Miss Doublefinger (One Piece)

Hey, guys! ^^ Remember the Miss Merry Christmas recipe from the Christmas event? Well, I decided to close 2012 and welcome 2013 with another One Piece character, Miss Doublefinger.

I know what you're wondering, "What does the word 'Doublefinger' have to do with New Year's?" According to 'One Piece' creator Eiichiro Oda, 'doublefinger' refers to both of your index fingers, 1 and 1, which is January 1st a.k.a New Year's Day. Therefore, 'doublefinger' is New Year's!

Anyway, this one's going to be short since there's a lot of common clothes available and very few moments of ironing or sewing.

Here's a large pic of her! ^^ Many thanks to MiniTokyo for letting me use this!

Here's a figure of Doublefinger! ^^ Many thanks again to MyAnimeShelf for letting me use this!

Wanna know how to dress up as the 'sharpest' woman of Baroque Works? Here's what you need:

• A black one-piece swimsuit
• Black low-rider jeans
• Low sandal heels 
• A black mini jacket
• White faux fur
• Black wrist gloves
• A thick blue wig or blue hairspray (think a Marge Simpson-esque blue)
• Scissors
• A roll of skinny Velcro
• White crayon or fabric pencil

How to dress up:

1. Put on everything, except for the jacket and wig. Have a parent or friend make the pattern like in the far above picture using the white crayon.
2. After they're done with the drawing, have a parent or friend cut out the pattern and sew the curled straps, so they'll be solid yet still visible.
3. For Ms. DF's collar, just grab some leftover fabric from the swimsuit, sew the pieces together and apply some Velcro onto the other ends. Put it on, have a parent or friend mark where to cut the excess fabric and cut said fabric. You should have an even collar around your neck.
4. Take the jacket, pin the fur onto the zipper and cuffs and run both areas through the sewing machine.
5. If your hair is already thick and curly, grab a towel and have a parent or friend spray your hair until it gets nice and blue. If you don't, just put on a thick, blue wig and apply some hair spray.

Put on the gloves and you're done! ^^ In January, I'm gonna plan what to do for Valentine's Day. In the meantime, hope you enjoyed and...

Have a Happy New Year 2013!!! .o*

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 12 Gifts-A-Pouring (Finland)

This is it, folks! The last recipe for the '12 Cosplays of Christmas!' Let's wrap up this event by going to the land of salmiakki (salty licorice) and Angry Birds because the character of today is Finland from 'Hetalia.' ^^

Here's a picture of Tino (his human name). ^^

Here's another picture of him, but with his dog Hana Tamago. ^^ Cute, ain't it? Many thanks to say0ran of deviantART for letting me use this!

Wanna know how to become the sweetest of the Nordics? Here's what you need:

• A blue long-sleeved collared shirt
• A matching pair of pants (Make sure they're big at the bottom!)
• A brown or black belt
• Brown or black boots
• Some posterboard of any color
• Duct tape in regular gray and white
• A white beret
• Black fabric marker

How to make it:

1. Put on a plain white t-shirt and the pants. Grab the other shirt, put that on and have a friend or parent draw some pockets and line the button area. Add the belt around your waist.
2. Time to make the cross! Just take some posterboard, cut out a plus or cross shape and coat it with the gray duct tape. Cut out any excess tape, add some string or a necklace chain, tape them together and you get your cross! Make sure the string or chain is short enough to be concealable, but long enough for you to still breathe.
3. For the tops of the boots, take two strips of the white duct tape and overlap them to make some upside-down triangles. Put those on, tuck in the bottom of the pants inside them, tie them or zip them up and puff the pants out a bit.
4. Slap on the beret and a little white dog plush for Hana Tamago and you're done!

Now you're ready to deliver those presents! Not really... ^^;

Hope you enjoyed this recipe and the '12 Cosplays of Christmas' and...

Have a Merry Christmas!! *<^(w)^

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 11 Potions-A-Bubbling (Tony Tony Chopper)

Day 11! ^^ One more recipe!! >w< Today, we set sail to the snowy peaks of Drum Island because today's recipe is Tony Tony Chopper, Chopper for short, also from 'One Piece.'

Here's the cutest 'reindeer of all~' ^^

Here's Chopper's alter ego, Chopperman! ^^ Since it's just the standard Chopper in a cape, we'll include him in the recipe.

What's needed for this:

• A pink top hat
• Felt in brown, tan/light brown, black and white
• A brown shirt, sweatshirt or jacket
• Black gloves or mittens
• Brown socks
• Maroon or dark purple pants
• Black shoes
• A pink sheet

How to make Chopper:

1. Take the brown felt and using scissors, cut out some antler shapes. Cut out the corners of some light brown or tan felt and roll them to make the ears. Also, make an 'X' out of the white felt. Glue them onto the hat using hot glue and leave it to dry when you're done.
2. Time to get dressed! ^^ Make sure the brown clothes match or is close to the color of the ears. If you're doing a Chopperman look, just cut out a large 'C' out of white felt and sew it on a pink sheet.
3. Paint the tip of your nose with some blue face paint if you want and you're done! ^^

Hope you enjoyed~ <3

Next line: 12 Gifts-A-Pouring!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 10 Moles-A-Digging (Miss Merry Christmas)

Day 10! ^^ Two more left! Today, we're gonna be underground because the character of the day is Miss Merry Christmas of 'One Piece.'
Before we move forward, you're probably wondering, "What does 'underground' and 'moles' have to do with Christmas?" Well, if you've read the Alabasta Arc of 'One Piece,' Miss Merry Christmas reveals to Usopp and Chopper that she ate a Devil Fruit that makes her turn into a mole. Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's continue~

Here's a picture of her. Fat like Santa, but not really as jolly... ^^;

A figure of her! Many thanks to MyAnimeShelf for letting me use this!

