Quick Quidditch Match 4 Wrap-Up

Ahoy, mighty Ravenclaws!

Match 4 was a swift one over the long Hogsmeade Weekend, and had us all shopping for end-of-term finery. It was a rather close match, with goals ranging between 89 and 96 in the four houses.
Ravenclaw rocked the pitch with 89 goals!
Slytherin added another for 90 goals!
Gryffindor came roaring in with 95 goals!
Hufflepuff found their fancy duds and pulled through with 96 goals!

 

Of our 89 goals for this match, 24 Ravenclaws were un-squadded while they went shopping in Hogsmeade. The remaining 65 goals were tallied in our inter-house squad duel. The Ravenclaw Quidditch Squad report for Match 4:

The Curling Squad brought 14 goals to the team!
The Snowboard Squad had 15 goals to add to the Ravenclaw effort!
The Luge Squad slid in with 17 goals for Ravenclaw!
The Bobsleigh Squad brought it home with 19 goals!

 

Well done, dragon Ravenclaws! (These tasty information pies were again created by PurplePigwidgeon. Many thanks, PPW!)

Match 5 has us back at the Quidditch pitch with the fiber, and this time we're talking self-care. Starting today and running through March 25, we have a whole month for this challenge! And a challenge it might be, for those crafters who are used to making things for others – because this time, you get to make something for yourself! That means no gifts, no charity or none of “what the Ministry insists upon”. Non-Rav crafts ARE accepted, so please use that to your advantage! There are 25 base points available per goal, plus yardage points and awesomeness points. Score one for Ravenclaw, but more importantly, for yourself. Rock on, Ravenclaws!

Stop by the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team thread if you need assistance. Our Quidditch team is always ready to help, and happy to cheer loud and proud for all Ravenclaws.

Hugs & Quaffles,

xamonster

Winter Quidditch Match 3 roundup

Soar, Ravenclaw! Did you have a good Match 3?

Match 3 gave Cup-seekers the opportunity to slim down using or creating lightweight yarns (fingering or smaller!) or to bulk up using or creating more robust yarns (bulky or larger!). 

Slightly fewer people participated in Match 3 than previously, but a boatload of goals were still scored across the board. There were only 19 goals separating first and fourth places, in terms of number of goals scored. That is amazing!

Gryffindor roared into first with 97 goals.
Hufflepuff rallied with 88 goals.
Slytherin crept up on the badgers with their 82 goals.
Ravenclaw rounded out the scoring with 78 goals.

Of our 78 goals for this match, 17 Ravenclaws soared solo (well, they remain unattached to a squad). The remaining 61 goals were tallied in our inter-house squad duel. The Ravenclaw Quidditch Squad report for Match 3:
The Luge Squad brought 18 goals to the table!
The Snowboard Squad and Bobsleigh Squad had 15 goals each!
The Curling Squad zoomed in with 13 goals!

These illustrative pies were created by PurplePigwidgeon. Many thanks, PPW!

Quidditch Match 4 is a very short event, running just Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-19. It is a non-crafting match, and the details will not be announced ahead of time. Look for the Match 4 thread to open on February 16. Awesomeness bonus points apply, however yardage bonus points are not in play.
Stop by the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team thread if you need assistance or ideas once the Match 4 details are announced. Our Quidditch team is always ready to help, and happy to cheer loud and proud for all Ravenclaws.

Hugs & Quaffles,

xamonster

Winter Quidditch Match 2 is a wrap!

Ravenclaw, what a fun Quidditch Match 2!

There were very similar levels of participation across the four houses in Match 2. The final tally of goals is as follows:
Gryffindor scored 100 goals.
Slytherin had 97 goals.
Ravenclaw had 90 goals,
and Hufflepuff scored 87 goals.

Of our 90 goals for this match, 69 scorers are members of squads while 21 Ravenclaws are soaring solo but strong. The Ravenclaw Quidditch Squad report for Match 2:
The Luge Squad scored 19 goals!
The Curling Squad and SnowBoard Squad each had 17 goals to their respective names.
The Bobsleigh Squad brought everything home with 16 goals.

These fantastic and illustrative pies were created by PurplePigwidgeon. Many thanks, PPW!

