Accio, Socks!

I finished my sweater yesterday afternoon and it's blocking now. I hate the way it smells.
With the sweater finished, the idea of sitting and doing nothing just didn't appeal to me. So I planned to work on a pair of socks that I've been "working" on for months now. Until they were replaced by my sweater sleeves, they were my "little project" for taking with me in the car or if I anticipated a wait somewhere. Well, I have no idea where they are! I tried an Accio, socks in the common room and in my dormitory with no luck. So I decided to start a new pair! I spent some time with my hand upon the Fawkes yarn that my Prefect sent me, but decided not to use it until I am sure I can make a really nice pair of socks with it. Good thing, too...I'm 6 rounds in and I fear I may have already made a mistake!

Transfiguration: Saturday Session

A visiting professor from a wizarding school in Asia was here for a special session of Transfiguration. First, he gave some background information about dragons. Chinese dragons are much different from our own European dragons. They are long and built like snakes, with just 2 legs (I think...our dragon had only 1 leg, because the other leg would be inside the vase) The dragon we made was a Lung Li or sky-ocean dragon. It doesn't need wings to get to the sky. It just sort of slithers through the clouds. Chinese dragons also dwell in the mountains, but there are no mountains where this professor is from, so we left those out. It turned out to be a transfiguration lesson like no other... I hardly used my wand, instead we used our hands and a series of strange incantations that went sort of like "grape, fat carrot, sweet potato, crescent moon, flat semi-circle" and all of a sudden, we'd turned a piece of clay into dragon eyebrows! Piece by piece, our dragons began to come together! It was a very cool project, but the visiting professor has to take them back to his school where they have a kiln. He must have some strong and reliable owls to bring them back in a few weeks or a month. Here's a picture of the vase before firing. This isn't the vase I made, but (hopefully!) mine is a lot like this. I forgot to take a picture of mine before it was packed up for transport.

I can't wait until my finished and fired vase comes back!

Not the only one!

Phew! I was glad to see in the Daily Prophet today that I am not the only one who hasn't gotten my package out yet! I keep seeing all these owls arrive and feeling quite badly that Marty hasn't gone off with the package for my partner yet! I still feel quite badly...but now I know I'm in good company! I might have to send it off on Tuesday because I have an all-day make-up lesson in Transfiguration on Saturday. I'll be turning a brick of clay into a vase with a dragon on it. I won't have time to get to the Owlery and send it off with Marty, but it might be possible for me to get my Gryffindor boy-friend (or is he my boyfriend?) to take it up to the Owlery for me.

Owls all around!

The cutest little owl arrived here yesterday with a package almost as big as she was! In the package was the adult kit for Maggie Pace's Snugs (and the pattern for the baby ones)! I think those are so cute & I can't wait to knit that kit up! I need to check and make sure I have the proper needle, and of course, I still need to finish 1/2 a sleeve and seam up my sweater. Those Snugs will keep my feet so warm... I probably picked a bad time of year to start them!
I've been seeing all sorts of owls with packages bringing wonderful swap kits to many of my classmates! So exciting!

Progress Reports

With the end of the term coming up, I decided to talk to some of my professors and see where I stand as far as grades will go. I think Mum and Dad will be very pleased with my marks! With some hard work and perhaps a bit of natural talent, I've managed to do quite well in all of my subjects this year. But especially...

Which Class at Hogwarts Would You Excel at?

You excel at Transfiguration. One of the most dificult classes, you seem to be a natural at turning a coke bottle into a homework pass. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Almost ready!

Today I need to get my hands on some wrapping supplies so I can pack up my spoilee's kit. Of course, all of the things I wanted to get or make for the kit didn't get done, or didn't get found. But, I still managed to do a few little extras, and I hope my partner will just love it! If only I had a time-turner, I'd have been able to finish all of the ideas I had about putting in the kit (a whole notebook page full---front and back!)
Another thing that is almost ready is my sweater! I finished the right sleeve (I suppose it could be the left sleeve, but I kept on trying it on my right arm, so it just kind of seems like it should be the right sleeve) last night. Now the left sleeve and the neckline to go. Bummer... I really wanted to finish it and wear it on Thursday (3 weeks after I started it!) but I think I might need a few more days.