Here's what's needed to create this festive costume:

• A long-sleeved white shirt
• A wide plain green tie (Just ask Dad first if he wears it anymore!)
• Purple or blue capris or jeans
• Any color of sandals
• Felt in red and bright green
• Green headband
• Red hairspray or a short red curly wig
• Black fabric marker

How to make it:

1. Take some scissors, make several dots out of red felt and sew them onto the tie.
2. Using the same scissors, fold the tie hot dog-style (down-the-middle in half) and cut the tie until it looks like a Christmas tree. TIP: Make sure to mark the cutting areas first before you start modifying the tie.
3. Like you did with the red dots, cut several triangles out of the green felt. The green triangles are going to be used for the flowers on her pants.
4. Mark where you want the flowers are going to go with the same black marker. Look at the manga or use Google Images for reference and best results.
5. Once you're done with marking, gather the triangles into groups of seven. Arrange one group into a flower and sew it to the pants. Continue this until the pants are covered. Just be sure to take a break in-between sewings... ^^;
6. Time for the hair! If you already have short, curly hair, have a parent or friend spray your hair red. If you have a wig, you know what to do.
7. Get dressed, grab some shades, slip on some sandals and a green headband, apply some purple lipstick and you're done!

Now you're ready to PLAY BALL! ^^ Hope you enjoyed~ <3

Next line: 11 Potions-A-Bubbling!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 9 Bleeps-A-Blaring (Panty and Stocking)

Day 9! ^^ Three more recipes left! Today, we'll return to the land of angels since today's characters are Panty and Stocking of 'Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt.'

Here are the girls! Panty's the girl in red and Stocking's the girl with the Twilight Sparkle hair.

Much like most of the costumes in my '13 Cosplays of Halloween' event, this anime is not exactly kid stuff. It's like a very trippy and very, very, VERY crude anime, so this is more for teens and adults. Anyway, let's see what's needed:

• A red cocktail dress with straps (Panty)
• A black dress with long sleeves (Stocking)
• A white long sleeved shirt (Stocking)
• Red strap pumps or Mary Jane heels (Panty)
• Black loafers or slippers (Stocking)
• Long wigs (yellow or blonde for Panty, purple and pink for Stocking)
• Gold bangles and red hoop earrings (Panty)
• White lace (Stocking)
• Blue ribbon in both skinny and regular thick (Stocking)
• Blue/Purple and black striped socks (Stocking)

Since Panty is very simple, we'll focus on the more complex Stocking first:

1. Iron or sew on the lace to the dress. Look at pictures of Stocking to get an idea on where the lace should go.
2. Get the white shirt on, grab some skinny blue ribbon and make a bow around your neck. Remember to pop the collar for easy ribbon threading before making the bow.
3. Put on the dress and turn the cuffs of your shirt over the sleeves of the dress. Tie some regular ribbon around your waist afterwards. Put on the socks and shoes next.
4. Now for the hair! For the sprays, grab a towel and have a friend or parent spray the outer layer of your hair in purple, the other layer in pink. For the wigs, you know what to do.
5. Have a parent or friend tie a blue bow on the back of your head and you're done!

For Panty, you just get dressed, paint your nails red and either spray your hair yellow or use a yellow wig. Hope you enjoyed! ^^

Next line: 10 Moles-A-Digging!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 8 Planets Orbiting (Sailor Scouts)

Day 8! ^^ Today, we'll be blasting off to outer space because the costume of the day is the 'Sailor Scout' uniform from the famous and nostalgic 'Sailor Moon!'

Here's everybody! ^^

Since everybody's hair is different, I'll leave them out. Here's what is needed to become a Sailor Scout:

• A white leotard (found online or a party or dance store)
• White gloves of any length
• White and any color of ribbon (found at any fabric store)
• Any color of skirt
• Any color of plain bandana
• Any type of shoes 
• Plush stuffing
• Scissors
• Craft jewels
• Hot glue

Here's how to create it:

1. Take the white leotard and make three large bumps on the top part of a sleeve. Have a parent or friend mark in front of the first bump with a black marker and let the sleeve go. The mark will be where to cut the sleeve. Do the same to the other.
2. Have a friend or parent cut the sleeves and sew the bumps together.
3. Put on a skirt of your color choice. Have a friend or parent stuff the remains of the sleeves, sew them shut and sew them to the top hem of the skirt.
4. Make two bows out of ribbon of another color choice, one small, one large. A parent or friend can pin or sew the ribbon to the back of your stuffed-sleeve belt.
5. Take a bandana of your skirt's color and sew or iron on some white ribbon for the stripes. Once that's done, put it on, but instead of tying it, cross it and tuck it into your leotard collar. The costume has to have a 'sailor suit' look to it.
6. For the small bow, sew it to the leotard and where the bandana crosses together. Carefully glue on a craft jewel and let it dry.
7. For the gloves, simply layer three strips of ribbon over some white gloves and sew them together. For the shoes, any kind of boots and high heels are used, but any type of shoes can be worn, even socks and shoes!

