Friday, May 1, 2009

Spinning

Greetings from sunny LA. I took a private spinning lesson yesterday that I'll write more about when I return. It's been a great vacation.

I decided that I'm going to sit out the next swap. Summer is a super busy time with work and I just don't think I'll be able to keep up. Hopefully I'll return in the fall.

However, I am thinking of keeping this blog going on it's own. I'll have to ponder it more on the way back tomorrow.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Winding up

It's the last week of term and things are hectic with taking exams and packing. After the term is done this week I'll be heading out to LA for a short visit with a friend. I've never been to La-La-Land, so I'm excited. I will get to indulge my love of baseball by taking in a Dodger game one night and I'll be hitting the Getty and Griffith Observatory. It's been a great term.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Quidditch Round 3





1. This “Harry Potter” character’s first name comes from Roman mythology. The mythological character’s twin brother is named Romulus. What is the Harry Potter character last name?
b. Lupin

2. Which “Harry Potter” character’s first name is the Roman equivalent of the Greed Goddess Athena?
b. McGonagall

3. In ‘Harry Potter’ World, this wizard has created the Philosopher’s Stone (called the Sorcerer Stone in the US). The historical figure from the 14th and 15th centuries was a scribe and a manuscript-seller who became famous as an alchemist. Who is this individual?
Nicholas Flamel

4. What is the first name of a character whose last name is the name of a Bulgarian leader from early 9th century who doubled the country’s territory?
c. Viktor

5. Which character’s name is the name of goddess in Indian mythology?
b. Patil

6. “Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of Max, a young boy sent to bed without his supper for his wild antics. Who created this winner of the Caldecott Medal?
a. Maurice Sendak

7. What was NOT one of the unexpected defense mechanisms that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Griphook encountered in their attempt to rob Gringotts?
c. Anti-summoning Enchantments

8. What was Snape aiming at when he cut off George’s ear?
a. Another Death Eater’s back

9. How much older than James was Lily? (Referring to Harry’s parents, not children).
d. 2 months

10. Food is one of the five exceptions to what magical law?
b. Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration

Saturday, April 11, 2009

An owl arrived for me






These past few weeks have been very tough for me because of my day job and schoolwork. However, I received a very nice package from Ophelia Crookshanks to brighten up my day.

I first allow my trusty companion Izzy examine everything I receive in the mail. She approved and then allowed me to check out all my goodies which include a golden snitch bag, a large sucker snake, a calendar, a pattern for mittens/fingerless gloves (which I think is one the best ideas ever), stitch markers, a bottle of soak, a lovely glass bottle and finally some beautiful yarn.

Thanks so much Ophelia!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Homework

Who gave Harry an enchanted mirror?

Sirius

Who said, “Imagine if something went wrong and we were stuck as specky, scrawny gits forever.”

Fred


Who said, “Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Granger?”

Scrimgeour


What is Ron’s middle name and what was he given in the Will?

Bilius
Deluminator



What does Hermione want to talk Mr Lovegood about and what is his first name.

She wanted to speak to him about the emblem he wore at the wedding. And his first name is Xenophilius


What is the name origin and what does it mean.

Greek and means a love of strange things or of strangers

Friday, April 3, 2009

Hufflepuff Homework

1. James Potter and his friends have nicknames for each other - give three names and who they belong to.

James Potter - Prongs

Remus Lupin - Mooney

Sirius Black - Padfoot

Peter Pettigrew - Wormtail

2. What are the three Deathly Hallows?
The Elder Wand

The Resurrection Ring
The Invisibility Cloak



3. What are the four items that belong to the founders of the houses at Hogwarts?

Gryffindor - Sword
Ravenclaw - Diadem

Hufflepuff - Cup

Slytherin - Locket



4. What is the Hogwarts Motto?
Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon



5. What is the Hogwarts school song (Book 1)?

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald,

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling,

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot.



