Tangled...?

So you've probably seen Part ONE of the MEGA UPDATE POST...and even Part TWO...but here's the final--PART THREE.

And I gotta say...I'm super excited about this one. See...my chickie is getting set to cosplay Mother Gothel from Disney's Tangled.

That's this chick. She's doing this, and memorizing the songs, because she and two others had decided to bring Tangled to Anime Fest in September. =D 

 Along with Mother Gothel is an adorable Rapunzel; 

A kick-ass Flynn;

And as of a few days ago...a Maximus!

That's right guys. Maximus is going to a convention.

With the encouragement of Mother Gothel and the excited chittering of Rapunzel, I've started work on a humanized version of Max to bring to the convention. :] The result is this design;

 This is the back of the original design. :] I used the colors you see on Maximus's saddlepad, as well as on many of the guards and soldiers. So you've the got the red for the shirt with a yellow and black binding, and the white gloves you see on pretty much all of the guards. 

The whole thing is backless so that I can actually make a mane out of a wig and you'll be able to see it! :] All of the hair--including the tail--will be a blond color, but the ears I plan on making--if i have time--will be white.

Here's the front. :] The star of it is the leather of and the "metal", and the best part is the seven-point sun that you see aaaaall over the movie. :] You can see from the image on the left how I plan to do the tail--I want it to stick out almost like how an arabian holds their tails--if possible. P:

Now since the first designs I've done...quite a bit of work. So much in fact that I can show you the result of my handiwork already! I was really eager to get started. xD;;

Here's the under shirt. I've got a couple more snaps to add to keep it from opening at random, but this is essentially it. :] It has an open slit in the front and the yellow and black strips are done. The sleeves are also the proper length and its been fitted so its basically done.

This is the back. As you can see it has a completely different back than the original design, but I like this one better. =D The three straps in the middle are actually what keeps the shirt positioned the way it needs to be, while the "x" on top is more for security than actual use. xD; Below's a detail of the back.

On top of the shirt...dress...tunic thing, is a set of "armor". The original plan was to have some sleeves, but due to some head-aching, I've left that idea behind. Here's the result of a full two day's work;

:] Looks pretty neat without the sleeves, if you ask me. The silver fabric isn't sewn down yet...but it will be soon. I have to hand-stitch the sun design first. And once this is all done, a set of riding breeches, tall boots, replica civil war gloves--they have that neato flare I want--a blond wig for the head the mane and the tail, and a set of ears will complete the effect. :D So there you have it!

Ikkicon and Cosplay Plans!

Starting off Part TWO of the MEGA UPDATE POST, we're leaving  behind our favorite funeral babe to investigate the other nonsense I've been up to! Said nonsense includes a rather amazing trip to Ikkicon with the best friend a chickie could have..like..ever, and some designs. ;]

Wild Tobi uses Deidara!

 The convention was full of ninjas, sacrificing, awkward situations, blow-dried throats, fake blood, Beetlejuice, space cowboys,  henchmen, dead mothers, Alice in Wonderland, hidden Giand horrible adventures with buffalo wings, and was overall one of the best times I've had.

Say his name twice and he bolts!

 Ikki is considerably more relaxed and easy going than the other cons I've been to, and it was nice to have the lazy feeling that you could take your time and wander around aimlessly as long as you wanted! The lack of lines at the elevators and the fact that you didn't have to use the escalators to get from one floor to another made it even more fabulous for my laziness...and my heels. :D

 

What was also really neat about this con too was an abnormal amount of Venture Bros. related cosplayers. Really good ones! It made me pretty happy to see #21 running around, as well as Dr. Venture and Dr. Girlfriend. Even better was that Dr. Girlfriend was not only a man...but a very shapely man who pulled it off amazingly. His voice was spot on, as was his attitude and costume. Kinda made my weekend to see him and Dr. Venture as the King and Queen of cosplay chess. Just sayin'.





While at Ikkicon, a few other ideas were tossed around. And from those ideas were born several costumes and designs that I'm currently working on. One of the first--kinda an inside joke--is Karma Zebra. Karma Zebra is a deity/obnoxious creature/etc. that delivers your good or bad karma. Think of it like the stork of the karma world. It especially delights in bringing bad karma, and its favorite phrase is "I always get you in the end." And yes, it does intend the pun.

