We Will Rock You!!!!

I went to see the musical We Will Rock You recently, and posted about what I was wearing, and how excited I was to see it FINALLY!! (I’ll get to the FO once I get pictures. It is the Christmas season so I’m sure you’ll see plenty of others.)

I was also visiting a friend that I haven’t seen in over a year.

This of course meant that the fates were against me.

I live an hour or so away from Toronto, but traffic on the 401 can be… slow… parking lot like… I could walk faster. Sometimes you can get a good day, and get to Toronto within the hour time limit… some days ended up like this day.

The plan was to meet my fiancé at 5:30, and head up to Toronto, getting there by about 6:30 - 7:00 giving us an hour to meet up with my friend, and head to the theatre.

First off.. there was a crash right by where we were supposed to meet. This meant that we didn’t get out of town until 5:45, but all was still good. We had time, and could get there within our planned meeting time.

Then one of the cross highways, and a major route from North to South, was closed on the Northbound lanes.

We were sitting in traffic for ages. It took us close to an hour to travel 16 miles.

We managed to get to our subway station and prayed we would just get to the theatre on time, because there was no way we were meeting up with my friend (who was at the show too but in a different section of seats).

On the subway, a woman who was obviously drunk, got on the subway and chatted with me because she loved my hair (I had more than one person think it was my real colour). We got off the subway one station early, because a different helpful rider overheard us talking about which stop to get off of and thought we were talking about a different theatre, luckily the theatres in Toronto are relatively close.

We got off the subway and practically ran to the theatre (or rather, I fell, my fiancé was just moving forward enough that I never hit the ground as I was holding on to him). We got into the theatre and down the stairs just in time to catch the doors as they closed.

I was quite upset over not getting some time with my friend.. but all things considered, we were lucky to make the show at all.

Now, to get on with a review of the show (I’ll make it short and quick), I already mentioned the style of the show, well, it’s also quite a bit like a concert in some ways. They were selling glowsticks that you can wave around at certain points through the show. The lighting was amazing, and the lit up the house quite a few times. The whole show was really fantastic.

After the show, my friend and I went to Stage Door to see if we could meet any of the actors.

They were all really impressed with my costume, and said that they could see me from the stage (well… see my hair, they didn’t realize I was in costume until after the show).

Lindsay Owen Pierre, a member of the ensemble.

Please pardon my insane smile, I get a little crazy when I’m excited.

This lovely lady is Jewelle Blackman, who plays the character who wears the costume I’m in (only she has blue hair). It was really funny because she kind of walked right past me at first. Then stopped, turned around and said “you’re totally in my costume!!!” and had to get a picture. Hers was on her cellphone and was kind of dark, so I’m hoping to get her a copy of this one.

Erica Peck, who played Scaramouche, the leading lady. She’s got an absolutely amazing voice!

Sterling Jarvis who played the character Britney Spears, I had to get a pic because one of my friends is a HUGE fan of the singer.

After meeting Sterling Jarvis, I asked Erica Peck if she knew if Valerie Stanois, who played Oz, was still in the theatre or had come out. Erica said she was probably still in the theatre. I explained that I had seen Valerie in CATS when they did the show in Hamilton and had made a kitty litter cake.

At which point I heard “AUGH!” from behind me, turned around and there was Valerie going “I remember you now!” She then went on to explain how the cast of CATS had gotten this cake that looked like kitty litter, and was absolutely delicious and how I was “NEVER TO MAKE IT AGAIN!” because they all ate way to much of it and could hardly make it through second act.

So I chatted with her a bit, and she said she was surprised I showed in costume… to which I replied “I went to CATS as a cat! How could I not come to We Will Rock You as a Bohemian!”.

This is me, Yvan Pedneault who played Galileo, the male lead, my friend Jouley, and her girlfriend Sam. For height reference, I’m naturally about as tall as Jouley. That’s how high those boots are.

It was a fantastic night, unfortunately my feet were killing me because the boots have no padding. Amazingly, I wasn’t cold! It was a chilly night out, but I’ve done this so many times I don’t even notice the cold for the first half hour or so.

