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kelldar.com

  • Leia 70s poncho & Padme progress
    Blog,  costumes

    Leia 70s poncho & Padme progress

    March 23, 2006 /

    Mostly done, just need to finish attaching the trim in the back. And here’s the lake dress! Nearly done! Indy lends her discerning eye to the proceedings.

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    kelldar
  • Padme Lake progress
    Blog,  costumes

    Padme Lake progress

    March 22, 2006 /

    A couple of pics of progress… sorry they’re crappy pics from my phone. Practicing with my hair piece. And the under-dress.

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s Parade pics!
    Blog,  costumes,  trooping

    St Pat’s Parade pics!

    March 21, 2006 /

    We’re back from the Atlanta St Patrick’s Day parade… here’s our pics! It was a lot of fun. Here’s some favs. I wore battle Padme, with an updated top, belt and new shinguards! Chase wore his mando.

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    kelldar
  • Lake dress progress!
    Blog,  costumes

    Lake dress progress!

    March 18, 2006 /

    Got the underdress put together! Here it is from the back…

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog,  random

    St Pat’s

    March 17, 2006 /

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! 🙂 I’m in Nashville right now, tonight we’re driving to Atlanta to be in the St. Patrick’s Day parade tomorrow. Whee fun. I’ve got a couple of you I need to email about the stuff you bought from me (or were interested in buying from me); I will be able to finally do that sunday when…

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    kelldar
  • when i found some more dcon photos
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i found some more dcon photos

    March 15, 2006 /

    Check out this page of Dragoncon pics!! Great pics of me and Ash as Leia and Luke… closeup of my tattoo… more pics of me as Leia… and pics of me as Belle and Ash as Stitch! Awesome! (Since the link above has died, here are the photos)

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i cried over miss piggy and kermit

    March 11, 2006 /

    I’m such a nerd. The end of Muppets Taken Manhatten almost makes me cry, everytime! There’s just something about the song Miss Piggy and Kermit sing… it’s so sweet LOL

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when it was hard out here for a pimp

    March 8, 2006 /

    IT’S HARD OUT HERE FOR A PIMP

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when we did a photoshoot with mel

    March 4, 2006 /

    Chase is making french toast and I’m watching ROTS. Yay 🙂 Tomorrow we do Mel’s photoshoot, and I need her to email me so I know what signs to make tonight!

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i actually used my blogger

    March 2, 2006 /

    LOOK I AM POSTING IN MY BLOGGGGG YAY

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    kelldar
  • Dragoncon 2005 pics!!
    Blog,  costumes

    Dragoncon 2005 pics!!

    February 21, 2006 /

    I meant to put this in the last post and went back to edit, but then I figured, eh, let’s put it in a new post. Dragoncon put their official pictures up… here’s my favourites of the ones I found of us. This little girl in the pink princess dress hung around us a lot backstage (you can see her…

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    kelldar
  • Lake dress & other progress
    Blog,  costumes

    Lake dress & other progress

    February 21, 2006 /

    What have I done lately? Not much. I dyed some stuff black last night. That was fun. I made two pairs of pajama pants for birthday presents. And on saturday we worked on my sssseeeeecret costume 😉 It’s not finished yet. I can’t wait til it is, I’m so excited. It’s a costume I’ve wanted for years and years and…

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    kelldar
  • Art Post: Obi-Wan
    Blog,  my art,  random,  star wars fanart

    Art Post: Obi-Wan

    February 21, 2006 /

    I’m off to Nashville again this weekend. I swear that’s all I’ve been doing lately besides going to work and stuff. My life has become so very uninteresting. One of these days I’ll get my scanner hooked back up. The only thing I’ve got on my comp right now that I can show is this… Completely totally NOT anywhere near…

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i woke up sunday morning

    February 21, 2006 /

    “Well, I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt…” Way too much Johnny Cash this weekend, listened to nothing but the entire way to Nashville and then back to Memphis. 6 hours! That particular lyric was very true for me yesterday. I woke up feeling like crap! It got better throughout the day,…

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i hated winter

    February 17, 2006 /

    GUYS! Please pray for no sleet/ice for me… at least until after I’ve gotten out of it’s way… so far weather.com is saying it’s not going to hit Memphis until midnight, which would be good, since I’m leaving Memphis at 9. PLEASE don’t let hit any earlier than that!!! Have I mentioned that… I HATE WINTER!!!!!!!! I’m really freaking sick…

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i hoped for no sleet

    February 16, 2006 /

    I woke up this morning and my knee was hurting more than has in months. All I can guess it’s because of the weather (we went from 5 inches of snow this past weekend to being 70 degrees yesterday). I hope it goes away. I also hope it doesn’t sleet tomorrow because I’ve got to drive to Nashville late tomorrow…

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when kev gave me a valentine’s day card

    February 15, 2006 /

    Er, happy belated Valentine’s Day 🙂 Here’s the card my cousin made for me. Isn’t that awesome?