Looking ahead, Quidditch Match 3 kicks off in just a few days! It starts Tuesday, January 30, and runs through Thursday, February 8. Awesomeness bonus points apply here (no yardage bonus this time), so remember to make the prompt work for you! The name of the game: bulk up or slim down. Basic guidelines are as follows:

1. Bulk up by crafting with or spinning bulky weight yarn or thicker.
2. Slim down by crafting with or spinning fingering weight yarn or thinner.

There are 22 base points on offer, as well as those bonus points I mentioned before. Non-Ravelry crafts are not accepted for this match. Please visit the Match 3 thread if you have further questions, or stop by the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team thread if you need assistance or ideas. Our Quidditch team is ready to help, and happy to cheer loud and proud for all Ravenclaws.

Hugs & Quaffles,

xamonster

Winter Quidditch: A Piece of Pie!

Soar, Ravenclaw! We've had a marvelous time in Quidditch so far this term.

With Match 1 complete, the final tally of goals is as follows:
Gryffindor scored 125 times.
Slytherin had 116 goals.
Ravenclaw had a fabulous 113 goals,
and Hufflepuff matched us with their 113 goals.

When it comes to our own Ravenclaw Quidditch Squads, we had some stellar participation.

Our Bobsleigh Squad scored 19 times, with 100% participation!
The Curling Squad had 19 goals, with 95% participation!
Our Luge Squad scored 19 times, with 100% participation!
And our SnowBoard Squad had (say it with me) 19 goals, with 100% participation!

These fantastic and illustrative pies were created by taleweaver. Many thanks!

Quidditch Match 2 is not far off, now. It starts January 14 and runs through January 23. Yardage and awesomeness bonus points apply here, so make the prompt work for you! The name of the game: learn something new. Basic guidelines are as follows:

1. Craft something that uses or incorporates a new technique or craft that you have not previously attempted before. This can be a new-to-you stitch, technique, or even a totally new craft.
2. Craft something using a technique, skill, or craft that you haven't done in over a year. Hone those rusty skills!

There are 22 base points on offer, as well as those bonus points I mentioned before. Non-Ravelry crafts are also accepted, if they fit the prompt. Please visit the Match 2 thread if you have further questions, or stop by the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team thread if you need assistance or ideas.

Hugs & Quaffles,

xamonster

Quiddy Match Two Stats!

The points are in for Quidditch Match 2, and while we as a house were defeated by some spectularly scoring Slytherins, we're all about stats here in the Tower, and I thought I'd go over a few things I noticed.

Firstly, I always think it's interesting to look at when people turn in during the month. Our intrepid spreadsheet sorceresses don't collect that information for classes (and what a nightmare it would be to try!), but I have the dates for each Quiddy turn-in, so I thought I would use it.

I started off wanting to compare week-by-week, but as it turns out, only four of our 67 goals were made in the first week, so I took another tactic. The first two weeks of the match, September 28-October 11, had a total of 18 turn-ins. October 12-16, the next five days and remainder of the match excluding the last day, had more at 21, and the last day alone scored us 28 goals! It seems unfair to compare these uneven amounts of time, but I think it says a lot that even as the time periods shrink, the goals increase!

Of course there is frequently a reason for these last minute goals, and it's not always procrastination! That last day had a significantly higher points average than either of the other groups, which proves that at least some of those last minutes goals were pretty spectacular ones that may have taken every last second. 

Then, of course, you know your stats blogger's fascination with comparing things by dorm this term, so I sorted out the goals that way. Those wily Sevenths, just as they did in the first match, jumped out in the lead for participation! Once again the Fourths and Firsties were in second and third place, though they swapped places for this match. Participation in general was definitely down from last time, though. Perhaps everyone has gotten more focused on their Advanced Studies projects?

Here's the full stat-by-dorm breakdown for Match 2, if anyone wanted to check how they were doing against the others!

Before I go, don't forget that Quidditch Match #3 is happening right now! Craft something that relaxes you or relieves stress by November 3rd (next Friday!) in order to earn 20 base points as well as awesomeness and yardage bonus. Non-rav crafts are being accepted for this match, too, so get out your sewing machines and paint brushes if you want and score for Ravenclaw!

