Sleepy Sunday

I'm exhausted. Catching all those Pokemon sure is tiring. And I stayed up way too late playing Pokemon X. It's a fun game. I can't believe all the new things they put into the game. I'm really enjoying it. I even am wanting to cosplay the Pokemon nurse now. In the new game she appears so cute! And has a huge fluffy dress. I think it would make a very comfortable cosplay to wear in between wearing my big complex cosplays.

                                           

Today I'm looking over the skirt patterns, going to cut them out, lengthen them and figure out how I am going to make the train. I may start cutting out the fabric today but that depends. I have a lot to do. It's garage day so I need to need the hamster cage, get my trash taken out and maybe do some laundry if my mom doesn't have any to do. I also want to work a bit more on outlining my next novel. I'm a busy bee~

I'm excited to start the skirt but I can't finish it until we get some tulle. I'll be putting in two layers of tulle on the lining of the skirt to make it fluff out. I think it's important for the skirt to be fluffy because that is how its pictured. And since Seth is a Empress she should look like one. I'm going to try my best on making everything like the pictures.

There of course will be a lot of work. But I'm not afraid of it.

We were talking about something pretty big the other day. Going to another con. But if we go to this other con in California we will not be able to go to Kumori-con. So what we're going to do is not go this year but maybe next year. Hopefully we can talk our friend into going as well as I REALLY want to go check out the LA fashion district. I want to get some fabric from there. Maybe some lace too! As well as check out the Angelic Pretty store and Baby the Stars Shine Bright store. I'd love that! Hopefully I can get a stable job or get published so we can go next year! That'd be awesome to go to three cons.

Today was amazing!

We got up early and got both of a copy of Pokemon X and Y. The game is amazing! So much fun. I love all the updates. It really did improve and looks much better. I'm glad they did such a huge update to the game and game play. Then we went out with my fiance's parents and went shopping with them. Got some yummy meat for dinner for my parents and us and a big doggie bone for our dog. After that we headed to the Joann's superstore and got five yards of white satin for Seth's skirt. We couldn't find the right type of fabric for Abel so we'll have to go to Fabric Depot Tuesday.

The fabric for Seth happened to be on sale. I'm glad we got it when we did. The sale ends on Monday. The pattern says it only needs about 1 3/4 yards but since I'll be lengthening the skirt (the pattern is way too short.) and adding the train on the back I need five yards. Hopefully that will be enough. I'll be making the train pattern tomorrow. As well as lengthening the skirt pattern and start to cut out the fabric so I can start sewing.

I can't finish the skirt until I get some tulle. I'll be adding two layers of tulle on the lining so the skirt is more fluffy. I've noticed the ones made with this pattern without using tulle turns out flat. Since the picture shows it fluffy I'll make it fluffy and full.

At this point I'm just excited to sew. There will be a lot to do so I'm eager to start and improve my skills. I'll upload some pictures of progress pictures later. There will be a LOT of them. See ya then!

Patterns!

Between this sale and the one next week we will be set on patterns for two years! There really is nothing better than a $1 pattern sale. Gotta love it. While we picking out patterns for next week's sale we decided that we will be doing Madam Red and Grell from Black Butler for 2015. Not sure what other cosplay we'll later on that year but I'm just glad we have our ducks in a line. 

And guess what?

They had the pattern for Abel's cassock!

I'm so happy we have everything for our Trinity Blood cosplays. Well, the patterns any way. We were looking for fabric for Abel but couldn't find any that were right and the one we did find was way too much. Since we need 10 yards, we're hoping to find something cheap.

So tomorrow we're going to the bigger Joann's in the hope of finding some good fabric for Abel. So i can get started and stop freaking out about how many months we have left. These costumes are so detailed its natural that I would be freaking out but I'm using my anxiety to motivate me to do my best. 

 

I didn't get too many good pictures. The lighting is horrible down in my basement this time of night and I'm by far too tired to go in my room and re-taking pictures.

There a total of five patterns for our Trinity Blood cosplays. 

Seth-4

Abel-2

Of course I'll still need to modify the patterns a lot but I'm feeling more comfortable doing so with patterns. As long as I have a base I'll be fine. Luckily for us I have found patterns that fit each part of the outfits. 