Happy Easter!

Holidays at Hogwarts are such fun! Some of us didn't get to go back home to our families for Easter weekend, so the teachers at Hogwarts really made it special for us! I woke up to an Easter basket filled with loads of delicious candies- chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs, gummy chicks and marshmallow chicks. There were magical colored eggs hidden all over the school and the grounds. Some were enchanted to disappear or change back into other objects when you got close. I hope we ended up finding all of the real eggs so Hogwarts doesn't start to smell! We had a late breakfast in the great hall and boy was it delicious! A huge Easter brunch feast! I ate so much that I doubt I'll even want to go down for dinner tonight!

Time flies!

I can't believe that Easter weekend is already here. Even when you don't use magic, time flies! I'll have to work up some kind of coloring spell for my Easter eggs, because all the wizards with young children bought up all the coloring kits that had been in Hogsmeade. Guess I should've bought one on my last visit. Hope the Easter bunny will still stop by!

Owls galore!

Owls galore are being sent and arriving daily... it's making me really feel bad that I haven't sent Marty off to my partner yet. I keep reminding myself that I still have time before the deadline, and that I'll still even get mine sent off before the deadline...but I hope my partner isn't feeling nervous! No need to worry, partner... it WILL be sent off soon!

One last assignment and...

a second place finish for Ravenclaw! Not bad! I'm definitely proud to be a Ravenclaw!

The final scores were posted as well as a re-cap of the previous Seekers (all Gryffindor gals!) who caught the snitch. Our Headmistress also mentioned that there would be a prize for the greatest Prefect. Of course I think our Ravenclaw Prefect is totally deserving! I must admit that I was a little bit sad to see that the "Most Consistent Blogger" prize that was mentioned back in January was left off the list today. I'm a little bit bummed, because I had been really trying to post almost every single day of the term. I've found that I can't always rely on luck or skill to win things...but if it's something that involves persistence I have a better chance! But... I've already been quite lucky this term and won some beautiful Fawkes yarn in a house quiz and then of course there is the fun of wondering what will be in my swap package, the fun I've had picking things and making things for my partner's package, and just plain being here at Hogwarts with so many great people. I've definitely won enough!

Speaking of some of the great people at Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, this week's House assignment was all about some really fabulous Ravenclaw classmates... here are my answers:
1. Who loves containers of all sorts?
Esmerelda Beanswallow
2. Who dyed her fingers blue?
Lavender Ackerly
3. Who is related to William Shakespeare?
Celestina (and Elanor) Cadogan
4. Who wants to own an alpaca farm?
Victoria Black
5. Who hates carrots?
Selina Starfire
6. Who is from the Muggle town of Bagshot in Surrey?
Patonga Pinkstone
7. Who was searching for radishes in the winter?
Ferula McGonagall
8. Who got a gift certificate to a LYS from a Slytherin boy for Valentine's Day? Cecilia Kettleburn
9. Who discovered ghosts and house elves drinking tea in the Great Hall at midnight?
Ophelia Hopkirk
10. Who took an extra credit class called Muggle Fantasy Literature?
Selina Starflame
11. Who attended a Muggle music convention?
Patonga Wigworthy
12. Who taught herself to purl backwards?
Serafina Starfire
13. Who sports Ravenclaw Spirit socks?
Minerva Quickspell
14. Who would like to work in Muggle Relations after graduation?
Allytria Spelling
15. Whose Mum is named Henrietta?
Avada Finch-Fletchley

Sleeve time!

The owl from Knit Pickery did arrive yesterday! He had some other deliveries to make, and dropped off my package before breakfast, so he left it with my own owl Marty. Marty made sure it was delivered to me...and just in time! I had just sewn the shoulder seams of my sweater and was wondering what I should do while I waited for the needles to make my sleeves.
Whenever I go a while without using DPNs (as I have been using a circular needle for both the body of my sweater and for Magic Loop-ing socks) I tend to forget how to cast the spell to make them work. I was struggling at first because I forgot to pick up the 4th needle and knit with it and was trying to just go around on 3 needles, with the loops already on the 3 needles! Luckily it only took me about 3 stitches to realize what mistake I was making. The sweater knit up so fast...but 2 rounds into the first sleeve and I'm already saying, "Is it 10 inches yet?" and also measuring my own arms to see if I just can't get away with 8 inches instead.

