Upcoming Cosplays for 2012

I'm slowly attempting to be more active in the cosplay community, I promise! But it's very difficult when school is involved...even as I write this, I keep getting distracted. TVXQ lives don't help.

Jung Yunho is the ultimate distraction. Best non-waste of my time.

AOD is coming up is SF, but due to a conflicting event with my family, I won't be able to attend. In compensation, I'm hoping to fix up Yuna for an epically freezing beach shoot. 

Here's what I've been slowly slaving over for the past few months (Since Fanime 2011 ended, my ability to work has just crashed and burned OTL)

 

Ciel Phantomhive from Kuroshitsuji (Volume 18 Cover)

I bought velvet when I visited Portland this summer, but that was the most progress I've made. I have the wig and horror-shoes from my last Ciel cosplay, and I probably have the socks somewhere. But am I ready to sew all of those ruffles? Someone shoot me now. I'm currently debating whether or not I should bring this to Fanime 2012. While I'll hopefully be proud once it's finished, but the shallow part of me says to bring as many female cosplays as possible because they're more popular XD

 Irabu Sensei （中） from Kuchu Buranko

Easy cosplay. But laziness prevails. Have the shoes from my last trip to Japan (already used in 2 previous cosplays...), and my wig recently came in the mail. The wig needs the most work. But hopefully the idea of having a sexy nurse follow me around will act as an incentive to finish.

 Kuranosuke (Episode 10) from Kuragehime

This is ridiculous. The dress has been dead on my costume rack for MANY MONTHS. It would be done, but the roses has decided to be nonexistent. Have the necklace, wig, and stockings, too. Only wish to finish is the glittering idea of secretly being a man. And tall. 

 Hagane Miku (TYPE H) from Vocaloid 02

 Having a group! But this is also sleeping on the rack. Or being crushed in the bottom of my fabric hamper. That's how long it's been since I've worked on it.

 Panty (School Uniform) from Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt

Skirt, wig, and shoes are really the only things done. Silly partner won't finish Stocking, either. We're obviously made for each other. The only work we seem to consistently finish is our trips to the fabric store or DAISO. 

 Shiemi Moriyama (Kimono ver.) from Ao no Exorcist

Yukata has been sewed. Currently painting. Aiming to finish by the NorCal Spring gathering in March. Was thinking about wearing this to Fanime for the Ao no Exorcist gathering, but Saturday will probably be for PSwG.

 Panty (Default) from Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt

This is most complete cosplay on my list as of right now. Shoes need to be painted because I'm crazy and bought fabric that wasn't very bright. Dress needs to be taken in around the waist, and I need to attach the halter strap. Also need to finish Stocking (made as a present for my lazy cosplay partner). Dress needs the zipper and all colored details.

  Kyari Pamyu Pamyu from "Tsukema Tsukeru"

First J-pop cosplay! Planned on doing PONPONPON, but I obviously prefer boob-lashes and a skirt made of snack bags. There's no going back now, I bought the knit and bias tape for the top yesterday. Probably bringing to Fanime for absolute trolling. I could attend AX, I'd definitely wear this. But I need to work for my money D:

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M SLAVING OVER

and I really want to do 2NE1 cosplay. Maybe this summer. Who knows.

Money is such a pain. 2012 has been devoted to concerts, clothes, and nerdy things. If the world doesn't end soon, I'll be broke. 

On another note, I think I'll participate in the SM Entertainment Global Audition (they're coming to SF next month). And as often as people say that SM is a slave-driver regarding the people who are signed under them, I still want to try. I would go as a singer, but I don't think I can sing in front of others like I used to. So I'll attempt to the shortest model ever. If I can make it, MORE MONEY. I heard SM pays for education, too, which is a big help because of college.

MINDLESS BLABBERING IS DONE

enjoy a photo of my ultimate distraction coughBEAUTIFUL-HUSBANDhackhack

 I'm not crazy, internet. I promise.

Long time, no blog!

I'm sorry that I haven't updated since Fanime 2011...I always say school is busy, but even when it isn't, I'm pretty lazy. After Fanime, I had my final exams and started a summer job. I had time to sew, but I didn't attend any gatherings.

BUT

Around February 2011, I was secretly invited to join a group doing Vocaloid's "Sandplay of the Singing Dragon" as Len. The selected cosplayers had great portfolios, and I had idolized most of them already, but was too nervous to introduce myself. So we every-so-slowly worked on our cosplays (mine wasn't done until the day of our shoot. Hello, procrastinator~), and presented our group at NorCal's last YaoiCon. Unfortunately, our Luka didn't receive her cosplay in time, and our Miku couldn't make it to the shoot, so we found a replacement Miku and shot with the original six characters (Miku, the twins, Meiko, Kaito, and Gakupo).