Anyways, Karma Zebra dresses in black and white and is kinda awesome..so I set to designing it. The results were this:

This is I think the...third design of KZ, involving white boots, fish net, and a sleeveless tailed coat. Since then she/he/it has had a bit of a makeover and is heading towards a slightly more steampunked style. But...here's the jacket in all its slightly-costumey glory. 

So the jacket itself does not close. Its goes down to about mid way through my ribcage. :] It has long tails and the sleeves are long enough that the lace falls almost over the tips of my fingers even when my arms aren't down. The exterior fabric is actually a upraised-diamond pattern on a false suede, and its really cool to touch. The interior is a random line and is silkay. :D The lace itself is black--a bit too feminine for me but great nonetheless--and has silver threads to help dictate the pattern.




But KZ wasn't the only idea tossed around that's grown into something more. >D Another was the sexy-no-jutsu version of Team 10 of Naruto. That's the team of Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji. We actually have a group set and ready to do a trans-gendered version of Team 10..although we are going to do a Shippuden version rather than the li'l kiddie version. :] I have the designs ready, but I haven't uploaded them yet, so here's some pictures of the team itself to chew on.

The plan is for all of our designs to be basically feminzed/masculinized versions of the original outfits. We're not going to make any poofy maid outfits...this time. Maybe next time! >D Bwahaha. Anyways...my bestest chickie will be out Choji. She's going to have an awesomely spikey wig--I don't think we could get her hair to be that full if we went after it with sixty buckets of hairspray simply  because...well /look/ at his hair--and will have some even awesomer boots. :] We're thinking about using a hoopskirt to give her a really fucking cool bell-shape that's just gonna make her really stand out..and make elevators rather exciting. xD We will be totally taking advantage of her cleavage too. Bwahahaha.

I'll be doing Shikamaru--big shock, huh? ;D--and he's gonna probably have the least stand-outish outfit..which is fitting. xD I'll keep the chuunin vest, but we'll be trimming his sleeves to about half-up the arm and replacing the entire front with fishnet. :] The pants will be fairly fitted and I'm trying to decide whether or not to use fishnet there too. I'll also be wearing some nice heeled boots. Still working Shika out though.. >>;

And last but not least is our Ino...who is actually a guy! A natural blond too. P: He'll be wearing Ino's typical half-shirt--no change there--and probably the skirt too. But we'll add in some pants and try to masculinize it a bit...although any Ino would be a feminine guy anways. xDD

There are plans for a few other members; including an amazing friend of ours who's bringing her She-tachi, a chickie whose split between Neiji and Kankuro, a guy who may join us but hasn't decided, and an engaged couple who--if they can and god I hope they can--might bring a female, beared Asuma and a male Kurenai to the table. =D

Updating the Undertaker

Whoo! Hey guys, been a while, ain't it? xD;; Sorry, sorry. This little jackalope has been a busy, busy bee, she has! But despite the school work and the life work and the head-desk work, there's been a lot of progress that's been made, and some serious updates to be told! First off, let's start where we left off--with Undertaker!

Last time I put something up on here, I was talking about plans and had just gotten ahold of a pattern. since then...well...its basically been finished! xD; I didn't really document much of the making-of either...namely because I was in a rush to finish it! Unfortunately despite having finished pretty much everything, the wig did not come in in time for the convention I was aiming for--Ikkicon--so the whole 'hurry hurry quickly quickly' thing...was basically for no reason. xD

As a result though, I have a pretty awesome get-up.

This is basically my Undertaker. :] Not the best picture, I know...but its what ya get so shoosh. >P Anyways...there are a few things I plan on changing, but for the most part..this is it! I intend on lengthening the necklaces just a bit--especially the bottom one--and while from here the little cameos on his chain seem okay...I plan on sitting down and concentrating on getting them down pat sometime in the near future. You can see the ends of the wig next to it, and I'm actually really pleased with it. :] Its a heat-resistant wig...and while it cost a bit more, its very well behaved and very soft. Its kinda amazing. Just sayin'.

I also have the boots, but they obviously aren't shown here. I was too lazy to get them outta the truck so no shoes for you. Ya'll will get to see them after the photoshoots.

