Hello all you lovely cuppers!

I'm here for a quick post to show off some of the awesome Quiddylenics posts.
There are so many, I couldn't possibly post them all!

I will try to do another one this weekend showing some more!

Continue on to crafting glory!

It is time!

WE are not quite done my pretties!

Here to celebrate the Quidditch event of the summer!

I will show up during the Ravellenics with replays of the Quidditch cup brought to you by Gladrags Robes!*

I am announcing it here & now that the winner of this term's Quidditch cup WILL HAVE A SPECIAL VIDEO PRESENTATION CREATED BY YOURS TRULY!


See you at the Opening ceremonies!

*Gladrags are the official label for TeamHPKCHC2012!

Hello my lovely cupppers!
Sorry I missed last weeks entry of the Quidditch cup update.
It's been hot out there and I have been playing pick-up games. In addition to dehydration, I got hit with a couple of  bludgers!

Enough about me, here is the official lowdown on the Quidditch cup!

Challenge 1

Gryffindor:1560 
Hufflepuff: 1605 
Ravenclaw: 1170 
Slytherin: 1590

Challenge 2:

Gryffindor: 900 
Hufflepuff: 1215 
Ravenclaw: 855 
Slytherin: 1155

Challenge 3: 
Gryffindor: 113 
Hufflepuff: 137 
Ravenclaw: 108 
Slytherin: 146

This makes a current grand total of:

Gryffindor: 2573 
Hufflepuff: 2957 
Ravenclaw: 2133 
Slytherin: 2891

So that ends the Quidditch portion of events! We will now move into the Ravellenics events.

So do you have a project that you can't figure out where it should go?

We have this Handy dandy flow chart! It should help with all your questions. I once was confused, but this chart is really great!


No video this week! But I'll be back with an inspirational  one next week!

COZY TIME TRIALS!

Good day my fellow Cuppers!

What an exciting couple of days we have had here on the Quidditch field!
I have seen Flowers & Fish & fruit, OH MY!
In all seriousness, there are some absolutely spectacular cozies that have been handed in.

I thought I would put them all in one place for fun!

Let's give everyone a round of applause!

Also the game is not quite over. There are still some points out there for a few more cozies, according to my calculations (admittedly, I was hit in the head a few too many time with a bludger, so math is bad!).

A quick Happy Canada Day to all of my fellow Canucks and a Happy Independence Day to my American crafters. May you have a wonderful time celebrating with your families!

New day New Challenge!

Ola my fellow cuppers!

It is I your lovable AuntTallulah with another Quidditch video regarding Challenge 3.

Remember even if you aren't participating directly, your cheering and love will carry people through!

An Interview with...First Years Part 1!

Hello, I’m Rita Skeeter.

'I write for the daily prophet. But, of course, you know that, don’t you? It’s you we don’t know. You’re the juicy news. What quirks lurk beneath those rosy cheeks? What mysteries do the muscles mask? Does courage lie beneath those curls? In short, what makes a champion tick? Me, myself and I want to know. Not to mention my ravid readers. So, who’s feeling up to sharing?'

Ah, a group of first years! Eliseaboo (E) of Slytherin, CatsMousehold of Gryffindor (C), michwelle(M)of Hufflepuff  and raederle(R) of Ravenclaw! Smashing!

(Shamelessly stol...I mean borrowed from the 'Firsties Lounge' thread! )

Which classes have you enjoyed most so far?

E: I think I’d have to say COMC, because there are always many great options and fun ideas, but Potions comes in a close second for having such thoughtful prompts. Really any class that allows some creative interpretation!

C: I’ve enjoyed Transfiguration when it’s been offered and Care of Magical Creatures the most! I really am very critter oriented (I have four cats…three of which are black and one ginger! Two parrotlets, a dog, a schneider’s skink and two guinea pigs…one MOTH (male of the house) and no children) and I immediately fell in love with making stuffed critters when I learned to crochet!! These two classes seem to offer the most animal/critter oriented subjects which gets my creativity and motivation going. And I’ve always said, “One is never too old for stuffies!” and I delight in giving all my “grown-up” friends toys!

Tackling any OWLs or Phoenixes?

