
Stolen Quidditch World Cup Trophy

Yay Winnie!! Thank you for recovering the trophy!!

The owl arrived!!

2009-12-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited!!! I got my package from Cassandra Grubbly-Plank. She did such an awesome job putting it together.

I opened the package to find an awesome pattern by our very own Emma Wigworthy - Luna's Moonlight socks & also a pattern for Viktor socks!

Then I pulled out these & they cracked me up!! Quidditch Goggles!! I'm wondering if they will fit my dog, like Doggles. If not I think I might just wear them when I ride my bike.

The bag that Cassandra made is absolutely awesome - it has a pocket that buttons on one side. Tucked away in that pocket were copies of Quidditch Through the Ages & Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

The other side of the bag also has a pocket & Cassandra attached some very awesome zipper pulls with quidditch equipment on them.

Now for more from inside the bag, very cute mini sock blockers!

The yarn is fabulous!! I really love it! Cassandra sent me an extra skein of Sunshine Yarn from her stash! She is truly awesome!! The colorways are Bellatrix & Blood Red:

A quidditch card game, tape measure, stitch markers & Every Flavor Beans:

Quidditch tin with very cute magnet (the tin is filled with sweets - M&Ms, Lindt chocolate bar, & Pop Rocks):

I can't get over how awesome the bag is! Cassandra did such an amazing job. I've already got a project tucked away inside the bag. Here are a few close-ups of the inside. There is a place for my needles (see the candy canes - so cute), pockets for stitch markers, tape measure, etc. And there is even a special place to stash extra yarn:

Thank you so much Cassandra!! I really love my kit!!

Winnie's Dec 7th letter

2009-12-11T15:42:00.000-08:00

Hmm, well I haven't been to church in a very long time. So, I'm just guessing that the first Christmas was in Bethlehem.

Winnie's Dec 4th letter

2009-12-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

I think Winnie is in Romania - Transylvania specifically. She seems to have had a close run in with a vampire recently, but luckily she is ok! Phew that was close Winnie. Be careful!!

Mysterious letters, which I'm guessing will spell out the thing that she has been after on her travels:

HPCHWPYIQ DOTEOU DOT DNT CLRCLS

I'm back on my broomstick (almost)

2009-12-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

I'm back home & starting to feel a little better. At least I can pick up my laptop on my own today!! woot!

Thanks to all my friends in HSKS for their kind thoughts & packages! All the support has really helped perk me up!

I received a lovely card from Wisty that she signed on behalf of everyone in HSKS. And a package from my captain Clara arrived today - just in time for my birthday tomorrow!!

Thank you Wisty, Clara, & all!!

I think I'll call the owl Barnaby after one of the founders of the Cleansweep Broom Company.

What I'm thankful for...

2009-11-18T21:15:00.000-08:00

I have always been thankful for my amazing family & friends. But I'm especially thankful for them now that I am going in for open-heart surgery tomorrow to repair a congenital heart defect.

It is lucky that the problem was discovered before it started to cause any major problems.

I am also so thankful for the amazing doctors that I have & the nursing staff that will take care of me as a recover. I know I will be in very good hands.

I'm also lucky to have a nice stash & projects planned for my recovery time!! I was going to try to wind some of the skeins tonight, but eh, i'll get someone else to do it later. I don't think I'll feel like knitting for a few days (gasp!!).

I'm grateful for all the support I have received; it has really helped me get through this.

curious kitty

2009-11-17T21:12:00.001-08:00

a kitten seems to be mistaking this muggle police office for a wizard. the muggle was very patient with the bouncing kitten who climbed all the way up his body to the top of his head.

Where is Winnie? In sand

2009-11-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

I think Winnie is in Dubai & then she went to visit pyramids in Egypt.

Her mysterious letters this week are:

DOTEOU

yay for new machines

2009-11-10T20:38:00.000-08:00

i'm so excited about a gift i recently received from intarsia!! it starts with a macbook & ends with a pro! woot!!

(not that i don't still love my little ibook. poor little ibook, i still love you. i just wish you would play videos for me without making everyone stutter & move in slow motion)

Winnie is all over the place...

2009-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

This week I think Winnie has been to
1) Mexico City
2) somewhere in Chile near their National Stadium
3) the city in Brazil (?) that has a pink library

those are my guesses. as to the mysterious letters...

CLRCLS DNT DOT

circle circle dot dot now you have your cooties shot?? i have no idea what those stand for.

Winnie's Whereabouts

2009-10-29T16:57:00.001-07:00

After reading Winnie's latest letter, I think that she must have gone to visit Queerditch Marsh - the site of the first recorded Quidditch game. She also dropped by Appleby in North Lincolnshire. She didn't stay there long though; there's nothing to do. Too bad she didn't get to meet up with Cyprian Youdle; he was off at a ghost convention.

I still don't know what the mysterious bold letters in letters mean. Last week it was C L R C S L. This week the letters are D N T
hmmmm.....

Shuntbumping round 2...

