Deco Lolita Coordinate

OH HEY. It's been almost a year since I wrote anything here. I'm back? I'm sure I'll leave again. I simply get too busy during the year to make blog posts but I'm home for the holidays and have some time so here we go.

This coordinate is still in progress but it was quite the journey today. The idea for this outfit was my good friend Elizabeth's, she and I are on a mission to try out a bunch of Lolita styles. This one is my stab at the "Decora" style. She decided to make hers with candy and sweets so I went with fruits to go with hers.

Originally I had bought pink fabric to go with my elephant fruit print fabric and while starting the outfit today I came to the realization that the solid pink I picked out was absolutely HEINOUS. Thank god that sewing at my family's home means my mother to the rescue. She suggested using red instead and gave me an old handmade dress my aunt made her years ago. The skirt of the dress had these great box pleats so we took the skirt from from the bodice. The top skirt has the best fabric ever, elephants, fruit, adorableness. I wish I had bought more. The skirt has there annoying curves on them that I originally thought were a good idea and then I remembered while sewing them why they weren't. At least they look cute. The skirt from the dress was sewed underneath the scalloped top skirt.

I really love the look of high waisted Lolita dresses but unfortunately I didn't buy enough of the elephant print to allow for that, but I got a nice thick waist band in exchange. I lined each end of the waist band with hand made yellow Ultrasuede piping.  The bodice of the dress was taken from the red dress, it just seemed like the best idea at the time and I love the way it looks. The button up style is super adorable. I changed the buttons by adding plastic strawberries that I also used to decorate the glasses.

The sleeves were made possible thanks to my mother storing fabric away for years, it's an adorable print with small fuzzy cherries and french script. The band for the sleeves has the same elephant fabric, and yellow piping, which was an exersice in patience and "stitching in the ditch". At this point I felt silly for putting so much effort into a non-costume ensemble. I have a tenancy to do that though.

The headpiece was simple to throw together since it was the only thing I had worked on prior to today for the outfit. The tarts were made from a toy set called "Whipple", and the elephant is a battery powered night light I attached with velcro to my headband so I could take it off to turn the light on. The glasses were simple. I just glued strawberries and rhinestones on them. I'm still missing a hair extension I ordered for the wig before I can style it, it is due to arrive tomorrow however. I have also started on some bows that will probably be made into bracelets.

I feel like I'm over the hill on this outfit, it won't take too much to finish it, I'm pretty excited to see the end result!

Next up on my costume making rampage: Mami's school uniform <3 br="br">

2012: A New Beginning

This year started out a bit ungracefully. I used to mind that, but now I'm enjoying the new calm after the storm. Essentially to put it very briefly: my old cosplay group: The Cosplay Pirates has disbanded. While at first I felt as if I had lost a child, I dedicated so much time to that group since it's inception, I have now found a new independence being sans group. I make what I want, when I want. I don't feel as pressured to do my costumes a certain way, I don't feel judged for not looking "perfect". My only critic is myself (the only one I listen to anyway).
So I could catch you up on everything you missed in my period of forgetting I have a blog, but instead I will just share with you a promise that from now on I do everything in my chosen hobby on my own terms, and let me tell you I have never felt better, I have never felt more like myself.

I will also share with you the fruits of my Sunday DIY labor! It's not cosplay, but it's still pretty.


These frames were excellent finds at Michael's. They were plain wood and I spray painted them to go in my roommate's and I new craft room. The first picture was drawn by my lovely best friend Katherine "Mayuge Seishou" Stocking (who I will never hesitate to cosplay with) the second was a fantastically trashy print I got at Katsucon that reminds me of my old Mustang and my last summer in Boone. Fitting prints for a craft room me thinks.

This next one was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest and it was just so easy I had to do it. It really is an awesome project that will make my craft room look extra classy.

And the last of the projects for today... Before:

Ugly vase from my grandma... just add spray paint, new lamp shades and some rope:

VOILA! Now they look expensive, updated, and very cool.

Maybe next post I'll have costume related work to show... ^.^

Otakon Progress... Small but Mighty?

Oh man... I've done very little to prepare for Otakon. I've been so busy! I can't believe it's this month! Here is the small progress I have made as broken up by costume. I'm taking a light load this year since I'll be working in the dealer's room all weekend. I have to be comfortable! I think I'm most excited about the Ranma 1/2 group, it's such a classic anime and one of the ones that got me into anime. Also excited about Faris and the pictures at the harbor I'll get!

