Halloween

A few pictures to celebrate our special day, my fellow witches and wizards!

The boys and I had a lot of fun getting the pumpkins ready. The spider one is by far my most ambitious ever - the other being much more representative of what I usually do.

Then the boys got dressed up ready for the Halloween party - both were skeletons. Their cousin was, of course, her usual pretty self.

Package from Emma

My spolier, Emma Gorodok of Slytherin, has sent me a package - the first of two I am to expect she says. This one contains gorgeously squishy yarn in Ravenclaw colours with a pattern to make a doubleknitted scarf with owls on it, and a knittng journal that Emma very cleverly made with papers she designed herself. It's beautiful - I'm including pictures of some of the pages for you to covet! There was also a selection of Haribo sweets - already consumed!! I love how Emma made an envelope for her letter with her own paper, it looks really professional.

Thank you Emma for such a lovely package!

Halloween's Coming!!

It's nearly here, and the little wizards are getting quite excited! Today they've been making little bats and pumpkins out of paper and bits. I've promised that next week I'll sit and do lots of Halloween crafting with them - make moving skeletons and flappy bats, as well as carving the lanterns.

We have three pumpkins to choose from, grown by Mr. Wigworthy of course. We brought them in last weekend, and they are sitting on the dresser looking yummy! The boys are going to plan the faces themselves on paper before we do the carving, and I'm planning to make pumpkin soup and some savoury pasties with the flesh.

The harvest from Mr. Wigworthy's plot is particularly varied and plentiful at the moment. I took this picture of the produce he picked a few days ago to show you all what goodness we are enjoying at Creaky Cottage - chard, courgettes, marrow, cabbage, tomatoes, and leeks:

Quidditch - Round 2

1. What animal does the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minister's office resemble?
b. Frog

2. What drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
a. Gillywater

3. What is the name of the person who heads the Holyhead Harpies?
b. Gwenog Jones

4. How many 'Exceeds Expectation' grades does Harry receive in his O.W.L's?
c. 5

5. What is Professor Slughorn's favorite candy?
d. Crystallized Pineapple

6. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
c. Hippogriff

7. What color robes do the staff at the Weasley's shop wear?
b. Magenta

8. What is the man outside Flourish and Blotts selling?
a. Amulets

9. How much is the skull, which Hermoine enquires about at Borgin and Burkes, worth?
c. 16 Galleons

10. What are Professor Slughorn's initials?
b. H.E.F.

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge

What a ride!! My broomstick is rather bedraggled looking after flying me around to get these pictures. This is for points for me and my roomies, 'The Charming Chums' - the 'originality marker' is a tape measure!! I've managed everything except the Shady Shop, and the Public Art.

Horcrux (Helga's Cup):



Lucky Potion:



Fanged Frisbee:



House Socks:



Tree - changing season:



Used Textbook (this is a very used potions textbook!):



Broom:



Engagement Ring:



Butterbeer:



Muggle Artefact:

Raven's Feather (there are quite a few on this chappie!!):

Government Employee:

Diadem:

Magical Creature:

Quizzes galore

Gosh - I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all the quizzes I have to do at the moment. As well as the HSKS regulars I now also have weekly History of Magic homework for the Knitting and Crochet House Cup (I have to send my answers for that to the Professor each week), and a photo challenge to complete before Wednesday. So I'm struggling time-wise.

What makes it all especially difficult is that I've now finished the Hogwarts Socks for my middle little wizard and am busy writing the pattern up for sale. I've got a photo I'll post after the quizzes - it's not great because the purple colour of the cuff and foot has come out blue in the pic due to dodgy work with an over-flashy wand I think. I'll have to get a better picture for the pattern. The text says 'Never Tickle A Sleeping Dragon', which you all should know is the Hogwarts school motto!

House Quiz

1. What potion has the strange side effects of excessive singing and nose-tweaking?


An Elixir of Euphoria


2. What ingredient can be used to counteract the effect of the above side effects?


Peppermint


3. How much can you get for Acromantula venom?


One hundred galleons per pint


4. What is the most powerful love potion in the world?


Amortentia


5. What antidote does Harry use to help Ron when he is poisoned by Madam Rosmerta's finest mead?


Bezoar


6. How does Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' Owl Order Service get their potions past the security at Hogwarts to their customers?


They disguise them in perfume or cough syrup bottles


7. What did Draco Malfoy make in Potions class when Professor Slughorn assigned them to make something amusing?


A hiccuping elixir


8. What spells will not work in an area affected by Instant Darkness Powder?


Light spells, such as Lumos, and fire magic


9. What are the ingredients for the Draught of Living Death?


Asphodel, Wormwood, Valerian Roots, and a single Sophorous Bean


10. How much will unicorn tail hair fetch?


Ten galleons per hair

Extra Credit:

Do you prefer to knit or crochet?


Knit - and I love to crochet too!

What is your favorite weight yarn to knit/crochet with?


Anything except bulky

What fiber contents do you most like to knit/crochet with?


Wool and silk


What fiber contents do you dislike knitting/crocheting with?


Mohair and acrylic

How many complete pair of socks have you knit/crochet?


Oh my gosh - far too many to count!!

What is your favorite item to knit/crochet?


I love to make anything with appealing design, pattern and colour

What is your favorite treat?


Pavlova!!

Do you drink coffee, tea, or both?


Only tea at home - cappucino when I'm out

Do you have an online wish list? If so, where?


It's in the sidebar of this blog.

How many Ravelry groups are you in?


22 (must whittle it down!!)

Is there any special item you have been really wanting, but can't find in your local area?


I'd love (and really don't expect my spoiler to get something expensive like this!) an upright wooden skein winder like the beautiful one that Brentusfirmus (Rav ID) has!!


I'd also love a magnetic pattern holder like the ones at Knitpicks

And here are the latest socks: