As The End Draws Near

Wow! Can you believe how fast this month has flown by.  But don't worry, we still have a few days left of frantic crafting to get our homework assignments in before the final bell chimes.

Some of our Den Mates have been working hard all month long.  And truly lifted the bar on crafting.  Let's see what they've been up too and be inspired in the process.

DIVINATION
For the class this month you may:
Option 1: Craft the flame.
Option 2: Craft something that represents the question you asked of the flame.
Option 3: Craft something inspired by a symbol you saw in the flame (this does not have to be an Ancient Egyptian symbol but you may use that for inspiration if you wish), explaining what you think it means.
Non Rav Crafts are allowed if pre-approved, see post 1 for details.

 Skrewkat dared to stare into the flames and asked her questions and the answer the flames gave her is this awesome convertible lattice worked hat/cowl 

 Jen2291 saw spots when she looked into the flames. Disneyland spots!

 Kimanneberly looked into the flame and saw symbols found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. She then crafted these stitch markers to depict these symbols. Nice work.

DADA
option 1.) Study the natural form of the boggart. No-one has yet identified what the boggart actually looks like. Eliminate your fears from your heart and craft something that you believe would represent a boggart, when it has no fears to shape shift into.

Option 2.) humour is known to defeat a boggart. Practice the riddikulus charm to eliminate a boggart by crafting something that provokes laughter and gaiety.”

JillinSingapore practiced her riddikulus charm and crafted a ninja robot for option 2 for DADA. I love this little guy!

Vspringer searched out the true nature of the boggart and found it's true form.

TheWindWraith had good luck practicing the riddikulus charm.  She conjured up a boggart wearing this awesomely funny hat!

CHARMS
Option 1: “Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.”
Knitting/Crochet/Weaving: Fight ugliness. Celebrate beauty. Make an item that makes someone look good. You define what “looks good” is but it must be for a human being.

Option 2: “Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slime-ball.”
Knitting/Crochet/Weaving: Make an item either to embellish someone’s hair or that covers dirty hair.

Option 3: “Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people’s business.”
Spinning: A spindle looks like a long nose. Spin some yarn using a drop spindle.

Option 4: “Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a Professor.”
Dyeing: Show that Snape was a great Potions Professor. Dye some yarn in colors inspired by a potion ingredient. Identify the ingredient and explain how it inspired you.

Nutmegandmia showed off how great a Potions Professor was with her homework assignment.  Lovely colors.  A true master.

 Froggie3ds crafted an item to make someone look good with multi-uses. Brilliant!

 Neptunesmoon decided to fight ugliness for her homework assignment and crafted this gorgeous top!

CARE of MAGICAL CREATURES
Craft something that reminds you of the ashwinder. Consider its physical properties: how it is born, something to protect from heat/fire, something to help clean up from the dust that it leaves in its wake. These are just some ideas! We look forward to see how you study the ashwinder!

Trapeze12 followed an ashwinder and was sure glad she'd crafted this lovely cowl to save her from the ash when it's egg exploded on her.

Froggie3ds preformed an experiment and feed an ashwinder skittles.  Just look at the rainbow... Er, I mean results!

Quiltyone crafted this dress the color of the flame and matching ashwinder scarf!  I think it deserves three cheers!

 Hope you all as inspired as I am after looking at everyone's homework assignments!

Firstie Fridays: BADGES!!

Happy Friday, Badgers! I hope everyone has been celebrating a lot since last Firstie Friday.

Today I’d like to talk about something very near and dear to my heart: badges. I may love badges even more than I love points, and I lurve points. So let's get straight to the...

FIRSTIE TIP OF THE WEEK: Collect badges!

Badges are collectible bits of love.

Badges are wonderful for many reasons:

·         you can wear them for your robes and let everyone know how amazing you are;

·         you can make project pages for them to see just how super-amazing you can be in a month or in a term or over Hogsmeade Weekend;

·         you can be mega-amazing like kaypendragon of Ravenclaw and do this; or

·         you can come up with something even more über-amazing than that to collect and display your achievements!

If you do that last one, please share your idea with us in the comments!

So shiny. So very, very shiny.

Before you can show off your badges, though, you have to earn them. Where can you find badges to earn in the Den? I’m glad you asked! Here’s a list of some of the places I know you can find Hufflepuff badges. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, so if I left something off, let me know!

