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

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.

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.

Daily Prophet, Issue 31

Hello! It's time to begin the sent and received posts. If I've missed your name, please mention it in the comments and I'll be sure the check my emails for something I missed. These are all that have send their delivery confirmations to me.

Gryffindors
Penelope Pinkstone
Cassandra Puddlemere
Lady Felua the Forgetful
Perpetua Phoenixfire
Madam Ferula Finnigan
Padma Dumbledore
Cassandra Grubbly-Plank
Lavender Kedavra
Lily of Flitwick
Lily Durmstrang
Electra the Enchanting
50% of Gryffindor's kits have been mailed

Hufflepuffs
Violet le Veela
11% of Hufflepuff's kits have been mailed

Ravenclaws
Cassandra Hopkirk
Elanor Cadogan
Gabriella Clearwater
Patonga Pinkstone
Cliodna Bloomfleet
Emma Diggory
Lavender Diggory
Patonga Wigworthy
Cecilia Kettleburn
Serafina Starfire
Millicient Brocklehurst
Emma Wigworthy
32% of Ravenclaw's kits have been mailed

Slytherin
Emma Gorodok
Bridget Willowmane
20% of Slytherin kits have been mailed

Deadline for late kits to be sent is April 18.
If you estimate that you will not be able to send your kit off in that time you NEED to communicate this with me. If there is no communication and you exceed that deadline you will be banned from further HSKS swaps, and unfortunately you will go on the bad swappers list on Ravelry also. So, do your best to get you kit mailed ASAP and communicate with me and/or your prefect.

HSKS5 Sign Ups

Okie dokie! Here's the schedule for the next term:

Returning students - Sign up begins April 30th
New students - Sign up begins May 2nd
Sign ups close - May 14th
Term begins - May 16th
Term ends - July 18th

Weekly Prophet, Issue 31

Hello, ladies and gents!! *snicker* I like saying that. I also greet my kids in the morning after I get off of work with, "Good Morning, my fine furry friends!" LOL Okay, enough of the laughing at myself.

Quidditch
Our 3rd and final round of Quidditch will begin in two days with a lovely weekend release of the Snitch. I'm thinking that everyone is preferring the weekend releases.

House Points
Well, after two weeks of posting things aren't too bad. Here are the House scores so far:

1st place - Gryffindor 89%
2nd place - Ravenclaw 83%
3rd place - Hufflepuff 61%
4th place - Slytherin 58%

Just remember that with full participation and the finding of the Snitch the tide could turn for anyone of the Houses!

Hottie Quiz

These Hogwarts characters are vacationing in Ireland!! Who do you vote as YOUR vacation partner? (Blogger is not allowing me to add images at the moment, so you'll have to use your imagination. Not too liberally, though!!!


Cast Your Vote

Free Vote Casters by Bravenet.com

Daily Prophet, Issue 30

Hello, everyone!!
I do hope that you're kits are coming along nicely. We are only a little over a month away from the deadline, so I expect to see many owls arriving at Hogwarts daily! Thank you so much to those that have already sent their packages and emailed me your delivery confirmation numbers.

Spam Comments
Because I want to allow you to post anonymously using your Potters names, the comments section to each post is a wide open playing field for the spammers. Please do not click on the links which they post to the comments section. I'm trying to get in here to delete them often, but just in case. You don't want to open your computer up to any spyware.

(Not so) Daily Prophet, Issue 29

The owls have begun to fly!! Kit deliveries abound as the owls begin to cover the sky. I hope this will not increase too much muggle curiosity :)

Weekly Posting Points
No points subtracted for last week because Quidditch took place, but if you did not post last week you will need to post by Saturday of this week or you will be dropped from the swap ~ beware!! Thankfully, there are only a few that need to take note. Everyone else is being very good!

Hogwarts Happenings
Special Schoolwide Assignment!

There is no due date for this assignment, but please post on your blogs a short report on Fleur Delacour. The report is to include information on Fleur, the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Veelas.

Daily Prophet, Issue 28

Hello!

Quidditch ~ Round Two

Quidditch begins next week!!! Isn't it crazy? Seems like the last round just ended. Time is just clipping along. Make sure that you are all prepared. Visit your housemates, leave notes on their blogs, create a flurry so that everyone knows it's coming soon. The questions will be released on Monday morning - approximately 10 AM PST. The Snitch will be released on Wednesday, also at about 9PM PST.

