I have done it. Well, not yet.

I shall be doing cosplay for my Degree Project. That's right: to get my effing BFA, I'm being a sailor scout.

(technically it isn't that easy, but that's the basic idea.)

Beat that, non-MassFart colleges. I'll see you at Anime Boston. :salute:

I need to remember this conversation.

[12:09:59 PM] forbiddensirens says: i really wanna dress upppp
[12:10:11 PM] Isisa says: mmm
[12:10:14 PM] Isisa says: nowhere to go
[12:10:16 PM] Isisa says: =__=
[12:10:23 PM] forbiddensirens says: buy candy
[12:10:25 PM] forbiddensirens says: drive around
[12:10:29 PM] forbiddensirens says: throw candy at trick or treaters
[12:10:38 PM] Isisa says: too early
[12:10:49 PM] Isisa says: I was thinking of zombie-ing and going to the mall
[12:10:55 PM] Isisa says: but I don't feel like shopping
[12:11:20 PM] forbiddensirens says: cover yourself in bloody vegetables and healthy foods
[12:11:25 PM] forbiddensirens says: be a health food zombie
[12:11:28 PM] forbiddensirens says: GRAAAAAAAAINS
[12:12:18 PM] Isisa says: :bangs forehead on table:
[12:12:26 PM] forbiddensirens says: or wear a conductors cap
[12:12:28 PM] forbiddensirens says: TRAAAAAAAAAINS
[12:12:37 PM] Isisa says: why didn't you do this before?
[12:12:44 PM] forbiddensirens says: because i didnt think of it til now
[12:12:50 PM] Isisa says: we should do it
[12:12:57 PM] Isisa says: call it....alternative zombies
[12:13:03 PM] forbiddensirens says: or a billy mays oxyclean zombie
[12:13:05 PM] forbiddensirens says: STAAAAAAAAINS
[12:13:15 PM] Isisa says: HA AH AHAHAHAHA
[12:13:35 PM] forbiddensirens says: A HOUSE ZOMBIE
[12:13:36 PM] forbiddensirens says: OMG
[12:13:39 PM] forbiddensirens says: PAAAAAAAAAINSSSS
[12:14:21 PM] Isisa says: Traffic cop
[12:14:26 PM] Isisa says: LAAAAAAAAAAANES
[12:15:15 PM] forbiddensirens says: an old guy zombie
[12:15:18 PM] forbiddensirens says: CAAAAAAAAAAANES

Today is the BEST DAY EVER.

My Death Eater outfit was unfortunately messed up severely on, and I put off the mask until too late so it won't be finished for today. Rather pissed at myself for that, but that's what you get for being a lazy ass. My own fault.

Otherwise, I have worn two costumes this week; Black Mad Hatter and Steampunk. Mad Hatter was on major's day this past Tuesday, and I rush made the Steampunk to wear at Iron Pour last night (spent the whole morning doing crap for my mom and her coworkers, REMIND ME next time you suck me in to working for you for a whole day! I had stuff planned! Gah!) which was successful. I now have a rather nice, Steampunk backup outfit! Who'da thought! And I wore my top hate twice in a week! Nice.

( some pics )

I was thinking of being a zombie and dragging myself around the mall to get tea, but we'll see.

So enjoy your Halloween! Dress up! Go out! Gorge yourself on candy! Celebrate!

Busy day.

Today: Must finish black MadHatter for tomorrow, and DE for Thurs.

have materials          needs manipulation          in process          complete

Death Eater Harry Potter

. wand
. mask
. shirt
. collared vest
. gauntlets
. hooded cloak
. breeches
. boots

This week is....blah. Had a panic attack yesterday, so still feeling a bit low after that. Move on!

And so, the new list!

Not included will be my steampunk, harajuku concept and the minor repairs to Kijin, whom I'm hoping to present him again in the AAC masquerade. If I can find those fans. There'll also be a semi-pro photoshoot going on later this month I think, so got to get everything together for that.

This is the base list, I'll go put in the pieces to each later. Also recording all thought process this time around.


