Heroes of Cosplay??? More like Drama Divas of Cosplay

What has happened to our lovely world of creativity?

I am sorely disappointed tonight with the season finale of "Heroes of Cosplay" on SyFy. I watched in hopes that I can see my friends who went to Planet Comicon and perhaps catch a glimpse of their beautiful talent on a network TV. What I seen and what has hit home with friends makes me want to smack someone into sensibility.

When you become famous, shouldn't you remember your roots? Yeah I'm sure with a team of experts at your side, TV cameras in tow, your vision may be askew-ed by the lights in your eyes but has your manners and upbringing gone away?? Didn't your parents teach you better?  You may be the master but there are many padiwans about that would like to be inspired by you, not scoffed aside as you wander through. I had at least 3 friends snuffed by the entourage of these "Heroes", one was pushed out of the way by these people as if common trash. Did they know they just snuffed some of our most creative props designers in Omaha!!

For another thing, this show is being portrayed in the wrong way! Most of us create months in advance our costumes, not this Fedexed last minute bull you see on this show. Also, having local talents edited to paint a scathing picture just for drama's sake is completely uncool.

I encourage all of you to follow the posted link to a lady that was seen in the finale as the"villain". A female Dr Who character that was having some choice words with the "Heroes" backstage. There are two sides to each story and hers is far different from what was aired on the show.

http://wow-lawbringer.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-life-as-villain-of-cosplay.html

I am hoping this season finale is the series finale. SyFy is feeding itself too much on recreated dramas instead of reality. You know things were starting to go downhill when they started airing Wrestling as part of their lineup. If you are going for drama folks..... why not bring back something more wholesome and worthwhile to watch....like Firefly :')   (yes yes I know it can't be brought back but hey we can hope)

Hello Kitty Inspired Beanie

Well Folks.

Its about time. I am making the Hello Kitty beanie free to the public. Here's the pattern but since this is one of my original patterns the copyrights still apply. Please link to this pattern if you are showing on another site to give credit where due. As to selling?  Be careful! This is a copyrighted kitty because of its name, shape, and even the bow by the company laws say its copyrighted. How do I know?  The letter in my gmail inbox.

So I caution you to do as you will within reason. But the pattern itself is my own that's the only part that's technically mine. Any questions about what to do or about the pattern instructions, email me and I will assist as best as possible. Happy Hookin!

Hello Kitty Beanie

By Tattiana Talahandra  - September 2010
A variant from those currently seen on the web. Here’s my rendition. Please note copyright
following the pattern.

Difficulty Level is EASY

For this pattern you will need basic knowledge in Crocheting. In this pattern you will be working
in rounds. For the basic beanie, you will be creating a Ring with DC (double crochet) stitches. For
more information,

I found websites like crochetpatterncentral.com and youtube a big help.

Abbreviations:
Ch= Chain
SL= Slip Stitch
SC= Single Crochet
DC= Double Crochet
HDC= Half Double Crochet

Supplies:
Hook size H
Worst weight yarn (a skein of each) in White and Pink -- I used Caron’s Natura in White and Soft
Pink
2 Black Buttons - I used La-Petite #769 size 9/16 found at Hancock Fabric
Scrap Black yarn for whiskers later
Scrap yellow yarn for the nose
Small bit of Polyfill fiber for stuffing the ears

Basic Beanie
Last round of your hat use pink to give it a nice finished edge
Create Ring
1. Chain 3, SL to join
2. DC 10 in the ring, SL to join

Rest of the Beanie you will be working with rounds in the ring you created.
Round 1: CH 2, 2 DC in each stitch. Around. SL to Join (20 stitches)
Round 2: CH 2, 1 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (30 stitches)
Round 3: CH 2, 2 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (40 stitches)
Round 4: CH 2, 3 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (50 stitches)
Round 5: CH 2, 4 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (60 stitches)

**Round 6: CH 2, 5 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (70 stitches)
**If making for a smaller head then skip round 6. If making for a larger head then proceed with
round 6 and if you need to make it larger, add another round (ex 6 DC then 2DC in next stitch, 7 DC
then 2 in
next stitch….etc) until the hat is wide enough for the intended head. On the ones I have made for
people, I haven’t gone over 5 DC then 2. Who knows… you might have someone who has a big ego, in
that case, you may need more yarn :’)

Round 7- 16 or more: CH 2,  1 DC in each stitch around. Continue making rounds until the beanie is of a
desired length for the wearer.

