Excitingness!!

         
          So I really should be in bed, but I wanted to post this.  As a lot of you who follow me on twitter already know I was at Port City Pop Con a couple weekends back, ordinarily I would give a rundown of what happened at the convention, but perhaps another time.  Let me simply say that was a very enlightening trip for me and since I've returned I've had some time to think.  And I've decided that I'm gonna throw myself deeper in the costume community and see if I can't really go pro doing this.  Sure I've made costumes for other people, so I guess in way I already am, but I mean get paid to go to cons and sign autographs.  Actually be doing something I love and getting paid for it.  I gave my first autograph while I was there, and that was kinda the tip of the iceberg.  The guy was in a phenomenal Jack Sparrow costume and he wanted my autograph?  I was like huh?  What?  I'm still kinda weirded out by it in some ways.  I'm no celebrity, I mean yes I just got through saying I wanted to get paid to do this, but I never want to come across as anyone that you can't come up to and start a conversation with.  And I feel so many people have that stigma with celebrities.
          Alright, some other stuff did happen, and once I get some down time (if ever!)  I want to sit down and give a proper update, until then though, twitter is the best way to keep up with me.  So if you don't have me friended do so!

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Marvel Girl and Other Costumes

         It dawned on me after my nice harsh rant in my last post that I completely forgot to post anything on my Marvel Girl costume!  Unfortunately I haven’t been able to snag a new camera (I will have one before DragonCon, hopefully before Metropolis *crosses fingers*) so that said the only couple of pictures I have are either off my phone, or that someone else took.  (To the Deadpool I was clowning around with, I want those photos!  They have to be hilarious!)  

         And yes, that’s a Paizo Goblin you see with me.  He is now an official part of every costume I wear, and assuming I have time, I’ll dress him up to match me.  Oh hush up I’m a girl, if I want to play dress up with my goblin I will.  

         Now I did say other costumes in this post.  I’m currently working on a Nightwing for Metropolis.  That said I’m afraid Zatanna will probably go on hiatus till next year.  Originally I was going to have her for a DC shoot at Anime Iowa but a friend pointed out FandomFest, and their line up is absolutely stellar!!  So I cancelled my room for Anime Iowa and grabbed one for FandomFest.  I wish they hadn’t have fallen on the same weekend, maybe next year I can do both.  For those of you who are curious I’m not doing the Dick Grayson Nightwing, I’m doing the Cheyenne Freemont version.  Here’s a shot of her costume and how far I am on drafting it.  I really like the look of it but I don’t know how many people will recognize me.  Okay, they will probably recognize me as Nightwing, dunno how many will be able to say its Cheyenne.  

         

         Ok so I said I’m making Cheyenne.  I have an Ash from Army of Darkness in progress for a local Renaissance Faire in progress, plus I have every intention to have Hawkeye done this year for DragonCon.  I am so terrified of using latex, I’m not gonna lie that’s half the reason I haven’t finished her, but I just think it will be so awesome.  :/    I’m also trying to pull together a Rarity for a friends birthday party where she wants everyone as a pony.... yea go ahead and judge me.  That said Rarity is kinda bottom of the list.  I have a costume for G2 Comics I am currently working on.  I can’t really divulge details other then you will probably see it later this year :)   And to top it all off, I’m also working on a wedding dress for a friend.  That I have some time to get done since its a winter wedding, but I think we all know how I am about wanting everything done so I can get going on other projects.  

         

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Cosplay and Consent

I initially wasn’t going to make a comment on the “Cosplay is not consent” movement, but this picture was retweeted by someone and it just sent me over the edge.  Upfront, let me get a few things out of the way: I am female.  I am a cosplayer.  I have been cosplaying for around seven years now, and I have been to a wide range of conventions both anime and comic book and from small hometown cons to 10k+ people in attendance.  I’m not going to say I am an expert, but I think I have a fair amount of experience, enough experience to have an opinion.

This is the image that I initially saw about the “cosplay is not consent” movement.  I was harmless, actually I found it was cute and somewhat relatable.  The only time I have ever had even the smallest issue with another congoer was while I was in my Black Cat costume, but I’ll get to that story later.  

Then I started seeing pictures like this, which I can sorta get behind, more as a reminder to the people who are at a convention for a first time or for the ones that simply need the reminder.  

Then ones like this came.  Which okay, I get why someone may possibly have an issue but by then I was starting to feel both a bit beat over the head with the movement and also I began to really think about it.  