E: Yes! Both! I’m redesigning a hat for my OWL, complete with a sale-quality pattern write-up. It’s my first attempt at any real pattern design or writing, so I’m eager to see where it takes me. 

And nice job trying to trick information out of a Firstie - my mission is highly classified information as you know!

C: BOTH! And the scope of each projects on its own is daunting but I’m going to do my Gryffie best to accomplish both of them. :)

M: Why yes I am! I am making a Daybreak shawl for my Phoenix.No OWL though, maybe next semester.

R: Yes, as an NQFY I proposed and completed my first OWL for Transfiguration. I crocheted a Grany Square blanket. This term I am tackling my Charms OWL. I plan to spin at least 800 yards of lace weight. I have almost half of my singles completed and need to finish the other half before the end of June to earn 50 points.

This reporter would like it to be known that our Firsties are pretty adventurous! This bunch seem to have a particular penchant for mini socks and teapot cozies! And many have been seen down on the Quidditch pitch!

What about House Challenges? You had a go at any of them?

C: Several! I try and dip my toe into everything! I particularly enjoy the Head Mistress Challenge for all the houses. Also, my pride “Skiving Snackboxes” co-won the Gryffie sock-a-long!!

R: After telling myself I wouldn’t, I did participate in the ABC Headmistress Challenge last term. I had a lot of fun figuring out how to make my planned projects fit into the prompts for the challenge. 

As an NQFY, we came up with an idea to have a penguin a-long during break month. It was a lot of fun to plan and participate in making penguins. We made it open ended so any penguin counted. 

I also try to participate in Ravenclaw House activites. In May, we had a washcloth/pigeon/OWL swatch a-long.

What do you think about your Housemates so far?

E: Slytherin is definitely the place for me! Full of wit, snarkiness, and endless hotties…what more could a girl ask for! No one ever seems to knit “just a sock” in that house…no, it’s a shaped, striped, patterned sock for their kid’s dog’s friend, and the match has been Reduccio’d when they tried to send it via the floo system! But it isn’t all fun and games (usually), they also are helpful with class ideas, projects, and most importantly, moral support. I couldn’t feel luckier to be here!

C: I like the Grrr’ness of my housemates and in particular my pride mates!! I’m still not used to hanging out in the new lounges though, having only really stuck around the NQFY lounge before being sorted. Now I have the Great Hall, The Common Room, The Skiving Snackbox pride and the Firsties lounge to check. It makes my head spin a bit!

M: Great people with extraordinary imaginations. I feel blessed to be included.

R: I love them! I may not see eye-to-eye with everyone but I can find things I like and appreciate about each of them.

What is (in your opinion) your Houses greatest quality?

E: Their ability to think “outside of the box” - it’s a creative (if a bit quirky) group of problem solvers!

C: I like the Grrr’ness of my housemates and in particular my pride mates!! I’m still not used to hanging out in the new lounges though, having only really stuck around the NQFY lounge before being sorted. Now I have the Great Hall, The Common Room, The Skiving Snackbox pride and the Firsties lounge to check. It makes my head spin a bit!

M: Amazingness!

R: We are supportive. No matter what we are facing, everyone in the Tower rallies support. If I smash my finger, I know that I will have several love clicks within minutes and a few encouraging words. If I need an opinion or advice, I know someone in the Tower will have a great point that I hadn’t considered. On the flip side, I know that if someone posts, needing support, even if I’ve never chatted with that person before, I feel like I can offer a hug, love or commiseration without fear that someone will think I’m barging in where I don’t belong.

Complete the following ; If Firsties ruled the school then….

E: …I’d never finish any projects!

C: …there would be a spell that would put all the rules of the House Cup in your brain so you would auto-magically know how to maximise points and know where a project best fit rather than figuring it out half way through the year. And perhaps a scrying spell to be able to figure out the “magic unknown it factor” to get the most points in one class a semester. And a mini house hippo to snuggle at night!

M: …you would need to keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times! LOL

R: … there would be more penguins, everywhere.

Stay tuned for part 2 next week! 

Purling On Cast On

Hi there, everyone!

Today, I'd like to share a technique I recently learned in a test knit, through the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry, the purling on cast on.

Now, I'd heard of the knitted cast on, so figured it was similar, and it was. You just put a slip stitch with a decent tail, but not a long one like the long tail cast on, onto your knitting needle. Then, you purl a stitch and place it back on the needle you started with. You continue to do that until all the stitches are cast on.


