Thank you, Phelia!!

So, sorry that it took me so long to post. This last week was an incredible whirlwind of activity and it's still going!!

Such an awesome kit!! My favorite? The owl :) I will be taking him to work tomorrow where he will join the owl that I already have. I think this is the beautiful start to a collection - you think?

So, let see. There's Mr. Owl, of course, a flashlight, camp activity book, aluminum bottle, midnight owl note card set, two magnetic book marks, pencils, measuring tape, stitch markers, crochet hook, house unity book mark, a grow me pot, a green notepad, and a ball of KnitPicks City Tweed.

Thank you, Phelia!!!!

Week 2: Getting to Know Me

Now, I know that last week was the getting to know me week, but sometimes the questions that we have to answer leave some other questions unanswered. So, shall we continue?

I was raised by two of the greatest wizards that have ever lived - Ramona and Westerly LeStrange. As I grew up, however, I became very curious about the lives of Muggles. So, as I have gotten into my last few years at Hogwarts I've decided to branch out a little and see what's out there. So, while I have been attempting to get steller marks on my studies I have also taken on a few Muggle roles. I am president of the PTA (true) - People Treating Animals. It's an organization that is for the well being of animals everywhere (make believe) We have special facilities to teach people how to be the best veterinarians that they can be.

I also work in a healthcare facility - the corporate offices, actually (true). When I decided to find out a little more about Muggles I discovered the profession that they call Human Resources. I thought that this would be the best way to get to know more about the Human (Muggle) way of life. Much of those two activities take up much of my time.

So, that's enough for now. Next time I'll talk a little bit more about my hobbies and what I do in my down time.

Finally arrived!!

I left in such a hurry last week in order to get to camp on time that I didn't pack appropriately. My assistant, Chauncy, packed my things and just as the weather has gotten hotter I've gotten my cooler outfits. THANK YOU, CHAUNCY!!!

Psssssssst!!!!!

Girls! Over here!!!

Crunch, crunch!!

Shhhhhhh!!! Who is that??

*Giggle!*

Poppy, is that you?

*Sorry, I can't help myself!*

Okay, girls! Let's do this - and quietly . . . .

Did you hear that??? Let's get out of here!!

Camp Journal: Week 1, Wednesday

The day was so beautiful this morning that the Hogsmead Hut girls decided to do a little hiking after a hearty breakfast.

Our handsome hiking guide led us through some beautiful landscape. And you know what we heard while we were out? An Occamy. We never saw the bird, though, and that is probably a good thing.

Our First Assignment

So, excited!!! I landed at camp in a flurry! Life is so busy - it's nice to be able to get away to camp and relax a little. First thing I did on the first night at camp??? Brew me a pot of peppermint tea. Yummmm!! Yes, I always bring with me that very old fashioned kettle that you can put over a campfire flame. Those are the best. Of course, I made enough to share with my cabin mates.

This week I don't think we have too many activities. We're just taking the time to get to know our spoilees a little better and we are putting forth some information so that our spoiler can get to know us better. My spoilee is in the Forbidden Forest Treehouse. What fun that must be! Let me tell you!!! I know what me and my cabin mates will be doing on Friday night. Can you guess?? It has something to do with white paper rolls LOL

• Knit or crochet or both? Knit
• Brands you would like to try but don't have easy access to: Not picky. Anything soft will do
• Favorite fibers/least favorite fibers: Wool is my favorite, anything plasticky is my least favorite
• Favorite colors/least favorite colors: Lurvs blues and green. Can stand neon yellows and oranges
• Yarn weight preferences: Chunky is best
• Favorite projects: Bags, bags, and more bags, but also love scarves, fingerless mitts, and hats
• Favorite gadgets: My new android phone? Does that count? :)
• Favorite designers: Hmmmm . . . I'm going to have to think about that for a minute.
• Salty or Sweet or...? Love both, but sweet is the preference
• Tea or Coffee or...? Definitely both.
• Allergies: None, unless you count summer!!
• Other things you like, i.e., buttons, pens, fabric, stitchmarkers, etc. Honestly, anything handmade is first in my book.
• Currently Craving: Starbucks - 1/2 caff, soy, peppermint white mocha!!!!
• Where you might have wish lists (Loopy Ewe, Amazon, Etsy) Amazon (jeneanw), I'll have to work on an Etsy wish list very soon.
• Measurements (feet for socks, wrists, head circumference) This information is forthcoming

My Kit!

