HSKS 13 - Yule Ball - Triwizard Tournament - Task 1

Yea! I am one of three with this coveted award. So much fun with my Ravelry friends!!!

HLBOE - Herbology (6th term)

The Orthocarpus bracteosus (Scrophulariaceae), or Rosey Owl-Clover, is an endangered species of plant in Washington state.

It seems this species is restricted to one large meadow complex; a majority of the known plants are located within a county road right-of-way. Grazing is a concern, as well as maintenance of the county road and weed control.

It is an annual species, completing it's life cycle in one year. It flowers from June through August, and sets seed in July to August.

Magical Properties

Master Herbologist Witches and Wizards are trying to cultivate this special clover in large meadows. Various portions of the plant are used for phoenix birds. As rare as the phoenix bird is, that is how rare you will find this owl-clover. Most of the mysterious uses of this plant are kept in strict confidence by master herbologists and phoenix owners, and therefore little is in print. Apprentice herbologists, when going for their degree as a master herbologist, learn these properties and are sworn to the secrecy.

HLBOE - Colin Creevey Challenge #1 (6th Term)

1. Nargle (center) 2. Snape's Potion book (some muggle got hold of it and altered the cover slightly) 3. Luna's tennis shoes 4. Lupin's traveling case (black bear is personal item)
Tonk's before
Tonk's after

Reducio 15 - The Hospital Wing

And the mystery continues! This round of Reducio was based on the hospital wing. I sent out Dobby in his tea towel, skelegrow, and a Slytherin sock. I also sent a small sewing kit (for suturing), some mini chocolates (for dementors), and a sachet of lavender (for good sleep).

Below is the package a I received today. Each item was carefully wrapped up in separate tissue packets.
And ... REVEALIO!
Madam Pomfrey has recruited me to help bring aid to Hufflepuff students. I have completed my internship with her and she has set me off with these items to help Dumbledore's Army and their defeat of the evil which will begin at Hogsmead.

The pad of parchment is for me to record all my activities, a package of powdered pepperup potion (peppermint tea), a reducioed Hufflepuff scarf that can be engorgioed to warm the neck of a chilled Hufflepuff ... it has also been infused with a vampire-repelling charm. Isn't she smart?? Then there is a small bar of chocolate in case there is a dementor attack, a wee vial of balm designed to sooth minor injures (and only to be used for Hufflepuffs, as it's magical powers are geared toward their characteristics), and lastly, the CUTEST talisman in Hufflepuff colors. LOVE the beaded flower on the side of the wee tiny sock! Just perfect!

Reducio 14 - Ministry of Magic

From Arthur Weasley, Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.

Arthur and the boys were intrigued with "cow tipping" but it seems it got out of hand and things did not turn out as expected. They were unable to find any cows, so set about trying to tip sheep instead!

The Weasleys were apparently misinformed about the spell to be used. Sadly, a sheep, frog, mermaid, and dragon subsequently were disastrously changed in and adverse way.

My package included a wee black felted zippered notions bag, a frog pen, and a severely reducioed mermaid and dragon. I have been working diligently since Arthur's post to try and return all objects to their former selves. I have minions in the office working on a spell to bring the dragon and mermaid back to size, but it seems the sheep and frog are forever deemed to be a zippered bag and pen. Both the mermaid and dragon have been informed they will have a home in our green belt if they so desire when returned to their normal selves. In the meantime, my daughter has decided to try and learn mermish and my youngest son is taking the opportunity to study the dragon in depth.

Oh, and Arthur, if you read this, I have your scarf! Our owl, Fle, shall return said scarf as soon as our horrendous weather improves. In the meantime, as it is also reducioed, I hope you don't mind if we let the dragon use it to keep warm until he returns to full size. I offered the wonderful Gryffindor sock to the mermaid should she decide she wants to sleep in a cozy manner vice a small bowl of water.