Quidditch Match 2 -- Mid-match update

Ravenclaw Quidditch Team Needs to SOAR!

With just about a week to go in Match 2, we Ravenclaws have our work cut out for us.  We are currently holding steady in 4th place, though we know there are some high yardage projects still in the works.

Right now, the Godric’s Hollow and Grimmaud Place squads are tied for first place, Shell Cottage is trailing behind, and The Burrow has yet to appear on the scoreboard:

It’s time for big-hearted Ravenclaws to do some charity crafting or crafting to protect someone else and earn BIG points!  There will be 25 base points for even the smallest project that fits the prompt.  Blanket square anyone?  How about a preemie hat?

Yardage and awesomeness bonus are both available.  Non-rav crafts that fit the prompt will be accepted as well, though yardage bonus will not apply. 25 base points for a non-rav project is a pretty good deal!

Do come visit the Ravenclaw Quidditch thread for information, ideas, cheers, and encouragement.  Let's show the world that we care!  Get those hooks and needles busy to help others, and you will feel great too. Match 2 ends at midnight POT at the end of October 17.

Thank you to greeneheron and Neetsey for that update on Match 2! SOAR RAVENCLAW!

Quidditch Match 1 - Mid-Match Update!

Let's Go, Ravenclaw Chasers!

Quidditch Match 1 is off to a roaring start as Gryffindor has surged into the lead.  The other Houses are very close, with Ravenclaw trailing the pack in fourth place -- though I am totally sure that many of the diligent Chasers of Ravenclaw are working on high yardage projects that won't be finished until later in the match.

There is still plenty of time to score!  This match stays open until midnight POT at the close of Sunday, September 17.  The assignment: craft something you would need to survive in the countryside, or something to tame or restrain a magical creature.  Here are our best strategy tips:

Short and sweet:  22 base points!  Crank out a quick scrubby or hexipuff and take those points to Gringotts.

Go for the yardage:  this is a Ravenclaw specialty.  Take those 22 base points and add yardage bonus (same formula as used in classes). Beautiful!

Awesomeness bonus also applies, so put some thought into a creative photo and story.

Non-rav crafts accepted!

If using the magical creature option, be sure to research here.  The referees will want to be sure that you did not fall asleep in CoMC class!

Visit the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team thread for details, help, encouragement, and cheers!

SOAR EAGLES!  Do it for Mother Rowena!

Thank you greenheron for that update!

Spring '17 Quidditch Update -- RAVENCLAW WINS QUIDDITCH CUP

Ravenclaw Chasers rocked and socked the pitch in Spring Term 2017 and we soared our way to our first Quidditch victory since Fall Term 2015!

The first match honored Helga Hufflepuff and the Quaffle, and we were thrilled to come in first.  What a great way to start the season!  Then the second match, starring Salazar Slytherin and the Bludger, was a real nail-biter. Slytherin won first place for their Founder and we barely edged Hufflepuff for second place by a two point margin.

In the third match, featuring Godric Gryffindor and the Snitch, it was our turn to roar with a strong first place finish.  The fourth match celebrated our own Founder Rowena Ravenclaw and her marvelous invention of the Quidditch Hoops.  We did Rowena proud and blitzed the pitch to finish way out front in first place.

The fifth match showcased all four Founders.  We really poured it on, and while we finished in second, we were well ahead of third place this time.

The other Houses were very worthy opponents, and we salute all the Chasers of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin.  Well played all!!

We thank the Cup Quidditch Referees for their interesting, creative, and very educational prompts.  I know we all learned a lot about the history of Quidditch.

Deep thanks to the Ravenclaw House Quidditch staff, and the the PickleCake, for all the love and support.  

Most of all, we thank the many Ravenclaw chasers who played this term!

WE DID IT!

Thank you greenheron and freemiki for this wrap up of our winning Quidditch season!

Ravenclaw Chasers Do It Again!

You were awesome, dear Chasers!  While the scores are not yet official, all indications are that Ravenclaw won Match 4 by a large margin.

Well done!  Along with our wins in Matches 1 and 3, and our second place finish in Match 2, we are well on our way to winning the Quidditch Cup.

