Gen Con: Part 1

I have been wanting to write something all week but with this lovely "sickness" I received at GenCon it has completely slowed me down. I actually got excited today as my ears finally popped and I could hear again! It meant I was getting better and I've had this sickness for 7 days now.

This is the first convention I have been too that has caused me to get sick. I'm not sure if it's because of how huge GenCon is or the fact there is more people not washing there hands or really taking steps not to spread germs? I can honestly understand why Wil Wheaton is so big on people not getting to close to him at conventions.

First off, I'm going to do a few different posts about GenCon and hopefully get these done in the next few days. This post is mostly about the dice bag I created for Wil Wheaton and me meeting him for the first time. Few people get to see how much of a fangirl I can be but I am a nerd and love my fandoms. I don't usually express it by jumping around and screaming like we usually see around the internet. I'm more of a silent fangirl. I was pretty nervous about meeting someone I have been a fan of for years. I love the fact how much of a nerd he is and that he loves his fans.

The day before GenCon offically started I went with Pete(my boyfriend) to get his badge and I actually asked a few people working there where exactly Wil would be signing autographs. I didn't want to mess around with figuring this all out on the day of. Yes, I wanted to make sure I got to meet Wil Wheaton.

On Thursday the first day of GenCon I got Pete up really early(7AM) to make sure we would make it to the Exhibit Hall in time. Pete was amazing and humored me this whole time even standing in line for almost a hour to get into the Exhibit Hall first. When they finally were letting people in I grabbed his hand and we made our way through the doors and to the back of the Exhibit Hall. I even started moving quickly a little and Pete picked up the pace to a run. So yes, I was first in line that day to meet Wil Wheaton. 

 I really thought, I wouldn't even have the guts to even say anything to him. I am a very shy person when I first meet someone and to actually meet someone I've been a fan of for so many years....yeah right? It helped immensely that Pete was there the whole time with me. Pete, I hate to say is not really a fan of Wil Wheaton but he knew how important this was for me. He kept encouraging me to speak and give Wil the dice bag. I actually got worried Wil wouldn't accept the gift but a few fans told me in the line that he would. He just didn't like people getting too close to him because of germs/etc.

I'm not even sure what I said to him but I'm sure it was along the lines of, "Here I made this for you..." The look on his face when I first gave it to him was great and I about melted. He loved that I made it and told me he would put all the dice he got that day into it. I was happy to see it would be put to good use and yes, of course I got a autograph too.

Reginald Wayne

I wanted to introduce the new male in my life that has stolen my love. His name is Reginald Wayne AKA Reggie for short. I've been meaning to update my blog about it as he's been mine for over 3 months now. It's funny because I have been just thinking about getting a dog at the time but not really being serious about it. My dad one night was browsing Petfinder and Reggie came up in the search. 

After contacting the lady that was fostering Reggie we planned to come over and meet him. I didn't think he would come home with me but the lady liked my parents and me so well he DID! I made sure to bring my parents to meet Reggie as they would be a big part of his life. They would get to baby-sit him while I was out of town. Plus, I wanted to make sure he would get a long with my parents dogs and he does!

Reggie quickly became a part of the family and fit in with the other two dogs. Reggie came from a Puppy Mill. After the local Puppy Mill was caught, the "owner"gave up all the dogs to a shelter called the Westie Rescue. The owner claimed every one was a Westie and Reggie was in the mix. Reggie was noticed pretty fast because he was bigger/taller than the other Westies there. After shaving all his hair off the people working at the shelter noticed Reggie was not a Westie but a Schnauzer. The shelter decide to keep Reggie and put him in a foster home did they could find a family for him. I am still very amused by all of this.

As I get to know Reggie every day I can honestly say he doesn't have much baggie from that puppy mill. He does have huge paws which I've been told is because of him being in a wire cage all day. That little guy just wants to be loved and I love him ever so much. He loves to be in the same room as you but doesn't need to be right under your feet. He just wants to keep a eye on you and gets upset if he can't. I love that he rolls on his back and is very fond of belly rubs.  

