New Project Line Up, What I Am Reading, & Sum Up of Wondercon All-In-One Special Issue!!!!

 Whew! I have been a busy, busy girl the last few weeks. I want to start off with my experience at Wondercon:
AMAZING! The trip started off really shaky. I left early Friday morning, giving myself plenty of time to navigate what should only be an hour forty-five minute trip (which ended up being almost two and a half hours, thank you traffic...) I barely got to the con in time to start my shift at SuperHeroStuff's booth, say hi to my friends who work there and get my new staff shirt (yippeeeee!) and run into those tiny restroom stalls to change into it. At the random plopping noise I turn around and see my brand new Deadpool fascinator floating in the toilet :( In. The. Toilet. I thought it was going to be a bad day, but it turns out all got turned around once I got into volunteering mode and made new friends.We were sent on an exhibitor run to hand out their coupons and met a ton of very cool people. Very cool meaning, holy crap look at all of this wonderfulness everywhere around me. These are great feels. Around four I changed into Spoiler, and instantly made several notes on how to fix the costume so it looks better for the next time. My thigh belt got lost somewhere between the car and the hotel room, which was foreshadowing for the next day, when as Viper, my thigh holster snapped off.
Hands down, cosplay is THE coolest experience. Kids are happy, people who know your lesser known character are happy, other cosplayers have a great time posing with you, everyone gets into this gigantic happiness energy ball....FANTASTIC. Now if only I could convince most of my friends to pick characters and do it with me!
Next...cool junk I got while at the con....coolest thing? Memories. Second coolest thing? Darkwing Duck The Duck Knight Returns graphic novel signed, drawn in and signed again by its artist and creators. A ton of t-shirts and other things from our booth which all of you can find here: SuperHeroStuff if you weren't lucky enough to be there in person, and Deadpool/Spider-Man comics I needed.
I highly recommend finding and going to all cons in your area and cosplaying if possible. Even if you can't afford to go inside, there are usually tons of events (photo shoots and photo ops) outside the main event.

Now onto what I am reading currently: Darkwing Duck (duh), Gotham by Gaslight and Deadpool Team-Ups, followed by Avengers Classic. It should be against the law to love Deadpool so much, really.

I have a ton of projects I need to be working on for here, and I added a few because of the Wondercon thigh holsters breaking/being lost fiascoes.

40's set light will be cleaned up and turned into a Bat Signal decor pice

Tricky part is the bat symbol, still working on it.

I've been working on this X-Men piece forever and the only panels that are done are the Beast panel and the Sabre tooth panel.

A myriad of symbolic tattoos like this skull compass, a steampunk scale, a seahorse and a wolf/bat one.

A lighted wall art piece of my fav Marvel comic art.

Green Arrow (New 52) cosplay

 Also on my list: Flat shoes, belts and head bands, as well as my  custom TTop covers. Stay tuned...

WonderCon 2013 Cosplay Adventures

Hey everyone! Wow, was Wondercon super excellent or what? I can't even begin to describe everything I saw, every awesome person I met, it was a whirlwind. So for now I'm just going to post these pictures some are from the SuperHeroStuff booth, some are from my phone, I was so busy I forgot to snap pictures most of the time. Also...I know Spoiler has a thigh holster, mine apparently fell out of my suitcase on the way :'(

Made super awesome friends

Wonderful Power Girl

Had fun while working!

Surprised by my bestie!

Viper eyes

This girl's Wasp costume was SO amazing! She was super awesome! I hope she finds me via here or facebook!!!!

These two are just....AWESOME... Power Girl and Hal Jordan/Clark Kent(glasses)

So....I am very tired, but I will write up a post about everything Wondercon when I get the chance!

Excited for WonderCon 2013

Is anyone else excited that there is less thank two weeks until we are all in our loverly comic environment extraordinaire? In case you can't tell by my Facebook page or the last few posts I am definitely excited. I get to see old friends, make new friends, see some awesome art work, potentially find out about TAH's new graphic novel (series maybe???) and of course dress up. I only hope the sewing machine gets fixed before next Thursday so I can finish the Spoiler gloves in time.
WonderCon finally put up their full schedule, which is extremely important if you're like me and like to plan the beejeezus out of your days, as well as their exhibitor list/map which can be found here: WC Exhibitor Map I was having a bit of trouble viewing it on their reader so I just downloaded the pdf file and had no problems.
Superhero Stuff will be over on the left in booth 1225 across from the autographs, right under Nintendo, and will be where I am for most of the days, but I totally plan on venturing out for comic mayhem after my shifts!
I have finished Spoiler except the gloves, and Viper is finished (except the make up and hair!)
I will be taking full Spoiler costume pics this weekend to post here and also Viper costume pics (without the scar makeup). Somehow I will also fit in going to the races. This week pits brother against sister in an epic VRA Sport Compact showdown, and I just can't miss it! Go Team Mira # 09! Hopefully this time your battery won't die after someone hits you :(

