Hero's of Cosplay

Hello Darling Dolls

Like many people who love cosplay I am watching the series Heroes Of Cosplay produced by the SyFy Channel.  Yes, I know there are a whole bunch of opinions out there on the people and the series in general which I am not going to get into.

In my eyes its not what I wanted....I was hoping for more of a 'showcase' on the various artists, more 'how' and less drama.  However I know that everyone of us wants something different so I'm just going to watch and enjoy what tips I can pick up.

All I ask of the viewing public is to take it all as light viewing.  If anything its a chance to see some great costume inspiration.  I admit seeing how many people enter comps in 'reworked' characters or their own creations inspired by characters has given me a bit more confidence in actually putting my Femme Joker onto the workshop's con-creation board and off the 'board of dreams'.  In other words it has inspired me to take the risk to build something from my imagination inspired by the original character.  

So I will be watching the series probably while sewing to help keep me motivate.  And with that I'm heading back to the workshop.

Happy cosplaying dolls ;-) 

RWBY work log

Hello My darling Dolls

It's been a long time since I've been so obsessed by a character and costume, but its official RWBY is taking up a lot of my free time.

So far the cape is 90% done. I still need to trim and finish off the bottom hem, but I'll wait till I have the boots to ensure its the right length. Needless to say its better to have to cut it down rather than trying to add a longer panel to it.

I still have to start the dress which will end up being a combination of 3 patterns I have in the workshop. Plus the belt with ammo and extras, but I'm most worried about the making of the massive weapon she carries. Hopefully I can find some reference photos of the weapon in its smaller state that I can take to the con's.

Oh well that's enough from me tonight....time to get back to the RWBY soundtrack on my iPod and get sewing

RWBY.... the insanity begins

Hello my Darling Dolls,

Yep since we last spoke I have been gathering and watching as much of RWBY as I can get me hands on as I decided she was to be my next cosplay project.  So far so good, however I am dreading making her weapon.  Currently the costume build will be broken down into parts as I really need to get some traction on this if I want to showcase it at Armageddon in October and then at Brisbane Supanova in November when I will be able to share it with the Rooster Teeth team.

Current list includes

1. Cape
2. Dress
3. Boots
4. Weapon (either full size or smaller gun version)
5. Corset
6. Belt with bullets etc.

So all in all a tiny project LOL, not to mention I also have to make the following costumes

• Junior - RWBY 
• Booker DeWitt - Bioshock Infinite
• Elizabeth Dewitt - Bioshock Infinte
• GoGo Yubari - Kill Bill
• Crazy 88 - Kill Bill
• Harley Quinn - Batman Arkham (I am remaking this as my skill set has increased since the first build of this costume)

So I'll leave you know and head back to the work room

Happy Cosplaying Dolls ;-)

RWBY

Hello Darling Dolls,

I admit I usually get into anime, animation etc series usually long after its screened and knowing my luck also ended.  However thanks to the amazing guys at Rooster Teeth have allowed me to start watching a series from the beginning as it screens for the first time. 

For the those who you don't know Rooster Teeth (I'm sure most of you do), they are mostly known for the machinima of Bungie's Halo which became RedVsBlue.  I still remember when I watch my first RedVsBlue back in 2002 (I think) and I fell in love with these guys sense of humour.  Plus I got a major case of the feels when I met the team for the first time at a Melbourne Expo when they where at an empty booth with just a handwritten sign saying "swag and merch stuck in transit'.  It was one of those times where I wasn't quiet sure who they were but the name sounded familiar.  Anywhoo I'm getting off topic.  The Rooster Teeth team are now known for things like Achievement Hunter, Let's Play and my fav Rage Quit on the Rooster Teeth YouTube Channel.  It still makes me smile to see the growing lines of fans at each convention over the last 11 years since we first met at conventions. If you want to see any of the team be prepared for a couple hours queuing.