Weekly Posting
This bunch, honestly, has been the best about your participation and posting on a weekly basis. I really think that the character blogs have added to the excitement of the swap. That and the Common Rooms.

Make sure that everyone in your Houses posts this week also! Especially if they did not post last week.

Hogwarts Happenings

Madam Pomfrey has returned to her usual post and is quite healed from her ailments. I'm sure that many of you that had to visit the infirmary while Hagrid oversaw it is relieved to her of her return.

Professor Humperdink has gotten used to his post as the new DADA teacher, but it appears that he has heard of some of the nightly visits going on within the castle and has become insanely jealous!! Hmmmm . . . who could he be jealous of? Does he have a romantic interest that I did not know about?

Daily Prophet, Issue 26

Hello, everyone!
Whew! Yesterday was a very busy day. Sorry that I didn't get in here to post the Daily Prophet. Just a few things of note today:

Please Respond and Please Check

The prefects have worked very hard over the last few weeks to keep in touch with everyone. Please make sure that you are responding to their emails and checking your secret Potter email boxes. There are a few Hufflepuffs specifically who are not responding to the prefect or to their swap partners. Please, please respond and check in often.

Participation & Dropping Policy

This is just a reminder and a clarification of the dropping policy.
The first full week in which you do not post counts against your house for a total of -10.
By the end of the second week, if you have not posted before Saturday afternoon - my time - or emailed myself or your prefect, you will be dropped at just before midnight on Saturday of the second week.

Certified Mail Confirmation

This is just a reminder that when the U.S. swappers mail their packages they need to send it certified mail. When you get your package off in the mail please email me with your certified mail confirmation number.

Hogwarts Happenings

Tomorrow is the first Hogsmeade outing. I suggest you all pair up and go with a friend. Over the next week you can post about your visit and any little experiences you might have had. I caution you, though - stay away from the Shrieking Shack.

Daily Prophet, Issue 25

Hogwarts Happenings

First Trip to Hogsmeade!

All students are invited to Hogsmeade this weekend. If you get the chance please note in your blogs (even the muggle blogs) about your trip and which Hogsmeade store is your favorite.

Daily Prophet, Issue 24

Hello, everyone!!

This weekend is another busy weekend for me because the muggle knitting game Hat Attack begins Saturday!!!! Can you tell I'm excited? I'm hoping to gather some tips for this event for a future swap. Anyway, the pattern will be released in the morning and I plan on knitting all day until I'm finished . . . and then . . . . hand delivering it to my target, which will probably be only 30 minutes from where I live muuuuaaaaaahhhhhhaaaaahaaa!!! Eh-hem! Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Hogwarts Happenings

The buzz from the last Quidditch match is still peppering the halls of Hogwarts. I think that we are all in need of a little school spirit!!!

Daily Prophet, Issue 23 - Quidditch

Quidditch last week was wonderful! Thank you so much for playing a good game and another congratulations goes out to Cassandra and Gryffindor House. It appears that I've hosted Quidditch so many times that I forgot to specifically list the rules of Quidditch, so here goes . . .

Quidditch

Description
This is an online game played by the participants of the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap. During the swap Quidditch will be played in two to three rounds, or matches, during the duration of the swap.

Trivia

On the day Quidditch begins trivia questions are posted on the swap blog along with a virtual picture scavenger hunt. The answering of the questions by the swap participants signifies the main chunk of the game which takes place in the movies.
The trivia and the scavenger hunt are scored on an all or nothing points system. So, in order to receive credit for the trivia all questions must be posted. The receive credit for the pictures all pictures must either be posted or hyper-linked.

The Snitch

Usually about 3 to 4 days after the trivia questions are posted the Snitch is released. This allows everyone the opportunity to answer the questions before the Snitch is released. The Snitch is an image of the the Golden Snitch and is stashed away in hiding on a blog page of one of the participants. It is never in the comments, rarely in a post, but hidden on one of the pages.
Once the Snitch is found the game is over, just as in the movie the game is over when the Seeker catches the Snitch.
When the Snitch is found the trivia questions will be removed from the main page of the HSKS site and no longer be available.
The timeline is posted because there have been times when the Snitch took 3 days to find! Because the game can't go on forever there is a beginning day and an ending day for each round of Quidditch. If the Snitch is not found by the ending day the Snitch is moved to an easier location and the hunt begins again, but once the Snitch is found the game is over and there is not more opportunities to gain more points by answering the trivia portion of Quidditch.

