Titan Hunter, To the Rescue!

My kids love the Attack on Titan anime series. Both of my daughters think of Mikasa Ackerman as the ultimate hero. So I was not surprised when my oldest girl wanted to create a cosplay of her. What did surprise me, was how involved my daughter chose to be in making it herself. And that is what made me the proudest!

She even purchased the foamboard pieces herself. Then measured out the parts she wanted glued together to make the ODM (omni-directional mobility) gear. Empty, clean Pringles chips cans made the gas canisters on top. Cut strips of faux leather made the straps that her belt could go through to hold the gear to her hips. She also cut the blades for the ODM and put slots into the box that the blades could slide in and out of with ease!

A little boy at the comic convention we went to, was absolutely thrilled to see her ODM gear!! It was an adorable moment. His dad just smiled and tried to pull him along so they could continue down the vendor aisle. 

She pulled out a pair of jeans and her boots - this was all done pretty short-notice, so she was working with what she had. Then she put on a plain white tank top. Now for those details up top. She took a thin belt and put it across her chest. Over that she had a jean jacket. To make sure it was noticeable that she was with the Training Corps, she had me print out the emblem they use so that she could draw her own!

This, we sewed to the back of her jacket so that she could later remove it. Since this is a jacket that she uses often and eventually she wanted to create a more authentic Mikasa cosplay, we wanted this to be temporary. 

She even cut and hemmed the skirt-like piece that went around her waist. Now, for that last crucial piece - the red scarf. If she had the time, I would have had her crochet it. But we were running short on time. So I had her cut an old shirt of mine instead. It wasn't finished, as in with a nice hem and even lines, but it still looked fantastic and even made her look as though she was battle-scarred a bit. 

I can't tell you how proud I was to have people recognize my daughter and congratulate her on her creation! Even one of the guys at the Cosplayers table praised her ingenuity. 

Her sister was equally dressed up as a Jurassic World Dino Caretaker! She wore her classic Jurassic Park tee-shirt, some leggings and booties, the badge I had made her for her birthday, and best of all - her two baby dinosaurs in a bag! She found others who shared her passion and was so happy to be able to take a picture with them. The lady on the left was wearing a Jurassic Park jacket.

And of course, I dressed up too! After all, I lead by example and never let a chance to become a character I love pass me by. Meet the time traveling pirate. I even had fake gems I had planned to hand out (but I spaced and totally forgot to!).

If we are able to, I'd love to go back in March. My husband, however, really wants to go to a bigger one. While this one was pretty neat, it was also a small-town con. Most of the vendors were 'cookie cutter' sellers. Basically, everyone had pretty the same things to sell as other vendors there. Very few were original. We shall see what the new year holds! In the meantime, I promise that I will keep you updated with new creations.

Let's get Steampunked!

I’ve mentioned so many times that I love cosplay. I love dressing up. Being a hardcore nerd is the best way for me! I go to comic conventions, comic store events, even some movies are made to dress up for if you go to opening night! I know I wanted to dress up more for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

And with me, I don’t do store bought costumes unless I modify them. I think the best costumes are the ones you make yourself. The ones you add personalization and characteristics that are specific to you! Make it your own design by adding your own flair and style. Whether you change the characters hair color or add jewelry, there is always something that you can tweak to make it original. I mean, let’s face it, no one likes going to a con when everyone around is in cookie cutter versions of the characters.  

Now if I can start from scratch and build up from just a couple items of regular clothing, I’m definitely going that option. One of the first things I ever had made was a long, hooded cape. I bought the materials and had them shipped to a seamstress I met in eBay who sold me a piece she replicated from the Star Wars movie of that time. To this day, it is one of my all-time favorites. I could build so many costumes around just that one piece.  But enough about that…

Lately, my passion has geared towards steampunk (pun intended). Where the future meets the past, where creativity and functionality clash in a gloriously beautiful mix. Gears, skeleton keys, bronze-stained colors, and your ideas of where the future could take us combine to make some really amazing mixtures. I got a steampunk costume for a review. It is cute. But it is lacking. So I have decided to expand its amazing horizons by creating weapons that would match its genre.

I picked up some Nerf-like weapons and some Rustoleum paints with my boyfriend, who is working on turning his Nerf ax into a zombie-hunting accessory to his Umbrella Corps cosplay.

I also have a couple guns I’m doing for the Lara Croft look I’ve been planning for ages!

And I gotta say, I’m super excited about them so far. Especially after running into a friend of mine who’s dad has a bunch of skeleton keys he might part with…  

My boyfriend and I spent one night starting the modifications.

We aren't done yet, but I'm liking where they are so far.

Wizard World comic con!

I'm so glad I was able to win free tickets to attend the Wizard World comic con in San Antonio this past Saturday. I've actually never been to one like it. A gamers con, sure. Not a huge celebration to comics and all things that fans would enjoy like this.

I even did some cosplay with a friend who went with me. I must say, we both looked pretty awesome and got our pictures taken with so many other cosplayers. 

They had events, but we weren't really interested in them. We wandered the floor checking out booths that sold just about everything. Steam punk accessories, real animal hide products, hand painted/drawn items, prints from artists, toys from all the favorite anime/comics, and more than I can put down here.

This guy could be heard throughout the day yelling, "Hey, you guys!"

I think we walked for about 3 hours. So many people were in costume. It made me feel like a kid in the candy shop. I have ideas for other costumes I would want to try. 

Groot was a super tall cosplayer! 

This mini Vader was greeting those coming and going. 

There were even families dressing up together. 

Glenda and Mario made for a cute couple. 

These two were absolutely adorable, even if they tried to smack me with the light sabers.... 

A blonde Captain America. Cosplay doesn't mean you have to follow to a T. It's all about having fun! 

Loved this Doctor Who! 

He was a really friendly Spider-Man. 

These two were awesome Frozen sisters! 

Captain Jack Sparrow was being accompanied by the Joker! 

Blade was going for authentic and hit the head on the nail. Shaved hair with designs, teeth, the works! 

This little guy was not only cute but scary. He does cosplay for other horror movies as well. 

Dead pool

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Wonder Woman! 

Who you gonna call?! I wonder if they drove the Ecto One we saw parked outside... 

Harley Quinn

So much fun! I can't wait to go to the next one.