Anyway, if you liked Queen and can deal with the costumes, some swearing and some innuendo, go see this show.

However, as I stated in this post, don’t take your young children.

Till next time.

Preshow

Wow, can you tell I’ve been really busy lately? I even missed my favourite event day (Hallowe’en) due to the fact that I’ve been working my first month at a new waitressing job and it’s quite busy.

Let me tell you though, I did go into work dressed in one of my costumes on Hallowe’en! How could I not?!

Now today I have an evening off, and I’m off to Toronto to go see a show!

This show is We Will Rock You, and is one that I have been really looking forward to. I first found out about this show back in 2003 I believe, when it opened up in London England. I have some friends that I know through the internet who showed me some images of the characters and let me hear some of the music.

Of course I’d already heard the music, and you probably have as well. This is a musical based around music by Queen. This is essentially Queen’s version of “Mama Mia”. However, rather than a fun love story, you will get a futuristic adventure tale.

If you aren’t really into new theatre this might not be the show for you. Want an example why? Here’s a picture of my costume (which I’m currently wearing and will wear to the show) based on one of the chorus characters.

Apologies for the blurriness, I had a heck of a time getting even that one shot.

Now I’m sure you’ll notice some things. First.. I have no bottoms (I’m essentially in a bodysuit and that’s it), second, there’s not much to the bodysuit. I’m wearing my trench coat for modesty and it is NOT actually a part of the costume.

You’ll see a lot of this in the show. I personally think they’re really cool takes on what a futuristic punk style would be, but… it’s not for everyone.

And just because I LOVE my wig…

Argh again with the blur… sorry.

And yes, I did in fact move my full length mirror all over the apartment trying to find an area where I could take a couple of pictures without the flash doing this:

I’ll be back tomorrow to gush about the show, and show an FO!

Till then!

Continuing in BC (Image heavy)

So, I promised pictures of English Bay at sunset, and that’s what you’ll get, what you won’t get however is knitting content, sorry, but hopefully you enjoy the scenic pics. First however, I have to say that the nurses who work at the blood bank are really good at what they do.

During my time giving blood, a number of the nurses would walk by and ask if I was ok. At first I figured they were just doing their job, until I realized they were only asking me. It’s probably because I’m so pale naturally, but still. Just as I was finishing up, and the needle was being pulled out, I suddenly felt very unwell. I mentioned very quickly that I felt sick to my stomach, and in a split second I was surrounded by 5 nurses getting cold cloths on me, getting me to lay on my side, raising my feet.

I was fairly out of it, but I remember being amazed at how fast they were able to get me feeling better.

Anyway, on to pretty vacation pictures.

The last day of the convention, our imported Italians came out to see what a Canadian Convention was all about (they help organize some of the cons out in Italy).

Much to the amusement of her husband, and to some extent her dismay, we were able to convince our Italian to let us put some simple Cats based makeup on her. This was due to the fact that there were 3 full Cats and one Semi Cat roaming around in our group, we’d met our Italian through a Cats forum, and she was a fan. (Click any of the pics to see them full size).

Getting her to agree was a bit of a task… The picture of me giving her a hug at the restaurant (two posts ago) was right about the time it happened. We brought up the idea and she kept saying “No! NO! NO!!!” then I gave her ‘kitty eyes’ and she hesitated…. then said “maybe…..” then looked kind of shocked that she actually caved.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. We posed for pictures, were interviewed a couple of times, found Prince Charming, and hunted for fish. (I obviously didn’t find any, but I love my pout).

Just to note, I made the costume I’m wearing, and the black one with the white fuzzy chest. I did all the makeups except for the blue-gray-black cat who did everything on hers. She also helped me tremendously with my two wigs, and made the white wig worn by the fourth girl.

After hunting for fish, I proceeded to get up and almost fall into the water.

So I went to get sympathy. I also added the last picture because it was a lovely one of the painting I did on this costume. It’s based off the patterns of a gray cat I knew at the time this costume was created. The orange yarn in the tail is actually from one of the Secret Pal exchanges that I was involved in waaaay back when.

And that’s that for the costumes. Phew!

