Wee Tiny Sock Ornaments

I endeavor one day to have a Wee Tiny Tree on my kitchen counter with all sorts of wee tiny ornaments. Here is the start of my Wee Tiny Collection ... socks from the Wee Tiny Sock Club!

I joined this club via Ravelry in March (2010) and my collection contains almost a year's worth of Wee Tiny Socks:

Wee Tiny Aran Sock (March)
Wee Tiny Raindrop Sock (April)
Wee Tiny Flower Sock (May)
Wee Tiny Campfire Sock (June)
Wee Tiny Fireworks Sock (July)
Wee Tiny Sunflower Sock (August)
Wee Tiny Sampler Sock (September)
Wee Tiny Halloween Sock (October ... last in the photo)
Wee Tiny Origami Sock (November ... in front of Halloween)

For Knitters Everywhere ... 'Twas the Night Before Christmas ...

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
Was unfinished knitting not under the tree.
The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
‘cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
but I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,
And the sweater for him was six inches too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a flash,
Tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how much I still had to go.
Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,
I thought it would wake both dad and the boys.

And though I was tired, my brain was a bit thick,
I knew in a moment, it must be Saint Nick.
But what I heard then left me perplexed-ed,
For not a name I heard was what I had expected

“move, Ashford; move, Lopi; move, Addie and Clover Move, Reynolds;
move, Starmore; move, Fraylic--move over”
“Paton, don’t circle round; stand in line.
Come now, you sheep wool work just fine!
I know this is hard semi, it’s just your first year,
I’d hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer.”

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,
Eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a’grazing.
And then, in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa’s feet coming across the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,
And as I turned round, Saint Nick, I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were handknit from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back,
and his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable,
And suddenly on one I spied a small label.

SC was duplicate stitched on the cuff,
and I asked “Hey Nick, did you knit all this stuff?”
He proudly replied “Ho-ho-ho, yes I did, I learned how to knit when I was a kid.”

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself for I’d thought up a plan,.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap
Where I’d laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;
For the first time I thought I’d really get through.

He put heels on the stockings and toes in some socks
While I sat back drinking Scotch on the rocks!!
So quickly like magic, his needles they flew,
That he was all finished by quarter to two.
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon
“Next year start your knitting sometime around June!”

Author unknown

Galway Scarf KAL

Finished. It will be a gift for my sister who is moving from the Adirondack Mountains in New York State, to lower Michigan.

My Horcrux Kit!

Here is the box from Celestina Pettigrew (Sherry Harrison). The brown wrapped item to the left was labeled that it was for my little witch and wizards.
This is the kit in its entirety, but below is a more detailed description with photos!
Dragon ornaments for the kids.
Mug (Helga Hufflepuff Horcrux) with owl mug cozy (I love owls!), honey spoon, pressed penny (between the spoon and Harry bookmark), HP bookmark, Walker shortbread (yum! my favorite!), a peanut butter and chocolate bar (I bet it's unbelievable, too!), four peppermint teas, and HP movie cards!
Yummy, squishy sock yarn ... fantastic colors! All my favorite colors wrapped up in one yarn! Who thought that was possible??? It is Plymouth Yarn Co.'s Happy Feet, spun in Peru. But my absolute favorite thing ... the wizard on top of the yarn. Gryphon shouted out, "It's Dumbledore!" And then I lifted his cap ...
The wizard holds the DPNs to be used with the yarn! How inventive and creative!
Then I unwrapped this felted HP bag ... it's double sided. (Harry as the Horcrux.)
Cool, huh??? And inside ...
A spells and potions book filled with a wide variety of patterns (yup! patterns!), a blank black bear notebook (I totally love bears), and a notions box which held a Mickey Mouse key chain (totally awesome, as I'm also a Disney fanatic, too!), Chibi needles, purple tape measure, and (you can see it in the bottom of the box) a key chain row counter and the attached is my name and on the back is the Kitchener stitch and a wee with stuck on the back!

Oh, Miss Celestina, you CERTAINLY outdid yourself and if you were standing next to me I'd be jumping up and down hugging you! This is an amazing kit and I'm so enamored with the entire thing. Thank you for thinking of my wee witch and wizards, and incorporating all the little things I so love. You stalked VERY well!

Our First Snow This Year

DH put up new LED lights this year. After 10 years with our other lights, and missing bulbs and no replacements any more, we decided to get new ones. So, he hung lights yesterday afternoon. Then with the pretty snow, we have such a pretty picture!

