We Return To Our Normal Programming

Whew, what a crazy ride the last few weeks have been!

I apologize for the delay in the post-Dragon Con posts, but I had to hit the ground running as soon as we returned last Tuesday night.
Of course, after the mad rush to finish up all the costumes in time, you'd think I wouldn't want to even look at my sewing machine for at least the next week or two...right?
Because I'm crazy, by Wednesday afternoon I was already swimming through a swath of cobalt blue silk organza. I needed a new dress for the picnic at the Gatsby mansion!
I'll post photos of that over at my 'Austrian Woman' blog.

While I still need time to gather more of the best photos from Dragon Con to share here, I need to at least post a couple for you. Here is photo post #1!

 Can't go without the 'salty parabolas'
Photo by Mary Anne Butler

After acquiring badges, the next logical step is the booze and snack run!

Women of Sci-Fi.

LtoR : River in Star Trek, me as Zev (Lexx Season 1), and Gwen as Xev (Lexx Season 2). Photo by Mary Anne Butler.

Zev and Xev; sexy Cluster Lizards
Photo by Mary Anne Butler
Also; a big awesome shout-out to Pish Posh wigs, for the best lace front wig I've ever had the pleasure of wearing. This was their Farrah in silver, and I had cut and styled it to my needs. Amazing fit and quality, and while the price point is a bit higher than their root brand Epic Cosplay Wigs, it's very much worth it!!

 My two dads; my Princess Aura cosplay with new friends, Trent Thornton and Jay Wright, as Ming The merciless. Our Flash Gordon group grew to epic proportions through the day!
My long luxurious dark hair is the Eros wig, by Epic Cosplay.

Photo by Bill Watters

Me, Laura as General Kala, and Mary Anne as Dale Arden.
Photo by Bill Watters.

In my fun 'super' costume con twist on Holtzmann, goofing off with River as Kaylee.

Holtzmann in cat heaven. I mean look at that...so many CATS! <3

Note the 'super' Screw U cape.
Photo by Garrett Manuel

Stay tuned, more photos are on the way. Including my Marriott carpet/Bowie tribute!
XOXOX

When Life Gives You Lemons....

...grab the Sculpy, 2-part epoxy and paint!
Since my custom metal Screw U pendant won't make it to me in time for Dragon Con (and it's just one of those things, no one's fault), I decided to make a quick stand-in.
It's not going to be fabulous, but it will do for now ;-)

(This is a shot from the underside, hence the screw going in the opposite direction)

After I get the 'U' epoxied to the screw, it will all get a light brushing of deeper metallic gunmetal paint, to age the cracks and crevices a bit more.
I'll post a photo here when it's complete.

***Update***
Here she is, my quickie Screw U pendant!
I still want to take a small file and even out the inside curve of the 'U' a bit, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out all things considered.

Now cross your fingers I finish all the other costume projects for Dragon con. Holy crap, it's in a few days!!

XOXO

The Making Of A Ghostbuster (Cosplay)

Slowly, ever so slowly, I'm gathering the bits and pieces of this Ghostbuster cosplay like an obsessed ferret. For some reason, I decided to start with the unique eye wear collection worn by Dr. Jillian Holtzmann. The frames vary from Deco era spectacles to 1950s nerd gear, and both have the signature yellow lenses and mesh side protectors.

I don't know about you, but I think they're totally stylin'.

My first find was an antique pair that was a really close match to Holtzmann's wire rims (above photo),but a little rounder. Look closer and you'll see hers have a slight shaping to them.

Mine don't have the yellow lenses either, but I can always change those out. Tinting them yellow in Photoshop helped me with that for now, so I could see what they would look like.

Deco darling...

I also found another pair, pretty much exactly like hers. Same shape this time, but still no yellow lenses and in need of a little TLC. Even with these issues they were a steal at $30, and I can do the repair work myself. These would be worth having a professional switch out the glass with yellow Polycarbonate lenses:

 ...or 'Geek chic'. Both have form and function!

