Happy advanced studies Friday!

I've finished the body of my OWL sweater and am now working on the hood.  Then the sleeves (which I think I'll knit in the round instead), sewing them in, and I'm done!

Still nothing on my NEWT, but I've made a ton of progress on my OWL!  I'm getting close to the armpits on the body.  The hood takes a long time though because the cabling is so complex. 



The colour isn't accurate here: it's a jewel-toned blue-green heather in real life.

OK, round-up time!

@Noodle-bug: love the mug rug!  Those knots must have taken FOREVER.  And the blankie is even more beautiful now  Also loved the pincushion and the teapot planter. Great recycling!

@Pinkleo: you are a crochet machine!  I can't believe how speedy you are!  And fingers crossed for you for your biopsy!  I have a thyroid one probably coming up in a month.

@Pottermouth: that is one sneaky little bowtruckle, how did you cram him under the bell jar?  All they do is point and laugh at me!  And the little elephant purse  

@Eiseldora: The robe looks good!  It's a nice cool summer one with short sleeves eh?  And so jealous you're already gardening.  It's snowing here right now, I kid you not.

@Audania: those aprons are just adorable, and I love the use of toile.  Very chic!

@Fiberalchemist: grats on the OWL, and all the other great stuff!  I so want to make the trash bag except maybe turn it into a toddler organizer instead so we always have snacks, wipes and diapers in the jeep

@Abeeroad: EHRMAGERD ZELDA!!!  Want!!!

@Patty_o: To echo Barney from HIMYM "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!"  You blew me away with your fantabulous cakes (and hello awesome Star Trek-ness) so I must try it sometime!

@Jennie: As always I covet your stitch markers.  COVET.  

Phew, I think I'm at least caught up to the last time I was able to post something decently!  I have some books to donate but I can't get out to do it tonight, so I'll still donate them just after Accio Books! is done.

EDIT: @FreakieGeekie what a snazzy hoopla!

Since I finished my last OWL, it's time for another proposal!

OWL Proposal: Charms

I'll be making a cabled sweater in a beautiful turquoise colour called Pacific, which makes me think of the Aguamenti charm.  It also has cabling on it, reminiscent of the complex wand motions make when casting spells.  Since it's a sweater that's my size and involves very complicated cabling on the hood (it's the Rogue hoodie, which I've made once before and was my first sweater ever) it will definitely take 3 weeks.

Looking forward to finishing it, hopefully in time for some cooler weather still before the hot summer hits!

So much great stuff, will try to comment on it all tomorrow, but it is all awesome!

Class: DADA OWL
House: Gryffindor
Name: Patronus blankie

My OWL was to turn this quilt panel into a baby blankie.  It fits perfectly as a DADA patronus, as it has both owls and squirrels on it, my husband's and my favourite animals (so likely what our patronuses would be).  I quilted around all the shapes, including the borders, and then attached a satin binding (@#*$!!!! DO NOT TRY TO DO THIS if you are using minky as a backing) with a fancy stitch and added a machine-stitched "Love Mommy" to the bottom corner.

I really hope my daughter gets attached to it, as all her special lovies (current blankie, of which we have a double, and two stuffies) are from my husband, which makes me a little wistful!

Congratulations Pinkleo!  It's a great afghan!

Oh Patty_O, I'm impressed you didn't yell.  I don't think I'd have been able to contain myself   Great cake too - I'd love to try it but I don't think a GF batter would hold up to rolling!

Maman, that's such a nice idea!  And your pony is great

Freakie, the shirt is really cute!  If you wanted to you could always put in a decorative lace panel or beaded panel if you're uncomfortable with the neckline. 

Eiseldora, that shawl is really nice!  I'm sure your MIL really appreciates it.

OK I'm antibiotic number 2 so who knows when I'm going to be healthy enough to take nice pictures with my pretty locket horcrux, so I'm going to take pictures of it laying flat instead so I can become a member of the order!

Challenge: Tom Riddle's Diary
House: Gryffindor
Name: Deconstructed/Reconstructed Vintage Apron

I did a picture diary of taking apart a vintage apron to use it as a pattern, and then remade it as a present!  I actually made two, one for my Mom and one for my sister, though that's really here nor there!

I found a really great vintage apron at the thrift store a few years ago, and luckily it fit me!  It was such a neat concept (a bib that flipped over your head and buttoned to the skirt in back) that I knew I would take it apart to make a pattern, especially since the original fabric was really worn, faded, and a rather ugly colour.  I finally decided to do it about a month ago (yes, it's been waiting that long both to get done, and then to get posted).




I then labelled seams with permanent marker, and started to seam rip, also taking off the bias tape wherever it interfered with deconstruction.  It was applied around all the edges over the raw edge as well as over the pocket tops.



Laying out the pieces on the new fabric, with marked darts, etc.



Sewn darts and hemmed and topped pockets.



Pockets sewn to skirt pieces.



Skirt pieces sewn in place to bodice.



Annnnd I forgot pictures of the last two steps - attaching the facing to the front neck and sewing the back to the shoulders. But here's the finished piece!





It's a little tight around the middle for my mom (it finishes as a 26" waist) so she's just adding a little loop to attach one side of the skirt to the button.  It fits my sister nearly perfectly though, although slightly long because she's short.


Challenge: Salazaar Slytherin's Locket
House: Gryffindor
Name: Evelyn's Scarf

I went back to work recently after my year of maternity leave, and I wanted to make something for my new office job that also wove in all my happy thoughts and memories of taking care of my daughter.  I knit this scarf during our last weeks home together, while she was napping, and while I watched her learn to run and while we read stories.  It's everything a locket embodies for me: a memory of a loved one to wear close to the heart.

