Throwback to Katsucon 2019, when I tried to go kinda literally big with my Thumbelina Beetle Ball gown. The costume definitely let me explore my want for a giant poofy organic petticoat (which the hotel ripped in transport 😭)it was fun doing such a nostalgic character. 📸 by @amiephotos.bsky.social

Mothra reminded me how much I really love painting as a means of fabric modification. While HTV and applique can have their place, there's something deeply enjoyable about the process of painting/dyeing fabric 📸 @amiephotos.bsky.social Wig by @demholycal.bsky.social ✒️ @btanselanoican.bsky.social

Reworking costumes is something I do enjoy! An example is my Yu'lon costume. I originally made it as the head being the focal piece and the costume itself more of an after thought. Yet between Otakon and Katsucon 2019, I completely remade the dress Photography by @purpledolphinphotography

Down the rabbit hole we go! I absolutely love this photo, it's my favorite of the set. Even if it's more storytelling than showing off the costume :) Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @mahou.shoujo

One of the things that infuriates me the most, the right causes real world pain because of imagined harm from the left. Rinse and repeat

Deep and rich darker blues are definitely my favorite color to cosplay (Well, except black). My Dragon Age Warden is definitely still on my list to revist again, and is one of the few costumes that survived my move from Connecticut. Photography by Altaira Guendert

Sakizo Photoshoot! Molly was an absolute sweetheart to work with, so let's throw back to our very first collaboration! I've worked with her almost a dozen times since and every time she makes me feel some of my most comfortable in front of a camera <3 Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social

Articuno was a fun if challenging cosplay to make. It pushed me to work on a skill I hadn't used since undergrad, silk painting. Though she turned out a little too ambitious, I think! Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

I've always been bad at cosplaying well-known designs or characters, but it's mostly because I'm attracted to designs that look cool and fun to make over popular characters. It's the love of the craft for me! 📸 by @amiephotos.bsky.social Design by @dessidesu.bsky.social

After resting up from my crazy con schedule this summer. I got picked up as PT Faculty/Professor teaching costume/makeup at the local college, so I've dipped offline for a fair bit. I should be starting posting WIPs later this month. I've got 2 costumes in the works for Magfest, can you guess who?

Won't you come this way with me? Lillet was one of the first cosplays I made after graduating my master's program and moving out of Connecticut. She was simple, but a lot of fun to make (I definitely need to build more like her). Cosplay: Lillet Grim Grimore Photography by @chezphoto.bsky.social

We shot these photos at Brookside Gardens, which is a fantastic local garden! It's actually the same place we shot Milotic, but there are so many different style gardens here! Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @noflutter

This was my first time ever doing photos in a rain room, but holy crap it was fun! I also tried my hand at a little age makeup (trying my best to replicate Bettie Midler's movie makeup), which was a little freeing when the makeup didn't have to be poreless and flawless :) 📸 Munchkin Photos

Bunny suits and fitted cosplays are definitely something outside my comfort zone, but I'm glad I sucked it up (especially after Tamamo no Mae didn't work out) to give it another shot! Photo by @amiephotos.bsky.social Design by @noflutter

Photography by @vagabondportraits Lagombi Armor - Monster Hunter Honestly, this is the best time of year to wear this costume. It's all polar fleece and faux fur, so it's super warm. The cold February weather is no match for it's coziness.

Reminiscing about She-ra and the competition that marked my return to competitive cosplay. This was my last event before everything shut down. I had worked very hard to overcome (or at least manage) my stage anxiety. 📸 @amiephotos.bsky.social

Gonna be honest, I was initially very unsure of my body in this. It wasn't until I got to the shoot and the Molly-hype train pulled in that I started to feel like I did a good job. Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @dessidesu.bsky.social

I'm not much of a designer when it comes to cosplay. I'm usually much better at recreating something than trying to create a design from scratch. I let the fabric just kinda dictate the design :) Photography by @honeyandheatherphoto Cosplay Met Gala Look for Darwin from Amazing World of Gumball.

Flower Knight was a challenge to both wear and build, but it was a lot of fun to go for an opposite to my usual costume vibe. I gotta find more opportunities to pull it back out and wear it again. Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Flower Knight from Kingdom Death

The other major detail about this costume that I love is all that crushed velvet. Which, is actually not crushed velvet! It all carefully stenciled and painted using a semi-translucent pearl fabric paint to create the illusion of damask and brocaded velvet. 📸 @adoylible.bsky.social ✒️ @pem_designs

As someone who always runs hot, there are only so many times in a year for me to wear the big flashy costumes like Wailord. I absolutely love making multi-layered costumes. I just wish it was colder longer to wear them! Photography by @aleestudios.bsky.social Design by @3liemarie.bsky.social

Took a chance and entered the county fair with some of my embroidery work, and was pleasantly surprised I took home a number of wins! Two of my embroidery pieces took home first prize! Along with Nowhere King's woven shawl and a demo plushie. I also got 4 second place ribbons and 2 third places!

