HSKS Best Kits

Best Kits Voting

2009-08-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

It's so sad to think that camp is almost over! We've all had such a great time, it's hard to say goodbye! But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. But! There are still a few things that we need to do before we have that final sing-a-long around the campfire.

One of those is voting for the Best Kit. There have been a lot of kits coming in lately and they're all looking GREAT! If you look through the site through various other HSKS terms, you'll see that there are many prizes (badges) to be had. There's one for each house (or in this cabin) and then the grand prize winner.

If you look at the links for the cabins, you'll see some names with stars next to them. This means that their spoilee received their kit and posted about it. For example, if you click on Bevin Rae Mooney's name, it'll take you to Madam Ferula McGonagall's post about the kit she got from Bevin. So, clear as mud? It's easier than you think, look at your name on the list, if you don't have a star next to it and think you should, let me know. Also, if you DO have a star, click on your name and make sure it goes to your spoilees post about your kit. If anything is amiss, give me a shout. PM me on Ravelry (dramaqt99) or email me at ashley dot cavell at gmail dot com.

I'm giving everyone until Sunday to receive and post about the kits they get. That way, anyone who sent Saturday, August 15, will have a chance to be voted on. If you sent by Saturday but it's going overseas, let me know and we'll use the pictures you took to be voted upon. Don't worry, anyone who sent within the early send period will have a chance to be in the Best Kit competition. Again, if you have any questions about this, let me know.

Last thing (I promise!). Voting will begin Sunday, August 23 around 6:00pm (EDT). So, look over the kits and get an idea for who think is worthy of the Best Kit award. One caveat though. You cannot vote for the kit you sent or the kit you got! Good luck to everyone!

Where did you get that?!

2009-06-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

So, you're beginning to get some great ideas for what you'd like to put in your spoilee's kit. Here are a few links to help you find some fun things. This one is just a starting off point. Feel free to add to it!

Etsy (the link should take you to a list of HP themed items between $5-10)
Knit Picks (this link will take you to a list of yarns in HP house colors). Many of our fellow campers also create GREAT hand dyed yarn in HP inspired color ways. Check out Crazy4Dying and Shelby B's Designs.
Bookstores (like B&N or Borders) are good for the fun little HP games, like making your own time turner or snitch.
Alivan's for candy. Although, I'm guessing since the movie is so close to coming out that you can find a lot in your local grocery store!
Can't go wrong with Ravelry for patterns. This link will take you to a seach of HP patterns. There's also the The Leaky Cauldron for fun off the wall projects.

Like I said, this is just a starting off point. Let everyone know if you have found some great finds!

I have my spoilee... now what?!

2009-06-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Many of us campers are new to HSKS and/or swaps. I remember when I was starting my first swap and my biggest fear was: "will my spoilee like their package?!" So, in case I'm not alone in this fear, I'm here with a few tips.

Start with the Wish List that everyone should have on their blogs. (Seriously, I was so glad when that became one of the early ways to earn bunk points!) However, that will only get you so far.

Next, read between the lines a bit. Some campers may be very explicit about what they like and don't like, but others tend to be more open. So, dig a little further. Read some of their blog posts, look over their yarn stash, queue and project lists. It's amazing the little things you can learn, i.e., they love the ocean, collect antique glass or can't stand the color orange!

Sometimes it helps to have a theme. With the HSKS swaps, a general theme (the love of HP and the house colors) is presented. This time around though, things are a bit more open. You could still stick with the love of HP, but you could also go with a hobby (like scrap booking or quilting) or another book they might like (it's possible!)

Finally, and the most important, talk with your spoilee! If you have a question, ask. The BEST part of this swap are the people involved. We already have the common bond of a love of HP, but chatting and getting to know one another is what makes it the BEST swap to be involved with.

Next time we'll discuss places to get some really great goodies! In the meantime, if you have any questions, ask me (ashley dot cavell at gmail dot com or dramaqt99 on Ravelry) or your counselor. Happy spoiling!

HSKS8 Summer Camp

2009-05-14T08:06:00.001-07:00

Coming Soon!

The pic is a portkey to the new HSKS8 Summer Camp Blog.

Also, check us out on Ravelry!

Congratulations!!!

2009-05-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Who Won?

2009-05-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

Announcements to be made today on the HSKS7 Blog!! Thank you to everyone who voted!

Voting Has Begun!

2009-05-06T09:24:00.001-07:00

Kits are separated by houses so that you can find them similar to the HSKS7 page. Visit all the links listed on the left hand side of this blog by house. The links go directly to the blog post about the spoilers kit. For example, if you go to my name, Bevin Rae Mooney, it will link directly to my spoilee and the blog she wrote about the kit I made for her.

Here are the rules for voting:

1- You cannot vote for the kit you sent or received.

2- Vote for the one kit that you think is the most complete and that you felt met or exceeded the spoilees wishes. You can give comments as to why you liked it if you choose.

3- Vote for the one bag that you think is the best. Just the bag. Why did you like this one the best?

Email bevinraemooney "at" gmail "dot" com by Midnight PST, Sunday, May 10th with your votes.

Headmistress Wartbobble will announce the winner and a plaque for your blog will be emailed to you next week!

Good Luck Witches and Wizards!!

Voting Begins Tomorrow Morning!

2009-05-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Portkey

2009-04-18T09:30:00.001-07:00

Best Kits Voting Coming Soon!

2009-04-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

Starting Monday April 20th

Links to Received kits will be on the sidebar

Some gorgeous kits have been sent and received so far...

Have you sent pics of the kit you made to bevinraemooney "at" gmail "dot" com yet?

Have you posted a blog of the kit your spoiler made you yet?

Voting Begins Soon!!

Clara Clovenhoof's Kit

2009-03-01T06:13:00.000-08:00

This is the kit Clara Clovenhoof sent to her spoilee.
Kit items include these handmade items:
Row counter bracelet
House color bobby pins
House color barrettes
4 sets of stitch markersearrings that match some of the stitch markers
mint chocolate chip lipgloss
basil soap
floral soap
green dyed tweed sock yarn

hufflepuff dyed sock yarn

2 drawstring bags

cauldron pin cushion

large owl stuffed toy
camera pouch
coin purse
hufflepuff potholder
yarn holder bag
amigurumi ram - her patronus
2 owlets
snitch
Hufflepuff felted bag

And these purchased items:
knitting guage
3 circ needles
bare tweed sock yarn
Badger cuticle care
owl stamp and stamp pad
mini dragon
zen charms
lys bag
notecards

Bernadette Hobsworth's Kit

2009-02-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

Bernadette's spoilee did not post a blog, so these are the pics of the super cool bag and kit that she sent out.
Items included:
A summer moebius sling bag
A knit wallet
Two patterns (one for Slytherin socks)
Three skeins of Knit Picks Essentials (2-green and one grey)
Two skeins of Knit Picks kettle dyed in a burgandy
A needle sizer
Handmade slytherin colored stitch markers
Candy

Antonio dela Weasley's kit

2009-02-28T08:45:00.000-08:00

Bathilda was unable to post photos to her blog of the kit from Antonio dela Weasley, so here is his super awesome kit!

Wow! It's like Christmas came early! I got some fancy chocolate, some darling stitch markers, a journal, cool sock yarn and patterns, another KP circular for my collection, a huge bag, and I think best of all a drop spindle and some roving!!!!! Squeeee!!! Now I can learn to spin!

Thank you Antonio!

Cassie Goode's Kit

2009-02-28T08:18:00.000-08:00

This is the kit Cassandra Goode sent.

