King Tut

I have been wanting to go to the King Tut exhibition in Dallas since it's opening in October. I finally went on Saturday I have to say that I am terriable disappointed. I spent 30.00 on a ticket (my mom's was 32.50 + 20.00 for parking) and I don't feel I got my moneys worth.

First you buy the ticket, stand in a tent in line for the 12:00pm tour, stand in line again. AND then go into a dark room for a 90 second intro, THEN into a room with a statue of him as a child. Keep in mind I was in a room with about 45+ others-- several other strollers and wheelchairs. I guess the chamber-like rooms were to imitate the burial chambers BUT it caused traffic problems. Majority of the rooms were dark for dramatic presentation of the artifacts which made it quite difficult for people with children. Poor little R just about got stepped on several times-- atleast she was in a stroller that kept her somewhat safe.

Okay, now the exhibition itself. I am going to reread some of the PR on this show because what I saw and what I read did not seem to corralate. The majority was funerary piece of King Tut's (assumed) family members. I could not believe it.

Don't get me wrong everything was lovely and historically fantastic, but this is my 4th Egyptian exhibt (I am counting the Mets collection twice since I attended it twice. It was wonderful both times). This exhibit considering that combined it was 80.00 to see it, IT WAS NOT WORTH IT! And that is very sad to say.

I did get two books, a patch for my jacket, a scarab paper weight, a Tut shot glass for the hubby, a scarab necklace (from my mom for my Christmas/Birthday gift), and a tube of Egyptian toys for R.

Other than going to the DMA I went to Ikea. What I did not know was that my new paint colors are popular. I have slate blue, black and red-orange. Red-orange was everywhere. I did get a new bedspread which we desperatly needed. It cost me 50.00 (for the black duvet cover and comforter) which was about 30 bucks cheaper than anything else I had found and it was what I wanted. I also bought: black wool rug* for the bathroom, red-orange curtains for the dining room, spice jars + 2 hanging rackes for the kitchen, 2 throw pillow inserts, black flower pot, a pull out mirror for the bathroom and some other misc. items. I am really excited to used everything but I have to wait until May or June. I live in a duplex and I am waiting on my brother to move out so I can move into his side. My mom and dad own it so I have more control on how the house looks.

One of my favorite malls is in Grapevine because it has a Hello Kitty store. They were running a amazing sale. They had yellow bags that you could fill anything in out of two boxes as long as you bag can close for 20.00. We got tons of stickers for Easter, two Pandapple bags, a jewelry box, a perfect Chocokitty shower curtain, two Hello Kitty bracelets, charms, and a few other items. The shower curtain will look great in the bathroom. It was one of the items I wanted to find at Ikea and didn't.

* I know I keep saying that I am allergic to wool but as long as I don't roll around on it I am good! Plus, cotton and acrylic rugs looks like crap pretty quick, I know I have them too.

Achilles the Pygmy Puff

Pygmy Puff
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

I love Pren's Pygmy Puff, but I can't crochet. (I just remember after trying the Scorpio Kitten.) Unfortunately I have no money to order cute little noses so my little guy doesn't have one.

I read on a thread in the Harry Potter Lovers group on Ravelry that someone thought about making one and wearing it on her shoulder for the HBP opening! I loved the idea so I borrowed it.

Little Witch with Wand

Little Witch with Wand
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

I finally made my little witch a "wand" pen cozie, but before I finished it she broke the pen! She had ink all over her hands and who knows where else in her daddy's truck, uh I mean enchanted Toyota....

She won't confess how the pen broke so I may have to resort to veritaserum.

Watch out, I caught her practicing the killing curse on the bathroom sink.

Bowtruckle

Bowtruckle
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

Want to harvest from a wand tree? Offer this little guys some wood lice to placate him until you get enough for a wand or two! But be warned, if you piss off the bowtruckle you will be sorry!

Coffee deprivation

I took a late lunch today and now I am paying for it. Now I am tired and my brain shut down from work.

Plus I got started on something that I had to stop. I am trying to crochet. I know some crochet terms and stitches or chains, whatever. I am trying to make a Scorpio Kitten (the Crochet Kitten website). Wish me luck- it might turn out, it might not.

I had a horse distaster this weekend. It looks nothing like a horse. I have no idea what to do with it. I have been think about trying to alter it, but nothing has come to mind.

I added to my pet/patronus collection this weekend. I found a rat for Scabbers or Peter Pettigrew and a wolf (I didn't like any of the dogs) for Sirius Black's in animagus form. I hope to find more soon.

I can't think of anything else.

