I'VE GOT MY MOJO BACK!

the state of Candy's uniform on the eve
of the Cosplay Photoshoot (Feb. 20th)

I started Candy's costume about one year ago, by customising the boots, making the bows and the Ardlay pendant, mostly to decompress, and because I like to slowly make smaller pieces, bit by bit, to keep my mind busy. I was planning to start the costume itself, and the wig styling, in November, but life happened, and I started the wig in December, carefully making a step at the time, not rushing it, as I was also styling such a wig for the first time. I ended up approaching the wig as I usually approach props, and, instead of hating wig styling, as I did before, I thoroughly enjoyed every step, and slowly watching the wig take shape. Also, nothing like the correct tools for the job.

I only started the dress in January, thinking one month and a half would be enough to make it, it's a simple dress after all, something I used to make in about one week. I planned to make both dresses simultaneously, but at this point I knew it was hard to make both in one month, and I postponed the black dress, as the white is more iconic. But I underestimated the amount of hand sewing the ribbons trims would take, and the time it would take. I had to handsew them, in small stitches, because I had to fit a lot of straight ribbon into curved lines.

But, after marathoning for about one week, while watching the Olympic Figure Skating Championship, miscalculating the amount of medium width ribbon needed and missing the Cosplay Photoshoot deadline (February 21st), not to mention my actual 30th Cosplay Anniversary date (February 19th), I realised I was really enjoying all the process, even the fastidious ribbon sewing, from the bows stage to the ribbon stage, not loosing myself in doom scrolling online or wasting time with puzzle games, wanting to do nothing else but work on the costume, make it nicely made, without shortcuts. 

I decided not to attend the Photoshoot, because without cosplay it really isn't fun for me, and stayed at home, correcting a few mistakes I made in sleepy marathon mode, happily enjoying myself.

That's how cosplay was for me 30 years ago, enjoying the process, making it at my own pace and redoing stuff if needed.

I need to archive and treasure this feeling, not to get lost in procrastination mode again, and making costumes for the costumes sake.

Now. that I know I can make it for Aniaki (March 7th), and I'm sure it will be made on time. I'm starting the black dress right away, but reintroducing my old discipline, work on costumes weekends only, sometimes on breaks or in the evening, while watching TV. Daytime is work only.

Also, Festa do Japão em Lisboa was cancelled, so I'll slowly make Midori's costume for Fórum Fantástico, in late September, and Candy's suitcase.

+ I'm so happy, it's like finding myself again.

- it was a long, long time without my cosplay mojo, I don't want this again.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Keep it like this for as long as I can, finish my shag rug, reorganize my storage (I ordered a bunch of stuff from IKEA), and explore my new big tools: the lathe and the knitting machine.