2009-10-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

did not go so well.
Waverly Trimble of the Arrows beat me. She did a fantastic job on her blue fingerless mitts.
I was so close though, see:

My sis, Intarsia seems to have won her crochet round. So next week I'll be cheering her on in round 3.
Go Wanderers!

Where is Winnie?

2009-10-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

According to her last letter I think she stopped in Dunedin in New Zealand to check out Larnach castle.
After that, it sure sounds like she will be traveling to a sugar shack in Canada, but which one...maybe one near Montreal? I don't believe Montreal was once 3 cities that merged into one though.
It sounds like she is really on a whirlwind of a tour.
Have fun Winnie!!

Phew what a crazy week

2009-10-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

I've been getting ready for Quidditch season, but ugh got derailed with my training this week.
Finally got in touch with my spoilee Saraid Swiftrunner (sorry I was MIA earlier this week). Saraid has the coolest wish list ever! She did a flow chart - love it!
I'm also really excited to be spoiled by Cassandra Grubbly-Plank! She & I shared a cabin for summer camp & I fell in love with all of her projects!
Can't wait for the first match. Go Wanderers!!

Quidditch Assignment 1

2009-10-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

Someone with the same craft as you (either those listed above or another one).
Minverva Lovegood (knits & needle felts)

Someone who was born in the same month.
Siobhan Mooney - December!

Someone from a different country.
Hermione Bagnold

A new HSKS Quidditch player.
my spoilee Saraid Swiftrunner!

A player who has been in 3 or more HSKS swaps.
Olive Bumblebirch

A player who has a bigger stash than you! (And if your stash is the biggest, proudly say so!)
Fleur Sweeting

A player who both knits and crochets.
Emma Gorodok

Someone who has the same favorite color as you.
Intarsia Bindoff - Blue

It's Here!!

2009-08-24T18:44:00.001-07:00

Winnie made me a beautiful kit!! I can't wait to start my two workshops!

Here's a pic of the cute herbology bag, 2 patterns, a knitscene magazine (i don't have a subscription to this mag! i'm so excited!), yummy creamy mint sticks & yummy herbal tea from trader joes!

And after opening up everything in the herbology bag here's the loot:

Close up of her cute note written in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Disappearing Ink & two little japanese candies:

Knit Picks yarn for an Ancient Runes workshop (gorgeous colors), yummy smelling soap, lip balm (much needed!):

Awesome green Smooshy sock yarn for my herbology workshop & 6 awesome buttons for my knitting bags!!:

The yummy creamy mint sticks which I've had several pieces of already & the Bed Time tea I will be having in just a few moments:

To the awesome Winnie: thank you so much!!! What a sweet surprise to receive not one, but two amazing workshops!! I will really love wearing my fabulous green herbology socks this winter - they'll be a great reminder of spring! And my little hat will be beautiful!!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!

The Summer is Coming to a Close

2009-08-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

Wow this summer went by fast. I'll miss summer camp. After leaving camp, I'll of course have to knit in the muggle way, which is really a drag. But I'm teaching myself how to knit Continental style, it seems to be a little faster. I think I got the hang of the knit stitches, but I don't quite have the purls down yet.
I got some new sock yarn that I'll be trying with my new muggle knitting skills. I even got this crazy contraption called a swift. The things muggles think of to make things easier on themselves! I had lots of fun using the swift & a ball winder to wind the sock yarn (LOL, by hand isn't that so funny!?!)!
Wish I could post some pictures or video of my new contraption in action, but I've just been too busy lately to pull out the camera.

I spy

2009-08-07T19:40:00.001-07:00

I spy with my little eye:
1) something orange & pointy (bigger than a bread box)
2) something purple & gold with 5 sides (smaller than a bread box)
3) something pink & fuzzy (smaller than a bread box & not a flower)

Game 5

2009-07-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

Sadly I was not able to take my own photos for this game. That would have been so much fun. But my camera was already packed away for vacation. Leaving summer camp for just over a week to go check out Zion National Park. I'm really excited!!

1) Animagus

2) Daily Prophet

3) Bowtruckle

4) Extendable Ear

5) Radish Earrings

6) Forbidden Forest

7) Golden Cherub

8) Thestral

9) High Inquisitor

10) Educational Decree

Bizarre Knitting

2009-07-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

For the Cornish Pixies Cabin scavenger game - here is my unusual knitted object.

Golden Eggs are hard to find!!

2009-07-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

I have only been able to find one golden egg on Hermione's blog. Lucky Egg #33!!
So far the Cornish Pixies have 45 points.
I've been searching for Lucky Egg #13 for about an hour, but it's proving to be extremely difficult to find. I'm thinking someone has thrown an invisibility cloak over it.

Half-Birthdays deserve celebrations too!!

