Lily Durmstrang is the best!!!!

Come check out my most wonderful swap package I recieved today. Lily you did such a wonderful job, I am thrilled beyond belief I can't wait to use the sock yarn it is all so yummy. I adore the treasure box and all the little goodies inside. The stitch markers are FABULOUS! I am one very happy Ravenclaw!!!! Thank you so, so much. More pictures are up on my blog

Still Waiting Patiently

I'm still waiting for my Sock Kit to arrive. Hopefully the poor owl didn't get lost.

Lavender Kedavra

Yea! Its here!

Yea! I received late last week but my camera got a nasty case of magical maladies and I got it back last night. So I made a post to the blog this morning with the AWESOMENESS from Allitrya Spelling.

Here's a sample:

My kit's here! MY KIT'S HERE!!!

Ohboyohboyohboy! My kit made it!! Check out my blog to see what the lovely and oh-so-talented Perenelle Ballycastle whipped up for me! She truly is the best swap partner ever!
Thank you Perenelle, you rock!!

Emma Diggory...

Ulrich the owl was sleeping peaceful in his nest this morning in the giant oak tree at number 15 Eastgate drive.  He was awoken (rather forcefully, so he wouldn't go back to sleep) early this morning to start heading for the northeast corner of the US.  I hope he makes is swiftly and with everything in tact.  I hope you enjoy your knit kit and let me know as soon as you get it...

I can hardly wait!!

:) Lily Durmstrang

Sock Kit Received!

My kit arrived in the post today and all I can say is
THANK YOU CAPELLA MONOCEROS!!!

How awesome is this? Full details here.

Here's the overall shot:

Thank you Enid Black!

My swap kit from Enid Black arrived today. Pictures are posted here.

Thank you Enid!

Blanket Pictures

Greetings housemates. I have finally posted the pictures from the blanket seaming process on my flickr account, feel free to check them out.

Flickr

I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the blanket effort. It was a lot of fun getting mystery squares in the mail, and I appreciated all the nice notes you included with your packages. I am very proud to have been part of such a wonderful effort, and you are all very talent witches (and wizards)! Emma

Package Received!

An owl dropped off a package for me yesterday, it was so tired it flew from the East Coast of the US all the way to the West Coast of Canada! The poor tired owl belonged to Neila! Thanks so much Neila, I loved everything. She spoilt me rotten with lots of sweets and dragons! For pictures see check out my blog.

Thank You Cassandra Black!

A very tired owl from Canada arrived today with a package from my swap partner! Take a look at my blog to see pictures of everything!

MY BLOG

Thank you!

A Huge thank you to Emma Wigworthy and Ferula Vector, both of Ravenclaw, for the wonderful prizes they sent me. Come visit my blog and have a peek at the wonderful things they sent.

My Blog

Thank You Victoria Black!

I received a wonderful owl yesterday that smacked the window of our new home. I don't think he realized that he needed to come in through the elevator as our windows don't open. 

I couldn't wait to rip open the box. What a fantastic surprise, but a kit from Victoria Black. I apologize that I don't have my camera to take photos of it. It will be along with Mr. Crookshanks when he joins us once the packers are done relocating our house. I will then try to get photos up on my blog. 

The pattern that Victoria chose is quite the challenge but I think I am worthy of the trial. I cannot wait to get started on them. You can view it on  the wonderful site of ravelry under "Chuck's Cabled Socks."

I look forward to showing them off soon. Thanks again.

Discount for swappers

Hello magical friends! Some of you may have noticed that I have now added two House sock designs to my Ravelry store .Please if you decide to buy one let me know you're a HSKS swapper and your paypal email so that I can give you a 10% refund! I do apologise for not knowing how else to manage the discount -I'm very new to all this!

Delighted to see that the headmistress has now got her blanket - it comes with our fondest love Winnie!

OH MY GOSH!!!

I can't say anymore because I'm running out the door to take my daughter to softball practice, but OM MY GOSH!!! Neila!! I can't believe you held it in yesterday! I am truly amazed. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!

