A Very Long but Needed Update

It’s been so long since I posted last that I don’t know where to start.  I’ll start with the most recent happenings.  I apologize if this post seems scattered and hectic or random.  I’m trying to fit a lot of information into a sufferable post length.  Please bear with me and don’t judge the blog just by this post.  I have more succinct posts and updates.  I assure you. 

My last con for the year (Tomodachi Fest) was this past weekend.  I debuted three new cosplays (Nora from Spice and Wolf, Sheryl Nome, and Miwako from Paradise Kiss) and hosted a sewing panel.  It was my first panel, and I am very pleased with how it went.  I saw a bunch of friends and made a few new ones.  I even entered the cosplay contest though I didn’t win. Sadly, I missed a few events I wanted to go to but am looking forward to catching a few at the next con.  Overall, it was a very fun con even though it was the smallest one to which I’ve been.  There were about 100 attendees at most.   Most likely, I will go back next year I look forward to seeing how it changes in the next year.

I’m going to play reverse for the rest of the post and briefly explain what happened since August to November.  Again, please bear with me.  I’m trying to make this post the best it can be for how fragmented the information is. 

June and July were pretty uneventful, except for a small cavy (guinea pig) show for 4-H in July.  The months mostly consisted of me sewing like a maniac while trying to haul my sewing machine and projects with me everywhere due to unforeseen events.  I wasn’t able to get a lot done, but I did debut a few new cosplays and attended a couple photo shoots.  They were very exhausting months yet not totally unenjoyable.  There were moments and people that helped brighten those dark months.

August was very interesting to say the least.  It started with Fandemonium which was amazing as usual.  I worked help desk again this year and absolutely loved it.  I’m very excited to try for the position next year.  This year, I didn’t debut any new cosplays due to lack of time and funds.  Instead I wore Fire Nation Toph with a newly styled wig and an original steampunk design.  Both were very well received for which I am glad.  The con mostly consisted of me working help desk, but I met a few new friends and saw many old ones.  I love how cons bring friends together.  I also entered the costume contest as Toph but didn’t win.  Overall, I am very, very pleased with this con.  It is a favorite of mine for a reason.  I can’t wait to see what next year is like.

4-H exhibits and fair, along with the new semester, closed August.  Fair was disappointing yet somehow enjoyable to say the least.  Due to my not having a reliable sewing location or printer, I was unable to finish all but three of my intended twelve projects and those were barely completed on time.  Despite my utter disappointment for the first few days, fair overall was enjoyable.  The projects I did enter all received blue ribbons and my two cavies (guinea pigs) did very well despite the stressful fair environment.  In addition, I received best of breed for my white crested cavy and top showman for my age division.  I also did well in the fashion review and earned a blue ribbon.  Graduating 4-H was bittersweet.  I’m happy to move one yet sad to see it go. 

The next couple months were pretty unexciting sewing wise.  School continued as normal and I moved out of my mom’s house.  There were a couple small yet fun photo shoots in September, and I was able to debut a few new cosplays and costumes for both.  October was a bit more exciting.  I received a commission and worked on a costume for Halloween while helping various friends with costumes and cosplays of their own. 

The past few months have been interesting to say the least.  I was able to make and throw together a few cosplays, most which were mediocre.  Looking back, I can see some growth in learning how to make and draft costumes and explain the process to others.  There was a lot of personal growth as well.  I’ve seen a small taste of how hard yet rewarding it is to live on your own.  There is definitely a fine line to walk in order to avoid lots of pitfalls and personal struggles.  Yet the character it gives it so rewarding.  These past months have shown me that I have a lot to improve and a long way to go before I’m any better of a person or seamstress or cosplayer than I am today.  It will take a lot more hard work and determination to reach my dreams and goals.  Nevertheless, I’m content and please to have struggled through the past months and year no matter many or how hard the dark and challenging times were.  I look forward to what the new year brings with an unexpected fervor and joy.

I Return

No, I am not dead.  I apologize for the long wait and neglect of my blog.  My computer’s been down since September due to a bad adaptor, and I never got around to updating manually because my schedule turned extremely busy and all my pictures and other blogging stuff were on my computer.  Nevertheless, I’m back and plan to fill you in on all that’s happened so expect a flood of posts in the next week or two, especially since the semester is coming to a close. 

A Little Bit of Progress

School's been going well.  The first month was really slow so I spent more time watching anime than studying because there was almost no studying assigned to begin with.  It's started to pick up a bit, but I doubt the work load will be two heavy.  After all I'm only taking a couple classes this semester. 

