Wednesday, August 17:

There is a new community for Harry Potter fans going to Lumos over at LiveJournal. You can find it here, and the official Lumos 2006 community is here.

Mary Jo has created a Pygmy Puff, and she posted a page about it here. I'm still jealous of those that can knit these adorable things, they're so cute!

MuggleNet has quite a bit of costuming news today. Biggest is more GOF pics, although I can't see any big details we haven't already seen. First is Draco and Goyle with a very blurry Krum. Second is Ron and Mad-Eye. Both are ultra-high-res versions. There is a discussion about the Draco picture and robe fabrics over at HP_Costume on LJ.

MuggleNet also has some cute Harry products. An incredibly cute Hagrid umbrella, a Harry Potter Poncho, and a Quidditch jacket.

Harry Potter Fan Zone has a scan in of this week's Entertainment Weekly, which has a bigger version of the contestants after the choosing of contestants. I'm trying to get my hands on the magazine to see if there are any good details!

And in by-notes, I'm getting very busy. My school starts tomorrow, and Dragon*Con is in two weeks, so I probably will be updating only twice a week or so unless we get some really great pictures or something. If you're going to Dragon*Con be sure and check out the Young Adult Literature track's Harry Potter costuming panel on Saturday morning. I'll be there with plenty of costumes!

Saturday, August 13:

For some reason I've been having problems connecting to upload the site in the past few days, so some of this will seem like old news, bear with me please.

There was a special GOF trailer on Extra! You can download it from the website here, and The Leaky Cauldron has screencaps up here (or here, if that doesn't work). A few things we've learned: Fleur's bow exposes enough of the dress under her cape for us to determine that the Beaubatons students have two outfits; the suit jacket is not worn under this cape, it's separate. There are caps of the Death Eaters at the world cup, they have huge, pointy hoods, rather like KKK members but in black. I wonder if that's the comparison they were going for; it makes sense but it seems like it could be incredibly controversial. There's also shots of Viktor in the huge furry Durmstrang cloak, I'm glad they left that in. There is a discussion about the trailer costumes up on Madam Malkins.

Mugglenet has a new picture up as well, it's of all the contestants right after the goblet chooses their names. Fleur is wearing the jacket, and she may be wearing the silky dress under it, which would mean the cape is detachable and the jacket goes on top. Oh, the speculations!

There are also new GOF Pics!!! The Leaky Cauldron has posted new pics, and they show some great things. First up is an anonymous man that everyone is guessing is Frank Bryce. Second is a wide-angle high-res shot of Viktor Krum. There is another Durmstrang student next to him, and their uniforms are slightly different. In the left corner you can see a set of powder-blue suits; are we maybe seeing what's underneath the Beaubatons capes ((note: I typed this a few days ago, before the blurb above where I prove this isn't so))?

Speaking of new GOF costumes, Lauren at Atypically.knit has started up a new GOF costume reference page. I bet it'll be a while before I get up to posting some of these pics here, so bookmark this for reference!

Tegaladwin posted on the HP_Costuming LiveJournal that she found an amazing Snape Coat.

The Guardian has posted a new shot of the sketch JK Rowling did of Hagrid, Dumbledore, and McGonagall looking over baby Harry. Tip courtesy of Mugglenet.

Tonks costumes are the topic of discussion over at cosplay.com.

Djinnj has posted another knitting pattern, this time a muggle incognito cap. He has also posted a guide to knitpick's yarns, you can see it here.

Harry Potter Ipod cozies are being discussed over in HPKnit, so if you're interested join to find out more!

Sunday, August 7:

Looks like my advertising yesterday created a stir! I hope at least some of you bookmarked the site to check back on!

Lumos 2006 is a Harry Potter confrence being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on July 27-30, 2006. Registration is now open! More info can be found on their webpage.

The Leaky Cauldron has posted another picture from The Noble Collection release yesterday. Apparently for some time they had a picture up of Voldemort's Wand, then took it down. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what this means!

HPANA has a new high-res GOF picture up. It features Harry and Hermione in muggle clothing. Harry is holding the egg from the first task, and it looks like they are in the Gryff common room, so I suspect they are talking about the clue.

Madam Malkins Yahoo!group is having a discussion about the St. Mungo's crest. Check it out here! (you will have to join the group to see messages).

Clarice is asking for help on the hp_costuming LiveJournal group. She's looking for recommendations on where to buy POA sweaters, scarves, and ties. If you have a suggestion or recommendation go help her out.

Finally Lituus is down for now, but I am assured by the owner that the downtime is just a miscommunication with the web host and they are working diligently on the problem. So watch for them to come back soon!

Saturday, August 6:

The News section has been launched! I'll be posting fandom news here that directly relates to costuming. Let's catch up on the last week or so:

Simplicity has a new Harry Potter Robe pattern for children. You can see it here. The sleeves are a little too pointy, but that's easy to fix. They also have out a new Jedi pattern that has a robe that's pretty close to a student robe. See it here. There is also a children's version here. This pattern is out trying to be an adult wizard pattern, but I wouldn't recommend it for student robes. The pattern has raglan sleeves, but the movie robes have set-in sleeves.

Butterick has some new patterns as well. This robe is a generic 'sexy' halloween costume, but if it was done in a solid fabric with a few adjustments to the yoke it could be an adult robe. This children's princess pattern includes a cloak pattern that would be perfect as a student winter cloak.

McCalls has a new child's outfit pattern out that includes a good PS/SS/COS student skirt. You can see it here. The tulle underlayer would have to be taken out, but it looks good otherwise.

The Noble Collection has some new Harry Potter products! Dumbledore's wand, Draco's wand, Lucius' Walking Stick, Snape's wand, and a light-up version of Harry Potter's wand.

The Leaky Cauldron has posted scans of all the pictures from the 2006 Mary GrandPre Calendar. There are some great costume alternatives in there, so check it out!

HP Knitting community member djinnj has posted a knitting chart for a golden snitch.

On HP Costume community djinnj is offering a pattern for Ron's Animal Cracker hat for free and is selling completed hats here for people who can't knit their own.

Hot Topic has some new GOF shirts in their online catalog.

PrefectBadges.com is putting some of its prefect badges on ebay for cheap.

Tons of new GOF pictures and prop pictures have been released: Harry in 1st task outfit, Cedric, Cho, Viktor, Mad-Eye Moody, Front of Fleur's blue and white satin suit and back of Harry's first task outfit, Trio Statues, Snape Statue, Sirius Statue, Ron Statue (has costume details including pockets!), Nearly Headless Nick, Hermione statue. (This skirt looks like the POA one . . . maybe they haven't changed? Although she's wearing socks, not tights, so you never know . . .), Harry in quidditch uniform minus robes, Dumbledore statue, Display (check out the Go Go Gryffindor banner in the bottom right corner), and Gryffindor banner.

And talk over at the HPKnits yahoo group is all about pygmy puffs! The pattern is in this message, and there is lots of talk following about what yarns are best and how to make them talk and vibrate! You'll have to join to check it out!