Wizard World Philadelphia 2015

A few weeks ago was my second time at a Wizard World convention, and I must say, it didn't disappoint. Wizard World is what I would call a 'medium' sized convention. It doesn't have the recognition of New York of San Diego; but they are still using the same formula: celebrities, panels, and artists. This formula works for them at their 'medium' scale in the way that it is truly perfect. It is fun without being too overwhelming, but it still holds a lot of power and value.

Here was my con schedule:

Thursday: Fun night of just getting to enjoy the convention.

Friday: Finish final touches on cosplays, photo shoot, and beauty sleep.

Saturday: Evil Queen cosplay.

Sunday: Honey Lemon cosplay.

Here is what actually happened:

Plans are nice, but unrealistic; and I truly learned that at this convention. Saturday was the only day that didn't really go as planned. I went to bed Friday night so excited, like it was Christmas Eve, and woke up on Saturday puking. It was infuriating to say the least. After many attempts at gathering my strength I gave up. By 4pm, I finally was able to muster the strength to get ready. Luckily my sister was home to do my hair for me and I had practiced the make up so that was quickly. The boyfriend and I then quickly rushed to Philly (one puke stop on the way) and were able to be at the convention for about an hour. I went home upset and defeated. I had spent months and hundreds of dollars working on this costume, and I could barely stand up. It was heart breaking. Yet, I was able to remember that I had created something, and that it wasn't going anywhere. I am the type of person where I make one costume for one specific convention, but I am hoping to move past that so I am able to wear again next year. Either way, I gained new skills and have another cosplay under my belt.

Luckily, Sunday went perfectly! Honey Lemon and Tadashi were a total success! We were easily recognizable and people loved seeing us! I love working on my cosplays, but seeing people excited about them, who are complete strangers, is absolutely thrilling. I truly hope that I can continue cosplaying for a long time, and maybe even one day get paid to do it! But for now I am just enjoying this creative outlet where I am able to express myself and fulfill my creative needs!

Now here are some pictures of me as Honey Lemon, enjoy!

Stay tuned for updates about new projects for NYCC 2015!

XO M

Yellow Heels? Nah. Yellow Sneaks.

So if you have seen the movie, Big Hero 6 then you know that Honey Lemon wears these crazy high yellow stilettos. Which is totally awesome, except I can barely stand in heels let alone walk in them all day long at a convention. SO I decided to save myself the pain and do a spin off of her shoes in the form of yellow keds!

But I wasn't about to spend $50 on real yellow keds, so I made my own.

Now let me show you how!!

Step 1: GATHER MATERIALS!!

-white sneakers (target $17)

-yellow acrylic paint (I used the brand "Apple barrel")

(you can get a huge bottle for about $4)

-white acrylic paint (same brand, small bottle is $1)

-various sized paint brushes

-duct tape or painters tape

Also, patience. This takes time to do well and correctly.

Step 2: PREP!

Have a surface to work on. I have a big piece of cardboard that I keep around for such occasions. Also, remove the shoe laces, we don't want to get them icky.

Step 3: TAPE!

Now you will need to go ahead and tape around the edge of the shoe. Make sure that you tape over the lip of the edge where it meets the canvas but do not tape any of the canvas.

Make small pieces of tape, it will make it easier to get around the curves.

Tape like shown here!

Once this is done we are ready to paint!!

Step 4: PAINTING FUN!

When painting, I mixed together the yellow and white paints to make a softer yellow. The paint color is "bright yellow", and it is bright so I toned it down with the white. This is a completely optional step. If you do mix colors, try to remain consistent to avoid a patchy look.

When painting start in the middle and work your way to the edges. I left about 1/8th of an inch of the edge white and then went back and used a very small brush to do the edges to keep a clean look.

Check the seams for loose threads and cut them to avoid any rough edges/seams.

Around the eyelets, be sure to take your time and use a small brush. I've found that you do not need to get too close to them because they get covered by the laces anyway. But you do need to get closer than shown above.

Step 5: Enjoy!

After about an hour to two hours of drying time you can carefully remove your tape and touch up any needed spots.Then you are ready to enjoy your new shoes!!

Put your laces back in and then run around with excitement!

(I couldn't remember how to put them back in so I am going to have the boy do it later haha)

You now have the fanciest shoes on the block! 

These will be a thousand times more comfortable for Wizard World Philly and for being Honey Lemon. I know this is straying from the true characters look, but I also have to not hurt myself and be comfortable in how I look. 

There is so much more to show you guys!

So stay tuned for more updates this week!

XO M

One Month To Go

I am closing in on about one more month until the Wizard World Philly Comic Con!!

I am getting to be just so excited! I still have a lot of work to do, especially on Honey Lemon, but the time pressure will have things expedited for sure!

