Steampunk Costumes

I told you I'd share steampunk costumes with you, so here they are! Please forgive the bad lighting...I blame the hotel. One of my friends has a much better camera, and I'm hoping he'll send me some better photos soon! ^_^

A cute steampunk fairy:

Some steampunk couples:

A western-style steampunk group (I ♥ these costumes so much!):

Amazing Alice in Wonderland steampunk group (the Mad Hatter had an AMAZING backpack, but I couldn't snag a photo >_< He could pour tea from his cane!!!!):

And my group + some other Austinites we met :)

I'll show you if I can get a better photo of my costume! Steampunk is really just so much fun...I love seeing what people come up with!

Long Weekend Crafting

I was oh-so-grateful for this long weekend! Friday I relaxed from the stresses of the week. Saturday I took a long walk around Town Lake, watched Eurovision (go Germany!) with some friends, and celebrated my brother-in-law's birthday. Sunday was spent with my hubby - a little shopping at the outlets - and with friends. We had good food, good laughs, and good entertainment (we saw Prince of Persia!). Then Monday was filled with chores, errands, and LOTS of crafting :D I made a steampunk skirt!!!!

Please forgive the chalk marks and hanging threads - those will be taken care of soon! I think this is actually the best garment I've ever made. I'm so proud of it ^_^ I'll take better photos this weekend so you can really see the true beauty (hehe). It's completely my own design. I love the broad waistband and triple buttons. I was worried about how it would bustle because it's a denim fabric - rather stiff. However, I think it'll work, and it'll stay however I position it :) The straps have snaps, so the lengths/bustles are adjustable, and removable. It looks pretty neat left down, too! I think I may be able to wear this skirt on any day, not just with my steampunk costume!

Okay, I'll stop raving about my skirt. I'm just really happy with it ^_^ Thanks for looking!

Goggles

I was a swimmer throughout middle and high school,  so I have a long history with goggles. And steampunk goggles are awesome. And who doesn't love vintage photos of early pilots? (images via we♥it)

But on to my main point.

I'm gonna learn how to weld. My parents got my hubby an oxy-acetylene (welding) torch for Christmas. He told me I could have the goggles, but as amazing as they look (joke), I'm really more excited about the welding part.

PS: My friend also got us each a pair of these awesome goggles:

It makes me want this beauty even more.

Steampunk Costumes!!!!

Oh, I absolutely loved dressing steampunk, and meeting tons of steampunk people at A-kon! We had over three dozen photos taken of us. Our group was even asked by Babbage Patch Kids to be in a publication. We'll see how that turns out, but either way I'm excited! This is my favorite costume I've made so far. And I already have ideas on what I'll do next for it...I'm thinking some sort of corset dress, and it will be beautiful. I just need to work for a little longer so I can buy nicer fabric this time...
Enjoy the photos!!



I sewed my collar, sleeves, bloomers, bustle (my first finished - with lace and ribbon - piece!), and arm piece (reversible with cufflinks! swoon). I also sewed Alex's cowl, which we both looove. I embroidered our little pirate flags on the way to the con in the car (haha). We each painted our own guns. Alex made our leather holsters and all the metalwork (paintbrush/dart gun, arm pieces, monocle) you see! He is truly amazing.

[Oh, and to explain: We're an airship pirate crew, the Rogue Alchemists. In the middle is Captain "Chopstick" James. I'm Frigg - First Mate, mechanic, and artist. Tane (Alex) is on the right; he's our sniper, musician, and secondary mechanic. (Web comic coming eventually!)]

French Market Bag - FINISHED!

The French market bag that I started a month ago is finally complete. YAY! I should have taken pictures before and after felting, but I really just wanted to see it done. I like it. The colors turned out really well. LOVE that grey! I haven't yet decided what to use it for, but that should happen soon.

I've also been working on a steampunk costume for A-kon next weekend. (Nerdy, I know, but nerds make the coolest friends!) I'm extremely excited about this costume. All the pieces so far have either been modified patterns or patterns I made up completely on my own. I'm very proud! It's also the first time I've done finishing - I attached both lace and ribbon to my bustle. It's gorgeous. I'll post pics soon! It's definitely my favorite costume so far!

UPDATE: For now I'm using it as a fabric scrap bag! Perfect :)

Huggles (unless I can think of a better name)

My real inspiration for knitting was Boo [seen on the right]. One of my friends was kind enough to buy him for me (in return for Chinese food the night before) at a convention a couple months back. He was so adorable I couldn't walk away from the artist's booth! When I eventually make my steam punk comic, he will be featured as my pet. He'll either be a weird creature from far away (I'll have to work in outer space and/or a fantasy theme) or a mechanical creature with a cozy skin. Anyway!

A couple weeks ago at a Stitch 'n' Bitch session with the lovely Becky, I learned how to knit with DPN. Success! I took a couple patterns and modified them to create the pictured fuzzy creatures. I'm in love. I've named the purple one Bog. I haven't named the yellow one, because I don't want to get too attached! I want to sell a few on my etsy shop, which really needs some work! That'll be on my plate this month: redo the etsy shop!

I also started a knitting class this week. One session last night and one next Wednesday. We're making a French market bag! Let me tell you, getting started knitting in the round on four needles (using five total) is craaazy! What a pain. But it will be a beautiful gray and purple bag, and I can't wait to see it all finished up :) I'll probably be working on that while I'm recovering from my oral surgery next Monday (not a big deal, but I'll be out for a couple days). Hopefully I'll be able to felt it in class next Wednesday!