But this one is the one that just pissed me off and I totally disagree.  It’s not that I have an issue with the fact that men should be offended that so often they are portrayed as these carnal animals that can’t control themselves.  I know that isn’t the fact, I’ve swapped clothes in front of and been helped into costumes by men before.  All of them were gentleman about it.  My issue comes with the idea that women think that no matter how they dress or act that they should be treated with respect when they, many times, clearly are not deserving of it.  

In a nutshell here is my argument.  If you willingly decide to dress up as a character that wears something that would be deemed provocative or that you decide to be a cocktease while in some costume you have no right to complain if you are treated as an object and not as a person.  You brought it on yourself, and you have no grounds to not think someone would not make suggestive comments toward you, or try to make good on those comments.  Now I will agree there's a certain line that should not be crossed and everyone shouldn’t have to worry about being treated that way; however, so often I’ve seen people not saying no and therefore making the situation worse.  Basically, we are all dressing up for attention in the end, you got what you wanted, just not in the way you wanted it.   

When someone is dressed in a costume, it is the responsibility of the cosplayer, and not the other people, to decide when something is appropriate or if something makes them feel uncomfortable.  They need to speak up and clearly state that whatever behavior someone is exhibiting is not something they allow and if it continues they will leave/tell the nearest security person.  The other attendees of the convention are only responding to what you put on, and its not their fault for doing so.  They don’t know you, they don’t know that in real life you don’t dress or don’t act that way.  You can’t fault them for coming to the wrong conclusions.  Also the cosplayer needs to understand what they are getting themselves into.  They should be ready for comments and such; it makes dealing with issues, if the time comes, easier.  A large majority of people at a convention know, people dressing up are not how the characters are in real life.  However, I have noticed that the ‘nerd’ population is incredibly harsh to its own kindred at a convention.  I always say it’s the pecking order trying to reestablish itself, suddenly people who are used to being picked on and the “outcast” are in the spotlight and every possible way they could be a douche comes to light.  But that doesn’t mean that the cosplayer who is being picked on has to suffer, telling someone ‘no’ is always an option.  

If someone can’t speak up for themselves, be it they are too shy or that non confrontational, be the good friend or the Good Samaritan and tell whoever it is to go fuck off.  I’ve had people creep on me at a convention, many times without even me realizing it till a friend pointed it out.  I have been blessed with friends that are protective of one another and have no issues coming to anothers defense if its needed; however their are still times where they aren’t around and if something happened I wouldn’t have minded if a Captain America decided to step in.  

I said earlier that in my years of cosplay I’ve only had one incident that I would have even labeled harassment, and,  honestly,  I think it was just a pervert being perverted.  I cosplay as Black Cat, for those unfamiliar with the character she is a sometimes nemesis, sometimes lover of Spiderman.  She’s Catwoman to his Batman if you will, and, like Catwoman, she has no issues using feminine-wiles to get what she is after.  Her costume is a relatively simple black catsuit adorned with some fur.  I knew the moment that I crawled into that costume that people would treat me differently while I wore it.  The costume is tight, the character is always considered sexy, and thus I would be treated like an object not a person.  I understood that, and fully accepted it.  So when I was trying to cross a street at DragonCon and some guy asked. “Can I do a like of cocaine off your ass?” I took it in stride, told him a simple “No thanks.”  I ignored him till the light changed and we were able to cross the street.  I didn’t freak out, I didn’t go running to the nearest cop or hotel security, hell I didn’t even feel violated.  I simply gave him the brush off and went on about my day.  Looking back at it I was completely in character, Cat wouldn’t have given him the time of day and neither did I.   Now I’m not saying that harassment of a greater sort doesn’t go on at a convention.  Certainly if the gentleman (I use the term lightly) had decided to pursue me across the street and continue making comments I would have told him a more colorful no, and if he had still continued I would have made an attempt to find some form of security.  But I’m not blaming him, nor am I saying I was wrong for dressing up as Black Cat.  I simply understood that dressing that way would be inviting that sort of behavior and that I should be ready for it to happen.  Knowing that, I would never wear a Goblin Queen or Vampirella costume around a convention.  Wearing it for a photoshoot it's one thing, but being that scantily clad in public would be intolerable because of the attention I would receive.     

