1/2 FO & A Big Merci Beaucoup!

Ta da! One Yarntini Sock done - the other cast on and on the way to being done! And I added it to my Ravelry account last night. I'm on there as jfw04.

And I started a baby sweater for my cousin - she is due in October with a boy. I'm using Twisted Fiber Arts dutchess yarn in Filanon and Ankh. I also put this into Ravelry!

Now, for the big THANK YOUS! This is a picture of my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 2 package! The bag and the needle case is amaging. And Jenean sent me some beautiful Gryffindor colored Alpaca yarn. Ummmm, Alpaca, my favorite. And some stitch markers in a potion bottle and some HP candies! Wonderful in every way!

Last week I got these wonderful goodies from my mini prge swap buddie! I love the Atticus Finch card as well as the card made by Shannah herself.

And last but certainly not least, a little gift package from my Sock it To Me Swap partner. A hand knit wash cloth, soap and lotion (not pictured because it is my shower?), handmade stitch markers, a "mix" cd, and a Godiva Chocolate bar (not pictured for obvious reasons). Isn't that just the coolest wash cloth? She designed it herself!

So, now I have to start knitting socks for my Sock it To Me Swap partner and for my Hogwarts Swap partner. And add them to Ravelry.

Geek Squad To The Rescue?

I have spent way too much time with the Geek Squad. Our computer at work went into a coma last week and the Geek Squad came to fix it on Wednesdy. I know enough about computers to be dangerous so I try not to get too involved with the mechanics of it all... but this week I had no choice and spent more than half my day waiting for the Geeks at work and instore. And some of today. I wish they were funny like Loius and Gilbert from Revenge of the Nerds. Are geeks just nerds without a sense of humor? What is the difference? If a geek and a nerd had a baby would it be a gerd or a neek? These are the things I pondered while I waited at the store for our poor computer to go through various operations. I also though of how silly it was that my knitting and HP book 7 were in the car. I guess I was afraid to leave our pc's side while it was "critical". Good news is that the computer at work is fixed and mom and I can now "get'er done".

I saw Sonic Youth last Friday. They were really amazing. I always liked them from afar but never did own an album. I will have to borrow from my husband.

I sent of my prge package on Wednesday! Hurray! My swap buddy Shannah sent me a surprise package last week full of amazing original art and vintage postcards. I hope she likes what I sent her.

I also mailed out my HSKS2 package last week. My Slytherin pal got her goodies! Hurray for the USPS

I also got a surprise from my Sock It to Me pal. Amazing. If I weren't such a barbarian I'd have taken a photo of everything instead of ripping into it all like a 4 year old on Christmas morning. I promise to take photos tomorrow...I gotta see the beautiful washcloth she knit me! Oh...and a very cool mix cd.

Didn't you just love the mix tape....my friends were always making them for eachother when we were young. My brother still makes them and I gave him one for Christmas. I want to start making that again. I just need to load all my music on my iTunes first. Not looking forward to that. Ick

So, photos tomorrow!

Swarm of Swap Owls!

I know I am lucky. I have an amazing family, good health, wonderful friends. I am also lucky to have some amazingly taleneted and generous HP sock swap partners.

First, my hp-bk7 swap package from Deana. I asked for Dobby socks and I got the most amazing pair of mismatched socks. Deana dyed some wonderful yarn for my socks and added some Reeses Peanut Butter cups, White Castle Coffed, a DA diary and a Wand Pen. I got my package several days ago but couldn't find my card reader. See for yourself how cool this package was:





On Saturday my Hogwarts Sock Swap package arrived from Daisy Quickspell, a.k.a. Angela of Ravenclaw. I love my striped Gryffindor house colors socks - they fit perfectly. I got stitch markers, HP candy, DP needles in various sizes, point protectors, and a very cool project bag made from some HP/owl fabric. I have watched this fabric on Ebay and know that it is very hard to find. Thanks Angela! Amazing job!




Since I can't got to the Borders party for the book release on Friday night (my husband and I are going to see Sonic Youth) I will wear some HP socks to the show. I have 250 pages to go in Half Blood Prince. I hope I can make it in time to start book 7 right away!

Hurray for sock swaps and all the kind, generous folks out there that make these things possible!