Continuing on, we went to a pub and watched a concert with Liam Titcomb who is an amazing singer. I’m so glad I got to see him.

The next day we ended up meeting up with another friend and her son. We took the Italians on a tour of Stanley Park and the Aquarium. This is where I ended up getting my first sunburn of the year… and it was a doozy.

We then went and got Poutine (of course we had to let the Italians taste true Canadian food) and had a small picnic at English Bay.

So that’s the bulk of my vacation. I have a little bit more to tell but it’s not as picture heavy. The next bit will involve yarn shopping(!!), the PNE, and a surprise!

I’ll end my post with one last picture, it was in my last post as well, but it’s my favourite shot from my whole vacation. These are my two best friends in the whole world who sadly live on opposite ends of the world from me. They were watching the sunset and didn’t see me coming up behind them, capturing the moment as they watched the sunset.

Till next time.

Phew… Back to Normal

So, my last post was small and not very impressive. I was on my way out to British Columbia and I was in a race to finish up my Mystery Stole 3. I was doing a really good job for a while, on the Thursday I finished right up to the last clue, on the Friday, I ran into my first road block, I was going to run out of beads… I had enough… back home in Ontario, so I might have to improvise. But I kept working as best I could. Then my friends and I went to the convention on Friday night and Saturday and I… had a bit too much fun…

As these pictures clearly show (Click on any of them to see bigger versions). Saturday the recipient of the stole arrived from Italy (via California) and all was well. I showed her the stole in progress and she said she “couldn’t find words”.

I worked on it a little during the vacation, but realized that it would be better with all the beads, and that the recipient would be fine receiving the stole by mail and that I would prefer to do it properly for her. Tho she was very amused by me knitting in a Bubble Tea shop. This picture has been dubbed by her as “The perfect visual description of Saff” so, if you’re wondering what I’m like, this picture apparently says it all.

I’m wearing my Picovoli in that pic too.

I’ll leave off the trip in the middle of the convention so that I don’t flood the blog with pics, but I’ll show you more at a later date, including some awesome shots of English Bay at sunset. However, when I came home I finished the Mystery Stole 3 and blocked it. So you get to see that.

MS3 Spoiler Pics Below!!! (just in case)

It will soon be on its way to Italy, and following it will be a Silver Swan pin from Romi.

Till next time

-Saff

Still a Distraction

This is supposed to be a really cool image telling you the cost of my cadaver… only… the coding won’t work, so I’ll just tell you that I’m worth $5,125 apparently… bleh silly coding.

Ok, so I’m still working like the wind on my MS3, I’m finished Clue 4, and I’m working on the wing. I was hoping to have it finished for this coming Saturday (thinking that once the clue was revealed that would be the end of it) only to find out that there was still at least one more clue to go. I’m just hoping to get it finished in time as it’s for a friend.I was also commissioned a set of warmers, arm and leg, for a Cats costume for this weekend (luckily it’s for some friend’s I’ll see so I don’t have to worry about mailing it or anything). So I’m a little strapped for time and such, as I also have to pack and get ready to fly out to the west coast on Thursday. So busy busy. Sorry for the lack of posting… much much knitting going on.. hopefully lots of pictures.

till next time.

Oh Look! A Distraction!

So…

I missed the last two Spinning Sunday’s, and Friday’s Clue 4/Chart 1, and more than likely I’m going to miss this coming Friday’s MS3 clue.

As for excuses, after the monstrosity of plying that I showed you last time, my spinning is currently sitting in time out. I’ll get back to it soon, but I have to get up the nerve to cut and untangle it. Right now, I just don’t have the strength.

The Mystery Stole will hopefully get caught up in the next week, but my wrist has been acting up again. I have tendonitis in my right wrist that acts up from time to time. My mother and I debated about it being Carpal Tunnel, but I won when the doctor said that the wrong fingers hurt for it to be that. I still sometimes battle with my mother about who gets the wrist brace, even though my brother an I bought her a pair for her birthday last year… but I digress.