Surprise

My 4th wedding anniversary was Thursday, March 19th.  I did not know that we were going to exchange gifts, we are real romantics (sarcasm).   I came home and found lovely orange lilies, a stuffed frog and a card. 

I felt ashamed that I had nothing to give in return, so I pulled out some red yarn and some needles and got to work.  I had a little over half by the end of the night.  Here are the photos of everything but the card- it is MIA:

There heart pattern in available on knitty.com

Ashwinder

Ashwinder
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

Don't let your floo fire burn too long or you might have an ashwinder invade your home! The snake isn't deadly, but the eggs that she lays just may catch your house on fire!

I found this one just in time! The eggs are properly stored for future use in potions.

Quidditch 2

1. On which day did the Order of the Phoenix come to get Harry?
a. Tuesday
b. Sunday
c. Saturday
d. The day of his 17th birthday

2. During all this chaos with voldemort and the Death Eaters, people still had lives to live and Ron's oldest brother, Bill decided to marry Fleur Delacour? Who were the uninvited guests at Bill and Fleur's wedding?
a. Voldemort
b. Death Eaters
c. Scrimgeour
d. Grindewald

3. Voldemort had seven Horcruxes hidden in different places. Six of them were hidden at the Gaunt shack, Hogwarts, a cave, inside Harry, inside his snake, Nagini and Tom Riddles Diary. Did Voldemort hide the last Horcrux inside the Malfoy's vault at Gringotts?
a. Yes
b. No

4. Why did the Dumbledore's move to Godric's Hollow?
a. The reason is unknown
b. They were tired of their old home.
c. The father went to Azkaban
d. It was a better place for their children to grow up

5. Harry and Hermione read a part of "Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore," written by Rita Skeeter. Then they met Dumbledore's brother Abeforth and he told them the same story, just with a few details changed. Which of the following did Aberforth and Rita Skeeter agree on about Dumbdore's past?
a. Why the Dumbledore family moved to Godric's Hollow
b. That Dumbledore was friends with Grindelwald for a while.
c. Why nobody outside the family noticed Ariana much.
d. The reason for Dumbledore's father's imprisonment in Azkaban.

6. When Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow, they visit the graveyard to see Harry's parent's graves. Harry walks by a tombstone that we later learn belong to tone of "The Three Broother'. The brother buried there once owned what?
a. The ressrection stone
b. The cloak
c. The wand
d. The sword

7. The Trio finds out that Luna had been kidnapped by the Death Eaters , and that they won't give her back until they got Harry Potter. Why did they kidnap Luna?
a. Her father sided with Harry and Dumbledore
b. They though he would come to her rescue
c. She was a muggleborn
d. Her father failed as a Death Eater

8. After Voldemort killed Snape, he left the room and Harry came out from under the cloak. Snape gave Harry some of his memories all the way from when he was a child to just months before. Harry dived into the Pensieve and which of the following did he not see?
a. Dumbldore telling Snape that at some point Snape had to kill him.
b. Snape telling Lily she was a witch
c. Snape and Lily having fun in a potions class
d. Snape talking to Dumbledore on a hilltop

9. On the search of the Lost Diadem, Harry finally gets to takl to the Gray Lady. Who was the Gray Lady when she was alive?
a. She didn't remember because she had been dead for so long.
b. Rowena Ravenclaw.
c. Helena Ravenclaw.
d. A girl who was put in ravenclaw 800 years previously

10. Which of these is not one of Harry or Ron's children?
a. Rose
b. Hugo
c. James
d. Victoria

Picture Scavenger Hunt
These pictures must either be posted to your blog or linked to from your blog.
Lily
Ron
Snape
Luna
Godric's Hollow

It's Late, Knit Great

Well, I spent a good portion of my night knitting, chatting, drinking, and watching. 

 I knit a surprise for my HSKS 7 partner's little boy (I already had stuff, but I didn't think it was enough).  

Chatted with an ex of like 4 years ago and he still has the same pick up lines.  He asked if I was still married because I used my maiden name on facebook.  To clarify...there is a married name attached, but what he didn't know is that I use my maiden name only.  Come on, I don't give a censored (I said a naughty word) if you are naked while you chat....get over yourself.  

I drank 2 beers.  No food on the tummy.  I do believe those noodles (or the oil seasoning) I cooked were rancid; therefore, I did not eat them.

I watched Narnia.  My sister gifted it to me for Christmas thinking I would like it.  I just opened it tonight.  I must admit I was not too impressed (Sorry).  I tried too.  Maybe I have heard too much hype.  Harry is still much better.

