Laughing Magpie

In which the future and the past, the small and the cosmological, all get mixed up joyfully.

2009-11-06T18:12:34Z

Tomorrow they will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Carl Sagan's birthday at Broward College in Florida (http://www.carlsaganday.com/). With thanks to my daily reading of BoingBoing.Net, I was also introduced to these gentle, techno, auto-tuned (warning for those like Dr Smith who do not like auto-tuners... though even he will have to listen to these because of the Awesome that is Carl Sagan) videos:

A Glorious Dawn:

We Are All Connected:

Links eventually led me to the website of The Long Now Foundation (http://www.longnow.org/) and I wandered around there for awhile, intrigued especially by the Lost Landscapes of San Francisco seminar given by Rick Prelinger. There's some amazing footage in here from as early as 1905 (A Trip Down Market Street) and just after the earthquake, to colour movies from the late 1930s, to construction of the Bridge, to VJ day riots, to sideshows...
http://fora.tv/2008/12/19/Rick_Prelinger_Lost_Landscapes_of_San_Francisco

Inspiring.

ETA: and beauty, hope, inspiration and awe are so desperately needed. My heart goes out to all those affected by the tragedies of the past few days.

TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood!

2009-11-05T16:44:31Z

Need I say more?! Yay!

Well, maybe a little: April 22-25, 2010, passes (prices not available yet) go on sale November 18. Venues are Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Egyptian Theater and the Roosevelt Hotel.

http://www.tcm.com/festival

I have no idea if we can go, but it sounds like something worth going to!

Out of curiosity, I started looking up other Classic Film Festivals/Conventions:

http://www.cinevent.com/
Columbus, Ohio - May Memorial Day Weekend. Silents, early talkies, memorabilia.

http://www.noircity.com/
San Francisco, California - January 22-32, 2010. Film Noir.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-10-12T23:09:56Z

With no excuses or apologies to you guys in the US. It's Thanksgiving!

The more days that we give thanks, the better.

And the more days I watch James Cagney, the better the better.

I've got the whole American Film Institute (AFI) Tribute to James Cagney from 1974, but on a fuzzy bootleg, so it's nice to see some extended highlights of his Thank You speech on AFI's official YouTube channel.

The industry says Thanks to Jim, Jim says Thanks in return:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2009-10-06T21:28:04Z

I'm not a poster child for the green movement - the number of airplane trips I take immediately strips me of any real cred - but there are a couple things I've taken on as my personal commitment to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, as well as my feelings on Fair/Ethical manufacture and trade.

I decided I wanted to write about this because I've been reading Robert Fontenot's art project blog and I find it exasperating:
http://recyclelacma.blogspot.com/

But I'll come back to the "RecycleLacma" project in a minute.

I've recently declared it now my official policy that I wear something everyday that is either second-hand/vintage or handmade. Not the whole outfit, but at least something key. I've been pretty much accomplishing this already, but now that I'm committed to it I've found it guiding my choices even more.

"Handmade" is a misnomer really, since lots of mass-produced clothing at the mall was made by hand, but under conditions I morally disagree with, out of questionable materials, and then transported vast distances before arriving in my closet, where, because of their quality, they will need to be replaced frequently. But I mean either made by myself or someone I know, with quality construction and fair conditions.

Made by me: Jeans from a 1940s repro pattern. My closet: Linen summer suit, early '40s(?).

Choosing vintage clothing is obviously reusing those items themselves, holding off the time they'll eventually become rags, then land-fill, but it's also reducing the amount of new clothing I acquire since second-hand clothes are taking up niches that used to be filled by new clothes.

A more subtle change is that it also reduces the amount of clothing overall (I know Dr Smith will have trouble believing this argument!). But a closet of vintage will last longer for two reasons, I think: 1) quality materials and construction, and 2) it's not really "in-style" now, so there's no reason for it to be "out of style" next year.

I can remain classically weird for ages!

Vintage is Trend resistant. I remember so well the times that I felt I needed to completely change over my wardrobe every couple years, this is despite the fact that I've always been relatively keen on a classic, or at least a personal, look (this is a positive way to say I was never really a trendy dresser :-) ).

