Wednesday, February 24, 2010

More first years?! Meet ZTAgirlknits

Here comes another first year! I swear they multiply when we're not looking. This time it's ZTAgirlknits, our Gryffindor Quidditch Team Sqaure Chaser! So let's just jump right in.

What crafts do you do?
I sew (I’m studying to be a costume designer) I also scrapbook, and make jewelry and stitch markers

Do you have any other talents?
Well I am a theatre major in the real world so I can sing and dance and act! :)

What’s you RL job? (mom, student, and ninja assassin all count)
Student and Boston Terrier wrangler

What adorable, squishy things do you use to get bonus points? (aka: pets and kids?)
I use my Boston Terriers, Austin and Abbie!!

Any other major interests?(tv shows, books, wrestling monkeys?)
I love theatre and films and I read obessively, as for TV I’m a huge grey’s anatomy fan and have recently become addicted to BBC America

What’s you fave HP Character?
Who can ever pick just one!! Um, I love Professor McGonegal and Hermione

What’s your fave potter moment from either the books or movies?
I would have to say when Umbridge is inspecting McGonegal’s class and she clears her throat repetedly unless McGonegal offers her a lozenge

What’s your fave potter item/spell?
I would love to have a time-turner, but it would also be nice to pull a Molly Weasley and get my knitting needles to knit away on my projects for me

What’s your fave HPKCHC class?
well I’ve only completed a few but I would have to say Charms

How long did you stalk the Cup before being Sorted?
about a month or so, I was kind of confused as to what is was exactly but I jumped in and asked questions and everyone was SO nice and helpful, it seemed like the wait to get sorted took FOREVER!!! I also got my BFF to join too so on sorting day we sat around her computer and squeed about getting into the same house!

Have you applied for an OWL, if so in what and how’s it going?
I am working on a Muggle Studies OWL, a set of irish hiking accessories, its going pretty well so far!!! I hope I can finish in time!! eek!

What’s your fave thing about the Cup so far?
I just really love how friendly and helpful everyone is, I wasn’t a very ambitious knitter before the cup, I ususally wrote off any project that was cool because it looked “too hard” But the cup has inspired me to try new things and to be a fearless knitter!

What’s your fave project of yours?
Well I am working on a Burberry Cowl right now for Herbology and its coming along so well!!! I think its going to be one of my favorite knitted items!

Are you doing the Ravelympics? If so what’s the plan and how’s it going?
Well, I just finished a mobius for the Ravelympics and I am working on a cowl right now but I haven’t put up or tagged anything yet

Are you on the Gryff team or any other ones?
Just the Gryff one

What’s your fave yarn or fiber type?
I am in LOVE with baby alpaca, its just SOOO soft and sqishy!!

Anything special you’d like the people to know?
eh, not that I can think of

Who do you recommend for the next interview?
autumnleaf77

Well you heard her, this reporter is off to find her next victim!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Hi FantasyFlyte

Well time to meet FantasyFlyte, she's a second year and if you've been in the Great Hall or Common Room lately than you can't miss her personal drama with SR. And I hope she knows if this works out and he ever meets any of us that's what his name tag will say, we did it to Spark's MH, we'll do it to SR!

What’s you RL job? (and yes mom and ninja assassin count)
I am a reporter at a small newsroom. I work for a couple of weekly reporters, and I love my job.

Do you have any OWLS? what for?
I’m currently working on a Seascape Stole for Charms, and I love it. It’s my first time doing “real” lace with laceweight yarn, so it’s definitely interesting, and it’s coming out so pretty! I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to work on it lately because of work and wrist issues, but I’m going to try super hard to get it done, because I didn’t finish my OWL last term.

What crafts do you do?
Let’s see, what crafts don’t I do? Right now I primarily knit and crochet. However, I’ve also had spurts of crazed interest in cross-stitching, sewing, jewelry beading, stamping, painting, drawing, and writing. And yes, writing is definitely a craft, lol.

Do you have any other talents?
Ummm, I think I’m a relatively good storyteller, but that’s kind of connected to the writing thing. I can make people laugh pretty easily…

Any other major interests?(tv shows, books, wrestling monkeys?)
I love reading and watching movies. Especially when they’re movies from books that actually turn out really well. Or romantic comedies like “He’s Just Not That Into You.”