Just do your hair anyway you want it, grab a white or black cat plush and you're done! ^^ Hope you enjoyed~

Next line: 9 Bleeps-A-Blaring!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 7 Balls-A-Flying (PKMN Trainer)

Day 7! ^^ We finally hit the week mark, folks! Today's character is the PKMN Trainer from Pokemon and Smash Bros.

Here's a picture of the Trainer. ^^ Gotta catch 'em all!

Here's how to make it:

• A red baseball or trucker cap
• A yellow backpack
• A black shirt
• A red vest
• A black wristband
• White and red ribbon
• Red felt
• Jeans
• Any type of sneakers

Here's how to make it:

1. Iron on or sew on some ribbon onto the zipper area of the vest. If you have buttons instead of a zipper, slit some holes for the buttons and pull them through. For the backpack, lay a strip of red ribbon across the bottom pocket and iron or sew it on. Set the vest aside.
2. For the hat, make a semicircle out of the felt and sew or iron it on.
3. Time to get dressed! For the authentic Trainer jeans and shoes, grab a pair of bright or faded blue jeans and a pair of black Converses.

Grab keychains of whatever Pokemon you like, attach them to your backpack and you're done! ^^ My many apologies for being a bit lazy on this recipe, but I had so much going on. -.- But you all know the holidays! ^^; Hope you enjoyed, anyway!

Next line: 8 Planets Orbiting!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 6 Princes/Princesses-A-'Scaping (Ice King/Queen)

Day 6! ^^ Today, we'll go to the 'ice cold' shadows of the dark side because the character of the day is the villain and villainess of 'Adventure Time,' the Ice King and the Ice Queen!

Here's the Ice King from the show. 'Gunther!' >w<

Here's the Ice Queen! Many thanks to GangstaCakes for letting me use this!

Here's what's needed to create this 'cool' costume:

• A long, plain blue gown (King)
• A blue dress (Queen)
• A white Santa beard (King), white temporary hairspray or a curly white wig (Queen)
• Dark blue ribbon (Queen) 
• Dark blue crop top (Queen)
• Glue *both stick and Super or hot*
• Blue and white face paint
• Bright blue (King) and yellow posterboard
• White eyeliner (Queen)

How to create it:

1. Unlike the previous recipes in which it's outfit first, we'll start off with the beard for the King. Just make a larger, fluffier-looking version of a Santa beard. TIP: Use white faux fur for a better, more realistic effect.
2. For the Queen's snowy curls, have a friend or parent curl your hair. Afterwards, let it cool and brush away. Then, have someone spray your hair with the white hairspray.
3. For the Queen's gown, take some ribbon, lay it out like in the picture and sew it on. You can iron it on too, but for that, lay some iron-on tape and then the ribbon. Put on the crop top afterwards. For the King, just put on a plain nightgown and stuff a pillow or two on your back to make the hump.
4. Now for the face! Apply some glue stick on your eyebrows and let it dry. This is excellent for drawing on the white brows!
5. Take some blue and white face paints and mix them on a paper plate until you get a nice icy blue color. Then, with a foundation brush or sponge, paint your entire face. After the paint's dry, draw on your brows. Draw on some shaggy brows for the King, lightning bolt-like ones for the Queen.
6. Onto the crown~ Do a crown with the yellow posterboard and using either hot glue or Super Glue, attach three red jewels; one large, two medium. For the Queen, do a smaller crown and a necklace using the posterboard and do the same thing.
7. For the King's nose, snip out a very skinny triangle out of the blue posterboard, glue it on and leave it to dry. Once it's dry, put it on and you're done! TIP: For a better result, make the skinniness of the triangle match the sides of your regular nose.

For a Gunther, just take a penguin plush with you. Hope you enjoyed! ^w^ Just don't start capturing princesses... ^^;

Next line: 7 Balls-A-Flying!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 5 Lamp Dials (Conis)

Day 5! ^^ One question: What usually comes to mind when thinking about the more religious symbols of Christmas? Most people would think of the Three Wise Men, a manger, Mary and Joseph, Bethlehem or angels. Why would I bring this up? Because the character of today is an angel herself: Conis of 'One Piece!'

Here's a picture of her and her cloud fox, Su. ^^ Many thanks to the One Piece Wiki for letting me use this!