There will be some shifts, I'm sure, I know I'm choosing vintage that still fits (relatively) into current fashion, and my taste in vintage might change to accommodate future trends and my age, size, etc. But the time scale of turn-over has changed entirely.

My closet: 1930s evening gown.

So, to get back to the art project blog. This fellow bought a couple lots from a museum deaccessioning auction of clothing (it was the Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and, to quote his blog description:

Once carefully collected, catalogued, and cared for, these items have now been cast back out in to the world. What will happen to them? Like any other useless item, they will need to be recycled or disposed of. [...]

Although each item has not yet been used, each item can have a use.

The first thing that made me mad: calling the clothing useless. Maybe I'm misinterpreting and he simply means "useless to the museum", and he actually shares in my frustration at calling the items useless.

There are hints elsewhere on the blog that the artist is actually trying to make a point about museum deaccessioning, that he earnestly thinks these items really should be recycled if they couldn't have a place in the museum, and that he was particularly concerned about a Cranach painting that was deaccessioned by LACMA:

http://recyclelacma.blogspot.com/2009/06/recycle.html

The next thing that made me think the guy was clueless: he cut up a 1950s perfectly beautiful wearable classic little black dress (LBD) into... Witch Hats and a Sack for a Hobo costume.

I'm just not buying into how this shows how "each item can have a use" here, Robert. Three ephemeral novelty items where once an LBD stood.

An LBD that conceivably might have been in continual use as clothing for the past 55 years since its creation, and that, as clothing, might have seen at least another decade. I mean, LBDs are a number one staple of a woman's wardrobe, one of the most robust items of clothing ever created, able to shift from trend to trend and morph from situation to situation with wise accessories.

My closet: Late '40s/early '50s dark grey wool dress. Accessorized with Orange Cat.

Meanwhile, you have some cone hats, a hobo sack, and a silk bandolier. Yeah, those'll stay out of the landfill for years to come.

It so happens that the LBD was a Claire McCardell. McCardell may not be a classic German Renaissance painter like Cranach was, but she was probably at least his equivalent in her field of American Fashion Design. I dunno, but its possible it never even dawned on this man that clothing could have an artistic pedigree in addition to its usefulness or lack thereof.

My closet: Another staple - the navy blazer. This one has proudly survived since the late 1940s and still pulls more than her weight in my wardrobe. Made by the wonderful "Lilli Ann" label that I love for its history of being both fashionable, sturdy and accessible.

I was careful to use the word "clueless" above, purposefully not picking words like "offensive", since I know and love contemporary art and I know there's probably little that's more pleasing to artists like Robert than to get a rise out of people; to evoke anger and other strong feelings, and get them talking. I love contemporary art and provocative artists. I'm on their side and generally a good audience.

It occurred to me that he might be trying to prevent museums from ever deaccessioning again because of the banal, ridiculous uses people like him might put those items to.

But I think this just... missed the mark. The thoughts that this project evoked in me had little to do with what the artist was saying or doing, but what he was failing to do.

...and yeah, I'll 'fess up, it did make me angry to see that McCardell dress wasted :P

My Geekdom is Almost Complete

2009-10-04T17:14:48Z

My friends, I am sick as a dog. I tried to ignore it for the past three days, but as this fourth day dawns after another night of hacking cough and wacko dreams, I can't bear it anymore and have to complain on my LJ:

I have an utterly rotten cold. I wish it was something more exciting like swine flu to justify how rotten I feel, but it's just a plain ol' cold. My ears are plugged, my neck is sore from all the swollen glands, my throat is painful, my head aches, my nose runs, my voice is gone, and I'm coughing.

Blech.

Early in its course, I did my best to spread this cold to my close friends who came over to roll our very first D&D characters!

Ha! :D

Yes. I am now the proud owner of an Acolyte (Level 1) Cleric.

Clerics are sort of like Joan of Arc, I guess.

As a teenager I longed to play D&D. I would stealthily - when no one was looking - pull the players manual off the shelf of the library and flip through it.

I went to a really small school for elementary-junior high. There were a couple geeky boys - and I do mean just two of them - and no other geeky girls. I had no one to play with. The closest I got to playing was that the two geeky boys would let me watch them play Ultima on the computer at lunch hour. Yeah, I only got to watch.