Friday Morning/ Dealer's Room Hours: Ukyo- Ranma 1/2

• Have:Wig, pants, shoes, spatula
  
• Need: Fabric for top, accessories

Friday Evening: Faris- Final Fantasy V, Amano Concept Art

• Have: All fabric for jacket, shirt, and skirt, boots, pants, wig
  
• Need: time to make it

Saturday: Sophitia- Soul Calibur IV

• Have: The costume done
• Need: to fix boots so I won't have an allergic reaction again

Saturday Evening: Lottie- Princess and the Frog

• Have: fabric, hair/wig
• Need: pattern to arrive

Yeah... this is about all the documented progress I have... next week I'll do more, promise.

Animazement 2011

So here it is folks: my convention report for Animazement 2011! Dun dun dun. I'll include pretty pictures to entice you to read this.


Thursday:
This AZ was the first ever that I didn't have to plan a road trip as well as everything for the convention. Living in the same town as the con you're going to also proved really handy... more on that later. Basically I sat around my house on Thursday until my friends let me know they were arriving and then I drove over with my roommate. I met up with Marci first thing because she was storing one of my costumes in her room since I wouldn't be getting my room until Friday. Then I headed over to Bish and Natalie's room so we could have a skit costume try on party. Due to unforeseen set backs Natalie didn't finish her costume for our skit but I had three Amano inspired Final Fantasy costumes so the day was saved! So I basically taught the girls how Celes and Lenna are worn and then skipped off in Celes to the bar with everyone. No drinking for me however since my debit card information was stolen... >.> Great timing guys. Nothing was taken from my account but they turned my card off. Blerg. After chilling for a while with Nat, Bish and their husbands I ran off to meet Sonja and Marci for a photoshoot!

Sonja takes lovely photos! It was alot of fun to do a shoot with Marci too, usually I'm taking photos of her!

After the shoot Michael made it to Convention and I changed ever so classily in the parking deck then we stood in the long pre-reg pick up line! I was lucky that Corey held a spot for me because she already had her badge. I heard some people waited 2 hours! I think I waited 30 minutes and they were grand minutes of catch up with friends.

After getting our badges several of us walked over to the Flying Saucer to start the party! We got the back room again! I met some new people, had lovely moments with old friends and made Natalie escort me to the bathroom several times... Flying Saucer on Thursday of Con is really my favorite tradition about Animazement. After sufficient drinking and catching up Michael drove Corey and I home.

Friday: Started by day at 6:40 am...oh dear. I got into makeup and then Michael drove Corey and I back to con where I yet again changed in the parking deck like a classy broad. I had intended to change at home but forgot several important aspects of wearing my costume in the car. Corey and I then ate a lovely pop tart breakfast in front of the convention center before heading up to Marci's room where I finished my makeup and left my box with her.

Then basically I wondered around convention alot, I took very little photos I'm a failure. I did a photoshoot with Jayce...

I was talked into trying my luck for Cosplay Chess, I also entered Rydia in Craftmanship with Ellie as my amazing Rosa. We didn't win anything but it was alot of fun to talk about our costumes. Shortly after I went back to my room (that we finally had!) to change into clothing of Lindz's so I could brave the rain and get my stuff from my car. I made good friends with the parking deck attendant that let me move my car and not pay upon reentry! I then decided I couldn't wait any longer to wear Sophitia!

But then I discovered I left her dress at home... Good thing I live 15 minutes away!! It pains me to leave the convention center during the con but at least it was only a 30 minute detour from the fun. I got back in time to change and catch some of Karaoke. People really seemed to love my Sophitia costume and that made me happy!

I ended my Friday with some Anime Hell before I got too cold and decided to head up to the room for the night. Lindz and Amy had the same idea and we cuddled on the bed watching TLC and fell asleep.

Saturday:
Woke up early and got into Sophitia then ran with hash browns in hand to the mandatory cosplay meeting. So thrilling right? :-p

But it wouldn't be Animazement for me without participating in skits. I then met up with the rest of my Soul Calibur posse (Cosplay Mob FTW). Dee, Sonja, Regena and I did a shoot with Jayce and I absolutely cannot wait to see those photos!!

I took one of Sonja! I think cosplaying with those ladies is my new favorite (other than my Pirates of course!) I had alot of fun and I LOVE my costume. I'm excited to wear it again for Otakon.