But the real reason for this entry is the new series RWBY (pronounced Ruby).  Its their new anime-style web-series created and directed by Monty Oum which was released to the Rooster Teeth community and channels mid July 2013.   So what is it??????  Basically the story takes place in a world filled with monsters and supernatural forces.  Like most of my favourite Anime's it focuses on four girls at the Beacon Academy where the are trained to wage war and survive battles against the shadow creatures of the Grimm to save the world.  Honestly this is all I know right now as only the first three episodes are up online at the Rooster Teeth site, as this series will be release on a weekly basis I think.

So far I'm loving every episode especially since its not like a 'normal' Rooster Teeth project, I do warn the guys expecting another RedVsBlue style its not like that at all.  

Now I just have to figure out who I'm going to cosplay from it.  So far Ruby is winning with Blake Belldonna and Gylnda Goodwitch coming in second.  So  just in case your interested I've attached a few trailers and previews for you to have a look at.  So remember to support your up and coming artists are the great team at Rooster Teeth.

Tinkerbell - work blog

Hello My Darling Dolls

After OzComicCon and PAXAus I have been drawing a bit of a blank as to what I'm making next.  So..... I have decided to start my Tinkerbell cosplay.  The deadline for Tinkerbell is October 2013 or April 2014 depending on weather, but I find as soon as I start working on one cosplay I get more and more inspired and suddenly I'm working on multiple costumes.

Anyhow I somehow I have to get this pile of fabric to look like this.

After a few hours of research I made my way to Spotlight (my local fabric store) and picked up fabric, fixings and ended up with heaps of patterns as they were all on sale for $5.  I gotta love $5 patterns, and now I have a heap of base patterns to use over the coming months.  Tip to all you newer cosplayers just because the pattern says its for a 'formal dress' for example they can be great to use for your cosplay.  I'm slowly learning to see past the picture and just at the design.

I ended up grabbing a simplicity cocktail dress pattern and started to re-design for Tinkerbell.  Currently the base layer is emerald poplin (a great base at $2.99 per meter) and then with an overlay of lime organza.  It actually better than I expected once I started to stitch it together. 

However after 5 hours I had the brilliant (I use this term loosely) to add layers of single leaves all over the dress to really up the fairy feeling.  Each flower has to be cut out, then outlined with glitter paint.  Sadly the pic below doesn't show it too well at the moment.  2 done only another hundred or so to go, the to figure out how to stitch them on.  Then I need to figure out how to make the wings.  

Wish Me Luck Dolls

PAX Australia

Hello my Darling Dolls,

Well its a week later and I'm finally starting to recover from OzComicCon and PAXAus, however I do feel the dreaded con-plague in my system so the recovery may take a little longer than normal.  Today I mostly will be talking about PAXAus as this was my latest convention and I'm still on a high from it.

 

Needless to say 1000's of gaming fan's turned out for this inaugural event which was great to see as we all braved Melbourne's cold and often raining winter.  Thankfully the team at PAXAus had installed heaters and covered walkways for us all.  Even with the weather and huge crowds this event was a success in the eyes of this avid con-goer.  

Yes there were lines but the enforcers were great. The D.O.E group arrived uber early but we managed to be one of the first 50 people through the door at opening.  Surprisingly the 2 hour wait passed quickly thanks to our DS consoles, music, coffee and beach balls.  Yep throwing 10 beach balls into a crowd of people waiting managed to keep us busy for ages as a strange version of volleyball/basketball ensued. 

Once inside PAXAus we were greeted by a feast of booths from developers, vendors and publishers from all levels.  It was fantastic to see the Big Boys like Riot and Nintendo standing side my side with local indie developers and studios.  

Pitch Your Game Panel with
 Eric Neustadter (xbox), Nika Harper (Geek&Sundry and RiotGames) and Jeff Kalles (Penny Arcade)

There were some fantastic panels (assuming you lined up early enough) like the 'pitch your game' and 'Cos we can - cosplay panel'.  It was great to hear the back and forth between the speakers and gamers, so many laughs.  It was also great to hear new places to pick up cosplay stuff from some of the experts.  Advice for con-goers next year follow @PAXaus_lines on twitter to ensure you know what is happening with lines for panels, this twitter feed saved me so many times and really helped me to plan my convention.    

