SteamPunk bedroom

My daughter left for college leaving me with a spare room. Time for a change. I walked around fabric stores looking for inspiration when I found this fabric. I felt like it was relatively steamy so steampunk guest room it shall be. 

To the Pinterest for more inspiration. How will I do curtains? Wall stuff? How do you decorate a dresser? The thinking and nightmaring was in full swing. I was driving through the neighborhood and saw this dresser on the side of the road it had been in the weather and was quite brittle. The drawers would fall apart in your hands. I figured the main part was well enough and I set out to rescue it. (it sat in my garage almost a year. 

I tore out the drawers, tacked down the top divider and found a lovely green paint to match my fabric. (not turquoise like it looks here, see, I'm trying other things too) 

I also had a hand me down end table in need of a freshening. This was also my first foray into Chalk Paint and Holy Jeebers did I love it!  

I found a recipe at the blog InMyOwnStyle.com  It is 

1 cup latex paint

2 tablespoons Calcium Carbonate 

1 Tbsp Water

mix well and love it. It goes on nicely.  The end table was black. I covered it in 2 coats. I am now addicted to this blend. also 

DONT SPEND THE MONEY ON A LIMITED COLOR OPTION THAT COSTS 3 TIMES

 AS MUCH.

Calcium Carbonate can be found at a health food store for around $10. I have used it on multiple projects, given some away and still have over half of a 12 oz bottle. 

I then sealed it with Johnson's Paste wax. Found in the Lowe's Cleaning aisle for about $12 compared to $30 if ordered through the same companies with limited color choice.   

Next, to Ikea for a scroll frame. They have a cool mirror that was more than I wanted to spend, but I knew this was what I wanted so I did it. Then immediately broke the mirror. (zoinks)  

I am loving the Rust-Oleum Metallic paints. Oil Rubbed Bronze and Flat Chestnut have been my "go-to's" I painted this in the bronze for a deep grey then, holding the can high, I added a light spray of the chestnut and an even lighter spray of Krylon Caramel Latte gold. I am enjoying the speckled finish. 

Since the mirror was gone I needed something to put in the frame. I would love to find a Steampunk print but I don't have the budget for it so I went into my stash and made a paper flower vine. The red votives were a thrift store find. 

Onto the curtains. I was trying to think of a steamy tieback and came up with this.  

I LOVE THEM!!!  I am so amazed they worked. I cut fabric pieces shaped like below. 

In fact this is the inside of the tieback just for a flash of color if you see them. 

I had an old white bird house that has been sitting in a closet. Bit of paint, a flexible metal detail, some succulents. (later replaced with fake ones) 

The Star got a new silver paint job, and the lamp came from Hobby Lobby. I liked it because It was more structural. 

I looked for final photos, I'm not finding any. It doesn't really matter as we moved soon after and the parts and pieces got spread between 2 households.  I really hoped to set up the curtains in my room but I would need to make more panels for a huge window. The fabric is loong gone from that store which is closing anyway. I also have the ugly valance of horrible vertical blinds blocking the way.  So the curtains and tie backs are boxed up for another house. 

Alice Cosplay

Like stated in the last post, we needed a kid friendly, recognizable character. Once Jenna got Alice in her mind she started sketching out what she would want it to be. 

Cute huh?  So the challenge is on. We found a great fabric in the clearance section. I bought far more than needed. Just to keep things out of order, we then found a really good pattern.

Time to start sewing. 

I knew she wanted the skirt to be Pouffy so we made a full tulle under layer. 

Time for accessories. Of course the wig and hat.

A purse for her phone with a few details. 

If you look close there is a Cheshire Cat ring being held in her purse clasp and a cute Alice pocket watch.  

And now, the completed look as worn to SL ComiCon FanX.

How cute is this girl??

Snow White Wrist Cuff

Lets finish off the Snow White extras today. 

One thing I have been seeing in Steampunk costuming is wrist cuffs. These can be layered or carved leather, metal, lace, fabric. Any shapable material.  I have wanted to try to make one and my limited ability is still best in fabric. This is my step by step. 

I cut out a fabric piece in this shape

Then made accordion folds

Then, realizing the back wasn't going to look too good,  I cut out a muslin backing, sewed it wrong sides together leaving an opening about midway on both sided to add ribbon ties later. Turned it right side out, reshaped the accordion folds and added some cool lace. Sewing the lace down to secure all the folds. 

I gathered items that I thought might work then eliminated most of them due to weight. The chains, charms and Seven Dwarves ended up on her belt chain. The scrolled frame is actually a dollhouse mirror. I covered the mirror with tape to repaint and glaze the detail then decided I liked a different shape more (it came in a 3 pack) I also used a tiny drill bit on my Dremel to drill a hole through the top and bottom of the mirror.  I sewed through that to attach it onto the cuff. 

This is what I decided on. Then sewed it all down with transparent thread. 

I don't have a clear shot of the cuff with her costume but took this to show how it ended up. Nothing too major. Just a fun extra detail. 

Still lots of photos loaded and awaiting attention. More should be coming soon. 

