Detention Attention

How's your term going, Gryffs?

I'm starting to feel the pressure, since I've made it my goal to submit to every class this month. I'm even hoping to whip a long forgotten WIP into shape, and submit something for detention. If you're looking for some much needed inspiration to dive in to those project baskets and closet shelves and pull out the unfinished objects that have been haunting your knitting nightmares, here are some amazing examples of what Gryffs can do with a little determination!

f1bercat:


PennyIA


KnittingIma:


Knitwit685:


kmroberton:


pinkleo:


pinklemons:


Barknknit


DorothyJean:


Questionable:


Tacolove:



These are just a few of the lovely projects that have been submitted to Detention this month! Take a stroll through the thread for yourself to see some more of the amazing work Gryffs have been doing. What WIPs have you been plotting? Are there any projects you've been thinking of picking back up?

Quidditch: Interview with IceJewel

First of all, would you introduce yourself? 
My first name is Krystal. I am a stay at home, homeschooling mama of four noisy but amazing children--2 girls ages 10 and 8, and 2 boys who are 5 and 3. I have been blessed with the most wonderful husband; he works mostly from home as a customer service agent for a realty company and is currently in school for computer IT-type stuff.
I am currently a B1 in HPKCHC; most of that time has been spent with Gryffindor though I did do half a term as a ‘Claw. I have been knitting since Dec. 2008, and have since branched out into spinning and dyeing. I used to read, scrapbook, write and dabble in photography…all of which I keep meaning to get back to…someday.
Let’s see…I am active in my church, and currently using Weight Watchers and researching what I can about healthy living.

Can you tell us a little about the Quidditch challenges for this term?
I have been really impressed with how creative and yet open the prompts are this term! Even this current one--Sun Shades Challenge 1--you know, I thought it was going to be really difficult to fit stuff into, but upon further review it’s actually very flexible.
As far as the events going forward: both the next event and the last one in March are paired/team events. So if you haven’t found a partner and/or a team yet, start looking right away--not everyone participates and you don’t want to be the last one on the field without a spot!

Can you tell us what you’ve got planned for your entries?
For challenge 2, I just finished a preemie hat to donate with some others to a local NICU unit. It actually turned out very small, so I hope they can use it! (oops!)
I still need a partner for Game 2, and if I can find someone willing to take me on for a felted or double-knit potholder, that would be awesome. Otherwise I’ll probably do whatever my partner has in mind. (See what happens when you wait til the last minute?! I think all the good potholder-ers are gone. ;)
Challenge 3 will likely be either blanket squares or hexipuffs, and for Game 4 I’m teaming up with the 3 other captains: Starrynightsky, AuntTallulah and MariaCrafts to make baby charity hats. SO…while I will be earning us charity points, they’ll all be earning them too! Y’all will just have to help get us extra points so we can stay ahead!

What’s the best Quidditch project you’ve seen so far?
Okay, so I hesitate to call something the “best” because so many of the projects have been awesome. But one of the things I like about Quidditch is how many super cute little stuffies get turned in for it, usually with really creative stories. Just scrolling through recently, one really caught my eye (probably because he’s my favorite color): Fantasium’s Odysseus the Octopus. I think she did a really great job on him, and I love her photograph styling and story!

Why Quidditch?
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to be chosen for Quidditch Captain! I applied for Prefect, thinking that would be a step outside my comfort zone. My goal for this term was to get involved more on the Seventh Floor, and to try to just be around more. So when I was approached about Quidditch, I was both surprised and quite nervous. I’ve never really been the cheerleader type, nor did I typically participate a lot in Quidditch in the past--usually just if a prompt grabbed me or it didn’t seem too confusing. I’m not even really fond of sports in general!
So this role was not even really on my radar. It has been an amazing ride, though! I have certainly achieved my goal, becoming way more involved than ever before. I have discovered things about myself I never knew, and risen to meet challenges I never would have thought I could handle. I have seen my fellow Lions pull together and work towards a single goal, and we have had incredible success so far this term. I am thrilled to be your Captain, and honored that you all would respond, step up and work so hard to make this our term!

Care to share anything else?
YES! I would like to say that I have an amazing team, for which I am truly grateful. I would not have had a clue about what to do if it wasn’t for the help of former Quidditch Captains jrf1977 and HermioneWeasley, who’s also our fabulous Keeper this term, and way better at cheering you all on than I am.
Our Beaters, LindseyLuz and pinkleo have been awesome badge-making machines, working to make you all beautiful rewards. I have asked a lot of them and they have really stepped up to help out. I am also looking forward to seeing what our Seeker, Aikaterini, comes up with for our end of term presentation! I’m sure it will be awesome, as all of our Gryffie projects to date have been fantastic!
And of course if we didn’t have Chasers, there would be no team. So a huge THANK YOU! to everyone who has turned in Quidditch projects for Gryffindor this term--we couldn’t do it without you. :)

More Beautiful Projects to Drool Over

Feeling the mid-month slump? If you're finishing up your first project, and looking for some inspiration for the next, here are some beautiful projects that your fellow Gryff's (and NQFY's) have been working on!