I have been working on some new hair baubles which will be making their debut on my head @ Wondercon on Friday 29th, and mapping out a plan for the R2D2 flats as promised. Also on the agenda figuring out the right way to convert the ooooold set light into a bat signal. My brain's a buzzin'.

I'd love to see you all at WC so head on over to my FB page and let me know where you'll be :) Nerd Rendezvous
And remember: The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay... The Shadow knows!

Cosplay at WonderCon 2013 Update

I have been super frantic this weekend trying to finish as many projects as I possibly can for WonderCon...I figured I'd post a little tid bit to keep you guys in the loop!
By now you've heard me go on and on a thousand times about my characters for WonderCon this year, Viper (Madame Hydra) & Spoiler. I haven't posted much on the costumes and figured I'd start. Time to get hyped for all the wonderful cosplayers at the convention this year!!!!
On Saturday March 30th I am planning on being Viper and heading on over to a photo op with the people at  Quest Web Series and also San Diego Cosplay. You can see Batgirl, Gambit, and Nightwing, as well as little ol' me. Sunday I will be doing Spoiler. You can assuredly find me over at Superhero Stuff all three days, Friday I will not be in a character costume, but you can come take a picture with me in your awesome costumes! I'd love to feature the costumes on the blog!
Now let's get to the goodies:
Reminder these are all works in progress at various stages from the last few weeks...

Spoiler's cape and body suit.

For Spoiler's mask I decided to go balls to the walls and cut my morphmask and sew on white circles. If you use black thread, you could actually leave it at that stage.

I added white fabric paint to shape the eyes.

Working on Viper & Spoiler's thigh holsters all at one time!

Viper Base

Spoiler Belt...yes I am making a face! See, I have expressions!

If you will be at Wondercon message my facebook or here, if not, I will be adding plenty of photos to the facebook: Nerd Rendezvous for now...I have a lot of projects to finish! Taaa!

Cosplay 3: Viper's Scars

3rd and final tutorial on Viper's makeup! We don't know how Viper got them, other than the fact that she blames people like Captain America for them, but Viper's scars cover the right half of her face and are the reason why she wears her hair the way she does. Until after the Wolverine divorce of course! but that's for another discussion completely!)
I knew that were I to do Madame Hydra I couldn't just gloss over the scars. The scars are a main part of Viper's character, and helped mold her into the kick-ass villain she is today.  I looked up Halloween stores, and special effect make up, and tutorials on the subject. I think the subtle skin-toned scars are most like Viper's which you don't need to buy anything for if you already have concealer, powder, and eye lash glue (I use DUO, but this tutorial would be easier if you had one that applies with a brush.) Isn't this mad-scientist make up stuff crazy? If you have a day to just watch special effect make up with just drug store product videos....do it. Mind = blown.
After trials of this tutorial, I strongly recommend shaving any peach fuzz you may have off, because this may feel like waxing the secret hairs off the back of your neck...ouch. This type of makeup can be done on all skin, however, I strongly caution against any joints which will stretch and wear on the glue and make up.
How -to:
Map out the pattern you want ahead of time, then apply even rectangles of the glue where you want your scars. Wait for the glue to become tacky, then carefully and slowly roll one side of the rectangle towards the other side (think rolling a snake out of play-doh.) Leave a little room on the side you are rolling towards so that side stays smooth, then apply a little more of the glue on the rolled "raw" side to either build it up (thick line) or smooth it down to your skin (thin line.) Once that is dry, pat your concealer on, followed by your powder. Now leave it alone! NO picking!

For purposes of time and surprise for WonderCon, I will only be doing one for practice. Here are the step by step pics:

Start with your face clean or with a bb cream like I have on.

It's easier to apply eyelash glue with a brush or q-tip

After the glue becomes tacky start rolling it, slowly and evenly is key. Start to shape it if you want it jagged.

I wanted a jagged thick line for one of the many scars on Viper's face so I squeezed on a thick line of glue and waited forever for it to dry.

After a touch of concealer and powder it looks pretty good.