What I would love to do next is make some props for the Evil Queen! If you are a viewer of the show then you know that the Queen is a collector, a collector of hearts! I am hoping to devise a way to make this as a prop to carry around the day I cosplay her. How you may ask? I have no idea. BUT I am going to try to figure it out!

As for Honey Lemon, I have been able to get some very early stage work done. But I am afraid my choice in fabric may end up to be a little shear. It is a poly-cotton blend with what I think is just not enough cotton. So it may prove to need to be re-done or I possibly will need to wear a slip underneath.

I will have more frequent updates now that it is turning into crunch time. Keep an eye out for some fun things ahead!

xo M

Big Hero 6

Yesterday the boyfriend and I went shopping for cardigans for our Big Hero 6 cosplays. We realized that if we didn't go get them now, towards the end of winter, we were going to have a really hard time finding them come spring. So I found one at Urban Outfitters that was pretty close to Honey Lemon's, so I snatched that up real quick and it was on sale! Then last night we watched Big Hero 6, recently purchased on blue ray, and I am noticing that Honey's sweater isn't as mustard as I thought it was, and the cardigan I got was super mustard-y. Well, I am quite the perfectionist, I went hunting online and found a sweater that looks almost exactly like hers on Amazon. Oh the power of Amazon.

So I will be hiking my butt back to the mall, returning the sweater then getting the one off Amazon. I should have never doubted the power of Amazon.

I did find the perfect pink heart buttons to add to the cardigan, because Honey's has hearts. 

I really strive to have it matching as close as possible to the character I am cosplaying. 

The cardigan, shoes, tights, and socks are things I will naturally have to buy. I don't think anyone who cosplays makes their own tights or socks. (If you do, rock on man). But other than that I will be making her dress, headband, and possibly her purse. 

I really can't wait to put this cosplay all together. For now, I am concentrating more on the Evil Queen. I did go looking for things to make her necklace. But I am having a hard time finding the right materials, but alas I shall find them. 

Keep an eye out for more updates on the Evil Queen soon. Accessories and final details are up next!

XO M

ALMOST DONE!

I am so beyond pumped, because I am almost done my Evil Queen cosplay!! 

AHHHHH!

I can't get over it, I really can't.

I finally have the two sections sewn together, the sleeves done, cuffs done, and collar done!

All that is left is the closures, some buttons, the accessories and some other details. But the hardest parts are officially completed. I couldn't me more proud of myself for taking on my biggest project to date. 

Cosplay to me is more than just looking sexy, or just wearing a wig and posting pics on instagram. It's about doing good work. It's about pushing your limits of creativity. You can be sexy while still wearing clothes. You can go instagram crazy while still making true work. I want to do this right, and I want to do it well. I don't mean to seem judgemental of others choices, but I find it bothersome to see people getting so much credit for just looking slutty or buying costumes. I want to see people work hard at something and push themselves. And I am trying to promote this by doing it myself. We are all better than we think we are, and we have to be better to give cosplay a good name. 

Rant done.

After I complete this I will be starting the boyfriend's cosplay. For now I still intend on doing Captain Hook, but it is looking more and more complicated considering I have never done menswear. SO, as time goes on I may end up changing it or going in a different direction. 

I will also be starting our day two looks of Honey Lemon and Tadashi soon!! (I can't wait!)

But keep an eye out for more updates!

XO M

EVIL QUEEN

The Evil Queen finally has two sleeves! YAY!

This weekend I was finally able to give this cosplay some TLC. I did a lot of reworking of the mechanics of this top piece. I took apart the collar to properly attach a lining to help strengthen the bodice. I also got the second sleeve attached and cuff sewn, after accidentally sewing it on inside out first...oops. 

( I really wish you could see the design of the fabric better, but when it is all together I will be taking more professional pictures.)

The skirt that will be soon attached to the bodice, is beyond heavy. It is simply just a lot of fabric. So I am concerned that this weight could end up causing issues along the way. I am trying to problem solve that weight issue by different sewing techniques and possible adding some kind of almost suspender like system within it to help disperse some of that weight. 

This cosplay is soooo close to be complete, I really can't wait! After the sewing is all finished I have a few acessories to work on, which will be fun to make. From there I will be working on the boyfriend's Captain Hook jacket, and that will be a whole different ball game. 

Stay tuned next week for some more updates!

XO M

Finished Valentine's Day Dress!

This weekend I was finally able to finish my dress for a wedding I am attending on Valentine's day!! I am really happy with the final product, take a look!

I am super happy with this final look! It is quite form fitting, which wasn't my origional intention, but I went with how the fabric was working! It consits of 4 panels, 2 black side panels and 2 grey front and back panels. I love the classic look of this dress, which contributes to it being great for wearing mulitple times! (the best)

I used a Simplicity pattern for this, found at JoAnn Fabrics. If you are a beginner sewer, I 100% suggest starting with a similar project. A dress can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, and you can easily modify it as you go.

So, if you are looking for a first project, or want to try something new, go for it!

XO M