I was feeling rather in the dumps today. I was hoping to get something in the mail besides bills, and OH MY GOSH! I'll have to share more pictures with my crappy camera later :)

UPDATE:

I'm back! Let list the awesomeness in the package. Of course, the absolutely GORGEOUS lap blanket the I will TREASURE for the REST OF MY LIFE!!!! Then there are four different types of loose leaf teas and a diffuser (I think that is what it is called). Last, but not least I also received a skein of Bellatrix yarn from Faery Fiber.

Prefects Wanted - Updated: All Positions Filled

Thank you to all! All prefect positions for the HSKS 5 term have been filled.

Meeting of the Minds

Today was awesome! Neila was out visiting her daughter, so she and I met in Pasadena, CA, to talk HSKS. We came up with some great ideas to incorporate into the next swap. Everything will be revealed in about a week, but think Dueling Club and Dumbledore's Army!

An Owl Delivered My Package Yesterday :)

I just received a beautiful package from Helga Lovegoods. For pictures of the goodies and details, please see my page.

Thanks again Helga!

Revealio...

The swap is over and I've something to reveal to all of you
HERE

(I'm not sure if that is the right spell for revealing what is hidden. The HP_Lexicon just isn't running today, so I guessed.)

Cassandra Puddlemere, you rock!

There's an owl coming your way! But, oh, I'm so silly and forgot to enclose the card! Anyway, you'll be receiving a package which contains your prize for "Best Swap Package" - and it WAS quite a swap package! I'll send the card under separate cover. Be on the lookout for a north-bound owl named Pickles, he's coming from NJ and he's got a special surprise for you. Hope you like it, think Gryffindor Scarlet...

That is all I am saying.

Mishief Managed!

Ravenclaw Riddle Winner!!

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Ravenclaw Riddle Winner for HSKS4
which is none other than

CECILIA KETTLEBURN

Well done Cecilia!!
Official Riddle Standings will be posted later today to "The Roost".

Semester Break

Well I wanted to tell you all what a great time I had and hope to see you next time. Hope you all had as much fun as I did and want to send a Good Job to our head mistress. I appreciate all the hard work you and all the prefects put into our swap!

The Most Fabulous Swap Package Ever

Celestina Cadogan has sent me the best swap package ever. See for yourselves. The bag is so cute. I love the design. The goodies she enclosed are so numerous: a pair of lantern moon dp needles (can't wait to try them out on the sock pattern she enclosed), FOUR skein of knit picks wool yarn, silver stitch markers that she made herself (she even learned to make stitch markers for this swap), yummy Pockys (a delicious chocolate crunchy treat), and Bertie Bott's Beans (okay, these aren't so yummy, but they are great fun to darn your friends or sweetie to eat). I love everything you sent. Thank you for being so generous and making my day.

Matlida Durmstrang

Daily Prophet, Issue 34

It's so nice to see the owls pouring in with such awesome packages!! Here's our status today of packages not sent:

Gryffindor
Will be sending before week's end
Fleur Bloomfleet
Hermione Phoenixfire

Hufflepuff
Not sure of send date, please email
Petunia Acromantula


Ravenclaw
Will be sending before week's end
Enid Black
Fern Fiddlewithers

Hasn't contacted us
Victoria Black

Slytherin
Will be sending before week's end
Emma Dumbledore

Hasn't contacted us
Olive Broomfleet

Kit Pictures!

I have posted pictures on my blog...

Perpetua Phoenixfire's Owl is Off!

I've finally sent off Perpetua Phoenixfire's owl Herrison. Whew! I had intended to send it off yesterday, but those muggles at the PO were all trying to send off their taxes, and the line was just too long. It was much better today. I have PM'd Perpetua to let her know it will be arriving shortly. I also will send along the confirmation info to you,Headmistress!

Look what was waiting for me when I Finally Got out of the Infirmary.