6. What does O.W.L. stand for?

Ordinary Wizarding Level



7. What exams do Hogwarts students take at the end of their 7th year?

NEWTs - Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests



8. What form does Snape's Patronus take?

A Doe



9. Who takes over teaching divination after Trelawney is sacked by Delores Umbridge (Book 6)?
Firenze



10. Who is Elanor Cadogan's boyfriend? 
What is his brother's name?
Dean & Sam

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Lovely present



I got a early birthday present from my swap partner- Ophelia. It had some lovely goodies including some lovely silk that I am going to try out with my new spindle which hopefully arrives sometime this week.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Quidditch Round 2

Godrick's Hollow

Ron

Snape

Luna

Lily

1. On which day did the Order of the Phoenix come to get Harry?
c. Saturday

2. During all this chaos with voldemort and the Death Eaters, people still had lives to live and Ron's oldest brother, Bill decided to marry Fleur Delacour? Who were the uninvited guests at Bill and Fleur's wedding?
b. Death Eaters (they took over the ministry and then crashed the party)


3. Voldemort had seven Horcruxes hidden in different places. Six of them were hidden at the Gaunt shack, Hogwarts, a cave, inside Harry, inside his snake, Nagini and Tom Riddles Diary. Did Voldemort hide the last Horcrux inside the Malfoy's vault at Gringotts?
b. No (it was in the lestrange's )

4. Why did the Dumbledore's move to Godric's Hollow?
c. The father went to Azkaban

5. Harry and Hermione read a part of "Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore," written by Rita Skeeter. Then they met Dumbledore's brother Abeforth and he told them the same story, just with a few details changed. Which of the following did Aberforth and Rita Skeeter agree on about Dumbdore's past?
b. That Dumbledore was friends with Grindelwald for a while.

6. When Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow, they visit the graveyard to see Harry's parent's graves. Harry walks by a tombstone that we later learn belong to tone of "The Three Broother'. The brother buried there once owned what?
b. The cloak

7. The Trio finds out that Luna had been kidnapped by the Death Eaters , and that they won't give her back until they got Harry Potter. Why did they kidnap Luna?
a. Her father sided with Harry and Dumbledore

8. After Voldemort killed Snape, he left the room and Harry came out from under the cloak. Snape gave Harry some of his memories all the way from when he was a child to just months before. Harry dived into the Pensieve and which of the following did he not see?
c. Snape and Lily having fun in a potions class

9. On the search of the Lost Diadem, Harry finally gets to talk to the Gray Lady. Who was the Gray Lady when she was alive?
c. Helena Ravenclaw.

10. Which of these is not one of Harry or Ron's children?
d. Victoria

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Hufflepuff Homework

Hufflepuff Homework

1. Who likes TeaPots and cat toys? Chrysta The Cursed
2. Who wants Polyjuice so they can have Cullen Eyes? Cliodna Trelawney
3. Who wants postcards and a hardcover book? Eladora Madley
4. Who wants silky terrier? It is not a type of wool but a dog. Winifred Wartbobble
5. Who would like a wicked necklace and bloody stupid johnsan hat? Felula Pinkstone
6. Who never had anything made for her? Violet Starfire
7. Who learned how to knit with Maya and Soren? Kaae
8. Who is Pretty as a Peacock Pattern? Lily May Clearwater
9. Who does Fair Isle mittens and Tea for Toe up socks? Mafalda Grubbly-Plank
10. Who likes Cinnamon flavored coffee? Antonio dela Weasley
11. Who likes clever storage systems and mysteries? Mantacora Crimson
12. Who wants World Peace and Wool Wash? Violette Black
13. Whose Ancient Runes notebook holds the secret of Moonstone earrings? Mona Ravenscroft
14. Whose dog is on a low protein diet? Selena Starfire
15. Who does not have much of a ‘stash’ and favorite scent is Pine trees? Sian Doge
16. When you go to her wish list, you find yourself surfing the net? Suzie Weasley (I tend to be very exact, so I thought pictures was better than writing)
17. Who really, REALLY misses Hawkins Cheezies, Big Turk chocolate bars? Ursula Longbottom
18. Who likes pencilthings and rosewood? Elanor Cadogan
19. Russian nesting dolls and cute stationary are on this list. Winifred Hornswaggle
20. Who likes the Seven Dwarves and the Evil Stepmother? Bernadette Hobsworth

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Hogsmeade

My trip to Hogsmeade was short and sweet since I had so much homework to do over the weekend. It was ok because I really only had one thing I wanted to pick up.

Last year I saw a beautiful black robe with yellow embroidering at Gladrag's Wizard Wear that I loved and wanted so badly. I saved as much money as I could this past summer and went to the store with the hopes it would be there.