Before I can call this thing done, I still have to put on the buttons on the outer coat. Here's a bit of a detail shot on the inner coat as well as the collar of the outer. :] I actually had a family member help me with the outer coat, as I was having some serious issues with the collar being all...loopy. What's cool about the collar though is actually what ya can't see from the outside! 

There's a bloody pocket on both sides of it! ;D 

There're pockets there. That's right, pockets! They're small, but they're sturdy and were made exclusively for me to put my cell phone and my credit card case in them where they are safe and out of the way. :] Best. Idea. Ever. ;]

Once the buttons are put on and the wig is styled, I'll essentially be done. I've got ahold of a top-hat I intended to modify, but due to issues with the company that I ordered it from--can you believe the closest thing to a top-hat locally was a leprechaun one?--the stupid thing is about the height of a small elephant...an I'm not so sure I like that. I haven't decided yet if I'm gonna fix it up with the cloth and just call it a day or go find a shorter one...but I'm not really in a rush to make up my mind so meh. I'll figure it out eventually, I suppose. P: 

Anyways! That's Undertaker, nice and on the road to being finished. ;] Which makes me very, very happy.

Up next is Ikkicon! Its part two of the MEGA UPDATE post.

Let it Begin!: Undertaker

Okay, so my last post got out a little late...but I'd like to let you all know that...the Undertaker has been started~!
I have, in fact, begun work on the bottom layer of my favorite undertaker, and I'd like to let you all in on my current progress. The pattern I used for the coat is actually for a civil war uniform.

Here's a picture of it. The pattern number is M4745, so if you ever have need of it, go get it! I'm very fond of it...even if it is a bit of a pain to make. I've had to modify the uniform a bit, but not so much that I'll get confused...so I'm confident!

So far I've purchased the material--I chose a very nice, medium weight, and super soft, black for the main material and a sleek dark gray for the lining--and have begun the long process of cutting all the pieces out and putting them together.

Because the pattern for the front is actually in two pieces--a section that goes to the waist and the panel that goes below it--it hasn't been too much trouble to lengthen. I used the basic length for the dark blue image above, and then lengthened it further by another six inches or so to optimize my chance of getting it just right.
I used the front of the second image, however, for the straight up-and-down buttons.

So its kinda a mix between the two...but the pattern is working very well with itself, so I'm not concerned. I've actually already pieced together a large section of it, and I'm infinitely pleased with how its coming out.

\

As you can see from this image--look at the back for either A or B, but B is the closest to what mine will look like--the back is actually pretty cool to look at. That shape helps it conform to my shape, which will give me a really nice figure when its all done. Its meant for a masculine form, however, so it won't actually accentuate more curves than it should.

Once I start working again today, I'll take some pictures of everything and post some. For now, however, just know that I've got the basic upper form done, and will be putting the sleeves on after I cut out the lining. I'll check to make sure its gonna fit before I continue though so...to the ACE Bandages!

StalkMode: Undertaker

Okay. So I've fallen in absolute love with the undertaker from Black Butler. Yup, the psychotic, corpsetastic, laugh-obsessed loon that spends his days digging through human chests. He's my kinda guy. ;D

Anyways, even though I've promised my kidnapper that I will do a Shikamaru, I am deadset on starting, completing, and wearing the undertaker's get-up to Ikkicon. I dare anyone to try and stop me, that's how determined I am. So here's the Stalkmode! Get ready for some drool-worthy psycopath, ladies and gents!

Alright. The basic dealeo for the Undertaker is very simple. He wears primarily black, with a gray lining to his underjacket, and a gray sash over one shoulder. Most notable features include his charming grin, long silver hair, impressively black fingernails, and a rather wobbly top-hat.

Also notable are the scars around his various parts--the ones most obvious are; the loop around his left pinky finger, a circle around his throat hidden beneath his collar, and one that seems to go from the top of his left temple over his nose, beneath his right eye, and to his right ear. Those of course will have to be done with make-up. ;3 Which...shouldn't be too difficult to figure out.

Aside from body marring and a wig which will require some styling, everything else appears to be quite capable of being run through a machine. This image, which is probably the best image ever, breaks almost everything down nice and clear.