 My version of Viper will be at WonderCon Saturday March 30th! See you there!
For updates check out the Facebook Page: Nerd Rendezvous

Steampunk Wedding DIY

Hey steam heads! I'm taking a momentary break from all of the comic related crafts in my life to bring you a curious wedding indeed. I think instead of making a tutorial for each little thing on here I will present you all with the pictures, and if there is an interest for any particular project I will totally tell you how they were made.
Let's start with the when/where/why/who and maybe at a later date how...
When: The year was 2011
Who/Where/Why: Two friends who were graciously given the right to be in love/get married even though they lived in different countries, it was a nerd smack down between Canada and the USA! They met online, oh yes...the glory of online gaming bringing people together. I wanted to bring whatever amount of help I could to the wedding process (being a florist and whatnot) but I knew they were not boring wedding people. I knew this had to be nerdtastic and fun like the couple....I can recall the first thing out of my friends mouth when it came to their interests, "steampunk." Bless you. No...it's a thing. A really awesome and amazing blend of sci-fi/Victorian/magnificence. I fell in love with it immediately. I had already loved Tesla's work, the Victorian age, and reading sci-fi, this was simply the next step. I wish I could've had a ridiculous budget for their wedding, because there could have been so many more projects and wonders for them. Since this was my wedding gift to the both of them it definitely had to stay in my budget. These projects will last forever, (like their love for each other D'awww) are not as expensive as hiring a florist, and a wonderful way to stay classy while incorporating a nerd theme into your wedding!

 The first thing I knew I wanted to do was a robot cake topper, my fingers where itchy, my mind was buzzing, It was 6 months before the wedding (haha.) And I knew I wanted tails, tentacle skirts, and monocles!

Such splendid derrieres!

 And though it would be almost a full six months before I figured out how to make a wedding cake, I knew it had to be similarly themed, behold cake layer 1:

There is a metallic food spray you can use to make this look like metal!

 I have already shown you how to make the paper/coffee filter roses of which I am so fond, in case you missed it, find it here: Steampunk Rose I used those, as well as spray painted versions of those, to be the focus/main flowers of the arrangements and bouquet.

There are hints of cogs, springs, compasses, clocks, coils, and other baubles hidden throughout the bouquet, as well as a wire wrapped handle to look hard-core machinist, this also makes the handle uber-comfortable.

The mothers of the bride and groom wore corsages of the corset variety, what's that you say? well:

The roses can be set into a wire coil and glued into place to make the stems more steamy, like to one in the pic above.

The boutonnieres were a little more tricky. No flowers, just metal, clocks, compasses, chains, and lots of super glue.

Ok Thistle. I wanted to incorporate it thanks to my own heritage, besides the groom's should be extra special.

The glue wasn't dry yet!

Well I seem to be lacking photos of the day itself, but I can assure you it was the best wedding I had been to, especially when they showed everyone the actual server they met on. That is love. Maybe one day I will be lucky like them. If I find more pictures I will certainly post them! Ciao!

OH WAITAMINUTE! I almost forgot...I am definitely going to do Viper AND Spoiler at WonderCon Saturday and Sunday see me at the SuperHeroStuff booth (I will post the location when they put it up!) So..I hope to see you there 29-31st Anaheim Convention Center! WonderCon!!!!!!!!!! CIAO!!!!!!!!!!

Cosplaying at WonderCon

It dawned on me last night that I could be different characters each day at WonderCon. That was quickly followed by, "Well if I'm going to do this, I'm going to have to get in gear." Ivy? Been there. Harley? Done that. How would I be able to disguise my black/green hair, or what character already has it?  I definitely liked the idea of a hood or mask, also purple is my all time favorite color, and I'd like to be a character with that for a change. SPOLIER! I hope you've heard of her, but just in case you haven't here she is: Spoiler I haven't followed Robin (Tim Drake) or Batman at all for that matter in a really long time, and it took a lot of comics /time to catch up. Thanks to those shoes, and Miss S introducing me to Batgirl #3, aka Spoiler, aka Stephanie Brown, I now have a purple cloaked figure with attitude to hopefully cosplay as. The most difficult part will be getting a costume done with in 6 weeks. So come see me as Viper or Spoiler over at the SuperHeroStuff and try to win a free shirt in their daily drawings.
On that note, I gotta run back to crafting and such to get a decent post for you guys soon, be sure to check out the weekly superhero/villain eye makeup once a week on the facebook page: Nerd Rendezvous Last week's eye was my take on DC's Cheetah!