Genki 2012

It's time to update again! Now here with a con-update. Last weekend I attended Genkicon, with a whole lot of amazing people! I must say that Genki is my second most fave con, the feel is just good between the con-goers.

Friday I wore my Nemo cosplay, together with Mie as my Princess, and eventhough it felt a little funny being in a big white pyjamas, I enjoyed being him, and felt really comfortable, though hot, because that fabric doesn't breathe at all, tsk tsk.

Thankfully MacDonalds have great icecream for the heat!
We got recognized a few times, but nobody came up to me, everybody approached Mie, Why do I look so scary ;A; ?

The con this time, was waaay more hanging out than it've been the other years I think, saturday Torkill and Frodo from Desucon Norway joined in /no picture of Frodo, because you can't handle his vikingness
This con was also alot of people switching between casual and cosplay, I guess not many are willing to sacrifice for cosplay in this heat, haha.

Saturday I wore Muramasa, cosplayed with my friend as Yuan, and we did get recognized a few time, mostly her though, haha. I felt really silly in the cosplay, mostly because I have a hard time with wearing things that're specific to cultures, don't want to be disrespectful or look weird, but after I've seen a few pictures of me in it, I feel a little more confident in wearing the cosplay again.

Because 'what is logic?' me and Mie changed into our new How to Train your Dragon cosplays, me as human Toothless, I hope we will be able to go on a shoot before she leaves for Japan, because I'm actually pretty proud about this cosplay, especially the details on the vest.

And come on. I have the cutest Hiccup ever.
AAaaand yes, it was very hot wearing these cosplays on one of the hottest weekends this summer, but I don't care~

Sunday it was Final Fantasy time again, I think maaybe this is the first time for me to wear a cosplay twice for a con, not that I mind doing that, it've just never worked out like that.

Hayes joined in as Maqui, which made me very happy, I loooooooove his cosplay! It's really well made and he just looks amazing in it.
Mie had also finished her bag, and oh my god, I can't decide what I like the most on her costume anymore!

So thanks all you guys for an awesome con!
prettiest pictures will come later~

Serah Farron and Noel Kreiss [ Video Preview ]

Desucon 7 (Norway) ft. Noel Kreiss

*Photo's in this entry is credited Ali Jehad and one by Cecil August

Thursday the 21th of June, me and 5 friends embarked on a trip to Oslo, to attend Desucon 7.
I've been really excited about this con, just because it's Desucon and it's in Norway and I just love the Norwegian people, everything is just amazing there, alright?
Also to meet up with the people I bonded with last year.

But before I get into the people, let's get into my cosplay, Noel Kreiss is.... 80% finished, finished enough to wear.
I've realized my flaws and the things I need to re-do and make better for Genki.
Since I didn't manage to finish the embroidery for the pants this time, my lovely girl found me a temporary replacement, which I am very happy about. I also didn't get to make the wings and text on the back of his shirt, but that'll also be made.
I wanted to make the pants in Suede, but now I'm not so sure, because these are so comfortable, and I like the color with the top, and also just the movements of the pants. Oh well, we'll see.
This was also my first time doing open shirt binding, which felt super strange, but there was zero pain involved.

My proportions gets a little weird, but that's to be expected with pants like that, and also.. THAT DARN LEATHER THREAD GOD

My amazing group, everybody just looked so fucking.. HNGH <3 So proud of everybody and I just think we represented really well.
My bff, Hayes, had finished his first cosplay as Maqui, he made everything himself and I'm just loving that cosplay on him.
Zuum managed to finish her Lebreau in tme, and this cosplay got so much loving at the con I don't even.
My lovely girl, Mie, wore her Serah, and it was also the first time I saw it in real life, worn, and oh god, she always does such a fantastic job

If I could just learn to straighten my back, so I didn't look like a midget, everything would be good xD

This weekend I also had a lot of Star Wars feels, and they were pretty amazing as always. Half of my joy about Desucon, is that Nordic Garrison is there, and I'm just really happy about having Zuum there to share my emotional overload!