Fall/Winter '09

have materials          needs manipulation          in process          complete

Death Eater Harry Potter . wand . mask . shirt . collared vest . gauntlets . hooded cloak . breeches . boots

Sailor Pluto Sailor Moon . contacts . wig . earrings . tiara . choker . keys . staff . leotard . corset . gloves . boots

Sailor Saturn Sailor Moon . contacts . wig . earrings . tiara . choker . staff . leotard . corset . gloves . boots

Website ref links:

http://www.coolwebsites.dk/
http://www.razorfish.com/#/home/
http://www.wefeelfine.org/


from school:

http://kylehebertdesign.com/
http://www.mikemai.net/
http://babel.massart.edu/~dstanton/


mine:

http://home.comcast.net/~lunaamadeus/


others:

http://www.poro-poro.com/
http://angelicstar.net/
http://www.soiakyo.com/
http://www.zemotion.net/main.html
http://raingate.net/
http://www.chloe-sevigny.org/information/
http://www.junkwired.com/

Well now! Haven't been here in awhile! Let's update, shall we?

This Saturday is Ladies Night! We're all going out to a private pole dancing lesson in Boston in the evening, and afterward to a bar or restaurant for some chatting and whatnot. Should be great fun, I can't wait to get back on one again! Probably bringing a camera, so some pics and video may be in order. If we aren't too pitiful xP

I lieu of Sat, I'm hoping to whip out a new pair of workout pants to wear; not sure if I'm going with the original of tight and long with slits for the feet, or in the style of Leela's wide flare dance pants. Probably the tight version, I want something that will protect the tops of my feet from horrendous bruising while spinning, we shall see.

Since I basically have the next week off of work, I'm planning on sewing and cleaning a bit. I'm going to try to go through all this process from school lazing in front of my bookcase, then I can tackle the closet to maybe set up some kind of shelving system to organize my fabric. I keep wanting to buy more, but I need a place to put it all first. Really want to find that football field length fabric warehouse in west MA I think it was, and just free for all it; that would be glorious.

Other sewing ideas still include the Sailor Scouts, steampunk, and the Death Eater setup for Halloween. I think the Scouts will start being touched upon next month, since Amanda will be back up in ye olde Salem so we can start our staffs, and I'll order the fabric then too since I want to consult with other experienced sewers first. The steampunk MadHatter is on hold because I can't find any real elaborate lace and whatnot around here, so I'm waiting until a fabric excursion to NY happens or somewhere with other fashion friends or Pam (fibers mentor). The Deather Eater deals won't be able to be messed with either until I can get in contact with her, I want to do some potato dextrin resist on those suckers to look more distressed, and I can't really do that at home.

Another costume project is in the sketchings; a friend's recent creation of a sailor dress and staring interestedly at people in crazy, brightly colored outfits inspired me to start thinking up a Cyberpunk/Harajuku-ish getup to trapse around in. I'm thinking of giving it an interchangeable bottom setup, so depending if it's worn in cooler or warmer weather one will be more comfortable than the other. I'm also planning on using my Kimimaro sandals with it, since they'll probably not be used anywhere else (and that wig came out so nice), and Kanda's wig but styled not with the original hair clip but a custom fall to spice it up. I'm still poking around for shape and design ideas, so that's in the conceptual stage.

So all those are planning, I am most likely going to enter at AAC if I can figure out some 30 second skit-ish thing for blasted Kijin, and since I have Fridays off of school I can go all three days. Based on it's November I'll probably be Kijin on Sat, and most likely a Death Eater another. Mind you I'm planning on Death Eater Harry Potter, so e heh heh heh. Not looking foward to wearing Kijin though. :sigh: Why.

When I woke up this morning, I saw SUN. That never happens anymore, now I have to go out today, preferably fabric shopping! :D

Washed and vacuumed my car yesterday; all the rain plastered tree crap all over, and it took two washings to get it all off. All clean and shiny now, aaah.

As this thing is basically my costume diary, list update now! Thoughts on future things:

. I am debating on entering Kijin into the AAC Masquerade as a intermediate/advanced walk on. Dunno what the hell I'd do (all you can do in that thing is 'look pretty'), but I'd like him to place at least once because of the effort I had to put into him. I've snooped around and Yami no Matsuei shikis have a tendency to place, so why didn't you? Wangsting over it isn't helping.

. For AB next year, a more realistic Saturn and Pluto are definitely a go. After I meet with Pam, someday, I'm going to go ahead and order the Bengaline if I can't find anything around here like it. I'm also hoping as a project for August Amanda and I can get our staffs done. This year they'll be carving, more fabric manipulation (not as much, I'd kill myself first) very little metalwork, some mold making and resin casting, and of course, sewing.