(Now [slightly off the main topic but I feel that it applies], are the girls who decide to do ‘sexy’ versions of their favorite character.  I’ve seen a lot of Robin’s running around this way.  Robin’s costume does not show cleavage yet on multiple occasions I’ve seen inches of cleavage on some of these girls, and with their asses hanging out.  Personally, I don’t see how they can be comfortable walking around in public like that.  I would feel exposed, and would be paranoid that something would slip or I would move wrong and their would be a horrible wardrobe malfunction.  Apparently I’m in the minority though.  But, I’m sorry ladies, if you decide to walk around with your tits hanging out and think that men are not going to treat you like some sort dog then you need to really step back and think.  In our society a woman who walks around like that on a daily basis would be labeled a slut or easy or whatever you want to call it, and comments and touching are welcomed by that sort of dress.  And while yes one could argue that it is ‘sexy’ it ruins your credibility to be anything more than boobs with legs, and it screams “treat me with less respect than a real person.”  Now if you decide to wear your Star Sapphire costume to a convention it is a slightly different animal, however its still just as revealing and you should be mentally ready for whatever the convention would throw at you.  Detour over, back to my point.)  

I feel like I’ve simply been bashing on the women who decide to throw themselves out there, but I’m not trying to single them out.  Its just the easiest example I can provide.  I’ve already given you both how I view verbal harassment and how I deal with it, but I know part of the movement is talking about the physical harassment some people have had to deal with.  Honestly this is something I’ve never had to deal with personally.  There have been a few times that someone came up wanting a picture and he grabbed my waist more then I would have liked or, I know, tried to sneak a peek down the top of my shirt.  But that is trivial stuff, at least in my mind.  If a stranger walks by and tries to grab my ass or something else of that nature you can better believe I’m going to call them on it.  And I’m going to do it loudly.  I’m going to draw attention to that person and make people stop and stare.  Nothing like public humiliation to make them leave you alone.  

The easiest way to avoid having to deal with that behavior though, is to stay in a group.  The pervert at DragonCon probably wouldn’t have said anything if I had been with a couple other people or just with a guy.  Ladies, I can’t stress this one enough.  Make friends with the boys, I don’t mean be a slut, I mean actual friends with them.  You want them to have that “she’s like a sister to me” mentality, because when you're walking around oblivious to that’s going on, they see things you don’t.  All guys have their weird ability where they can look at another guy and without saying or doing anything tell him to back off.  I’ve seen it happen multiple times, and trust me I know its probably part of the reason I’ve never had anyone come up and try something.  If you’re uncomfortable with that, stay with a group of girls, which ask any guy is quite intimidating.  But remember over everything that people will assume something is okay unless they are told otherwise.  You may run the risk of coming off like a bit of an ass, but you won’t be bothered.  

In the end it comes down to respect.  One person's respect for another, and a persons respect for themselves.  Logically everyone should know not to come up and glomp another person or bump into them without saying ‘pardon me’.  But people lose their mind at cons, and manners go flying out the window.  People forget to respect other people as real human beings rather than the idols they love, they forget to respect the hours of work the cosplayers have spend in creating their costume and the amount of money involved in the costume itself.  So don’t feel bad if you have some creeper which needs a refresher course in his manners, but don’t expect to be treated like a Queen when you’re dressed like a whore.    

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Costume update!

So been working on a couple of new costumes, as always.  Currently I'm trying to get my Marvel Girl finished up in time for a convention next weekend.  I have a couple days off work between then and now so lets cross our fingers.  I think all that's left is some detail work on the belt, a last bit of paint on the soles of the shoes, boot covers, a few seams on the leotard (plus redoing the entire neckline to match hers), and gloves.  And I've never made gloves in my life.  Yea looks like I'm gonna be doing a few late nights.  I have quite a few progress pics of it on my Flickr, I'll hopefully post some finished shots after the con next week.

Now I've also been working on some upcoming costumes, I have a Zatanna in progress for a con midsummer which I'm thrilled for though by the looks of things I'm gonna burn up wearing.  Hard to believe that you'll be hot wearing so little am I right?  Thing is she is in quite a few layers, though at first it doesn't seem it.  Well okay I'll take that back, it depends on what version of her you decide to make as to how many layers you'll be suffering in.  And I keep playing around with a White Phoenix costume.  I can't get the emblem on her chest to look right.  I want it a mix of the two that you always see, I don't like one because it just looks like a triangle, and the other is somehow off.  That and I don't like the version with the black underneath.  We'll see if I can ever get anything sketched out that satisfies me.