I would make this post a bit longer but I'm so tired and tomorrow we're waking up early to hunt us some copies of the new Pokemon 3DS game. Then after that we're going out with my fiance's mother and step-father to a store then to Joann's. So tomorrow will be very busy. I'll do a more detailed post later on.

American Horror of awesomeness

Anyone else watch the first episode of the new episode? IT IS AMAZING! I think it is my favorite season so far. Any whooooo. This post isn't about how much I love American Horror Story or anything liek that I'm talking about patterns today!

There is a up-coming sale At our Joann's for five patterns for only five dollars! That's such a good sale and here is way...

1. Patterns can be expressive (Some can be over $20!)
2. Good chance to buy patterns that will only be used for pieces (I need one that is $18 just for the sleeves.)
3. Great chance to get patterns for our other cosplays

Plus some day I would like to do commissions. This will help me add to my pattern inventory so I won't have to buy more patterns which means lower cost to the buyers.

Since there are only two patterns we need for Seth and Abel at the store (we're buying the main pattern for Abel's cassock online. It wasn't in the store.) we will be buying the pattern for Sharon (Pandora Hearts) dress and that leaves us with two more patterns to buy. We aren't sure what they will be since we are re-using a pattern for Seth's dress and are re-using a pattern for Break's coat. So that leaves us with two patterns that we can use for our next cosplays for 2014. Which we are not 100% on which those will be. Since its my turn to pick a cosplay series I'm starting to ponder our choices. Our Trinity Blood cosplays will be our main cosplays for a while. Since they are hugely detailed cosplays I think having something more simple and comfortable would be nice.

These are my top choices.

Nicolas- Grell (Black Butler)

Nicolas was the one who told me he wanted to cosplay Grell. Of course how can I say no that? I'd love to see more male Grells at conventions. The outfit if pretty simple and would be easy to make.

Madam Red-Angelina Durless (Black Butler)

Love the Victorian walking gown. Not only that but I enjoyed her character in the manga a lot. She was interesting. The outfit, again would be easy to make. There is a pattern that would be perfect for this outfit.

One pattern down

Since when has Halloween become about showing skin? Good grief. We went out to a few stores today I swear the hem lines on female costumes has gotten shorter. Nasty. I want a ghost sheet costume. Is that so much to ask for? Sorry I don't want to show off my boob to little kids as I give out candy.

Alright. I'm done ranting.

I love Halloween don't get me wrong. The season is wonderful. Hot apple cider, pumpkins, costumes, spices and fires in the fireplace. I love it. I think we'll just be sheet ghosts this year. So we can save all the money we can for our up-coming cosplay projects.

We bought one pattern today as they were out of the main one we need for Abel's cassock. Nor did they have the cape or top pattern I wanted for Seth. We did the pattern that I'll be using for Seth's fluffy underskirt.

The white skirt is shown as being "bubbled" and gathered. It has a shine to it, so I'll be using satin. which is a great fabric to use for something that has lots of folds as it moves and folds very good.

The skirt will have a lace train that will not be as long as the train on the dress. It will mainly cover the inside of the long train. This will also be satin with lace trim.

This pattern Simplicity 2072 will be used for the skirt. I will be using E for the skirt. I may use the jacket C for the top as well. The sleeves will have a bell shape at the bottom inside of a line.

I will be making the skirt slightly longer so I can add more fluff inside of it. I will be using tulle inside to make it fluff outwards. I am so HAPPY I found this pattern as I was confussed about how to make the skirt. I would much rather modify a pattern than make one up by scratch. This will make my life so much easier.

I won't be making Seth's outfit until after Abel's cape and cassock is finished. After the outfits are finished we'll start on the smaller details and props.




Can't wait! I'll keep the blog updated whenever we start. It won't be much longer before I start sewing.

A day out

Today was a refreshing break from my typical  day-to-day. We headed out into downtown Portland and went to the amazing book kingdom, Powells. I got lots of books and some manga. Which I am super happy about I don't get manga often. I decided to get caught up on Black Butler. Although I read them online reading them with a correct English translation is always a lot of fun. So I got the last two manga volumes. These go into Ciel's past, which is one of my favorite parts of the manga. Its so interesting I hope they go deeper into soon. That school arch bored me so much. Thank goodness it is over.

