Finished Navi Corset and ANOTHER Layer of Majora's Mask

I finally finished my Navi corset. I have had the grommeting set for about a month now, but I was too nervous to use it. Finally last night (after some liquid courage), I worked up the nerve to try it out. I tried it on a spare piece of fabric, and once I figured out how it worked, I went ahead and put grommets into my beautiful almost-finished corset. I am actually really impressed with myself. It fits, the grommets line up, and it looks like a corset. I may need to shorten the shoulders a bit, but besides that, my corset seems to be finished. I think I did alright for my first corset!

Besides finishing my corset, I think I have finally applied the last layer of papier mache to Majora's Mask. I ended up folding some stripes of paper to make the mask more even. It worked way better than I expected. I still need to add the spikes (which I may need to do a bit more papier mache- ing for) and the clear ornaments for the eyes. My next step will be the spikes, but then I am going to try covering the mask in gesso before I paint it. I have never used gesso before. It seems straight forward, but we shall see. 

I will be working on my Navi tutu skirt soon. I have to figure out a way to have the glitter not fall of the tulle that I am using. I'm going to try both scotch guard and hair spray. I will post results of the experiment, but if there is anything that has really worked for you, feel free to post it in the comments!

Majora's Mask Paper Mache Clay Experiment

This was my first time experimenting with paper mache clay. My goal was to create a smooth layer to even out the bumps of the normal paper mache layer underneath it. I think it went alright over all. This is the recipe I ended up using: 1 large mixing bowl filled almost to the top with small bits of newspaper,  boiling water, 3 4oz bottles of Elmer's white glue. Pour boiling water over the newspaper to cover. Let sit over night. Drain water. Pour bottles of glue in and mix to combine.

This did make a pretty decent clay. My one regret is not ripping the newspaper into smaller parts. Also, it took a long time to cover, as well as to dry. I will need to sand it to make it smoother so I can add my last layer of regular paper mache. If anyone has any advice, please feel free to leave it in the comments. I hope this works out, but if it doesn't at least I will learn something from it.

The Beginning of Majora's Mask

I felt like quite the hipster Saturday night. Not only was I listening to the Strokes circa 2002, but I was also paper mache ing while everyone else in my apartment were playing Civilization V. I started making the form of the mask. I used a heart shaped balloon. When I realized that it wouldn't be big enough, I started taping newspaper to it with masking tape. This didn't take me too long. It was mostly taping, stepping back, re-evaluating, and taping some more. Here is the form I have decided on... for now....

I have added a first layer of paper mache. The first layer pointed out all the bumpy parts that need to be address eventually. I am thinking of using a homemade paper mache clay. Once I try it out, I will post the recipe I used and pictures of the finished product.

Start of a Navi Costume

So I have been slowly working on my Navi costume. I almost have the corset finished and I started the skirt. Here is the info on my corset. I bought simplicity pattern 3677 for my corset. I chose a muslin and a blue broad cloth for the interfacing and blue patterned brocade for the outward facing side. I have a grommeter that I got on amazon for cheap that I am excited to use when I have a bit of free time. Below are a few pictures and the almost finished project. I hope to have the skirt finished in a couple of weeks. I have yet to start the terrifying process of creating Majora's mask, but maybe I will force myself to start that  next weekend!

Finally Working on Cosplay Again!!

After a full time summer job, starting grad school, starting a new job, and getting engaged I have finally started working on my cosplay again! I have a word document full of ideas that I am really jazzed about. The fiancé, his brother, and I are planning on attending C2E2 this year (hopefully.) They both really wanted to cosplay as something. I suggested that we do a Legend of Zelda theme because they both love the series of games and I am quite found of it as well. I have materials for all three of our costumes. My fiancé wants to go as Skull Kid with Majora's mask, his brother as Link, and I am working on a Navi costume for myself. I am fairly close to done with my costume. Because the only images of Navi we really get are just a blue ball of light, my costume has been easy and self designed (which has been really fun.) I will be posting pictures soon with progress on my costume. I have the fabric for my future brother's costume and an idea of how to make it. The fiancé's costume is by far the most complicated. I am hoping to get it done by C2E2, but we shall see. This post by Meagan Marie has an amazing Skull kid Majora's Mask cosplay and is what I shall be aspiring to. Hopefully, I can post about my Navi costume within the next week or so! Happy crafting!!

C2E2 2013 Cosplay Idea

I only plan on attending C2E2 in Chicago for one day this year. I can't swing it finically or educationally to go for the weekend, sadly. I think I convinced the boyfriend and both my brothers to go as well on Saturday. Because I like to put myself in a time crunch, I decided I want to try to do some sort of cosplay. The boyfriend has never cosplayed, but wants to try it. I wanted to start him off with something simple so I think we are going to do real world Finn and Princess Bubblegum from Adventure Time.

I know this has been attempted before, but I wanted to try my hand at it. We have the boyfriends outfit down. He is going to wear a pair of jeans, black converse type shoes, a blue shirt with jake printed on it in a pocket, and a white hat. He already owns a green backpack. Here's the shirt:

Found here:http://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Time-Jake-Pocket-T-Shirt/dp/B008A07XY8/ref=pd_sbs_a_1

My costume will be a little more complicated. I don't really own anything that I need for my costume, but I found somethings online that will work. I bought this dress from American Apparel:

It is a bit pricey, but I will for sure wear it again, and making it would have cost the same. I have not bought this yet, but I think this will be the perfect polo to wear under the dress, and its budget friendly:

It is from the girls department, but it should fit and the sleeves are perfect. Once I get the shirt, I need to find ribbon to match, but that won't be difficult. I did buy pink hair chalk from a local beauty supply store. When I walked in, the sales person said they only had orange and pink, which was perfect for me. My hair is a dark brown so I am going to have to figure out how to make it vibrant enough. I'm thinking of using pink eyeshadow, a bit more blush than usual, and maybe pink lipstick in terms of makeup. I'm still working on a headband. This one from Claire's is a possibility: http://www.claires.com/store/goods/hair/cat1260198/headbands%26nbsp%3b%26amp%3b%26nbsp%3bheadwraps/p14641/flower-gem-double-band-headband/

I originally was thinking of pink tights, but I am now considering over the knee socks. Kind of a school girl look. Along with the knee high's, I'm looking for pink flats. There are many choices for both of these on amazon.

So those are my ideas. We shall see if I can get everything together in three weeks or so. I will hopefully post pictures when completed!

Steampunk Blackwidow: Gen Con 2012

So this is the finished product of my steampunk Blackwidow costume. Sadly, I felt that not a lot of people knew what I was suppose to be, but i was happy with it. My brother went as steampunk Tony Stark and it also turned out well. I ended up making my hat, belt, and gauntlets that held small glass viles. I purchased everything else. My brother made the gun, which was awesome. Hopefully, I can improve it so people recognize it next time.