The one I'm currently researching like crazy is Sarah Kerrigan from Starcraft.  I have an idea of the material I want to make it out of, though I'm not sure how I can get all the colors right, I don't know if it will take paint very well.  But the thing I'm more excited about is using EL tape to make it glow, though I'm running into a few issues with it.  Her suit is skin tight, which I don't have any issue with, but I can't figure out where to hide the battery pack.  My first thought was to do something a bit awkward and just have it in my top between my boobs.  Then I thought about it and well, how could I turn it off?  The suit will go up my neck, not like I can just toggle it off and on at will.  I mean yes I can run to the bathroom to do it, but lines are long at any con for the bathroom, and I have no idea where the seams will actually be yet, so I may very well need a hand to get into it.  My next thought was to hide it in my shoe, if she wore a wedge heel then I could use a regular heel and hide it there and cover it with material.  Then I talked to the bf who told me for a better reference picture of the Ghost uniform to go hunt down some Nova art.  So I did.  Nova is heels (yay!) but there goes that idea.  So now I'm back to square one, which means back to my fit that even with the release of Heart of the Swarm I still can't get any reference pictures.  Really Blizz?  I'd love a model of her, life is so much easier when making a costume if I have a figure to get down and inspect.  If anyone has an idea or suggestions, OR knows a damn thing about EL tape I'll take some pointers.  All I've learned so far is I'm gonna need it to be a parallel and not a split.

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Updates

Wow my last update was in January, that's really sad because so much has happened since then I really don't know where to begin!  I've been to three conventions, two of them massive ones, I've broken up with a couple guys, picked up my absolute dream job, and met so many fantastic people!
Lets see, good news first shall we?  The job.  It happened totally by accident, I mean they write stories and this is how it happens, the real world isn't this way.  I was a my local comic convention (in Revy) and Eric, who is one of the main writers for G2 Comics, just stopped me and said he had a new series they were going to be launching and he wanted me to be her.  Yea.  Simple as that.  I didn't try out for a part or do anything, I was just at a con being a fan and somehow, magically, landed the job of my dreams.  Of course that lead into me being able to create *another* costume, and then being taken to Wizard World Chicago with them.  I'll have to write a separate post for WWCC because it was an experience in itself and I had so much fun!  Eric, Daniel, I cannot wait to do it again, you both were so much fun!  Best part of it is, they liked me enough that they are taking me to Wizard World Mid-Ohio with them (so if you're gonna be there swing by the G2 Comics booth and say hello!)  And of course since I'm the character, take a look.  G2 Comics, I'm Kross from the upcoming series Kross and Vengeance.  And yes, that's me.  The pics were taken by and edited by Daniel Gracey who is, obviously, insanely talented!  (A few more are on my Flickr if you'd like to see more.)

 But speaking of conventions, I said I've attended three this year and you already know about two.  So drumroll ladies and gentlemen, I finally made it to Dragon*Con.  Oh yea, that's right.  And let me tell you, if you ever get the opportunity to go, do it.  It was an experience I will never forget.  Again it will have to have its own post because the time I was there was just so cram packed I know if I start on it I'll just get sidetracked.  But brief recap, I debuted a new costume, finally found a good Spidy for my Black Cat, met some new friends who I already miss terribly (an yes we're already plotting for next year!) saw so many amazing costumes.  The who thing was just overwhelming but so much fun.  And since I have pictures from that Spidy/Black Cat shoot, I'll share.  All of these were taken by my and Austins (Spiderman) other roommate for the Dragon weekend Brian, who some of you probably know as Brizy from Brizy Comics.  You can check out his coverage of the weekend (and catch a couple glimpses of myself *coughDragonCon10cough*) on his YouTube channel.  And as always more pics are available on my Flickr.

But life hasn't been all good.  I broke up with the guy who I'd been friends with since high school and dated for a year back Feb/March which forced me to move out of the Apt I'd been renting.  Part of me is happier here with my parents again though I'm ready to have some space of my own.  I was missing the animals horribly, and the fact that I could hear people up and moving I could never get used to.  To much of a country girl I suppose.  After that their was a short fling with another guy but alas I'm way to much a free spirit (and apparently 'not clingy enough') and as always that didn't work out.  Seems to be a trend with me.  Ah well, a long time ago I decided I'd probably end up a crazy cat lady.  Their have been a couple guys I've talked to over the summer, but only one of which do I feel any real possible spark with.  Of course I'm about 75% sure he's not digging me quite the same way.  Which again is cool, crazy cat lady ftw!
Well, for the moment I do believe I'm going to sign off, hopefully with being done moving and only one Con left on the horizon my schedule will free up a bit and I can get back in the swing of updating this thing.  But one last parting gift, a couple more pics (sorry the debut costume from Dragon  has yet to show up in pics so I'll leave her for you to guess on!)  Here's a couple more of my Black Cat, first two are with Chris as the Green Arrow at WWCC.  And before you say anything we're well aware I'm Marvel he's DC, we were still asked to pose together, and the others are from the debut of the costume.  Major thanks to my friend at Jon Hensen Photography for the pics!  So here's till next time!

