Working with Uncle Vincenzio

What a week this has been! In addition to my schoolwork here at Hogwarts I am working with my uncle, Vincenzio Ricardo dela Weasley. Uncle Vincenzio runs a shoppe on Diagon Alley called TipoFilato, a magical fibers shoppe. Not only does he supply specially transfigured fibers to the wizarding community of London and the surrounding areas, but he also is a very popular instructor of muggle ladies who transfigure fiber, or knit as they call it.

Uncle Vincenzio has a group that meets twice every week. They call themselves a "knitting circle," although they remind me of Grammie Weasley's coven ladies. Uncle Vincenzio thought that was pretty funny, but suggested I not tell that to the ladies of the knitting circle... or Grammie Weasley.

Right now we are working in fiber color transfiguration, or what the muggles call "hand-painting." One of the ladies let me use her "digital camera" (though these muggle pictures still don't move, they call those "videos") and I took some pictures of the recent work I did.

Here are 2 "pics" of some Gryffindor colored yarn that I transfigured yesterday and is still hanging to dry. Uncle Vincenzio was very pleased with the results.

We use a type of muggle cauldron called a "crock pot" to heat set the color transfiguration after we paint the wool with colorful potions called "dyes."

Here are a couple versions of Ravenclaw colors that we did tonight. Right now they are cooling. After I'm done journaling I'll set them to wash and then hang to dry.

I'm really enjoying doing this. Not only do I get to work with my favorite uncle in his shoppe, but I'm learning muggle methods of fiber transfiguration as a part of my studies this year. Maybe once I'm done with school I can come work full time for Uncle Vincenzio. He's talked about opening a second shoppe as well in the future.

Well off to wash and rinse my wool, then time for bed. See you all in class!

Antonio

QUIDDITCH! -Round 1

1. Which of Arabella Figg's cats ran out from under the car?
a. Tibbles

2. Which of the following is NOT one of Albus Dumbledore's middle name
a. Ignatius

3. Which educational decree introduced a High Inquisitor to Hogwarts?
d. 23

4. Apart from Harry, Ron and Hermione, who was the first person to enter the Hog's Head that showed an interest in Harry's Defence Against the Dark Arts classes?
b. Neville Longbottom

5. In the first Quidditch match of the year which player attempted to score first?
a. Angelina Johnson

6. What kind of bush does Harry hide behind to listen to the news?
b. A hydrangea bush

7. Why is Mundungus Fletcher disguised as a woman when he witnesses the DA (Dumbledore's Army) meeting in the Hog's Head pub?
b. He was banned from the Hog’s Head pub 20 years ago

8. When Harry and Cho go on their first date to Madam Puddifoot's in Hogsmeade, what is it decorated with for Valentine's Day?
c. Golden cherubs and pink confetti

9. How old is Sturgis Podmore and where does he live?
a. 38 and number 2 Laburnum Gardens Clapham

10. What did Fred and George Weasley do to Montague?
a. Forced him head-first into a Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor.

PICTURE SCAVENGER HUNT

Fred and George WeasleyHog's Head InnSirius Black

Mr. Weasley and Harry Potter

Draco Malfoy

QUIDDITCH!

Quidditch starts on Wednesday!
GO PUFFS for the House Cup!

Hufflepuff Quiz #2

Potions Ingredients

1. colimamhe: Chamomile

2. hianeaecc: Echinacea

3. lgveoa: Lovage

4. nsaie: Anise

5. itlhhawcez (2 words): Witch Hazel

6. ladeevrn: Lavender

7. oynranlype: Pennyroyal

8. iwelnrepki: Periwinkle

9. aavvakka (2 words): Kava Kava

10. waoalhmlsrm (2 words): Marsh Mallow

11. gseginn: Ginseng

12. uwgtrmo: Mugwort

13. What is your favorite thing to do besides knit and crochet?:
RENN FSEURITT (2 words)

14. Do you collect anything? (yes and no are invalid answers):
EESSA WLEGGARRN (2 words)

15. What is your favorite flower?:
CLILA

Birthday Wishes

Just want to say thanks to all my fellow Puffs, and anyone else, who stopped by to give birthday wishes. It made a great day even better!

