October 9

Gearing up for a shiny Halloween with Firefly costumes



Just over 3 weeks until Halloween (at the time of this posting) – do you know what your  (or your kids’) Halloween costume will be?

Browncoats Prom - Firefly-inspired Duct Tape costumes In case you’re still in the “seeking Divine inspiration” phase, let me point you to this very divine Firefly costume set. MADE. WITH. DUCT. TAPE. I saw this post first on MyDisguises.com, but it looks like the conversation started over on FireflyFans.net. Toledo392 posted there, requesting votes for his entry into Duck Brand’s “Stuck at the Prom” contest. He wrote:

“In this contest, high school students from all over the country create prom outfits using duct tape. Ten finalists are selected from all of the entries, and online voting determines the winner. To demonstrate my devotion to Firefly, I created my duct tape ensemble inspired by Mal’s tux and Kaylee’s dress from Shindig. These outfits made it into the top ten.

I used over 20 rolls of duct tape, and had to overcome laws of physics (all those ruffles are heavy!) as well as wear the outfit in Phoenix summer temperatures exceeding 107 degrees.”

Very impressive, and indeed – very shiny.

Category: Craft, Geek, Girly, Sci-Fi, TV | 3 Comments on Gearing up for a shiny Halloween with Firefly costumes
October 3

Reader Submission: Vocaloid Magnet Cosplay

I’m going to admit right now that I’m not cool enough to be aware of Vocaloid, and if you are similarly clueless I suggest you go educate yourself.

Sherry from miccostumes.com upcycled an old wedding dress to make a Vocaloid Magnet costume.

If you’re sat there behind your computer monitor going “OMG Squueeeeee =^.^= <3 <3 <3 Vocaloid!!!! <3” then you’re in luck, as Sherry has shared a how-to here.

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September 2

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:

 

Category: Comics, Craft, Geek, Movies, Sci-Fi, Toys, Video Games | 2 Comments on Chicago Comic Con 2011 – DIY edition
August 24

Beaded Tom Baker “Scarf”

More Doctor Who goodness! I love the fourth Doctor’s (Tom Baker) Scarf. But I can’t knit and all of the replicas available on etsy are out of my price range. But this is brilliant: a beaded scarf necklace! España Sheriff made this for a friend, who was getting ready for her first Gallifrey One convention (cosplaying as Tom Baker, of course). She used 15/0 Toho rounds, in a combination of matte, metallic and transparent finishes.

A lot of the comments on the post at Crafty_Tardis said that they loved that it was “stealth geek chic”: to geeks it’s instantly identifiable and when you see one there’s no question that the wearer is a Whovian, but to everyone else it’s just a really cute necklace. Either way, I want one!

Category: Craft, Geek, Sci-Fi, TV | 2 Comments on Beaded Tom Baker “Scarf”
August 21

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.

Wizard World Comic Con - Chicago

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.

Chicago Comic Con 2011 entrance

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

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August 15

Steampunk Cereal Box Hat

This is absolutely brilliant! It looks like real wood, doesn’t it? Can you believe mieljolie made this out of cereal boxes? She made this for the “Day of Wrong” at her Renaissance Fair, since she decided to go with a Steampunk theme. She covered the cereal box (the brim is one piece-family sized Frosted Flakes) in paper mache and tissue paper, the painted it. The long scarf was inspired by the TV show Deadwood. mieljolie said if she makes another one, she’ll try to make it open at the hinges. I can’t wait to try something like this myself!


Category: Craft, Geek, Girly | Comments Off on Steampunk Cereal Box Hat