Here's a figure of her! ^^ Those braids do look freaky, don't they? >w<

 Here's how to make her costume:

• A pink dress
• Some black floral lace or patches or a black fabric marker
• Bright blue or white belt
• A long, straight, pale blond wig *Optional*
• Hair gel or spray
• Yellow bee antennae (from a bee costume)
• Angel wings (from an angel costume)
• Large Styrofoam balls
• Alligator hair clips
• Yellow and white craft paint
• Pink fabric-strip flip-flops or sandals
• Red fabric marker

Here's how to make it:

1. Iron the lace onto the dress using some iron-on tape. Set the dress aside so it can cool. If you don't have any lace, use a black fabric marker and have a friend or parent draw the designs.
2. Put on your wig cap and then your wig. Have a parent or friend braid the hair into pigtails and tie the ends. If your hair is already bleach or light blonde, you can do the same thing without needing to get a wig cap.
3. Time for the attachments! Mix some yellow and white paint together and cut a Styrofoam ball in half. When the paint gets close to your hair color, start painting the halves and leave them to dry.
4. When the painted balls are dry, take an alligator clip, apply some glue on the front, put one of the ball halves on top and leave it to dry. Do the same thing to a second clip.
5. When the glue is dry, bring your pigtails to the front of your shoulders and put on the clips at the end of the tails. Return the tails to the back of you. Your hair's almost done!
6. For the shoes, take any flip-flops with a pink fabric strap and make some stripes with a red fabric marker.
7. Put on the dress, shoes, belt, bee antennae and angel wings and you're done!

For Su, just find a fox plush, gray or not. Now you're ready to play your harp~

Next line: 6 Princes/Princesses-A-'Scaping!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 4 Captured Cards (Sakura *Cardcaptors*)

Day 4! ^^ The character of today is Sakura of 'Cardcaptors' (US) or 'Cardcaptor Sakura' (JP). Pardon me if I don't know the villains or Sakura's companion; I never really watched the show when I was younger. However, if you know who they are, leave the names in the comments below. ^^;

A pic of her and her... bear-cat-thing... I dunno. ^^; Many thanks to Zerochan for letting me use this!

Here's what we'll be using as a base for the recipe. ^^ Many thanks to HelloCosplay for letting me use this!

What's needed to suit up for capturing card monsters:

• A white dress
• A red overall dress
• White (or yellow) and red ribbon
• Some white and red bows (Optional)
• Pin backs *like the kind on buttons* (Optional)
• A red beret
• White short gloves
• White knee-high socks
• Red Mary Janes

How to suit up:

1. Apply some iron-on tape and place the white or yellow ribbon near the bottom of the red dress. Or if you prefer, pin the ribbon to the dress and run it through a sewing machine. Set the dress aside.
2. Put on the white dress. Take the white ribbon and tie it around the cuff of the sleeve. Be careful as if the bow's too tight, it may cut off circulation on your arms. If this concerns you, just get some pre-made bows (commonly found at any craft store), glue some pin backs and pin them to the cuffs, but be careful with this one too.
3. Put on the red dress once it's cool. Make sure you can move freely with the ribbon.
4. Now for the gloves! Take some short white gloves and pin some red bows on them. If you prefer, make some bows with the red ribbon, glue some pin backs and pin them to the gloves.
5. For the beret, put it on, then have a parent or friend tie on some red ribbon on the base and sew it on. Make sure it's not tight on your head!
6. Put on the socks and shoes and you're done! For the socks, simply pin some red bows on them.

Next line: 5 Lamp Dials!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 3 Shiny Keyblades (Kairi)

Day 3! ^^ Since today is the 111th birthday of Walt Disney, the character of the day is Kairi from the 'Kingdom Hearts' games.

Here's her design from Kingdom Hearts 2. ^^ This one will be the focus for this recipe.

Here's what is needed for this:

• A small white dress with straps
• A pink strapless dress
• A black belt
• Duct tape in regular gray and black
• Purple sneakers (Converses and Reeboks are best, but any kind will do!)
• Red wig or hairspray

How to do it:

1. Get dressed. Put on the white dress first, then the pink one.
2. Have a friend or parent cut some strips of gray duct tape in half (down the middle) and put them on the pink dress. Give them a black marker or have them cut some of the black tape and place them on top of the gray tape to make the zippers.
3. Put on the belt. Make some more 'belts' out of the same black duct tape and attach them to the real belt using the gray tape. To make the bag, take a black bag or cover a box with the black tape and add a purple ribbon. Have your hair sprayed or put on the wig and you're done!

Now you're ready to vanquish some Heartless! Hope you enjoyed and I hope you find your Sora... <3

Next line: 4 Captured Cards!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - 2 Lively Heroes/Heroines (Princess Bubblegum/Prince Gumball)

Day 2! ^^ Today, bring out your sweet teeth and your more regal side because the character of the day is Princess Bubblegum/Prince Gumball of 'Adventure Time.'

Here's the candy co-star of the show, Princess Bubblegum. She'll be the focus of the recipe.

Here's her male counterpart, Prince Gumball. We'll use him too. ^^

Here's what's needed for Princess Bubblegum (PB):

• A long pink dress
• Purple ribbon (found at any fabric or craft store, i.e. Walmart, Michael's, JoAnn Fabrics, etc.)
• A purple belt
• A long pink wig or some pink hairspray (found online)
• Red and white face paint (found online currently)
• Paper plates
• Yellow poster board *for the crown*
• Light blue aquarium stones (found at Petsmart, Petco, the pet section of Walmart or any pet store)
• Hot or Super Glue

For Prince Gumball (PG):

• A purple turtleneck shirt
• A larger pink shirt with puffy sleeves
• Dark red ribbon
• A short pink wig
• Purple fabric marker
• Dark pink pants (can be bought from Old Navy or any other clothing store)

Here's how to make both:

1. For PB, take a strip of purple ribbon and align it with the collar of the dress. Pin the ribbon to the collar and either sew it through a sewing machine or by hand.
2. For PG, cover the cuffs of the turtleneck with the dark red ribbon and do the same thing as above.
3. For those who're doing the spray, put on a work shirt and have a friend or parent spray your hair pink. When it's dry, brush it. If you're doing PG, curl your bangs upward when you brush your hair. TIP: To give it a more gummy look, curl your hair first and then spray it.
4. Now for the makeup! Squeeze some red and white face paint onto a paper plate and stir them together with the tip of a foundation brush handle until it's a bright pink color. Either take the foundation brush or a cosmetic sponge, brush it in, wash it off and let the paint on your face dry.
5. Time to make the crown! Take some yellow posterboard and cut out the crown shapes. Make sure that they fit your head and can't slip off. Glue on the stones and leave them to dry. If you're going as PG, glue some stones onto the posterboard, cut around them and glue them to the pink shirt.
6. Now, time to get dressed~ For PB, put on the dress and grab a purple chunky belt. For PG, put on the turtleneck, followed by the pants and the other shirt. Have a friend or parent draw the under-sleeves with a purple fabric marker and you're done!

Now you're ready to rule the candy canes and Reese's that arrive in your stocking! Hope you enjoyed~ <3

Next Character Line: 3 Shiny Keyblades!

12 Cosplays of Christmas - A Giant Party Cannon (Pinkie Pie)

Hey, guys! ^^ Bri here. Remember my '13 Cosplays of Halloween' and my 'Anime Cooks of Thanksgiving,' when I mentioned doing something similar to them for December? Well, this is it! ^^

As the title says, I call it '12 Cosplays of Christmas,' in which I post new recipes from December 13th all the way to Christmas Day! Also, I'll be posting a hint on who the next character will be at the end of each post in the style of '12 Days of Christmas.'

Anyway, let's open the first door to this Advent Calendar by going to the stables. The first character for this event will be the clip-clopping clown of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,' Pinkie Pie!

Here's a picture of Pinkie Pie. Not much to base off of...

Here's one of the better Pinkie cosplays I've seen, as portrayed by ZombieChocoCherry of deviantART. ^^ We'll be using this as an example for this recipe, except for the optional hat. Many thanks to her for letting me use this!

Wanna know how to create this uber-fun outfit? Here's what's needed:

• Any pink top
• Pink suspenders
• Pink skirt
• Pink petticoat (usually found online or Party City year-round)
• A long, curly, pink wig or temporary pink hair spray (both also found online)
• Yellow and blue felt (found at any craft store *Michael's, JoAnn Fabrics, Walmart, etc.*)
• Large pink or yellow buttons (also found at any craft store)
• Hot or super glue
• Some newspaper
• Scissors

How to create it:

1. Take the scissors and felt and begin cutting three balloon shapes (one yellow, two blue) and three wavy or curly strings (two yellow, one blue). These will be used for Pinkie Pie's cutie mark.
2. Using either iron-on tape and an iron or a sewing machine, time to assemble the balloons! Make sure to put the strings underneath the balloon shapes and if you're planning on sewing them on, pin the shapes together as well as to the skirt. Set the skirt aside after you're done.
3. Now for the suspenders! Open the suspenders, take some glue, glue on the buttons and set it on some newspaper with the buttons pointing up. I recommend using hot or super glue over regular school glue since regular glue tends to wear down and cause the buttons to fall off. Whichever glue you use, be careful!
4. If your hair is gonna be sprayed, have a parent or friend curl your hair first, wait until it's cool and grab a work shirt. Then they can spray your hair. Once it's dry, brush your hair. I recommend a very sparkly pink spray for a more magical look.
5. If you're gonna be using a wig, get a wig cap on and put it on. Adjust your wig until it's in a comfy position on your head. Brush your hair afterwards.
6. If the skirt's cooled and the glue on the suspenders is dry, time to get dressed! Grab any pink top, sleeves or not, the silliest socks you have, some cute shoes and a really puffy petticoat. I recommend knee high socks with bows, lace or both and Mary Janes for a more childish, girly look.

And you're done! ^^ For Pinkie's gator Gummy, just take a gator plush with you. Hope you enjoyed and again, a multitude of thanks to ZombieChocoCherry for letting me use the picture as a model!

Next Character Line: Two Lively Heroes/Heroines

Anime Cooks of Thanksgiving - Sanji (One Piece)

Final recipe! ^^ Anybody out there a fan of 'One Piece?' I am. ^^ If you're a fan, today's gonna be a treat because the character of today is the Strawhats' own cook and my favorite character of the series, Sanji.