All in all, this con was just amazing. Friendships grew closer, and met amazing Norwegian and British people.
Random dancing, 'with my penis'-jokes, late night drinking with the crew and hanging out at the central station before leaving.
The weather could've been better, but that's the single worst thing that happen, so not too bad.

Noel Kreiss: Bag, Sheath, Armor

Since Darth Vader aka Desucon is coming up REAL SOON,  I'm working hard to finish all the things for Noel Kreiss. I can't believe I said yes to make this cosplay, so many things and details, haha.

Also doing my best to take progress pictures while doing all of that.
So here we go, in not particular order, Because it doesn't really matter.

I've finished the arm 'armor' thing, it actually didn't take too long to make, or maybe it did, I was entertained by True Blood and my girl that kept undressing and redressing.

*Remeber, all pictures have bigger versions, To inclickety and beyond!

It's held on by two broad elastic bands, covered with pleather, for comfort.

I also finished his fannypack,... and now that I think about it, I actually haven't /note to self: remember the beads.
Anyway, since I'm using this as an actual bag, it's firmly secured, and the innards have an extra pocket for easy access or whatever.

The belt(lower) and belt strap(upper) is almost finished. I had to redesign the pattern on the strap, after a closer look at the actualy design, so it was a little improvised, but I still kinda like how it turned out.

The 'silver charms' are made with a base of foam and then covered with paperclay. I'm still not used to working with clay, since I'm so impatient.

Finished the sheath for his 'extra' dagger, the color scheme is a little free styled, but I'm still pretty satisfied.
It was only yesterday, when I had to start working on the handle of the dagger, that I noticed there was text on it, so  I swung the marker.

I wanted an easier way to make the blue part of the collar, instead of embroidering, so I got some dark velour and sewed it on, also a little extra picture of the shoulder strap, that I still haven't finished.

I've also been helping my guy Hayes with his Maqui cosplay, and he's going to look pretty amazing if I don't say so myself (Do notice: I have NOT touched the cosplay at all, it's all his work and my guidance)
As stupid as I am I used oil-based paint on the bolster of the dagger, so it's taking forever to dry.

Noel Kreiss: Finishing sandals, belt & wig work.

*All pictures have bigger versions for your enjoyment

After my last entry, I continued with the shoes until they were finished, what can I say? I was on a roll.
So since I finished with that, I've kept on with the pleather work and started on the 'main' belt, cut the wig and made the first make-up try. /All the while I'm embroiding every day, so busy.

This time, I didn't take too many pictures though, I was in the zone and just snapped a few, whenever I remembered, so this entry might seem a bit choppy.

The outer "fold" of the shoes, I made with the same texture pleather, as I did the tip, and the result is definitely much better than than I expected it to be.
I attached it with hotglue, textile glue and stitching where my needle would pull through, don't want it falling off suddenly, now do we?

Now this was the part I dreaded the most, I did a few tries on scrap, but still I was very worried that the fabric would be ruined if the loops slipped. Thankfully it didn't and it ended up looking real neat.

So here's the finished result... well finished and finished, I need to measure the laces and cut them, also remove some glue from the edges of the sole.
There is some small changes from the original design, but that's purely for aesthetic and comfort reasons.

As said, I got my wig, it's been cut and I'm slowly figuring out how I want it to be styled, since I want it natural and without as much product as I usually use.
The make-up is pretty natural as well, but actually as close to his look as I could get this time around. It was pretty entertaining doing, because looking closely at the artwork, you can see the colors that've been used to shade around his eyes and lips, definitely a catering to the cosplayers, haha.
Also, the reason that the wigs looks lighter, is because it's layered with powder, to make it more natural looking. /of course it shines through on direct flash like this. + awkward smile for your enjoyment

And lastly, I'm working on his leather belt, and I have to thank my roomate, Nadia, for leaving me a lot of scrap-fabric, that inspired me to use the textures I'm using in the belt! In itself, the process is pretty boring, so no more pictures than this, I'm sure you can imagine the rest.