Have a wonderful sunday

Snow White update

After a fun, first ComiCon, Kori decided she wanted to be more involved and started trying to figure out how do more with costuming. She had this Snow White costume but wanted to personalize it with SteamPunk elements. We soaked the costume in a brown dye in an attempt to age it a bit, but its a  synthetic silky finish so that didn't do much. We looked for other elements that a first time maker could do. 

We added Goggles, a corset belt, A chain with various Snow White Icon charms, a longer "slip" for added length and her awesome skull Converse Allstars.  

She was a hit with lots of photos taken. (the ultimate cosplay compliment) 

But after a couple of cons we decided it was time for some updating. We added a new longer backed Petticoat/ Bustle, 

A new slip with a beautiful lace edging.

A new, cool Corset belt that sits a little different on her bustle. 

We found a cool necklace with the 7 Dwarves. It was a weird color, but I am becoming quite brave with a can of spray paint. 

We also made a pouch for her cell phone to loosen up her hands when kids attack her

This photo taken by a con photographer which is why it beats my usual cellphone shots. 

Before        and        After

It is an adapt of a pre-made costume. Homemade is wonderful but not always feasible or sometimes you find a perfect element to help you along the way to your costume. Cosplay can be anything and is just a chance to express your fandoms. I think Kori's love of Snow has grown as she has been stopped for photos, recognized as "You're Steampunk Snow White??" (she is getting a following) and while watching children eyes light up as they run to hug her. 

We have made quite a few different pieces now and we are discussing creating a whole new dress. I am not sure how or when this might happen. There are details we really love and things we would like to do better. So keep an eye out as Septembers ComiCon approaches. We may have a new Snow White to reveal

We have seen this dress used once since and thought it was cool to see the different eye used to create this Snow White found with a group of lovely Steampunk Princesses

Setting up future posts.

I haven't added to this blog in SO long. I think I was trying to get some projects finished then life exploded. So I will be working on a bunch of posts to get some of this off my mind (and iPhoto). But first setting up information and a couple of definitions that might be helpful.

My family has become ComiCon people. Mostly due to Jenna. She found Doctor Who and that lead her to other fandoms. After that we started looking where ComiCons were held to see if we could ever get her to one. Then the announcement came for a local Salt Lake ComiCon.  We bought our tickets quickly and started working on costumes for the kids since we knew dressing as favorite characters is a fun part of any Con. 

Cosplay:
       The art or practice of wearing costumes to portray characters from fiction, especially from manga, animation, and science fiction. (Superhero, Princesses or any character you love.)

We had a blast. It was amazing to see the creativity and talent of the Cosplayers. We were also impressed at the quality of guests, displays and artists especially considering it was the first event like this.  

All items below from Weta Workshop. The creators of Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings.

We have attended 2 ComicCons, 2 FanX events and 1 FantasyCon so far and are awaiting announcements for the next event. It has added so much to our lives. It gives us something to bond over as a family. It gives me a creative outlet as the kids challenge me with cosplay items to make and skills to develop. It gives inspiration as you see the amazing creations from talented builders, costumers and others who, like me, are just trying our hand at something new.  Friendships have been formed for the kids and through volunteering I have become surrounded by the most amazing people. This past year has brought great things to us that I can directly associate it to. I have loved watching this support grow around our family. 

I wanted to intro what is to come as I have uploaded MANY photos for future blog posts. Most associated with cosplay.

Another word for future use. 

Steampunk: 

Is a subgenre of scifi and fantasy literature, but has developed in recent years to become a craft and lifestyle movement that commonly features aspects of steam-powered machinery. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has maintained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.

Steampunk fashion has no set guidelines but tends to synthesize modern styles with influences from the Victorian era. This may include bustles, corsets, gowns, and petticoats; suits with waistcoats, coats, top hats, tailcoats and spats; or military-inspired garments. Steampunk-influenced outfits are usually accented with several technological and "period" accessories: timepieces, parasols, flying/driving goggles, and ray guns.

(Wiki)

SteamPunk Headband

In February the Fantasy Con group hosted a Cosplay Ball. I needed to pull something together. 

I like the steampunk look and style. It's great because it's about details. It gave me a few little projects to work on. 

I knew I wanted a flaired skirt that was fitted at the waist. I love the bi-level hem. It's fun to walk in this skirt. Especially down stairs. (I'm like a 5 year old with a spiny dress) 

There aren't a lot of ways to "dress up" short hair. I knew I wanted to add a cool head band. 

Pretty huh? It turned out much how I imagined. I found the The clock hands in Michals scrapbooking section. The flower charm in beads. Cut out the same colored center bead and put it all back together with the peacock blue bead for more color and shine. Then decided a little more bling couldn't hurt and added the Crystals . 

Time for some pops of color. A simple wrist cuff. I loved the fabric but when I started working with it, I decided the grayish back side was more steamy and interesting than the silver front. 

             

  I had the clock insides and doll house mirror kicking around. The little mirror had previously been painted and aged. I Added a few gears and a pin back to make a broach. 

That's it, my steampunk look. I have worn the skirt lots since then. I love it.