To distract you from my lack of knitting and spinning, and since I made a small complaint about my blog being small and boring and got requests, I’m going to show and explain the first costume I ever made on my own. As you can probably tell from my header, I quite enjoy dressing up in costumes. My main source of inspiration (at least at the beginning and still somewhat so) is the musical CATS. I know it’s a show that you either love or you don’t, and that a lot of people don’t understand what I see in it, but, there it is.

I have loved playing dress up since I was a child, and I’m sure if I dig deep enough I can find the picture of me in an elf costume at the age of 1 that my mom made for me for Christmas one year. She always hand made my and my brother’s Hallowe’en costumes and I honestly can’t imagine ever having a store bought one.

So at the age of 21, I decided that I was going to start making my own costumes, because I wanted more than just a few Hallowe’en costumes, I was getting into the “Cosplay” and convention crowd.

Me being who I am, I couldn’t just sit back and do something easy. I did a full fledged CATS costume from scratch. It turned out like this:

Two things, these pictures will be a bit bigger than my normal knitting pictures, due to the fact that you can see the costume so much nicer, also, yes that is me in all these pictures, yes I am that flexible. I had only been taking 2 years of dance at this point, I’ve always been bendy and it drives my cousin with 18 years of dance under her belt nuts.

This was based off of an actual costume, I didn’t have enough experience to actually design my own costume for my first attempt. This costume is the character Demeter, based on the Troika US Tour V that was and still is touring throughout the US and Canada. A picture of the actual costume can be found here. This picture was what I based almost the entire costume on.

I think I did a fair job.

I made the unitard out of some swimsuit material I found, and painted it with Fabric paints and Sharpie Markers. Sewing the Unitard took me approximately 2 hours, painting it… a good 10 to 20 hours. The tail is made completely out of yarn, there is a base that is braided, and then the small bits are knotted around it. The tail alone took 8 hours to make.

The warmers were what got me back into knitting after about 12 years of not. Once I started knitting warmers for this and other costumes, I realized how much I enjoyed it and began establishing my stash and finding more patterns and such. The warmers were made out of Red Heart, all I could afford at that time, and knit flat. They took me about 15 hours because I had to remember how to knit. I can now knock off a pair of these in about 8 hours. The gloves were the easiest part, given to me by a friend’s mother, cut off the fingers, put some paint on. They took 15 minutes… maybe.

The wig was the hardest part. I did make this completely from scratch. The base is the crotch of a pair of (new) control top pantyhose. Then I stitched and knotted Phentex yarn into the wig base and frayed the dickens out of it. I then cut it to the style I wanted (note I deviated from the actual picture on this one… Phentex doesn’t like lots of little points… I also used WAY too much yarn too tightly packed). The wig alone took about a month to make. It was my first try and I loved it to death. Literally… it looks like a dead animal sitting in my wig collection right now.

The makeup I did as well, using waterbased makeup from Snazaroo (if you ever need makeup for someone with very sensitive skin this stuff is fantastic! And it washes off like a dream!). It took me about half an hour to put on. Depending on how much detail is in the makeup, and how familiar I am with it, it can take me anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to put it on. Maybe next month I’ll do a gallery of some of the makeups I’ve done over time.

This costume was the first one that I entered into a costume competition. This picture here is me performing:

I ended up winning 2 awards, one for workmanship - my wig making, and the fabric painting detail, and one for my performance - I put together a 20 second dance routine, in that picture I’m in the middle of a jump spin. I also ended up on 2 different TV broadcasts, one was just a quick clip of me being a little bit in character, the other one was a full interview about my costume (on YTV for any Canadians). If you watch the 3-5 shows, or some Saturday shows, they still sometimes show clips from this interview, though more often it’s just a full body shot of me turning around.

All told, this is still one of my favourite costumes. Unfortunately, I found out that lycra does have a limit to how much it’s stretched and loaning it to a girl with a DD chest when I barely had one at all when it was made, caused the unitard to never return to it’s original shape. The wig died due to the fact that Phentex doesn’t stand to multiple wear and use very well when it’s frayed.

This costume is getting a new unitard and wig made at the moment, with different materials and more experience to hopefully make it wear better.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this costume in it’s glory days, I’ll give a run down of some of my other outfits eventually.

Till next time.