Thank you, Arthur, for the wonderful tea. I'm frozen through to the bone, so you couldn't have sent anything better!

All the best!

HLBOE - Kit from Creativemouse

To what did my eyes behold? A box of loveliness!

Doggie biscuits and sweater (left), swiffer cover/pad and owl dishcloth (bottom), Knit Picks yarn and pattern for Horcrux socks (center), mini sock keychain and two packages of lovely flower seeds (center left), and Earl Grey tea and Goldfish crackers (top).
My Rose wearing her lovely gift. Made her look like a young lady again :)

HLBOE - Colin Creevey Challenge #3 (Feb. 2011)

Brave Little Knitters Cut Their Knitting!

Wee Tiny Steeked Sock

I am a member of the Wee Tiny Sock Club and our most recent adventure was into steeking! ACK! I've NEVER cut my knitting (at least not on purpose!). This is something I've wanted to learn but have been afraid to try. I was not going to venture out on a huge beautiful garment and then mess it up ... so those projects have stayed in hiding!

However, this club has afforded me the opportunity to attempt such a feat, and here it is as I went through each heart-pounding moment.

Ready.
Back stitching with needle and thread to make sure the stitches, after cut, will remain secure. The best part of this was the fact the yarn we were using is very "grabby" and had already proven itself difficult to "pull out" when trying to repair a mistake. I knew if I missed something in my stitching, the yarn would save me later!
Both rows of stitches have been completed.
I turned my work inside out to make it easier to find the stitches I would have to cut.
Snip ... snip ... snip ... heart pounding away here! And, as I'm cutting, I'm realizing what wonderful fabric this yarn has created. It's thick, resilient, and the fibers are holding. I'm going to make it!
Almost there. Just half way to go!
DONE! I've done it! I've cut my knitting!
My project is complete. The steeking yielded an area to knit ribbing on both sides, one with button holes. I LOVE this project and look forward to making another Wee Tiny Steeked Sock.
This is the other side.

Reducio 13 - Deathly Hallows

Today my angel package arrived. This is in association with my Reducio 13 swap. The theme was Deathly Hallows. Sadly, a little clay pot did not make it safely :(

Here are the contents fresh out of the envelope.

Look at all this loveliness! It's simply amazing, and I have no idea on who to thank. I have a Muggle name on the outside of the package, but I don't know which witch sent it :( A package of origami paper (I really like to make little cranes); a wee Nagini; Forget-Me-Nots (is this for Hermione in reference to her parents?); a VERY big ruby stone (my boys thought it was the Sorcerer's Stone, but I'm wondering if it's to represent Gaunt's ring?); a soap flower; and inside the purple drawstring bag was a gorgeous Ravenclaw sock and extra yarn and little needles (the yarn is so soft and the sock is absolutely beautiful!); four star stitch markers and matching earrings (origami no less!); and the piece de resistance ... (drum roll, because it really deserves it!) ... Hermione's beaded bag!
The amazing stitch markers, earrings, and bag up close. Isn't this bag phenomenal????? I coveted someone else's and never thought I'd ever have one as I am pretty sure it's difficult to make (and I believe that even more now that I've held it in my hands)! It's the most sumptuous shade of deep purple and I LOVE IT!
This is the fantastic mini sock. LOVE the amber colored yarn with this blue. They just shimmer and shine together. I'd LOVE a pair that actually fit!

Now, I just need to find out who my angel is to thank them properly!!!

HLBOE - Colin Creevey Challenge #2 (Jan. 2011)

HLBOE - Transfiguration - Term 5

Knitimus Minimus Dobbymus Sockimus


Ta-da

Mickey Mouse Socks

I made these socks for the kids for a surprize trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. I had hoped we would get to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, too, but we didn't :( Perhaps some day we'll be able to swoop in on our brooms to enjoy it for a day or so, but it wasn't to happen this trip. Sadly, the socks on the end, for boy #3, were too small and have since been frogged to be redone in a larger size.