So that cold we got from our daughter took us all down hardcore: I have a sinus infection and bronchopneumonia, and hubby and daughter both have sinus infections and bronchitis.  We are all at home loaded down on meds and trying to rest!  This has given me some craft time, and time to post some things I've already finished.

ETA: I did manage to go back through and see everything everyone is done!  It's all just so amazing, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to comment.  I'm hoping I'll be more regular again with posting once we're healthy and adjusted back to work and daycare.

Class: Apparition
House: Gryffindor
Name: Travel tea set

I made a tea wallet and matching insulated cup holder, using these great fabrics showing kitties in Paris.  The diamond fabric isn't part of the set but matches perfectly!




Class: Transfiguration
House: Gryffindor
Name: Bunny Prop

My photographer friend asked me to make her a little bunny as a prop for newborn photos.  I've been crocheting enough now that I thought I could try tackling amigurumi, and boy did this little guy turn out cute!  I'm going to have to make a half-dozen more I think.



Class: Charms
House: Gryffindor
Name: Spring Cloche

My sister gave my daughter the most beautiful little rose-coloured pea coat, and she didn't have a hat that went well with the coat!  It's still very cold here (we're up to 15C below normal some days) so she needed a new hat to protect her little head from the wind and cold!



It's the Poppy hat on Ravelry, and the Irish Rose from 100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet.

Class: Herbology
House: Gryffindor
Name: Tiiiiiny chicken

Yes, yet something else from Teeny-tiny Mochimochi.  This time it's a little chicken for my friend's birthday.  Let me tell you, working on that scale certainly takes a LOT of care, especially getting the little embroidered bits right!.



I also have two Horcruxes finished, but I haven't got a picture of either final product - I sent the one home as a gift with my Mom, and the other is something I need to wear, and since I'm pale and sickly that won't happen until at least this weekend

I also missed advanced studies Friday, so I thought I'd put up my progress.  My NEWT has a bit of another character (Jeremy Fisher) so it's moving slowly, slowly along.  Maybe it'll be done by her 2nd birthday  Or by the time baby number two comes along, since we're hoping to have another one sometime in 2014.

My OWL Patronus blankie is actually nearly done, I've done all the outlining on the characters and the tree, I just need to finish the borders and then bind it with ribbon blanket binding.  That'll have to wait because I'm not well enough to go out and buy any yet!

Sorry I've been AWOL, right after my daughter's birthday my parents came down so I've been busy with them!  I'm so so sorry I don't have the time to comment on everyone's great projects, but I'm about to go back to work and munchkin is going into daycare, so for awhile all my posts are going to be drive-by's.    Everything is great though!

I did want to jump in quick though and say I think the waldorf doll is great MamanTatoo, did you make the whole doll?  I'm not really sure about the full waldorf philosphy but I do love some of their toys and especially the dolls.  I don't think I'm talented enough to make one though!

Great shawl, earrings, and poncho guys, and feel better Jennie!

I am handing in my OWL, the party went great and I finished the final piece just in time - her cake!

Class: OWL - Care of Magical Creatures
House: Gryffindor
Name: Little gnome birthday

While hiking one day, I discovered a new species of gnome - it turns out that many muggle fairy tales don't portray an ideal picture of gnomes unlike our own ugly rude garden gnomes, but in fact show a shy and previously unseen species that live in little toadstool houses, have happy families, wear pointed hats, and like to live in the woods!  My girl is pretty cute and tiny herself, so I decided to imagine her as a little gnome for her birthday, with butterfly and birdie friends.

You can see the previous pieces I finished here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=420911.msg5004158#msg5004158 and here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=420911.msg4995849#msg4995849.  There's party hats, a birthday banner, a little dress, a wreath, and invitations.

The last piece I finished was her cake:



I haven't decorated a cake in at least 15 years, so I'm pretty happy with it!  I need some practice though, there's still gaps between the little stars in some places.  I took the design from some onesies I'd seen around, and drew it out myself on paper as a template.

Action pictures!





OK enough gratuitous photo postings!

And now to propose my next OWL:

Class: OWL - DADA
House: Gryffindor
Name: Patronus baby blankie

I bought a fabric panel back in October that has the animals that would likely be both mine and my husband's patronuses - owls and squirrels.  I will be quilting it to a minky backing by outlining all the major parts, then binding it to make a blankie.  I expect it to take at least the three weeks, especially because I go back to work in two weeks *sadface*

Great projects everyone!  Looks like lots of people are doing advanced studies (and making great progress)!

I haven't done a thing on my NEWT, because the OWL is so time-dependent and my family is coming up, so I need to get the house ready.  I've done more for the OWL though!




Party hats!  One for my girl (the little blonde one) and one for her little friend (the brunette).



The toppers are from the dollar store, I thought they were just perfect   I edged the hats in gingham ribbon, and the pictures are ones I coloured in using a free picture online.



Birthday banner!  Gosh I love how this turned out.  It's 6" squares of scrapbooking paper, and I printed out the letters (outlines only) huge and in mirror image, so that when I cut them out and pasted them down you wouldn't see any of the printing lines.



A finished little dress!  You might get an action shot from her party, but it's a size 2T so if I can even get her in it it's going to be ENORMOUS as she's barely wearing 12 mo. clothes and doesn't yet fit 1T.  I was surprised by how big the pattern came out, considering it's an original 1963 one.