The End is Drawing Nigh

It's so sad ... the swap is nearly over. I have all the contents of my package. Now to creatively wrap it up and package it. I have an idea, and I hope it turns out the way I have it in my head. I missed getting it to the owlry today. So, it will be a special trip on Monday. I also have to print out a special instruction sheet for one of my handmade items.

I have yet to see the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 1, but I am assured by my sister-in-law that it was really good and she was upset because she has to wait until July for part 2!

Well, back to the needles. Wish my wand was working so I could charm my other needles to knit along beside me and I could finish all my projects at the same time! Ack! Christmas is coming and I'm SO behind. That's what I get for doing test knits for others. Next year ... I vow to focus on the items I want to make and be better prepared for gifts.

HSKS 12 - Week 9 - Pop Quiz

Pop quiz? I hope I studied enough. I've had gremlins for a week now and they JUST DON'T LISTEN! I mean, when I tell them BE QUIET ... you'd think that was understandable!

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

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

3. What does Draco Malfoy name his son? Scorpius
   

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

5. Severus Snape’s Patronus takes the same form as which other character’s? Lily Evans
   

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

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

8. Who destroys Salazar Slytherin’s locket? Ron Weasley
   

9. What does Hermione use to destroy Helga Hufflepuff’s cup? Basilisk Fank
   

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

(Special thanks to my young middle wizard son for his assistance with his aging mother's memory.)

HSKS 12 - Week 8 - Anagrams Homework

I am SO not good at these things. It will have to be a work in progress. I'll keep updating until it's done.

1. SPARSE VENUES - Severus Snape
   
2. GO UNLOAD LOVE - Luna Lovegood
   
3. A MOTH SEDAN - Dean Thomas
   
4. FLUSH CIGAR - Argus Filch*
   
5. SLICK AIRBUS - Sirius Black
   
6. DUMB ANALOG - Ludo Bagman
   
7. A DRY MOO-CALF - Draco Malfoy
   
8. UNSNAP THE SKI - Stan Shunpike*
   
9. PIT-A-PAT RIVAL - Parvati Patil
   
10. AN OLD JEER - Lee Jordan
    

HSKS 12 - Week 7 - The Seven Horcruxes

Here is a cool bracelet with all the seven Horcruxes.

Harry

Tom Riddle's Diary

Ravenclaw Diadem

Hufflepuff Cup

Gaunt's Ring

Slytherin's Locket

Nagini

Super Secret Spoilee Surprize

I completed the test knit of the item I'm going to send to Lavender. Sadly, I'm still not allowed to show a photo or put it on my project page. I await the okay from the designer.

In the meantime I found out my poor son, Gryphon, has had to do a 180 change on his kit because the person he was spoiling is no longer a part of HSKS and he has a new spoilee. We've been working together to try and figure out what to do for Fuddles. It's really tough, because she has very little info on her Rav ID page! He did find out he can return the yarn he purchased, and we'll be making a trip to the other store to return all the other items he had already purchased for the previous kit. I'm very thankful he's able to return the items. It is an experience for this young man, as he's never had to purchase things, save receipts, and then return items before. Life lessons! The only item he can't return was the "treat" he'd purchased. He's decided to save it for himself, unless Fuddles likes seasonal holiday sweets!

To top off that hectic news from yesterday, my daughter decided to try and step over the baby gate on the stairs. It is not fixed to the wall, it's just propped there to keep DH's dog from going where she doesn't belong. At any rate, my daughter slipped, fell down the stairs, and crashed her ankle on the tile floor below. Of course, I wasn't home! By the time I got home I'd made the decision to take her to Urgent Care, because the doctor's office wouldn't see her. I was very disappointed with the medical care she received because the doctor, not once, sat down, looked at her ankle, or even touched it. She was x-rayed and then a fiberglass splint put on. She'll be splinted for about a week. We see her regular doctor next week. The doctor said she had an abnormality on her film, but wasn't sure if it was her normal ankle or if she had chipped it. This is important, because she's a dancer. So, we wait to see what the regular doctor says. Muggles! Go figure! Wish we could have taken her to Saint Mungo's!

