Steampunk Attracts The Eye Of The BBC

Nice little article and video...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8376028.stm

Just a couple of pictorial representations of The Lady Mimsy and myself at the very recent and most enjoyable Whitby Celebratory Weekend For Those Of A Gothic Disposition. In the last representation you can see that I did in fact complete the coat I displayed earlier on this web diary.

Nanowrimo progress

Currently nothing. I'm very disappointed in myself.

Face Fashion

I've been working on (if that is the correct turn of phrase) growing myself a 'steampunk' facial hair style. It's nearly there now, and hopefully should look good for Whitby! I can even wax the tips now, which is what I was aiming for!

Coat Part 2 - The Pictures

As promised, the photographs of my modded coat mentioned in the previous post. I still need to put some brass buttons on it, but I'm rather pleased with what I've achieved...

Coat!

I've spent much of this afternoon sewing a brown cord coat. It was an old coat with a ripped pocket that I haven't worn for a couple of years. I first fixed the pocket, then sewed eight brass rings to the back and created a sort of 'corset style' back, held together with gold rope cord. I created some epaulettes out of felt and gold braid. I also finished the pocket edges with the braid and added some loops of the cord around one arm. I also put some shiny brass buttons on the lapels...

It was quite hard work, as I am hardly the most accomplished at sewing! I still need to find some more brass buttons for the coat, but I'm pretty pleased with it so far...

I'll try and add some photographs tomorrow.

Information of literary kind

I've just finished the first book in the Pax Britannia series, Unnatural History, and I can confirm it was a rollicking good read! I was lucky enough to get the book in my goody bag at the asylum, which was a lovely suprise. The book did have a few cliches, and the characterisation could have been improved, but all in all it was great fun. I'll definitely be seeking out the other books in the series.

In sort of related news, I've decided to attempt nanowrimo again this year. The title? Jericho! Yes, I'm going to attempt a steampunk novel. l have managed to knock together a rough chapter plan, and I know what I'm aiming for (pulp all the way, baby!) so my hopes are reasonably high this time... Look out for excerpts on this very blog.

I've done a little more work on the faery-gun - I've sawn off the magazine and the pretend folding stock. I've found a jar to attach to the magazine place and worked out (see below) how to place a glowing fairy in the aforementioned jar. Next I need to glue in place the cone on the barrel and the other bits and bobs. I need to get some glue on rivet heads (and possibly a cog on the cocking knob) and then I can paint her! I'm envisioning a couple of coats of primer followed by a copper coat. Then it's just a case of aging it up. Hopefully should look good!

Faery gun power unit

I've been working on some plans for the 'power unit' of Lady Mimsy's pistol. Feeling rather positive about my ability to deliver a convincing mod.

A Ray-Gun for the Lady

Today I bought a small toy gun to modify for the lovely Lady Mimsy- the picture below shows the raw material. I have a couple of bits to attach to this and few parts to saw off! We're looking to make this into a 'faery powered' gun! More later...

Plans afoot!

I'm terribly excited by the prospect of steaming it up again at Whitters this October! To that end, the Lady Mimsy and I have been formulating plans for clothing, props &c. I'm in the planning stages regarding revamping an old brown cord coat that I damaged some time ago. I'm toying with the idea of putting on a chained corset style back, epaullettes and watch part decoration around the lapels. I might also affix some method of attaching pouches and accessories to the coat too. Lady Mimsy has some excellent plans for a key decorated corset, and there's another top secret project we're working on for next year!

Back From The Asylum...

...where they very kindly let me go!

I, and my lovely paramour, the Lady Mimsy Beaucoup, had a most marvelous time. There was a wonderful sense of community, and many beautiful outfits on display. My mind is buzzing with ideas for Whitby and the next SP Convivial, and hopefully I'll be able to record them on this shiny new journal!

Anyway, here's a link to all the pictures from the Asylum Convivial -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlthulhu/sets/72157622368249484/

and here's a link to my BG profile -

http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile