Oh, wow! That is downright gorgeous!
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Thanks everyone!! The fair is in August, so I’ll be sure to update you then!
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Headmistress Jennie casts the House Points Charm!
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Class or Challenge Title: Book Club - Chapter 8
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Entwined Star Block
Brief Description: I’m absolutely thrilled with how This block came out. The matching diagonal points came together so well.
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Class or Challenge Title: DADA
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Snail Trail Block
Brief Description: Snails can leave slimy trails!
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Class or Challenge Title: Detention - Stash
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Wonky Star Block
Brief Description: The fabrics for this (and all the other) blocks all came from my stash!
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Class or Challenge Title: HoM
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Log Cabin Block
Brief Description: I’ve made so many Log Cabin blocks over the years, I was able to zone out making this one, even while making it as a variation on the traditional version.
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Class or Challenge Title: Study of Ancient Runes
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Double Aster Quilt Block
Brief Description: This block has tons of straight lines that make up tons of triangles.
Project Picture:
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Beautiful blocks!
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Note from the Headmistress…
My dear friends,
As you know, this round of the HP Craftalong is coming to a close on May 31. Normally I would be working on planning our new round with the members who serve as professors. But I’decided that we will be taking a break, at least for the summer. This decision has been one I’ve wrestled with for a while, and has numerous reasons.
The HPC has been running continuously since 2012, and I’ve been running nearly that whole time. Back when it started, we were on Craftster, and we had more members, often having as many as 45 people participating per term. Often I would check the thread after a couple hours and there would be multiple new posts to see! Slowly over the years those numbers have dwindled. As of today, we have just 8 people who have posted this term.
Frequently 2 or 3 people will show up on the last day or two of the term to post a ton of projects. While it’s always wonderful to see what these folks have been up to, the spirit of a Craftalong is to share as we make. Showing up to post just at the end, feels more like a chore or a requirement, than something we do for fun and inspiration.
When this topic of slow participation has come up in the past, numerous folks have often chimed in to say “I’ve been so busy with x & y, but now that z is over, I’ll be able to craft and post more. I promise!” And while some people have come back to participating, often that is not the case. And that’s ok! People have busy lives and lots to worry about. Not participating should not be a reason for guilt or shame.
While there have been various changes made to how we do things over the years, the HPC has also largely remained the same during that time. After this long, I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels the prompts repeating themselves, and new inspiration lacking. At this point I think I’ve exhausted my supply of season & holiday inspired Headmistress prompts!
I think perhaps there is a lull in enthusiasm for the Fandom as a whole right now. The books are all done, the films have all come out, so there isn’t as much hype out in the real world for the next thing. And of course, there is controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling herself, which has caused some fans to leave. And podcasts diving deeper into that controversy to possibly push back. I truly wonder what will happen when the new HBO show premiers. Will there suddenly be a resurgence of love for the franchise and demand for All Things Potter again?
As for us, I am not closing the door on this Craftalong. Simply taking the summer off. As fall approaches, I will post a poll in this thread, asking if people wish for a new term for Winter. I will also welcome any ideas for changes people wish to see to the Craftalong. I know that I do not craft to the prompts we have, and I suspect many of you don’t either. I usually just make what I want to make, then find a prompt that fits with. Perhaps we should reexamine how we function. Should we have Houses? Should we declare a winning House at the end of the term? Should we have as many prompts, or should our prompts be more open ended? These are all things to think about.
Please feel free to ask questions and leave your thoughts here.
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I do enjoy the Craftalong. I love to plan and think of what to make that can fit the prompts, even though for the most time, I craft what I want.
I cant say that we should do this or that, because I dont know what to suggest. I try to participate and post during the crafts (well, after I have some classes ready, because I dont want to spam), and this term hasnt been my best. I was so looking forward the summer term! Already drew some pages for it in my bujo! 
But I do understand where you coming from. And taking a break is a good thing. I will craft stuff either way, maybe join another craftalong during summer. Maybe just craft for fun. And I be back in the autumn hoping for more terms. If that wont be the case, at least I have had a good time with lovely people in this craftalong.
Have a great summer @MistressJennie and we will see you here in the autumn! (of course I hope we will see you in other threads during the summer too!)
