Update: Last Minute Con Prep or GAAAAAHHH!!!!

I know, I know... It's Tuesday.... I didn't post yesterday.... But I do have a good reason! I was driving home from going to an awesome production of 'Beauty and the Beast" in Boise. See. It's a good reason!

Before I start, I must tell you that something terrible has happened! The site I've been using for all my adorable onion head emoticons is not working for soem reason! I can't express myself properly without them!! I feel so.... blank... *sigh* But I must carry on! For the sake of the blog... I will try to emote through words, though I feel words can't properly express the cuteness I want to convey.... *again sigh*

Anywho! Today is a general update sort of day. I haven't done one in a while. Which is good. I don't want this whole blog to be all about me.

I'm frantically trying to get everything done before Anime Oasis. *glances at calendar* OH MY LUNA, ONLY 23 DAYS!!! Gah!

I got an unexpected commission last month that kind of threw a wrench in my very tight schedule. But, it will all work out. And I'll have lots of money to blow on nerd paraphernalia now! Hooray! The commission wasn't cosplay related, but I'll share it with you anyway!

It's not quite complete, I still need to add the sleeves and zipper. But I should be finished with it tomorrow.

I have one more commission to do before I can work on my own things. Thankfully it's a super easy one and should only take a day or two. Then I need to finish redoing Sailor Moon. I'm getting close to done on it. The leotard is done, except for adding snaps. I just need to finish making the white waist band and the new collar. Then I have to hand sew a bazillion snaps onto all the pieces. Woo! That should be so much fun. *weeps* And I'm going to order some new boots. Hopefully they will be here in time for me to modify them before AO.

This is what creativity looks like.

Then after that I'm going to make as many lolita items as possible until AO gets here. They are having a lolita flee market thing and I wanted to put some items in there. Hopefully I'll get some done in time.
>.< Apparently I'm the only one who is going to have stuff in the flee market so far, so if you'd like to put items in there, I suggest you contact the AO staff!

As for my future cosplays, they've kind of come to a halt. My husband switched jobs and this new job isn't a 'paycheck every two weeks' type. So we are trying to be careful with the monies. Which means no new cosplays for a while. :( It's a very sad thing indeed, but it's not as if I'll have no projects. I still have lots of material to make lolita dress and other clothing. One project that I think I'll do is an every day/beach wear outfit for Usagi. Here is the pattern and material:

I bought the pattern because I thought it was cute, and then realized... it's incredibly 90's. Which is perfect for Usagi. Haha. This is some material my mom gave me and I think it will be perfect. I'll just wander around the con with sunglasses, flip flops, and a beach ball. It will be awesome. And so comfy!

Also, I'd like to say that my mom is super awesome. This weekend she also gave me a bunch of vintage sewing machine attachments!! And oh man, once I figure them out, I'm going to use the heck out of them!!!!

From left to right: A bias tape foot, an invisible zipper foot, 3 sizes of rolled hem feet, and a ruffle foot.

I've played with them a little bit, and I can tell it will take a little practice to get used to them. But once I get them figured out, it will be awesome!!


Also, I wanted to ask you all some opinions about my blog. 3 things are on my mind.

1. I noticed that I have an average viewing of about 30 people. (And thank you so, so much for reading my little blog!) But I seem to have no subscriptions. And I wondered why that is? Is it that you don't usually subscribe to blogs, or that you don't know how, or that you just aren't that interested? Honest responses would be appreciated in the comments!

2. You may have noticed that all of my cosplayer interviews have been females. This isn't on purpose! It just so happens that the majority of my cosplay friends are girls! So if you have a male cosplayer you think should be in the spotlight, please link me to them in the comments or on my facebook page. I do know a handful of male cosplayers that I plan to interview eventually, but not very many. And if you want to suggest a female cosplayer, that is ok too! I'm going to run out of friends to interview sooner or later and need to have more people on my list! For now I'd like to mostly focus on cosplayers in the Northwest part of the US (Idaho, Washington, Oregon, etc.)

3. What do you guys think so far? Several people have told me they really like my blog, and I'm so glad! But I just wanted some general opinions and thoughts. What are you favorite posts? What are your least favorite? What new kinds of posts would you suggest? Things like that. So let me know in the comments or on my facebook page!

Ok! I think that's all the exciting news I have to share. I'm not sure what I'm posting next week. Maybe a tutorial or another interview. I'm not sure yet. It will just have to be a surprise!!

Much loves,

Edward.

Cosplay Showcase: Rina as Lara Croft

So this week is Cosplay Showcase with Rina Love as Lara Croft! I think this cosplay is totally kick ass, and I think you guys will think so too!

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Reborn

Photo by Riamux Creations

Why did you chose this character to cosplay. Why did you chose it for the showcase?