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More costume chatter!

Well let's see where to begin?  The closest con and work my way toward the end of the year you say?  That can be arranged.  As I said in a previous post I have plans to be Soma and Pip is going to be Lau for the Victorian Ball at KawaKon.  Unfortunately both costumes are rather slow moving at the moment.  Partially because my sewing machine is still hiding at my mothers (should be delivered to me tomorrow unless we get more snow) but of course I need fabric before I can bother with the sewing of it.  And when I went to the fabric store I didn't find anything that really suited what I was thinking.  Everything I found that was the right shade had to much of a nap or to much obvious of a weave so I left basically empty handed.  I'm supposed to meet my mom tomorrow and we're going to go see what we can find, she has a bit more impartial (and a lot more experienced) view of things so hopefully they either have new stock in or at least she can find something. 
Now as for Soma's wig, I'm at an impasse.  I wanted purple.  His hair is obviously purple.  But the shade of purple for the wig I want seems very... fake.  Well I mean of course it does its purple, but it doesn't have a natural hue to it.  That still probably isn't making good sense.  If you look at my Kusanagi (now mind you she was a lot more expensive then what Soma's wig will be) she was hand dyed to purple.  She has depth.  I'm somewhat afraid Soma won't have that depth.  Of course I can always add in some lowlights to it right?  Yea lets keep telling myself that.
As for Lau, little progress has been made.  I haven't dyed the frogs I bought yet, partially because I don't want to dye them to dark and the red I buy for the trim not match.  And other then his shoes and wig, which I have managed to find online, that's about all that's been done.  Of course his costume has far less detail on it, so I'm a lot less worried about his.  Here's the wig we're thinking about getting.  I know it had those reddish highlights in it, but I read about this technique, and I think I can dye it a bit darker.  And restyling it to be smoother should be easy.

But I figure I'll wear Revy or V or some other costume again because my list for D*C had exploded and I need to save my pennies and nickles for that.
Let's see here's the list as it stands now.  Belle-Defenders of the Enchanted Kingdom Shoot, Belle- 50's pin up shoot, Belle- swimsuit shoot.  Hawkeye- Marvel group shoot, possibly for Avengers shoot, depends we're trying to not do duplicates and I think I already saw someone signed up, but it could be the male Hawkeye I didn't look that close.  Sailor V for a V/Neptune shoot, other scouts are welcome please e-mail me if your interested!  We're also doing a Princess version of the scouts and need others for that as well!  Madame Mirage, just because I want to.  And a version of Harley for a special shoot with another SCF'er.... of course a lot of these are with her but details, details.  This art is by Northern Banshee and you can find it here on deviantart.  Of course since Harley is DC I'll probably wear this to the group DC shoot as well. 

But I think that's all... all I can think of anyway.  I may have gotten myself in over my head...we'll see.  Pip doesn't have quite as much on his plate, which is good because if I had to make a zillion for him I think I'd cry.  He's been drafted as Shang for the 50's and swimsuit shoot that my Belle is in.  He would be in the Defenders shoot, but its kinda a girls only since no males were included in the original art.  And even though the picture above only shows Harley and Ivy we're adding some more villains, and I believe he's set for Hush.  He gets to steampunk a bunch of stuff so at least I won't be the only one working.  But I should back up and give you a bit of detail about each of these costumes, ne?
Belle I think I have talked about before, but the swimsuit and 50's shoot are newer ideas.  The swimsuit kinda came from the one who is heading up the shoot finding a green swimsuit that she thought Tiana would wear, and since we're slated for the shoot happening at a pool it kinda made since to do a but of an AU shoot.  The 50's thing happened much the same way, kinda us pondering what else we could do with the characters and we're both fans of the pin up look.  I have what I'm planning on wearing to all those shoots either found or a pattern found for it.  Pip and I are still in debate as for what Shang will wear.  I said a gray pair of swimtrunks and a jacket a la this picture.

We'll see what ends up happening.  I have a mild direction for him for the 50's shoot but we'll see if he'll go for it.
Hawkeye I think I've talked to death in previous posts so I'll skip her and move on to the V/Neptune thing.  At the moment its just us, and obviously we have a lot of spaces to fill.  But if no one shows up, or if we have the time we were planning some 'what if' pics.  As some of you probably saw on my flickr, the first time I wore V we ran with the idea that she and Tuxedo Mask had a thing going on before he and moon got together.  All inspired by this particular bit of art.

