Halloween Swap - Day Three

When I was going through my stash picking out all the "creepy" fabric to get some inspiration for Vany's package I realised I had a lot of smaller pieces of fabric that was lying around from past projects. I decided that all this fabric needed to be put to good use, in some kind of patchwork project.

I had a look through my craft and sewing books and decided to make a "friendship scarf" from Sew La Tea Do.

I started by cutting out the squares for the scarf and yes, there is still MORE fabric left over from my Meg Dress as well as some scraps from my kawaii high tea outfit.

I backed the scarf with more fabric that was used in my kawaii high tea outfit. Once I sewed it all up the scarf was complete! I'm not sure it will be that useful in the German winter, but I hope Vany can use it in Autumn.

Also for an item of clothing, even a scarf, its good to include an action shot. Kuromi volunteered for the job.

I also added a couple of extras here - in the form of some sugar skulls! First up is a little hand warmer. I used to love these things in the Korean winter, it doesn't really get cold enough here in Wellington to use them, but I am sure Vany will appreciate it in the German winter.

Seen as I was already including one sugar skull extra, I figured I may include another when I found this fun tin with lollies in it, I wanted one of these for myself too - but I managed to resist.

Upcycled Sugar Skull Cushion

Last year I took part in the 12 Days of Christmas Swop and on day twelve I relieved this rad sugar skull long sleeve t-shirt.

Unfortunately it was way too big for me and also way to big for Rich - but I loved the design so much, I didn't want to give it away! However, I also didn't want to leave it sitting in our drawer doing nothing. It seemed like a waste. I loved the design so much.

I figured I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine so I can do SOMETHING with the shirt to make it more useful. I have been wanting to make some cushions for the couch, so that's what I decided to do.Initially I thought I would make a square shaped cushion. But then I decided skull shaped is so much better!

This is a really simple project - all you need to do is find an old t-shirt, cut out the shape of the pillow you want, sew it up leaving a small space to put in the stuffing (in my case an old pillow that had gone "flat") and when you've finished stuffing it whip stitch up the end and you're done. This guy came out much better than I expected - I'm super happy with the result.

The Meg Dress!

As I've mentioned before, when I was in the USA staying with Alicia and Bear in Pennsylvania, Alicia took me to Jo-Anns and I bought a whole lot of fabric. This is the second dress I've made from the fabric I bought and its a really fun sugar skull print.

I would have loved to have said I wore this dress on Dia de Los Muertos - but I actually made it the day after and wore it to work today. Better late than never right? Also I'm totally including this as dress number three of my four Halloween dresses.

I've decided this dress shall be known as the "Meg Dress" - sure it could be my "Sugar Skull Dress" but the reason I got off my butt and actually made something with it was because of this dress my friend Meg in Philly made. We are fabric twins!

Also I could imagine Meg making a dress from this pattern - its the "Back-to-school shift dress" from Simple and Chic sewing by Christine Haynes. I have made this dress so many times before - see here, here, here, here and also used it as a pattern for this costume. I wanted to make a simple dress from this fabric and I also wanted to use a tried and true pattern as I didn't want to mess up my precious sugar skull fabric!

These inside photos aren't the best - especially taken in the hallway of our apartment building. You can see the weird painting outside our apartment, its kind of grey and dull. I wish the body corp would put something more fun and bright up!

I hope you all have a great week - I've decided to take annual leave this Friday, so I only have three days of the week left. Hurrah!

Armaggedon 2013 - Sugar Skull Ladies!

Last weekend was Armageddon - no not the end of the world. The Armageddon Expo is a yearly event of "pop culture" - whatever that means. Basically its the closest thing we have in New Zealand to Comic Con.

So I'm not hugely into Anime or Comics - but I am into dressing up in costume and usually there are tonnes of fun costumes and a general good vibe at Armageddon.

Before I went to the USA Ria and I agreed to dress as Rarity and Rainbow Dash. But I kind of forgot how soon after my return for the USA Armageddon was and I also didn't account for being sick so I just ran out of time to make my costume.

Ria was able to wear her Rarity costume when she went to Armageddon on Saturday with her boyfriend and we agreed to just wear "really cute outfits" when we went together on Monday (which was a public holiday). 

But over the weekend I bought this dress from Cosmic and I had a sudden bolt of inspiration - why don't we go as sugar skull ladies! So that's what we did - not bad for a last minute costume idea.

Ria did her own make-up as she is super good at that kind of thing - Rich did my make up as he's a total rockstar when it comes to this kind of thing.

I'm pretty sure I was the "scary" sugar skull lady - what do you think? 

Here's a few photos of some of the folks we met at Armageddon:

Princess Bubblegum - SERIOUSLY how cute is this girl!

Sarah from Labyrith (how incredible is her costume!)

I also met a lady Tardis - I loved this girls costume, so simple but effective. She told me she picked up the dress for only $3 and then turned it into a tardis. Also the wee hat she is wearing lit up!

Ria met up with one of her friends from costuming school - I don't know what character she was (I think its something from a game) but I DO know it was amazing!

Finally I met a lady Jigsaw and her costume was incredible - we took this super creepy photo together because I love being creepy!

So that was my Armageddon 2013 - I have to admit I was tired and run down and recovering from illness and travel but I am totally glad I went and I think our costumes were pretty awesome. Also I love being creepy xoxox