As for her alternate pair of glasses, the ones I'm calling 'geek chic'; those were an easier find on Ebay.
Originally I had found a similar pair that I was going to pop the lenses out of myself, and buy replacement yellows, but had a hard time finding ones that would fit. Then I stumbled on these, and they were on sale for $20. Done deal. They may even be the very same ones used in the film...we shall see if I'm right in July:

Calling My Inner Ghostbuster: Holtzman

I'm really looking froward to the upcoming Ghostbusters sequel, featuring the new team of hilarious yet no-holds-barred genius ladies. As I watched the newly released trailer, I could see myself and so many of my own female friends in these characters' personalities, twisted senses of humor and overall camaraderie.  So, it was inevitable that a few of us are already planning our cosplay's based on this band of ghost-busting babes of science and fantasy.

I'm planning to create mine based on Dr. Jillian Holtzman, played by the awesomely talented SNL comedian and fellow weirdo, Kate McKinnon.
So far in my search for all the bits and pieces, I've come up with a possible option for the coveralls I could modify the hell out of, and two types of the safety glasses she seems to have various versions of.
Exhibit A: The ones in the above scene/gif look like these, but with yellow tinted lenses. That's an easy enough modification, swabbing a thick mixture of yellow Rit dye onto the plastic lenses to stain them.
Exhibit B: I also won these (below) on Ebay. They're nearly an exact match to her wire framed versions, except for clear glass lenses:

(Seller photographed them upside-down...I have no idea why)

I can spend the extra cash if I want, and have these replaced with some plastic safety lenses in a yellow shade. Based on a previous experience, the cost to do this isn't too high, and even less for frames that open (like these do, where the earpieces attach), and that are non prescription.

As always, it really depends on where you go to have it done. Some places may charge upwards of $70+, while others will run you around $45 to $50.

Still debating on the coveralls; I've found something that would be perfect to throw in a taupe khaki dye bath, add details to, and modify with new pockets. being a fabric addict and seamstress, the thing I get hung up on of course, is the damn fabric weave.
The film worn versions have an obvious vertical herringbone texture, and you can see it in many of the available stills and promo shots. I'm not finding used and vintage herringbone weave coveralls that are similar in color, or a color I could dye. Nor am I finding modern coveralls that, while have the right details and would be easy to dye/modify, do not have that herringbone weave.
I may just need to get over it...at least for this first version.
Later on, if I can find some of that fabric in white I'd dye it and make my own coveralls from scratch, but I also really like a good time-saving shortcut that has great results.
I have other more challenging things on this list if I want this done by late August, in time for Dragon Con. Like figuring out what the hell necklace/pendant thing Holtzman is wearing, and this absolute madness:

The new Proton Pack!

I hate having to wait until the middle of Summer to see this film! In the meantime, I'll just keep on with the image digging.

OXOX

Dragon Con Photos - Part III

Just a few more from the talented eye and lens of Mary Anne Butler...

My Wilma Deering "Space Vampire" episode cosplay, from the TV Series Buck Rogers.

With Anders as the Vorvon...

With my replica laser pistol, created with help from Midwick Armory.

My 'Frozen' twist on Julie Newmar's 1966 Catwoman

 With my friend, Loreli Winter and her steampunk Evil Queen cosplay.

Dragon Con Photos - Part II

Here are a few Photos of Vikings, a Vorvon and Cylons, from Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday afternoon, Anders and I finally had the chance to get a (slightly blurry) photo with Erin Gray. She played the role of Wilma Deering in the late 1970s early 1980s TV series, Buck Rogers. The episode from 1980 titled "Space Vampire", has become the most memorable from the show and my favorite episode, hence our costumes. There are more photos waiting in the wings, that should be ready to post soon.