HellieCreed knit these adorable critters for Charms.


maggievanderstok turned this:

into this:


kbowman123 created these for Muggle Studies


mermaidboo made this for Muggle Studies, as well.


glittergirl94 made this beautiful cowl!


and maggievanderstok knit these lovely socks.


LadyGreyy created this amazing necklace.


guenevol put this together for Care of Magical Creatures.

double sided!


kmroberton dyed this for divinations:


And letsgoblue created this for DADA!


I hope this inspired you to pick up your needles! What are you planning on working on this week?

February Project Round-up

February is already flying by! For those who are starting to finish up their first projects of the month but aren't sure which class to submit them in, here's a brief round-up of the class prompts. For some more inspiration, I suggest visiting The Weasley Sisters!

Charms: 
Option 1- Duplicate something that you've made before in a different color
Option 2- Use felting or steeking techniques to create a project that protects an object or hides secret knowledge
Option 3- Spin two or more color changed fibers together
Option 4- dye something in support of a Hogwarts house.

Care of Magical Creatures:
Option 1- craft something inspired by the Chinese Fireball

Defense Against the Dark Arts: 
Option 1- Complete a project using a technique, pattern, tool, fiber, or method that you have failed with in the past.
Option 2- Create something that protects you from or helps you get over a cold.

Divination:
Option 1- Craft a project inspired by Lapis Lazuli (blue), Malachite (green), Citrine (yellow), or Jasper (red).

Flying:
Option 1- Craft something in the brown color family.
Option 2- Craft something with 2 distinct parts.
Option 3- Craft something with lines or curves.

Herbology: 
Option 1- Craft something you dislike working with, but that is desirable to someone else.
Option 2- Use nupps, bobbles, the popcorn stitch, clubs, beehives, or another bubbly technique.
Option 3- Craft something for your car or gas driven vehicle.

Muggle Studies:
Option 1- Represent a part of winter travel.
Option 2- Create something to help someone stay warm during travel.

Potions: 
Option 1- Craft something reminiscent of one of your favorite smells.
Option 2- Wonderwitch Products; take a body and craft something you observe in its details.
Option 3- Craft something inspired by the Tragic Merope Gaunt.

A Glimpse into Retirement: Interview with Lupingirl

First of all, would you introduce yourself a little bit for newer Gryffindors? 
My name is Lupingirl (or Becca), I’m a B-something or other (whatever the second from the top is), and I was Gryffindor’s Head of House for the last 8 terms. Before that, I was Co-OWL Examiner with FricknFrack of Ravenclaw, and before that, I was FricknFrack’s assistant back when we had only one OWL Examiner. I loved being Head of House the most. It was my dream House Cup job. I never hesitated to let people in my real life know about it, even when that led to some very funny looks, haha! In my real life, I live in Canada with my fiancé, Ken, and our dog, Ilex. We are Americans and have lived here now for a little over a year and a half. Aside from being a knitter and a very beginner crocheter, I also paint and draw and glue and glitter things, and I’m also learning to sew as I go along. I was really proud of the quilt top I made last month and turned in for Divination!

How are you enjoying your “retirement”? 
At first, it felt really weird to not respond and try to “fix” things, but I’m enjoying not being in charge. It’s hard not to poke my nose in a bit, but then I remind myself that AmyPC has totally got this, and I can restrain myself. I think she’s doing great, so far, too! Transitions are tough, and I think she has handled that beautifully.

Is there anything you’re doing now that you couldn’t do before? 
Not that I couldn’t do it before, but I am taking it a bit more easy when it comes to classes. I feel less pressure, and probably will be more productive in the end because of that. Again, not that I couldn’t before, but I’m doing more non-ravelry crafts like learning to sew and quilt. I just got assigned a pattern to test by a handbag designer, which I am SUPER excited about, and that’s probably not something I would have done before because I’d be too worried about the time it might take from being able to knit.

Is there a “best part” of not being in charge any more?
Pretty much just what I said before. I really do feel less pressure and feel more like I can commit time to non-ravelry crafts that I felt like I couldn’t before. I’m excited about seeing where Gryffindor goes with a new leader, too. Also, for the first time in almost 3 years, I have actually cleaned out my inbox here on Ravelry! Woo!

What’s on your needles right now? 
At the moment, I’m working on a cabled pullover called Rebecca for my OWL, a Houndstooth Bandana in red, black, and white (Roll Tide!) for my BROOM, and a hat for charity for Quidditch. I am planning to make a stuffie Camper Van this month, too, for Muggle Studies. (I think that’s the right class?) And some washcloths for the SPEW Games group KAL/CAL!

What are you most looking forward to? 
Yikes! That’s a really open question! As far as knitting, I’m looking forward to finishing my OWL and BROOM, and I’m really looking forward to casting on that Camper Van. I’m looking forward to finishing that quilt and testing that pattern. I just started an Etsy shop last month, and, while I’ve not had time to update it yet, I’m looking forward to really getting that moving. I also just reorganized my studio/craft room/sunroom, and I painted today for the first time since we moved to Canada, so I’m really looking forward to doing more of that – I am going to an Art group Meetup this weekend to do some sketching at an indoor garden and I am really looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to spring and flowers and birds, and to our summer trip – Ken and Ilex and I are going to drive to Alaska! I guess that’s all for now, unless I forgot something, LOL!