Ears (Make 2)
Use white yarn to start with
1.  Chain 3, SL to join
2. DC 6 in loop (7 stitches)
3.  2 DC in each DC (14 stitches)
4.  1 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (21 stitches)
5.  2DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around (28 stitches) Finish off then turn inside out for a
more finished look

Bow
ch 25
Row 1  Ch2 then HDC across (start in 3rd Ch from hook). Turn
Row 2: Ch 2 then HDC across
Stitch ends together to form a cuff
I wound white yarn about the middle to make it a bow.

Assembly

Assemble as shown…..When it comes to the ears, you want them slightly oval when sewing them onto
the hat with a yarn needle around the bottom of the ear. Don't forget to add a small bit of
polyfill before you secure it firmly. If unsure how put the ears on, flatten your hat and then
guage how high you want them on your head. Place those ears on the flattened edge.
Add your little crocheted bow to the ear.  Sew in place
Add some yellow yarn or black yarn for extra touches or leave plain….up to you. Sew in black
buttons for eyes and there’s your hat!

This crochet pattern is copyright of Tattiana Talahandra (September 2010). DO NOT reprint this 
pattern, or post it on any other website. You may make a copy of this pattern for your own personal 
use, but do not include it in any collections, website, or cds. You are welcome to link to this 
pattern and if you post your own pictures of what you create, please credit accordingly and include 
a link to this original pattern.

A Day in the Life of AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Good Afternoon Folks

Please don't flog me yet (unless its made of yarn). My computer equipment was recently under 6 inches of water and I am finally making my way back onto the internet.

Good News?   All my yarn stashes were exempt from the muddy fingers of my basement flood. For once my attempts of organization pad off in my craft room so the things on the floor were minimal when the waters came in. My yarn was neatly tucked away by colors in their respective file boxes in a closet.

During my downtime, its come to my attention that my quiet blog gained followers from the recent influx of BBC viewers. I guess there are more like minded crochet people out there wanting geeky things made. HOORAY for US!!

Since certain hobbies of mine were taken away with the flood, its time to focus on the important things like crochet projects and things we need for the holidays. What this means for you lucky viewers is more patterns will be added to this site soon.  We need things that you can whip up in a pinch for people! I want people coming here to feel like they can create just about anything. You do not have to be fancy to make something memorable for your kids. I wrote down a few ideas on paper and crafted some things but I need to get the drafted works up here for you to read.  Crochet projects and a plastic canvas project I would love to see if you all can make something with.  I will still focus on gaming, geeky, and nerdy chic fun.

So stay tuned for more antics.

May Britishfest BBQ

Hello Everyone!!


The following is an announcement from the founder of Britishfest :

On May 25th, the Britishfest team is proudly hosting a BBQ cookout in Bellevue's Washington Park. It is encouraged that guests who are attending the BBQ bring a covered dish (excluding chips and 2 liter bottles of soda, no alcohol allowed) or to make a donation to help Britishfest become the best convention we can make it. There is also an opportunity to purchase weekend memberships at the BBQ and feature an exclusive Memorial Day BBQ discount of 10%. There is a list below of items that we still need which will be updated daily. Follow the link below to get your VIP in today.

https://www.facebook.com/events/513818391983631/


What is Britishfest you say?  its a new convention (in 2014) that is celebrating British entertainment! From Dr Who to Discworld. From Monty Python to The Prisoner.

Check it out here

http://britishfest.weebly.com/index.html

Turkey Curry

When it comes to feeding the masses for a Game Day, I find that I have several allergies to worry about and others who are trying to eat healthy. With this being holiday season, I found a really neat way to give your friends something good to eat and get rid of some leftovers.

Ingrediants: 

1 brick of Golden Curry
(when I say one brick I mean half of this package pictured below)

2 Cups of chopped/ shredded turkey (can substitute for chicken)

I can of sliced pineapples (can substitute for chopped pineapple too)

1 box of bow tie pasta

2 cups milk

To create this, break the brick of Golden curry into smaller pieces and melt in a saucepan with the juice from your canned pineapple. Mix up well then add in the milk to the bunch. 

Next add your turkey to the sauce. Let this simmer on medium for a few minutes.

Chop the pineapples into small bite size pieces to add to the saucepan. If you cheated and grabbed a can of chopped pineapple then just add it to the sauce. Let all this simmer while you boil up the bowtie pasta.

Pour sauce over cooked noodles. Enjoy!   

Serves about 6 people but my kids pretty much ate it all. 

Night Sky TARDIS Scarf

Happy Holidays Folks!

