I know that everyone is anxious to meet the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Since the term has already started and most of us have DADA on our schedules, I guess it's time to introduce him. He's quite shy and it wasn't easy for me to convince him that Hogwarts students are well behaved and will act with decorum. So, please, no squealing, lunging, touching or drooling!

I am proud to introduce Professor Fervens Solum!



This is Professor Solum's first teaching position. He has been very involved in private research and, of course, I've made myself available to help him continue that private research. He's really quite talented!

He has told me that there is something embarrassing about his name, but he won't tell me what. Hmmmm...must figure this out.

/* Posting for Queen Frysia because she doesn't have access to this blog yet.  She's also sponsoring a most excellent prize.  Thanks HRH! */


First Slytherin House Quiz

1. 
   
   
   What are your three most favorite colors?
2. 
   
   
   What are you three least favorite colors?
3. 
   
   
   Your favorite candy is _________________.
4. 
   
   
   Draco, Lucius, or Snape?
5. 
   
   
   Do you knit, crochet, or both?
6. 
   
   
   What type of kit did you ask for?
7. 
   
   
   Acrylic—has its uses, should all be burned, best yarn to work with (choose one)?
8. 
   
   
   Who is the Slytherin Head Girl this term?
9. 
   
   
   Name four “extras” you would love to receive in your kit.
10. 
    
    
    What are your three most favorite scents?
11. 
    
    
    Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?
12. 
    
    
    Which Slytherin is the Keeper of the Crucio List?
13. 
    
    
    Do you really need more stitch markers?
14. 
    
    
    Dpns, circular, or straight?
15. 
    
    
    What yarn makes you squee?
16. 
    
    
    Favorite HP Movie?
17. 
    
    
    Favorite HP character?
18. 
    
    
    Who was your first choice for DADA professor?
19. 
    
    
    What is the Slytherin Common Room called?
20. 
    
    
    What makes you worthy of being in Slytherin House?

I'm sure that those who have visited the portkey are now packing their bags in anticipation for their long trip over the weekend to Hogwarts Castle. The professors are ready as well the Head Girls and Prefects. We can't wait to have the halls bustling with laughter and excitement again!

I know that I posted that matches would go out over the weekend, but I must suspend the announcements just a tiny bit longer. We want to make sure that we get the lists just right and sometimes this takes a little bit of time. So, match announcements will actually go out between Monday and Tuesday of next week. I know!! Some of you feel that you might die of suspense, but believe me, you will have and know who your partner is for a full 3 months and be able to spoil them rotten with attention, and ultimately with a great swap package.

To kick off this term we will be having two Beginning of Term Feasts in the Great Hall on Tuesday, February 3rd. Times are listed below:

Greeting Returning Students and First Years!!!!!!!!!!!

This is going to be one heck of a term. We have many students being transferred into different houses, some going into exchange programs to escape on of our own house members, (Rufus) and some just staying where they are because it is the right and proper thing to do.

So while all of the dust and commotion is going on perhaps we can get a jump start on projects of our own. Since there are only a few changes in the Hufflepuff House.

First, if you have not updated your blog with the new HSKS7 logo please do so and make sure it links back to the site. As you know or may not, this does count for HOUSE POINTS.

Second, please put up a "WISH List" on your blog of 4 to 6 random items to help your spoiler find stuffer for your kit. This will also help out someone who might want to send you a R.A.O.K.

Third, please put up any food allergies and or any other type of allergies you might have. This will also help out someone who might want to send you a R.A.O.K.

Enjoy the weekend.
Elanor

I apologize for not getting this list up earlier. This is the first time that we are doing this, and the main reason was so that those who are black listed will know that they will not be allowed to swap with us this term, and those that are high risk will know that they came very close to not being allowed in this swap. Reasons for being blacklisted include, but are not limited to, poor or no communication with spoilee/spoiler, rarely blog posting, and sending kit late or not at all.

We actually have very few from HSKS 7, but I will post names from the last 3 terms. High risk swappers will not be listed here, but contacted individually if they decide to join us again. If you have been blacklisted and would like an explanation, please email me at misswartbobble AT gmail.com

All kits include a handmade bag meant to store kit items for your spoilee. You can knit, crochet, or sew the bag. The color theme of the kit must be in your spoilees house colors.

NOTE (added 2/4): Kits given to 1st years must include all of the items listed because this is their first kit. Kits given to 2nd years and beyond have the option of switching out the stitch markers and needles for two items from their wish lists. So, make sure that you look to the wish lists of your spoilee who is a 2nd year and beyond to see what they like.

The following kits are what we are swapping this term:

Bag Kit - This will be a kit that will include all the items your spoilee will need to make a hand knit or crochet bag, purse, or tote. Included in the kit should be:
Yarn
Needles
Pattern
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Fingerless Gloves/Mitts -
Yarn
Needles
Pattern
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Sock Kit -
Sock Yarn
Needles
Pattern
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Felted Bag Kit -
100% Wool Yarn
Needles
Pattern & Directions on how to felt.
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Are you interested in joining the next Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap? There will be a Q&A Session on Thursday, January 22nd. Times are below. Please feel free to pop in the Great Hall to get your questions answered. The meetings will be chaired by the Deputy Headmistress in the morning and the Headmistress in the evening session.

I just wanted to announce, congratulate and thank those that are stepping up to the plate of Head Girl for the next term.

Each Head Girl will be able to choose up to 2 prefects for their House. We'll be making an announcement about those who are chosen at a later date.

Yes, I am entering the age of technology! Do you Twitter? By following me on Twitter you'll be able to get updates of what I'm up to, thinking, and planning before and throughout the term. If you would like to follow me just visit my profile page and I'll be sure to follow you right back.

Many of the same activities will be returning for HSKS 7 and I wanted to give a preview of what they will be and if there will be any changes.

Quidditch

• Quidditch will have the standard 3 winners - one for each game played.

Best Kit

• This will work much the same as the last time. There will be one winner from each House (voted on by all members) and out of the four a grand prize winner will be chosen. Only the grand prize winner will receive a prize.

Best Spoiler

• Each spoilee will have the opportunity to nominate their spoiler as the Best Spoiler of the swap. Each participant (nominator) will need to write a short piece on why their spoiler should be chosen as the Best Spoiler for the swap. Prize will be awarded at the end up the swap. Deadline for nominations will be give at a later date.

S.P.E.W. Competition

• For a one week period in March (exact dates still to be determined) we will hold a timed competition between volunteers to see who can knit the most hats for S.P.E.W. within a 5 day period. Winner will receive postage reimbursement for sending hats to their final destination and small, still to be determined, prize.

House Awards (4 awards)

• One award per house will be given out based on character, participation, and adherence to spoiling rules. House awards are given out by each House Prefect.

Dueling Club

• The final winner receives bragging rights.

Blog Badges

• Blog badges can be earned for Blogging Consecutively (4 weeks and 8 weeks), Completing your Handmade item by still to be determined date, and Sending your Completed Kit by a still to be determined date.

The staff of Hogwarts looks forward to serving each of the students who enter our halls. Please keep a lookout for more sign up information. If you have not joined Ravelry, now would be a good time for you to sign up. Ravelry is God's gift to all fiber artists. Joining Ravelry is a requirement for this swap. You also do not have to be a knitter to join this swap, but if you do not knit or crochet you will at least have to know how to sew. For more information on this swap, please visit http://hskswap.com.

The HSKS Information site has been updated. If you have questions about the swap, the main site is the place to go.