Category: Video Games

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!

Chicago Comic Con 2011 Dr Who Tardis costume

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…)

Chicago Comic Con 2011 Scott Pilgrim cosplay

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.

Chicago Comic Con 2011 Mayor of Star Wars Town Chicago Comic Con 2011 - 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.

Chicago Comic Con 2011 superhero fleece hats Chicago Comic Con 2011 crochet Cthulu Chicago Comic Con 2011 video game legos Chicago-Comic-Con-2011 Dr Who Dalek

Links of Interest:

 

Out of this World-British Library

sciencefictionThere 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.

Reader Submission: Etched Portal Glass

This etched Portal glass (or Handheld Portal Vessel) was made and submitted by Flickr user Rappe.

Would you drink out of a glass with the Aperture Science logo on it? if so you’re braver than me.

I was transfixed by the blue and orange drink… luckily Rappe clears up the mystery of the ingredients over at the Spritestitch boards:
“The drink we ended up coming up with was mango smoothie on the bottom and Blueberry Lemonade Jones soda on the top. It was surprisingly tasty, but less than a minute after the pictures were taken the smoothie floated up to the top and got all gross looking. Still tasted great though.”

 

Tutorial Tuesday: God of War PSP Cosy

JuliaStitches, 50% of the creative powerhouse behind blog Creative Momnesia, shares this cute knitting tutorial for how to make your own omega symbol, god of war themed PSP cosy.

You’ll need a little knowledge of knitting to follow the pattern, but it’s a great little project and would make a cute gift for any Gods or Goddesses of War.

Plus your PSP will never be cold again… :-)


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.