I had to dig a little bit, but I found it in the back of the store. I tried it on and it fit perfectly (hmmm wonder if it's magic?) I paid for it and happily wore it back to Hogwarts. I have it on right now and I'm not sure when I'm going to be taking it off.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Quidditch Round 1








1. What momentous event was the reason that the members of the Order of the Phoenix felt it necessary to move Harry out of the Dursley’s house?
a. The start of the new school year
b. The Dursleys kicking him out
c. Voldemort’s escape from Azkaban
d. Harry’s upcoming birthday

2. Who revealed the actual date of Harry’s transfer to Voldemort, despite the misinformation the Order had been spreading around that the move would occur on the eve of his actual birthday?
a. Mundungus
b. Snape
c. Yaxley
d. Shacklebolt

3. With the use of Polyjuice Potion (and to confuse any possible attack by Death Eaters), six member of the Order were disguised as Harry and escorted out of Privet Drive, along with the real Harry. Which member of the order did not survive that night?
a. Mad-Eye Moody
b. Nymp0hadora Tonks
c. Hagrid
d. George Weasley

4. Who informed Harry, Ron and Hermione of the bequests left to them in Dumbledore’s will?
a. Kingley Shaclebolt
b. Minerva McGonalgall
c. Arthur Weasley
d. Rufus Scimgeour

5. During the wedding celebration for Bill and Fleur, Kingley Shacklebolt sent a Patronus to tell the guests that the Ministry had fallen, Scrimgeour (the Minister) was dead and the wedding celebration was about to be attacked by Death Eaters. What form did the Patronus take?
a. A lynx
b. An otter
c. A doe
d. A stag

6. Escaping from the wedding to London, our three friends found themselves confronted by a pair of Death Eaters, disguised as workmen. This close brush impressed on them the need to find someplace to hide. Where did they decide to go?
a. The Leaky Cauldron
b. Sirius Black’s house
c. The Dursley’s house
d. Ron’s Auntie Muriel’s house

7. Kreacher’s animosity towards Harry, Ron and especially Hermione (a Mudblood) was well documented in book five, “The Order of the Phoenix.” His initial interaction with them showed that his attitude had not changed. How did they win him over?
a. By giving him clothes and his freedom
b. They didn’t win him over!
c. By giving him something to eat
d. By giving him Regulus Black’s old locket

8. Who did they eventually find was in possession of the locket/Horcrux?
a. Severus Snape
b. Lucius Malfoy
c. Lord Voldemort
d. Dolores Umbridge

9. What did Harry find embedded in the door of Umbrdige’s office?
a. Moody’s magical eye
b. Nymphadora’s purple hair
c. Hedwig’s head
d. George Weasley’s ear

10. After retrieving the Horcrux, they tried to return to their safe place but they were pursued (actually Yaxley tagged along when they disapparated). This meant that the Death Eaters knew their hiding place and they had to go somewhere else. Where did Hermione take them?
a. To Godric’s Hollow
b. To the Forbidden Forest
c. Back to the Burrow
d. To the site of the Quidditch World

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Homework

1. Do you knit or crochet? Knit
How long have you been at your craft? 3 years
2. Do you spin? What type of spinning do you do? Yes. I’ve just started spinning and work with a top whorl spindle
3. Are there any other crafts that you participate in? No
4. What are your favorite yarns/fibers?
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock, Knit Picks yarns, Malabrigo
5. What are your LEAST favorite yarns/fibers? Lion Brand and RedHeart. However, I do plan to try out some of the new Lion Brand yarns that were just released in conjuncture with them opening up a store in NYC
6. Are there any types/brands of yarn that you are dying to work with but haven't gotten a chance?
Dream in Color, Rowan Kidsilk Haze, Cascade 220 Heathers
7. What are you currently working on? Sweater for my mom, socks from my Rockin’ Sock Club, Lace scarf for my friend Rachel
8. Are there any knitting/crochet techniques that you would like to learn? Fair Isle and maybe some specific type of lace knitting.
9. Do you have a yarn winder and/or a swift? No, but I have access to one at work
10. Where/how to you keep you needles/hooks? I have a quilted needle case for my straights and then a clear case for my Knit Picks Harmony interchangeable needles
11. Do you like sweets? What are your favorites? Love sweets, particularly milk chocolate. My favorite thing is milk chocolate covered pretzels
12. Are you having a birthday during this swap? Yes (March 26th to be exact)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

First Assignment

What is your favorite knitting project and why? Was it the yarn your chose? Shaping? What drew you to it?

My favorite is a pair of Fawkes socks that I finished in late spring of last year. The yarn was part of a swap package that I received from a very nice swap partner. These were my first successful pair of knit socks. I had made other socks, but had never been able to complete a pair and all the single socks I had made just didn't fit that well. However, these socks were magic. The knitting went smoothly and the fit was great. I love them and wear them as much as possible.