"Space Vampire" happens to be Erin's favorite episode, too. As we approached her after another fan, she took one look at me and exclaimed, "Hey wait a minute...that's my outfit, haha!" pointing at my coral pink disco spandex replica of her costume from "Space Vampire". She was equally amused by Anders as the Vorvon, and said "Great job!"
I asked her how the color of mine turned out compared to what she remembered of hers, since I had to dye the spandex. "A little more peach, but it really looks great!".
Glad I kept the pattern pieces I drafted for this. Even before Erin shared her knowledge about the color, I'd been wanting to have another go at this costume to adjust a few things. Now I have more confirmation on the color! So it will be a remake of that, the white 'space suit', and hopefully her blue pants and jacket. Next year I might have a Wilma Deering wardrobe to bring to Dragon Con. ;-)

She was also teaching Tai Chi workshops this year. We had joined her and a few others earlier on Friday for a session, and she recognized us. It was really relaxing and centering, and just what we needed to push through the remaining days of Dragon Con.

Saturday night, the Vikings gathered for the raid. We were a small group this year, but are sure to have bigger numbers for 2016.

And finally, what the Colonial Fleet was waiting for all year; the Frak Party! Complete with a visit by a good number of the Battlestar Galactica cast. Booze was shared, Loveboat/Star Trek mashups happened, push-up challenges, dancing, many hugs, and general mayhem ensued.

Waiting in line for drinks with Grace and Tricia. Edward James Olmos and I make eyes at each other...then THIS happens! 

 No really, it was just a hug!
Hehe.

The Colonial Fleet challenged Michael Trucco ("Anders") to a

push-up contest. I'm not sure who won here, but everyone had fun.

 

 Both Anders', making it so.

With Michael Trucco. He gives great hugs.

Then, Gaius Baltar (James Callis) and I decided to revisit plans to take over the universe...again.

 "Hey, can I take your picture...what are two you up to?"

Uh, why are you both looking at me like that...guys?"

Stay tuned for more, xoxo!

Dragon Con 2015 Photos - Part I

Here are a few of my favorite photos (so far) from over the weekend. There will be more to come!

My Logan's Run cosplay as Jessica 6, and another shot with the 'Life Clock' palm crystal. Photo on the left by Anders Hudson, photo at right by Bill Watters.

Battlestar Galactica; Mary Anne and I (both at left) in our new flight suits! With our fellow pilot, Erin and the sweet nectar of caffeine. Photo by Bill Watters (?) Flightsuits by Midwick Armory.

 Spending time with "Chief"

Just a small portion of the Battlestar Galactica / Colonial Fleet in attendance this year.

Stay tuned for more!
XOXO

Progress

Here are just a few shots of the accessories I have finished, and what I am building during the in-between time.

My finished Wilma Deering boots for our Buck Rogers 'Space Vampire' cosplay.

 The boots themselves were a pair of low cut black leather ankle boots I found on Ebay, then painted a bone ivory with leather paint. I found a cheap pair of similarly colored 1980s leather pants, and used the material to build the 'spats', then painted those with the same leather spray color. 3 ribbons of elastic, stitched on with a zigzag stitch, help to create the ruching at the front of the boot as it was on the originals.

I may top stitch the  edge of the boot opening, but for now they look appropriately disco/1980s.

The holster and belt went together last night, too.
It's really hard to see how the holster attached to her belt (no photos yet), so for now I just added a loop and snap combo that still looks good enough until I can make improvements later. Truthfully from what I can make out, it almost looks like one of those large binder clips with one handle removed, and the other attaching to the holster.
The 'laser pistol' will be made after taking a mold off of the below pictured Match-O-Matic lighter.
Yep, that is indeed a bottle of whiskey....used for medicinal purposes...and as a pattern weight, etc.

 
So far, so good on the Logan's Run front. I'm making quick progress of my Jessica 6 dress, and the collar made for me by Creative Thinking Studio is on it's way to me now. All it needs is the Ankh pendant I finished this past weekend, molded from Fimo clay and painted a shiny silver. I'll add more photos of the collar and Ankh once it's all put together.
I also received the large link chain belt in the mail yesterday (yay, more super disco items!), that will wrap around the upper rib cage and through the dress front panel. It was a super yellow gold, so I toned it down with a light dusting of metallic silver spray paint.

I was able to track down a low profile nude bra to wear under this sheer little number, and to mount the chain belt to. Still on the hunt for the right shade of nude hotpants/boyshorts. They are all either super pink/pale or super dark, or have really noticable trimmings or seams at the sides.

More to come. so stay tuned!