Gothic Arch Tag - Spooks Beware

Autumn Batik

Twilight

Burning the midnight oil once again...sigh. It wasn't that long ago when I was referred to as Miss "Oh So Efficient." I was on top of my projects. Deadlines were met with days to spare. Most importantly, I could see the surface of my desk. I'm embarrassed to say that those days are gone. And I have no one but myself to blame. My plate is full, brimming, bursting, chockablock...okay, I admit I had to look that one up, but you get the picture. I just have to give in when that creative bug bites with its whirling energy and deadlines are looming.

Last night I was feverishly painting and adding final touches to some sweet new Halloween characters that I hoped to list for the Friday update on Glitter and Grunge. But I realized that some things just can't be rushed. Instead, I'll be offering 5 new Halloween ornaments available for purchase 8.1.08 on Glitter and Grunge. Click here for the link!

Stamper's Sampler Aug. - Sept. 2008

Both birds are published in this edition of the Stamper's Sampler under Tempting Templates...

Star Wars Fans Invade MN Science Museum

Star Wars fans, dressed in authentic costumes, gathered at a Science Museum in St. Maul, Minnesota for the opening of the museum's "Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination" exhibit.

You can imagine the visiting children's surprise when Boba Fett emerged from an elevator. The volunteers - all official members of George Lucas's 501st and Rebel Legions - enjoyed seeing the responses to their costumes and playing their favorite Star Wars characters.

In order to be a part of Lucas's Legions the costumes had to be authentic, worn all day and not sponsored by anyone. Check out some of the costumes worn.

Inspired? Get your own Star Wars costume from Annies Costumes!

Bit of a Science Geek

Paranthropus aethiopicus, also known as the Black Skull, is an extinct species of hominid dating back 2.5 million years ago. Finding one of these Black skulls would make one heck of an addition to any Halloween collection. If you feel like doing a little excavating you can find one for yourself somewhere in West Turkana, Kenya or for the less adventurous souls you can go on over to eBay and check out Char Lee. Definitely not nearly as old as the Paranthropus but a rare find non the less.

Comic-Con is currently on in full effect, but here is an article from last week that I found over at the IO9 Website where they are 'Strung Out on Science Fiction'!

Stay tuned to The Extreme Halloween blog for details and highlights of all the costumes at Comic - Con!

San diego comic-con, Venture Bros., battlestar galactica, marvel comics, secret invasion, torchwood...

, cyberwoman, star trek

Costumes We Want To See At Comic-Con

One of the traditional joys of San Diego Comic-Con - or any comic convention, really - are all the strange and wonderful costumes that fans wander around in for days on end. From Hello Kitty Darth Vaders to creepily lifelike Simpsons characters, we've seen them all... or, at least, almost all. Under the jump, we'd like to suggest some characters that we're hoping will be brought to life during next week's nerd prom.

Old-School Star Trek Characters: I know it's a cliche, but when was the last time you actually saw Vulcans at a comic convention? Sure, every year brings a smattering of Klingons out of the woodwork, but even they've been falling in number in recent years, replaced by even more Stormtroopers and men and woman treating Johnny Depp's Pirates of The Carribean outfit as a lifestyle choice. With JJ Abrams' Trek reboot building buzz, here's to seeing some people in black slacks, blue sweaters and pointy ears wandering around the convention center.

Torchwood's Cyberwoman: Why should the midriff-revealing Stormtroopers get to hog all the uncomfortable attempts to sexualize faceless soldiers? And unlike the Britney Spears-esque female clone warriors for the Empire, this "sexy" cybernetic killer is even in continuity!

Skrullized Superheroes: If we don't see versions of our favorite superheroes with large green rippled chins, then quite simply, Marvel Comics' Secret Invasion series - where our favorite superheroes discover that some of their number have been replaced by alien versions of themselves with large green rippled chins - will have failed. It's the ideal outfit for the lazy costume fan, requiring very little editing to be completely topical.

Dr. Mrs. The Monarch/Lady Au Pair: Don't get me wrong - I'm as happy to see women dressed up as the husky-voiced femme fatale Dr. Girlfriend from The Venture Bros. as the next man, but now that we've seen a couple of her other identities, it's time to ditch the Jackie O-inspired pillbox hat and get more inventive. Remember, it's just like Dean said: Go, Team Boobies.

One-Legged Singing Gaeta from Battlestar Galactica: The rise of Colonial Warriors has been noticeable at various conventions over the last few years, but very few seem to want to emulate specific characters. Maybe they've been put off by the lack of distinguishing features - in which case, poor Mr. Gaeta's leg amputation is a gift to any ambitious cosplayer. Who wouldn't want to see a hobbling hero in line for Ron Moore's autograph, singing painful space shanties?

