Forum migrated to wyu.ulmb.com~

So long and thank you for the fish... as sung by the dolphins in "The hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy". Hehe... always wanted a chance to use this phrase. Look up the video on youtube~^_^
Yeap indeed, I have managed to get the forum converter script to work and thus migrated from the former forum hosted by Proboards onto one which I host myself. There will be heaps more interesting features and cool functions for everyone to enjoy (As soon as I figure everything out) Well... shouldn't take too long~... afterall its just changing of settings ~^_^

Well, one of the new features that I found out which I thought was really great is giant avatars... hehe. Not exactly giant, but I can define the size... I set the allowed size to a maximum of 150 x 150 pixels. I host the avatars on my web server, of course u can link them to your own as well... so this meant that no need to worry about size restrictions too. I limit the allowed size so that viewers do not have to waste too much bandwidth downloading user avatars ^_^ And there are heaps more which is user customisable now that the forum is self run. I'll tweak them all as soon as I can. I'm still picking a nice style and theme for the forum... won't get done so soon yet.

There is a thread which asks for those to safely migrated to drop a message. Here are the important bits:
The password are sent to your private message inbox in the old forums. Please use it to login into the new forum and remember to change the password.

The URL of the former forum is:
http://wyu.proboards.com

This is because I am not allowed to view your passwords, nice isn't it? So I can't migrate them myself. If you manage to get it to work and feel like telling me that you're safe and sound, write here~^_^

http://wyu.ulmb.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=319

There are still alot of updating and tweaking I need to do. I'll try my best to get them done soon. Can't wait to put all the new functions to test. I will take some time, so expect the forum to change in looks over the next few days. Meantime, I hope everyone enjoys the new experience and don'f forget to write~^_^

Oh the picture is not related to the forum migration. It is a new fanart submitted by kenshin~ Its a Ragnarok Online high priestess stat card hehe... Well obviously kenshin doesn't play Ragnarok Online~... the stats are quite off ^_^ Thank you for the fanart. I'll add it in the fanart gallery shortly ^_^

Cold weather is bad for kigurumi mask making~

What happens when the weather gets below 10 degree celcius... paints and varnishes takes longer to dry. This is shown to me in a rather ridiculous way when the varnish I used which is suppose to dry to touch in 8 hours and 24 hours for a second coat ...is taking... well 3 days... and I see the 4th day coming up. Well no better way to learn a lesson than experiencing it... wouldn't have believed that it could get this ridiculous if I haven't found out myself.

Should have not taken the instructions lightly on the back of the varnish tin "do not use when temperatures below 10 degree celcius and do not use when temperatures are expected to be under 4 degree celcius in the first 4 hours." I think I've broken both rules ...lol. Not sure what did I screw up this time haha... Hopefully, the varnish is not going to stay "undry" permanently or for much longer. I've taken it indoors now.... to keep it warmer and also to try to suffocate the insects and unwelcomed pests with its uber varnish smell.

Hmm actually, after the last 3 days, the smell is already mostly gone... and the brand of varnish I used was supposed to be indoor friendly, meaning that the smell isn't strong to begin with, costlier too @_@. Dang... that means the pests and insects won't plan on moving out.

The white parts on the surface of the mask you see are areas where the fibreglass strands got too thin, its all fixed now, still need to filler them and varnish again lol. Not sure if it is visible in the small photo, but I'll post big ones up later. The surface is kinda rough still, can't get to work on it yet all this time because of the perma-flui-varnish varnish that stays fluid for a long time -__- Really wish to get past this stage quickly, the other parts for the masks and new costumes will be arriving any day now. Is no one else curious on how the T-fa mask will look like? I'm like a little boy now not know what to expect in my christmas present. Don't think I can finish these in time when the costumes arrive, just have to wait a little longer then ^_^ Probably will work on the older galleries and videos like the bunny girl one or the nurse uniform.

Does anyone have experience with varnishing around here? What happens when you break the rule of "do not use when temperatures are expected to be under 4 degree celcius in the first 4 hours". Does the drying agent disappear after that and I'm stuck with a perma-flui-varnish? >_< Hope not.

Btw, I noticed a lot of friends and members visiting the forums but keeping mum. I will really appreciate it if you chat more in there, trying my best to bring up interesting content too~^_^ Please say something and everyone can help make this place more lively okie~^_^
The number of lurkers (I mean anonymous guests) are also seeming to be on the rise, not sure if they are bots (I hope not again) but its kinda nice to know that more people are curious about kigurumi, must be doing something right. Lets all make this community a fun and creative environment for cosplayers and visitors alike~^_^

First fan sponsored costume

The nurse uniform which Yu is wearing in the latest photoshoot was fully sponsored (including shoes) by a fan and friend. Most people know him by the nickname of Turkey~ ...Er, interesting name. He's a Singaporean too, currently residing in Melbourne. Hmm Better leave the introduction to him. Came to me one day sometime about a year ago and said to me that he thinks there hasn't been a proper nurse cosplay done in a proper nurse uniform and want to help me get one done up. Would love to hear the entire story to be certain, I've created a thread in the forums to allow him to share his thoughts and also for me to give thanks~^_^

http://wyu.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=557

Anyone wants to sponsor a costume?? ^_^

I have take a few pictures in that nurse costume and posted them below. It is only a short shoot, did a live chat as well but did not record any videos. Might make the attempt to cosplay as this nurse again in a couple of days to take more shoots for a proper gallery. Also take a look at the forum thead shown above for how the character in drawing was supposed to look like. The original nurse uniform which came before I modified it is also shown there.