A random collage I found of Sanji. ^w^

Here's a figure of his post-timeskip form. ^^

Much like the Perona recipe, I'll post his original form as well as his post-timeskip form. Let's set sail! Here's what's needed to make this:

• A blue button-up pinstripe shirt *plain yellow for post-TS* (found at different thrift stores or your closet)
• A black tie *brown for post-TS*
• A black suit
• Black dress shoes
• A black fabric marker (if the blue shirt doesn't have any stripes) 
• A short gold-yellow wig or yellow hair spray
• Black eyeliner pencil (for the brows and facial hair)

How to create it:

1. For those who have the plain blue shirt, put it on over a work shirt and have a parent or friend make the stripes. Make sure to lift your arms and have the stripes be drawn horizontal on the sleeves since Sanji's shirt stripes are vertical. Hang the shirt when you're done, so the ink can dry. If you already have stripes on the shirt or you have the yellow shirt, just put it on.
2. Put on the tie, as well as the rest of the clothing. Check if the ink's dry on the shirt and if so, put it on. Grab a towel or wig cap for the next step.
3. For the wig cap, stretch it out, put it on and tuck in any stray hairs. Adjust your wig until you get it at just the right level. Brush the hairs until it covers your left eye. For post-timeskip, brush it over your right eye.
4. For the spray, drape the towel over your shoulders and have a parent or friend spray your hair with the color spray. Let the spray dry. Like the wig, brush your hair until it covers your left eye, right eye for post-timeskip.
5. Now taking a black eyeliner pencil, cover your brows with it. Instead of curving down at the end, curve upwards and keep going until you get a swirl over your brow. For post-timeskip, curve downward towards your nose and make the swirl.
6. Time for the facial hair! Take the same pencil and just do three lines on your chin. For post-timeskip, just cover the bottom of your chin with the pencil, trace the cleft on your chin and add some lines above your upper lip. Grab a candy cigarette (or lollipop) and you're done!

Hope you enjoyed these recipes! ^^ I'll start working on the ones for next month, so stay tuned, folks.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and good luck on Black Friday! ^6>^

Anime Cooks of Thanksgiving: Uniform Course - 'Yumeiro Pâtissière'

Day 4 and another Uniform Course! ^^ Better bring out your sweet teeth today, folks, because the uniform of the day is from 'Yumeiro Pâtissière!'

Here's everybody in their uniforms! ^w^ Those sweets look yummy, don't you think? <3

Another shot of everybody!

Wanna know how to make this very sweet uniform? Here are the ingredients:

• A white long-sleeved shirt (make sure the sleeves are rollable!)
• A red dress or apron
• White pants (for the boys)
• Red ribbon
• Black fabric marker
• Red marker

 How to make it:

1. Get a work shirt and the long-sleeved shirt on. Have a parent or friend draw the line and some circles on it, just like the previous costume recipes. Hang it up, so the ink can dry.
2. Put on the skirt, take some red ribbon and tie it around your waist. For the boys, put on the pants and the apron. Tie more red ribbon around your neck (not too tight!) for the tie.
3. Make a chef's hat out of paper (I suggest using eHow.com for this!), draw the designs onto it and you're ready to make some pie!

Hope you enjoyed! ^^

Next character: You'll see...

Anime Cooks of Thanksgiving - Jun Satou (Working!!)

Day 3! ^^ The character for today, folks, is Jun Satou from a rather-obscure anime called 'Working!!' Sadly, I have no idea what it's about, so feel free to Google it. As for the costume, this one's very, very simple, except an apron and the color spray may be a bit hard to find aside from online.

Here's a picture of Satou. Doesn't he remind you of another character? ^w^

Here's how to make his costume:

• A white turtleneck shirt
• White pants
• Gray or white shoes
• A plain apron
• Yellow color hair spray or a short blonde wig (Optional if your hair's already short, blonde or both)
• Black fabric marker

How to do it:

1. Get a work shirt and the turtleneck on. Have a parent or friend draw a line and circles on it, so it'll look like a chef's coat. When it's done, hang it up, so the ink can dry. Leave the work shirt on and grab a towel if you want your hair to be sprayed.
2. Time to put on your pants and shoes! Roll up the bottom of the pant legs a bit.
3. For the spray, drape the towel over your shoulders and have a parent or friend cover your hair with the color spray. If you prefer the wig, stretch your wig cap, put it on (tuck in any strays!) and put on the wig. After you're done applying the wig or when the spray's dry, take a brush and brush some of the hair over your left eye.
4. Tie the apron around your waist, grab a candy cigarette (or lollipop) and you're done!

Hope you enjoyed! ^^

Next character: 'Yumeiro Pâtissière' uniform

Anime Cooks of Thanksgiving: Uniform Courses - 'Yakitate! Japan'

Day 2 of 'Anime Cooks of Thanksgiving!' ^^ Hope you're all hungry for rolls because the costume recipe for the day is from a little-known anime called 'Yakitate! Japan.' What's it about you ask?

It's about this kid named Kazuma Azuma who wishes for Japan to have its own bread (like French bread or German sourdough) dubbed 'Ja-Pan,' so he decides to work at a bakery and enter different contests with his co-workers. On the show, he also possesses 'Solar Hands,' in which his hands are warmer than normal, thus making the bread dough ferment faster.

Anyway, the uniforms for the factory of the show are shown below.

Here's a picture of Kazuma. He'll be the model for the boys' uniform.

Here's one of his co-workers, Tsukino Azusagawa. She'll be the model of the girls' uniform.