If you look in my project pages, the shawl Heliades, used this technique to great success. I was very happy with how the cast on edge looked, as was the designer.

Enjoy!

I've fallen and can't get up!

Dear Auntie Muriel,
   I have been sick for a long time and am not up to completing my studies for this month. I am at a loss as to what to craft, even how to craft anything lately. I don't want to lose my place in my beloved house. I like playing along with my year mates and all, but just can't keep up right now. What do you advise in my situation?
Sincerely,
A forlorn student

Dear Forlorn,
  How dreadful to be so ill! You have my sincere empathy.  I hope you get well soon, as I'm sure my readers do too.
   The first thing I would do is speak with your Head of House to inform of your situation. In that message, also indicate whether you have completed any homework for this month. They can give you an excused absence for the months you are unable to complete homework.
   If your illness should last longer than the term, you have a couple of options. You can either play as a Student on Sabbatical  or as a Sorted Student next term, depending on whether you think you'll be able to keep up with assignments.
   Students on Sabbatical, SOSs, retain their year status if they want to, but are excused from the requirement of handing in homework every month. Other than that, you would still be able to hang out in your lovely house common room and your dormitory as well.  They can also participate in all the other activities around the castle. Like NQFYs, SOSs do not earn points for their houses.
  If you think you'll be able to keep up with assignments, then it is better to go through next term as a Sorted student and complete at least the one homework per month. After completing the one homework, assess your energy and time availability and decide whether to do more homework, Quidditch, Unity projects, or any of the other projects going on around the castle. Remember, after the first class all other things are gravy, as Boppingbeth was found of telling us NQFYs when I was in the Waiting Room.
   I hope this helps to ease your mind and reduces your anxiety about keeping up with assignments.  Just do your best. Keep in contact with your Head of House. And, remember, it is a game and is meant to be fun!
Yours fondly,
Auntie Muriel

An interview with...suenosdejmi!

Hello, I’m Rita Skeeter.

‘I write for the daily prophet. But, of course, you know that, don’t you? It’s you we don’t know. You’re the juicy news. What quirks lurk beneath those rosy cheeks? What mysteries do the muscles mask? Does courage lie beneath those curls? In short, what makes a champion tick? Me, myself and I want to know. Not to mention my ravid readers. So, who’s feeling up to sharing?’

Ah, suenosdejmi, newly appointed head of Slytherin House of HPKCHC. Smashing.

Your almost halfway through your first term as the newly appointed Slytherin Head of House, how have things been going for you?

Things have been going wonderfully for me! I love love LOVE being Slytherin’s Head of House!!! I loved Quidditch with all my heart, and there will always be a part of me that randomly screams ‘Quaffle!’, but being able to dedicate all of my energy to Enabling Slytherin Awesomeness is simply amazing!

Has there been any significant reshuffling in Slytherin at all, any new methods of madness implemented?

I wouldn’t say there’s been significant reshuffling persay, but definitely some slight shuffling. We added some new elements to Slytherin this term (like our Dungeon Games), but didn’t really do lot of adjusting to what we already had. As for new methods of madness, that would be a no, because how can you improve upon our steadfast DO ALL THE THINGS method of madness? Gotta go with what you know!!!

Slytherin are renowned for their hotties! Do tell my readers, are the rumours about you and a certain Sean Bean (muggleborn actor on hit felevision series ‘Game of Thrones’) true, or is there a new wizard in the hottie booth that is catching your eye? ;)

Sean Bean? Really?

::looks across the room where McGregor and Clooney are standing in the doorway wearing slightly confused expressions::

Ahem. Yes, well, I’m uncertain what these rumours actually are regarding myself and Mr. Bean, so I’m afraid I can’t confirm them at this time.

::leans closer to Rita and whispers::

But I won’t deny them either! But let’s just keep that on the down low, yes?

Thinking back to your first day as a Slytherin, did you ever see yourself where you are now?

You know, I didn’t. I’m a B3 this term, so I’ve been in the Cup for 3 years now. My first term I was just really excited and all over the place. Then the next term I ended up falling into Cup Staff almost by accident (as a replacement staffer for the then Quidditch Assistant), and didn’t look back. I became a Slytherin Prefect the same term, and didn’t imagine that either path of Staffness would end up leading me to where I am now.

