Comics – Page 27 – Geek Crafts

Chicago Comic Con 2011 – DIY edition

As you may have read in my previous post, I recently attended the Wizard World Comic Con in Chicago. While many in attendance were in full-scale cosplay mode (costume-play), some stood out to me because of the crafty–DIY nature of their projects.

I loved this crocheted ode to Dr. Who‘s Tardis. My model very sportingly gave me two views.

And with another homage to the good doctor – a walking Tardis! I’m not sure how much of the con this young lady got to see, as she was stopped frequently for photo opps!

This Scott Pilgrim-inspired couple didn’t seem to think their costume very photo-worthy, but I thought they were great. I loved their little labels on their shirts and the giant mallet. Made me want to watch the movie again. It also reminded me of this fantastic embroidery project, posted on GeekCrafts earlier this year. (And I have seen a girl with hair like that – that’s mine pretty much every morning when I wake up! Except the purple part…)

I had to marvel at this repurposed use of a set of Star Wars sheets, used to create a smart suit for the Mayor of Star Wars Town.

Unfortunately I didn’t notice many crafty things for sale at booths, but then, I was cruising through the aisles at warp speed. I was able to nab a few pictures.

Links of Interest:

Chicago Comic Con 2011 homepage
Comic Con cosplay Google album
“Do you know a girl with hair like this?” embroidery project post
More convention posts on GeekCrafts

Out of this World-British Library

There are at least a million different things a geek can do in London, and in my effort to do them all, alas, I failed. One major highlight was the current free exhibition at The British Library (for us yanks, it is like The Library of Congress), Out Of This World: Science Fiction, But Not as You Know it.

First, I am a bibliophile, so this was like Disneyland for me, except at Disneyland you can take pictures and touch things. Each section of the exhibition had a specific theme ranging from the birth of Science Fiction (in the 1600s!), Utopian societies, distopian societies, graphic novels, robots (did you know that the first “robots” in literature were actually synthetically made human slaves, and not machines?), and more. Among these were impeccable, perfect first editions, that made me drool, with some of the most beautiful, and outright cool cover art you will ever see. One major highlight was an original telegram sent from George Orwell to his publisher, lamenting that 1984 would have been “better” if it had not “been written under the influence of TB”, where he goes on to call Satre a “big bag of wind”.

I could write for days on the books on display and how amazing it was to see hand written pages of first drafts, books hundreds of years old, amazing posters (see?), but what really struck me were the interactives they had set up, for all age ranges. You (or your kid) can use an interactive touch screen to draw your own alien, and then watch it join other hand drawn aliens dancing around on the wall behind, there was a sleepy robot that was motion activated that carried on conversation about his favorite science fiction robots, a computer where you could challenge AI to the Turin’s Test, and at least five other things I didn’t have time for.

All in all, this would be an amazing stop in London (runs until September 25), even (or maybe especially) if you have kids in tow.

Chicago Comic Con 2011 – Review (with cosplay!)

For their birthdays, many women might ask for a day at the spa, or a shopping spree, or at least a fancy dinner. While I can have my girly-girl moments, I really wanted some time when I could bond with my family, and make some lasting memories, before my first-born heads off to college next fall. So I asked for what any good mother to a family of geeks would ask for – a trip to Comic Con.

Last weekend we took a road trip to Wizard World’s Comic Con in Chicago, held at Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, home primarily to all things comic book, but also sci-fi, fantasy, and generally geeky in nature. The Con was a very decent size, and took us about 5 hours to get through. We could have spent longer, but that was all our trip itinerary would allow.

The view from the entrance was quite impressive and a little overwhelming.

We decided to just go through each of the aisles, making note of interesting things, before attacking with our wallets. And always considering our GeekCrafts readers, I put everyone on photo duty for all the interesting cosplay (costume-play) adventures. You’re welcome.

My husband has over 100 pics posted in a Google Album, but here is a sampling to whet your appetite [after the jump]. Continue reading Chicago Comic Con 2011 – Review (with cosplay!)

Get your geek on for Child’s Play

This cool charity campaign was recently posted on the Geeks United in Crafts Facebook group wall, and I immediately knew I had to share it here.

Mom’s Basement, a geek community blog, has created a charity Etsy shop to support Child’s Play, an organization that raises money to provide video games, toys, movies and other entertainment to children’s hospitals. All of the money made in this shop will be donated to Child’s Play.

One of the items donated is this fabulous cross-stitched quote from Dresden. I can easily envision it adorning a wall in my own home.

You also gotta love this Little Miss Goth tile pendant, and these upcycled Supergirl earrings.

But most of all, you gotta love it when getting your geek on, does some good.

Links of Interest:

Make a comics magnet this Saturday!

Hello Portland! If you’re free this Saturday afternoon (August 20 from 2-4), please stop by the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store for a craft party + book signing to celebrate World of Geekcraft (and my other new book, Modern Log Cabin Quilting). There will be free craft kits to make your own POW! ZAP! comics magnet from WOGC (plus wool log cabin quilt block kits), and we’ll have snacks and cupcakes, a tote bag full of crafty prizes to win, and a few other surprises…

World of Geekcraft + Modern Log Cabin Quilting party

Reader Submission: Ramona Flowers Sackgirl Amigurumi

It’s a geek-culture mashup, don’t you love it? Scott Pilgrim + LittleBigPlanet = The Ramona Flowers Sackgirl Doll (omgwtfbbq so CUUUUUTE!)

In the words of the crafter Mike, owner of the Etsy shop MiCrochets:

“This little sackgirl was inspired by the SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD movie. She has a working zipper and her arms and legs move. She stands about 9” tall. Crochet goggles and purse are removable.”

That’s some heavy duty crafting boys and girls! certainly worth a reader submission shout out.