About the costume:

Because I was working with a twin, and a very detail-oriented twin at that, I bought enough material for two cosplays, and split it among myself and Rachael (my Rin). Rachael sent her materials to a commissioner because of her hectic schedule, but Len's design isn't too difficult, so I drafted the pattern for the coat myself, and the pattern for the shorts was taken from a project I did at school. Both coats are made of black bridal satin and lined; the edge is satin ribbon while the gold is a braided, bead trim. Both my shorts/glove and Rachael's skirt/neck ribbon are red stretch velvet. My belt buckle is a mix of Sculpey, Model Magic, and rhinestones, all coated with silver spray paint. The next time I wear this, I need to fix my belt, BUY sock garters, and attach some more buttons to my sleeves.

Picture Time~

 Group shot!

 With Richard Bui, our wonderful photogrpaher~ hurrrr, I actually look tall. This never happens XD

Photo by Jia-Ling Pan, we missed you as Luka!

Thank you for looking, I'll be sure to post soon with my current projects. Let's hope I'm not overrun with laziness OTL



Two new cosplays! + Fanime review

Last weekend was Fanime 2011, and I finally finished my 2 big cosplays for the year! Yuna and Ciel seemed to be a milestone for me in terms of professional construction, it was worth taking so much time to get every possible detail. The only thing I currently regret is poor time management a week before the con and not getting enough pictures. I'm currently waiting on some for Ciel, and I was invited for an impromptu photoshoot while in Yuna, but never asked for any contact information!

DAY 1

Anyway, I arrived with my friend, Kristina, on Friday to the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. Our room was on the seventeenth floor, and it took us a while to remember how to get to our room, but it was so worth it! We had a queen-sized bed and so many mirrors~ We had one in the main room, bathroom, and another one with Hollywood lights. It was extremely convenient to have a place to regroup throughout the day where you can easily have a snack or watch TV.

Once we set up our luggage (a suitcase and a dufflebag just for me XD), I needed to organize an ironing station and get ready for a photoshoot with a friend. I was going to wear Mikuo from Vocaloid's "Love is War" with Cassie, who had originally inspired me to make a match to her Miku cosplay. After meeting up with her (and missing the Vocaloid gathering), we set off to find Erskine, our photographer, who was busy. We waited outside the convention center, got a lot of paparazzi photos, and finally got our shoot! Here are some photos, because I don't really need to explain the cosplay again.

Did I mention that as soon as I reached Fanime, I was recognized as "mochi-snack"? Usually, I'll be recognized by somebody I already know, so I go by my normal name. But these girls (mainly the Rin on the far left) knew who I was from THE INTERNET.

Photos/Editing by Erskine Noel. Minor post-edits, megaphones by me. Costumes made by wearers.

I'm hoping for more pictures, so I may edit this entire post to show off the others? I remember taking some pretty nice stair shots, which took us a while (so many interfering regulars 0_o). Let's hope I don't look so derpy in the others...Cassie's infinite cuteness makes up for a lot of it, though~

After the shoot, Cassie and I planned another one for when the sun was down, went to McDonald's, and then cancelled our shoot because she wanted to rave and I had to let another friend into my room. I found Mifuyu in the lobby of the Fairmont, and welcomed her into our SPACIOUS LIVING AREA. But then she wanted to see what was going on at the convention center, so I stayed in and tried to finish Yuna's staff. Our night was completed with me yelling at Miffy to sleep as she checked her SAT scores.

DAY 2

Didn't go to sleep until around midnight on Friday, but woke up pretty early (think 6:30-7am) to bring some friends to our hotel room so they could get ready. Kristina didn't stay with Mifuyu and myself the night before, so she came early before her shift at the Maid Cafe.

Our view! If you angled your head to the left, you could see some of the convention center. If there was a photoshoot going on at the fountains, we could always watch >.<

Our room was quickly turned into a war zone. So much fabric and extra clothes. I'm pretty sure our guests were occupying our bathroom and mirrors by now.

Hard at work! Finishing up painting (not even dressed XD) while Kristina curls her hair (already dressed), and Miffy (taking the picture) lays on the bed and watches Yugioh...a large portion of our morning was reminiscing over that show.

Ready to go? Woooo, messy room.

Yuna was definitely the best in terms of reactions of other attendees. Every time I was asked for a photo, which was often, there would be at least four other photos taken. It got pretty bad at one point, I was standing in one pose for a few minutes! And cosplaying as a female (with boobs, remember), I got a boatload of comments about my appearance. Positive, yes, but it was very different from what I'm used to. A lot of guys asked for pictures WITH me, and then they'd casually have their arm around my waist until the photo was finished being taken. DON'T THINK I DIDN'T NOTICE, GUYS. But yeah, great reception. One couple came up to me, took my picture, and stared for a while, just to say "You really ARE Yuna!"...I think they were checking my contacts? Another family had me take a picture with their young son, who they said was named after Tidus from the same series.