Of course I can't talk about PAXAus without mentioning Riot Games.  WOW what a stand! Between the competitions, giveaways and skill sharing; I was blown away by the skills on show plus the Cosplay Parade. What can I say, except OMG!!! Not only did it showcase some amazing skills of the Australian Cosplay community I got the chance to meet up with some of my online buddies.

Me dressed as Annie (classic skin) with Tibbers from League of Legends

I was so amazed when a Riot Team member suggested I go up on stage with the amazing Cosplayers, and after much persistence from the D.O.E crew and fellow cosplayers I ended up on stage with Nika Harper showcasing my Annie from League of Legends. I need to say a big thank you to Riot Games for the awesome swag.  After the parade I walked away with a new G100s Mouse, a Gamecom gaming headset, multiple lanyards, wrist bands, skins for LOL and one of my now prized possesions.... my official League of Lengends Cosplay 2013 badge.  This badge is one of the coolest things I've ever received from a cosplay competition, and it did create a major case of 'the feels' once getting off stage.    

Top - swag, Bottom left - Tibbers and lanyard, Bottom right - cosplay badge

So yeah... basically it was awesome!!!! Pics of the D.O.E are slowing surfacing and I will upload mine soon.  Plans for next years PAXAus are already underway with the PAXCosplay group arranging a massive LOL group and the D.O.E planning which passes to get. 

Tell us about it Janet......

Well the night is finally here, in a few hours I will be dancing the time warp with a bunch of rocky horror show fans.   Yep I'm cosplaying and of course I'm going as Magenta.

Tiki as Magenta

So this is how I'm beginning my cosplay weekend for OzcomicCon as Magenta in honor of one of my favourite actress' Patricia Quinn.  I can't explain the excitement of meeting this amazing woman.  Then Saturday will see Alice take the stage followed by Hatsune Miku.  

I'll be instagraming all weekend as well as posting on the Den Of Evil cosplay page so you can all follow what we are up to.  As always if you see us come and say hi we would love to meet you all out there.

Well I'm off to dance and as Frank-n-furter would say "Don't dream it be it."

Winter Cosplay...gotta love it

Good Morning my darling dolls

Just a quick note while I eat my crumpets and honey....after the epic fail this weekend with trying to dye my annie wig I'm about to head out in the freezing cold Melbourne morning to find plan B.

Today's shopping list is 

1 Vorpal Blade

1 pink wig medium length

1 Black wig long

2 pairs black and white stockings

Fingers crossed my back up wig store as what I need, then its time to try my luck and my back up costume store for blade and a quick trip to china town for stockings.  

For the D.O.E crew I will also have my phone on me if you need supplies while I'm out cos we all know the clock is ticking.

Of course I may just have to jump into my fav comic book shop while I'm out. So wish me happy hunting dolls.

You did what?????

Greetings my Darling Dolls

Just a quick one today as I seem to be suffering from massive cosplay stress. With 13 days to go and lack of a bright pink wig for my Annie cosplay I attempted to dye one of my old blonde wigs pink.   Let's just say this was an epic fail.  After much time spent getting ink etc, mixing dye and carefully applying it to the fig, the colour just wouldn't hold.  

So yes, I still have an old blonde wig with light pink wig cap LOL.  Now I'm working on plan B as I don't have time to order a wig from my usual place in china.  Yep that means I hit the streets of Melbourne on my day off to find the closest wig at the right price.

Wish me luck as I head into a cosplayer's hell.....an cosplay ruined by not having the wig.

American McGee's Alice Madness

14 days my darling dolls!!!!!!

Alice is almost done....just have to add blood splatter, make necklace and make vorpal blade.  Hey at least the main cosplay is done.  Ok so we all know I'm going to be up late most nights from now on getting it all together as I'm still working on my other cosplays too.

At least for now I'm in a calmer place than I was 14 days out from supanova. Fingers crossed I don't have my usual "well everything is done and I've still got 3 days...guess this means I need to make another one" thinking.  