Leprechauns!

There was leprechaun gold galore around here for St. Patrick's Day! Quite a few of our classmates are from Ireland, and we all made sure to celebrate with them! The Great Hall even served corned beef & cabbage! We still had to wear our school uniforms, but we all wore little green shamrocks so we wouldn't get pinched!

Watching for my owl!

I'm almost finished with the Gathered Pullover I started 10 days ago! That's crazy to me... I've never had an FO so fast. Must be the spells I've learned here at Hogwarts to enchant my needles a bit! I'll probably be all finished tonight...except for the sleeves. I had to order some dpns that I didn't have, and of course I didn't realize it until I was already moving right along on the body of the sweater. I suppose I could work on another project if I finish up the last bit and still need to wait for the needles, but that's not always the best strategy for me. Seems like starting a new project just about casts the Obliviate charm on me!

Quidditch recap

Well, the final Quidditch match of the term has come and gone, and the Gryffindor Seekers are 3 for 3. Which is quite impressive except for that it makes us Ravenclaw Seekers 0 for 3. I do hope that we were able to still boost our House Points with our trivia questions.
I can't believe the term is coming to an end! I was just looking at the goodies I've gathered for my partner. There are a few more things I want to make and pick up, but it's coming together nicely, and will definitely be ready to be sent out within the week!

Quidditch Trivia!

Quidditch ~ Round Three
1. When Rita Skeeter prints a bad articles about Hagrid in the Daily Prophet, which Professor teaches Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class while he is away?
a. Professor Trisonikly
b. Professor Snape
c. Professor Grubbly-Plank p.435
d. Professor Meshdeh

2. What was the article Rita Skeeter wrote about Hagrid called?
a. The son of Fridwolfa the Giantess
b. The Truth About Rubeus Hagrid
c. Dumbledore's Giant Mistake p.437
d. Half Giant at Hogwarts

3. When the school champions were being chosen from the Goblet of Fire, whose name cam out first?
a. Fleur Delacour
b. Viktor Krum p.269
c. Cedric Diggory
d. Harry Potter

4. What is the spell Ludo Bagman says to magically magnify his voice when he commentates?
a. Sonorus p. 102
b. Sonafy
c. Lumos
d. Sonatus

5. What kind of dragon did Cedric have to face in the first task?
a. A Hungarian Horntail
b. A Swedish Short-Snout p.350
c. A Welsh Green
d. A Chinese Fireball

6. Who raised the trophy after winning the world cup?
a. Troy and Moran
b. Troy and Quigley p.116
c. Quigley and Moran
d. Lynch and Connolly

7. How many bedrooms did Mundungus Fletcher claim to have?
a. 4
b. 8
c. 10
d. 12 p.151

8. For what did Moody mistake his birthday gift of a carriage clock?
a. An intruder
b. A basilisk egg p.280
c. A bomb
d. A Blast-ended Skrewt

9. What did Mr. Ollivander produce for the end of Cedric's wand?
a. A bunch of flowers
b. A fountain of wine
c. Twittering birds
d. Silver smoke rings p.309

10. The dark mark is on Snape's left arm.
a. Yes p.472
b. No

Picture Scavenger Hunt
Karkaroff

A Basilisk

Mundungus Fletcher

http://images.elfwood.com/fanq/e/m/emhmark2/dungfletcher__.jpg
Amos Diggory

Snape

Quidditch...and Phew!

I've been using some Muggle magic called Google Reader to keep up with all of my classmates' blogs. I always check the sock kit swap bulletin first and then hope for time to check everyone else's blogs as well. Good thing I had a little extra time today... the Quidditch trivia did not show in the HSKS4 listing in Google Reader... but I noticed someone had answered questions in another blog and so I went to the actual HSKS4 site...and there they are! I'll have to get those answered and posted a little later!

Hogsmeade

Went out to Hogsmeade this past weekend and forgot to post about it. Did you know that a lovely spa opened up in Hogsmeade? I went for a massage and it was absolutely fabulous. They used some kind of scrub or cream that smelled so chocolately, I was hoping the massage girl would get a phone call or something and leave for a minute so I could swipe some off my back and taste it! After the massage (90 whole minutes!) I was feeling so relaxed that I could've gone to sleep, but it was time for a beautiful and delicious meal! It's fun to be pampered!