And all the menfolk are off for the weekend to wallow in rain and cold on a camping trip. Yuck! Not me! I'd rather stay warm and dry. But, this is a scout activity and one needed for our youngest, who is a Webelos going for Boy Scout next February. Plus, the boys needs more camping for further advancement and badges. DH is going along because he's the Webelos II leader. Looks like it's just the girls this weekend. Although, I have to admit, it won't be too exciting. My daughter is getting her eyes examined and I'm afraid we'll be coming home with glasses for her. Poor thing.

And that is our week in review.

Back to knitting socks!

Reducio 12 - My kit has arrived!

My kit arrived from Gabrielle Rozier (bijou3owl). It was so fragrant we could smell it before getting to the mailbox to retrieve it!
Inside was the second mini sock she's ever made. It's so cute and she did a marvelous job! There was also lavender soap and two chocolate candies. I still haven't opened them. There was also the very aromatic spearmint tea. It was very overpowering. But the best part of the entire package was the mini shawl! Isn't it gorgeous? It's the Laminaria shawl. She split the lace weight yarn into cobweb and then knit it on DPN 0s!
Here is a close up of the fantastic shawl and mini sock.

Thanks again! I love it!

I hope to post below the package I sent, once it's arrived at its destination!

HSKS 12 - Week 5 - Matching

Okay, assignments are up and I just had to jump into this one. It was fun. Ron used a bunch of wands, so I included a snippet I found about him and then narrowed it down as I found the others.

At any rate, here it is:

Instructions: Please match up the wand (wood and core have been listed) with its owner. Each wand/ name of owner will be used once. Please use the web, books, each other for answers. Post answers to your blog for this week’s activity.

1. Vine wood and Dragon Heartstring
2. Walnut and Dragon Heartstring
3. Hawthorn and Unicorn tail hair
4. Hornbeam and Dragon Heartstring
5. Ash and Unicorn hair
6. Rosewood and Veela Hair
7. Elder and Thestral Hair
8. Mahogany and an unknown core
9. Elm and Dragon Heartstring
10. Cherry and Unicorn hair
11. Yew and Phoenix Feather
12. Holly and Phoenix Feather
13. Willow and Unicorn Hair

a. Ron Weasley - 13. Willow and Unicorn Hair
b. Albus Dumbledore - 7. Elder and Thestral Hair
c. Mary Cattermole - 10. Cherry and Unicorn Hair
d. Viktor Krum - 4. Hornbeam and Dragon Heartstring
e. Lucius Malfoy - 9. Elm and Dragon Heartstrnig
f. Harry Potter - 12. Holly and Phoenix Feather
g. Cedric Diggory - 5. Ash and Unicorn Hair
h. Tom Riddle - 11. Yew and Phoenix Feather
i. Hermione Granger - 1. Vine wood and Dragon Heartstring
j. James Potter - 8. Mahogany with an unknown core
k. Belatrix Lestrange - 2. Walnut and Dragon Heartstring
l. Fleur Delacour - 6. Rosewood with Veela Hair
m. Draco Malfoy - 3. Hawthorn and Unicorn tail hair

Ron's Wand: Initially used Charlie’s old wand. There is conflicting information about his second wand. According to PA4, it is 14-inch willow containing one unicorn tail-hair, but according to Jo's website it is Ash (JKR). Ron used this wand until it was taken by the Greyback and the snatchers (DH23). He never got that one back. Eventually he won Pettigrew's: Chestnut and Dragon Heartstring, 9.25 inches, Brittle (DH23). Ron also took a blackthorn wand from one of the first set of Snatchers and gave it to Harry (DH19, 23).

Quandary

I still remain in a quandary over my spoilee's kit. I don't think I've ever been so stumped as I am on this particular round. I have had no hits of inspiration whatsoever and it's getting me down. I knew I was going to have trouble with this particular theme, I just didn't know how much.

I have made two different items and purchased the yarn for the kit. Had to change patterns midstream, though. Frustrating.

I walk around and around knowing I need to do something else for this kit, but it's kicking me in the butt! I just don't want it to come back to haunt me before it's time to send it out. I have SO many things to make right now for Christmas, but this is the one thing from which my mind cannot let go. Hrumph. I'm in a pickle and a funk.

Time to shake it off. Wish chocolate wasn't so caloric!

HSKS 12 - Week 4 - Quiz and Essay

Oh my gosh, I'm not good at this sort of thing. I've only read the book once. We are always trying to read from book 1 to the end prior to a movie and we just haven't gotten through book 1 at all this year! ACK! I don't have free time to read or knit any more. It's so sad.

