HP Craftalong ~Fall Semester 2012~ *CLOSED*

[ttarsia]

Class/Challenge/House Pride: September Challenge: Complete That Work in Progress
House: Gryffindor
Project Name: Scarf/Shawl...Thing
Project Page Link:
Brief Description: I started this about a year ago.  I added the buttons, as I intend to give this to my grandmother, she turned 88 earlier this month.  I want her to be able to keep the shawl on, when she is a little chilly.  I hope she likes it!!!!
Project Picture:  http://s1163.photobucket.com/albums/q546/gadelicac/Detention%20Challenge/

Enjoy!!! 

[Eiseldora]

Cauldron Treat Challenge
Ravenclaw
Steakhouse Steak

I grew up in the Midwest where we love Corn and Steaks, so when I moved to the west coast I was startled by how many fancy restaurants would use rubs on steak instead of making them juicy. This is compounded by my allergy to black pepper which they use in all rubs.

So I learned how to make steak at home, which tastes better and is cheaper.

Here is how you can do it to:

Conjure up a oven safe pan. I use stainless steel, but my dad uses cast iron.

Preheat oven to 350

Heat your pan on the stove top much like you would prepare pancakes. Get it nice and hot with a medium high heat.

Place some butter in the pan and immediately place your steak on top of the butter.

After the steak browns on one side, flip and sear/brown the other side.

Next place the entire pan in the oven.
Depending on the thickness of your steak it might cook for 1 min or 10 minutes. Use a thermometer to verify the meats internal temperature.

Lastly once the steaks are cooked to your liking remove the pan from the oven (CAUTION: HOT), and let steaks sit covered for about 10 min.

At this point I like to make a sauce in the pan I just used to cover my steaks. Sometimes I  cook mushrooms and zucchini in butter, or add a 1/2 cup of red wine to the pan and reduce.

While Ribeye steaks are delicious this way, I often will just use sirloin or flank steak which still taste way better than a steak house when cooked in this manner, and is very wallet friendly.

[pinkleo]

After a session of serious cauldron stirring, Professor pinkleo decides to head to the Three Broomsticks for a mug or two of butterbeer.  But first she stops and treats herself to some goodies.

"Mmmm....White Croakoa. 
Ah, I've got Morgan again ... do you want it? You can start collecting."



Time to start collecting!   Look for future opportunities to earn Chocolate Frog Cards aka CFCs, and check your PMs, for you never know when a Staff Member may award you a special card from their collection.  (I know you Witches of the Week have already collected some special CFCs from jennie's stash. )

[jennieingram]

Huzzah for Chocolate Frog Cards!!!

[lightninglisa]

Class: Arithmacy
House: Slytherin
Project Name: Fresh Baked Pi
Brief Description: I am so, so happy with how this project turned out! ^_^ I used pink fabric and black embroidery thread to make this nerdy, vintage-inspired embroidery piece. Before I started sewing, I covered the embroidery hoop with washi tape - I think it looks super cute! ^_^

I brought the image I used from here: http://www.iclipart.com/search.php?keys=176776&id=104_10_3_17 (should anyone else want to use it ^_^)






P.S. @Naantje - you have been super busy! I love all of your projects, but especially the clever idea of dill & shortening cubes and the cute flowers ^_^ Great job representing Slytherin House!

[skatergirl1007]

lightninglisa I love the pi hoopla! <3
I need to get crafting and posting a few things. 

[Ant Bee]

Everything looks really great here!

I am working on my muggle studies project, an afghan, which is taking a lot of time, then I got a wicked head cold that knocked me out of the game for a couple of days. ew. 
My O.W.L. has been successfully procrastinated to date what with the sudden need to crochet an afghan and hmm, this room should really be dusted... and wow! look at that! over there! *runs away from O.W.L. supplies.* (I'm sorta seeing the O.W.L. supplies as a "Margerie" from Fraggle Rock.  Little fabric swatches taunt me when I get close and the pile says stuff like "Get to work, even though you don't know what you're doing" and the little fabric bits say "The O.W.L. heap has spoken!")

So, yeah, Cough and cold medicine do funny things to my head.

Oh, hey, now I think the dog needs a walk... "Expecto Procrastinatum!!" 

Keep up the great work, everyone, it's really inspiring, even to me over here at Procrastination Station.
(I'll get the courage to tackle that quilt eventually...)

[seeuudee]

Loving the Chocolate Frog Cards - what a great idea guys!

[skatergirl1007]

Class/Challenge/House Pride: Cauldron Treat Challenge
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name: Plain Pastry Cinnamon Sugar
Brief Description: I made this one night at like 10 and I really liked it.

Plain pastry recipe

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 shortening (I used butter which worked fine)
4 to 5 tablespoons cold water

1 tablespoon Cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar

Before starting on the pastry mix together 1 tablespoon of Cinnamon and 1/4 cup of sugar Sift flour and salt together; cut in shortening with pastry blender till pieces are the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water over part of mixture. Gently toss with fork; push to side of bowl. Repeat till all is moistened. Form into ball. Flatten on lightly floured surface by pressing with edge of hand 3 times in both directions. Roll from center to edge till 1/8 inch thick. Put on pan (note you may need to cut it down and put on two cookie sheets) and sprinkle with Cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 min or until golden brown.

[patty_o_furniture]

Class/Challenge/House Pride: Detention!
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name: Ribbon Rack
Project Page Link (if available): http://handmadehousewife.blogspot.com/2012/09/craftroom-redo-time-this-project-has_27.html 
~~click here if you want to be jealous of my new awesome craftroom! 

Brief Description: I'm hoping this counts because I am so happy this is done. We finished my craftroom redo in February (floor/new desks/shelving/etc) but we never got around to putting my new ribbon rack up.  This weekend we finally got all the supplies to finish the project and put them up!  I love having my ribbons easy to pick out (without having to take off all the ribbons to get to one) but especially just them off my desk but in arms reach.
Project Picture:

This hard to use rack...


and using these supplies...


this wall...


Finally into this!


I love it!