As for cosplay, it's been going well...ish.  I had gone almost a month without working on any of my projects and now they're catching up to me along with their deadlines.  As nice as it was to breeze through five or six seasons in two to three weeks, I see now that it would have been better to focus more on cosplaying instead of watching anime.  Oh well, might as well add this to my long list of what-cosplay-has-taught-me, finish your most important assignments first and on time.  I believe the next two weeks will be very difficult.  Because of my little mistake, I'll be juggling a 2-5 page paper, two vocab and verb tense and usage quizzes, and at least the partial construction of seven cosplays, four of which must be done by this coming Saturday.  Ah, the joys of youth with all it's chances to learn.  I shall remember this lesson for later. 

River Tam Cosplay and Prop

Yes, I will admit it.  I am somewhat of a … ok a major geek.  I was sorting through Firefly (the series not the bug) patterns on Ravelry the other day and I ran across two amazing projects that simply must be done in the next few months.  The first is a nigh perfect replica of the crocheted shrug River wears in “Jaynestown” and “Objects in Space” (reference below) and the second is a Serenity (the ship from the Firefly series) plushie. 

I’ve been wanting to cosplay River when I first say the series back in high school before I even knew what cosplay was.  She is such a complex character and her wardrobe is amazing.  I really can’t wait to actually get to cosplay her.  Hopefully, I can get a full group together as well.  That would just make the event even more awesome. 

The Serenity plushie is an added bonus I found.  I would love to use it as a prop for River, especially since she pretended to be Serenity in “Objects in Space”.  Both look to be relatively easy projects, though I might have to modify the shrug to fit perfectly.  I’m hoping to get both projects done before the new year at the earliest and by my favorite con in August for sure.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to start these projects soon and post progress pictures as I go. 

Major Sigh

It’s only about a week until fair, which means I’ll have to have all my 4-H projects done and ready for exhibit.  I’ve spend the past three days trying to recuperate from Fandemonium, which went wonderfully, and haven’t got much done 4-H wise at all.  Cons are exhausting! 

At this rate I won’t have half of my projects done in time for fair.  I really hope this week goes well and is very productive.  I really want to get all my projects done since it’s my last year, but I might have to shave more off my list.  It makes me both sad and happy this year is almost over.  To be honest, I'll be very happy to be rid of the paperwork and project manuals, yet I find myself wondering what I would do without 4-H.  I really enjoyed my four years in the program and couldn’t imagine high school and part of junior high without it.  It helped me make a lot of friends and grow as a person, friend, and leader.  I learned a lot of helpful, useful skills as well.  Even though I do have mixed feelings about leaving 4-H and this part of my life, I’m very excited to see where the next chapter of life will take me.  Life is an exciting adventure all the time. 

New Crafting Blog

Since I’ve been doing more craft related projects lately, I’ve decided to start a crafting blog called Craftiness Craziness.  It will be a place where I discuss my progress and updates for any sewing and or crafting I do that is not cosplay/costuming related.  It will very similar to this one in style and set up though I will be discussing such things as quilting, knitting, practical sewing (such as sewing for the home and everyday wear), and other related type interests.  I figure it would be much easy to separate the two subjects than to lump them into one blog and thus possibly confuse the reader. 

If you are at all interested in crafting related projects and updates, then please subscribe to the new blog.  The same applies to this current blog, though instead of crafting interests it is cosplaying/costuming.  I will still update this blog as regularly as possible and will do my best to update both as often as possible with progress, news and hopefully pictures.  Please subscribe to both blogs, if you are so inclined, and comment if you wish.  It would be a pleasure to hear from my readers, so long as you are cordial and polite.  Please continue to read this blog as well as the new one.  It is a pleasure to keep this Costume Crazy going.  I hope it is a pleasure to read as well.  As always, have a good day and an even better week.  ^_^

Nimiar Progress

I have been able to get quite a bit of work done on Nimiar in the past few weeks since I started her.  Both skirts are all but completed except for hook closures, the bodice is almost entirely button holed, and half of the under dress is cut out and awaiting sewing.  I have been able to get a lot done, but there is still more to do.  I still have to finish the closures for the skirts and bodice, make the under dress with beaded detachable over sleeves, make the hat, get and style the wig, fix the shoes if need be, make the necklace, and add any finishing touches that arise.  She should be mostly, if not completely done for Fandemonium if I continue at this pace though I have other pressing sewing projects to focus on as well. 

I have pictures to share!  The first two pictures are of the skirts and bodice while the second two pictures are of the other side of the bodice.  I made the bodice completely reversible to add for more versatility and design options.  The the third picture is the shoes I’ll be using while the fourth picture is the fabric for the under dress with detachable over sleeves (the pink is the under dress fabric and the white/cream is the detachable over sleeve).  The fifth are the rest of the notions (the gold is the cording for the bodice, the purple is a cuff accent for the over sleeve, the beads are for the over sleeve, and the pendent is for the necklace).  Finally, the last picture is a close up of the pendent I’ll be using for the necklace.

    

Thus conclude this cosplay report.  Thank you so much for reading.  Have a good day and an even better week.  ^_^