The Opinionated knitter book
knitting themed t-shirt
MMMMmmm, Starbucks coffee
Velvety yarn
A cool felting kit - iris
Wee sheep stitch counters
Addi turbos in size needed for felting kit
Handmade and felted Gryffindor bag
malabrigo sock yarn in black
alpaca silk yarn in green
Cute stickers
bubble gum
spongebob themed candy
2 small LUSH soaps
2 scented candles

Olive Bumblebirch's Kit

2009-02-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is the kit Olive Bumblebirch made for Hexy Elfshimmer.

The kit includes:
A sewn project bag in a pretty red fabric
7 skeins of KnitPicks wool to make the Enchanted Kit Bag...in Gryffindor colors, of course!
Bamboo circular needles
A Mirror of Erised notebook
For teatime pleasure: a large red mug, yummy Roseberry dark chocolate from Dagoba, and a selection of Stash teas. All regional!
A couple of fun handmade dishcloths and a scrubbie.
Pretty handmade Bumblebirch stitch markers in Gryffindor colors

Kit from Casandra Crimsonchin

2009-02-28T07:45:00.000-08:00

Writing from Pandora's Blog. Photos from Casandra Crimsonchin but the photo of the kit is incomplete... hopefully we will update this soon!

I received my package from Lady Arabella at the beginning of the week and now my package from Cassandra Crimsonchin! The photos aren't in order because I suck at blogger and I am too excited to spend the time fixing it!!! Plus I got so many things I am going to have to have two blog posts of photos!!
Here is the list of items:
No Sheep for You book by Amy R. Singer
Pretty mint green fabric
4 skeins of Elizabeth Lavold Hempathy (2 grey, 2 blueish-green)
1 spool of orange-mixed thread
Knit Picks DPN in US 8 (they are multi colored, I think they have a name)
1 skein of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in wine colorway
Owl bookmarker (absolutely cute!)
Time-Turner sticker kit! (Love it!! I might be nerdy enough to wear it soon.)
Spring loaded metal notebook holder with a horse on it (one of the refills was snatched along with the pen. I was successful at getting the pen back- it hold to holder together!)
Accessory box with a tape measure inside and a magnet top filled with needles (You must of known I can't keep up with the damn things!!)
Magnet Knitting notion (I am pretty sure they are stitch holders but I am not sure! They are really cute!)
Bubble and Bee lotion stick in Coconut and Lime (I can't wait to open it!)
2 Twizzler Licorice bits
3 chocolate bars- Godiva, Ghirardelli, and Green and Black's (one has already been devoured)
One gorgeous red cabled purse with bamboo handles!!!!
Last but not least, a very sweet note with a snitch on it
My photos don't do everything justice. I might have to redo the photo of the owl.

Queen Frysia the Fierce's Kit

2009-02-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

Sent to Violette Black (can also see on Ravelry here)
"I don’t know why Blogger wouldn’t let me post these pics - but isn’t this a COOL package! I can’t wait to make the socks!"

Bevin Rae Mooney's Kit

2009-02-28T05:08:00.000-08:00

For Phelicia Phoenixfire of Gryffindor.
Kit Includes:
Handmade Bag, Buttercup Pattern made with Heather Bailey fabric
Handmade Correspondence Set with notecards in matching fabric
Handmade Hyperbolic washcloths and regular washcloths in Phelicia's kitchen colors
6 skeins Knitpicks Wool of the Andes Yarn for felting kit
Circular Needles
Shibori Felted Pillow Pattern
Marbles for using in Shibori Felting
7 additional felting patterns
Harry Potter bookmark and a Harry Potter stencil kit
Ferro Rocher Chocolates
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
Burt's Bees hand cream and cuticle cream
Coloring books for son and daughter
Patons Kroy yarn to make scarves for son and daughter

HSKS7 Kit Requirements

2009-02-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Posted Originally on the HSKS7 website by Headmistress Wartbobble.

Kit Should Not Go Over $40 and not under $25.

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.