Another not so quick trip to the infirmary this week. Still at least Mme. Pomfrey was there not Hagrid. Waiting for me on my bed was a package from a Ravenclaw, Miss Nymphadora. I would have assumed that my fellow Slitherins would have nicked some of the parcel but apparently it was being guarded by the ever cuddly (why can't be be even a bit more dignified?) and thankfully, non-snoring Spooky.

Details posted to my character blog at http://danazraella.wordpress.com/

I posted in character but want to say OCC on this page I while Danni may think she is well deserving I know that Nyphadora really outdid herself and am very humbled by her generosity.

Arrival of the Owl!

Many thanks to Ophelia Crookshanks for being the best spoiler ever! Here's a preview of what she sent to me:


Head over to my blog for more! :D

Sneak Preview

Here is just a sneak preview of the kit that arrived from my generous and wonderful spoiler. Head on over to my blog to see what was in those beautiful silver parcels!

Olive Bladvak!

Your owl came today, and the poor dear was just SO tired, I had to let him sleep until morning. He'll be starting your way tomorrow!

I think I talked his ear off about the death of my grandmother, and how much she loved owls. So please give him a bit of a treat when he comes into your door!

Hurray!

Super big thanks go out to DanAzrael Deamonova of Slytherin! My package arrived today, and it was full of intriguing goodies. Click over to my blog or check out my flick page to have a look!

DanAzrael, your package was beautiful and generous--thank you so much for making this swap so much fun for me.

A Very Tired Owl Found Me

OMG!! I came home today to find a very tired little owl with a BIG package from my spoiler. Wait until you see the bag I got...and the stitch markers... and yarn... and needles... and oodles of patterns... and goodies and...and....and....! I'm so excited I can barely speak. I haven't taken photos yet but will do so right after dinner. Just you wait until you see what I got! Thank you, thank you, thank you Toni dela Weasley!!

Daily Prophet, Issue 33 - Owl Update

Hello, everyone!
We are just a week away from the deadline when all packages must be mailed!!

I know that a few of you were still waiting on owls to deliver items for your packages. I would like to insist that you please send whatever you have by the 18th, even if something is missing from your package.

There are still quite a few of you that have not sent their packages. Here's my list of people that still need to send their packages:

Gryffindor
Clara Clovenhoove
Fleur Bloomfleet
Hermione Phoenixfire

Hufflepuff
Helga Lovegoods
Matilda Durmstrang
Petunia Acromantula


Ravenclaw
Allitrya Spelling
Enid Black
Fern Fiddlewithers
Victoria Black

Slytherin
Bridget Willomane
Cassandra Black
Emma Dumbledore
Emma Gorodok
Olive Broomfleet

If you are on this list, but HAVE sent your package off, please email me right away so that I can change the information in my database.

Calling All Angels!

If you volunteered to be an angel for this swap, please contact me - hogwartssockkitswap AT yahoo.com
Your angel kit doesn't have to include every item that a normal kit would hold. If you are able to do that then please go for it. But, angel kits should include:

A bag (this should be sewn)
A sock pattern
Yarn

Stitch markers are relatively inexpensive to make or purchase. You can print a free sock pattern online. The only thing you'd have to labor over would be the bag. I'm hoping that we won't need 15 angels at the moment, but please pipe up if you are still willing to send an angel package.

Owl from Lily Finegan

Huzzah! It arrived this morning, and the package it was carrying contained this:

If you want to read all about it and see more pictures please visit my enchanted portal.

Thank you Lily for all the thought and effort you put into this! It's beautiful!

Thanks Selina Starfire!!!!

While I was away, I got my package, from the lovely Selina Starfire!

Look, Look! I got a BROOM in the mail!!! It's really too bad this came after the deadline for "best package" submissions, because I think maybe the broom might have put her over the top!

There was lots of other great stuff in here too! A real light up wand, a lovely little tin that contains my yarn and BEADS for the socks! Some great candies, including my first package of Bertie Bots...do I dare?

The sock pattern is the Beaded Swirls Socks. These really are lovely! It'll be my first experience with stringing beads... will probably give me that much more appreciation for Judy Pascale's beading techniques!!