At any rate, my knowledge of the Deathly Hallows is very limited. We shall see how I fare.

1. Why does Harry accuse Remus Lupin of being a coward? For leaving Tonks alone while she is pregnant and abandoning their child.
   
2. Who is R.A.B.? Regulus Arcturus Black
   
3. According to legend, what would a person become if he could assemble the Deathly Hallows? The Master of Death
   
4. What is Ariana Dumbledore rumored to be? A squib.
   
5. What is written on Harry’s parents’ gravestone? The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
   
6. Why does Krum want to fight Xenophilius Lovegood? Lovegood wore a necklace with the symbol of the Deathly Hallows on it and it was known to Krum as Grindelwald's sign.
   
7. Why does Voldemort seek the Elder Wand? It's a wand that would overpower Harry's.
   
8. Where did Dumbledore’s family live? Godric's Hallow
   
9. Whose eye does Harry see in his magic mirror shard? Aberforth Dumbledore
   
10. What item does Harry steal from Gringotts? Hufflepuff's Cup
    
11. Where does Rita Skeeter get her information about Dumbledore? Bathilda Bagshot
    
12. What is inside the Snitch that Dumbledore leaves Harry? The Resurrection Stone
    
13. Why does Dumbledore leave Ron a Deluminator? Because he knew Ron would leave and would need help finding his way back to Harry.
    
14. Why has Hermione not read The Tales of Beedle the Bard? She was raised as a muggle and not read them as a child. She read the book while on their trek through the woods.
    
15. What is Dumbledore’s greatest regret? Helping Grindelwald (or even the circumstances surrounding Ariana's death - did he or didn't he kill her.)
    
16. Whose mail did Snape open? As a child he opened Aunt Petunia's mail.
    
17. What form does Snape’s Patronus take? A doe representative of Lilly's patronus doe.
    
18. Why can the Sword of Gryffindor destroy Horcruxes? Because of the basilisk venom.
    
19. What name is given to wizards who help Mudbloods? Blood traitors
    
20. How do Harry and his friends enter the Ministry of Magic? They transformed using Polyjuice Potion and then entered through the toilets.
    
21. Who made Harry’s wand? Ollivander
    

Essay Question

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

1. How does Harry change over the course of the novel? Is The Deathly Hallows a true coming-of-age story? Harry's life is crappy and he's treated horribly. Hogwarts becomes his true family, and then his life/parent's life comes about to bite him in the butt. He cannot grow up as a normal child from age 11 on up. He is marked, figuratively and literally, for life. He has to actually struggle to stay alive and keep adults around him, and friends, alive. He has to face the most horrible thing in the wizarding world and still come out a whole person. Essentially, he has to meet the devil face to face and conquer him. His time at Hogwarts is about honing and strengthening his skills instead of making friends, joining clubs, etc., all the things young kids and teenagers do as they are coming into adulthood. So, I'd say, yes, it is a true coming-of-age story, but at an accelerated speed.
   

2. In what ways do the dead speak to the living in this book?

3. In what way do Ron and Hermione act as foils for Harry, drawing out his qualities and characteristics more clearly?

HSKS 12 - Week 3 - Word Association

1. Pumpkin - pasties
   
2. Owl - Hedwig
   
3. Leaf - autumn
   
4. Weasley - Molly
   
5. Quaffle - red
   
6. Hallow - Deathly
   
7. Mad - Mardigan (not HP nor fall ... from Willow ... who also played Flitwick!)
   
8. Dragon - egg
   
9. Crystal - Billy (again, not HP! ... from Princess Bride)
   
10. Trees - Forbidden Forest
    
11. Hermione - Granger
    
12. Hogwarts - School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
    
13. Burrow - homey
    
14. Dobby - house elf
    
15. Horcrux - yuck; evil
    
16. Ministry - of Magic
    
17. Magic - sorcery
    
18. Sirius - Black
    
19. Apple - juice
    
20. Juice - pumpkin
    
21. Candle - ceiling
    
22. Ghost - filmy
    
23. Snake - eek!
    
24. Wand - instrument
    
25. Invisibility - cloak
    
26. Tent - large and spacious
    
27. Spell - book
    
28. Umbridge - evil
    
29. Dursely - fat
    
30. Prophet - knowing
    

Wee Tiny Wolf

I have been muddling with something to make for a certain someone and I came across this pattern for a wolf. The pattern called for bulky weight yarn and a large hook ... well, I didn't have yarn in that color, so, I went down sizes until I had all three colors ... and wouldn't you know it would be fingering! So, here is my wee tiny wolf ... and I have to tell you, those openings got VERY small ... narrow ... minuscule ... hard to see ... ! Sure made stuffing difficult. But, I think he's cute just the same. He's about 3 inches tall instead of the projected 7!