·         Quidditch Locker Room

·         IHU thread 

·         Order of the Phoenix advisory thread

·         OWL advisory threads

·         Huffletainment Center

·         HECK

Badges are also extremely fun to make, so I’m going to give you one just for reading this post. That’s right – you get a super secret special badge!

Thanks for reading, Badgers! Congratulations on your Firstie Fridays badge! Now go check out the awesome threads I linked to above and get yourself some more badges. Huzzah!

Firstie Fridays: Let's Celebrate!

Happy Friday, Badgers!  If you can believe it, tomorrow marks the halfway point of the term. I thought now would be the perfect time to take a good look at how our terms are going. I encourage you to play along, whether you’re a Firstie or you’ve been here longer than Peeves!

FIRSTIE TIP OF THE WEEK: CELEBRATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS! CHEER FOR YOURSELF AND FOR YOUR HOUSEMATES.

To take stock of my term so far, I’m going to steal a really good idea: the Five Good Things lists that we make over in the NQFY Waiting Room where I am on the mentoring team. The Five Good Things list is just what it sounds like: you list five things that make you proud, happy, or excited. For an example, let's take a look at my list.

Five Good Things About Jessia’s Firstie Term So Far:

1.       I got 257 points in May. I wasn’t sure if I could get that in one term, let alone one month, so I’m proud of myself for that.

2.       Being a Quidditch Beater is one of the most fun things in the world, and I’m really glad that I made it onto the team.

3.       I think I’m finally getting over my fear of using the good stuff from my stash. I’ve been hesitant because I don't think I'm skilled enough to merit using nice yarn. If I don’t start using it, though, I will end up with a collection of really pretty skeins instead of finished projects, so I’m done just petting it and ready to start knitting it. Then, of course, I will pet it some more.

4.       I sprinted for Hufflepuff glory! I was one of the last ‘Puff sprinters to cross the Quidditch finish line, but I surprised myself by finishing my tote on the first day. I was proud of my effort.

5.       IHU fun times! I love IHU, and I’m having a blast working on it. You should all check it out. It might end up on your Five Good Things list, too!

There you have it! Those are five things I’m really happy about right now. What about you? Think about all the projects you’ve done and the activities in which you’ve participated. Did you craft something amazing, make a new friend, earn a crazy amount of bonus points, learn a new technique, or otherwise surprise yourself with your own Badgertasticness™? Make your own Five Good Things list and see just how much you’ve accomplished! Even if you think you didn’t accomplish anything, once you sit down and try to come up with Good Things, you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your list fills up.

Once you’ve got your Five Good Things list, think about sharing it with your fellow Badgers in PBQuest, the UCR, or your cete! You will get plenty of encouragement when you post your list. That’s one of the things I love most about Hufflepuffs: how much they enjoy cheering on their housemates. It feels great to have your fellow ‘Puffs celebrate your accomplishments with you, and it feels great to celebrate your housemates’ accomplishments, too. Huzzah Hufflepuff!

Thanks for reading, Badgers! Go celebrate all the great things we’ve done so far, and then get ready to be even more amazing as we begin the second half of the term!

Hufflepuff's in Action

Wow! The Hufflepuff's are already on fire this month.  There are so many great, great homework assignments being turned. I'm going to take us on walk through of just a few classes and some of the awesomenesss of your fellow Den mates!

TRANSFIGURATION Option: Craft your animagus! A purple wombat? A technicolor caterpillar? Show us in fibery goodness your representation of what your animagus would be if you were of an age to transform, and tell us why if you want.
Non-Ravelry crafts will be accepted, with prior approval. WIPs will not be accepted, those are best taken to Detention.

 Sandy62 found out her animagus form is an adorable chicken!

Check out Costumer47's adorable puppy dog animagus.

Lea67000's a bunny in her animagus form.

LadyDragonsinger's name says it all.  Check out her dragon animagus!

POTIONS Assignment: Craft something related to a Felix Felicis-created perfect day.
Imagine you are in one of Slughorn’s classes with Lily, James, Severus and their classmates (or further back in time with Tom Riddle, Arthur Weasley, Frank Longbottom or Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Andromeda Black). You’ve won the Felix Felicis! What will you do with your perfect day? Would you cut your first steek, try a tricky technique, or enjoy your favourite fiber/pattern/colour? Or craft something you would use during your perfect day, or to represent something you would do once everything was going your way.

MollyOMali's perfect day would include a sunny sky with puffy, white clouds, lilacs in bloom and hanging out on her farm with her wonderful array of animals. To represent this day she crafted this beautiful Gaptastic Cowl.