There you go, the night of -ings.  Off to sleep, I will probably be up soon.  I am afraid my Peanut (pet name for kid) is getting sick.  (Sorry for the parenthesis seems pretty fun at the moment.)

Niffler Revised

Niffler
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

Here is the Niffler with front paws and back legs. Inspiration finally hit on Saturday night and it was executed on Sunday! That is what sketchbooks are for-- those random duh moments.

Cauldron full of luck

Here is my cauldron.  It is full of Felix Felicis.  For the top "potion" I did short rows and bobbles to make the bubbling.   I hand sewed in the lining and the zipper.  I am not very brave with knitting and sewing machines. 

This is "cast iron."  I am going to make a Hogwarts standard "pewter" cauldron and I am going to felt it.  Sorry that the photos are a bit blurry.

Spider for Preschool

Spider
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

This weeks lesson for R was bugs. For show and tell she had to have something related to the lesson. Here it is! She really likes spiders. Her and my mom have a saying, "Spiders are our friends because they eat mosquitos, etc."

Cornish Pixie

Cornish Pixie
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

Here is my finished Cornish Pixie. Pattern coming soon.

R's artwork

R started drawing people shapes on Saturday night. It was fantastic because she had been a wild child all day long. Here one is:

And a photo of her with what I call "Beetle" hair:

I forgot to mention!

I forgot to post about my wonderful find. I was randomly searching through the teddy bear patterns on Ravelry and found this: Ralph and Nipper!

And what have I been searching for-- a Jack Russell Terrier pattern! Not only do I get the pup, I get the cute teddy also!! I ordered my pattern from Dragon Yarns Store. I received a email telling me it has been shipped. I am beside myself that I can actually get to work on my crup soon!

Photo from Sandra Polley's pattern page on Rav.

Speaking of Crup, I couldn't really get to sleep last night so I pulled out my copy of 'Fantstic Beast and Where to Find Them' and I started thinking about all the creatures that are makeable! Like an ashwinder...make a light grey snake with red eyes and red eggs.... I am going to read somemore tonight.

Before I can start any of those creatures, I have to get my pattern finished for the Cornish Pixie. I am writing it right now. I am to the head and the rest is pretty much already written. I would have been finished, but I had to get started on making a spider ASAP for R's preschool show and tell.

Well, I'm off knitting and writing.

Horse No. 1

Horse
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

This is my horse. I am working on one right now also. I thought I might aught to get it down before I start doing funky things with the pattern.

The new one is black and grey alpaca yarn. I might put wings on it and call it a pegusas. Why not?

His rear end is a little mishapen, but I have been assured that it looks pretty natural for a horse stepping.

Gryffindor Assignment No. 3?

So, I am completely miserable at these things. I am going to choose my favorite quote from DH. Here it is:

CVMMT GJJFZY VMJPIY; OCZMZ RVN BDIIT MPIIDIB OJRVMY CDH; NCZ CVY V CVMY, WGVUDIB GJJF DI CZM AVXZ VN NCZ OCMZR CZM VMHN VMJPIY CDH. VIY RDOCJPO OCDIFDIB, RDOCJPO KGVIIDIB DO, RDOCJPO RJMMTDIB VWJPO OCZ AVXO OCVO ADAOT KZJKGZ RZMZ RVOXCDIB, CVMMT FDNNZY CZM.

I know this is not the answer, but it is my favorite:

"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"  

Mrs. Weasley threw off her cloak as she ran, freeing her arms.  Bellatrix spun on the spot, roaring with laughter at the sight of her new challenger. (HPDH, page 736)

Gotta love it.

Real post date: 7 March 2009

Well, It's a horse

I am glad I listened to my sensible side and made a plain jane horse first.  One sided looks about right, the other side....eh, he is a bit gimpy.  I think I am going to change the i-cords to dpns.  I pretty much hate i-cords.  Changing that it might solve some of my proportion problems. Overall for my first horse it probably is pretty good, but I have high standards.   I am starting a new one today and finishing off (adding the ears, eyes, tail, and mane) the first one.

It is my day to work on a Sunday.  The nice thing is I get to knit for 6 hours and get paid for it (I work Circ. today rather than my normal Archives).  

I started a Cornish Pixie last night!  It is pretty cute!  I will try to write a pattern for it.  I am pretty miserable at pattern writing so there are no guarantees.   

I am still working on the mandrake pattern.  I think that I am going to have to make one as I write which will be a challenge.  The nice thing about a mandrake, since it is a root it can look lumpy and weird.

I guess I best be going and getting my knitting together!