The following photo is needed for a class submission ... excuse the extra posting ... I don't know any other way to get it into Ravelry without putting it here first :)

HSKS 12 - Week 2 - What would you take with you?

Ah, the big question, "What 5 things would you not leave home without if you were going into hiding, camping, or running away and WHY?"

I've been asked this before and the same answer always comes up, "I don't know," and that's mainly because I need to know, is my family going with me? Why is this important? It's important because it makes a difference about what I would bring with me. The other big question is, "How long will I be gone?"

Now, if I were camping, I'd probably be with my family. HOWEVER, I am not a camper, so it is probably quite likely that I would not go camping. BUT, if I did, the first thing I would bring would be a toilet, or a toilet seat, or some way I could make facilities for myself a lot easier ... and then the toilet paper as well!

If I were running away or hiding, the first and foremost item on my list would be my Bible.

If I were camping, I'd more than likely have my family with me.

If I were running away or hiding, I'd like to think it was with my family, but if not, I'd bring a photograph of my husband and children.

NOW, this posses another question ... who is running away or hiding? Me? The REAL me? Or Ambyr, my HP persona?

All answers change at this point if it's Ambyr!

***
Okay, later. Like days later, and I'm still muddling over this and not sure of my answer.

As a witch, I would most definitely take my wand.

As a muggle, I'd probably get bored. I'd better take a knife of some sort to help me hunt and whittle down some sticks for needles. I'd have to find a way to knit stuff, too, because I'd be VERY bored. I would also bring potable water in a refillable container. I'd also bring a fire starter kit (kit counts as one item ;) ), and dry socks, and a VERY warm sweater.

I guess, in all, I can't really answer this question well. But I've certainly made a long blog about not being able to answer it well!

HLBOE - Colin Creeve Challenge #6

Darn, it's the last Colin Creevey Challenge for this term :( It's been lots of fun. My marker is the black bear.

1) The graveyard Harry and Cedric were transported to by the portkey. (Bear is resting foreground on the stone wall surrounding this particular graveyard.)

(This second graveyard was made by my youngest son, just for the challenge!)

2) Wormtail's silver hand.
3) The foe-glass ... (it broke, I have pieces):
4) Moody's trunk.


5) Harry's prize money he gives to the twins.

HLBoE - Swap package from Prew

A very large box arrived today with some amazing things inside. My daughter just loved the color of the tissue wrapping! The box smelled tantalizingly of chocolate! Our cocker spaniel, Rose, could not keep herself away. She had her nose buried in the box. The chocolate smell was homemade dipped pretzel sticks! Yum! We are setting them aside until tomorrow. I want them as a treat on our anniversary!
This is the cutest project bag, with fairies on the front. Prew sent a fairy in my box, but I think she's still a bit shy and nervous, because she hasn't shown herself yet. However, Prew sent a picture of her family on this adorable zippered bag. The material is a watery combination of lavenders and blues ... I so totally love it! She also included two sets of stitch markers and a pair of earrings inside. One set is blue and has fairy wings. The other set was made from Shrinky Dinks and features the other elements of HP I so enjoy (and had listed as my favorites for this swap). The earrings match the fairy stitch markers.
This is Prew's first felted project! These are fairy castles. The large one will house my 7" dpns and the smaller one my sewing needles (I took my cable needle to knit night in it this evening!). I think they are amazing and they will be very pretty on the table next to my chair. Better than the bag that sits on the floor, and much easier to see my needles! I love these! AND, I love the colors of bark brownish gray and purple.

Here is the entire package. Back row, left to right: Hermione Sock and specially dyed yarn from Prew in such a beautiful range of Ravenclaw colors (!), personalized notebook with pencil and pen, and the fairy castles. Front row, left to right: Twinings decaf Earl Gray (yum!), 3 local postcards (forgot to do that for my spoilee), fairy project back with stitch markers and earrings, notebooks for my children with pen and pencil each, and chocolate dragon eggs (from "How To Train Your Dragon") and in the immediate front, hand dipped pretzels!