2009-07-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Oh wait, my half-birthday would have been June 5, not July 5th! Yes, I did pass all of my advanced math, physics & chem courses in college, I swear!! Haha. Oh well, guess I can't use the half-birthday theory to legitimize my latest splurge!
LOOK!!!! This just arrived via owl post yesterday!!

and once you've spoiled yourself with yummy yarn, what would be better than finishing the day with a BBQ & homegrown watermelon!

a skewer of jalapenos (some were quite hot), yummy okra (because i've been picking 2-3 pieces every single day & it's my fav grilled veggie), & a sampling of different veggie "meats" to see which ones grill the best

and finally - the watermelon i've had my eye on for weeks in herbology. it was almost 20 lbs!! (that's 9 kgs)

Summer Game #3

2009-07-09T14:34:00.001-07:00

Oh no a boggart is in my cabin!!

Riddikulus!!

Summer Games Week 2 Part 2

2009-07-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

Quote from Chamber of Secrets:
When in doubt, go to the library.

Said by Ron Weasley.

Summer Camp Game # 2

2009-06-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

In the second volume of the HP books by JK Rowling, The (#1)Chamber of Secrets, we continue to learn the incredible adventures of Hogwarts student (#2) Harry Potter and his friends (#3) Ron Weasley and (#4) Hermione Granger. Belonging to the house of (#5) Gryffindor, they attend Defense Against the (#6) Dark Arts taught by Wizarding celebrity (#7) Gilderoy Lockhart, a none-too-bright fellow who cannot even handle pixies!

In The (#8) Chamber of Secrets, we also meet Dobby a (#9)House Elf for the first time. Determined Dobby seeks to sabotage the return of (#10) Harry Potter to Hogwarts and is pretty persistent but is unsuccessful. After a few weeks at school, the deceased Ravenclaw student who haunts the girls lavatory, also known as (#11) Moaning Myrtle, shows (#12) Harry Potter and (#13) Ron Weasley an old empty diary that dropped through her ghostly form out of thin air!

Many nifty things continue to happen for the next several months… we won’t go into all the juicy details right now… however, the ending is prime reading indeed!! (#14) Harry Potter finally kills Tom Riddle’s (a.k.a #15 Voldemort) sneaky diary (which we now know is a #16 Horcrux) and saves the sister of (#17) Ron Weasley, (#18) Ginny Weasley!!!

Oh! Of course, we must mention that the thickheaded (#19) Gilderoy Lockhart unintentionally erased his own memory, so he won’t be back for book three, The (#20) Prisoner of Azkaban…

3 truths & a lie

2009-06-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

1. I have been a vegetarian for 13 years.
2. I know Angelina Jolie's uncle.
3. I can't cook to save my life.
4. I have never had my ears pierced.

Camp updates & Herbology

2009-06-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

It's week two of camp. Over in the Cornish Pixie Cabin we pixies have been coming up with sneaky, tricky projects we can make with yarn. I would like to make a vanishing cabinet. I'll put a charm on it to make it appear like a treat filled cabinet to anyone who is not a member of our Cabin. Then, when they open the cabinet to nick a treat they will be whisked away to the middle of the forest. hehe

I'm doing very well in herbology! I have lots of okra in my okra forest (some grew too long cause I didn't see them).

And I have a baby watermelon hiding with in the basil.

Its big brother is just around the corner.

LOL the muggle looking over my shoulder just said: You have a blog!! ::shocked look with wide eyes:: You're just like the weather guy!! ::imitates wheaterman "for the latest updates check out my blog at kxan.com. LOL where has he been?? i told him 3 weeks ago that i was going to camp!

Camp Games Week #1

2009-06-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

Part 1: What's in my trunk:
1.Polyjuice Potion- for reconnaissance - we might need to find out what the other cabins are up to.
2. Peppermint Toads
3. Pumpkin Pasties
4. Pumpkin Juice
5. Potion Ingredients (we might need to make more Polyjuice potion later)
6. Pygmy Puff
7. Pensieve
8. Pocket Sneakoscope - this way we'll know if other cabins try to come & spy on us :)
9. Put-Outer - you never know when you might need to turn the lights out quick
10. Portkey - so we can fly off to Honeydukes when treats get low

Part 2: WINGO - Blackout!!

if you still need to fill in squares on your WINGO board, see my post (#89) in Cornish Pixies cabin for the squares I fit into
http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/hogwarts-kit-swaps/683070/76-100#89

Part 3. Getting to know you...

I have added Winifred Hornswaggle's (angel101580) Hemlock Ring Blanket to my favorites. What beautiful work!

I've commented on Ferula Vector's (redheadknits) Hufflepuff Jaywalkers. Such a pretty colorway, can't wait to see more pics as they progress.

(also quick note to my spoiler & spoilee sorry i don't have many pics of my projects set up at this point. i was all gung-ho when i joined ravelry & was project after project, but now i've been neglecting listing projects. i'll try to work on that later tonight)

Cabin Assignments are up

2009-06-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

I'm in the Cornish Pixies cabin!! Yay!! I've been getting to know a few of my fellow campers & can't wait to have more s'mores!!

Only a few days until camp starts!

2009-06-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

I can't wait!! Robespierre & I are ready!!

signed up for summer camp

2009-06-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Yea! I signed up for summer camp! I would love to do some extra herbology, care of magical creatures or ancient runes this summer! I hope I get in. I was so excited I went right out to do some quidditch training!