But the other Houses will not lie down and let us fly all over them for the last Match!  We need to keep up the good work and show that we can keep soaring.  

Match 5 is coming soon - July 18 - July 27 - and offers lots of good creative possibilities.  There is a fairly short time frame of nine days, 20 base points, and both yardage and awesomeness bonus.  The prompt requires a project, or group of projects, that honors All Four Founders.  We can mix and match Founder character traits, Founder trivia, House colors, House values, etc. to create something really epic.

For those with time for medium or even high yardage crafting - go for it!  You will be well rewarded by the referees.  For those working hard on classes or advanced studies, do find time for something small.  20 base points for a coaster is excellent value, and all you need to do to meet the prompt is describe a connection to each of the Founders and/or Houses.  With this match there is potential to create a wonderful Harry Potter or House Cup themed item (or group of items).  

Come visit the House Quidditch thread for more information, to check out our bundle of patterns, and to receive tons of cheers. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Thank you Captain greenheron for this Quidditch news!!

Ravenclaw Quidditch Homecoming July 5th through 10th!

Come home to Ravenclaw!

Our turn has come at last!  While Ravenclaw House has enjoyed honoring Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin, and Godric Gryffindor in the first three Quidditch matches of the term, we are thrilled to now have a chance to honor our own founder, Rowena Ravenclaw.

This is the time for every Ravenclaw to play QUIDDITCH!  Show your pride, and show your skills.  Let's win Match 4 for Rowena!

To add to the fun, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team is hosting a Homecoming Parade, Game, and Dance during the upcoming Quidditch Match 4.  

Watch the beautiful floats (projects) pass through the Common Room beginning on July 5.  Then hop on your broom and blitz the quidditch field to honor our Founder, Rowena Ravenclaw, on July 9 and 10.  Then, after the blitz, come to the Ravenclaw House Quidditch thread to celebrate at the dance.  Full details will be available soon in the Ravenclaw Quidditch thread.

Match 4 offers 20 base points with no yardage bonus and no yardage minimum, so small projects are perfect!  The prompts are for ravelry crafts only, and the two options are to make something either in the round or with a round motif, OR to make something worked flat.  So, as you can see, the sky is the limit.

EAGLES will SOAR starting July 5!

Thank you Captain greenheron for this Quidditch news!!

Greetings and salutations to all you quidditch fans!!!

The Ravenclaw Quidditch Team is having an up-and-down term.  We were first place in Match 1, then in Match 2 took second place in a real squeaker, only two points ahead of third place.  Overall, our Quidditch points still look good, thanks to our valiant chasers, but the other teams are starting to breathe down our necks.

Here is Match 3 as of last night:

Congratulations to those who have already scored, and those already hard at work!  For the rest of us, it's time to rally for dear old Ravenclaw.  Soar on over to the pitch and put a quaffle through the hoop!

Match 3 is fun.  We're learning about Godric Gryffindor and his bravery.  He was also a very fair wizard, always welcoming to muggle-born witches and wizards.  He refused to fight muggles with his wand, but always used his sword instead.

There are two big choices to make in choosing your project for Match 3.  First, Ravelry craft or a non-Ravelry craft that uses a needle.  For those of you who love sewing, embroidery, or other needle based activities, take a look at option 2.  You must find a relationship between your project and Godric's fair treatment of both muggles and muggle-born magical folk.  This option earns 10 base points.

For Ravelry crafts, take option 1.  Your project must be a difficult pattern OR a new skill OR something related to Godric.   And then comes the second big choice - go for the yardage bonus, or keep it small.  20 base points here, so small is a very viable choice.  Or, go big and earn the same yardage bonus as you would for a class. Your Quidditch staff loves to help students come up with good stories, so don't hesitate to visit the the Ravenclaw Quidditch thread for ideas.

Awesomeness bonus points are available for all options and prompts.  And always remember to explain how your project fits the prompt.  Give your explanation, and sell, sell, sell it.

Hurrah for Quidditch!!!!  Hope to see you on the pitch!!!!!

Thank you to greenheron and freemiki for this Match 3 update!