Hatsune Miku progress

15 days and counting my darling dolls till OzComicCon

As I'm a glutton for punishment LOL I decided not to wear the Annie (league of legends) cosplay I'm making, instead I figured I had my Hatsune Miku wig I would try and make an outfit for her for the event.  Plus I've just found out in the last few days about the impending release of her game in Australia this august, so I figured what a better time to showcase another outfit of hers.

Like many Hatsune Miku fans I have the base outfit, but after seeing so many people in it at the last con (not to mention having a 'fight' trying to explain she was a game first and not anime) I thought I would showcase an other side of her.  So with limited time and funds (see I am a budget cosplayer LOL) I hit my local discount stores to find the pieces I needed to build it.   

STAGE 1 - basic structure

So this is what I have so far.   There is still a lot to do like:

• make petticoat to give the skirt a fuller look
• add the white trim to the skirt and larger white music note
• attach braces and button detail
• make arm bands
• create bows for hair and shirt
• tweak my headphones so its just a mic

Yet I'm positive that this will be easy over the next few nights, as the main structure is done.

So I'm off to make a petticoat, wish me luck dolls.

Getting ready for PAX

Good morning my Darling Dolls, 

I thought it was about time I started to share some progress shots of what I', up to.  As PAXaus draws closer I feel like I have turned that corner with my Annie cosplay.  Personally I find there is this horrible time when you are working on a costume and try as you might it just doesn't seem to look right, then all of a sudden you look up at your work and BANG its turned the corner and now before your eyes your vision is starting to appear.

  

STAGE 1 - basic structure

And that's exactly what happened this weekend.  I'd been working on the base structure for Annie from League of legends, and yes the base was coming together but it just looked like a purple dress and nothing else.  Even my fellow gamers said "yeah its a good start but it's not Annie".  Then after a lunch break and more sewing they saw the collar and backpack go on, which finally got the response "yep now I see it".  

STAGE 2 - collar and backpack base

Sure I still have heaps of work to go before its ready for PAXaus, but its getting there.....slowly.  Needless to say I still have to add the details to the backpack, the design to the bottom of the skirt, the ears and leg warmers.  However, I am closer to the end than I was last week.  THANKFULLY!!!!

So in those few hours between sleep and work that's what I will be doing this week.  So if you see a zombie wandering round your town muttering "fabric...fabric" *in zombie voice* chances are its me.

Well I'm off to work, see you later my Dolls 

Happy Stitching!

Where is my time going?

Greetings my darling dolls.

Some how its mid June and I'm having the scary realization that its only 25 days until my next convention.  Sewing progress is going better than expected as I am scratch building all of my Cosplay outfits for these events.  Yep no buying for this little doll.

Needless to say my silence online has been due to working (9 to 5 job) and sewing like a crazy doll.  My friends and family are by now very used to me saying "I'm spending my time off sewing" or "nope I can't make it as there is a fabric sale I'm attending"  Of course I know its all worth it, and thankfully so do my friends when they see the final product.  

I'm also going to admit I have been watching an awful lot of youtube or fellow cosplayers over the last few weeks as the con-season in the USA is in full flight.  On the note a huge shout out to amazing cosplayer YaYa Han, hope your feeling better after your medical emergency last weekend.

So with 25 days and counting till Oz Comic Con I'm starting to tick off my to do list, but somehow for everything I mark off I seem to add something else.  Well at least the basics are done. 

Tickets...check. 

D.O.E members cosplay in progress....check

My cosplay in progress....check

Shopping list for cosplay....check

Leave request for work...check

I did have a giggle when my boss asked why I was putting in for leave saying "is it for another geek convention"  well duh!  However when I told her that William Shatner from Star Trek/Boston Legal was going to be there she almost lost her mind and said "of course you can leave, but can you get me an autograph".  Gotta love it when you get leave from work on the basis that your boss is a fangirl at heart.  LOL

Anyhow, apart from sewing like the wind I have to sort out my budget as it seems almost every week a great new star is attending.  Usually I go for the cosplay and to meet other like minded people, plus see 1 or 2 stars.  However OzComicCon has announced a huge group of stars that I am so excited to meet.  