I chose Lara because she is one of my all time favorite action heroines. The costume is functional, easy to wear, and I just really enjoy being Lara. The game is a lot of fun too.

Photo by Riamux Creations

What was your construction process?

I thrifted the pants, found a top at Forever21 which I distressed using paints, oils, and fake blood. I cut holes in it to look like bullet wounds.
For the bandages I used scrap fabrics.
I spent months researching all of the angles, clothing, and accessories. I dyed my hair brown and grew my bangs out and used clip in extensions (human hair) For added length (I proceeded to purchase a wig for conventions down the line).
The boots I already owned.
The gun is an airsoft gun that's been disabled. 

Photo by Riamux Creations

I made the gun holster from a pleather mini skirt I found in the mall, hand sewn by me.
The watch was found on ebay.
The (not shown) walkie talkie was from my dad, who also made my climbing axe.
The bow I found on Ebay (Not shown).

I made my necklace as well.

Photo by Riamux Creations

The things you love about this cosplay.

All of my accessories and it's honestly a lot of fun to wear. It's extremely comfortable.

The things you hate.

Doing the makeup and putting on the wig can take a while.

Photo by Riamux Creations

A general closing statement and where one might find more pictures of this and other cosplays you’ve done.

Facebook and Deviantart! :) 

Photo by Riamux Creations

Man, I love all the details in this one. It looks awesome! And what an epic photo shoot! I hope you all enjoyed this Cosplay Showcase with Rina!

Next week I think it will be a general update. It's crunch time for Anime Oasis. Only a month away! And I have so much to get done! Gah!!

Until next time!

Edward

Cosplayer Interview: Rina

So this week it's Cosplayer Interview time with my friend Rina! I met her at Sakura-con 2012 at a Sailor Moon photo gathering. I saw her Small Lady and Super Sailor Moon cosplays there. I really love her work and she was super nice! We took photos in our princess dresses and now she shall always and forever be Chibi Usa in my mind. Haha. But she's done many other awesome cosplays that I can't wait to share with you guys! So, I'd best get on with it then!

Your name or Cosplay Name:

Katarina (Rina) Love

Photo by Riamux Creations

Age:
20

How long have you been cosplaying?

Since October 2009, so 3-4 years. Sakura Con 2013 marks my fourth year there!

What was your first cosplay?

Sailor Mini Moon! Halloween 2009. I went full out and dyed my hair pink and spray painted heel boots. We were going to a show/concert, but decided to bail because it was way too boring.

Chibi Usa (I love this one a whole lot~Edward)
Photo by Sarah Homeyer

Do you make your cosplays, buy them pre-made online, or have them commissioned?

I make most of mine, sometimes with friends help. I also thrift/shop around for items if it’s a casual outfit/look so I don’t have to make it from scratch! It saves me money.

Why do you cosplay?

Why not? I like attention, I like being creative, and I don’t mind being in front of a camera. I gained so many friends from cosplay that I cannot imagine my life without conventions these days! I started off modeling before cosplay, so with costuming I really got to put my sewing talents to the test and I’m constantly learning new traits. I love the challenges that new costumes can bring.

What is you favorite part about cosplay?

Hanging out with my friends and working on our costumes (or procrastinating on them).
Taking photos and feeling pretty, strong, evil, or however my character acts
Creating the costume and shopping for materials and doing the research.

What is your least favorite part?

Not having time to finish things or getting stressed out and a major break out RIGHT BEFORE CON. UGH. I hate acne. Also, getting ready the day of Con and having everyone else bother me and wanting my help to get them ready too. I am not your mother.

Lara Croft
Photo by Riamux Creations

Who is your favorite character to cosplay?

Lara Croft and Usagi/Chibiusa Tsukino! Those are my top three currently.

What is your favorite cosplay to wear?

Favorite?? Oh goodness. I really enjoy being Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon, but I also really enjoy being Lara Croft and getting dirty. I get to really show off my vulnerable and strong side. I love wearing boots and skirts.
WonderGirl is also super comfy, so I won’t be retiring that any time soon.

Wondergirl
Photo by Kindra

What is your least favorite cosplay to wear?

I made a costume for a friend that I only wore for 30 minutes and we never got photos together. I’m not sure I’ll bring it out ever again either. So I guess it would be Mana Ouma. 

What was the most complicated cosplay you’ve worked on?

So far I think Princess Serenity tops the charts on complicated. Oh man… Princess dresses just are so much fun but a pain in the ass. I also learned how to use boning, buttons as closures and it’s a no zipper dress. Lots of hand sewing was involved, and I styled the wig entirely by myself, as well as made the hair pearls. Wearing the wig and dress is also a monster, so I can’t wear it for long sadly.

Princess Serenity
Photo by Estelia Photography

What was the least complicated?