15 Minutes of Fame!

Have you seen it? I can hardly believe it myself, but there it is beginning on page 28. A five page article featuring me and my little holiday creations in the Autumn issue of Artful Blogging, sandwiched between some of my favorite mentors and friends. When I picked up the mail today and saw the issue I screamed, I laughed and then I got all misty eyed...and that was before I opened the package. Artful Blogging is one of those magazines that I read and re-read from cover to cover. It appeals to all the senses with lush imagery and inspiring text. Thank you Staci Dumoski for being the Master at the helm and making it possible for so many creative souls to connect to something outside ourselves.

I don't think I'll have to be dodging the paparazzi nor dressing incognito anytime soon but I have my sunglasses handy just in case. Now where did I put them...oh dear, there will be no living with these little guys after this!

Check Out AnniesCostumes.com New Design!

Meet our Annie Logo:


And the new look and feel of our website with enhanced features!




This fabulous new design was created by www.6thsensedesign.com
The New Annie Logo was designed by AllBusinessAuctions.com

Marvel Costume Fashion Show at Comic Con

Official Press Release

This year, the sidewalk won't be the hottest place in San Diego-- it will be in the Marvel Booth! On Friday, July 25, at 2:00, Marvel Entertainment and Disguise are proud to present their first ever fashion show. The ComicBookResources.com website reports: This is no cosplay; these are seriously fierce costumes worn by incredible models, strutting their stuff down the catwalk, for the debut of the sexiest line of costumes ever created and inspired by Marvel super heroes.

Dressing up as a super heroine in the past would have meant spandex and tights. No more! Disguise has tossed this old and unflattering cartoonish concept and instead made fashionable, wearable and fun costumes that not only fit great but look fabulous. These costumes are inspired by some of the hottest and most iconic heroes to grace the pages of Marvel, and this will be your first chance to see them live as they make their Comic-Con debut!

Come see Black Cat, Emma Frost, Spider-Woman, and more as you've never seen them- on the runway, as Marvel and Disguise transform Comic Con into Fashion Week, if only for an hour. The Fashion Show begins in the Marvel Booth (Booth #2429) Friday at 2:00 and will be followed by a photo-op with the models. For a preview of the costumes, visit this link: http://www.mallsoft.com/disguise/superheroines.html

Check out the fashion and find out how you can not only stop villains, but stop everyone in their tracks at this one-of-a-kind event only at San Diego Comic Con!

ABOUT DISGUISE: Disguise is the leading fashion driven design company in the global costume business, offering the trendiest styles for both everyday costume play and Halloween. Headquartered in San Diego, Disguise partners with leading studios and retailers to bring over ten million costumes to the American market each year. As the leading supplier of licensed character-driven Halloween costumes to American retailers, it's true that "Halloween is not complete without a great Disguise."

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

Marvel Comics is a division of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., a leading global character-based entertainment company that has developed and owns a library of more than 5,000 characters, which have entertained generations around the world for over 60 years. Marvel's operations are focused in entertainment and consumer product licensing and comic book publishing. Marvel Studios supports the development of feature films, DVD/video products and TV series. Marvel's creative team also supports the development of video games and toy lines based on its characters as well as for a broad and growing range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, foods and promotions. Marvel's comic book division is a leading publisher in the global marketplace while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. Marvel's Toy Biz division is a recognized creative force and leader in toy design, sales and marketing, developing and overseeing both licensee and in-house

Bloody Mary Makeup & All About Bloody Mary

We carry Bloody Mary brand makeup on our website. It is one of the most popular makeup brands because of the innovative styles and colors they are always coming out with. Bloody Mary makeup is famous for Professional Hollywood Makeup, Halloween kits, Goth Makeup style, fangs, camouflage makeup, sports fan makeup and even more!

The brains behind the whole operation, Bloody Mary is Bobbie Weiner. I am proud to call this awesome woman my friend, she is an inspiration to women and entrepreneurs. She started her company from the ground up and is now one of the top entrepreneurs in the country.


Me (left) and Bobbie at the Halloween Show February 2008

Her camouflage makeup is used by the US military, the Israeli military and several others around the world. Her innovative camouflage makeup contains bug repellent and she designed camo kits with mirrors inside so that reapplication is easy and quick.

Besides her achievements for camouflage makeup, her Halloween makeup kits are absolutely great all in one packages complete with instructions, applicators and everything you would need to achieve the look you need.

Bloody Mary's Goth makeup is great for stylistic makeup applications all year long, very popular among teens and the club kid crowd.

Bobbie has also done makeup for television and movies, she is most well known for creating all the frozen dead blue passengers in Titanic. Bobbie has many crazy and colorful stories, as you can imagine. My favorite story is from when she was in makeup school learning her trade, for an exam she had to make up a person with bloody burns. When she had finished, the model looked in the mirror and threw up! That has got to be the best compliment a gory makeup artist could get!