I think I'll do an entire costume explanation after I get more photos. There's a gathering in August that I think I'll wear Yuna to. By then, I need to fix my staff, and get some stronger double-sided tape. I thought the top would be alright, but I got some major side-bra going on in most of my shots XD

Miffy had a gathering at midnight, so we were walking back to the hotel at about 12:30-1am, and I was hardly wearing a shirt. But look at our nighttime view!

DAY 3

Sunday was a bit more relaxed. Although I didn't get to sleep until about 1:30, I slept in more, and I was so excited about wearing my other new cosplay, Ciel from Kuroshitsuji. Both Miffy and Kristina had to work in the Maid Cafe that afternoon, so we all left together. We made a game out of it; I was obviously Ciel, the young Earl, while I had my two adorable maids cater to my every wish as we walked to the convention center. Once we arrived, Miffy would take my camera bag, saying "Yes, Bocchan".

Look! More camwhoring before we leave! Can you find the skull I had to carry around all day?

My beautiful maids! I decided that if, and when, I make a movie regarding my life, there will be various short films about badass maids. One, played by Kristina, enjoys skateboarding and showing up to hotels looking hung over (she only did one of these things, can you guess which?), and the other, played by Miffy, enjoys eating Saltines and playing zombie-killing video games (true story).

Found Katheryne as Quina from FFIX! You can see some of my bustle, but I think I may need to remake a majority of it. I think the coat weighed down some of it, and walking around and running into other people damaged to vertical straps. I'm hoping to remake the foam straps and replace them with plastic or a sturdy fabric.

See? Damaged bustle. It lays completely wrong. That, and my shoes ruined my feet as soon as I put them on, so I don't think I look very awake.

Better-ish shot of my makeup and skull! I went crazy with the eye makeup because I only had to do one eye. I did the basic black/gray liner (not too thick, I wanted to show my crease), and half lashes on the top and bottom for an extra boost.

BW Ball group~ Don't my once-maids look lovely? Is it weird that I had to wear 2" heeled shoes and a top hat to be the same height? And that I have to be WAY taller than Miffy for our Kuragehime cosplays?

I can't help but say that this was obviously the best-looking skull at Fanime 2011.

We stopped by the BW Ball, but the line was very long, so we didn't go inside. We also had some people that wouldn't be allowed inside anyway, so we all went to Quickly's for pearl tea and snacks. We walked around a bit, went back to Fanime, and took some purikura in the game room (which I'm still waiting for). I returned to the hotel room by about midnight, and Miffy, Kristina, and I watched River Monsters. Hotels = crap TV, and lots of it.

DAY 4

NO COSPLAY. Weird. I've never gone to Fanime without wearing anything remotely nerdy (the most normal was Harajuku fashion 3 years ago). However, I was recognized. Not by name, but a man asked if I had cosplayed Yuna this weekend. Miffy and I walked around for a little while, but we were too tired, and went back to the hotel for our luggage. We decided some plans for next year on the way home. Post-con depression hit me hard, but no tears. I just felt extremely lazy, and then I really wanted to make more outfits (I'm planning on doing that today, actually).

So there you have it. Fanime 2011. Best part? Having a hotel room. It was a great investment. Worst part? The unavoidable costume-malfunctions and NOT SCHEDULING PHOTOSHOOTS. Miffy and I are already compiling a list of things to bring/do next year, let's hope it works!

School is finished, and I started working at a local pool the other day (today is my first day off~). I need to schedule some photoshoots this summer or I'll go crazy.

New cosplay: Hatsune Mikuo 「恋は戦争」

I need to cosplay something without blue hair, this is ridiculous!

This was taken yesterday at a small gathering at the San Jose Convention Center, where Fanime 2011 will take place 3 months from now. I made this cosplay back in December for a Vocaloid-only gathering, but my Miku couldn't make it, and I didn't know when I'd ever wear this.

I bought and altered the shirt with a basic, turquoise cotton, which I also used to make the tie (not pictured), and belts. I bought the gloves at Daiso, and custom-dyed them to match. The megaphone is made from a plastic drink pitcher, painted black, and craft foam attached for the rim. The holster-thing is just a basic glasses case from Lens Crafters, and the wig is my friend's Miku wig without the pigtails (I've been overusing this wig so much >.<).

Hatsune Mikuo "Love is War [EAGER LOVE REVENGE]" from Vocaloid 02
Cosplay/post processing by me
photo by *Ice-and-Spice