So it's not like I was going to suggest starting a D&D group together. It wasn't the geeky boys fault, nor mine. We were 13 years old and struggling between the conflicting ideas that the other gender might still have cooties and that anything boys & girls did together would count as "going out" and capital L "Like". At the time there didn't seem to be the option of friendship. That we hung out together at all is a testament to the power of geekiness and loneliness to bridge such a gap.

One of the best parts of growing up is leaving that sort of struggle behind. And another great part about growing up is having an even better imagination and capacity for elaborate games.

So, it turns out that surprising number of my grown-up friends were thwarted as youngsters from playing D&D: no one to play with, or forbidden to play by mis-informed parents, etc.

drhaggis suggested we get together and play 1st Edition Advanced D&D, which was first published in 1978 and would have been the version we'd have played as teenagers. LOL - playing AD&D is not geeky enough for us! We need to play archaic AD&D!

Although not technically period-correct to the early 1980s, drhaggis has also started a blog about our adventures here: http://noobinthedungeon.blogspot.com/ We can pretend it's a paper fanzine, I suppose :-)

Clerics choose a deity they identify with as a source of their magical power drhaggis, as our Dungeon Master, suggested I choose from the Norse or Celtic pantheon. Perhaps a hint of the adventure to come?

Anyway, I've started to think about my little Cleric. She's only 5' tall, but all muscle, I assure you, with - as befits a Cleric - very good wisdom, good strength and constitution, ok dexterity and intelligence, and "meh" charisma. I'm pleased my dice rolls fit the Cleric model, since I wanted to be a vampire and zombie hunter, ala Buffy and Sabriel.

You probably know who Buffy is, but Sabriel is a character from a series of YA books by Garth Nix, the first book is "Sabriel". She's heir to the title "Abhorsen", a necromancer who works for good, putting the undead to rest. It's a great series, and it has a great librarian role too :-). (More on these books here.)

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in D&D? What are the best ways to flesh out your character and make them fun to play? What are the commonest newbie mistakes?

--

I can haz...

2009-09-29T21:14:49Z

Myrna Loy's Jodphurs from 1935...

http://www.profilesinhistory.com/index3.php?option=com_auctions&catid=37&task=view2&id=16271

Puhleese?...

Check your entries for a "security exploit"

2009-09-23T16:28:42Z

*sigh*

If you guys have read the LJ news post, you might have heard that there was a security exploit through embedded flash-based videos last night.

The post:
http://news.livejournal.com/117957.html

You could have been exposed by just reading ~~an entry with an embedded video which, hey hey!, included my entry last night.~~ any affected entry with a video or not.

It's not clear whether I was hit or not. That entry had some of the symptoms (a "content not available" box that looked vaguely, but not exactly like the "4 boxes" - I just had one box when I checked last night) but not others (my privacy setting and tags were unchanged).

ETA: I think most of what was going on in my entry were signs of LJ attempting to stop the spread of it, not that I was hit.

But, to be safe, if you read my entry last night, you should probably have a quick look at the news post and then doublecheck that your journal wasn't hit. The worst of the hit is that your privacy setting and tags on your latest entry would be changed, and that the email address (but not passwords or anything) for your LJ was collected.

Ebay Round-Up

2009-09-21T17:27:15Z

I hope none of you are watching/bidding on any of these - I don't mean to drive anyone's auctions up - so a quick PM will result in me removing an auction from here, if you like :-)

The vintage offerings are transitioning to fall/winter. Though if you can wrap your desires around a sundress you might find particularly good deals as sellers clear out their summer wear.

"VinTaGE 50s*BLACK GINGHAM NOVELTY PRINT*NOSWT DreSS L
NEW OLD STOCK TAG*POCKETS*FLOWER CART GAL*TOMATO GUY!"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350252469882

Because the world needs more Tomato Guys! This is a wrap, similar to the Swirl dresses, but a different designer. 27-29" waist.

"Vintage 18th CENTURY ROMANTIC novelty 1950s dress M/L"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170385459998

SO cute, but alas, too big for me. Bust 40", waist 29". This late '50s/early '60s novelty cotton summer dress has pictures of 18th century lovers on it, in a really nice colourway.