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    kelldar
  • 2006 schedule
    Blog,  costumes

    2006 schedule

    February 12, 2006 /

    Atlanta St. Pat’s Parade I’ve never done this event before, and it’s still not 100% that I’m going to go, but if I can hitch a ride… Wearing regular Princess Leia, most likely, if not, battle Padme with new shinguards. MidSouthCon Friday I’ll just be there for a couple of hours most likely. I’ll be staying at the hotel sat…

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i collected zizzlingers

    February 12, 2006 /

    Update to the Princess List: 1. Cinderella Blue Ballgown 2. Cinderella Pink Dress 4. Ariel Pink Dress 5. Jasmine 6. Jasmine Purple Outfit 7. Belle Yellow Ballgown 9. Snow White 12. Mulan Purple/Pink Dress 13. Cinderella Work Clothes 14. Ariel Blue Dress 15. Ariel and Flounder 20. Aurora Blue Dress 21. Cinderella Wedding Dress 22. Briar Rose 24. Mulan with…

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    kelldar
  • St Pat’s
    a day at the races,  Blog

    when i opened a school

    February 1, 2006 /

    I am opening a new business. “Kell’s School of Photogenics” Join up now and your first class is free.

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    kelldar
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My Costume History Day 47 - Belldandy from Oh! My My Costume History Day 47 - Belldandy from Oh! My Goddess, for Katsucon 2004

I wanted to get some more use out of my Belldandy wig, which was to that point the most I’d ever spent on a costume wig. I thought the outfit she wore on the cover of 1-555-GODDESS would be a fun project to recreate!

The base of this costume is a bodice — made it out of a blue fabric (can’t remember exactly what), with plastic boning and it laces up the back. It also has “straps” that I beaded that hang down the back. The white designs on it were done in suede and heat-bonded on. The shawl is made of some really cool orange and metallic gold fabric I found at Hancock - it’s got some heavy interfacing in it to keep the shape, and for the design on all of the streamers down the back, I painted the design on.

I had to make up everything from the hips down, so I decided on skirt that was open in the front and flared out at the bottom. I used that same sparkly lingerie-like material I was obsessed with back then - I dyed it pink, and added part of a hoopskirt hoop into the hem to make it flare out. Also added some of the undyed fabric along the front edge to look like an underskirt, just because I felt like it needed something else.

The headpiece is all built around a headband - covered in some light blue crepe fabric, with the two large pieces that hang down the front attached at the back. The white suede designs are heat-bonded on here too. The parts that stick out of the top have wire on the inside to keep them sticking out - I painted the designs on those, too.

Reused my wig, bangles, gloves and socks from my first Belldandy. The necklace and earrings I bought - lucky finds at Claire’s! I was really proud of how this turned out! I wore it at Katsucon 04, and then later took it to MTAC 04 where I entered the costume contest, where it won Best Master Craftsmenship. Nice!

I really need to get this shot on the white backdrop one day. I know it needs some repairs - like, I know I stole the hoop out of its hem at some point for something else so I need to figure out a replacement. Maybe I’ll get this one done for white backdrops later this year...
My Costume History Day 46 - Arwen (original design My Costume History Day 46 - Arwen (original design) from LOTR, for ROTK midnight show

So as we were all anxiously awaiting to see the costumes from ROTK, there was a tiny little snippet of Arwen in her coronation dress in some promo image. It was just her head with the tiara, but I wanted to make it. So I designed something I thought would go with it - a wedding dress.

Both parts of this, the dress and robe, are modified versions of Simplicity 9891. The underdress is made of a matte white satin, with fitted sleeves and I made it way longer and wider. I wear platform boots with this to be elf height, so it needed all that extra length! The neckline trim was from Calontir Trims, and I added some pearls to it. For the design on the sleeves, I copied a motif from one of Elrond’s costumes and painted it on with silver fabric paint, and beaded around it as well.