Noel Kreiss: Making sandals out of booties.

*All pictures have bigger versions for your enjoyment

This weekend, my bff came over, for a weekend of cosplay prepping, since I'm helping him with his first cosplay, I feel so honored to be able to help others with their cosplay.
Friday we made his patterns, and Saturday we drove out to get the fabric, and I myself got things for Noel /some pretty amazing fabric! we got our stuff ready and then we started working.

Since I wanted a break from embroidering, I decided I wanted to start on Noel's shoes, since I really like making shoes and boots, maybe because it's both crafting and sewing.
The base is an old pair of booties I've had lying around, and figured they'd be good. I know his design is flats, but with all the girls in my group wearings heels, I couldn't handle being the male AND the shorty.
I added a foam tip, to make the shoe a little wider and half-an-inch longer, comparing with my flat boots.

Then onwards to the covers, I've decided using two types of pleather, a very textured and another with a sleek look. Kaito's shoes only had two places with stitches, but since Final Fantasy's designs are so detailed, I figured I should get as close to the original as creatively possible.

God were we messy or what? ANYWAY before cutting into the original fabric for the leg-covers, I made a rough copy, wanted to see if my idea for the design would actually work. With a little touch-ups it did.

I left the the bottom free, to fit properly around my foot and the base.

And this is the result of an evenings work. All I need is to put in laces and the last piece around the ankle
I'm very satisfied with these, they've already turned out way better than I imagined /eventhough it looks like I have clowns feet on the second picture, wth? and they're really comfortable to wear and easy to walk in.
Hayes complimented me a lot on them, making me feel so humbled, I'm just happy I could actually make something this good.

Today, Sunday, I started stitching again, starting on another new color, it's moving forward! Oh yeah~
And Hayes got to finish his T-shirt for Maqui, his first, and damn, it's really well made, and I'm so proud!

Argentine and Noel's patterns

I got a little of my cosplay-motivation back, and I started up on Argentine again.
Cut out the pieces for his halter neck, but since it's plain black, I didn't feel the need to take any pictures of that. Other than that, I finished the top of his pants, there really wasn't a need for it, but I added an elastic waist, mostly so I'm sure that they won't suddenly fall off, since the fabric is a little heavy.

On the pictures you can see the white "Y"'s, which I was sooo close to ragequitting when making, but god does it look good on the pants, I can't even. Worth it!


Today and yesterday, my sweet and lovely partner, helped me getting some speed on Noel's embroiding, since I'm getting a little stressed about finishing in time, so many small details on this costume that needs to be made, since you really can't fake jewelry, dip-dye and embroidery too well.
So I chose my colors, agreed with the design and size, and then we got crackin'

The design is much nicer in real life, than I thought it would be, and seeing it, makes me really happy that I chose to do it this way, and not just put pieces of fabric together.
But as you can see, getting all this work done also means I'm running out of thread faster than I thought I would!  So have to order a new batch soon.

Working on the little things

Since I'm a master procrastinator, I need to have several projects to work on, or I'll never finish or get to anything. Right now I'm working mostly on Noel Kreiss and Argentine.

Argentine is actually close to being finished, but as I said, I procrastinate.
These few photo's I took are just to show how I added the 'pattern' to the outer jacket, and from that point on, I really haven't taken any pictures, because everything is pretty much straight forward, which is why I can say at this point, I'm sure I'll be very happy with the result!

I'm not Richie Rich this month, so I have to work with what I got, and since Noel have SO MANY /many many many many minor details, pendants and embroidery, I figured I'd at least get started on something I have the materials for.

Got out my foam, cut it into circles and added small pricks of hot glue around the edges, added some designs to the neck-pendant and then layered it twice, with an all-around glue that dries clear.

Afterwards I added two/three layers of silverpaint, until I liked the coverage. And this is the finished result.

The hardest part about making these was the patterns /also made with hot glue since the full character image and in-game shots leaves A LOT to the imagination, so I kept it as simple as I could, without making it boring.

So that's my progress for this time.