"Dust-Bowl Dress *Deco* WWII-Wife HOMEFRONT House Frock!"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220483580296

Ok, so keyword over-kill and silliness going on by the seller, but I *do* have a weakness for looking at items that say "Wife" in them. Ha! Anyway - it looks like a great daytime wrap-style dress, that you can do laundry in and look fabulous while doing so, with a waist up to 34" (though probably meant for slightly smaller than that.)

"1940s Vintage BLACK JERSEY WOOL CURVY PEPLUM GLAM DRESS"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280397800064

Oh yeah! Severely sexy, no nonsense, take 'em down! 26" waist.

"Vtg 40s Black Pink Plaid FLUTTER SLEEVES Rayon Dress S
pastel plaid insets COVERED BUTTONS layered sleeves"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330359099460

They really loved plaid in the '40s, especially on party/evening wear. That can be hard to wear these days, but if you like the look of it and want to wear it in moderation, this looks like a nice dress - classic black but with plaid details. Waist is 27". Auction ends today! I would be buying this one if my closet wasn't well stocked in this niche :-)

"Vintage 40's Mauve Shantung ART DECO Dress Details! M/L"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190336596210

Lovely super-versatile dress, subtle details, will need one small tear repaired and could be yours for a $40 buy-it-now. One of the nicest and best sellers I know on ebay too. 32" waist.

ZOMG!! ST BAMF FABRIC FTW!! .yay.

2009-08-26T22:57:44Z

Screenprinted with acid dyes. And, my local art and design college ROCKS.

Indulge me in a rare crosspost between here and magpies_trek.

And now, to sew.

Thank you!

2009-08-13T17:30:14Z

A special thank you to everyone who voted (or *tried* to vote on that stoopid, broken website) for the Mad Men casting call contest! Voting has finished and they won't announce semi-finalists (top 10 men, top 10 women, til Aug 21).

There were a few heady moments when I was in the top 30 entries that I couldn't help wondering what it would be like if I won... what questions would I ask, if I had the chance, what mental notes would I take, what would I wear...

Reality check! The odds are astronomically against me, and by later in the day I'd slipped to past the top 100. But - it was fun, and thank you for helping me have fun with it too!

Ebay Round-Up

2009-08-13T17:13:13Z

Haven't done one of these in awhile!

I always feel nervous about driving up the price of an auction one of you might be watching, so I'll focus on items with Buy-It-Nows - so, first come, first won.

Ebay seller LeepsPeeps is giving away shoes and handbags! Ok, $5 a pair plus shipping (3 pairs for $15). CLOSE ENOUGH.

http://cgi.ebay.com/THREE-PAIR-vtg-NOS-LAROSE-shoes-SIZE-6-ONLY-15-BIN_W0QQitemZ280384532695

At this price, I do not care what era they are (though they mostly look '60s-ish to me, maybe a few are more recent, and very stylish, by a respected shoe designer "LaRose") or what condition (though they are all NEW OLD STOCK *squee*) or whether they fit (though the seller patiently measured and sent me details on several lots) or who is selling (though she seems patient, thorough, pleasant and has 100% feedback).

http://cgi.ebay.com/THREE-PAIR-vtg-NOS-LAROSE-shoes-SIZE-7-ONLY-15-BIN_W0QQitemZ280383706078

If you have small feet (4-6), all the better, but there are still some 7 - 10 sizes (narrowish). And there's always handbags.

Speaking of lots, your closet could become instantly stocked with 40s-60s skirts for $45:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-resale-lot-8-Vintage-40s-60s-Skirts-G-Exc-Cond-S-M_W0QQitemZ230366883273

There must be something terribly wrong with this intricately tailored, beautiful, golden 1940s suit for them to put a $25 BIN on it, but if my waist was 2" smaller I would be willing to pay the $25 to find out what that is!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1940s-Original-Gold-NEW-LOOK-Skirt-Suit-S_W0QQitemZ160355502153

Another fantastic suit, this time for a more usual price ($75). It would fit me, but I am well-stocked for suits. So someone else buy it and I'll be able to stop looking at it!
http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-40s-Slate-Blue-Light-Wool-2-pc-Suit-New-Look-M_W0QQitemZ320410869334

Practical but charming, linen dress with surprising pockets for $42:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-40s-white-tan-deco-check-unique-buttons-dress_W0QQitemZ140339484796