Sadly my Sophitia time was cut short when I had to change back into Rydia because I was accepted into Cosplay Chess. Cosplay Chess however was a ton of fun! I was a Pawn and I was on the side of the board that got very little action but I got to hang with Courtney, my new Scott Pilgrim buddy Matthew, and I got to heckle Angel who was on the other side of the board as me.

I got to take out another pawn and in the end I met my demise at the hand of Marci as Black Rock Shooter. So really, it was a great way to go! :-p

After Chess I ran and got food and then back for Masquerade! Our skit was short, sweet and pretty clever. Most of all it was fun to be in. I was a bit disappointed that they divided us into categories for the contest and then didn't divide for awards so there were less awards. But Pippin's skit with End of Forever won as they should have! It was amazing. After all of this my poor eating habits throughout the day caught up with me and my blood sugar crashed hard. I ended up missing the dance and playing Catan with Bish. Instead I packed up everything except my Sunday costume and Michael drove me home because he's the best.

Sunday: I came back to the hotel and changed into Psyduck! This costume was alot of fun to wear! I usually never dress up on Sunday but I'm glad I did. I got to say my sad goodbyes and scour the dealers room dressed as my favorite Pokemon! I also made an appearance at the Pokemon shoot.
Kristina Wheeler got this shot of me and I love it! I feel pretty.

After the shoot we enjoyed sno cones and decided it was time to go. But my fun day was not over! We had Bish and Mike over to our new place and then we met up with Lina, Scott, and Roger for dinner at Orchid! All you can eat SUSHI! It was amazing as always. Then we had dessert at Yogurt Mountain.

Overall this convention was as expected from Animazement and I am only dissapointed in myself for not taking better care of my blood sugar and missing out on Saturday night. I had a great time seeing friends, meeting new ones, and cosplaying of course! I can't wait till the next con... OTAKON!

Swag: Domo Purse, Domo Magnet (from Bishie), Dice Set (from Michael)

<3

New Apartment = NEW STUDIO

So some exciting announcements Blog readers! I just moved into my brand new apartment! I am typing this in my garage while I wait on paint to dry on Sophitia's Sword and Shoe pieces. This garage is the most amazing studio space! I've never had a place to keep all of my cosplay supplied before and a place to easily work on a multitude of different media. I can easily shift from sewing to props now! And the best part? I can keep my mess in one place!

Because of moving craziness I've been lazy about posting. But I have been working! I've been modeling as well! Check out these teasers from the Super Girl and Celes shoot!
Another excellent item of note: yesterday I was featured on the Game Informer Cos Blog! I'm feeling pretty excellent about that.

Sorry for no progress pics this time! Not entirely sure where my camera has gone with all the moving madness. Animazement is in one week though!

Sophitia's Accessories

Got alot of work done today, mostly the painting of Sophitia Accessories, which put Sophitia at almost done!

Just a teaser for now, these are the arm bands which are craft foam heated and molded over Mason jars so they'll fit on my arms right. Then painted with hammered silver spray paint, blue acrylic, and puff paint. The jewel was found at Michael's in the flower arranging section. I then covered the whole thing with a clear gloss.

Sophitia's Shield

I know I haven't posted much progress but I have been making some. I actually finished a whole costume and wore it!

Here's a terrible picture for your enjoyment:

I'm of course on the left as Celes Chere, Amano styled. I brilliantly forgot my arm bands on this occasion but they are done. I'm wearing her to Animazement of course and even though she was a last minute weekend cosplay that was not at all planned. I might even be wearing her in our skit this year! Whoa now.

In other cosplay news I'm FINALLY making headway to finish Sophitia. Here's her most excellent shield.

Now everyone that knows me knows I am not a prop master. I tend to avoid costumes with props. I did have to enlist my family for this one. I needed the help, her costume just started intimidating me with all it's armor pieces and props. So my mommy came to my rescue! Have I mentioned she's the best Cosplay Mommy ever? (Which I am making the equivalent to 'Stage Mom' just not as scary). This beauty is thin plywood with spray insulation foam sprayed on top then cut to shape. We then stretched white craft foam using heat over the concoction. Mum left me to pain the shield. I used silver hammered spray paint for all the silver bits. The blue was a mixture of flat and metallic acrylic paint. The gold was painted with standard yellow gold spray paint then on top with gold metallic spray paint. Valspar makes the best stuff, it has glitter in it! I then covered the whole thing with a clear gloss.

Next up is... everything else. >.<