You recently handed over the reigns of Quidditch to the very able stuartsmom. My co-writer Ali123 (who is currently a 7th year) says she remembers quidditch being a much smaller affair back when she was a first year. Are you proud of what quidditch has become and the part you played in its growth, any found memories?

Oh Sweet Quaffle, I don’t think there’s enough space on this blog for me to really express what Quidditch meant to me for all those years! I am so very proud to have been lucky enough to get to be a part of it all, and to work with Gazebogal for as long as I did! She taught me everything I know!!!

I would agree with your co-writer that Quidditch has grown, almost exponentially, over the years. Gazebogal made Quidditch absolutely amazing to experience, and I learned so very much by being at her side for as long as I was. Challenge Quidditch was really my thing while GG was still on the squad, and I definitely think that I helped that evolve well! I still wonder if I really lived up to the Gazebogal awesome once it was mine to carry, but I think I did okay. I don’t know that I could have done it without stuartsmom, who is incredible, and I hope that I did well by her in our time together. I have every confidence that she will continue to carry on awesomely!

Each time the Coaching Team transitions into new leadership, Quidditch changes just a bit. I know that I made changes, looking back at the different things I did now. It excites me to imagine the new things that will be coming down the road in stuartsmom’s and Co’s future once they get through the chaos that is Ravelympics! And I better stop now, because I wasn’t kidding, I could talk forever about Quidditch!!!

And speaking Slytherin Quidditch, for our sports pundits out there; you have recently gained fierce competition from Hufflepuff house (who have won the quidditch cup 3 terms in a row now) can you disclose any tactics or game plans you are implementing this term at all?

I think if I disclosed any actual Slytherin tactics, softnshiny (our Quidditch Captain this term), might actually kill me. So, no, I can’t really tell you what we’re up to, but I can tell you that there’s CrazyMad Quidditch Energy in Slytherin as we’re gearing up to make those tea cosies and that we’re definitely excited for the Ravelympics!

As a lot of people might know, Hufflepuff Quidditch has a serious spot in my heart. I love the energy and dedication they have put forth to win the Quidditch Cup for the last 3 terms, and they were one of my greatest joys from my time on the Quidditch Pitch. So being on this side of the competition and going up against them is a little bittersweet, if you will. I love them and I want great things for them. I love Slytherin and I want ALL THE THINGS for us. It’s an interesting dynamic.

If you had to describe Slytherin to a muggle (or NQFY), what would you say?

I would say that Slytherin is the strangest combination of insanity and sincerity that I’ve ever experienced. Underneath the hardcore ALL THE THINGS mentality, mixed in amongst the sarcasm and wit, you find some of the most loving and caring people I’ve ever met. We may go about showing that a bit more, erm,aggressively, than the other Houses would, but it’s there, at the heart of what makes us Slytherin. There are lots of other ways to describe us, but to me, that’s what really matters.

What new skills (crafting or otherwise) have you gained from playing in the House Cup?

I couldn’t knit when I started in the Cup. I didn’t learn directly through the Cup, but the Cup motivated me to learn, and then taught me so very much once I got the hang of it! And dyeing! I never dyed before either! And I’ve caught the spinning bug, but I’m currently trying to take medication to keep it held back as long as possible…

(An example of suenosdejmi's beautiful and improving knitting!)

Quickfire!

Green or Silver? Green!

Knit or Crochet? Crochet! (I love knitting, but gotta go with my roots!)

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate, the darker the better!

Quidditch or Olympics? Is this a trick question? Really?

Muggle technology or Wand? Ooh, wand. Could do some wicked awesome things with magic!

HP Books or Films? Books. I love some parts of some of the films, and I loved to see the magic come alive, but I have angst issues at some of way the latter parts of the story was formatted to the big screen.

Final Question: Slytherin rocks because….

We agree to DISAGREE. ;) (and Snape!)

Colours ARE AWESOME!

It's that time of the week my friends!
Here is another video filled with awesome!

No count on my part today I'm sorry as it is crazy quidditch time.
I will say that another close race is upon us.
We are all in it to win it!