Quidditch Stats -- Fall 2016 Wrap Up

Today's Quidditch Stats are presented by the illustrious founder of our House, Rowena Ravenclaw!

Greetings and salutations to all my dear Ravenclaws! I am so very happy to be addressing you today, and conveying my praise for your Quidditch achievements this past fall term 2016.

For my beloved House of scholars, devoted to the quest for knowledge, this strong third place finish in an athletic endeavor is admirable! Every single one of those Quidditch points counted toward our stunning win of the House Cup for the fourth consecutive term.

I am very proud of all of our Chasers, and I salute the team leadership for a job well done.

Squad honors go to the Abraxans, who pulled ahead of all the other Flying Horses in the contest for Quidditch points.

Blue - all matches; Red match 1; yellow match 2; green match 3; purple match 4

And here are the final House standings for Quidditch Fall 2016. I shall convey my hearty congratulations to my colleague Godric for his House's fine victory.

Blue - all matches; Red match 1; yellow match 2; green match 3; purple match 4

My dear Ravenclaw students, enjoy your well-deserved break month, and I look forward to your endeavors on the pitch in Winter Term 2017.

SOAR EAGLES!

Thank you to Quidditch stats beater Greenheron and our dear founder for that wonderful summation of this term's matches!

Thursday Stats -- Quidditch Round 3 Edition

Food for Thought for Ravenclaw Quidditch Fans

Dear Eagles,

We are halfway through Match 3, and currently in 4th place.  It's time for the traditional Ravenclaw end-of-match rally!!  Let's get those billywig projects finished and posted!  Encourage your partner!  Cheer for your squad!  Come to the Ravenclaw quidditch thread for ideas, encouragement, and hurrahs.  We can't wait to see all those billywig protection/attraction projects.

Enjoy a piece of pie while studying the squad stats.  Abraxans and Granians are ahead right now, but there will be many more goals before the end of the match.  Go, go, go, all you Flying Horses!!!!

Winning the Quidditch Cup is lots of fun, and I would love to see us do it.  But, you know what?  That's not the most important part of quidditch.  The very most important thing is points - lovely, lovely points - to help us win the House Cup for the fourth successive time.  Quidditch points are available for the crafting.  Before working on a 7th or 8th class, ask yourself, "Have I played quidditch and turned in a match 3 project?"  

Be part of House Cup history, and help Ravenclaw on to victory!!  

Thanks to Stats Beater greenheron for that inspirational update! Soar Ravenclaw!

Wednesday Showcase -- Quidditch Round 1

One of the most fun aspects of the Quidditch Puffskein Match was the pickles!!!  Our creative 'Claw brains came up with quite a few variations.  Therefore, we now bring you:

Pickles on Parade!

CathyCake posed her pickle on a cake plate:

greenheron pickled some lemons.  Pucker up, everybody:

tigrisdea's pickled cauliflower proved to be very alluring for the puffskeins:

Only a true Ravenclaw devotee such as secrettrail, would pickle a cupcake:

Yummy eggs pickled with beets from snippybits:

Delightful pickle-y goodness from bribot:

Team Captain gipcsoul is also a master of the art of pickled eggs:

DJackson highlights the elegant simplicity of a pickled olive:

 

That puffskein will have to be pretty fast to beat me to frithuswith's yummy piccalilli sandwich:  

Omeletsmom's pickle captured a puffskein in 22 seconds flat:

A perfect pickle indeed from lostmoonofpoosh:

SaskiaBr's pickled garlic is a gourmet treat - way too good for the puffskeins:

Gwenschweitzer pickled a fish and captured an adorable baby instead of a puffskein:

 

Leahandthedragon may have made a mess of the Quidditch pitch, but she's cleaning it up with the help of a pickled tomato:

Yummy pickle cake from PickleMommy:

 

More delicious pickle cake from cyprienne:

Topfrog pickled a pepper.  Yummmmm:

 

Oh, 3trees!  Don't pickle that poor little wormy:

Thanks for all the pickles!!  Looking forward to the awesome projects we make for the Hinkypunk Match.

Ravenclaw Chasers SOAR!!!!!

Thanks for that look back at Round 1, greenheron!  Let's storm the pitch in Round 2!