MidwestAliceAnn's perfect day would include someone else doing her dishes with this lovely dishcloth.

LumosKP's perfect day would include a day full of dyeing.  Lovely colors!

HISTORY of MAGIC Option 1: The Night Sky. Use an aspect of Damara’s robes in a project -- moons, blue and silver, the night sky…
Option 2: Baby items and expectant mothers. Historians speculate that Damara is tired and hungry because her portrait was painted while she was pregnant. Present your findings along with a baby item or an item an expecting mother would need. This includes the food she is always begging for!
Option 3: Romance. Since being painted, Damara has developed quite a crush on Sir Cadogan. Craft something she could give him to coax him into her frame for a date.

Twistetsister was inspired by the sparkling stars when she knit this gorgeous shawl.

Namihn was also inspired by the night sky when she worked up these lovely night sky blue socks.

PprmntMochaMama crafted this lovely tissue box cover for baby and mother.

HERBOLOGY 1) Craft something large, purple, bouncy, or cumbersome. Using any rav-sanctioned craft, create something akin to the great bouncing bulb and craft something abnormally large or at least noticeably, disproportionately larger than normal. A RIDICULOUSLY large hat perhaps? Like the bouncing bulb, make sure this item seems to stand out.

2) GOBLIN……POTTERY? The large bulb is accustomed to making strong, quaking movements above and below its soil. No, don’t create an actual ceramic pot, but instead create a (or cushion an already existing) container in which your bulb will feel comfy. Use any rav-sanctioned craft. In the case of weaving, remember that several materials can be woven, OR a very yarn-friendly method such as coiled yarn basketry.

RedNu crafted this large hat using lovely bulky yarn.

Knitbunnie made this lovely container to cushion her bulb. Lovely blue.

Yarnvista went large, purple, bouncy and cumbersome with her totally awesome bath sponge!

Stay tuned for more Hufflepuff's in action.

Hufflepuff PRIDE. I mean PRIZE!

From now and for a couple days, prizes are up for voting from the first month of this term: May.  Hufflepuff has an outstanding showing of projects for this month--and you should take a moment to go check them out.  here's the rundown of who's where...

Charms:
Larcyarn
Texaninalaska--pcitured left
Sandyvern

DADA:
lae67000--pictured left
Jen2291

Detention:
Poofybirdy
Craftyshanna--pictured left (and, of course I'd pick this photo!)

Divination:
Jen2291
Atlowery--pictured left
Anneknits

Herbology:
Lucamama

HoM:
JMN--pictured left
Poofybird

Potions:
kimanneberly--pictured left
Jen2291

Quidditch:
Timeless1--pictured left
Jen2291

Transfiguration:
MidwestAliceAnn
LarcYarn
Gatigermom--pictured left










Uh, WHOA.  Did you see that?  Jen2291 has 4, yes, count them 4 nominations.  woot!
Let's take a moment and check out her nominations, since 4 is pretty dern impressive:

DADA is her patronus, the beetle

Divination is her fanatical Dr. Who shawl

Potions is her Autumn Song lilac shawl
(pictured left)

Quidditch is her African Flower orphan blanket squares

One thing this blogger can conclude from studying Jen2291's work: she's a talented crocheter who isn't scared to let her fandom show.



And, how about a shout out to our 2 members who have 2 nominations?

Larcyarn (bows graciously)

And
PoofyBirdy

Get your vote on for the next couple days.  Good work everyone-hope to see some more talented Hufflepuffs up for prizes next month, too!

Spinners & Weavers plus a June Update

Do you own a spindle, a wheel, or a loom? Do you really want to and want some tips on spinning and weaving? Hop on over to the Spinners and Weavers thread in the Den. There are badges for turning in a spinning or weaving project during term and also the illustrious Triple Crown badge for spinning, dying, and using your handspun in a project. 

Our spinners and weavers range from beginners to advanced so don't be shy, jump on in! They love to help and ooh and ahh over your projects. In my research I decided to ooh and ahh as well. 

A beautiful woven shawl by cariboustar:

Some beautiful yarn spun by Hufflepuff abroad minsue for get NEWT:

Nobody has yet claimed the illustrious Triple Crown yet but head on over to the Spinners and Weavers thread to see some awesome examples of these fibre arts!