Sorry to have taken so long in posting this! I got an absolutely amazing kit from Amber Phoenixfyre.

A kitty cloth, yarn, needles for the handles of the Knitting Needle Bag pattern (also included), cloth to line the bag, a tea pot (sadly, with a broken handle), and a tea cozy, glass calligraphy pen, burgandy ink, stitch markers, homemade chocolate frogs, bug bite chocolate, and a slytherin sock.

Love, love, love!! The kiddos jumped on the chocolate as soon as possible. Thank you, Amber!!!! And I couldn't pull the wool over here eyes either. She knew that Wartbobble and I have identity issues from time to time LOL

Placemarker

Squeeeeee!!! I received my package from my spoiler, but am having some photo issues at the moment. I will revisit this issue tomorrow, upload pics and give a full account.

Under the Wire

I seriously will have to catch up on my posting. For now this will have to suffice. I'm a terrible swap player. Ugh!

AAAaaaaahhhhh!!!

Can this month move any faster??? Unfortunately, I didn't get my handmade portion done before today's deadline. I will have to finish it up this week. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to post before next Saturday at this time. Things are crazy, but I will update with some progress pictures soon.

My Walk Through The Woods

This week I took a walk through the woods. Why? Some might say I'm crazy because you can find all manner of things in those woods, but I really needed to take some time away this week. Life has been so crazy!! Well, while I was in the woods - the forbidden forest I spied thestrals, unicorns, and I thought that I saw the wild Ford Anglia, but it might have just been a shadow.

Thankfully, no one or nothing was alerted to my presence. I left feeling a little more peaceful and ready to take on the next set of problems with the coming week.

No Homework

I am so, so sorry, but I will not be able to post my homework this week. The week was busier than I thought that it would be and then today was a comedy of errors. I took my camera to my daughter's last game today with the intention of taking pictures for the homework assignment only to have my rechargeable batteries run out on me. After going to three games today in two different cities and doing homework I am bushed!! I'm totally failing at this homework thing! Please forgive me, Slytherins.

Schoolwork & Sacramento

Lots and lots of homework these days!! My coursework includes economics, which I hate!!

The exciting thing for this upcoming week, however is my trip to Sacramento!! I get to attend the muggle Parents & Teachers Association State Convention!! I will be going with someone else from my local PTA, so I'm not sure that I'll be able to stop at any knitting shops. If I do get a chance it would be Rumplestiltskin in Sacramento. Has anyone ever been to that shop?

Sacramento Tower Bridge

Anywhoo, I have not started on my spoilees package just yet, BUT I have plans and already have ideas in the works. Next week my budget will allow some purchases to be made and the kit will begin to come together, so WATCH OUT, Celestina!

Homework Week 3

Part One: Please Describe and Explain 5 items that you would use for the care of Magical Creatures.

Nifflers

Ordinary item: Cage. Honestly, I'm not sure what good these creatures have except terrorizing those who are wearing shiny objects. They are friendly, but more then likely their home would be a cage.

Banshee

Ordinary Item: Ear plugs. Need I say more?

Fire Crab

Ordinary Item: Fire Extinguisher

Mooncalf

Ordinary Item: Potato Sack. Mooncalfs have a silvery dung that, if collected before the sun comes up, makes an excellent fertilizer.

Snidget

Ordinary Item: Bird Cage. I would also have to invest in some kind of drape, however, because snidgets come with a high penalty if someone happen to find one at my house.

Part Two: Complete the following quiz about House Elves. 5 points for each correct answer.