Also got a great Knitting Stitch Bible, this LOVELY hand-knit/lined project bag, beautiful beaded stitch markers, a copy of Knitter's magazine... What a cool, fun package!
Thanks Selina!!

Harry Potter Yarn from Opal!!

It appears that Opal will be coming out with Harry Potter yarn later this year.  Here is a pic of the apparent ad (Opal has not made a pic available yet, but this was posted on another site):

For more info see:

http://simplysockyarn.typepad.com/simply_socks_yarn_co/2008/04/opals-new-harry.html

Doris Is Awesome

My owl arrived from Doris Boomslang. Check it out here!

Thanks, Doris. You're the best!

xo,

Tuney Acromantula

THANK YOU Ingrid Ze Insightful!!!!

I got my swap package yesterday! It was lovely! My camera isn't working or i would post pics. I got three different kinds of yarn, two skeins each! A gorgeous sewn bag! Beautiful stitch markers! Some lovely lotions and soaps. Gryffindor colored tic tacs. Beautiful Lantern Moon needles. I feel like I'm forgetting something. Anyways, I LOVED it! Thanks so much!!!!

Petunia Cadogan

THANK YOU, FELDA!!!

Just wanted to share with you a quick pic of my kit from Felda the House Elf! I'm all for house elf rights, especially because they make excellent swap kits. : )

If you want to see more photos (and I mean way too many) check out my blog.

Artimus Takes Flight

This morning I set off our tawny owl Artimus to the far-flung land of Minnesota, USA where my lovely partner Fleur Lovegoods resides. Your package is on it's way, I hope you like all that is in it.

Merlins Beard!

Marty, Olive Bladvaks owl, arrived yesterday and brought me a parcel that completely spoiled me. Those Ravenclaws are clever and Olive is no exception. She sent me so many wonderful things I almost don't even know what to say- other than a really huge thank you! There are so many extras and things I would never have been able to find or try if it wasn't for Olive.
It was all done up really brilliantly too in Gryffindor colors with ribbons and tags telling me where things were from or what they are. Olive is one creative witch.

All of the goodies assembled for a group photo.
A shot of the knitting specific magical artifacts. Two sock spells, a pair of bamboo needles from Japan, a set of Knit Picks Harmony needles 2.5mm, and yarn in Indian Summer from All the Pretty Fibers. It's so squishy and soft and perfect for the Firestarter sock spell that she sent me!

If you want to see what was in all of those magical packages there are more pictures and info here.

Thank you soooo much Olive!

Owl Landing!

My partner wasn't kidding when she said her owl, Marty, had a long way to fly! He safely landed today, despite our little blizzard, all the way from Okinawa, Japan. Olive Bladvak of Ravenclaw really outdid herself spoiling me. I took lots of pictures with my Muggle camera as I opened everything up. I can't believe all the treats she sent me. Tomorrow I will write up a more detailed post and show of my treats with lots of pictures!
Olive- thank you, thank you, thank you!

Daily Prophet, Issue 32

Hello, all!

As I've said before with every HSKS things change. Our follow up this time around has been a lot more fervent, but I'm almost thinking now that it might be too fervent? Please let me know your thoughts and leave your suggestions.

Communication
The frustrating part for me is not hearing from a few or knowing that they have been posting on Ravelry, but not having any communication here. It's okay, though. I understand that a myriad of things could be happening in people's life that I know nothing about. I know for a fact that we've had deaths in the family, chronic illnesses, swollen apendages (not what you think! Get your mind out of the gutter!), and moves happening all around the end of the swap. I just ask that each of you please make sure that you are in contact with your prefect and your pal, or in the very least, updating your blog so that people know what is going on in your lives.

In particular I would like to hear from the Hufflepuffs - whether you sent or received packages - and the Slytherins on whether you've sent your packages. I've already heard from a few of you, but not enough.

Packages Sent

Gryffindors - 78%

Ravenclaws - 78%

Hufflepuffs - 20%

Slytherins - 40%

67% of all swap packages have been sent. Let's go for 100% everyone!!!