Bobbie holding the issue of Millionaire Blueprints Magazine. She was the first woman to be on the cover of their magazine.

Besides the makeup empire she has created, several years ago, she launched a Comic Book, The Tales of Bloody Mary, putting her alter ago in print as a motorcycle riding, sexy vixen! It is one of the most popular new comic book series on the market. Along with the comic book, Bloody Mary products have become an entire franchise in and of itself. There are all types of items, including an award winning Bloody Mary Hot Sauce!



Her Comic Book inspired a haunted attraction at Six Flags Amusement park in Texas called The Circus of Fear.

We collaborated with Bloody Mary this week for a photo shoot for her latest book, supplying the kids costumes and the dog costumes to go along with her makeup.


Our Child Glow in the Dark Skeleton Costume, Skele Dog Costume, and Bloody Mary Skeleton Makeup



Our Clubbers the Clown Child Costume, Clown Costume Accessories, Clown Dog Costume, and Bloody Mary Clown Makeup


Our Captain Jack Sparrow Costume for Kids, Captain Jack Pirate Dog Costume, and Bloody Mary Pirate Makeup Kit

The handsome young model in the photo is Dylan Hall, he is 7 years old, and his little buddy is Charlie, a 6 year old Brussels Griffon. Dylan and Charlie have grown up together and love Halloween especially going to Dylan's Dad's famous Haunted House, The Boneyard in Arlington, Texas where they greet people coming into the Haunt every Halloween season. They have become a Halloween fixture at the Boneyard Halloween Attraction!

The full line of Bloody Mary Makeup is available on our makeup site: www.StageAndTheaterMakeup.com

Greatest American Dog Reality Show Dog Costumes

Episode One Recap

Episode 1 Aired on July 10th, If you missed it, you can catch the full episode at CBS.com

We had to scramble last minute with the producers for the show since production made a last minute decision to have the "Best in Show" talent show as the elimination competition for this episode. We sent them costumes for both the people and the dogs too.

In this first episode, all of the contestants arrived at the doggy mansion called The K-9 Academy. they all sized each other up, sniffed each other up (the dogs) and got to know each other a little.

The first competition game they had was called Doggie Musical Chairs. Each time the music stopped, the dogs had to jump on the podiums and "sit". Congrats to JD and Galaxy for winning the competition! Their reward was the Dog Bone Suite for the week.

The elimination round competition was a talent show, and 3 teams of 4 each were formed. They had a day to practice their routines. I think each team did a great job and made great use of costumes for both the people and the pets! The first Team Aloha all dressed in grass skirts and flower leis and their act was a beach theme. The second team named themselves Bark Wag High and they dressed up in cheerleader costumes and football uniforms. The third team was Team Disco and they wore glitzy costumes from the 1960's and 1970's complete with afro wigs! They all looked great!

The judges deliberated over the performances and picked out the three weakest performers from each team and sent Michael and Ezzie home. I thought that was unfair! They should have taken into consideration that they came in second in the Musical Chairs challenge, but that's just my opinion.

Overall it is a very cute show and highlights the amazing bond that people have with their pets. And that's a good thing!

Disney/Pixar Launch New Line of Comics with BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios and Disney/Pixar announced that they will be working together on a line of comic books based on classic Disney/Pixar characters.


The comics will feature new stories from the characters of Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Monsters, inc. and Wall-E.


In recent years, American comic books have become more geared toward adults but Disney/Pixar sees this as an opportunity to get kids excited about comics again.

The comics should be on the market at the end of this year, but if you cant wait that long, a preview book featuring Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Monsters, inc. will be available for $5 at San Diego's Comic-Con at the BOOM! Studios booth.

More information about the Disney/Pixar comments can be found here.

If you're looking for Toy Story character costumes visit Annie's Costumes

Comic-Con 08 Preview Night Photos

From FirstShowing.net

Exclusive: Comic-Con 2008 Preview Night in Photos!

July 23, 2008
by Alex Billington

It's official - Comic-Con has officially begun and hordes of geeks have invaded the San Diego Convention Center yet again. For the third year in a row we were on hand in order to capture the opening night mayhem in photos. This year we present an exclusive look at the show floor during preview night, including some shots of the movie-related booths and much more. Not only were there some strong presentations from Sony, Lionsgate, and Warner Brothers, but we've spiced things up with a few costume photos (the only ones we could find so far), Watchmen action figures, and whatever else awesome that we came across while battling the crowds. If you've been waiting to get excited, this is your first chance - enjoy!

Stay updated on all of our coverage from the on-going Comic-Con right here. All updates will show up daily on that page or you can subscribe to our RSS. Comic-Con 2008 has begun!