HP Craftalong ~Winter Semester 2012~ *CLOSED*

[jenleahlynn]

Loveiosa the valentines. My kids already have some for their classes, but I may try this just for them!

[jennieingram]

Love the snake bracelet patty_o!

[MamanTattoo]

That nagini bracelet is so lovely!!

I really don't have much for the HPC this week... Here it goes.

Challenge: Bertie Beans's CHOCOLATE
House: Gryffindor
Desc.: I've spined some brown yarn because all the brown yarn I had was not the right yarn I had in mind for a specific doll. So here it goes, and the color is very milky chocolate to me!

[FreakieGeekie]

Maman,  that yarn is lovely!
Don't feel bad, I don't have anything for the HPC at all because I've been cleaning.

[Ant Bee]

Well, my History of Magic experiment went a little haywire. Of course I'd put out something to freeze and we'd get a bloody heatwave (in the 40'sF for days!!) so all the snow is melting but I think the latex balloon must have frozen at some point or got compromised because there is now a large spot of blue snow and some balloon bits tossed about. (maybe the squirrels got fiesty?) So looks like I'll be trying to hide a water balloon in the freezer overnight. My family is used to my wacky ways, but still... sometimes it's best not to let them know exactly how wacky I may be!

In other news, I have my Alchemy assignment to turn in. So, now's as good a time as any:

Class: Alchemy
House Slytherin
Project: Needle felted Fawkes
Description: For Christmas I started a needle felted Fawkes for my nephew, but I broke my one needle. Good times.  I have fixed him up as good as can be for Valentine's day (Other nephew is getting my earlier post of The Navigator) and here he is. He uses all the colors listed in the assignment- Black in the beak, White in the eyes, Red in the body (and the dreaded fun-fur of his plumage) and yellow is mixed in with the orange of his belly.  I think he came out ok, but I really wish I had the needle to do it up the way I see it in my head. Oh well, at least I know my nephew isn't as tough a critic as I am- he's 11 so he's pretty cool about handmade things.
Here's the pic:



Sorry for the image quality. My camera is not fully on board with our relationship yet. I'm giving it new batteries and a nice place to hang out for valentine's day maybe that will help.

I wanted to congratulate the Deputy headmistress on finishing her NEWT- that's exciting! And those wee valentines are super cute!

I love the Nagini projects... I suppose that's to be expected from a Slythee such as myself!

Egads the Kappa pin-up reminds me of a bugs bunny cartoon for some reason- I think it's the lips! haha!

I love the Yarn, Maman. Good choice for chocolate!

OK, back to my SPEW project- these baby things aren't knitting themselves!

[Eiseldora]

Challenge: Bertie Beans's CHOCOLATE
House: Ravenclaw
Project Picture

I decided to make brownies for the holiday. I"m also working on making my own brownie mixes like the betty crocker variety.

Fake it Frugal recipie

[FreakieGeekie]

Challenge: Flourish and Blotts
House: Slytherin
Idiom: "If had been a Basilisk I would be stone." A play on the Muggle phrase "if it had been a snake it would have bit me" meaning something you were searching for was close by the whole time you were searching for it.

[pinkleo]

Hello Everyone!  I have updated, though I haven't made notes of comments because I am exhausted.  I LOVE and ADORE everyone's work! 

Advanced Studies from this point have been approved, with exception of CraftyLadyMJ.  CraftyLady, I have sent your OWL proposal to Examiner jennie for review because my mind needed help with the details.  Look for a PM from jennie. 

Further, Examiner jennie will be doing Approvals for OWLs & NEWTs while I recover so that no one has to wait on my reply (since I will not be on Craftster as often).  THANK YOU JENNIE!

jenleahlynn, I haven't given House Points for the projects with no pics.  I will go on a pic hunt when I'm feeling a bit better, but I would love you forever if you happen to post pics or links to pics.

Okay, back to bed.  Be back soon.  Thank you for all the well wishes!   If you have any urgent HPC business, please PM both your headmistresses, jennieingram and pinkleo.

[patty_o_furniture]

Class/Challenge/House Pride: Bertie Botts Chocolate
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name: Fudge
Project Page Link (if available): -
Brief Description: Chocolate!  My husbands co-workers expect me to make them goodies all the time, so decided I'd whip up a quick batch of fudge for DH to take to work tomorrow.  I made half chopped andes mint and half valentines sprinkles.
Project Picture:


Microwave Fudge
1 pound powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
toppings of your choice

Line 9X9 pan with parchment or wax paper, put aside.  Sift sugar and cocoa together in glass bowl, add milk and butter on the top- no need to stir.  Put in microwave and cook for 2 minutes.  Get out and add vanilla, stir rapidly until mixed well.  Pour into prepared pan, and quickly sprinkle toppings.  Place in fridge and allow to set up one hour.  Cut into squares, keep covered in fridge.

[jenleahlynn]

pinkleo- i was able to add the pictures for my horcrux assignment, sorry about that. i hope you are feeling better soon.

patty_o_furniture- the fudge looks yummy, i've had bad luck in the past with fudge, but i'm going to give this a try.

herbology owl update: i've also been working on a portrait of my grandmother and her plants. i've sketched out the idea...
 
creating a face in colored pencil wasn't too tough, but making it look specifically like her is, so i'm doing some studies of her face, i was surpised to see that i had inherited her nose.  the paper i'm using isn't holding up to the layers of watercolors it takes to get the detail i want, so i went shopping for something better, and a little larger size.