So V, being the goddess of love... or maybe just a slut is doing the same with Neptune behind Uranus's back.  Of course the problem is how to make it look like that.  If we had a Uranus cosplayer then I can come up with a few shots.  I was thinking maybe have one of our phones show an incoming call from 'Uranus' or have some item of hers there.  Thing with that is nothing comes to mind for Uranus, save her sword, and as good as I am at coming up with 'what if's' I can't seem to make up a reason why either of us would have her sword.  And this is Codename Sailor V we're talking about, not the usual V, so its going to be weird anyway.  And if that's not enough Sailor goodness for you, we're doing the princess versions too.  Now as you fans know, Codename doesn't have a princess dress, so yours truly is designing one for her.  Some of you may remember my sketch for a tango dress for her that never quite managed to be made, well I'm using that as a starting point but I haven't put pen to paper for sketches yet, I'll post them when I do.
Madame Mirage, is the only costume that has seen any real work.  Pip just so happened to have a small, and I mean small airsoft that he got in a two pack when he needed one for his Amun costume.  Funny thing is, that's the exact one the artist must have used for reference when they drew her gun.  So all we have to do is paint the lil bugger and add on some stenciling and we're done.  Fun part is, we can't agree on how to do the stenciling.  I say just paint it on. 

It may not have the depth it has in this picture, but I won't have to worry about damaging an applique when I toss it in a holster.  Now I do agree that something glued on to the barrel will look neat for pictures but I guess I just see something that could go wrong way to easily.   But we have got some work done on painting the gun itself.

It still needs whatever we decide to put on it as a design, and a good coat of poly but the bulk of the work is done.
And last and not least is the Harley.  I've always liked her, never was a big fan I usually strayed to Ivy, Catwoman, and Huntress, and Batwoman if it was the right comic.  But in the animated show I loved her, the mallets and bazooka's were awesome.  Anyway she hit me up the other night about needing a Harley for a photo and when she linked it I fell in love.  I love the almost old west feel of the picture, but we could so easily make it steampunk (which is the idea) that it will be an absolute riot to wear.  And I've already found someplace to buy my hat, mask, wig, and shoes for that outfit.  All I need is the fabric.  ^_^  But since I added Harley I think I'm going to have to put Ghost on the back burner for awhile.  I man we'll see how things go money wise.  If I have the cash to do it and do it right, you can damn well believe I'll be sporting it around.  But since she is one of my favorite characters I want to do it justice so I may have to hold off till next year to wear it.  But as always stay tuned, I'm sure to post if she's a go or not closer to the convention.  

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Finally some costume updates!

Life has been rather wild for quite sometime now, but things are finally smoothing out, and I have a whole plethora of things to prattle on and on about!
First and foremost, costume and convention updates.  We had originally planned on attending InvaderCon, but SADC is holding an event again this year at KawaKon and I felt more compelled to attend a con closer to home then drive all the way to Atlanta for a weekend, no matter how much I love Invader Zim.  That and it is my cosplay group, they do get some precedence.  So my regrets, apologies, and all that but unless I fall into a large sum of money the Victorian/Steampunk Gaz and Professor Membrane will be put on an indefinite hiatus.  But as we will be attending KawaKon again this year we have some new costumes floating around as possibilities.
Unlike last year we're planning on attending for only two of the three days.  From what we noticed last year the Sunday of the convention is mainly a pick up and go home day, so in all truth theirs no need for us to be there.  So you'll be able to find us there Friday and Saturday till sometime late when we decide to drive home.  Friday night is the SADC event, or at least it was last year, and as they always have the rave Sat night it stands to reason.  The theme for this year is "Ciel and Cain's Victorian Social Ball" based off Godchild and Black Butler.  Personally I'm unfamiliar with both but cest la vie I'll give it a shot.  I get to make whatever I want for DragonCon ne?  So in the spirit of the ball I've offered to be Prince Soma and Pip is slated for Lau.  With Lau their isn't much option costume wise, red or black trim is all the variance I've seen when I've googled it, however with Soma I'm going to have a couple options.  The two pictures I've found of Soma are first, followed by Lau. 

The costume on its own is a challenge, an interesting challenge to me.  First and foremost, look at my Revy costume. 