Okay. So the bottom layer on the undertaker is a high-collared, fitted sleeve, knee length coat. It has eleven buttons running down the front from just below the collar to just below the pantline. The sleeves are split to just below the elbow and have seven buttons on each side. Numbers are, of course, not too huge a deal. Lord knows the number probably changes incessantly throughout the anime and manga...but I like numbers. They give me security blankets, yo! D8

Aaanyways. From this image you almost get the impression that he's wearing another shirt beneath the lower level...but I think for simplicity's sake...as well as comfort's sake, I'm going to do a falsie. It'll be lined in dark grey, and if necessary, I'll add an extra layer on the sleeve and collar to make it look like there's another shirt there. Its just waaaaaaaay too many layers to add another shirt. And I like being comfortable and not burning my flesh off. ;D

So on top of this "shirt"..."jacket"..."thing", is what I'm going to refer to as the overcoat. It isn't an actual overcoat, obviously...but now it is. Accept my logic. ;P

The topcoat/overcoat will require the most material without a doubt. It goes aaaaall the way to just above the ankles, and has very large sleeves. A flexible but strong material will be the best choice, something that allows for various flailing but is sturdy enough to keep its shape. The topcoat has a very unique collar, and from what I can guess by looking at it, I would think it works similar to the triangular shape of some biker jackets. With a little help from my pattern-wiz of a grand-parental, I think I should be able to mimic that pretty close while keeping that nice "loop" in the back.

Hehheee. It makes me think of a rounded sailor collar.

Aside from the two jackets, there is also the gray sash. For that, I'll probably hem a long piece of fairly nice fabric, rig the knot and then either tack or safety-pin it into that position so it can be easily removed and put on without having to tie it. It looks like a fairly loose knot, and I like that concept...so I don't wanna MEGA KNOT it....if I don't have to. P: Although I might depending on how lazy I am when it comes down too it~ I am a bum.

Then there's the boots, which won't be much trouble. They basically are a pair of high-heeled, basic black boots with short brown or black belts wrapped around them. I'll get some belts, tear them up, get some buckles, and go from there. -fistpump-

The pants seem to either be tight-fitting or maybe black breeches.

Accessories...are a ring on his left hand and a series of small picture frames around his waist. The little frames seem to have designs and names...so I'll try to look in a bit more into it.

Last but not least is his hat, which at first glance looks like a warped tophat, but what I think is more likely a tophat wrapped in fabric...which for some reason is actually a fairly popular thing to do to tophats. oxo; Go figure.

Either way, that'll probably be one of the last things I worry about...namely because I don't believe myself capable of making a hat....

Anyways~ That's the Undertaker! Look out for a new post very soon!

Back from the Dead!

Okay, so...I've been bulldozed by school the last couple months.
Literally, figuratively, and theoretically bulldozed, mind you, so nothing at all has gotten done over this last period of time...at least not in the world of cosplay.

Currently, I've been involved in our playhouse's production of Macbeth. Its going fabulously, but because I've been working as an impromptu costumer's assistant as well as working as a stagehand, I've been veeery busy. Even my schoolwork's been put on hold in order to make and now maintain our cast's costumes.
However, with MacDaddy now moving on from opening night and onto its two weekend run, I'm able to relax a bit more and concentrate on other things too!

So now that you know what's usurped my attention and my hands, time to get onto the good stuff!
In the cosplay universe, while nothing has been done, a few things have been decided. Because I'm being kidnapped to Ikkicon in January, its been determined I need to step up my game and have a costume ready. My kidnapper and her confriends are mostly Naruto cosplayers...so that means in order to blend in with the enemy, I have to take on the guise of a nin....and Shikamaru has been selected for me.

Now, everyone, what you've been waiting for!

Pictures of shiny things!

Have your brains been rotted out by the sheer awesomeness of this Giant. Shiny. Ball?
Yeah. Mine too.

Back to business. This, is Shikamaru Nara.

More specifically, this is Shippuden Shikamaru Nara...and this is who the infamous jackalope--coughhackyeahiknowinfamousmyasscough--is being convinced to cosplay as. While I am not ecstatic about having a pineapple 'pon the back of my skull....I do agree with the Nara's laid-back attitude and use of the word "Troublesome." Humans are troublesome. >P

Anyways~ The costume itself isn't going to be too much work for me. The fishnet shirt I can purchase...or in order to match the leg "warmers", I can make. My family owns a surger--which makes the seams you find in shirts--so it wouldn't be too difficult to manage the mesh material.