The costume is made from cotton and it is quite thick. Not the cheap thin type. the nurse cap is also quite large, it looks big even on the Yu mask. The uniform has semi long sleeves which reaches a little past the elbow and has several pockets on the front. It is closed with a zipper and 3 buttons beside the neck. It came with waist straps that can be held tied to make the waist look slimer... pulled it all the way in the picture, was squeeshing me a fair bit, its not stretchable at all. But apart from the waist being a little tight fitting (which is great^_^) the rest of the uniform fits really well. Pity I haven't taken any shots before I shorted the dress, its not bad looking in its original form. I can still revert it back, but then I'll have to sew it back short all over again.

Enjoy the pictures, don't forget to visit my advertisers and the forum thread ^_^

First costume of its kind.

What is this costume that I'm talking about and what is so first of its kind about this costume? It looks like a perfectly normal cute nurse costume isn't it? Well it is special not because of how it looks~^_^ Visitors who attended the live chat yesterday might have a faint idea why it is different. Anyways, if you want to have a go at trying to make some guesses, be my guest~ It is definitely not because it is a nurse costume, it won't be my first anyway if it were that.

I am still in the midst of preparing a few pictures to show everyone. It isn't a really big shoot, just took a few pictures, enough to give a small preview that is all. Wanted to try how it feels like and it sure brought back old feelings. This costume totally transformed me, its so simple yet cute at the same time. It was breathtaking, can't describe the excitement when I saw how I looked in the mirror. Could I have a thing for nurse costumes? It is definitely not fanciful at all. I didn't want to change out of it more than ever, just wished that I can live normally as nurse Yu~^_^

The original costume is actually very long and straight. It doesn't even have a visible waistline and it is not figure hugging. Just like how a typical nurse uniform would be. I will post more pictures of it when I have more of them ready to show better the costume. So I modified it, folded the skirt short by about 30 cm, and sew it fix with my "brand new" sewing machine (oh its abt 1 month old kinda new, first used it for the bunny suits remember?). I forgot to take pics of the costume before I alter it... but well, its just shortened thats all. And as for the waist, good thing this costume came with two fixed strap like things around the waist, one on each side. I pull them up together and clipped them up. Well... the waist became a little tighter than normal, but it felt nice... and it looked fairly right to me~^_^ And so, the pictures you see are those of the altered version. And of yeah, it came with a nurse cap too. Its extra large custom made. Fit the kig mask well~^_^ I must make a mental note of this tailor, listens to my requests very well.

The other thing that I've been occupied with are the new masks. Well come the mask making thread, the last time I updated, its in the stage of fibreglassing. Its done, but might be due to the cold weather these days. It has fully hardened, but still a little sticky and stinky... won't touch it for another day in the sun or something.

Oh the thing to note about that is, I learnt the strengths and advantages of using chopped fibreglass coating now. The masks came out so soft, they can almost be squashed... well meaning its a little too thin as well. Phew this would mean its a tedious effort too since I will need to put additional coats... its no fun when u need to do more work. In short, the outcome is really thin, some areas are not sandable probably. I've thickened those areas up anyway. Oh yeah, then its uneven too... for the best results, I might use a combination of strips and mat.

Click on either of the pictures to visit the forums to see the progress so far. Do help me by visit my advertisers if they interest you. Oh yar, remind me to talk more about the forum URL the next post, thanks and enjoy~^_^

Adopting new methods to ease work.

There we have C2 posing beside the huge box even she could go into. Been trying out new methods to ease the mask making process and it is just about time to start "silicone". Its a very expensive and excessive step to take for normal mask making or when making a mask once. I only decided to use it since I think I've finalised the design for some of the parts of my masks and there won't be any changes expected. Its so expensive, I'm still thinking do I really need it.

We have been talking about silicone molds for some time now. Finally got casting silicone to make my molds. I learnt a lot from talking to the casting supply store manager. There are so many types of mediums that I can use to make a good mold easily its kinda frustrating that I am now so interested to try more. From Alginate, Latex, Putty silicone to the ones I use (pinkysil quick set silicone). There are even like 20 different types of silicone that I can make molds from... phew... that store is my new toy land hehe~^_^

But jokes aside and reality sets in... the casting stuff are outrageously expensive. It is like 5kg for $300...To coat the mask probably need that or more. The next amount of 10kg costs $572. Almost the cost of one mask itself. I'm using only 500g each time so far. I'm prepared to get more for mask cloning when orders come in. Its a huge investment, but it will save a lot of time and the process will be shortcut-ed. Just trying out the abilities of silicone for now so that I know what to do and what to expect. Watching videos on youtube and reading tutorials doesn't even come close to really using it... lol. Like the bubble problem... its not even really a problem with modern silicone. Also the removing agent problem... they are NOT needed at all... not sure wat silicone they're using. Fibreglass just comes STRAIGHT off them, they don't even stick. Well, thats provided you know what they say about silicone molds to begin with... there are more myths busted, but lets talk about that when the need arises. Thats how advantages this new silicone is.

Click on the images to drop by the T-fa mask making thread to read up what I'm doing with the silicone I bought and how is the mask making progress coming along. Like everytime, I can't tell what to expect not even after the mask is finish... it has to be worn and pictures taken, then I'll be able to go "Ooh... so thats how it looks like" Wrote a long report on this part of the making process. I guess more people who have been been following my making reports are already long familiar with that I'm doing. But I've always added new info from new findings, so if you don't read them, you'll miss out on details on improved techniques or findings hehe^^. Do give your comments on the progress or post some questions in there. Its always fun to talk about mask making ^_^