Here's how to create these freshly-baked costumes:

• A loose-sleeved turtleneck shirt (blue for boys, pink for girls)
• Blue pants (boys)/red skirt (girls)
• Blue and white ribbon (boys)/red ribbon (girls)
• Pink socks (girls)
• White shoes (girls)
• White faux fur (girls) *think Santa fur*
• Blue (boys) or red (girls) fabric markers

How to make them:

1. Grab the turtleneck shirt and some blue or red ribbon, shiny side up. Line the cuffs, collar and bottom of the shirt with it and either sew or iron it on (left for boys, right for girls). For the girls, do the same for the skirt and socks. I highly recommend sewing the ribbon and fur on.
2. Put on a work shirt and the turtleneck and grab a fabric marker (blue for boys, red for girls). Have a friend or parent draw circles on it for the buttons and a 'P' for 'Pantasia,' the bread factory on the show. Take it off, so the work shirt can come off.
3. Time to get dressed! For the boys, any blue pants can work, just no designs. As for the girls, grab any plain white sneakers. Tie on some ribbon (salmon-ish pink for girls, white for boys) and you're done! ^^

Now you're ready to make some bread for the feast~

Next character: Jun Satou (Working!!)

Anime Cooks of Thanksgiving - Brock (Pokémon)

Hey, folks! ^^ Bri here. What usually comes to mind when you hear the word 'Thanksgiving?' Maybe it's the annual MACY*S parade held in New York. Maybe it's playing football amidst a yard of crunchy leaves until the dinner bell. Or maybe it's thinking of what to get for the missus and little Jimmy during the early morning insanity of Black Friday. However, one thing always comes to our minds when we hear the word: the food! The juicy turkey, the creamy mashed potatoes, the deep and sweet pumpkin pie, it's a feast! So in celebration of this yummy holiday, I'll be posting costume recipes of five of anime's finest cooks all the way until Thanksgiving.

Let's start this off with something nostalgic. Anybody remember 'Pokémon' when it was still new? For those who do, then you'll remember who Brock is.

Here's a picture of Brock, just to refresh your memory. ^^

Here's another one! Just thought this was funny. >w< Many thanks to Bulbapedia for letting me use these! 
 

Here are the ingredients needed for this:

• An orange short-sleeved shirt
• A green vest
• A black belt (the pants kind!)
• Brown pants
• A short dark brown wig (Optional if your hair's brown and long enough to be made into spikes)
• Hair gel
• Black fabric marker

How to make it:

1. Get a work shirt and the vest on. Have a parent or friend draw some pockets on the vest using the marker. Hang the vest up, so the ink can dry and take off the work shirt.
2. Get dressed. For the boxes on the sides of Brock's belt, just take some small boxes (think bracelet boxes), wrap them up with brown duct tape, tape a couple carabiners to the back and click them onto the side belt loops.
3. Take a wig cap, stretch it and put it over your regular hair. Tuck in any strays! You can skip this if your hair is already brown but long enough to be made into spikes.
4. Have a parent or a friend make your wig spiky (think Lisa Simpson spiky) using the hair gel and a blow dryer to help it dry faster. Be sure to grab a towel and drape it over your shoulders for any drippings before this.
5. Once the gel's nice and dry, grab an Onix or Vulpix plush and you're done! ^^

Now you're ready to pick up girls and cook for your friends. ^^ Hope you enjoyed!

Next character: 'Yakitate! Japan' Uniform!

Julia Chang (Tekken)

Haw and osiyo, everybody! ^^ Part 2 of my NAHM costume recipes! Today, we'll be looking at Julia Chang, who, like her mom Michelle, is from 'Tekken.'

A picture of Julia. Many thanks to CreativeUncut for letting me use this!

Here's what's needed (NOTE: Most of the materials needed are from the Michelle cosplay, so use any leftovers):

• A green tank top or sports bra
• A brown bra
• Feathers *from the Michelle costume* (found at any craft store, i.e. Michael's, Walmart, JoAnn Fabrics, etc.)
• A blue headband
• A denim skirt
• Brown fingerless gloves
• Black string or a black shoelace
• A brown belt
• White socks
• Brown cowboy boots
• Scissors
• Red fabric marker
• Black marker

How to do it:

1. Put on the two bras. Have a friend or a parent cut out holes for the shoelace. Afterwards, feed the lace through the holes to make an X shape. Tie it and hide the bow inside the brown bra.
2. Put on the skirt. If it's too long, have a friend or a parent mark it at the upper thigh and have them cut it. Make sure you don't show any butt! Put on the belt afterwards.
3. Put on the socks and boots. The socks should at least be seen a little.
4. Now for the headband! Do the same thing you did for the Michelle costume; draw the arrows and dots onto the band with the red marker, but only color the outside of them. Tip a large feather and a smaller feather using the black marker and lightly sandwich them between your hair and the headband. Think stereotypical Native headgear.
5. For her band, just paint some cardboard silver, hot-glue it to a long strip of cloth and leave it to dry and cool.
6. For the necklace and the earrings, you can use any Native American-inspired jewelry.
7. For the hair, just do a pair of braided pigtails and tie them with some colorful hair ties. Put on your gloves, tie the band around your arm (not too tight!) and you're done! ^^

That's it for my costume recipes honoring 'Native American Heritage Month!' On Nov. 18-22, I'll do recipes for five cooks of the anime world in celebration of Thanksgiving, so stay tuned. Nu' tus payni ('Goodbye' in Hopi), folks! ^^

Michelle Chang (Tekken)

Haw and osiyo, everybody! ^^ Wonder why I said those two words instead of 'hello?' Because November is 'Native American Heritage Month.' Those words are actually Cherokee (Osiyo = 'How are you') and Hopi (Haw = 'Hello'). I myself have these roots and I honor them both, so I cherish this month even more than the big parade and feast at Thanksgiving or the lethal shopping insanity at Black Friday.