The robe I made out of a silver stretch velvet; it has two sets of lower sleeves, one of the velvet and one of the white satin, and I beaded the collar. The hem was a happy accident - we put horsehair in the hem to give it some body, and it created this wavy effect, which I ended up loving. The belt is also made of the velvet, with the same motif painted on and beaded.

My tiara was made by Atelier des Elfes and is still one of my fav pieces in my collection of costume pieces.

I wore this to the ROTK midnight show, and then to several conventions throughout 2004 and 2005. I also did a photoshoot at our local art museum (and one of the photos ended up in a gag book I stumbled across at Barnes and Noble while wedding planning years later! Story for another time!)

I actually wore this in the Dragoncon 04 parade - I made an extra skirt that was longer than everything else that the rest of the costume could sit on and not get dragged on the road. The laces of my boots got tangled midway through and I thought I was a goner! LOL

Still have it - it’s not in great shape. The satin fabric is weakened at the sleeve seams, and some of the velvet has lost its stretch. Always thought about remaking it from the ground up with 20 more years experience - that would be fun!
My Costume History Day 45 - Padme’s Loyalist Commi My Costume History Day 45 - Padme’s Loyalist Committee Gown from Star Wars AOTC, made for Dragoncon 2003

My 2nd serious Star Wars costume for my 2nd dragoncon!

For the top and skirt I found a iridescent blue taffeta at Hancock, and a sequin fabric for the inset on the top. The robe fabric is the screen accurate velvet burnout - but I used black, because that’s what I saw on screen - black and blue, more than purple.

I can’t remember what Mom & I used as a pattern for the top and skirt, but I’m pretty sure the robe was a very chopped up and altered Simplicity 9891. I used that pattern a LOT! I added the trim to the edges, and the robe velcros to the top and skirt all the way down the front to keep them together. The appliques were all floral pieces I got at Hancock and dyed to match my fabric.

The necklace is cardboard and gold lame, and my dad helped me with the headpiece - it’s craft metal backed in craft foam to help keep it comfortable, and I glued a hairpiece into it, so it all just sits right on top of my head.

I had a disaster just a few days before Dragoncon when trying to finish this - I realized I was not going to have enough of the screen accurate velvet to finish the sleeves. I had to call the fabric store I’d ordered it from and beg them to overnight a yard to me. They were reluctant saying it would be very expensive and I just cried “I knooooowwww”. But they did and I was able to finish it.

It was a beast to wear - just a lot of fabric to deal with plus the giant, heavy headpiece. I had to use around 40 giant bobbie pin to keep it on my head. This was the year they had the Dcon masquerade offsite, so when we got on the bus to go over there, I clanged my headpiece on the doorframe getting on the bus. That HURT! LOL

After dcon, I did some upgrades - I painted all the trim a little darker, and biggest of all I fixed the shape of the sleeves of the top. I wore this to a few local Star Wars events over the next few months, but kinda retired it after I did my Leia.

It’s not perfect but it still has a place in my heart. I haven’t been able to shoot it because I can’t get in the top - one day I’ll alter it so we can it shot on the backdrop!
Hadn’t updated this in nearly 2 years, so here’s a Hadn’t updated this in nearly 2 years, so here’s a new version - MOST of the costumes I’ve made 1998-2025.
My costumes that are turning 20 this year! My costumes that are turning 20 this year!
Easy video trend where I just get to plug in some Easy video trend where I just get to plug in some fav costume photos? Yes please!
My Costume History Day 44 - Teela from Masters of My Costume History Day 44 - Teela from Masters of the Universe/He-Man, for Dragoncon 2003

Since I’d done She-Ra in 2002, I really wanted to do a Teela costume too. And Dragoncon was the best opportunity I’d had to do a costume like that!

I bought a white leotard and cut the sleeves off to make the lower arm gauntlets. Found a coppery sort-of crepe fabric at Hancock for the vest - I don’t think Mom & I used a pattern for this, I think we just kinda made it up as we went. It closes in the front with a hook and eye, and for the little “snake” chest details on the front, we made individual pieces and appliqued them together to create a 3d effect.

Bought the wig online, and made the tiara out of some craft foam, leftover vest fabric and a red gemstone. It bobbie pins into the wig. Boots I had, added some fur just tucked into the top.

Orko I made out of a little teddy bear, a bouncy ball, batting, duct tape, floral wire, paper mache, craft foam, and fabric for his little robe and hat. He attaches to my wrist with fishing line.