You might not want to think about autumn yet, but this simple purple wool dress, with forgiving and flattering fit, would be nice ($40):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-50s-60s-PURPLE-WOOL-ROCKABILLY-Day-Dress-Medium_W0QQitemZ330351997424

Or, stick with summer for now and get a 1950s Mexican themed patio dress for $45:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mexican-Metallic-Embroidery-Vintage-50s-Cotton-Dress_W0QQitemZ300338177734

Don't be fooled by the claim that this pink bolero cardigan is cashmere, but it is the very wearable vintage acrylic called Orlon. I have a bolero cardigan made of it myself, and I quite like this bat-wing pink one ($26):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-PINK-CASHMERE-Open-Batwing-CARDIGAN-Sweater-S-M_W0QQitemZ290339215626

I love cashmere so much (especially since I'm allergic to angora and cashmere wears like iron) that I really don't care whether it's from the era claimed or whatever. So long as it's cashmere. It's like gold. I have an evil plan to own a short sleeve top, a pull-over, and a cardigan in every single colour of cashmere. My mother flips out when I tell her the prices I paid on vintage cashmere ($20-50).

The best way to find a deal on cashmere is while it's on auction, once it's listed as a Buy It Now it tends to be more expensive. I started to share some auctions, then got greedy and decided I needed to watch them myself. :P

But, here's one. I have a sweater almost exactly like it, so I can be generous:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bonwit-Teller-Vintage-Women-Cashmere-Sweater-sz-S-M-6-8_W0QQitemZ150364356995

Ok, one more. This one is a BIN for $30:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pringle-Scottish-Blue-Cashmere-Sweater-MED-sz-38_W0QQitemZ250391159729

Teaser

2009-07-22T14:36:12Z

A costume teaser post.

It's almost done (I've been saying that for days!)

Do you recognise it? :-)

Grapefruit Menace

2009-07-21T14:50:56Z

Thank you for taking the poll!

I am partly dismayed that despite my Cagney fandom I've failed to impress on about 50% of you what to do when I menace you with a grapefruit or grapefruit-related product, but that is trivial compared to my happiness the 50% of you also wanted to be enlightened about the reference!

Cagney's grapefruit scene is one of the most famous of his career. It's from his breakthrough movie "The Public Enemy" (1931). The actress in this scene is Mae Clarke, actually a lovely actress, and she had a love/hate relationship with this scene, since it defined and limited her, but it also gave her some fame and recognition.

The story goes that this scene was a Cagney-inspired addition, decided on the set and not in the script. Some versions say that Clarke was unaware of the twist this was going to take, but Clarke herself says she was in on it, but that they did this version to get a rise out of an unsuspecting crew.

OK, one last thing before you watch - a couple disclaimers: 1) this is 1931 and talking movies are just wee babies, still not all that polished or confident even compared to what they'll be like in a couple years. 2) Cagney's character is despicable and is meant to be seen that way - he's a terrible, terrible guy: cruel, stupid, cowardly. I just don't want you to think that anyone felt this scene was filmed to be funny or praiseworthy or normal for the times.

I think this scene was like a cold slap in the face to audiences too, the casual cruelty of it was shocking and revelatory. Over the next couple years, grapefruits and Cagney became a bit of an in-joke. There were grapefruit references in several of his films after this, and, when out dining, fans would send grapefruits to Cagney's table (and Jim said he always ate them).

Like in "Hard to Handle" (1933), we get a grapefruit wink: (This trailer is bizarre, which is perhaps suitable given how crazy this film is, but if you didn't know the plot of this movie I think this trailer would be incredibly puzzling):

So - when menaced with a grapefruit or grapefruit related product there are many acceptable responses, but I made reference to a mouthful of beer in the poll, and that also comes from "The Public Enemy".

Here Cagney and sidekick Edward Woods (originally cast in the lead with Cagney as the sidekick - the production team soon realized the error in that and switched them) visit a speakeasy as part of a bootlegging operation. This footage has been edited into a modern beer commercial, which I find mind-boggling:

Birthday Post!

2009-07-17T15:27:53Z

It's James Cagney's birthday!!