1. Please describe the physical appearance of a house elf.

From The Harry Potter Wiki -

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/House-elf

House elves are between two to three feet tall, with spindly arms and legs and over-sized heads and eyes. They have pointed, bat-like ears and high, squeaky voices. Rather than conventional clothing, house-elves wear discarded items like pillowcases and tea-towels. Though when they are freed, and when they are able to pay for proper clothing, they seem to not know how to wear it. For example, Dobby wore a single different styled sock on each foot.

2. Kreacher is the house elf of which wizarding family?

The Black Family

3. What is Hermione Granger making for the house elves?

Hats and scarves

4. How do you free a house elf?

By giving him his/her very own clothing to wear

5. What does S.P.E.W. stand for?

Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare OR Society for the Production of Excellent Wearables

Part Three: Bonus/Extra Credit assignment. For a bonus assignment, knit or crochet a SPEW project that will be sent to our lovely Ms. Mooney as part of this year's S.P.E.W project. You will receive 25 points for your completed project.

Homework Week 2

I had great intentions this week. Unfortunately, I must settle for the short cuts - charms used liberally!

Bowtruckle

Remembrall

Golden Snitch

Hagrid's Rock Cakes

Decoy Detonator

Nose-Biting Teacup

Spectrespecs

Time Turner

Spoke Too Soon!

I just realized that I will be out of town for the first Slytherin Quidditch match. I won't be able to participate until the next game. Boo!! I am definitely bummed! So, for now I shall practice being a Chaser for the next game.

I am a Beater

So excited! We got our Quidditch jerseys today.

One of my favorite colors, too!!

Beater Description

Those that uphold this title should be well versed in the Potter lexicon and trivia. You will be using trivia to stump the opposing team and send a bludger in the direction of one of their players. The opposite team will likewise be trying to stump us, so quick and accurate internet searches for information is key. There are TWO Beater positions.

Game Schedule

April 24th: Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff

May 1st: Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin
May 8th-9th: "bye week" (Happy Mother's Day!)
May 16th: Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor
May 23rd: Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin
May 29th-30th: "bye week"
June 5th: Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw
June 12th: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

The First Day Back at Hogwarts

*sigh!* It feels so good to be home!!! Yes, I call this place home even though it's really just a boarding school. And sometimes it can just be a glorified boarding school at that! Some of my favorite classmates are no longer here, but no matter! I will still find a group of girls to hang with and possibly cause a little mischief with *giggle*

Homework Week 1

Well, I feel terrible to start school off with absent mindedness, but I don't think I'll get a good grade on my first assignment. We are to list the three characters that we picked for our kits, but I can only remember the first two. Isn't that terrible??

Dolores Umbridge - Dolores is absolutely hateful!!! But, she loved her pretty things. I've also always been facinated with her pink purse that only shows up in two scenes. In the picture below and also when she's being introduced to the students in the Great Hall. One day I WILL create a pattern for this purse and knit it!

Bellatrix LeStrange - Another hateful character, and relative of mine, but honestly the best at what she does - crazy! Yes, she does crazy very well, and I love her because she shows such loyalty to Voldemort till her dying breath.

Andromeda Black - I chose her for no reason whatsoever, except that she's part of the Black family tree, which are distant relatives of mine.

I did find out that my swap buddy is the great Celestina Pettigrew from Griffindor House. I'm looking forward to getting to know her more and putting together a great boarding school care package together for her.

To those of you who do not know me, I'm called Cat. My full name is Catriona LeStrange. I'm a 6th year student, though this is only the second time that I'm participating in the swap.

I am related to the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange by way of marriage. My uncle is Rodolphus Lestrange, the husband of Bellatrix. You don't hear speak of her, but my mother - Relio Lestrange - was sister to both Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange. She is a true Slytherin at heart, but she distanced herself from her brothers when they were caught and given life sentences in Azkaban.

So, mostly I am a pretty nice person and easy to get along with, but every once and a while a little snarkiness may surface. Just make sure you don't get your panties in bunch! Take it in stride - that's what I always say :)

The Blogging Game!

Well, it's time to get back to blogging and I will, as soon as I finish feeding my cats . . . . there are so many!