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I will admit that I have been pulled in other directions these days and getting around to posting projects here does feel like a “chore.” 
I will welcome a summer off to potentially recharge the excitement and will think about some new ideas. I hope you know that we have loved and appreciated this corner of LC/C-ster for all of those 10+ years @MistressJennie! 
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I’ve also been lax about posting in this craft-along as I get things finished…not that I’ve finished a whole lot lately.
It has been fun playing along for the last year or two that I’ve participated, and I hope that you can find the time and inspiration again in the future to bring it back.
On that note, I did pop in to show y’all my progress on my Advanced Studies project!
No pictures, but four out of nine rows are sewn up as of right now. Hoping to make more progress this weekend.
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I also enjoy the craftalong & love planning out what I could make to fit the prompts whenever a new term starts. Though I usually end up making whatever I feel like & then finding a prompt for it. I’ll also usually wait until I have a few things finished before I post so I don’t spam the thread.
I’m not sure what to suggest for the future. If the craftalong continues, I’ll most likely join in again & I’ll keep crafting either way. 
I also appreciate all you’ve done to keep it going as long as it has! 
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My problem is currently more a lack of crafting time than a lacking of posting time, but that’s also not likely to change any time soon, either. Just the current season for me.
I appreciate all the time you’ve put into this over the years @MistressJennie - even if it doesn’t come back, it was great while it lasted!
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Yeah, lack of time to craft is my biggest thing. It’s so hard to find time for myself each day after work/chores/toddler bedtime. It takes so long to finish any project these days, let alone plan and start a new one. I bought a spinning wheel this year at MD Sheep and Wool and I haven’t had time to sit down and use them thing yet.
Like someone else said a few posts up, it’s just how the current season of my life is right now.
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I hope you have a great summer, @MistressJennie ! I go in spurts, because I do feel that posting can be a chore, but I love seeing what everyone comes up with, and I enjoy the prompts. I’ve had a lovely time, even when I’ve just been lurking.
I’ll just share what I’ve been doing lately The grapefruit slice scarf is made from a pattern in Twinkie Chan’s book “Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies.”
I made it for a last-minute “Fruit Salad Friday” theme at work and it got a lot of love. I’ve worn it a couple times now, but at this point, I think I need to iron it, lol.
Other than that, I’ve mostly been developing knitting patterns for tiny Obitsu11 and cu-poche sized dolls.
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Im not sure if I should post my latest finished project… Since we are taking a break. But I guess this term isnt over yet, and still another house than Gryffindor can win! 
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Class or Challenge Title: Apparition
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name & Page Link: Tiny frog
Brief Description: I have had this pattern for a long time, but been intimitated by it. But now that I had finished my mittens, I wanted to do a small, fun project, and it became a frog.
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Class or Challenge Title: Defense against the dark art
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name & Page Link: Queen Celeste
Brief Description: My mum loves Babar, and have him as a knitted toy that she got from a friend. Now she wanted his queen, Celeste, so I made her in a grey yarn.
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Class or Challenge Title: History of magic
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name & Page Link: Tiny sea gull
Brief Description: They makes lots of people hype up. And I got this cute pattern of the seagull, so I had to make him. It was a gift for my friend to hang in his mirror in the car.
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Class or Challenge Title: Potions
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name & Page Link: Cardigan for Celeste
Brief Description: She lives in the middle of Sweden, so it tends to get cold here, so of course she need a cardigan. And a blue one!
Project Picture:
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Class or Challenge Title: Detention - stash
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name & Page Link: Socks for Emil
Brief Description: Not sure how many socks I have made for him now, but this was with yarn in my stash. Now other people will get some socks.
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Class or Challenge Title: Detention - WIP
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name & Page Link: Vinterfröjd (Winter delight) mittens
Brief Description: Finally! They are finished! Im not sure if they are a WIP or a ufo, since I have been working on them since november 2021. But this year I can use them!
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Class or Challenge Title: Hermiones book club
House: Hufflepuff
Project Name & Page Link: Cutest kobold there is
Brief Description: Saw this pattern and knew I had to make him. Mum said I will get fabric from her if I finish a couple of projects on my list, which I did. And then I spent the whole weekend sewing this little dragon kin! And I love him so much! Im so happy with how good he turned out!