Must remember to work on that 2nd House quiz... so many tests already...

PUFF HOUSE QUIZ - ANSWERS!

1. Is from a muggle family and the first to attend Hogwarts?
Penelope Willow

2. When knitting socks you use dpn's, 2 circ, 1 circ 1 sock, 1 circ 2 socks?
I love knitting socks with "Magic Loop" using 1 long circular needle.

3. Their owls name is Owlbert?
Eleanor Wigsworthy

4. Beat Agatey Mirrofold in a contest?
Lily May Clearwater

5. Your favorite non 'puff color?
It would have to be blue, I guess that is what made me originally think I was a Ravenclaw. Until my inner Puff came shining through.

6. They learned to knit for a school play?
Emma Kettleburn

7. They got engaged last week?
Selena Starfire

8. One sentence/statement you would use to describe your stash?
Controlled chaos.

9. Their best class is Divination?
Daisy Chang

10. Last term everyone thought you were your sibling?
That would be me! Antonio dela Weasley. Last term I attended as my sister Antonia so that it wouldn't be obvious that I was the only male knitter in HSKS4.

11. When not going to Hogwarts your favorite thing to do is?
Knitting of course! I've recently started hand-painting sock yarn, which I'm having a lot of fun doing.

12. You have read the books, watched the movie or both?
Read all the books, seen all the movies, gone to Harry Potter fan-dom events too. (The Witching Hour, Prophecy, Wrockstock)

13. Your family includes?
Should I be answering this as Antonio or Vince? Oh I guess I'll do both... Antonio has his mum and dad, sister Antonia Marie, paternal Grandparents granpa and grannie Weasley, maternal grandparents pappa and nonni and his favorite uncle, Vincenzio Ricardo!. Vince has his mother and father, an older brother and a younger brother.

14. They have frogs in their room?
Clidonia Acromantula

15. Has a dog named Kluane?
Ursula Longbottom

16. My favorite thing to knit is.
socks!.... no, hats!.... no, sweaters! Okay, I just like to knit. But socks are really cool and I am spoiled with wearing hand-knit socks and hate wearing store bought dress socks.

And my favorite Harry Potter character is Ron Weasley!

2nd Term Starting Soon!

The next term at Hogwarts will be starting very soon and I am really excited about being able to continue in the magical fiber transfiguration program. My first year in the program was so great and I learned so many new things about it. Though for some reason everyone at school is under the impression that I was my sister Antonia during first year... strange.... ::grin::

I've already been paired with a partner for fiber transfiguration. She is a very nice first year Ravenclaw named Agatha Ackerly. We've owled each other and I learned she lives nearby and her family often comes for stays in my home town. Hopefully she'll be visiting over the holiday break and we can go sight seeing together.

I've also wanted to let everyone know, my uncle Vincenzo Ricardo dela Weasley has a magical fiber shop in Diagon Alley and he is offering a 10% discount to all Hogwarts students who are enrolled in the Magical Fiber Transfiguration program! If you get a chance to stop in before term starts he has some really brilliant selections. He will of course do owl delivery to Hogwarts. Here is the floo to his shop if you'd like to see what he has.

Etsy Buy Handmade tipofilato

When you place your order, be sure to let him know that his favorite nephew Antonio sent you. Just so you know who to speak with, here is a picture of Uncle Vincenzio with our distant cousin Percy Weasley when they met at a wizarding conference that was held in Salem, Massachusetts.

Well that is all for now. So much to do before I catch the Hogwarts Express and start the new term. I've barely begun to pack and I don't want to forget anything. Tomorrow will be dedicated to packing and seeing what supplies I will be needing.