Welcome to Gryffindor

ROAR!

Welcome Gryffindors, New and Old, To Winter 2013 Term!

Congratulations on being sorted into the noble House of Godric Gryffindor! All the Houses are awesome, but there's just something about Gryffindor that feels like HOME, and I know I speak for all of Gryffindor when I say that we are more than glad to have you!

There are several things that make Gryffindor different from the other Houses, so this is a sort of "Get to Know Your House" message. I'm including lots of links to make it easy to find your way around  The Seventh Floor  -- the Ravelry group where we are located. There are many fun activities that are unique to Gryffindor. You don't have to participate in all the Gryffindor activities; in fact, it's very hard to do so, but we do like to have options.  They are meant to encourage you to earn more points, but they are all 100% OPTIONAL. Note: Gryffindor House activities require NO extra crafting!!!! Anything you are already making for points should be able to fit in here. We're also sort of known for liking shiny badges, and more activities = more possible badges. So without further ado, here are our activities this term (in no particular order):

• Chocolate Frog Cards: This seems to be one of the primary things we are known for. To get a Gryffindor Chocolate Frog Card, you have to 1) be a Gryffindor, and 2) turn a project in for a class, Quidditch, and/or the Headmistress Challenge. Basically, you get a Chocolate Frog Card for each class you complete throughout the term, as well as for completing Quidditch (one Quidditch Frog card per term. There might be a different badge for each game, but only 1 CFC. So someone who does all 6 challenges will get 1 card... And someone who only does 1 challenge will still get the same card *  from guenevol.), and the Headmistress Challenge. AND you get entered into the Gryffindor prize drawing once for every Chocolate Frog Card you earn. For those of you who'd like to keep track of all the Chocolate Frog Cards you've collected, there is a Gryffindor Chocolate Frog Card Master List  HERE that you can download. It is updated every month after the new chocolate frog cards are posted.
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foxpearl's Relaxicrafting Mission

• Marauder's Missions: These are a chance to challenge yourself to earn more points, use more yardage, or craft more things.  You MUST be a Gryffindor (or a NQFY/SoS) in order to complete a Marauder's Mission. You can do up to two, and you can do any mission solo or as part of a team.  Many teams are formed by Prides, or in Prides.  Joining a Marauder's Mission team is a GREAT way to get to know your housemates if you are new!  

NaturallyKnitty's Ood from the WeaslySister's Ood-a-long

• The Weasley Sisters Podcast: Yes, Gryffindor has its very own podcast, hosted by StarKnits  and NaturallyKnitty:   (who are sisters in real life)! They discuss all sorts of House Cup-related things, and sometimes they even have giveaways!  

PurpleSnowDrop's Charms OWL

• Advanced Studies Study Hall: A place for us to plan and chat about our Advanced Studies (including Order of the Phoenix Missions - or B.R.O.O.M.S.). This is a great place to get advice on which projects fit, and how to write up your proposals.

CatsMouseHold's Cozy and Coaster for Quidditch

• Broom Cupboard:  Links to projects that can be completed in just a day or two (because quite a few of us are procrastinators, and/or we get so caught up in the awesomeness of Quidditch that we forget we have yet to submit something for a class!).  Also, these are great for people who want to win the Hermione's Challenge in the CrazyTrain, and need a quick craft to turn in on the First Day of the Month. 

• Owl Post: RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) a fellow Gryffindor!

Muirgheasa's Monster Book of Monsters for Animal/Monster Swap

• Gryffie Swap: We have a swap every term! Another great way to get to know your housemates! And who doesn't love swaps?!

kmroberton's sock study

• Sock Study Hall: Whether your planning your very first pair of socks, or finishing the last stitch on your 697th, come join us for love, support, encouragement, help, or just to show off your socks!

jrf1977's hats

• Hat Study Hall: This activity will focus on a variety of hat types, all possible class projects, with badges available for testing out different skills throughout the term.  A place for experienced and beginning hatters.  

EmilyMartis's Cowl

• Cowl Study Hall:  This is a group of like minded cowl crafters who will encourage and enable each other in the creation of cowls across the term.    If you are thinking of making your first or your one hundred first cowl, this is the group for you.  

• Gryffie Gym: Our very own Certified Personal Trainer, Jajigirl, helps us find time to squeeze health and fitness into our crafting euphoria! Sometimes there are even prizes and--you guessed it--badges!

• Enable me:  Gryffindor Shops:  These are links to shops owned by your fellow Gryffindors, with all kinds of awesome crafting merchandise including Harry Potter themed stuff. 

• Diagon Alley:  Explore Diagon Alley (all will be regular class assignments) for... BADGES!  

•  GRRRRRRR!!!   A ranting thread to get it all off your chest.  

• Writing Workshop: A lot of professors give bonus points for storytelling. Here's a place to get tips and help if you need it!

AmyPC's Gryff Baby Squares

• Gryffie Babies & Blankets: Interested in contributing a blanket square (or two, or three, or four, or more!!!!!) for a baby blanket made especially for a future Gryffindor? There's a thread for that!  

• WIP the 1st! Challenge: Every month, Gryffindors earn a badge if they submit a Detention project on the 1st. Getting WIPs out of the way is a great feeling! There's also a special badge for those who turn in Detention all three months of term.  So, get a WIP finished except for some really small part (like weaving in one thread), turn it in to Detention on the first day of class, and submit your post to WIP the 1st.

• HoH Challenge: Our Head of House, AmyPc, gives us a new challenge every month! You get a badge if you complete it!

I'm sure more House activities will be developed throughout the term. Participate if you want to, but please don't feel like you have to! We all have real lives, and nobody wants you to be overwhelmed! The House Cup is supposed to be fun, so do what YOU enjoy doing.

Again, welcome to Gryffindor! :)

edited December 31 to correct Chocolate Frog Card Quidditch information.