Prew, thank you SO much! This was a truly amazing package and it sure felt like my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one! I just love the fairy houses!

HSKS 12 - Week 1 - Adventures in Knowing Others

Well, I've completed all the requirements of this assignment and I must say, we have some EXTREMELY talented crafters with this group! WOW! Amazing!

I also found out that, until we let in our three missing (late to coming) wizards, there wasn't a soul in our group with a birthday the same month as myself! I saw lots of July and December, though!

It was fun peeking in on everyone tonight and I hope to get to know everyone a bit more this next swap. This is so much fun!

HSKS 12 - Week 1 - Getting To Know You

Someone already stole (I mean, USED) my idea of singing the song. So, imagine you're in Ceylon, in the palace, surrounded by LOTS of kids, and you're their new teacher and you are trying to get to know all of them, and they you! (ha-ha!)

At any rate. First I'll list my info (just in case you need to find it quickly), and then I'll post my assignment.

Favorite Color(s): Lavenders, rust tones (colors that remind you of autumn) ... new favorites are sunny/cheerful yellow, rust, and olives. I do not care for black or orange and I don't look very good in red. But, youngest son LOVES red.

Favorite Flavors: Not sure how to answer this one. I mean depends on what I'm eating, I guess. I like cheddar cheese, cucumber sandwiches w/ cream cheese, apple pie, fresh homemade bread, meatless lasagna, homemade raspberry jam, homemade hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, decaf creme de menthe latte, mint chocolate chip ice cream ...

Favorite Scents: Roses, fresh homemade apple pie and bread, fresh mowed grass, gingerbread cookies fresh out of the oven, the smell of autumn, evergreen trees, fresh clean crisp air (like winter or spring or fall).

Favorite Season: That's easy ... AUTUMN! Sweater weather!

Favorite Holiday: Christmas (I love the decorations and the baking ... GINGERBREAD! YUM!) Just wish it would snow like when I was a kid :) (I like little red cardinals in the snow ... aren't they the cutest? I don't see them where I live now, but we did when I was little in upstate NY!)

Favorite Fiber: I don't know this one yet. I suppose we have to be specific? Yarn?

Favorite Pattern: Umm, I don't know as I have one of these, either. It's always the one I'm working on, I guess.

Favorite Designer (s): I had to make that plural! I love our Ann Kingstone, and I also like Sheila Joynes designs as well. I also really like Cat Bordhi's socks.

Favorite Needles: Well, at first I did not like bamboo or wooden needles. I'm liking them more and more as time goes on. I think the multi-colored ones are beautiful.

Something about myself no one knows: Um, I don't know what to put here, either. I love to dance and have no outlet to do it. I want to tap dance, but have no class available. I would love to do musical theatre, too. I think ballroom would be fun. I'm jealous of my kids' opportunities.

Wizarding Families Assignment:
1. Someone with the same craft as you: Wychwoodlady's (Lizzy Wychwood) baby beret

2. Someone who was born the same month (January) as you: Starsplash (we're the only 2 in January!)

3. Someone from a different country (I'm in the USA): kristo (Cassandra Grubbly-Plank) is from British Columbia, Canada.

4. A new HSKS Family Member (I'm not new, I've been around a couple swaps): Cayden (Caradoc Brocklehurst in the UK) and Nicky Lovely (ynkchck2).

5. Someone who has been in 3 or more HSKS swaps (this makes 5 for me!): MissLucy (Fleur Sweeting) ... this is her 9th!

6. Someone who has a bigger stash than you (just about everyone!): smileynetta (Hermione) with 75.

7. Someone who both knits and crochets (I do both, too!): foxyfiberchick (Emma Diggory) does both.

8. Someone who has the same favorite color as you (see above listing for mine): staroftwilight (Morgianna Defeufaucon) autumn colors!

9. Someone who has the same favorite season/holiday as you (mine are Autumn and Christmas): angel101580 (Winifred) loves Christmas!

10. Someone who has the same favorite fiber as you (I don't have one yet ... yarn?): knottieknitter (Lavender Diggory) and I both love soft squishy yarn! (Woo-hoo! Leave it to my spoilee to come to my rescue!)

