NekoFallenOne

Hello all!

So, two weeks ago there was Ottawa Pop Expo, and of course I went there, in full costume, to enjoy the event. I was first surprised at how little attendees there were. Normally it is difficult to find a good parking spot for cons, but this time there was tons of choices, so that was a plus. Got there at a decent time, and started to get into my Silencer costume, as my friends and I were going to enter the Masquerade on the Saturday, when I realized something. I had left my Helmet and Shield back at home. Man was I pissed. Luckily my house was only a 30 min drive away, so it was easy enough for me to nip back home, grab the two pieces, check to see if I had missed anything else (fortunately not), and get back to the con. Had a great time browsing the stalls and seeing a good deal of great costumes before it was time to head to the Green Room for the Masq. We were down a member due to an illness, so it was just myself (Silencer), Logan (Brewmaster), Matt (Sven) and Angele (Wind Ranger). Though we did have a fifth member of our team, the Donkey! People were surprised, and happy, to see it completed, and were shocked to find out that it was not just a prop, but we could use it to store our supplies and other things (like a proper carrier from the game). We did our walk-on performance, not expecting much due to missing member and a few minor costume issues, but had fun.

The next day, I attended the Masquerade awards ceremony, dressed in a Steampunk Heavy Gunner outfit, and congratulated those who were winning awards. Surprising, our group got two Honorable Mentions. One for Best Props and Accessories, and another for Best Walk-On in our Division. Got some fun masquerade ribbon-masks as awards. I was a bit worried when receiving the awards, as our group had to compete at Artisan level, since one of our members went up a rank at Dragon Con, thinking that we all were boosted to that level from winning an award. Luckily they did say that the Honorable Mentions did not go towards rankings, so I am still at Journeyman level with a single win. Other than that, the rest of the con went by well, did some purchasing and had fun.

Now I am thinking of what lies next. The costumes and conventions I want to attend to next year. I know that I will be attending G-Anime and Ottawa ComicCon, and thinking of perhaps hitting up Otakuthon out in Montreal once more, as it has been a number of years since I last went. As for costumes, there are a number that I have been wanting to make, and have to figure out what I have time/energy to create. But I have already begun on my next major costume, one that will push my limits, creativity and talents to a whole new level. With this one, I shall be learning a number of new skills in order to pull it off.

Though I was thinking of keeping it as a surprise, but thought that I would let my Watchers know just what I am getting myself into (literally), and perhaps get some tips on aspects of the costume. I will be cosplaying as Valus from Shadow of the Colossus! Planning to debut it at Ottawa ComicCon in the Masquerade. Currently I am working on making some Digitigrade Stilts to achieve some more height, as well as to get the proper look for his hooved feet. Will also have to make a partial fursuit (with the other half being made of pleather), lots of Worbla, and even going to incorporate some lighting into the head. So, what do you all think?

Hi everyone. Or those who actually read these things.

Net weekend is the Ottawa Pop Expo, and I am planning on attending for both days. I shall be wearing my Silencer costume for the Saturday, entering the Masquerade with it and my friends again. Then on Sunday I plan on wearing a random Steampunk outfit with the awesome new boots I found! I admit, they are women's boots, but they fit nicely and look the part, and were on sale!

Currently I am in the middle of making a costume for my girlfriend for the convention, being a bit stressed out with the issues she wants with it, and not trusting my competency when it comes to costume making. Add onto that the fact that I have less than a week to make the entire costume is a bit crazy. Though I have managed to make about 70% of it today, so things are going well. The costume is Fire Flower Princess Peach from the new Mario 3D Worlds for the WiiU.

Been going crazy with getting new Lego sets, now that I can afford to splurge some funds on fun things like that. Have most of the Lego Movie stuff, as well as some of the new Lord of the Rings sets. I have also made my figurine collection grow slowly, waiting on some figures from AmiAmi.com to arrive, as well as put up a new shelf for them.

Other than that, things have been both normal and crazy at home. My mind is still going crazy when it comes to relationship stuff, but I am trying to work through it. Though, I still am a huge flirt and want to be with other partners while still remaining with my current girlfriend. Still, some things make me question my decisions, but I have to try and work through it all.

So, it is after the fun and chaos of Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia, and I am sitting here battling Con Plague. Luckily this is the only bad thing to come of the con itself (Other than not having any money again, lol). The trip down went well, and other than the masses of people attending the event, everything went fairly smoothly. My friends and I were able to march in the giant parade held each year (The five of us being the only DoTA 2 cosplayers in the parade), and managed not to die of heatstroke. I did find the event to be very busy, with hardly any chances of getting into a panel unless you line up outside the door an hour and a half or more before it starts, and the Dealer's Rooms felt lacking more unique items. Nor was I able to find a traditional Artist's Alley with hand-crafted items like the cons up here have. Oh well, each con has to be unique in their own way I guess.

Though the biggest part of the con for us was attending the Sunday night Masquerade. This was a fun time for all of us, able to showcase all our hard work and skills in making the costumes we wore (I having helped out with aspects on each costume for our group, from a quick sewing of a buckle to completely making the pauldrons for Crystal Maiden, and painting of Wind Ranger's bow), and showing them off to the thousands of people in the audience and watching it on TV. We were shocked at the size of the stage for the Masq, as it was the tiniest one we had ever seen or had to perform on (approx 20"x20"), but we were able to do our best in such a cramped space. There were tons of amazing costumes to be had at the event, and from the looks of some, and watching their performances, we did not feel like we would win, though we did not enter with any expectations. But when the event was over, and after watching some filler on the TV as the judges deliberated, we were shocked to hear our names called out by the host, Grant Imahara from Mythbusters, as winners of "Best Video Game". Shocked and elated, we marched on the stage and received our award. This made our entire con, and all the work put into the outfits, worth it all.

So, now, post-con and recuperating from it all, I am trying to think of what type of costume I should work on next for myself. I have a long list of ones I wish to do, but other things always had got in my way. Plus, with my skills now increased and including the ability to shape and use Worbla and casting of resin, I can now really make my future costumes shine and be amazing.

Here are a few of the top costumes I have been wanting to do:
Yuri Lowell - Tales of Vesperia
Kirito - Sword Art Online
Wizard - Battle Doll Angelic Layer
Wizardmon - Digimon
Minotaur Colossus - Shadow of the Colossus
Link - A Link To The Past/Skyward Sword
Chopin - Eternal Sonata

I know, it's been a while since my last Journal entry (and I have no idea how many, if any, of you actually read them or care as to what I have to say..). and I thought I would let you all know about the trip I am going to be doing.

Next weekend is Dragon Con, down in Atlanta, Georgia. A group of my friends and I are making the trip down this year. It will be the first time any of us have attended this con, and the first one I have ever attended outside of Canada. As you may have seen through my Gallery, I have been working hard on a new costume for it, Silencer from DoTA 2. This costume has been pushing the limits as to what I have been able to do while building a costume, as well as teaching me many new skills.

Currently I am experimenting with casting resin gems for two of the costumes for our group (My own Silencer and our Crystal Maiden), and things are quite interesting. Still need to find a good way to get them to shine nicely, as well as adhere them to fabric. Been also learning to use Worbla and Wonderflex, and have found my new favorite material for making armor and accessories!

At the con, we will be participating in the Cosplay Parade, as well as one or two of the Masquerade contests, among just enjoying the con itself. Going to be a long drive from up here in Ottawa down to Georgia, but it should be fun with all five of us in a minivan! Will be gone from this coming Tusday to the following Wednesday. An experience to be sure, but hopefully a good one!