So yes, there will be more pics of Reggie and I can't wait to start knitting him sweaters. I have a few patterns in mind so those will be posted here of course. Reggie has also discovered the guinea pigs. He is VERY interested in them and I'm assuming interested as a "snack".

Craft Shopping

I wanted to share some of my craft buys so far this year. While on vacation with my boyfriend a few months ago we stayed with his family in Idaho. I did a little search on the wonders of google and found a local knitting shop. My boyfriend without batting a eyelid said, "Yes!" to finding the shop. We always find the local comic/magic card shops where ever we go so it makes me happy he doesn't mind the yarn shops either. He came a long with me while I drooled over the yarn. He did find a chair and entertain himself with games on his phone of course. 

The place we stopped at was called CDA Yarn And Fiber. It was amazing and I had a blast. The owner also has two pugs that we enjoyed petting and playing with. I also talked with the owner a bit and she is very nice and I highly recommend this shop. I love the fact her nails were dyed different colors from hand dyeing the yarn. It made me love the custom yarn spun, dyed, and sold there even more.

My other buys of yarn throughout the year. All are hand spun and dyed which I love. Also, here is a random fact about me and yarn - It's rare I buy darker colors. The two on the left I bought from a lady at the St. Louis Ren Faire. Another amazing summer adventure for my boyfriend and me. The lady selling the yarn told me, that sadly she didn't have a online shop yet.

On to some other craft purchases so far this year! Below are some of the amazing fabric I purchased so far this year in craft stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores. I wait for the fabric to go on sale and pounce. I'm hoping this will get me motivated to finally learn how to use the sewing machine?

 

Finally, I am completely in love with Mollie Makes magazine and even though it's expensive I find the extra buy worth it. I read the magazine from cover to cover and gain tons of new crafty ideas. I find this magazine more aspiring to me than any craft magazine you can find in the United States. It's visually pleasing to me as well and I love the layouts on each page. Usually on my trip to Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores to purchase the monthly magazine I have a look around at the sales. Of course the last time yarn was on sale so when is there not a good time to stock up on yarn?

Cosplay Items

GenCon is getting so much closer and I can't wait! My nerd heart is filled with excitement as I count down the days. I have four cosplay outfits that I am bringing with me (YIKES!). I'm not sure if I will wear them all yet but I will make a attempt. My boyfriend will be with me and he got me into cosplaying so I'll have that support when I become a spaz. Yes...spazzing over the fact if I have enough time to wear each one even though the Con is for 4 days. I even have little lists full of groceries, clothing, cosplay items, and whatever else I need. I love to be prepared, easily to tell huh?

One of my cosplays is my Tardis outfit from Doctor Who. I ended up making a hair piece to go along with it and I'm loving how it turned out. Hopefully I can post pictures later of my full outfit. Here is the Tardis inspired skirt I'll be wearing.

The hair piece I made to go along with my Tardis cosplay outfit. I used some Doctor Who inspired yarn that is named 'Sexy'. The name fits well with my cosplay outfit. I got this amazing yarn from the website Nerd Girl Yarns. I pretty much used a steam punk theme as well with the clock and gears.

I also have a Super Mario themed outfit I'll be wearing. I guess you can say both my Mario and Doctor Who themed cosplays are based on Lolita fashion? I'm not sure because I never sat down and really thought about it. I pretty much did what I thought in my head would look great and went with it. Here is the Super Mario inspired skirt I will be wearing. Both skirts I purchased from CorsetWonderland on Etsy. The seller is amazing to work with and very friendly.

I remembered making this hair piece awhile ago and got it out. It would go perfect with my Super Mario themed cosplay. A cross-stitch piranha plant that I made into a hair piece.

I also commissioned a friend of mine to make Mario and Doctor Who themed shoes to match both of these outfits. I can't wait to see what she creates and show everyone!

My next attempt is to post more because really there is a ton of things I could be posting but I am taking the lazy rode. I will post more soon and hopefully breath some life into my blogger. This year seems so busy and when I get a chance to breath I end up reading a comic or knitting.