Ember Costumes and Crafts

Despite a rough week, I managed to make Gandalf and Bilbo costumes for Gunnar and Jack! G is a huge LOTR fan and is currently reading through all of the histories, so when I offered to make him a Gandalf costume, he was ecstatic.  For Bilbo, since the outfit was so small, I used scraps from previous costumes to make an undershirt, vest, and cape. I drafted my own patterns based on some of Jack's T2 sized church clothes. The ears are earmuff-style stuffed ears made from felt and attached to a headband and the feet are costume hair just stuck onto Jack's feet with spirit gum. (He thought that they were bugs at first and was wigged out, but we managed to convince him that they were "like fuzzy socks.") For Gandalf I dyed my stash of estate-sale $1 sheets gray and then threw together a robe (gathered at the front and back for volume) and mantle, then used the scraps to cover a cheapo black witch hat in a patchworky style. A costume...

My dear cat Ember, for whom this website is named, passed away last week from Kidney Failure at 13 and a half years old. Ember and lived together for half my life. She was a sassy, sweet, and very smart cat and I already miss her very very much. She had been sick for a while, but there is never an easy way to say goodbye. Rest in Peace girl. See you on the other side someday.

John here, I've been on a kick getting ready for our Borderlands 2 group coming up this Akon. So here's the load out of gun's I've painted so far: Bandit - Shotgun. Made from a Retaliator with a custom pumping mechanism. Jakobs - Sniper Rifle. Started with an Alpha Trooper, with a Longshot scope, Retaliator stock, and Spectre silencer. Maliwan Revolver. From a Strongarm Jakobs Revolver, from a Strongarm. Torgue Revolver, again Strongarm. Tediore Pistol, made out of a Retaliator. Veruc - Assault Rifle. (Dahl manufacturer). Alpha trooper body, Recon stock, Retaliator foregrip epoxied on. Dahl SMG. Made out of Rayven. Definitely the most time consuming to paint. I'm still updating the NERF painting tutorial as I learn more, expect progress pictures now that I've refined the process a bit.

 Check out that awesome hand-tooled breatsplate! Also, I bought a Robin Hood hat because I've been wanting one for years!

This costume took me 14 hours to make! I used cotton flannel in purple and mottled green, and drafted my own pattern based on 12 month sized pajamas. (It was actually too small around the thighs at first so I had to add a crotch panel.) The tail and head crest are stuffed with polyfill. It closes with a zipper which runs up the right side seam and curves to the collar. The hood is attached. Whew! Jack was such a good sport and wore it ALL DAY at the convention with no problems. I'm glad that I decided on flannel because it wasn't too hot like fleece would have been but it wasn't too thin and flimsy like a cotton print might have been. I've already washed it three times and it's holding up great! I will try to upload a pattern or basic sketch of how I made it in the future. Let me know if you want it!

Here's the best group shot of everyone!! Left to right is Gunnar as a Diamond Dog, Jack as Spike, Angela as Rarity, Nicole as Rainbow Dash, Tiffany as Pinkie Pie, and Zach as Discord WE ROCK!!!! Details on individual costumes to come!

Wohoo! Last weekend the Fire Ferrets ran the Tough Mudder, completing 21 of 22 obstacles on the 12 mile course. (They all fell off of the Funky Monkey.) This pic was taken by Tiffany after the first obstacle, right before the Arctic Enema. Congrats to Tom, John, Riley, Zack, and Gunnar on their first Tough Mudder! Hopefully a few of those bruises will fade before Dallas Comic-con next weekend!