Sookie Stackhouse. It was basically put together by itself. As well as WonderGirl. Leggings and a tank top? YES!

What group cosplays have you been a part of?

Well I am currently a part of a Young Justice group, which is a lot of fun! Everyone is really nice, and they really care about the quality of their costumes. You can follow them on facebook at The Breakers Cosplay.
And I love being a part of really well put together groups without doubles. I also adore my X-Men group that I’m a part of, and we did that for ECCC 2013. 2014 will be even better! :D

What group cosplays would like to be part of?

It would be cool to have a giant functioning Disney group too at some point. As well as a FULL Sailor Moon group without doubles, I really hate doubles. 

Winter Tinker Bell
Photo by Fearless Photoworks

Who are some characters you plan to cosplay in the future?

Time for a list!
Eternal Sailor Chibi Moon and Moon
Angewoman
Gatoman
Super Girl
Nightwing (Genderbent)
Garret (THIEF)
Tinkerbell (all of her cute outfits!)
Megara
Oliver Queen-Green Arrow
Cinderella, and plenty more

What crossplay characters have you done or would like to do?

I did a semi-feminized version of Link for Halloween last year. I wouldn’t mind re-doing him for a convention though. But I tend to genderbend the characters without sexifying them instead of straight up crossplay. I just am not a fan of the whole flattening my boobs to look like a boy thing, and I have a booty!
I plan to do Oliver Queen from Green Arrow genderbent though! I’m really excited for that.

Who is a character people say you should cosplay, but you aren’t sure about?

I have gotten Saria from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Ivy from Soul Calibur 4. Neither of these characters appeals to me, so the chances of me cosplaying them are never.

What is your dream cosplay?

Super Sailor Chibi Moon, It’s not even hard, I just haven’t made it yet!
Otherwise I should probably look through my list and figure out who my dream costume is afterwards. ;D

Hope Summers
Photo by Fearless Photoworks

What is a cosplay you would love to do, but don’t feel you could pull off?

It’s not a matter of not being able to pull it off, as it is the funds to pull it off.
So Big Daddy (Bio Shock), Toothania (Rise of the Gaurdians), anything mascot related I just can not do!

In your opinion, what makes a great cosplay?

A great attitude, a well made costume, and making sure the costume is fit to your body. (Not overly tight or loose!)

At which conventions are we likely to see you?

Sakura-Con, PAX Prime, Emerald City Comic Con, Jet City Comic Show, and probably some others! ;)

Princess Small Lady (Forever my Chibi Usa~Edward)
Photo by Darkain Multimedia

Any advice to other cosplayers?

Don’t treat your cosplay friends like they owe you something or they’re your servants. The first few times they may be okay with letting you know tips, or helping, but don’t be a user. Don’t expect people to make things for you. Actually learn things for yourself and USE THE INTERNET. Google is your best friend.
Don’t have time to learn a new trade? Ebay and thrift shops can offer a plethora of finds if you’re willing to alter things!
When someone offers you a quote on a commission, be kind and respond with “Thank you”, if you decide to NOT go with them, be courteous and say “Thank you for your time, but currently I won’t be needing your services”. 

What are some other hobbies you have, other than cosplaying?

Hitting the gym, thrift shopping, dying my hair, and sometimes I game. I also love modeling and styling for photoshoots and being outdoors during the summer.

Magik
Photo by Darkain Multimedia

Favorite anime/tv shows?

I am a huge ARROW (CW) fan girl. So that’s one of my favorites. Sailor Moon is my favorite anime of all time, so that really doesn’t need to be said.
I also enjoy: Firefly, Supernatural, Adventure Time, and Regular Show, Digimon Adventure. And I watch way too much Disney!

Favorite movie?

Fifth Element. Cinderella, TinkerBell (series), The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. 

Favorite books/manga?

Manga: Sailor Moon. I don’t read much manga anymore aside from this. I read comics, so Uncanny X-Force, Uncanny Avengers, Old Man Logan (Wolverine), Cable and Deadpool. Fables. 30 days of Night. Can you tell I love Marvel?
Books: I haven’t read any in a while, but I really enjoyed the UGLIES series by Scott Westerfield.

Super Sailor Moon
Photo By Darkain Multimedia

Favorite video games?

Tomb Raider (series), Ratchet and Clank (series), The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Dance Central

Favorite color?

My favorite color is pink, but I also like blues!

Favorite food?

This is a hard one since I love a variety of foods! Cream of Spinach Soup and Broccoli and Cheese soup are amazing, and a grilled cheese. I also grew up on cheeseburgers, and love my father’s cooking!

Favorite desert?

Cookies. Seriously. These are my weakness!

Favorite curse word?

Fuck. It’s blunt and honest, just like me.

What are some websites where we can see more of you?