Yes, I understand I have not been about lately to post something cool and amazing in this blog. I was…uh…. In the TARDIS and doing a lot of traveling with different companions! I couldn’t figure the controls and I ended up back to posting in this blog 2 years later… yes…..yes that’s it!

To make up for the time loss, I am posting a work in progress that I wish for all you to create, make, and wear for the Dr Who Holiday Special.

The hard part about this scarf is the time consuming part of adding details. The main body is easily worked up in an evening but I must have spent a few hours single crocheting on top of the base scarf the black details and also whip stitching and weaving in the other sewn in details (like attaching the felt squares)

The Night Sky TARDIS Scarf

Materials:

1 Skein of Red Heart BlackFleck

1 Skein of Red Heart Blue

1 Skein of Black yarn (for trim)

a yard of white yarn (for light)

4 White Felt Squares (3in by 1 3/4 in)

1 tapestry needle

Scissors

Patience

This pattern is meant for someone who has a working knowledge of the basic stiches. There are great videos on Youtube and on Crochetpatterncentral.com for instructions.

We will be using the Following:

DC = Double Crochet

CH= Chain

SL= Slip stitch

Starting with Blue Yarn

CH  22

Row 1:   DC in CH 2nd from the hook. DC in each stitch across, CH 2, Turn

Rows 2 – 29: DC in each stitch across, CH 2, Turn

Row 30: DC in each stitch across, CH 3 in Fleck yarn, Turn (this is where we  do our color change)

Rows 31 – 89: DC in each stitch across, CH 3, Turn

Row 90: DC in each stitch across, CH 2 in blue yarn, Turn (this is where we  do our color change)

Row 91- 119: DC in each stitch across, CH 2, Turn

Row 120: DC in each stitch across, Bind off.

I used black yarn to outline the body of the TARDIS by single crocheting around the top of the TARDIS body. This is done by using the stitches on your TARDIS body as you would a foundation chain. I did this my eyesight so take your time and keep your stitches loose (not too tight) as you work your way around the crocheted piece.

The black bar at the top of the TARDIS where you normally see the “Police Box” sign I weaved black yarn through the stitches with a tapestry needle. It took about 4 rows woven in and out of the yarn to make what seemed like a satisfying black bar for here.

My White Felt squares for the windows I cut 4 approx 3 inches by  1 and 3/4 inches

I sewed them into place once again with a Tapestry needle. This may take some elbow juice on your part doing so since the felt is a little tough…..well…. it’s probably because I also used some Fabric glue and lightly glued them in place so they wouldn’t move on me later when sewing them in place :’)

The door panels I outlined with black yard using a tapestry needle once more.

The light on top of the scarf is done with scrap white yarn and blue yarn. Use a tapestry needle to weave your yarn in and out of the crocheted piece to create the light. Optionally, you can replace the sewing of the light and glue in a felt blue and white piece to the top. Whatever works best for you.

This is my rendition of the TARDIS, Whats yours? 

This pattern is copyright Tattiana Talahandra December 2012 and can be used to create gifts for your friends and family. Please do not sell creations from this pattern without author’s permission. Really folks, I am a nice lady but there are people out there that like stealing other peoples works and calling it their own. Please site credits back to this blog or Tattiana Talahandra.

Dr. Who and the mention of TARDIS in this pattern is copyrighted to BBC and its creators: Sydney Newman, C.E. Webber and Donald Wilson.  I hope this serves as free advertising so they make money off all those viewers soon to be watching the latest Holiday Special.

Absense and Nonsense

Good Afternoon Folks

Sorry for the long absense but life became very busy for me out here in Omaha. I went to the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy for the Air Force. Found out quickly that bringing along my crochet projects was a bad idea. I wasn't able to do any of them while out there with the massive amounts of study materials we were given.

Good News, life is nuts but heading towards a manageable level. My friends and I have a few projects we are coming up with that I hope to be posting the ideas here soon. One idea is a simple for creating 8-bit blanket designs. With 8 bit games, think in blocks......lots of blocks.  Now go look on the web at some of your old favorite games from Atari or the First generation Nintendo games.  Got that picture?  Ok  now go get some grid paper and take that image and put it to grid form. .......     you seeing what I am seeing yet?      There is a whole realm of cool patterns you can create using some nostalgic game references.


To do these things you need to know your basic stitching like single crochet, creating rows, and following a grid pattern. To do such you also need to know how to change colors in the middle of the row so look up the "tapestry stitch".  I found the best lesson on how to switch colors came from the book "Stitch and Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker".  If you can do the above then you are on your way to making cool retro gaming patterns yourself for block blankets, shirts, and whatever your heart is set on.

Go try it!