. Random project one: Kanda's training outfit. That wig needs an outfit, so I'm just taking fabric and old clothing I already own to make that outfit. Simple, easy, just putting along with that. Currently finishing up the pants, just ripped out the hems and unneeded pockets.

. Random project two: Steampunk 'MadHatter.' Not really MadHatter, but I'm utilizing the same basic sillhouette for this one. So it has a hat, corset, a really short skirt, minishorts and leggings. Still in the sketching phase, I'm having issues settling on an interesting jacket shape.

. Random project three: Death Eater Harry Potter. I was planning on creating the cloaks, and cosidering I own the right shape glasses, have a pretty thin stature and green eyes already, why not? Just need to figure out the mask and the rest of the outfit. I'm hoping to have this for Halloween, we shall see since last year flopped horribly.

. Not relating to costumes, sort of, but Amanda expressed the wish of trying to make me look like a lingerie model by the end of summer. I doubt it will happen (my body hates me like that. Contradiction that is) but if it does I'm totally for it. Gaining a few pounds then toning it is crazy impossible...

Now, I'm going to eat, and then go enjoy the SUN by taking a ride up to Martin's, then booking it over to maybe both Jo-Ann's. Enjoy it!

www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/21/first-photos-tim-burtons-alice-in-wonderland-what-do-you-think/

See, designing things like this is what I would like to do with my life.

There's nothing else to do, but I can't sleep yet. Why is there so much thinking going on nowadays, just shhhhh for awhile.

I think I found a piece of bengaline in the old sewing box today...took it out, examined it and then tried stretching it, and it did exactly what bengaline should do. Reaction: O_________O..... Yeah, that stuff is nice. Niiiice. I can't wait to work it it.


Repairs might be happening this time around for older/still not used costumes. I think I might pull out Kimimaro's hem and refold it, it looks dreadful. A double roll and zip all around the edged will fix that up. I'm also debating on just getting a really thick white (hopefully cotton) rope and dyeing it lavender for his sash. Yeah the one I made looks totally accurrate, but I'd rather have something easier to move in, lighter and more realistic. Also destroying the back of the tunic to put in a harness is not something I want to do.

Yoruichi, once I figure a way to make the shoulder pieces hard and pearlized, will be redone in that burning orange color lighterweight fabric. I'll also make it with ties, so it'll stay on and fit better. We also want to make her hakama still, fabric's just waiting to be played with.

Soi fong....I like you, but really. Your outfit is icky. I misplaced the sash and armbands after wearing them to AAC last year. Never finished repainting that jacket sitting in my closet, and her braids need a better wrapping. I might get a new wig and make detachable braids, if I can find more rings when winter rolls around. Scarf rings from Macy's are like candy, heh.


It's not fully set in stone, but I believe the lineup for next year will be Kraehe, Saturn and Pluto. I'm pretty much set on figuring them out, so, eh. They all require me to order fabrics online though, which I don't really like. Need to touch. Compared to Kijin though....almost any outfit right now will be a cakewalk. I never want to go through a week straight of working in the studio until 11pm dyeing crap ever again, then finally finishing it all at 7am Friday morning. Horrendous, don't do it. Less fabric, more fitting, more recognizable...more better.

Separate project going on right now too...designing a steampunk inspired outfit to go with my red-flowered Fredrick's corset, tophat and goggles. I have the odd urge to be in something more 'girly' so I indulge that with this. Colors are black (duh), creams, coppers (hardware if I can find it), blood red/burgundy, maroon, and browns. Very warmly colored compared to the last corset outfit I had. It could be considered a MadHatter version, might be so, not too sure yet. Having fun designing it all out though, I'm playing with the back of the half jacket right now; I was thinking a spattered blood red velvet if an applique design is decided on, or some typed of red number with a tapered drape. No idea where I'll wear this, but it will come out awesome I hope ^_^

I'm endeavoring to write down any process thoughts I have from now on, so here's my recent train of ideas.

For Sailor Scouts in general this one.