We do want to cosplay Black Butler. Nicolas wants to cosplay Grell. Yes, a male Grell. How awesome is that? I'm excited to torture  to dress him up as Grell. Now he did pick out Grell himself. I don't pick out his cosplays. I allow him to pick out who he is going cosplay, and yes he does pick out the series as well. That's what makes it so fun. We try to do everything equally.

But it will be fun to put make-up on him and see him in heels and a long wig. I complain a lot when my wig slips or when my feet are screaming so he'll get to see why being a female is hard. Lol. I have yet to pick a character. I am either going to go with Madam Red (I love her personality. and outfits.) or my first ever crossplay and go as the Undertaker. I won't pick one until later when we decide we'll cosplay them. They may be our next cosplay because they will be simple to make and not very stressful to wear. Since our Trinity Blood cosplays will be our main cosplays for while we'll need something simple and comfortable. Although I think we'll stick with Trinity Blood, Pandora Hearts and xxxHolic for a while.

Next outing (Not sure when.) will be to start collecting things for Abel's cassock! I can't wait to start sewing! I'm having withdraws. But right now I'm going to go read some manga and write. I am so close to finish my novel right now I am very jittery and really want to put my best forward and work hard to finish it. So wish me luck! When I finish I have the rest of the month to edit and reverse while I research for my next novel that will be written next month for NaNoWriMo .

Toodles for now!

What a crazy fall its been so far

The weather sure has taking a turn. Its very chilly. The storm has passed, although yesterday was crazy! It rained really hard, looked more like hail but it wasn't. I love fall and the weather and storms that it brings. I'm not much of a summer person (I hate the heat, it affects my health in a bad way.) so its nice to have chilly weather. Summer was really stuffy and humid. I have a feeling winter will be really bad and cold this year. Hopefully we'll get some snow this time around.

Enough about the weather. Let's talk cosplay!

I'm really pushing myself hard with these new cosplays. Going outside the box, trying out new techniques and going outside of my comfort zone. But I'm enjoying it. I haven't started on sewing yet, we will in a few weeks. I have, however been working on Abel's wig.

                                                    TB manga starts back up next month!



I have three ways that I could make this wig stand on end.

1. Hanging it upside down while hair spraying it
2. Painting the wig with a mix of tacky glue and water + hair spray after
3. Foam core or wire base

I have asked a few other people who have made successful crusnik wigs but only a few have replied back. Those who have all used option one. I think I try 2 but use a wire base inside. If the wire feels strange on the wig I won't use it. I may start today by sectioning the wig into parts and start painting them one by one with the tacky glue mix. which is surprising hard when dry.

I will be working on Abel's outfit first. Mainly because it appears more complexed. Wait? Isn't Seth more work? Yes. But a lot of the detail will be hand painted. I'm very comfortable with painting details by hand. There are by far more details for Seth BUT I will have to make Abel's pattern. Seth's will be made out of two patterns and some modification. However with Abel I have one pattern to use as the base. 

                                                     Can't wait to make my Empress hat! 

Not sure if I explained that well enough. I need more coffee. I feel like I'm speaking gibberish. And my dad's cat is stalking me. I'm distracted. Lol. 

Any way...

We have 7 months until Sakura-con. Yes, I'm already keeping track. That's 197 days to do two major (highly detailed.) cosplays plus two sets of wings, and maybe props that light up. So much work! But I'm excited. Seth is my favorite character of all time. Cosplaying her is a dream. I remember when I first saw her in the manga I instantly knew I wanted to cosplay her. Course back then I didn't cosplay. It was just a dream. I didn't even know how to use a sewing machine. Now that dream is coming true. I'm very excited.

The best part about this cosplay (Besides the hat and character) is all the lace. I love lace! There will be four types of lace. White lace on the underskirt bustle, white lace on the bottom of the sleeves, Lace appliques on the front of the skirt, And gold lace on the collar, as well as white lace on the choker (Will be the same lace used on the sleeves.) I'm so happy! So much lace!!! 

I'm rambling now. I'm going to go write and try to finish up my novel. 

What is your dream cosplay?