Quietus' Kit

2009-01-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

Quietus' partner hasn't been able to post about their kit yet, but should DEFINITELY still be included in the judging. So, I submit for your consideration, Quietus' kit. Good luck Quietus!

Quietus created a DADA kit for her partner. It included:

One school trunk
Hand made wand
Knit Pick's sock blank
Red and Gold dye
Knitting needles
Needle point covers
6 Horcruxs (4 ring pops, one gummy snake and one gummy hand of glory)
Potions (pop rocks)
Gryffndor folder
Minerva Tower socks pattern

Here are some pictures of all the items.

Here is the whole kit.

Here is the trunk and another shot of it opened.

HSKS 7 Coming Soon!

2008-12-04T12:47:00.001-08:00

The pic is a portkey to the new HSKS7 Site.

Sign-ups coming soon!

Polls are closed

2008-12-02T22:24:00.000-08:00

Polls are closed.

Best Kit Award to be announced by Mistress Wartbobble!

Thank you for voting!!

Voting Time!!

2008-11-26T09:13:00.000-08:00

Best Kits Voting Has Begun!

Hello Everyone! The time has come for all HSKS6 students to cast their votes for who have made the best kits!

Here are the guidelines and instructions.

1- Go house by house. You will vote for one kit per house.

2- Visit all the links listed on the left hand side of this blog by house. The links go directly to the blog post about the spoilers kit. For example, if you go to my name, Bevin Rae Mooney, it will link directly to my spoilee and the blog she wrote about the kit I made for her.

3- Choose which kit you think is the best in each house by the name on the link.

4- Email me: bevinraemooney(at)gmail(dot)com with your four selections. Optionally, you can add WHY you chose the ones you did... this will benefit those you vote for in the end.

If your kit is not listed and you know it has arrived, email me ASAP and I will take it up with the Head Girl of your spoilers house.

If you are listing your kit from your spoiler, email me ASAP as well so I can add it.

DEADLINE: All votes must be cast by 9:00 p.m. Hogwarts Time (a.k.a. Pacific Standard Time) on Tuesday, December 2nd.

Mistress Wartbobble will be announcing all awards the following day.

Good Luck Everyone!

More goodies have arrived

2008-11-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

Quite a few owls found their mark over the weekend!! Is yours one of them?

Agatha Vablatsky

Andromache Tonks

Arriana Stylos

Bevin Rae Mooney

Chrysta the Cursed

Lady Felula the Forgetful

Lavender Ollivander

Morgana Black

Olive Bumblebirch

Ophelia Ballycastle

Suzie Weasley

Please let me know if your kit is missing. Also, spoilees, please post a blog on the HSKS6 site that you received your kit.

Thank you!

Last Day to Mail Your Kits!

2008-11-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

Everyone has been so giving and considerate in their spoilee kits. The great advantage of being the Best Kit Coordinator is that I get to see, firsthand, the TLC you all have put forth for one another! But, all good things must come to an end...

Today is the last day to mail your kits out!!

Updates on received kits will continue in the coming days and a schedule will be set up with Mistress Wartbobble for the Best Kits contest!!

Stay tuned in via the HSKS6 blog, the Ravelry group, or just simply looking here.

Thank you everyone!
Bevin

More owls have landed (UPDATED 5 p.m. Hogwarts Time)

2008-11-20T10:30:00.001-08:00

Slytherins Megaera Black, Elanor Cadogan and Lavender Diggory-Dolohov have had their kits added to the list of happy spoilees posting pics.

Hufflepuff Lavender Ackerly's owl has also found it's mark.

Ravenclaw Hermione Bagnold's owl made it as well.

Which lucky Hogwarts student is next?

Latest Kits Added

2008-11-18T11:39:00.000-08:00

Has your owl flown yet?

These have arrived since Friday... last updated Tuesday the 18th at 12:00 p.m. Hogwarts time.