. main body - objective is to make it appear as armor, not a leotard. Do make leotard however, attaching sailor collar and skirt. over which put fitted and boned underbust corset, minimal topstitching over boning, will create line under bust seen in drawings of the regular outfit. Question on number of panels....see how fabric looks and feels before deciding. Possible straight, but tapered will emphasize corset point more. Question on keeping the bottom edging if corset method utilized.
. Skirt will flare from underneath, slash-and-pleat accordingly to tapered waistline. Skirt fabric undecided...with silk would have option of dyeing to exact color, but drawback of sheen, inconsistencies in color and too lightweight of fabric. Twill would have weight needed, but exact jewel tones would be hard to find, and does not match well with bengaline. Find option of heavyweight, matte silk. Question of skirt being straight hemmed or cascade front and back. Queston on hem also to be double folded, or wooly nylon serged.
Bows will all be dyed silk. Question to be tricot interfaced for shape and integrity.
. Gloves....bengaline for constency? To be tested.

. tiara - foam base with metal overlay? Reference Kijin frontpiece original concept. do not keep original gold color, too bright. Spraypaint over with dulled gold. Any jewels to be resin poured. Question to create new castings. Pluto earrings.....find/utilize enamel over metal. Saturn...construction required; question of request to glassworking. Question of sculpting then molding to create blue/clear resin brooch.


All for now, will focus on weapons and such at another time...

I'm not saying what this one is yet, I'm not sure if it'll be done in time, or I'll have the money to get everything.

so:          in process          complete

. suikan
. sashinuki
. sash
. sleeve ties
. apron
. sandals

I put my toe shoes on today for the first time in a few years, and they're probably about two sizes to small...they only time they do fit is when I'm on pointe :sweatdrop: One awesome thing though is after all these years my arches are still spot on, which helps to make everything feel at least a little more stable.

I'm going to work on piles (pronounced plee-aay, the accent mark is alluding me) and those awkward roll-up-onto-your-toes things and build the strength back into my ankles. Need a wood floor to practice though, doing it on the fake wood ones like in the house equals certain death via sliding :shivers: ooooh, the pain.

So feel like doing ballet warms ups? Got an open space with waist height chairs? Go for it! In the meantime, I need to un-numb my toesies.

Zombie march tomorrow at 2pm.

Braaaaaaaaaaaainsssssss.... :D Yes.


Later Edit

For future reference, when in a crunch Mod Podge, foundation, dark lipstick and black and white face paint do wonders for creating zombies.

I went into our Walmart before going to Boston half made up, and the reactions when people finally saw that my face was 'peeling off' was something that made me evil chuckle all the way to my car. While I was on my phone with Amanda an older man walked by me saying loudly 'Oh my Lord!!' and another (a bit rude she was) lady stopped almost in front of me and stared disgustedly for a few seconds. A teenager got what I was and that I had makeup, he laughed hysterically while leaving the store; I appreciated that one.

The march was much fun, but about an hour into it we all started losing steam as it was hot out and we were all bloody and walking around in it. Moaning and limping towards people was never as much fun as this, heh heh heh....going down Newbury street as all the shoppers were eating outside was awesome. And props for all the zombies that had advice for people, such as 'Tip your waiters, 20%, always 20%' and that hissing with the dry, high-pitched scream thing Justin kept throwing out which freaked people out. We ended at Earthfest (which ironically produces a huge amount of paper waste) and actually posed in groups for people, doing zombie things the the various food samples up for grabs.

I can't wait for the next one! BRAIIINNNNS!

It looks like process is starting right away for this. constructing a genuine classical tutu has caught my interest.

. They come in two parts: bodice and skirt. See anatomy here.

. bodices are generally 6 to 15 panels, steel boned, and end at the waist to a tapered point in the front. Can be bias cut, or put together with plastic tabs to allow better movement. The objective of a tutu is to give the dancer the best range of motion.

. Skirt can be connected to the bodice, or a separate piece connected with hooks. It sits at the waist or high on the hip. There are three different types of skirt lengths; romantic, classical or bell. Skirt length will definitely be classical, in either pancake style (the extremely flat and stiff one which it tightly tacked to the panty) or 'powder puff' (softer layers or tulle, no hooping supporting the shape and is lightly tacked)

. fabrics generally used: netting and tulle for the skirt, and Bengaline fabric for the bodice/panty. Lining fabrics also used within the bodice and panty can be coutil, powernet in various weights, and stretch micro mesh for the 'nude' portions. Bengaline is not usually found in regular fabrics stores, it has to be ordered. There are also three types of Bengaline based on the ribbing of the fabric; normal bengaline, waterfaille which gives the impressions of a shining waterfall, and moire bengaline that could be compared to a wood grain.