Points
Trivia = 20 Points
Picture Scavenger Hunt = 5 Points
Snitch = 150 House Points
100% House Participation = 50 House Points

New Prefect and Head Girl
Unfortunately, Gryffindors previous prefect is unable to continue with her duties because of the result of the treatments that she must receive. The new prefect is planning a project which will cheer Lisa up, so be looking for an announcement concerning this or email the new prefect if you would like to participate.

Gryffindor's New Prefect is:
Cassandra Puddlemere

and your Head Girl is:
Penelope Pinkstone

Daily Prophet, Issue 22

Good Morning, fellow Hogwarts students!
I'm up late here at work, so I thought that I would post now because I'm liable to take a nap in the morning.

Quidditch - Round One
The first round of Quidditch has started with a BANG!! There are still 2 more days to get your trivia up before the Snitch is released, so don't worry. I'm sure your housemates will not let you down.

This swap is full of things that have never happened before at Hogwarts!!! I have been truly amazed! It seems that the Ravenclaws got in in their heads that they would push the Quidditch post down off the page as soon as I posted it. It was a somewhat clever attempt to sabotage the other houses out of a chance to answer the trivia, but alas! The Ravenclaws were found out. All houses must be forewarned, however; any further attempt to beat another house out of the chance to participate in Quidditch will receive a 50 pt. reduction in House points! All earlier 'sabotage' posts were deleted. That is all that will be said about that.

The Snitch
I'm still looking for a home for the Snitch. Please be sure to check your emails because you may be the lucky host of the Snitch (if I can just get someone to respond!!).

Hogwarts Happenings

This afternoon, during the Quidditch match, several of the Ravenclaws decided to use the confundus charm, but because Fleur Lovegoods wand was stepped on earlier in the week the charm backfired, and each of the girls did some things that were characteristically thought to be Slytherin type deeds. Lady Felula caught them in the act and before the girls knew it they were stuck in detention after school for the next two days - Ophelia Crookshanks, Fleur Lovegoods, Lavender Diggory, and Esmeralda Beanswallow. There were a few others, but it appears that they ran away before they were caught. What is their punishment, you ask?? Cleaning out bedpans in the hospital wing without magic.

Daily Prophet, Issue 21

Quidditch in T minus 1 day and . . .

Are you excited???!!! Okay, calm down - take a breath - it will all be okay. :) So, this is what is happening. Tomorrow the trivia questions and such will be posted on the site. Each person is able to earn 25 points collectively for their House for the trivia and the scavenger hunt. No points are subtracted during Quidditch - there is only the opportunity to add points. More than likely the questions will go up tomorrow morning between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. PST.

The Snitch
Today I will find it's hiding place and ask someone to hide the Snitch on their site on Saturday morning. After I that person agrees I will announce the release time. During the next round of Quidditch the Snitch will be released during the week in the afternoon.

Hogwarts Clock
Many of you have noticed the Hogwarts clock to your right. At the request of Lavender Diggory I've placed a clock on the site displaying my current time, so that when I mention certain times and forget to mention the zone you'll know what time it is where I am.

Organized Knitting Club
This is totally OT, but since I created it I thought that I would get the word out :)

Daily Prophet, Issue 20

Good Afternoon!!

A short announcement first -

Monday, January 28, 2008

Blogger will be unavailable Monday (1/28) at 4:00PM PST for about 10 minutes for maintenance. Posted by John at 12:21 PST

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend!! Mine was much needed after such a busy week. My church is going through the Purpose Driven Life together and is has meant meeting together more often! It's all good, though.

Cassandra Black
The man-who-shall-not-be-named did almost take off with one of our own, but she was recovered a few short hours after we thought there was no more hope. She was found hiding in the restroom. The poor thing was struck by the Sponge-Knees curse as she dashed into Myrtle's bathroom. The effects, unfortunately, lasted longer than they should have. Please visit Cassandra Black and offer your support. The poor thing had to spend a few hours in Madam Ponfrey's Infirmary after the ordeal.