In honour of Jim, I'll be writing a letter to Olivia de Havilland today to express my gratitude to her for her work. She stands apart in my personal pantheon of favorite actors and storytellers as a woman of great sensitivity, hard work and class. I challenge you to write to someone whose work has moved you, or told stories that you enjoyed, and thank them too. Do it without any expectation of a reply or reward.

And I'll also do my best today to convert any non-believers to the cult of Cagney!

George C Scott's Tribute to Cagney from Turner Classic Movies - includes clips, just under 5 minutes long:

OMGosh Crazy 8 minute interview with James Cagney from 1931 (he had just become a star, and I think The Public Enemy was the movie he made just before this). Yes, he wears his gym clothes. It's so painful, it's great. And no matter what silliness the studio put him up to in this, the bright, quiet guy who doesn't want play gangsters shines through:

Two Sides of the Coin: get yer 2.5 minutes of Cagney fisticuffs followed by 3.5 minutes of Cagney flirtation here!

Why yes, he hits people, and they hit him back.

To quote my favorite ad for a Cagney film (Hard to Handle, 1933) "When that red-headed sex menace kisses 'em, they stay kissed!"

Made by Yours Truly. Join the Gang.

I suspect I'm not getting LJ notifications...

2009-06-04T23:56:59Z

... it seems to be my turn to be left out of the loop. If there's something you're waiting for me to respond to and I haven't, I bet I just haven't gotten the notification. Feel free to point me in the right direction/remind me of anything pending.

Oddly, I think magpies_trek is getting its notifications.

Star Trek Costumes

2009-05-30T18:48:01Z

I've decided to start a splinter LJ for my Star Trek costuming adventures. I'm going to start sharing the link on costuming forums and stuff, so I decided I didn't really want this, my primary sweet lil' blog, getting traffic from them. And, for those who want to just read about Trek costumes, it'll be easier to access that way.

But anyone who reads this blog is more than welcome to follow along with me too! :-)

http://magpies-trek.livejournal.com

What's the internet for?... (no Star Trek Spoilers)

2009-05-19T18:19:04Z

... if not to provide me with more pictures of Karl Urban's McCoy? Come on interwebs, you are failing me. Bootleg screencappage, leaked/scanned promos, plz.

He's not the main reason I loved the movie, he's just a major bonus.

Star Trek may not be a perfect movie, but I haven't left a movie premiere feeling that exhilarated in a long, long time. It rejuvenates my interest in contemporary film, not just the franchise.

One minor costuming quibble: they needed to put some seam stabilizer under the shoulder/raglan seams, it wibbled and buckled way too much. And I wish they'd gone a bit further with the '60s retro-futurism. Ok, that's two. To balance: I like how the tops of the uniform are two-piece, and I like that they kept the short skirts with at least some nod to the original esthetic.

Oh, and Roger Ebert? You wrote:

"Uhura (Zoe Saldana) seems to have traveled through time to the pre-feminist 1960s, where she found her miniskirt and go-go boots. She seems wise and gentle and unsuited to her costume."

So: let's get this straight. A woman's character can be judged from the length of her skirt and choice of footwear, can it? Or, at least, you imply we should be able to judge her from those things? Nice trick, Mr Ebert, you managed to be "pre-feminist" even without time travel, and (I presume) without the miniskirt.

Love the geeky side-parted hair my friend!

Wears the uniform well!

Ze itty bitty baby Spock!

Umm... now I've changed my mind...

2009-04-24T04:31:27Z

Your comments were all really helpful on the last post! It helped clarify that none of them were really stellar choices. I liked the white best of those but they were too big.

For a complete change of pace, now I'm thinking the blue ones on the card (they are carved floral or fruitish things) since blue, red and white are some of my favorite colours together (although then I can't wear the dress with black so easily) or the round bumpy silver ones (which are plainer but versatile):

Click once and then again, this a big high res for detail!

I sort of like the red and silver ones too, but Dr Smith feels they vanish on the dress.

Choose my buttons!

2009-04-24T01:23:57Z

The dress pattern is from 1941, if that makes a difference. I have 3 choices for buttons - they'll be placed 4 on the bodice, then a sexy key-hole gap, then one on the collar - either the white and silver glass (which have a buckle that might go), black with rhinestone in a cage, or oval black with small rhinestone:

Click for bigger!

Ditto!

