It is Coraline season again, aka October, Autumn and Halloween. The best time a year for cosplay. Big fan of Henry Selick's animated movie masterpiece. So for your consideration, may I present the Other Mother. She may be a ghoul but also a fashion plate:) Bear with me poetry and writing people, there is a poem to follow.

First the easy part. The majority of the costume clothing pieces were sourced from out neighbourhood thrift shop. What can I say; someone in my community really loves polka dots. The red accents were mostly courtesy of electric tape. The high heels and pumps are black under the tape. The high red gloves, I had laying around from a previous Halloween. The red necklace was a few bucks from the aforementioned thrift shop. The wig was uncharacteristically super cheap off Amazon. It was small; fortunately my noggin just fit in it.

Now for the more challenging parts of the look. After having to forgo more involved make-up for my titular Coraline cosplay. I had cheap dollar store make-up; and it kept taking itself off, I invested in a more expensive product. I wanted to achieve an animated look; so I painted in on .. literally, with a paint brush. I was quite happy with the end result; but I wish I had taken more time with my arms and painted them too. I have since invested in more expensive black costume make-up and may attempt this cosplay again next year. Boning it up. I would also like to add to the costume. The flippy, wavy Dior New Look waist piece turned out well. I acheived it by covering the Demerzel costume piece in pocket dots fabric; I hope to make a more elaborate collar for the next attempt that mimics better the movie version. Stay-tuned; you only have to wait a year.

And of course what self-respecting Other Mother wouldn't offer up some freshly baked cookies to go with your new button eyes. I literally baked for this one, peanut butter, chocolate chip, in case you are wondering.

Don't listen to Coraline ... sewn on irises are all the rage this Halloween. October 31st is just around the corner ... it's not too early for some fantasy-based horror:) Drop me a photo if you give it a try.

Deluxe Energy

deluxe energy
foot falls on dry leaves
crackles
I'm charged
for the day

This haiku, and its accompanying AI images, illustrates how nature can recharge, sometimes with a little hoary frost and the creation of fairly-like magic on dry autumn leaves. I don't actually recommend walking on frost ... at least not for long ... but I do guarantee it will wake you up and make you feel this world is alive; The Orion Nebula is a surreal winter and astronomy AI art add to bring that feel of wonder home.