Great Hall Chat
I have a meeting with a fellow Headmistress from a nearby school and will be available to chat from 5:30 PST until 6:15 p.m. Please stop by if you can. Well make this an unofficial chat since it wasn't announced earlier. I'm still working on a daytime chat also, so be looking for that announcement soon.

Delivery Confirmation (U.S. Residents)
This is just a little reminder that for your main packages - the one containing the bag - please email me your delivery confirmation tracking number so that I may add it to my database.

Daily Prophet, Issue 19

This is the beautiful cake that was designed for the premier of The Order of the Phoenix by my favorite Charm City Cakes in Baltimore from the show Aces of Cakes.

Anonymous Posting - Do You Allow It?
Those that have blogger accounts please consider allowing anonymous posting during this swap so that your partner can leave messages on your blog without leaving their real name. I've had a few people email me saying that they would like to leave a message on their swapee's blog, but they don't want to reveal their identity.

Hogwarts Happenings

All of the faculty at Hogwarts are preparing for the next Quidditch match. The castle is abuzz with questions, previous Quidditch experiences, and suggestions. If you have a question (any question), experience, or suggestion, please leave a post here. I will publish a special edition tonight just to address the needs and inquiries. To the left is a Quidditch cake also made by Charm City Cakes.

Daily Prophet, Issue 18

Good Morning to all!! I completely forgot to wish Perpetua Phoenixfire a Happy Birthday yesterday. I meant to include it in my Daily Prophet post and literally forgot after clicking the button to post!!! How senile is that?? Either that or the person that released the ferrets yesterday was working overtime to put some type of memory stealing Hex on me. So, so sad.

Well, if you haven't been over to wish Ms. Phoenixfire a happy birthday, please take the time to do so today.

Name Changes
I'm so sorry that I didn't not have the chance to email everyone to let them know that their swapees name might have changed after registration was closed because of duplicate names. Below is a list of those that changed their names. If you see your swapees name you might want to contact them to confirm. Some have changed houses as well as names.

Henrietta Sweeting (G) > Cressida Townsbury (G)
Selina Starfire (R) > Cecillia Kettleburn (R)
Selina Starfire (R) > Selina Starflame (R)
Celestina Phoenixfire (G) > DenAzaella Daemonova (S)
Penelope Pinkstone (R) > Patonga Pinkstone (R)
Penelope Pinkstone (G) > Hermione Phoenixfire (G)

There might have been some others. I'll update this list as I'm informed.

Hogwarts Happenings

It appears that many of the students here at Hogwarts have been getting tipsy on more than their share of Butterbeer!! The term has barely started, students, and already the halls have been filled with mischief. I'll have you know that butterbeer hasn't nary a drop of alcohol in it. Did you know that? Ha! Below is the recipe:

Butterbeer Ingredients:

• Root Beer or cream soda

• Butter

• Cream

• Butterscotch (chips, sauce or both!)

How to make it:
Pour the (root beer/cream soda) in a cup, and the butter & butterscotch into a a small bowl. Put the bowl of butter and butterscotch in the microwave and melt it.
Then put the root beer in the microwave, but not for long because you want it to be moderately warm, or it isn't fizzy and good anymore!
Pour some melted butter and butterscotch in the root beer but not too much! Then pour some cream (coffee cream) in. Then stir it all up. It might take a few tries to make it to your liking!

Ogden's Old Firewhiskey, on the other hand . . . .

Daily Prophet, Issue 17

Hello, my fine furry friends!! LOL j/k I always say that to my kids because it just sounds funny. Not much going on around Hogwarts. Everyone is settling down. Well, actually, not quite settling down. There was quite a ruckus in the kitchen last night, I here. And who were the trouble makers, I ask you??? Ferrets!!!! Yes, that's right! There were ferrets all over the kitchen, and unfortunately they ate all of the Cornish Pasties and the Steak & Kidney Pudding! And unfortunately for some, all of the Spotted Dick is also gone.

Which House is responsible for such a travesty?

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

I need every single person that emailed me with a name change to email me again. After I did the initial sign ins I changed your name on the site, but obviously your parter - the one sending to you - still thinks that you have the old name. So, I need to put together a conclusive list of everyone that changed their names. Thanks!!