Anyway, in honor of 'NAHM,' I thought I could post some costume recipes for Michelle and Julia Chang of 'Tekken.' Why would I pick these two, you ask? Aren't they just Chinese, you might add? Well, that, mi amigos, is a big 'no.' Michelle and Julia are half Indian as well as half Chinese. Let's start this off with Miss Michelle Chang.

Here's a picture of her. Many thanks to the Tekken Wiki for letting me use this!

Here's what's needed to make her costume:

• Zebra-print scarf
• Matching zebra jacket
• Dark blue spaghetti-strap top
• White belt (the pants kind!)
• Old jeans
• Cowboy boots
• Feathers (found at any craft store, like Michael's, Walmart, JoAnn Fabrics, etc.)
• Fabric markers
• White headband (not too thick!)
• Red elastic wristbands (found at Hot Topic or Spencer's as well as any fitness store, like Big 5, Dick's, etc.)
• Brown fingerless gloves
• Scissors

How to make it:

1. Put on a work shirt, then put on the top. Have a friend or a parent draw the marking on it using fabric markers. Once it's done, take off the top and work shirt and hang the top, so the ink can dry.
2. Take some old jeans or denim shorts and cut them to the upper thigh, almost like Daisy Dukes. Set them aside for later.
3. Take the white belt and draw a thin line and diamonds on it using a red fabric marker. If the belt is leather instead of cloth, use a regular red Sharpie and do the designs with it. Make sure the diamonds are far apart from each other.
4. Take the headband and draw some dots and arrows on it using the same fabric marker. Don't color them in! Color in the area around them instead, so it's white arrows and dots on a red background. Make sure to leave some white above and below the red.
5. Get a white feather, color the tip using a black marker and carefully slip it in-between the headband and your head. Think a stereotypical Native feather when coloring the tip.
6. Using brown and green fabric markers, make additional stripes on the wristbands. If they're white, use a red fabric marker first before using the brown and green ones. Leave them to dry afterwards.
7. Once everything's dry, time to get dressed! Put on the gloves before putting on the wristbands, as well as the jacket before the scarf.
8. For the hair, just do a simple braid, get some bangles for your right hand and you're done!

I'll post Julia's next Thursday, as well as ones for different cook characters during Thanksgiving week, so stay tuned! ^^

13 Cosplays of Halloween: Uniforms of the Undead - Nurse (Silent Hill)

This is it, folks! Day 13 of '13 Cosplays of Halloween!' >w< And the character for the day is... *drum roll* the Nurses of 'Silent Hill!' This one's very, VERY easy because of the availability of materials and the wide variety of variations on the dress. Similar to how I used the designs of 'Resident Evil's' Jill from 'Marvel vs. Capcom 3,' I'll be using the Universal Halloween Horror Nights version of the Nurses, as well as the game version. This isn't for kids like the Perona recipe, this one's strictly for teens and adults!

Here's an official picture of a Nurse from Universal. Many thanks to SkewedNet.com for letting me use this!

A Nurse from 'Silent Hill: Homecoming.'

What's needed to become a Nurse:

• A white dress (a regular nurse costume will work too!)
• Some gray paper (Optional)
• Defrosted steak or red cloth dye
• Beige heels
• Some dirt or mud (found in your backyard)
• Non-stick bandages (found at Rite Aid, Walgreen's, CVS or any drugstore)
• Fake knife or fake machete

How to become one:

1. Open the package of defrosted steak and set the meat aside. There should be blood from the meat at the bottom of the package.
2. Take the dress and use the blood to coat it. This will give the dress a very dingy and very dirty look, like it's been stained in human blood. To make it bloodier, wrap the dress around the steak and roll it around, both front and back. If you prefer not using steak for the blood, make some red cloth dye, dip the dress in it and leave it until you get a bloodied look on it. Hang the dress to dry (steak-ed or dyed).
3. Make a sailor hat out of some gray construction paper, snip off the top peak and tape the top closed. Take a red crayon or colored pencils and lightly draw some scratches and splashes on the finished hat. If you already have a nurse hat, dip it into some leftover meat blood or into some red dye until you get the bloody look on it.
4. Take the dress (and nurse costume hat) outside, roll them around in the dirt or add some mud on it and shake it out to get rid of any excess dirt. Again, we have to make the dress as dirty as possible, so it'll look like years and years of spilled blood.
5. After you get a wig cap on and your hair's tucked in, have a friend or a parent take the bandages and wrap your face. Make sure they leave some mouth and nose holes so you can breathe, as well as an eye hole so you can see. You can use a clear mask and wrap your head with it on, too. ^^
6. Get your shoes and hat on, grab your fake knife and you're done!

This is a very awesome and scary addition to any Halloween party, anime convention or gathering! >w<

So I hope you all have enjoyed my '13 Cosplays of Halloween' event. I'll be doing something similar to this in December, so stay tuned.

Have a happy Halloween, everyone! ^w^