What’s you fave HP Character?
Hermione is my absolute favorite character, I think because I identify with her so much. We both are major overachievers and over-analyze a lot, lol. I also love Sirius as a fairly close second.

What’s your fave potter moment from either the books or movies?
Hmmm, that’s a hard one. I think I have three: one is in the Sorcerer’s Stone when Hermione frets about having no wood for a fire and I think it’s Harry? yells “ARE YOU A WITCH OR AREN’T YOU?”
I also love the “NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU B—H!” scene, which is definitely a classic.
I also also love the book version of the scene where Ginny and Harry finally kiss, and Ron gives him the “if you must” shrug. I think it was done much better in the book than the movie.

What’s your fave potter item/spell?
I’m going to have to be cliche and say the wand. I just love the idea of using a wand for magic. I’m not actually that fond of adaptations of magic where the person doesn’t use a wand or a staff or something to channel the magic through, I feel like it’s less focused and less realistic. Not that’s magic itself is realistic, but you know what I mean lol.

What’s your fave HPKCHC class?
Well, based on the classes I’ve done so far, I’d have to say Potions. Potions is also one of my favorite book classes, I think it’s the whole making-something-totally-different-from-all-these-ingredients thing.

What’s your fave project of yours?
My favorite project of mine would have to be my Cabled Wristwarmers and my sister’s Birthday CanCans. They’re both the same pattern, and I love it. I’m actually heavily considering making myself another pair.

What’s your fave yarn or fiber type?
Oh definitely alpaca. By far. I am a horrible alpaca junkie. Most of what I’ve bought lately is alpaca. I just love how soft and pretty and soft and lovely and soft it is to use. Did I mention I like it’s softness?

Anything special you’d like the people to know?
I love talking to people, and am totally willing to accept and make new friends. I also use an inordinate amount of smilies in my posts and tend to ramble, so don’t be scared off if I have really long posts. :P

Who do you recommend for the next interview?
I think I’d like to hear from ZTAgirlknits. :)

Well that's all I got, ZTAgirl, keep an eye out for the dancing envelope! This interviewer's going back to bed now...

Thursday, February 4, 2010

February Transfiguration/DADA Ideas

This month we delve into our fears in this combined class.  Our Professors have caught a Boggart and it is our job to study our fears and to overcome them.

From the class description:
For Transfiguration: Make something scary. Either use a technique which intimidates you, or make something that represents the thing you fear.
For DADA: Make your scary thing unscary. Find a way to make your technique easy or your fears funny. Scared of lace? Try doing it with worsted weight on big needles. Scared of rodents? Mickey’s a mouse, but he’s not scary at all.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO BOTH CLASSES. The usual base points/bonus points will be available for completing one class or the other. Just mention which class it’s for when you turn it in.

That being said, if you choose to:
For Both: YOU MUST MAKE SEPARATE ITEMS FOR THESE TWO CLASSES. Our “One Project, One Class” rule is still in effect, since these are still separate classes, so don’t try to make a single thing and turn it in for both. If it’s something that comes in pairs, you have to make a whole pair for each class. You CANNOT do one sock for Transfig and one sock for DADA, and call that done.
Note: You CAN make TWO of something that’s not a pair, eg two dishcloths, amigurumis, etc. as long as each meets the requirements for the class you’re making it for. That being said, we will be giving a small bonus for completing both classes, provided your projects are related in some way. You can’t do lace for Transfig and mice for DADA, but if you connect them, we’ll reward that. (As well as the usual house colors/laughing bonuses)

These classes might be the trickiest for people to decide on because it is so subjective to your personal fears and how you deal with them.

For example - I am terrified of thunderstorms and will hide under blankets as soon as I see the first bolt of lightning, but I love rainstorms.  So for Transfiguration I'm making socks with a lightning bolt lace pattern on the leg of the sock (Horcrux socks, worsted weight version), and for DADA I'm making a shawl that represents rain drops.

Here are some common fears to maybe start you on the right path - water, heights, spiders, flying, confined spaces, vomiting, death, and cancer are all among the Top 10 Phobias.

If you need help with these two classes, leave a comment, send me a PM, or post in the common room for individual help.

February Astronomy Ideas


This month we are studying concept of Antichthon, the opposite Earth.  This concept can be manifested into different forms.