Nerts, my topstitching looks terrible up close! I don't think it's that awful in real life :/

Anyway - you have until I finish sewing my snaps this evening to weigh in on the button choice!

Ray Gun Pin Up Update and bonus eBay roundup

2009-03-28T16:46:52Z

I've found an awesome site that lets you download Golden Age comics that are, hopefully, public domain. They have a huge collection of Planet Comics that I'm working my way through:
http://goldenagecomics.co.uk

I looked for actual Planet Comics and quickly discovered I was not in the market for originals! Over $100 an issue - no thanks.

I'm discovering that cover images of the comics also tend to have little/nothing to do with what's inside. I'm working with the idea that I want to do "Mysta" but whether she will end up being based on the interior art is not certain. She might be a conglomerate. So I'll see what comes of actually reading the comics.

Thank you all for your encouragement on the original post!

And because it is STILL SNOWING (nerts) I present an eBay round-up that rhapsodizes on the colour Green.

Remember to ignore all claims of size, read the measurements given and compare to something you own to see if it'll fit.

Vintage 30s early 40s~IVY LEAVES~sage green dress S

Vintage 1940s Mint Green Butterfly Print Dress DETAILS!

Vintage 50's 60's Rockabilly Mint Green Boucle Coat

Vintage 50's SWEET Mint Green Spring Day Dress S M

Vintage 50s 60s Linen GREEN STARBURSTS Vintage Dress S

Vintage 40s 50s Green Cotton Party Dress S

Vintage 40s 50s GREEN STRIPES pencil suit w/ PEPLUM M

Vtg 50s Green VLV ROCKABILLY BLOUSE Pinup Top L XL B42

Almost Nekkid Ladies with Rayguns

2009-03-24T17:29:14Z

I think I'm going to make another Pulp/Comic/Pin-Up 20th Century Future costume, ala the Astronettes. A girl should have more than one.

I also predict that the Steampunk movement is inching steadily forward in time into Dustpunk, Dieselpunk and Atomicpunk, or at least, while some remain in the adventurous Victorian/Edwardian era, the energy of the movement is starting to snowball through other eras. I like to be cutting edge.

I have vague notions of entering it in the local ComicExpo at the end of April, but I am hesitant to commit to the idea since they have Ed the Sock involved in some fashion with the contest. I don't know that I want to sign up to be publicly abused.

ETA: I emailed the contest organizer, who seems lovely, and she assured me that Ed himself won't be involved with the contest. It's his lady co-host, Lianne K, who loves costuming and last year wore a couple of her own, along with local improv/anime nice fella who will be MC'ing. She assures me it will be friendly, and I believe her.

At any rate, I have 3 candidates for the costume and I'd love your vote on which one would be best to go with: Gale Allen (and her Girl Squadron), Mysta of the Moon or Miss Planet Stories July 1952.

Not familiar with them? :-) I certainly wasn't until I started looking for pictures on the web, though Miss July 1952 has been in my LJ icons since my first days here. It's amazing what you learn from costuming. I'll post a teaser of her first, and you'll have to see Gale Allen and Mysta behind the cut.

Miss Planet Stories July 1952
Planet Stories is an SF pulp title, not a comic, so the only artwork is the cover. I haven't read nor seen this pulp in person but I gather the cover image doesn't directly relate to any of the interior stories. She really is just Miss July.

Gale Allen
Here are some representative covers from Planet Comics of Gale Allen. Planet Comics was the comic book spin-off of the Planet pulp. I think Gale Allen started off as intrepid girl side-kick to a fellow named Flint Baker, then they later (I'm told) became the Space Rangers with Reef Ryan. Then, she splits off to headline the Girl Squadron.

As you can see, they didn't seem to go in for one identifiable costume. Nor even hair colour, though it seems she was pretty often blonde.

Nov 1943

May 1945

May 1946

I think if I did Gale I'd want a helmet so I'd add that regardless. I'm drawn to the third outfit, though I like the pointy sleeves and hairstyle of the first.

Mysta of the Moon
It's unclear to me whether Mysta is an alien or human, she's obviously able to survive the Moon's atmosphere where lesser men require helmets. Though I sorta really want a helmet. Anyway, she seems somewhat more dynamic to me than Gale.