Third time's the charm

Our third and final Quidditch match of the term is going to start shortly! The Snitch will be released sometime this weekend and I do hope that third time will be the charm for Ravenclaw Seekers!

Go Ravenclaw!

Guess I should've slept!

A couple night ago, I was so tired but really wanted to work on some knitting. And I decided to post here to my blog... guess I should've decided to sleep, because I ended up posting this to the HSKS 4 blog instead! Oops!

Sleep or Knit
I so badly want to do both... a couple days ago I actually fell asleep knitting in the common room. I didn't stop knitting, I was sleep-knitting! Just for a few seconds, and my stitches didn't look half-bad!
I'm now working on the Gathered Pullover from this past winter's Interweave Knits. It's going quite quickly and I'm almost finished with the first 8 inches of working even in stockinette. But... I'm also so sleepy! I got up early to do a run with some friends and worked on a couple of projects around the house. So now I need to decide...sleep or knit!?!

Fly fast, Marty!

One of my best Muggle friends celebrates her birthday today...and even though I bought her the perfect birthday card months ago, I had no idea where I put it! After opening nearly every bag, bin and box in my closet and saying, "Accio, card!" I finally managed to find it. I sent my owl Marty out with the card and I do hope he'll get to her soon!

House Homework

1. Do my homework for me.
Prosecho Intellego

2. Tidy up my bedroom.
Purgo Chambro

3. Make a delicious chocolate cake.
Chocus Delectibilus

4. Make my professor stay in bed today.
Professorma Dorma

5. I would like breakfast in bed, please.
Stuckletto Fruhstuck

6. Stick all my Quidditch opponents' feet to the floor.
Pedigum Quidditchium

7. Give everyone the giggles.
Hysterimenti

8. Dye some yarn in my favorite color.
Fibrochlora Majora

9. Unravel the mess I've made with my yarn.
Knotsoutia

10. Knit my Prefect the perfect bag!
Prefectus Totus Perfectus

An Owl from the Prefect! An Owl from the Prefect!

Just a quick and excited note to say that an owl brought me some beautiful Fawkes yarn from Faery Fibers! This crazy Muggle camera is on the fritz...I think it has something to do with being so close to all the magic inside Hogwarts (either that or the batteries are dead)...so I will have to take a picture of it later! I can't wait to use it; it's soft & beautiful! I think it was even better to get yarn in the mail because I am in the midst of a 40-day new yarn fast!
Thank you so much Neila, and thank you to the Goblet of Fire for sending my name out after one of our house quizzes!

What's in a Name?

What Olive Means

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it's killing you. You're the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day... and still have the energy to party all night. Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Feeling lots of progress

All these pictures and notes about owls sent out was making me kind of nervous. I had to keep telling myself, "you've still got time, you've still got time, don't panic!"
Yesterday I finished the bag and I feel very good about it. The yarn (which I'm having 2nd thoughts about, so I hope my partner will love it, or at least like it!), the needles, the stitch markers, are all ready to go. There are still a few other little things I'd like to make or pick up for the package. The bag was the biggest project, though, and having it done makes all the difference!

A little fun with words

Lots of my classmates have been doing this, so I'll join in.

Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question

What is your name.......................... Olive
4 Letter Word...................................Oboe
Vehicle........................................... Oldsmobile
City................................................. Olympia
Boy Name....................................... Owen
Girl Name....................................... Ophelia
Alcoholic Drink.............................. Old-Fashioned
Occupation.....................................Optometrist
Something you wear....................... Overalls (I don't actually wear overalls)
Celebrity........................................ Oscar de la Hoya
Food................................................ Oxtail soup
Something found in a bathroom........... Oil of Olay
Reason for Being Late......................... Overslept
Cartoon Character............................ Oddish (I was going to say Oscar the Grouch, but he's a puppet. I had to look up a list of Pokemon characters!)
Something You Shout........................ Ouch!
Animal.............................................. Orangutan
Body part............................................. Obliques

Your turn!