HSKS2 Trivia

Q&A's

1. What did Mrs. Weasley make to eat the first night that Harry arrived at Grimmauld Place?
Stew

2. When the children are de-Doxying the curtains what lunch does Mrs. Weasley say she will bring them?
Sandwiches

3. When Hermione arranges to meet Rita Skeeter in "The Three Broomsticks", what is Luna Lovegood eating?
A cocktail onion

4. The wizard bank Gringotts is located hundreds of miles below London, deep under the Underground. Due to this, what does Hagrid say you are mostly likely to die of even if you manage to break into one of the vaults?
Hypothermia

5. True or False: In "Sorcerer's Stone", when asked by Harry what the difference is between stalagmites and stalactites, Hagrid's answer is: "A stalactite grows down from the ceiling. A stalagmite grows up from the floor."
True

6. In "Prisoner of Azkaban", Harry meets Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, at the Leaky Cauldron when getting off the Knight Bus. Fudge takes him inside and sits him down to have a "chat" with him about blowing up his aunt Marge. Fudge says that everything has been repaired and that the Dursleys are prepared to take him back next summer on what condition?
That he spend the Christmas and Easter holidays at Hogwarts

7. In "Prisoner of Azkaban", Harry spends time every day gazing longingly at his dream broom, the Firebolt. The first day he ever saw it, Harry overheard the owner of Quality Quidditch Supplies telling everyone that which National Quidditch team had just placed an order for seven of them?
Irish International Side

8. Book Three: When Harry is hiding under the table in the three broomsticks what drink does Flitwick order?
Cherry syrup and soda

9. How much do Fred and George bet on Ireland winning and Krum getting the Snitch (Ignore the 5 Galleons for the fake wand)?
37 galleons, 15 sickles, 3 knuts

10. How much does a journey on the Knight Bus (without toothbrush or chocolate) from Magnolia Crescent to London cost?
11 sickles

Picture Scavenger Hunt
(worth 5 house points)
You can either post the pictures on your blog or leave a link so that we may find it.


Fountain from the Ministry of Magic


Quidditch World Cup Campsite


Diagon Alley


The Knight Bus


Flourish and Blotts

Super Swap Pal, Ravelry and Yarntini!....and my ol'ball n'chain

First off, I must say a huge and belated thanks to Deana for an amazing hb-bk7-sock-it-or-swap-it package! I love my Dobby socks - she even dyed the yarn herself. And the goodies - Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, White Castle Coffee, HP Wand Pen and I DA Diary! I am spoiled beyond belief. I had taken pictures but couldn't find your card reader so I will post soon hopefully! I sent my last two swap packages off today for the HSKS2 and to my hp-bk7 partner so I have a small break!

Today I got my e-mail to join Ravelry. I am so excited. I love databases and boy does my stash/UFO collection need one. I was a Registrar in a former life so this is right up my alley.

Oh, and I got my installment of the Yarntini/Pureknits sock club. The yarn and pattern are amazing. The Loopy Ewe's Q3 challenge is to knit a sock from a pattern that you see as a challenge. I think this one will work just fine.

Lastly, I have a husband. I know I don't write about him enough but I want to respect his rights as I do my kids. He is an amazing artist, musician and friend. He likes the Simpsons, Buckethead and The Big Liebowski. There's his shot out for now! I love him very much.

Bon soir!

Vacation

Well, it may seem like all I do is answer questionnaires. But I actually just got back from visiting family in Wisconsin. Here are some pictures to prove it. All was green and lovely. Lots of fireflies and corn. If I hadn't gotten a nasty sinus infection it would have been perfect!

Hogwarts Sock Swap Two Questionaire

Hey - I'm a Second Year! The sign ups for First Years (new folks to the swap) start on July 14th. I had a lot of fun with the first round and hope more new people join. The info. is at hogwarts-sock-swap-two.blogspot.com (will link later). Go check it out.

So, here are my questionnaire answers.

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire
Second Years

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Gryffindor

2. Shoe size? Foot length? Foot circumference? 8.5 size shoe, 9 in. long, 9 in circ.

3. List your three favorite sock yarns.
a. Fleece Artist Sea Wool
b. Socks that Rock
c. Cider Moon Glacier

4. Would you like to try a new brand of sock yarn? If so, which brand? Sure, surprise me.

5. Do you prefer variegated or solid sock yarn? Variegated

6. What colors would you like to add to your sock yarn stash? I’m up for anything – just not browns.

7. What kind of sock patterns do you gravitate toward? Lace? Ribbed? Fair Isle? I like lace and ribbed.

8. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, animals, etc.) NO!