From the class description we have a couple of different guidelines to follow that can help us come up with the perfect project.

  • Create an item that in someway embodies Antichthon. Ideas include protective clothing that would be needed on this planet (is it hot, cold, temperate, all water, gassy, volcanic?)
  • An item that uses colors of the planet (oceans, ponds, deserts, forests, plains, flowers
  • A representation of an item used on this planet. 
We are encouraged to include a picture of what this other world looks like or a detailed description along with the picture of our finished object to receive full points and how your project fits into your world.  The longer post, the better (within reason of course - I don't think she wants 20 page novels).

Here are some questions and ideas to help jump start ideas.
What does your opposite world look like?
  • Is it similar to Earth?
  • Completely different?
  • Is it based on video games (Mario, Final Fantasy, Animal Crossing, etc) or TV shows or movies (Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, Lord of the Rings, etc)?
Once you have an idea of what your world looks like you can allow your creative juices flow.

I am happy to answer any and all questions!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

StarKnits come on down!

Next in our Gryffindor interview series is StarKnits, our Prefect (and she'd like you to know she doesn't say it in a snotty percy like voice) and a fourth year. I must say, look at this girls project page. She's got such a variety of stuff on there, it's great. So let's get into it!

What’s you RL job? (and yes mom and ninja assassin count)
I get to stay at home with my daughters and a knitting and crochet instructor. and i just found out i can “claim” a whole bunch of stuff on my taxes b/c of it. like my interweave subscription and my needles and yarn!!! but seriously i love teaching it!

Do you have any OWLS? what for?
i have 3 OWLs. Transfiguration, Herbology and Muggle Studies. I’m attempting a HOM and Arithmancy OWL this term. i tried for a COMC last term but I didn’t finish in time! (darn it!)

What crafts do you do?
Besides Knitting and Crochet, I like to sew, beading, sometimes i’ll make cards but not often. i wish i could paint. i’m going to work on my drop spindle spinning this month so i’ll be adding that to my list. i don’t like scrapbooking and that’s all that people seem to want to do around here. (i’d rather poke myself in the eye) note from interviewer agree (10000000)

Do you have any other talents?
besides tripping over my own feet and walking into things and bruising easily nope.

Any other major interests?(tv shows, books, wrestling monkeys?)
i like to watch movies (all kinds) my fave tv shows right now are Heroes and Vampire Diaries and Smallville but i’m behind on seasons, oh and i’m catching up on Lost. I like playing Wii Fit, Super Mario Brothers, Animal Crossings and De Blob but i don’t get to do it very often besides the fit. I also like playing pokemon and viva pinata and proffessor layton’s diabolical box on my DS (but really i don’t get to play that much) I love reading but i love knitting and crochet more so i’m trying to acquire more audio books. I absolutely love to bake bread, artisan bread! and i love coffee i make a great cappuccino. so if you come over ask me for some! I love having people over.

What’s your fave HP Character?
I love ginny! and i also like harry! (is that dorky to say i like the main character?)

What’s your fave potter moment from either the books or movies?
i almost always giggle when Ron and the Weaslys send a letter to harry covered in stamps. i don’t know why but it cracks me up. I also really love in the OOTP when the DA is training and Ginny totally shows up her bothers.

What’s your fave potter item/spell?
I’d have to say scurgify. if only i could learn it. more knitting time less cleaning time. also i want to learn how to dissapperate and apperate b/c then i can visit my family that much quicker. (sorry if i’ve spelled this all wrong)

What’s your fave HPKCHC class?
I like them all. I have fun fitting my queue into a class. sooo much fun.

What’s your fave project of yours?
right now i’d have to say my felted knarl from last term. i’m going to try and write up the pattern, it’s so freakin cute! I made it for my cute nephew trubie.

What’s your fave yarn or fiber type?
seriously i like them all. it depends on the project.

Anything special you’d like the people to know?
um? i’m trying to take over the world? whoops i was supposed to keep that quiet. i’d like to open a yarn/coffee store someday with jessica (naturallyknitty)
sorry my life isn’t that interesting. i hope you’re not asleep.

Who do you recommend for the next interview
?
i’d like to hear from FantasyFlyte

Well then look out for that dancing envelope!