You can follow me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RinaMeowsir or on deviantArt under Tarinalove. I update facebook before my other websites though!

Bonus pic of Rina and I as Small Lady and Serenity. ^_^

Yay!! See, she does lots more than moonie cosplays. But Small Lady will always by my personal favorite! I hope you guys enjoyed getting to know Rina! Next week is her Cosplay Showcase! And then maybe the week after I'll do an update. But the truth is.... I haven't been doing much cosplay stuff lately.
 But I'll tell you all about that in a couple weeks!


~Edward

CONsent and Sexual Harassment in Our Culture

So, I'm wondering to myself what I shall write about this week. And it seems that the big topic lately is the "CONsent" movement. Which I'm all for. And I think it's awesome that people are trying to bring awareness to this problem. I have experienced some harassment-- cat calls and such-- but nothing like the horrors I've heard about. I know one close friend of my mind that was getting her photo taken and the creeper told her they could go into a corner and she could flash him. She was so horrified she didn't even know what to say.

I think we can all agree that this kind of thing is really fucked up and should cease immediately. But I don't think it's a problem just within the cosplay community. It is a problem that exists within our entire culture. It is the same kind of attitude as "rape culture." That if a person is dressed in a particular way, they deserve a certain kind treatment. And it may be true, that if someone is wearing something revealing, they may want to be looked at sexually. But it is also true that they can wear those things, and not want that attention. One shouldn't assume what someone else wants or what kind of attention they are trying to get. As far as I know, know one is a mind reader. So saying you "know" what they want-- well, you are full of it. But what we CAN assume, is that no one wants to be raped or sexually harassed. Ever.

I can tell you that when I made my Sailor Moon costume, I didn't think about what sort of attention it might attract. I just wanted to be Sailor Moon and I wanted to portray her accurately. Well, 'accurately' means that my ass hangs out. A whole lot. (And just so everyone knows, I do wear a leotard underneath. And I'm fully aware that everyone can see it.) I guess I'm kind of naive, but I really didn't even give it a second thought. It was accurate. And that's what matters to me. So I was kind of surprised how often people would politely let me know that everyone could see under my skirt. And I am grateful that people are concerned and trying to look out for me. I guess they were worried that I would become a victim of sexual harassment. Which, aside from some whistles, hasn't really happened. And I'm grateful for that too.

Anyway, my point is, I didn't make my SM skirt short because I wanted people to look at my butt. I made it short because her skirt is really short. I don't "want" cat calls. I just want to be Sailor Moon. And I think that's what people are "looking for" when they wear revealing cosplays. They just want to portray that character the best way they can and have fun. That's kind of the point.

So, this isn't a cosplay community problem. This is a cultural problem. And a lot of attitudes need to change in our entire country for this problem to end. Cosplay creepers aren't the cause, they are a symptom of the disease. So if you want to see a difference, get political. Let our country know that this problem isn't acceptable. And make a stand. If you see someone getting harassed, speak up. Step in. I promise, you will be a hero to the person being harassed. I plan on going around the con with an eraser board that says "Cosplay =/= Consent." Because it's a small thing I can do to get the word out about this problem.

And if I see you harassing someone, in the name of moon, I will punish you!

I don't want to go on about this topic for too long. Because a lot of folks have already talked about it, and have made good points more eloquently than I can. So I'll end here. Next week I think I shall do a cosplay interview and lighten the mood a bit.

If you would like to share your experiences and have discussions, please feel free to do so in the comments below!


Edward

Tutorial Time: Sailor Moon Wig

Gaaaahhh!!! What is this?!?! It's Wednesday and I have not posted on my blog yet?? I know... I suck. But this week has been all kinds of screwy and I haven't been able to get to this until now. Curse you life!! 

But today I think I will start doing a new type of post. I wanted to start doing tutorials on a regular basis, but I just have yet to do anything that I think deserves a tutorial. And the things I have done, there are already tutorials out there for them. I would know, I used them! So I decided that instead of trying to come up with things to make a tutorial for, I'd just share all the awesome tutorials I've found in the past!

So today I bring you: Tutorial Time!! And we're going to kick it off with a moonie related post. Because Sailor Moon is kind of my thing. XD

This tutorial is on how to create Usagi's wig. It's posted by YouTube user Antiquitydreams. People have asked me several times how I created my Sailor Moon wig and I used this tutorial to create both Sailor Moon and Serenity. I think it's the best tutorial I've found so far.

Part 1

Part 2

I hope that some of you will find this helpful! I plan to post many types of tutorials. Whatever I find helpful. What kind of tutorials would you guys be interested in seeing? Do you have a tutorial you could recommend I post? Leave it in the comments!

And now I must pack so I can go out of town! I'm taking my laptop this time so I can do an update post while I'm away!



Edward