9. Will your socks be exposed to cigarette smoke or animals as you knit them? Yes, I have cats and a dog.

10. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? Oui!

Sock It To Me Swap Q&A

Here are my Q&A's for the Sock It To Me Swap!

1. What are your foot measurements? (Please give shoe size, length and circumference.) size 8.5 shoe, 9 in. long., 9 in. circ.
2. How long have you been knitting? How would you rate your experience? 2 years this summer. I’m Intermediate I’d say.
3. What is your favorite color? Your least favorite color? I love green, blue and red. Not such a big fan of yellow.
4. Do you have a favorite fiber? What type? Yes! Alpaca!
5. Do you have any allergies to certain fibers? NO
6. Do you have an Amazon, or other type of, wishlist? (If so, provide the link.) Yes – will update link asap
7. What techniques, if any, would you like to learn? I’d like to perfect cables.
8. Do you have a sweet tooth? What are your favorite snacks? Oh yes. Huh, right now trail mix from Trader Joes. Or a piece of chocolate!
9. What is your family situation? (Children, Husband, Pets...etc.) 2 boys (2&4), 1 husband, 1 dog, 2 cats and one fish.
10. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Metal, plastic or wood? I guess straights/dpns for socks. I like metal.
11. Besides socks, what are your favorite items to knit? Lace, hats and bags
12. Is there a pattern, (sock or otherwise), that you are dying to try? Yes, dragon scale shawl.
13. Do you like to read? What are you reading currently? Yes! I am reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince right now.
14. Do you collect music? (On an iPod or MP3 player.) Yes!
15. What kind of music do you listen to? 80’s alternative/punk, Classic Country /Western, U2, Radiohead, Jane’s Addiction, The Killers.
16. Is there anything you collect? Not really – unless you count handbags.
17. What are your hobbies, aside from knitting? Yoga, running, travel, baking…I am completely addicted to the TV show LOST right now. We rented the first season on Netflix and I can’t get enough! Is that a hobby though?
18. Are you participating in any other swaps or knit alongs? Yes – please see my side bar.
19. Do you have a favorite scent? Green or tropical. Or the smell of baking chocolate chip cookies. Oh and this amazing Agave Tuberose candle my husband has.
20. When is your birthday? (You don't have to add the year if you don't want to, LOL.) December 4th. I’m 35.

HSKS2 Trivia

I am out of town, i'm sick, boys sick. But I can't let my Gryffindors down. So, here goes. Now back to the couch.

Trivia
1. "What happens if I wave my wand and nothing happens?" "Throw it away and punch him on the nose." Which two people are talking?
Harry and Ron

2."If he raided our house he'd have to put himself under arrest." Who say this?
Fred Weasley

3. When sitting on the wall next to Professor Dumbledore at the beginning of the book, who does Professor McGonagall bet was the wizard responsible for the shooting stars seen by Muggles over Kent?
Dedalus Diggle

4. Known by the students as Nearly Headless Nick, what was Nick's actual name?
Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington

5. When venturing into the Dark Forest with Hagrid for their detention, who is the first centaur Harry and Hermione see?
Ronan

6. We know that Parvati Patil was sorted into Gryffindor house, but what house was her twin Padma sorted into?
Ravenclaw

7. What colour do the flames turn when you use Floo powder?
Emerald green

8. What colour tie was Cornelius Fudge wearing when he came to take Hagrid to Azkaban?
Scarlet

9. After running away from the Dursley's, Harry took up a room at the Leaky Cauldron. What number room did he stay in?
11

10. While Ron, Hermione, and his other classmates are in Hogsmeade, Harry stops in for a chat with Professor Lupin. What did Lupin tell Harry he had just taken delivery of for their next lesson?
Grindylows

Picture Scavenger Hunt
The pictures can either be posted on your blog or you can link to them from your blog.

Harry's Aunt

Whomping Willow

Cornelius Fudge

Buckbeak

Emma Watson