Notice anything?  How about how pale I am?  Now scroll back up and look at Soma.  Personally I have no interest in a tanning bed, I don't tan even with routine use.  I've tried sunless tanners in the past, and I have disliked them.  They smell, they smear on my clothes and all around look bad.  Not only that I don't want to be that brown for my regular life (it would look beyond fake if I did) so that leaves me in an interesting place.  How to make myself that brown for the night, but be able to go back to work Monday and be my usual self.  I may have a solution.  When I was working on my Poison Ivy costume I wanted to paint myself green, or just make my skin have a greenish hue.  When I was looking for ways to do this I ran across a Starfire someone had done and the girl had the perfect orange glow to be Starfire, and she was even nice enough to explain how she did it.  Using Mehron's body paint she mixed it with lotion and slathered it all over.  Now I tried this with the green and it didn't do bad but it wasn't as flawless as I'd liked.  But Mehron sells that stuff in about every color imaginable.  So I'm tempted to buy another bottle or two (I'm eying the Light Egyptian, Amber Tan, or Rich Topaz) and see how well that would work.  It depends on which costume I decide to make.  If its the dark one then that and some good bronzer would pretty much do me cause all that's showing is my face and hands.  But if I do the white then it will have to work because so much more of me is showing.  Of course as much as I like the white I'm not sure how to do it.  I mean crossplaying in and of itself poses new challenges, but to have an open top?  Oy.  That will take some researching and trial and error I'm sure.  But for whatever reason I think I'm more drawn to the white.  *shrug* we'll see. 
As for whatever else I'll wear to KawaKon, I'm still very much up in the air.  I may not make anything else, I may wear Revy or V or something again.  I've toyed around with the idea of Sango from InuYasha, but only if Pip agrees to be Miroku.  Re-L from Ergo Proxy maybe a winner, the costume isn't to wild but she doesn't have may 'action' type shots so that takes the fun out of the photoshoot.  I've pondered on Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop, but not sure I want latex shorts.  Then I went to Batwoman and Black Cat.  But I know I lack the chest to do Black Cat justice and as much as I like Batwoman I'm just not feeling it for that con.  So anyone's ideas or opinions are welcome. 
As for as DragonCon goes, I already have one costume lined up for that as well.  We have a group doing the 'Defenders of Enchanted Realms' artwork.  I'm Belle.  Here's a link to the first and second picture that was done for her, its not my art so I don't want to repost.  And I have a more definate set of costume prospects for that. 

Ghost.  

Yea its been eating away at me to make it.  So she's very much on the top of the list.  Other then that Madame Mirage or Masquerade are sitting pretty high on the list.  I'll keep you posted though, its still quite awhile away. 
Now on to other non costume related things.  I've got my own place, finally.  Well I say my own, Pip and I have our own place.  We're still trying to get everything set up the way we want but its getting there.  Theirs a lot of stuff we're going to need though.  So costumes, travel, hotels, are going to probably going to take a bit of a hit.  On the upside if I'm only making a few a year I'll have more time to fuss with them and make them perfect.  Or so I'm trying to convince myself.

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Lots to say

Been awhile since my last update, my apologies, life has been wild.  A combination of being laid off, working on costumes and a commission have taken their toll on my time to post anything.  So lets see if I can get you up to speed.
First, I'm sure you've seen my Motoko Kusanagi pictures, if not here's a link to the set on flickr.  I sent a few to the company I bought the jacket from (Abbyshot) and was featured in their blog.  You can see the article here.  I was floored, both from their compliments and the fact that's the first time any of my costumes have received anything like that. 
I just booked our rooms for InvaderCon next year.  Yes next year, I'm already working on costumes for next year, even when this year isn't finished.  I figure for one day of the con I'll wear a Gaz costume, the other day... well that's a suprise for now, I have plans but I'm still at the planning stage for the moment.  Looks like Pip is going to have a Gir costume for one day and we're still in debate for the other, I'd like to have a full cast of characters, so if anyone is interested shoot me an e-mail and we'll see what we can work out. 
I did attend the local con this year, and got to meet up with a fellow SCF person, actually we met last year but didn't know who each other were, of course I wasn't a member of the site then so its not surprising.  But I do have some pictures from that convention.  Not many of me though, most were of the costume contest.  I didn't have the new version of Ivy done in time so I wore the old classic Ivy costume.  I did find a place where I can get the tights so before Dragon*Con I'll have to grab a pair.  Fun part of the whole thing was after we left the convention Saturday we ran by Pip's so I could change then went out to eat, and ran into the Con Chair for KawaKon.  So we ended up talking with her and her table for quite awhile.  And looks like I'll be seeing her at OMGCon too.  ^_^ 
Speaking of OMGCon, I ended up cutting one of my costumes for it.  I'm just not going to have the time to get my 1st GIG Kusanagi done.  And done right.  Trust me I will have it done, but Revy got very expensive very quickly.  Thankfully Seras just needs some tweaks.  But Revy will be kickass.  I still need to cut her shorts and her top, but her holsters arrived today, real leather.  And yes they are gorgeous.  I will definitely be going to him for any other leather costume related stuff I need.  NyghtCraft Custom LeatherCraft, is the company in case anyone else is needing something made.  Be prepared for a nice price though, he's totally worth it because its the really nice saddle grade leather he uses, but it isn't cheap.  
As for the costumes I'm taking to Dragon*Con, they haven't seem much progress, I've been trying to save a bit of money for OMGCon.  But I did run to Lowes the other day and get a piece of PVC pipe and some paint for Hawkeye's staves.  You know the ones she totally ninja'ed from Mockingbird?  I was asking my dad about how to cut them to size, and wouldn't you know?  He has a special saw for PVC.  I love my Dad.  I just have to figure out how to seal the ends.  It can't be something that is like a cap, so I'm not entirely sure, I have a couple of ideas and PVC piping is only like a dollar or two for a 5 foot section so if I mess up I'm not concerned.  Its not like its gold. 
Now I do have a new costume that will be going to Dragon*Con, at my nagging Pip decided to do Evecutioner for us.  Yea this guy:

I pretty much went 'Honey, look at all the guns, and you get a mask!' and he was !!! OK!  I'm psyched.  First time we've costumed as a hero and villain from the same series.  We usually do the couple thing, Seras and Pip, Revy and Rock.  So this will be a fun change. 
Only other thing I can think of at the moment is how grossly overpowered my Paladin is in WoW.  I mean yes, she has 1 piece of Heirloom but still, she's sick.  Taking on 4 things 2 levels above her and raping them?  Yea I'm OP, and I love it.  Its a big change from how she was when I quit playing her, that was Pre-Litch King but still.  Its just night and day.
Ok at the beginning of this post I was talking about costumes for next year, here's what I have lined up.  No idea which costume I'll wear any of this two but ... Kasumi from Dead or Alive, Pip being Ryu Hayabusa (The Ninja Gaiden version).  Starfire, the animated Teen Titans version, I'm batting the idea of finishing my Nariko costume but I really want a Kai for that.  I know the boys are wanting to make Space Marine (Warhammer) armor, if they do then I'm going to try to find the most dainty, girly costume I can... I'm thinking Princess Aurora from Disney's Sleeping Beauty or maybe Kaylee's pink frilly dress from Firefly.  Not sure yet.  They have to do something other then talk about it before I'm going to dedicate the time to it. 
Someone on the forum was talking they had 30+ costumes they wanted to do, here's my 30+ list, mind you these are in no order then alphebitical.

 

Alice (Resident Evil: Extinction)

Arslan (The Heroic Legend of Arslan) Yes, a male character.

Ayame (Yotoden AKA Wrath of the Ninja)

Black Widow (Black Widow)

Char Aznable (Mobile Suit Gundam)

Columbia (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) This one only really works if I'm going to the movie, and if who I'm going with will dress up with me.

Ed (Fullmetal Alchemist)  I know its been done, but I want an Al that has the suit, so I doubt I'll ever do it.

Farah (The Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones)  Yes the game, not the movie, though I am curious about it.  I'd really like to have a Prince too.

Faye (Cowboy Bebop)

Haruka (FLCL)

Howl (Howl's Moving Castle)  This one is about 90% complete, I just need to finish the jacket and find a Sophie.

Igunis (Jingai Makyo)

Iria (Iria vs Zeriam)

Julia (Cowboy Bebop)

Kagura (InuYasha)

Kurama (YuYu Hakusho)

Lacus Clyne (Gundam SEED)

Leila (Vampire Hunter D)

Lina Inverse (Slayers)

Mireille (Noir)  The costume is acutally almost done, I just need a Kirika.

Queen Emeraldas (Queen Emeraldas)

Rally Vincent (Gunsmith Cats) Need a May for this costume too.  (Anyone noticing a trend?)

Re-L (Ergo Proxy)

Riho (Nightwalker: The Midnight Detective)  Need a Shido for this.

Siryn (Marvel) Very much a possibility as my big costume for D*C next year...

Talho (Eureka Seven)

Tifa (Advent Children)

Violet (Ultraviolet) Yes I have a bit of a crush on Mila Jolovich 

Yuffie (Final Fantasy or Advent Children, not sure)

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