Add Your Kit Photos to Flickr!!
If you haven't had the chance, please join the HSKS group on Flickr and add your photos. I would love to keep a database of kits for people to refer back to. Just go HERE to join.

Woo Hoo--My Enchanted Kit Has Arrived

Please allow me to share my Enchanted Kit from Bathilda Boomslang with you! Pics can be found on my blog. Bathilda, you rock!!!! Thank you so much!!!!

Anyone Else Stalking this Site?

Today I have spent hours at a computer for the first time in weeks.  Every 15 minutes I'm refreshing the HSKS4 blog hoping pictures of a new kit will be posted!  This is crazy!  Each one is so cool, unique and precious.  The bags, the extras, the yarns, the do-dads!  I'm "swap drunk" - really!  Anyone else feel like they've already received 10 packages and their head is spinning?

My Owl arrived!!

I got a wonderful package from Madam Ferula Finnigan! The owl was so tired I let the poor thing rest before letting it fly off again.

It was all wrapped so beautifully that I didn't want to open it but I couldn't help myself I had to see all the goodies that were waiting for me!

Now look at all the goodies!

The bag is great I know it will get used for all kinds of projects, My favorite needles addi turbo size 1 that will go wonderfully with the new yarn from Selana's store the gryffindor colorway is beautiful and it is so soft! Maybe a pattern from the Little Box of sock she sent me! The bath beads are great the box says for the next McPotions class. I love the coffee mug unfortunately it was broken during shipping but I can fix it right up so I will be drinking my morning cup in there. I don't know how she found out that I collect sheep but that cute little sheep was holding my stitch markers

Thank you so much Ferlua!

Avada Fintch-Fletchly Officially Rocks my Socks!

I have just received my package from miss Avada Fintch-Fletchly, and it is AMAZING!
I am just speechless with delight! Look! Kitty approved!


The bag is so fabulous it gets a picture all by itself!



Here is a close up of the dish cloth... it is really neat!


Her Royal Highness also approves of the bag.



She could sit here and stare at it for hours! (So could I!)



Thank you again Avada! I am so excited to try the needles.. and the yarn, it is so soft! I just can't decide which pattern to do first... maybe one for the awesome sock blocker keychain!

Oh, I have to ask about the postcard from "Portland". I have heard that is where you get sent if you use a broken port key. Is that true? If it is I may pop in for a visit some time! (Beautiful place, you are lucky!)

I have to admit that I was quite bewildered by the silver envelope. It seems that the knot and bow on the front is nothing but a confuzzlement spell. Once I figured that out and turned it over I found the fly foot closing spell to be quite ingenious! Thank you also for the self reading book that was inside, I do love hearing a good story!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Baby Black

Hey, everyone, head on over to Enid Black's blog to see pictures of the new baby. She's SO CUTE!

http://www.marchmommy08.blogspot.com/

I got my package!

My package from Cressida Townsbury arrived in the post today. It was perfect! I'm so happy.



For more pictures and information, see my blog.

OH MY GOODNESS!!

I just received my package from Perpetua Phoenixfire of Ravenclaw. Perpetua you have truly outdone yourself and spoiled me rotten! Thank you so much! I love everything!!!

Check it out here

YAY FOR MONDAY

My package came and I do feel bad for the mail carrier because I all but jumped him for the package.

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down, but packages make things all better!!!

My Owl has been sent

I do hope my spoilee receives my post. I placed it in the mail on Thursday the 3rd of April. I keep checking the GPS unit I installed on it's leg, but it doesn't seem to be registering. If my spoilee has figured out who she is, here is the location number: 7007 1490 0002 5128 5094. If not, here is a clue-- my spoilee is on the other side of the continent from me. 

Good Luck.

My swap package

I received my swap package today!  Ms. Selina Starfire has put together a wonderful kit for me to enjoy for months (and years) to come!  The owl dropped it off at the post office and the postal worker decided to sit it on the ground in a running stream of water, but everything is fine. :0)

I will have more pictures on my blog.