1945

Jan 1948

May 1948

Although the first outfit I find too simple, I would definitely make this rayrifle of hers, and maybe the jet pack. I like her green and white jumpsuits which hint at a consistent costume.

Of course, I can mix and match... they did :-)

Ebay Round-Up

2009-03-22T23:11:17Z

Brought to you by the colour blue... blue skies, blue water... anything but this crummy white snow that fell last night.... Ah nerts, now I'm thinking of my blue toes, blue ice... *sigh* Hopefully, I've picked spring and even summer-y enough items to keep us thinking warm thoughts.

Remember to ignore all claims of size, read the measurements given and compare to something you own to see if it'll fit. I try to give a range of sizes and decades in this one.

Vintage Mad Men 50s Blue Boykoff Wiggle Suit CHIC

Vtg 50s Shelf Bust Wiggle Dress Movie Star Glamour! 36B

Vintage 40s 50s NAVY RAYON wiggle dress & coat set S

This navy blue sheer dress is officially the hardest one to share with you this time. Jeez, I really really want it. I love dresses like this so much, but I'm trying not to buy 26" waists anymore, sometimes they fit but I'm better off with an inch or two more ease:
Exquisite Vtg 40s Dress Sheer Navy PinTuck Full Skirt S

VLV 40s Western Gab ARROW POCKETS Vintage Dress L/XL

Vintage 1940s ~PINUP SWIM SUIT~ Bathing Suit w/Photo

Ebay Round-Up

2009-03-07T00:59:29Z

Time for some ebay temptation!

In honour of the Watchmen premier (which I have not yet seen!) - this one strikes me as Sally Jupiter incognito daywear:
TWO TONE rayon TIMELESS DESIGN WWII DRESS
(Measurements of the garment (not the person who wears it!) bust 37" -waist 27" - hips full)

I've got an itch to buy a Shaheen labeled dress, it's like the ultimate in vintage Tiki wear, and thus often expensive if you're aiming for an early one, the 1960s and later ones aren't too bad. However, I don't think this is the one for me, but it might be for you:
Vintage 50s ALFRED SHAHEEN Floral ROSES Wiggle dress
(38-30-38)

Another Shaheen. This one is killing me to share with you, I love it so. But I really don't need another cheongsam.
Vintage 1960s SHAHEEN Asian Hawaiian Maxi Wiggle Dress
(35-27.5-34)

Don't let me.

More wiggly cocktail goodness. This one really needs a full hourglass to do it justice:
Vintage 1950's Black Silk RedRose Wiggle Cocktail VLV
(40-29-40)

I think this dress would be surprisingly HAWT on the lady with the right curves. "Mad Men" is all the rage as an ebay keyword these days:
Mad Men 60's Gay Gibson Blue Bombshell Cocktail Dress M
(36-28-38)

I would absolutely have tried for this one except it's not my colour:
VTG WIGGLE BOMBSHELL SECRETARY DRESS MAD MEN WOOL M 60s
(38-28-39)

Another plug for "Mad Men" style. I would also have tried my luck at this versatile dress from an Australian seller except I already have the whole "navy versatile yet sexy" dress niche filled in my closet, and the waist may be a wee bit too small for me:
GORGEOUS VINTAGE 50s BLUE ARKAY DRESS MADMEN STYLE!
(37-26-36)

I don't know whether I can pull this one off. And I have a lot of summer dresses:
Stunning Red & White Vintage 50s Yellow Rosebud Dress
(36-27-free)

And one final simply pretty dress:
Vintage 50s Bombshell Orange Gored Party Prom Dress VLV
(36-26-free)

I want your fedora...

2009-03-04T22:44:13Z

... and your overcoat, and your 3-piece suit, and your tie, and your tommy-gun....

G-Man (Bale) vs Dillinger (Depp) on July 1!

Website with trailer and gallery, launched today:
http://publicenemies.net/

Rumour is that the trailer with play with "Watchmen" this week.

Tough Guys 4EVAR!!!!!

Here!

2009-03-02T20:53:56Z

I'm back! I was away for a week in Hawaii!

And I'm now about 3 weeks behind in planned posts... But just wanted to wave and let you all know why I've been so quiet. I'm looking forward to catching up after a good night's rest.