Search Results for: costume design

May 6

Movie Review: Marvel’s The Avengers

Angie in Avengers 3D glasses and Marathon lanyard

Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
Director: Joss “The Man” Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, and Samuel L. Jackson
142 minutes
Rated PG-13

Last week Kansas City was one of the select cities to host The Ultimate Marvel Marathon in AMC theaters. We took a “family day” to enjoy and revel in the geekiness. It was advertised as “one epic day” – it did not disappoint.

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November 4

Friday Roundup: Muppet Crafts!

Quite aware that I am dating myself, I have fond memories of watching “The Muppet Show” when it was actually on TV (which premiered in 1976 – groan…). As my husband also shares an affection for the distinctive puppets, our kids have grown up with the movies as well – one of our Christmas traditions is to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. Good times. We’re quite looking forward to the next installment, when “The Muppets” launches on November 23rd.

So for today’s roundup, I thought I would offer up to you a bounty of Muppet-related craftastic goodness. First up, a fabulous crochet Animal hat, from Etsy shopowner, TeeterTotterTot.

Animal hat

*****

This Miss Piggy Cameo hairpin from Katey Bree Designs is really interesting – where would one get a Miss Piggy cameo??

Miss Piggy cameo hairpin

*****

Beaker is one of my favorite characters, so I love the idea of the two of these guys “peeking out” from a framed cross-stitch (PDF pattern available from LizzyStitches). How could you look at this on your wall and not smile?

Beaker and Professor Honeydew cross-stitch pattern

*****

This Kermit the Frog cup cozy looks like a quick and easy Muppet craft – and kid-friendly, too, since it’s from Disney Family Crafts.

Kermit the Frog cup cozy

*****

Made up of 16 different blocks, this Muppet quilt by Roxy Nova is one impressive project! Be sure to click through to revel in close-up shots of each block.

Muppet quilt

*****

The sweet fuzzy bits on this crochet double pom baby hat by Naturally Hooked would really make any baby look like a sort of muppet!

Double pom Muppet baby hat

*****

I almost wish I wore glasses so I could have a reason to make this Professor Honeydew glasses holder amigurumi project! Heck – maybe I don’t need a reason!

Muppet glasses holder

*****

I’m going to have to start soon, if I want this Yip Yip costume for next Halloween – which I do! Love these!

Yip Yip costume

*****

Finally, give your own Muppet shows with this fantastic Muppet puppet theater from Someday Crafts!

Muppet theater

*****

OK, OK – I won’t leave it that. Here’s a little bonus: OK Go’s version on the Muppet theme song.

Links of Interest:

Category: Craft, Geek, Movies, Toys, TV | 5 Comments on Friday Roundup: Muppet Crafts!
October 2

GeekCraft roundup: GIR!

My daughter is very into “Gir” these days – the sidekick from the Invader Zim cartoon. She’s hoping to pull together a Gir costume for Halloween. So in researching various DIY options, I pulled together this roundup of Gir crafts.

BehindtheSofa created her own Gir cross-stitch pattern, and stitched it onto a black hoodie.

Gir cross-stitch by BehindtheSofa

When I was a kid, I used to love Shrinky Dinks, so these Dog Gir/Robot Gir earrings by Lynn Aquaheart caught my eye.

Gir earrings

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June 2

Giskin Anomaly Detector

Giskin Anomaly ContestIf you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting San Diego’s Balboa Park, you’ll know what a beautiful place it is. With its Spanish-Renaissance architecture and landscaped gardens, you feel like you’ve truly stepped back into another time.

It seems like I’m not the only one who feels that way. The Balboa Park Online Collaborative (BPOC) recently launched an interactive cell phone game called Giskin Anomaly, to encourage visitors to fully explore the park’s historic treasures.

Guests can dial in to hear the adventures of two people who use a memory-sensing device (called the Giskin Anomaly Detector) to retrieve WWII-era recollections throughout the park.  

As part of the game’s launch, BPOC hosted a contest inviting artists to create a Steampunk-inspired model of what this fanciful device would look like.

San Diego-area artist John Hosford walked away with the grand prize. His intricate model, dubbed “Sir Tellabeem’s Tempress Mark II” took him over 80 hours to construct, involving cutting and dying the leather of the glove by hand.

Though there was only one grand-prize winner, the competition was fierce indeed. Check out the Flickr pool showcasing the winners, and the afternoon their costumed creators spent playing with the contraptions in the park.

A moment of full disclosure: I used to take karate classes with John and his siblings, back in the day. I knew he was a creative kid, so it’s great to see how his talent has blossomed over the years. Congrats on the win, John, and keep up the awesome work!

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January 28

Lots o’ Lord of the Rings

Hobbits, wizards, elves, and kings.
What’s not to love about Lord of the Rings? 

Many a crafter has been so inspired,
to knit, sew, or sculpt from this story admired.

But some feel the need to go a bit further,
to celebrate this story with a touch of odd fervor.

So check out these crafts, both geeky and unique,
and I promise I’ll stop rhyming in faux-Tolkien speak.

Eye of Sauron Journal

Sauron Journal

Etsy seller ArtBug offers this one-of-a-kind Eye of Sauron journal, perfect for scribbling down all your evil plans. What I love about this most of all is that the eye friggin’ LIGHTS UP.

Hobbit Feet Baby Booties

Hobbit Feet baby booties

I’ve seen various incarnations of these crazy hobbit-feet slippers, but none so cute as these wee baby booties. Knit some up for your own little hobbit with this free pattern offered by Penwiper. Grown-ups can also get in on the hairy foot action with this Hobbit foot pattern from The Unique Sheep.

Door of Durin Beaded Necklace

Door of Durin beaded necklace

It took Etsy seller Whitestar Jewelry 15 hours to hand-bead this striking Door of Durin necklace.  What impresses me more is the story behind the store, as the maker uses beadwork as a way to soothe her bipolar disorder.

Frodo Plush
Frodo Doll

Craftster member MumbleFord wasn’t content to simply buy a plush Frodo from a store. She had to make her own! I think he turned out even cuter than the original. She was also generous enough to share her pattern, so you can make your own hobbit.

Map of Middle Earth Cigar Box
Map of Middle Earth Box

The latest LOTR swap on Craftster yielded some amazing projects, from replica cloaks to an amigurumi Bilbo. What impressed me the most, though, was this map of Middle Earth burned into a cigar box, made by Craftster Gommeriffic. Perfect thing for hiding your Old Toby in, eh?

Eye of Sauron T-shirt
Eye of Sauron Tie Dyed Shirt

Throw Led Zepplin’s “Ramble On” on the turntable and rock out with this crazy Eye of Sauron tie-dyed T-shirt, available from Portland-based Etsy seller Tie Dyed Monkeys.

Miniature J.R.R. Tolkien Art Doll
JRR Tolkien clothespin doll

The man himself, adorably immortalized in clothespin-doll form. Debbie Ritter (Etsy’s Uneek Doll Designs) also has a little C.S. Lewis doll. Makes me wish she had a dollhouse version of the Eagle and Child pub they used to meet in!

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