My current must see list includes (in no particular order coz lets face it I adore all of them) and you may be surprised to know that most of these stars caught my interest in movies from about 20+ years ago.  

William Shatner (star trek 1966)

Its SHATNER!!! do i really need to explain and as if I was going to miss an opportunity to meet CAPTAIN KIRK!!!!!!!

Patricia Quinn (rocky horror picture show 1975)

Now for long standing friends again this is a no brainer as to why I want to meet her.  For all you others basically I was obsessed with this movie in high school.  Yep I have the VHS, DVD, BluRay of the movie plus multiple copies of the sound track; and to up the stakes my nickname in high school was Magenta (its even on my jersey from my final year).   

Cary Elwes (the princess bride 1987)

I have adored Cary since I first saw him in the princess bride back in the late 1980's.  Cary does hold a special place in my heart for the line "unlike some robin hood's I can speak in an English accent" from the movie Robin Hood-Men in tights.   I can warn everyone now I probably will tear up when I meet him and if he says the line "as you wish" from princess bride have St John's ambulance on stand by coz I'm probably going to faint.

Ron Pearlman (City of lost Children 1995)

A lot of people know Ron from movies like Hellboy and Star Trek:nemesis or even Sons of Anarchy.  Yet I will always remember him as One from City of lost children a french sci-fi fantasy drama.    Again a man who makes me go weak at the knees.

Little Nell Campbell (rocky horror picture show 1975)

Again a blast from my past and who hasn't seen her tap dance her way into your heart during the time warp.

To all the other stars coming like Robert Maschio (the todd from scrubs), Jeffery Combs (star trek), Tim Rose (Admiral "its a trap" Ackbar from star wars) and the gals from charmed I will do my best to get to your panels etc but I gotta go to my long standing loves first  ;-)

And if July wasn't already busy enough there is also PAX australian.  So by my maths its only 36 days till PAX Australia hits our shores for the first time ever.  Think E3 meets EB Games Expo but in honesty its "for gamers by gamers" as Banjo (good game ABC) would say.  

Now I've been reading the Penny Arcade comics online for years so when I heard that they were hitting the aussie shores with their expo of course I was going.  Not to mention some of my closet friends are hard-core gamers it wasn't really a hard sell to get us all together for it.

I'm not sure what to expect as I've never been to PAX before so its going to be fun to have that "first con" experience again.  And yes I will be cosplaying at it.

So stay tunned for my work logs and which characters will be attending each convention.

Luv you all my darling dolls
Tiki

what do you mean its nearly june?

Hello my darling dolls

Somehow I blinked and its nearing the end of may!  What happened?  The house is strewn with fabric and reference images and I feel so far away from having any finished projects as we head towards July and OzComicCon.  

Needless to say life here in the dollhouse has been hectic with work outside the cosplay realm.  I've moved locations and taken on a whole new massive list of responsibilities and jobs, which is great but has put a serious dent in my cosplay prep time.  

So what have I been doing since we last spoke you may be asking....well I've been watching a lot of anime, reading manga and trying to finish my drafts of costumes.  The project list in the workshop is constantly growing which is great but challenging.  

Want to know what I'm working on?  Brace yourself as its a big list

Little Sister from Bioshock

Elizabeth Dewitt from Bioshock Infinite 

Alice McGee from Alice Madness Returns

Some of the female characters from League of Legends

Kyōko Sakura, Sayaka Miki, Madoka Kaname,Homura Akemi and Mami Tomoe from Puella Magi Madoka Magica

The draft version for Elizabeth is done, I'm now just hunting for the right fabric and corset boning.  I'm also currently drafting the pattern for Alice and little sister from some existing clothing which surprisingly is working well.  Now I just have to commit and start making the real thing.  

I'm sure if the new projects will be ready for Supanova Sydney or PAX melbourne but I'm hoping to have at least 3 new costumes for OzComicCon.  So keep your eyes peeled when walking round those conventions for me.