No Strings Attached

Posted By Kathleen David on April 8, 2014

The first one I wore at a convention was Blake from Blake 7.

From that I did this and that over the years. Until I met up with my buddies Jeff and Angelo and we decided to do Vincent from Beauty and the Beast (the 1980s version). There is photographic evidence of this project somewhere on one of my backup drives.

About the same time I started doing costumes for theater. Since I was doing costuming professionally, I didn’t do any at conventions.

Until I started dating Peter and found myself making costumes for Ariel and then for Peter and then for Caroline and eventually me.

Behind the cut in pretty much chronological order are photos of previous costumes I have done.

I am grateful for all I have learned over the years making all these costumes.

(more…)

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Posted By Kathleen David on April 2, 2014

Some of this is going to sound a little vague and that’s because we aren’t all current on certain currently airing shows and some of us avoid spoilers like the plague unless they show up on page 6 of their TV Guide and are right in our face. Others hunt for spoilers like they are little nuggets of gold information that they hoard like any good Dragon.

Dear Fandom,

I have been a part of you before I knew there was such a thing as fandom and that is a pretty long time. I have seen how the Internet has made it easier and harder for fans of something. For one thing, it is easier to find fellow fans and now you can find them all over the world.

And I think because of that, many things that might have been considered fringe or nerd has become mainstream. Take Doctor Who for example, back when I started watching it (mid 70s) fandom in America was small pockets of people that ran into each other at conventions or at meetings of various science fiction clubs. Now Doctor Who is, for all intent and purposes, mainstream. There are displays prominently in Barnes and Noble and Toys R’ Us. You say TARDIS and people know what you are talking about.

The last couple of issues of Entertainment weekly the covers have been devoted to Science Fiction and Fantasy based entertainment. When San Diego Comic Con comes around, mainstream media is there and reporting on what is going on and not just the costumes. There are magazines devoted to fandoms and shows and films.

You have entire books of production art, costumes, and sets. We would have killed for that when Star Wars first came out and we started recreating the costumes.

And I think some people have a problem with the move to fandom being normal. The special feeling of us vs. them is gone since them is a part of us now. So that thing that was so special is not as exclusive a club as it had been.

Another thing that has really not put fandom in a good light is the way people are going off half-cocked on something that they see or hear without knowing the whole story. A photo showing something and a flip comment and we are off to the races on how this is so bad and they must know how bad this is. Even though the whole thing is out of context. Within context, it might be nothing at all.

Casting is another place that I really wish fandom would give it a chance. Until one sees the final product, you really don’t know. And this is not a new thing. Ask Peter about the casting of Michael Kenton as Batman sometime and that Tim Burton was going to be directing it. That was a firestorm that was a lot of noise that was silenced by the actual film.

Fandom should be fun not a chore. When it does become such, maybe it is time for one to step away from what is bothering them.

And I think that is one of the things that is bothering me. For many fans, it seems like they aren’t having fun anymore. Or their fun is now in complaining rather than enjoying.

So fandom I am going to step back for a bit. I am not quitting you but I am letting you sort yourselves out. I’ll be back once I have calmed down a bit.

Hey and let’s try to stay classy.

Love,
Kath

I am grateful for the fans that are willing to find out what is really going on rather than condemning something without more (or any) context.

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Posted By Kathleen David on April 1, 2014

Yep, it is that time of the year. I am thinking BIG for Dragon Con and, as the year goes on, I trim it down to what I can get done.

I also have some questions for y’all along the way.

So let’s start with what have I created that you especially liked?

A couple of things I have outside the art show would be whatever I am doing for the Puppetslam this year and my costume for the workmanship judging or puppet for the workmanship judging depending.

Scarlett seemed to go over well and I haven’t done many puppets of females over time so that might be something I might do a few more of, female puppets that is since Scarlett was a special gift.

I am thinking a couple of more Once Upon a Time puppets in their fairy tale garb. I got a lot of interest in Mr. Gold and Rumple last year although no one pulled the trigger on them.

Phluzzies are a given since, by this point, some people identify my table by them.

I haven’t done any dolls in about three years now so it might be time to play with them again. And yes, I am thinking about some marionettes this year.

I have had in my head an idea for a toy theater but it will take up a lot of table space if I do it right. So that may get shelved.

I think there might be a Loki and Thor puppet in this years mix possibly with some X-men in the mix.

And there is the perpetual Firefly set in my head.

So what do you want to see this year from me?

I am grateful for ideas and direction for this years art show(s).

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Posted By Kathleen David on March 31, 2014

We awoke this morning to hail hitting our windows. I went out with the trash for pick up today being pelted by little ice balls all the way. I walked back in as the snow started. Caroline and I watched as we went from light snow to blizzard like conditions. Getting her to the bus stop was one heck of an adventure. Now it is slowing down with the skies getting lighter so I think it is going to stop soon but not holding my breath.

The view outside
(For the VI: this is a picture of my yard which is covered in snow as is the street.)

I am hoping this is the last of it and we can get on with Spring weather.

I am really curious if the Mets are going to get Opening Day in.

I am hoping that Peter can get home from Seattle. By the time he is flying back here, this should all be gone.

Today is going to be pretty quiet as I take care of things before my husband gets back home and the house seems more balanced.

And I might even get around to another puppet I need to make. I do need to test some new adhesives to see if I have found a replacement for my beloved 3M foam adhesive. But not today because I can’t work outside.

I am grateful that Peter is in Seattle where it is warmer than here.

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Posted By Kathleen David on March 28, 2014

Peter is in Seattle for Emerald City Comic Con this weekend. He left yesterday.

Being a single parent is hard. I applaud all those who do it day in and day out.

It is easier now that it was say even 5 years ago since Caroline is now at an age where she can do many things for herself. She is a self-starter in the morning, which makes my life easier. I don’t have to be in the same room with her all the time. I am not worried that she is going to injure herself by eating something she shouldn’t or play with things that might hurt her. It is a funny kind of peace.

She does have more after school activities along with lessons. This evening she has flute, Kung Fu and Girl Scouts. Takes her from 4 to 7:30 with pretty much no break. She may be adding the school play to the mix.

Hard to believe that two weeks ago we were in London England. Feels like much longer.

I have a couple of hours to myself before Caroline’s afternoon starts up. I plan to try to get some stuff done that needs doing.

This weekend Caroline and I will do Mother/Daughter activities that we want to do. No big plans but lots of little projects that need to be done. Monday evening Peter will be back and we will be a two parent family again.

I am grateful to whatever stops this cough that is ripping my head apart.

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