Daily Prophet, Issue 16

Hello!
I think this latest post ever for the Daily Prophet. Everyone in my house is sick except me and 2 of the girls. Well, I think that my body is fighting it, but I definitely don't feel as well today as I did yesterday. I'm drinking lots of peppermint tea, though!!

Communication

I just wanted to calm the fears of those that have not received any communication from their swap partners as of yet. Be sure to drink some Drought of Peace. I and the prefects are working double-time in order to keep in contact with everyone so that we will know long before the deadline if your partner is in fact not fulfilling their duties.

With that said, anyone who is found not participating over a 2 week consecutive span of time will be dropped from the swap.

House Points

Unfortunately, there was a loss in communication between me and one of the Gryffindor house members. This changed the points from the previous weeks, so they have been adjusted. I know this may cause a little stress on your parts, but after today I believe that all inconsistencies have been discovered.

Hogwarts Happenings
The Goblet of Fire

The age line is no longer a part of the decision making - at least not during this round of Quidditch. So first years will be able to join in the fun. The weighing of the wands has taken place and many have put their best want forward for the challenge.

The first challenge - Dragons - will take place during the first round of Quidditch next week. The Snitch is the main focus of next week's game, but there will also be a Golden Egg which will leave a clue as to what may take place during the second round of Quidditch - the second challenge.

A Moment of Silence for a Great Actor

Heath Ledger was found dead this morning of an apparent drug overdose. Please - a moment of silence for a great actor.

Daily Prophet, Issue 15

Good Morning, afternoon, evening!! There is so much I don't even know what to begin with! Last week was such a fun week. So fun I can't even believe that everyone has only been back at Hogwarts for a week! Well, enough glee - let's get on with the news, shall we?

Great Hall Chat

Don't forget the chat today in the Great Hall. The chat times are listed in the Great Hall chat room and in issue 14 of the Daily Prophet.

The Raven's Nest

The cleaver Ravenclaws have put together a wonderful newsletter which has been emailed to every Ravenclaws Potter Email addy. So, make sure you check you boxes.

House Quizzes

I just wanted to clarify that the House quizzes are incentives to post given by your prefect with the promise of a prize drawing. The quizzes do not count towards House points, but they are fun, and in a way help each house member to get to know each other a little bit better. So, please take the time to post those quizzes. Besides, if that is all you post for the week it counts as your weekly post, which is a HSKS requirement.

Slytherin Points

Unfortunately, in all the hoopla, one of the Slytherins was never informed that she was a part of the swap. Of course, completely my fault because I stuck her name in amongst a group of people whom I had already partnered up and sent notices out to, but had to change the mix because of an allergy. Anyway, long story short I have adjusted the Slytherin points to reflect the 1 member who was absent during the first week for posting and during the logo tally. You'll find the new results in the sidebar, and Slytherins . . . you will be very, very pleased :)

HSKS - A History

For all you history buffs and statisticians I've written a little bit of HSKS history. It's located in the side bar at the very bottom. It's also a way for me to just remember the changes and how it all began.

Hogwarts Sock Swap

Many of you are aware that a notice was posted for HSS on the HSKS forum on Ravelry. This was completely with my permission. Some of you have also noticed the similarities to the two swaps. Let me tell you a little bit about my relationship with the HSS.

Last year I missed out on the first HSS by about 1 week, I think. It seemed like such a fun swap, but I realized that I wouldn't have done well anyway because I'm not the most accomplished sock knitter.

In '05 I had been part of a Knit Sock Kit Swap by Scout and Bev. After that one was over it became the Knit Mitt Kit Swap. Anyway, I had just begun to read the Harry Potter series and became a quick fanatic, so I decided to combine the two types of swaps. I mimicked most of what I saw on the HSS blog and implemented some things of my own, which has changed quite a bit because of the wonderful input that I receive with every swap from you guys - the participants.

I'm not competitive when it comes to community type enjoyment, and I think that there are so many types of swaps people will pick and choose what they want to participate in or they will choose to participate in many. So, by all means, join in the HSS swap if you wish with a clear conscious. I won't be only because my sock knitting skills leave much to be desired :)