November Charms Ideas

Charms this month involves the study of the Impervius and Protego spells.

Impervius - this charm makes something repel substances and outside forces, including water and snow.
Protego - the shield charm causes jinxes, curses, and hexes to rebound on the original caster, or deflects the full effect of the spell.

While your project only has to fit into one of the two spells we're learning, something could fit into both.

For the Impervius charm, just think of something you want to repel - bad weather, pesky or rude people, holiday travelers, etc.  Just explain what it repels and why you need to repel it.  Just like in Herbology, what you need to repel might be something someone else would not feel the need to repel.

For the Protego charm, create something to shield someone (could be yourself) from harm.  Hats, scarves, or gloves could all work to shield someone from colds or the flu.  Or you could think more abstract.  What about something bright and colorful or meaningful for someone to help protect them from seasonal affective disorder (seasonal depression).

The sky is the limit yet again.

Happy crafting!

November Astronomy Ideas

I touched briefly on some ideas for Astronomy in our common room already, but I will flesh it out a bit more here.

As long as a project can be traced back to an ancient culture that studied astronomy or a culture found in the HP world, no matter how remote the connection is, it will fit into astronomy this month.

Specific cultures mentioned in the class description or approved in the class thread:

Persian - modern day Iran
Egyptian
Mayan
Greeks
Mesopotamian
Indian  - Indian subconteninet, not Native Americans
Chinese
Nubian
Celtic
Centaur (HP)
Aztec
Roman

Not allowed are fictitious cultures, such as Atlantis.

We can knit, spin, or crochet anything that fits into any of these cultures

Bonus points will definitely be awarded to anyone who attempts to interpret the Antikythera mechanism in fiber form, but otherwise no other specific bonus points have been mentioned.

The professor is looking for a good story for this class, so hopefully this list helps to jog your noodle.

November Potions Ideas

Potions is a special class for us Gryffs, as it is taught by our very own Angiejude!

We are studying the Amortentia potion - the most powerful love potion in existence.

Love comes in different forms for different people, and this is our chance to explore some of those forms of love.  There is the love you have for your friends, for your family, for your children (if you have them), for your significant other, and most importantly the love you have for yourself.

Making something for any person that you love is encouraged this month, regardless of who they are, how long you have known them, or how close you are now.  But also remember, that it is also very important to not forget that you are important and loved too.

This can result in projects that range from simple to complex and everything in between.  A hat, a scarf, gloves, a sweater, a dice bag, a cell phone cozy.  Anything!  You are free to create anything you want for this class!

Angiejude's own description of what she is looking for is as follows:

Knitters/ crochetters:

• Something that represents who/ what you love the most. It can be anything you love passionately: music, a place, an animal. Please elaborate what this item represents to you. or
• An item for a loved one. Something this person is going to enjoy and love. or
• Something with spirals.

Spinners:
- Spin your interpretation of Amortentia. What color is it? How do you see it? Why? or - Spin yarn inspired by someone/ something you love.


NOTES:
No sewing projects.
No jewelry- unless it’s crocheted or knitted.

Bonus points will be given to those who tell me what your Amortentia smells like, cheesy love stories, be as romantic as you can… If you post a picture of the object/ person/ place, etc. that inspired your item, you also get bonus points.

Happy crafting!

November DADA Ideas

This month is an in-depth look into Professor Quirrell and his struggle to conceal the Dark Lord when he was fused to the back of his skull.

If you were in the same position, what hat or head covering would you wear to cover up Lord Voldemort?

Any hat of your choice will suffice, but you are encouraged to make it unique and make it you.  Some types of hats include beanies, berets, cowls, ski masks/balaclava, the sky is the limit!  Bonus points will be given for House Colors, making the professor laugh, or including the face of Voldemort on the inside of the hat (by embroidering, knitting, or crocheting it into the hat).

Now, keep in mind that Scarlettb is the professor, and she has a severe dislike of fish.  While people have turned in the Fish Hat in both September and October for her classes, she is not a fan.  But, you could always be the next one in the "Let's Torture Scarlett" Fan Club.

Happy knitting!

Harry Potter Cocktails!!!

Ok guys, here is our list of HP related cocktail ideas. Leave a comment, PM, or earburn if you have any to add!! And of course, if you try one, give us a review and pics!!

Here is our current list:

Hogsmeade Iced Tea
Mollyrita
Butterbeer
Tom Riddle
Slytherin Midori
Bloody Malfoy
Lion's Roar
Red Weasley (Red Headed Weasley)
Harry Wallbanger
Sunrise of the Phoenix
Bee's Knees inspired Hufflepuff Daiquiri
Ravenclawini
Screaming Eagle
White Bulgarian
Fleur's White Wine Spritzer
Fire Whiskey
The Lucius Malfoy
Dumbledore's Lemon Drop
Phoenix Rising
The Dark Mark
Murder in the Forest

ROARING LION AWARD BADGE NEEDED

We need a cool badge for those students who manage to make the most points each month.
It has to be "Gryffindorsy" (obviously) and 100x100 pixles.

Submit your entries in the Gryffindor common room and earburn me (Angiejude) or prefects Stargirl09 and stitchywitchy.

November Herbology Ideas

This will probably be a challenging class for several of us, because we are being challenged to finish that project that's been sitting around forever or yarn that has been sitting in our stash about as long as we can remember.

Since each person's definition of a weed is different, there is no right or wrong project for this class.  The story you create around it is what will make the difference.

The professor encourages us to use WIPs for this class, which means they would like to have a picture of the project prior to you starting up again on it to show the comparison.  Find that shawl, those socks, that blanket that's been hiding forever.  Check the thread for some specific projects that have already been approved or vetoed, such as previous House Cup projects that were never finished, with the exception being OWL projects that were never finished.

It has been stated that bonus points will be awarded based upon how epic or legendary these projects are in your family or knitting group.  Extra bonus points if a testimonial is videotaped.  Or if there is dust involved.

Now, if you don't have any WIPs or horrible yarn lying around, you could always go the literal route and knit weeds.  Or maybe pick a technique that you haven't attempted before that seems particularly daunting.  Entrelac?  Lace?  Cables?

Happy crafting!

November Transfiguration Ideas

This month it is Human Transfiguration!  Turn yourself into something else.

The easiest way that I can think of to turn yourself into something else is with a hat.  While this is similar to DADA, Transfiguration is all about being something you are not.  This could be real or fictional.

My searching yeilded a lot of results, and this was just the hats with the "Free" filter on.  These are some of my favorites.

Frog Hat
Viking Hat
Yoda
Thing 1
Princess Tiara
Devil
Dinosaur
Marge Simpson
Pineapple
Pumpkin
Santa
Santa's helper
Shrek

Plus, BZ Crochet Designs has a ton of character inspired hats.

Happy Transfiguring!