Project Picture:
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Class or Challenge Title: Apparition
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Woven Star block
Brief Description: I saw this block ages ago and wanted to make it, so added it to a Pinterest board, where I promptly forgot about it for ages. I found it again while searching for inspiration, and finally made it!
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Class or Challenge Title: Arithmancy
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Improvised Rainbow Diamond block
Brief Description: Inspired by the numbers in my birthday, a block I created with scraps from a previous block!
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Class or Challenge Title: Astronomy
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Star Puzzle block
Brief Description: Constellations have always been a puzzle to me, so here’s my interpretation; a Star Puzzle block. Can you find the red star inside the X?
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Class or Challenge Title: CoMC
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: House block
Brief Description: This block reminds me of a snug little cottage or croft in Scotland.
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Class or Challenge Title: Charms
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Dutchman’s Puzzle block
Brief Description: Did you know that Muggles often stick things together by poking tiny holes in them, and running very thin rope in between the pieces?!?!
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Class or Challenge Title: Detention - Reparo
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Woven Heart block set on point
Brief Description: I made this Woven Heart block, then added pieces to set it on point, to fit better into my quilt.
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Class or Challenge Title: Detention - WIP
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Aztec Jewel block
Brief Description: With this block, I completed all the blocks needed for my quilt!
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Class or Challenge Title: Divination
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Buttercup block
Brief Description: This block was so easy to put together. It only took me about 13 minutes!
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Class or Challenge Title: Headmistress - May
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Improvised Star block
Brief Description: This block was created with off cuts of another block, that would otherwise be thrown away.
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Class or Challenge Title: House Pride
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Fancy Star block
Brief Description: Bold and red, like Gryffindor House!
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Class or Challenge Title: Muggle Studies
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: House Divided block
Brief Description: I have observed that Muggles, much like the Wizarding World, can often be divided among themselves.
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Class or Challenge Title: Transfiguration
House: Gryffindor!
Project Name & Page Link: Improvised Flying Geese block
Brief Description: I had started working on another block, by making a few Flying Geese with scraps, only to realize I was making them the wrong size for that block. So I undid my plans for that one, and improvised this instead.
Project Picture:
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End of Term Feast 
Welcome to the End of Term Feast! I have checked the school hour glasses, and the points stand thusly…
Hufflepuff: 3 students, 225 points, for an average of 75 points per student.
Slytherin: 3 students, 300 points , for an average of 100 points per student.
Ravenclaw: 1 students, 225 points, for an average of 225 points per student.
Gryffindor: 1 students, 345 points , for an average of 345 points per student.
Congratulations to Gryffindor House!
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And so this term of the HP Craftalong is over. As I mentioned, we will be taking a summer break. I will check back in late summer, here in this thread, to see if people are interested in a new round of the Craftalong, perhaps with a new setup.
In the mean time, I am wondering about how each of us crafts for this Along, and have set up a poll to gather info.
- I am completely inspired to craft things based totally on the prompts as written here.
- I sometimes am inspired to craft things based on a prompt I find here. Sometimes I craft what I want and find a prompt I can fit it to after.
- I craft whatever I want, whenever I want, and afterwards I come figure out which prompt it could fill.
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I am considering either eliminating, or greatly reducing the prompts if we do a future term. The idea being to keep everyone sharing whatever they feel like making, whenever they create it. I know some people save up their projects, until they have time to look at the list of prompts, and find categories each fit into. The change would cause us be be more like the Snapshot Thread, where each of us shares as we finish something. (So unlike the Snapshot thread, they would not be in-process shares, but completed projects.) Folks would still earn House Points per completed project, and each project would have the minimum time requirement of 30 minutes, as we always have.
For those who do enjoy a little added inspiration, I’d consider doing a small handful of prompts, probably similar to Headmistress, and maybe the Book Club series. How do you guys feel about that idea?
- I think I’d participate a lot more if I could just post a finished project, without matching it to a prompt.
- I may or may not participate more, without specific prompts. My life is just busy, and I’m not sure that will change.
- I wouldn’t like dropping our prompt categories, because it wouldn’t feel like the HPC anymore.
0 voters
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Congrats again Gryffs!
Thanks for setting up the poll, Jennie, and being so thoughtful in how we move forward. I voted! 
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