By popular demand, I'm going to be livestreaming three of my panels from this summers series of conventions over on Twitch! Mark your calendars if interested! Twitch.tv/ladycels

Did you know, that for Cruella I actually went with cow print for the jacket? I'd looked at Dalmatian, but the patterns were always too busy for me, so I think it reads a little better. Photography by @munchkin_photos_by_heather Photo taken at @dccosplayphoto event

I'm usually very unsure of my body in costumes like this, but it's comfy feeling and the boots make me feel powerful. There's always stuff I feel I could have done better Photography by @bradbehlesphoto.bsky.social and @munchkin_photos_by_heather Patterns by @pretzlcosplay

I made Witch Link previously, but it's a fun costume and easy to bring back out. It has, however, found a new home and new life with @ladyikaricosplay.bsky.social Of course, I'm an old grandma, so no late night shenanigans (honestly, I'd be the first to fall asleep😅).

A couple Novembers ago, right before winter really hit, we visited Brookside Gardens, Montgomery Parks to shoot my Milotic Pokemon Gijinka. This was such an ethereal shoot and one of my favorites! Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social

The amount of time we had to stare at each other and not start giggling was the most challenging part of this photo. But the results came out so sweet and adorable! Lightfury: @ladyikaricosplay.bsky.social Design: @sunsetdragon.bsky.social Photography by @amiephotos.bsky.social

I'm going to be taking a slight crafting hiatus. July has been an absolutely crazy month of travel thus far. So I'm going to be showing off some previous work while I rest and recover! Starting with my Witch Unbreon! Photography by @hailthenaninator

Finally managed to do a reel at a con! Figured Strawberry Shortcake counted at least a little as a magical girl, right? Right??? I had a ton of fun at Connecticon and full recap coming on Friday (Please excuse the neck swelling, I had a reaction to something and puffed up like a bullfrog).

It's almost time for #Metrocon ! I can't wait to see folks, and I've finally got a schedule to share with you all. Can't wait to see everyone!!

Working on getting all of my patterns transferred to the Silk/Linen pieces, first by carbon paper then by basting stitch, but wanted to take a second to check and see how it draped. Design by @hannah_alexander_artwork

Still slowly chugging away on my goldwork homework! It's definitely couching bootcamp.

The latest bug in my series is a stag beetle. I think this will be my final bug for now, as I've ridden this hyperfixation through 😅 #embroidery #goldwork #goldworkembroidery

Schedule time!! Here's where I'll be at ConnectiCon Convention next weekend. Gonna be a busy but fun con!

I was gonna keep him on the hoop, but found the perfect hoodie so...yeah. It's a bit smaller looking on my bigger frame, and more photo-accurate because of the thread painting, but I think it still looks okay? Silk hand embroidery, satin stitched onto a cheap but comfy hoodie. #kpopdemonhunters

Also, for folks interested, I've uploaded my full build book for queen of hearts! You can read more on my blog - www.ladycels.com/post/queen-o... Design by @noflutter

Now for the bulk of the work. Going around and satin stitching flat silk with a kreinik blending filament. Still on the fence of bordering with a thin braid. Will have to see! Design by @hannah_alexander_artwork

Breaking ground on Brienne. Gonna start with all the fabric components first (as I save up for the leather work). And, of course, let's start with embroidery. ✒️ Hannah Alexander Artwork

We got a test fit! I finally got a new mirror to be able to do so, but Pirate Eevee is just about done! Need to refit the waist again and adjust the hair clips for the wig. But other than that, she's ready for the summer! Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Almost forgot. The shirt! I modified a flowy gown pattern into this lightweight shirt that should help keep me cool. Just some simple casing channels and elastic in the arms to match the art design. With a small amount of beaded lace trim for the cuff. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Year of the Tiger at Magfest photos, another round! I put so much work into this costume, but it is something so niche, it not super recognizable. But that's okay! I enjoy the process :D Photography by @bradbehlesphoto.bsky.social Design by @uekuraeku.bsky.social

And we have a Derpy tiger! Done in flat silk with #1 silver Kreinik thread for the whiskers. Will let the silks relax for a bit and then get final photos. #kpopdemonhunters

And Pirate Eevee is nearly done! I'm happy with the look and the fit. Though it'll be a bit before a costest, since Izzy decided to destroy my mirror within 24 hrs of her adoption. Still love her, but I need to find a new one for full head to toe photos. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Got to the halfway mark. Need to let the silks relax and check in tomorrow to see if I need to adjust any of my thread painting before doing the other side. #kpopdemonhunter

It's time for the vest. I'm not always comfortable in strapless, so I chose to do Eevee's bodice as a vest. I used some leftover Coutil as an interlining to give it a little more structure, but nothing too severe. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

For the final con of July, let's go for Metrocon 's lineup! Since this is Florida (and the updates are all all done) Pirate Eevee is coming back, along with Strawberry Shortcake and Cruella (since she did so well in the heat). See y'all there! Photography by @bradbehlesphoto.bsky.social

To be a cat in a sunny window (and not care about the heatwave just outside)

I had the idea to try and do a tiny bit of old age makeup for Winifred since I know my usual makeup leans more younger looking (I still surprise people when they learn my age!) I was also super lucky to have @ladyikaricosplay.bsky.social as my Billy <3 Photography by @bradbehlesphoto.bsky.social

My signature seems to always be adding extra details (but lately in a subtle way) so continuing that by adding a little edge beading detail to the Jabot of Eevee. Design by @_sunsetdragon_