Lily May Clearwater

Ophelia Crookshanks

Antonio dela Weasley

Minerva Kwikspell

Argentia Pascal

Victoria Pettigrew, part2

Fleur Sweeting

Is yours missing?? Let me know ASAP!

Thank you.

Handmade Spoiler Items from Matilda Edgecombe

2008-11-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, Matilda's spoilee has not posted a blog about her kit.

Luckily, Matilda was a smarty Slytherin and took photos of her awesome handmade items!

A yarn/project bucket!

Cool bookmarker!

Thank you Matilda for sending in the pics!

Lots of Kits Added!

2008-11-14T07:09:00.000-08:00

Has your kit arrived?

Kits added today are from: (as of 12 p.m. Hogwarts Time)

Emma Kettleburn

Emma Wigworthy

Eugene Nigeno

Guinifer LeFleur

Stuart Cauldwell

Links to all kits I've been notified of are on the left side of this blog.

If you've received your kit, please blog about and let me know so we can get the link up!

Thank you!

Last Updated, 11/13 at 2:02 p.m., Hogwarts Time

2008-11-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Pics of received kits are available on the left side of the blog... the link goes to the spoilee's page, and is listed by the name of the spoiler.

If you do not see your kit listed and know that it has arrived, please let me know ASAP.

Thank you!

Please post pics of sent/rec'd packages

2008-11-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

With the early deadline having just passed, many of you may be a wee bit worn out knitting, crocheting and sewing your spoilees' goodies.... but please make sure to post on the HSKS6 site that your package has been received.

Also, please show us your awesome kit with a blog post on your own blog.

There are several kits that have already been received that do not have pictures or blog posts to go with them. I've sent comments to those I've heard about, but I am sure there are more that need to be accounted for.

Owl me with any questions.
Thank you!
Bevin

Picture of Draco Firewalker's kit

2008-11-08T14:05:00.000-08:00

On Grandma Grumblyplank's blog, she wrote of Draco Firewalkers spoilee kit for her:

Love my sock kit! can not wait to dye up the yarn in Gryffindor colors and make some wristlets! Grandma

"Owl delivery"

2008-10-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Feel free to use any of the these... or you can also do Google image searches for: owl, owl flying, owl delivery

Tracking USPS Packages

2008-10-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Since I just spoke about this on our Ravelry HSKS group, I figured it should be here as well.

For packages being mailed from the United States-- weather leaving the country or staying within the U.S., you can track them easily via the USPS Track and Confirm web page.

Main USPS page

Track & Confirm Page

The site is slow, updated nightly, but it works!

For a package with a destination within the U.S.

You will pay $0.65 for this service and will be given a 20 digit Delivery Confirmation Number like this: 0307 0080 0505 2123 4853
Example of the form you will fill out. You will be given the detachable receipt on the left side of the form when dropping off your package.
This number is also printed on the receipt given to you if you lose the receipt they give you.

For a package with a destination outside the U.S.

You will fill out a Customs Declaration Form
example one is for smaller items like an envelope bubble mailer. A detachable receipt is given when you drop off the package.
example two is for larger items like a box - You will receive a copy of the entire form with this type of Customs form.
The number on both of these forms starts with two letters, then eight numbers, then ends with US, i.e. CP18439578US
This number is also printed on the receipt given to you if you lose your copy of the form.

Please leave any questions or comments and I will get back to you ASAP.

Happy Shipping!!

Welcome to the Best Kits Blog!

2008-10-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, Bevin Rae from Ravenclaw here!

I'll be setting up and fleshing out this blog as quickly as possible... the 6th year of HSKS has already been amazing with lots of spell practice, duels, quidditch, and of course, knitting and crocheting for your spoilee and the holidays ahead!

Upcoming blogs will include information for you on:

Kit guidelines
Kit embellishment ideas
Owl delivery assistance
Photographic suggestions (Remember, we have end of term contest for the best kit!)

What else would you like to see?! Leave a comment and I'll see what I can do.