The black pants and shirt would also be easy to make...even if pants are the bane of my existence, and depending on my time constraints during this years production of Christmas Carol--we do it every year and I work on it every year--I'll either make or purchase the vest.
Of course, the wig and headband I'll have to order, and I'm not sure about the shoes just yet. If I can find a nice pair online that'll work.

Unfortunately, the need/violent forcing to do Shikamaru means that I won't be doing Colonello this time. He's been slowly pushed to the sidelines for a while...and I can only hope I'll have time to make him before A-kon. I have a busy schedule next semester though, and since I set my sights on him, there have been cosplays to come up that I feel are more in tune with my personality...and therefore are higher on my to-do list.
Gokudera Hayate, however, has not been removed from his place on my list, and I'll try to work on him after Ikkicon. What I'm really hoping I have time to work on, though, is the Undertaker from Black Butler.

I...have...recently fallen in love with this series, and the Undertaker is without a doubt one of my favorites. I would love to take him on as a challenge, and while I'm not currently sure if that's going to happen, it very well might if I can find the time and gain the assistance from my costume/clothing magician of a grandparent. xD I'm still "in-training" as a costumer, yo! ;P

I am definitely looking forward to making my attempt at him. Hes a marvelously psychotic character, which as far as I'm concerned is the best kind! And he's an /undertaker/. I mean c'mon. What's more fun than giggling madly and tapping out tunes on the skulls of corpses? Psh. Nothing, that's what. ;P~!
And I'd have a marvelous excuse to terrorize my beloved kidnapper<333




Look out for some work on both these get-ups very soon! I have to get my ass in gear very quickly if I'm going to have time to work on them and my school before January rolls around!

Up-Keep

Well, I've been moved in at the dorms for a few days now, and have settled in nicely. I've had a lot of free time, but haven't really done much aside from sit around and watch anime. I have serious plans to work on Colonello, but funds are tightening unexpectedly, so I'm beginning to fret over whether or not I'll be able to manage what I need to manage before its too late.
Luckily, my cosplayer friends / cow prods will be arriving by Wednesday, so I'll have someone to work with soon!

A bit of an update for those who care, I've recently gotten into yet another new show. Well...new to me.

The last one I really fell head-over-heels for was Tegami Bachi.

For those who don't know, this show is a great watch! It is a bit depressing--especially if you're sensitive, or you get into the characters as much as I do--but its equally heart-warming.

My favorite part about the whole thing--aside from the plot, which I'm not gonna get into because every time I do I end up rambling for at least an hour, which would be quite a lot of typing...considering how many words-per-minute I actually type...--is the setting. Its a steampunk style set in a world split into cities across mostly barren territories. These territories are basically impossible for normal people to cross due to things called "Gaichuu," which basically look giant mechanical bugs.

Thus there are people called "letter bees" who deliver letters--and sometimes people!--across the danger-zones for the people who can't.

Currently, however, I've completed as much of Tegami Bachi as I can...which is the entire first season. The second season--which I am eagerly awaiting--will be out in the fall, supposedly.
Completing Tegami Bachi, however, meant running out of things to do in the long hours between working in which there is well....nothing for me to do.

The solution? FIND A NEW SHOW!

The result? DURARARA!

This show really made my day/week, guys. Its twenty-four episodes long, and it is probably the most fucked up show I've ever watched. Which is impressive, if you have the faintest idea of what I get up to.

Its unique, however, because while it introduces one of the main characters first, it actually stars several!
What I've decided, after watching it all the way through, though, is that it actually stars the city, Ikebukuro.

Some of the main characters, however, include:

Mikado Ryugamine, a young man just moving to Ikebukuro at the urges of a childhood friend!

Kida Masaomi is Mikado's best friend, and a total flirt who talks more than a parrot on steroids!

Heiwajima Shizuo is inhumanly strong...with a temper to match. Flying vending machines are his forte.

Orihara Izaya is the man with all the information in the world.

Celty Sturlson is Ikebukuro's "Black Rider," and is infamous for her black bike and...well...the fact she has no head!

Its hard to talk about Durarara without giving something away, so I'll be good and keep my mouth shut! Good descriptions and summaries are nearly impossible to find as well, simply because its such a complicated tale! I can only recommend going and watching it--its well worth the time!