Other tidbits....professionals only wear the light pink/white tights and shoes, it showcases the lines of their legs while dancing. So, technically, Kraehe's outfit is wrong :D



For something else:
. Prepare stepping back several paces, Point R foot front, arms in 3rd opposite to pointe. Flick turn in.
. Attitude R, 3 steps, turn L, grand battement R (start L, high R), repeat 3x
. Pique R, Pique R, Dbl Pique R arms in 4th, repeat 2x

Kijin did not place. All that effort, wasted. Remind me to never do something like this outfit again, it's not worth it.

Otherwise....con was alright. It was a difficult outfit to move in, so......:shakes head: Whatever. I'll give in to the masses and do more popular characters now.

So next on the never-ending list:

Hellsing - Alucard (Amanda) and Rip (me)
Bleach - redos of Yoruichi (Amanda) and repairs for Soi Fong (me)
Cowboy Bebop - Faye (Amanda) and Julia (me)
D. Gray-Man - Tiki (Amanda) and either Kanda or Lavi for me, not sure yet.

And considerations for contests, in order by looking the most favorable, and most will mean I have to get in shape somewhat:

Princess Tutu - Princess Kraehe, which will require me to go back on pointe this summer :D
Naruto - Naruto's Sexy no Jutsu....c'mon, have you seen a good one?
Sailor Moon - Sailor Pluto (Amanda) and Sailor Saturn (me), these would be made differently than what you normally see, more armor-like and detailed



"Do me like an ewok!" :D



 complete/in possession

Kijin Yami No Matsuei . wig . contacts . hat      . base      . brim      . front piece      . ribbon      . stick      . back piece . gold rope . undershirt . pants . kimono      . collar      . sleeve edging . tapestry . obi      . base      . overlay      . sash . shoes

Gutta. Need you so. It's at Charette's, so I have to travel to Woburn today, then up to Kensington, NH after to get to Pam's and paint ALL DAY.

So much work to do, work work work!

Reviews went alright, I got two teachers I know well, so that was very nice. I'm still a Graphic Designer, oh darn.

Will I see you Friday? Hmmmm.

15 minutes later
Scrap that, I'll cheat with gold/black paint, mua ha ha ha.....

CAN'T SLEEP. Review in less than 12 hours. WHY NOW PLZ.

Go look at my first massacre made in flash over here. If the little box lights up and 'dings,' you can click on it to open a popup; I only got 8 working since our requirement was three. Four extra just in case. The sorts in architecture, famous figures and historic sites work for the most part.

Really need some action script experience...it reminds me alot of 'ye olde high school' when we worked with excel spreadsheets; one thing wrong in the function and it all goes down hill.

And darn it Hide, answer the phone. Agh!

There are not enough hours in the day.

All these will be complete today, I'm moving onto solely working on Kijin tonight, and rendering Yoru tomorrow. Hoping for finished shoes, antiqued headpiece maybe, and finishing the organza sash. Anticipating hot weather, so I might make a pair of capri-length leggings rather than wear the pants I finished awhile back under everything.

Reviews Spring '09

#__, 12:00pm, group __

needs to be printed        in assembly      ready

. layout
. tabs

Information Architecture II process book . 3 personas . application . pdf clickthru

Typography III process book . The Mad Tea Party . Sugoi + 2nd cover

Letterpress . valentine(s) . Walrus & Carpenter . Selcouth, SiLeNt FoReST

Finals - Chinese art, Politics in Painting

. intro
. Early Spring
. Qingming Festival
. Three Friends and One-Hundred Birds
. Yellow Armor
. bibliography

My toenails are totally green right now...wore sandals while dyeing my 'obi' fabric so of course it drips all over my feet, ha ha ha.

Minor crisis today; left my flash drives at school, panicked, called and emailed people, and fortunately a super, super awesome studio monitor found it in the 9th floor lab and gave it to our studio manager, who I got a hold of this afternoon. You are such an angel, saved my life... :wipes sweat off forehead: I owe people some damn good chocolate now or something.

Otherwise, I have screened the webbed flower pattern onto twill today, it looks HAWT. Well, two of them suck, but the other two are good, lines and color swirls are nice and crisp since they were my first pulls.

Reviews Monday, and crunching for the con....I'm wearing those contacts around tomorrow, haven't put any in for such a long time...