Quidditch Prize from Cassandra Puddlemere

Today I received my Quidditch prize from our Prefect! It is awesome and what an awesome name. ;)

thanks Cass!

It's Birthday Time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA WIGWORTHY!

(and Happy Birthday to my daughter Aimee)

Gryffindor yarn

I got my Gryffindor Final quiz prize yarn in the mail today! Let's give a big hand to Cassandra Puddlemere for hand dyeing this beautiful Gryffindor colored yarn. I love it!

The only thing that could make this month better would be to get my kit in the mail... : (

Angus McTavish Is On His Way

Yes, my dear little owl is on his way to Canada with a special package for a very deserving recipient.

Seva is on her way...

My owl has flown off with a package put together especially for my Spoilee! Since we are "neighbors" Seva thought it would be there Monday... How exciting!!

out in the mail

Gabby is having computer problems so she aked me to post that her package is in the air as I type.

Confirmation # 0304 3490 0000 1234 3198

I hope her swap partner enjoys it as much as I enjoyed poking around it. 8)

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

Today is the last day of the swap. The prefects and I have already begun our follow up duties and have sent out a few emails to people checking on the progress of their kits. If you have not received your kit, rest assured, the majority of everyone will be sending their kits over the weekend.

And now to announce the winners of our last contests!

Best Character Blog Award
Emma Wigworthy

Most Consistent Blogger Award
1st Place
Olive Bladvak
2nd Place
Cliodna Trelawney

Best Swap Package Award
1st Place
Cassandra Puddlemere's Package to Patonga Pinkstone
2nd Place
Penelope Pinkstone's Package to Cliodna Trelawney
3rd Place
Ophelia Hopkirk's Package to Perenelle Ballycastle


Best Prefect Award
Neila Chaouch

Congrats again to our Quidditch winners!

Round One - Cassandra Grubbly-Plank

Round Two - Lily Durmstrang

Round Three - Cassandra Puddlemere

Congrats to Gryffindor House!
3rd Time Quidditch winners of the HSKS games!

I will be sending out an email shortly to some of you that volunteered to send prizes. I will let you know who you are sending a prize to.

Thank you, everyone, for making this the best HSKS yet!! I'm so looking forward to the next one where there will be even a few more surprises :) Information about the next swap will be posted here and on Ravelry in a few weeks. See you then!!

Ravenclaw Pride Socks

These are the first in my series of designs for House socks. I have listed the PDF pattern in my Etsy shop - follow the link if you'd like to buy it (it costs $5).

A while ago (these things take time!!) Lavender Ackerly suggested I should design some 'proper Ravenclaw socks', and these are the result of my response to such inspirational support! They feature the Ravenclaw eagle and a house cheer - 'Soar Ravenclaw'. I have worked to evoke the medieval origins of the Hogwarts houses in the design.

Kit Arrived!

My kit came in this week and I just uploaded pics onto my site. Thanks so much to the wonderful Patonga Wigworthy!

Swap Kit - arrived!

Narcissa Bladvak - thank you! I received a lovely parcel by Owl today, including a lovely lined cabled knitted bag, three types of Badger salve, some herbal tea, ebony size 0 Sock Stix, stitch markers and some gorgeous bronze and blue sock yarn. And the printed materials: A Quietish sock pattern and a very nice knitting journal (something I'd seen at a store and coveted).
T H A N K Y O U!!
ps: (camera is charging; photos to be posted on my blog).

Finally posted pictures

I finally posted pictures of the fabulous kit I received earlier in the term from Perpetua Phoenixfire of Gryffindor. I apologize for taking so long to blog them, but my life has been a bit busy over the past few weeks. The pictures are up on my blog, but the post is very picture-heavy, so I'd like to warn people with slow connections that it might take a while if you'd like to take a look. My blog is at http://allitrya.wordpress.com.

Copyright action

AOL news says HSKS is being sued for copyright theft. Is this true? (OMG!!)