HLBoE - Care of Magical Creatures - Nifflers!

Ack! The nifflers have gotten loose!

For class, I present the metallic tools used for crafting.

I also present other metallic objects.

My Care of Magical Creatures project will be PMd as my package has yet to be sent ;)

HSKS 12 Begins!!

Horcrux - horcruxes - horcruxs ... hmmm ... not an easy word to pluralize!

At any rate, Houses of Horcrux seems to be our theme this next round and it's very exciting.

The kit choices center around the horcruxes Voldemort made and the hardest part is picking which horcrux to be the center of your kit.

The choices this time were:
Harry Potter - anything relating to Harry (wand, glasses, Gryffindor, a mother's love, lightning bolt scar, even a pair of Gillyweed socks). Personally, I LOVE the idea of the Gillyweed Socks! (hint!)

Nagini - anything snake or animal related (I knew Gryphon would jump on this one right away!)

Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem - things to go around or on your head. Well, as I look simply horrible in hats, this is NOT one of the ones I chose. I'm just not a hat person. I like making them for others, but my hair is just too bushy and I just look plain stupid.

Salazar Slytherin's Locket - things that go around your neck. This one was one I was interested in, but I didn't chose. Necklaces, things that frame. Good ideas, but I felt I had a closer affinity to a couple others instead.

Helga Hufflepuff's Cup - containers to hold things. Now this is up my alley! I love bowls and things that contain things, lending themselves to orderliness! I also love my hot mug of cocoa or tea (as I'm chilled most of the time). I'm thinking a yarn bowl (hint!) or felted bowl/container (love the acorn one on Ravelry - hint!), or even a big mug with a cozy to fit!

Tom Riddle's Diary - anything related to books, journals, or diary. I love books, I love empty books, but I have them. So, I steered clear of this one. I wish I had an iPad or similar device to download JKR's or Gabaldon's marvelous books. Then I'd need a cozy for it. But, I don't, so again, not a theme I chose. However, Gryphon latched onto this one, and I'm glad he did. He's writing a book, and I think this is a marvelous way to encourage him.

Marvolo Gaunt's Ring - anything circular. Well, that's open ended! I love the idea of a stitch marker/counter bracelet (hint!). I've seen many, but never held one, so not sure how they work or even how to go about making one. This could be an adventure. I'm thinking socks, here, too, as they are done in a circular motion. So bracelets and socks here for me!

Then there are the house choices! Wow! CelticMommy and Neila have certainly had the creative juices flowing! Personally, I hope to end up in Hermione's Heroic Brainiacs, but that will have to be left to the sorting hat. My second choice would be Harry's Horcrux Hunters, then Ron's Muddle-Headed Mates, and lastly, Draco's Pure Bloods and Dark Arts. But, like I said, it's up to the sorting hat! Time will tell.

HLBOE - Colin Creevy Challenge #5

The Black Lake (my bear marker was taking some time off, so Harry helped out out on this challenge).
Gillyweed

Witch Weekly - poor Harry is in the news again.

Depressed Winky - I caught her curled up under a blanket with her bottle in her hand. She was snoring. Poor dear has been at the butterbeer again.

Maze in the third task. The cup is still in the middle.

Variety of Harry Potter Crafts

2010 - Monster Book of Monsters cake for 2nd son's 13th birthday.
2010 - Snitch birthday cake for third son's 11th birthday.
2010 - House stitch markers. This required tricky scissor work. Didn't want point to catch in yarn, so had to make sure things were rounded off or not as intricately cut as desired. Also included Beaubatons and Durmstrang.
2010 - Harry Potter creatures as stitch markers. These were fun. I used Shrinky Dink paper for these. The hard part was figuring out how opaque to make the photos because they darken as they shrink!
2010 - Yellow mini dragon made for a swap.
2010 - Mini reducio'd Slytherin sock. I'd made this sock on either US 00 or 000 and with fingering yarn. Then I used crochet thread in a sparkly white for the snake. I've made a couple of these now.
2009 - Our Harry Potter Halloween party favors. We made milk and dark chocolate frogs. The dark chocolate ones were glossier than these milk chocolate frogs. We had some left over, which still reside in our freezer ... sometimes one hops out!
Circa 2002 ... and they still wear them! My daughter was 1 at the time, but she was napping when the photo was taken, so she's not in this photo. The wands are spurtles ordered from Scotland. They made perfect wands.