Wore this at Dragoncon and had fun in it! I wanted to wear it again the next year to SDCC, but I didn’t like how the snake chest appliques weren’t obvious, in a lot of pics they just disappeared. So I went in with some watered down fabric paint and painted around the stitch lines to try to give it some more depth. And then after SDCC I had people making fun of me for painting the details on. Can’t win.

Also had a guy come up to me in the Mattel booth, where I was taking pics in front of a big He-Man mural, and ask who I was supposed to be dressed as. I said Teela. He said no, you can’t be Teela, you’re too short. Ok like sorry I didn’t get leg extending surgery for my COSPLAY? WTF LOL

I haven’t worn it since SDCC 2004, but I do still have it all. Several times it’s almost made the cut of getting a white backdrop shoot recently - in 2024 I even washed the leotard in prep for it, but it just didn’t happen. Orko needs some repairs too... so maybe I’ll get around to that this year. Fingers crossed.
My Costume History Day 43 - Susan Sto Helit from D My Costume History Day 43 - Susan Sto Helit from Discworld, made for Dragoncon 2003

Dragoncon is always a great opportunity to do costumes that wouldn’t really fly or be noticed at any other con. At the time I went to Dragoncon in 2002, I was reading through all of the Discworld books, and I thought Susan would be a fun costume to do for this con - and I immediately decided I’d do it for the next year, 2003.

And I started on it almost as soon as I got home. I based it on Paul Kidby artwork! It’s mostly put together of bought and modified pieces. I bought the bodice and skirt on ebay - when the skirt arrived, I cut it at an angle and cauterized the edge. Bought the gloves, used my Morrigan boots. Made the cape out of some black fabric, bought the wig from Amphigory and painted the stripe in with some watered down acrylics.

Death of Rats I made out of various things... styrofoam ball, sculpey, batting, friendly plastic, floral wire, some scrap black fabric. I thought he turned out so cute! I bought the scythe at Halloween time and painted it.

And then I had to sit on for months until the next Dragoncon LOL. Thankfully I didn’t lose interest and did wear it - put it on as SOON as we got to Dragoncon that year! I was really happy with it.

Though I didn’t wear it again after that for a few years - until Terry Pratchett was a guest at MidSouthCon in 2007! I was like omg I gotta get this Susan costume out and wearable again. Unfortunately I’d loaned the cape to someone and never got it back, so I substituted my husband’s Vader cape instead. The cheap bodice I’d used in 2003 RIPPED at some of the lower eyelets when I went to put it on, so I threw a black underbust corset on over it. Not particularly the look I wanted but I was trying to make it work!

I did get to meet Terry Pratchett, he signed a book for me, complimented my costume so goal achieved. I do still have it all - but Death of Rats’ sculpey pieces are crumbling into dust. One day I’ll do a bunch of repairs and upgrades and get this shot on the backdrop! I need better pics!
My Costume History Day 43 - Blossom from the Power My Costume History Day 43 - Blossom from the Powerpuff Girls, for Dragoncon 2003

Ash, Cath and I wanted to do matching costumes for the Dragoncon 03 parade - and since it was the early 2000s, that meant we were going to do the Powerpuff Girls LOL

Ash was Buttercup, Cath was Bubbles and I was Blossom. Headed to Hancock and thankfully they had stretch knit in all 3 colors we needed for the dress - plus black for the waistbands. Each dress is just a basic tube with side seams, arm holes and neck hole. Nothing fancy. The waistbands were just tubes of fabric. We bought tights and shoes.

Ash used her own hair - for Bubbles we got a blonde wig and put it in pigtails, and for me as Blossom, the only orange wig I could find was a cheap, shiny Party City wig. I made the “bow” with a wire frame covered in red fabric and it’s wired with floral wire into the wig cap.

We wore these in the Dragoncon parade (with the cosplay.com group!) and had so much fun. But... that was it. We never wore them again, because the 3 of us didn’t go to another con together for another 2 years LOL. And I wasn’t going to wear Blossom alone??

I did at least use the waistband for another costume (Marion) and the shoes for some other things too. But otherwise, it sat in a bin in my closet for 20 years. Until Jan 2023, when I finally got it out, cleaned it up, bought new shoes and tights (the original shoes bit the dust) and got it shot in the white backdrop. 20 year old Party City wig and all LOL (omg it lost so much hair when I tried to brush it!)

But I’m soooo happy to finally have some standalone photos of this that aren’t a 450px tall pic from an old digital camera. I finally have it properly catalogued and she’s retired for good now.
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