---

Earlier this term The HuffleBlog featured The HuffleTainment Center and HECK. With a new month in progress they have new topics and -Alongs. Head in over to The HuffleTainment Center to talk all things music or head over go the new June HECK thread to participate in the Professor's challenge of honoring a Hogwarts professor in a June turn in (with an awesome Lego badge!) or join the Beat the Heat-along for June with lots of great patterns perfect for summer. And don't forget, if you need some help fitting a project into a class HECK is the place to go!

Quidditch, It's in the Bag!

Hello Quidditch Fans!  On 6 June we will begin our next Match! The thought of that excites me, how about you?

First, a review...
Training Film 2: Heat Therapy was a wonderful Match.  It was a win/win for each House.  The teams crafted beautiful hats and blanket squares which will be given to charities all over the world!  So, no matter how many items where crafted, everyone wins.  Our wonderful Headmistress, yarnvista, had this to say about the Match, "...It kinda gets me misty that every single thing in this challenge was made to make someone else’s life a little cozier."

Let's roll the Headlights Reel! (If statistics makes your head spin, you should skip this section.):
Here are the final UNOFFICIAL Goals:

Looking at the chart it appears that Hufflepuff made a second place showing.  Let's look a little closer...

• On average, each Hufflepuff team player turned in 4.48 items, Ravenclaw 4.52 items, Gryffindor 4.34 items, and Slytherin 4.19 items. 
• Although Slytherin was only 2 goals behind Hufflepuff, we turned in 28 more items, that's 420 points.
• Gryffindor has increased its lead over Hufflepuff from 210 unofficial points to 780 unofficial points (points do not include bonus points). 

Great job Badgers!
That wasn't so bad, was it? You made it through the statistics.

It's in the Bag!
On Thursday, Training Film 3: Speed Sprints begins at Midnight POT.  Here is your fearless Sprints Team:
1st year JessiaSott
2nd year brighteyesjessy
3rd year krazykt82000
4th year SharonLuvs2Knit2
5th year msoyster
6th year jen2291
7th year Lucamama
B1 Lea67000
B2 Mamalion
B3 cariboustar
B4 hazelly
B5 Luckynumbers
B6 kimanneberly
B7 ChellBelle
M1 zillalatte
Alternates:
JMN
nwheatley

The points for this Match will be given in a decreasing manner.  The first 4 completed bags will receive 30 points, the next 4 will receive 29 points, and so on and so forth.  I know many 'Puffs are planning to wake up early for the POT start time!  Way to go Badgers!

In the Locker Room, FlyKytten has declared her desire to win The Cup!  A few team members have concurred! Would you like to win The Cup?  Here's how YOU can help...

Everyone (other than team members) is invited to the Pep Rally to show your team spirit.  You will receive 5 points for participating.  AND if you craft something for this event, you can turn it in elsewhere in The Cup for points!  The Quidditch coaches do ask that you use a different photo from the Quidditch photo when you turn in elsewhere. 

Go Badgers, Go!

(Photo curtsey of our fearless Captain LumosKP.)
That's all the Quidditch news for now.  Enjoy your week.  Until next time; Keep your eyes on the Golden Snitch.

Free Points!

Do you want some free points? Points you get for doing nothing but things you needed to do anyway?

Then head on over and participate in the Headmistress Challenge! This term's challenge is all about real life activities in order to show off how much of a well-rounded student you are. There are nine areas of life you can do a portfolio in for ten points. You can do up to four portfolios: that's 40 points just for posting about something you've already needed to do!

The nine areas you can complete an activity in are: artistic, athletics, communications, cooking, ecology, mechanics & handiness, music, organization, and social. All you need to get your ten free points is post a small description of what you did and photographic evidence. And don't worry! You do not have to be in the picture for it to count so those who are camera shy can still get their free points. 

I've completed three of my portfolios so far so here's what I did, see how easy it is?

Cooking - I tried the recipe FlyKytten posted here on the blog last month. 10 points!

Music - I had an elementary school program my band played in. It was something I had to do for work. 10 points! (This is also a great example of blurring out things you don't want people to see. I had to do it for my students but you could blur out yourself or if you're writing a novel show it with the words blurred out)

Athletics - I worked out with my exercise ball! If you didn't want to be in the picture just a shot of the ball would work. 10 points!

Tonight I'm off to dinner with some friends. Social for 10 more points! And don't forget that the headmistress might give out some super secret bonus points! She's pretty awesome that way!

So go paint a picture, play a game of soccer, or bake some muffins and get your free points! You were going to do it anyway!