Hmong Song Mania

Here's another Hmong song by the talented Pagnia Xiong.  It's called "Plaub Sab Phab Ntsa," which translates to Four Walls.  This particular song has english subtitles, so if you don't know Hmong, read the english subs.  It's a great song.  I hope my sister reads my blog and stumble upon this song also.  She might like it.  I know I do.

Little Red Riding Hood

I finished my cape/hood to cosplay Little Red Riding Hood.  I'm really excited how it turned out.  I really love the deep red and am really glad that I chose that color.  I almost got a brighter red, but decided not to because I love going dark.  It just fits me better.  I decided to chose a white lining over a black one because I knew that I was going to be wearing LOTS of black anyways.  If I had the black lining, my clothes will just blend with the cape.  Having a white would accentuate the clothes more and bring it out.  Let me know what you think!  :)

Here is the front:

 Here's the back:

Because of you, There is a Tomorrow

I avidly love listening to Hmong music, especially artists who write and sing their own music.  Here is a song called "Vim Muaj Koj, Muaj Tag Kis" by Maa Vue.  This song translates to "Because of you, There is a tomorrow."  The lyrics just explains about a person in her life that makes her life goes round; thankful to have met him/her and given her strength to go on alone.  Even though they are presently not together, she knows that they will meet again one day.  And she lives on that hope that they can be reunited one day.  Because of that small hope, she lives on until tomorrow, until the day they are reunited.  Something along those lines.  Maa Vue is super talented and I previously posted another song by her.  I hope my sister reads my blog so that she can stumble upon this song.  I wanted to post this for her because I have been opening her up to Hmong music lately and I think she might appreciate this song.

Sewing and Craft Endeavors

I have been really busy lately but I wanted to cosplay a few things before I check out permanently.   I can officially cross off Fionna the Human from my list because I had the chance to dress up as her already.  This is a list of what I want to be and/or things that I need to make.  I already have some items that are needed for the outfit, but not yet complete yet.

1) Ringmaster from a circus - I actually bought a crop whip for this outfit.  :)  But I still need a few more items.  But I am super excited.  I just bought some black Stretch fabric that I can use to make short shorts so I'm kinda excited about this project.

2)  Little Red Riding Hood - I am in the process of making this already.  I actually spent most of my night last night making the cape/hood.  It actually turned out really nice.  I didn't finish it because I am waiting for my iron to come so that I can iron the hood to make the lines all crisp.  I will post pictures soon.  I'm really excited because it's almost done!

3) ? Hinata Hyuga from Naruto /Mikasa from Attack on Titan ? - I actually just wanted to cosplay an anime character from a show  I watch.  I don't actually know what to cosplay as right now.  But i do have my Sesshomaru costume that I have never worn.  Maybe I can do a gender bender with that costume.  It's actually too big for me and I would need to make alot of things smaller

4)  Modernized Hmong inspired top.  I don't exactly know how I am going to make this yet.  However, I did get black and light blue stretch fabric to make it.  I just bought the fabric so that I would actually make it.  I'm excited though.  :)

5)  Korean Traditional Clothes: Hanbok - I am going to make my own.  I wanted to make a kimono but I already made one in the past and I left the pattern at home (not here with me).  So I was wondering what I should do.  I remembered how beautiful Korean clothes were and wanted to buy a pair.  However, looking at tutorials online and stuff, it seems relative easy to make it.  Therefore, I am going to make myself my own Hanbok.  So that I can chose the colors I want and stuff.  I'm actually really excited about this project.  I couldn't believe how easy it was to make this outfit myself.  I haven't started making anything yet, but I think I want to shop around a little bit longer.  I just want to do color swatches first before I dive into anything.  I love solid dark colors, but I don't know if I would actually like a brighter color or not.   Since I love dark colors so much.  But bright colors have been slowing creeping up onto my good side lately.  oh well.  more updates later.

Will show pictures as I complete them.  :)  I also made a new rule.  I can't make or continue to another project without completing the previous project first.  For example, I can't make my Korean hanbok before making my little red riding hood costume, since I already bought all the fabric for the project and have them just sitting there.

Comic Convention

I went to a comic convention this weekend and I had so much fun.  My bf and I went as Finn the Human and Fionna the Human from Adventure Time!  We had such a blast.  My outfit had a Zer twist to it.  Somewhat of a lolita inspired look to it, like most of my outfits!  I made all the hats and backpacks and my tutu.  I bought the corset online.  Everything else, I had.  My bf's costume was about $5.00 from the thrift store.  All I had to do was cut and hem the pants into shorts.  Here are pictures below.  Aren't we super cute!  :)

Japan Fest 2013

This is for my sister.  Since she always complain that I never post stuff.  Now I'm posting something without her asking me to!
This is what I wore to the Japan Fest 2013.  Lolita clothing ;)  I had so much fun.  Lots of people dressed up, not just me.

The week before the festival, I was so excited to go!  Not for the festival itself, but just to dress up.

I got sunburned but it was somewhat worth it.  I GOT TO DRESS UP!!!

Big thanks to my boyfriend for taking this picture!  :)  Love him lots.

Hmong Embroidery

I'm really sad to have realized lately that the art of Hmong Embroidery is slowly dying off here in the United States.  I refuse to let it die out!  I refuse.  Therefore, I have decided to take up embroidery again.  I have 2 projects for sure that I want to do.  For my first project, I want to make an Hmong inspired outfit that I can wear whenever I want.  For my second project, I want to make a traditional Hmong outfit (maybe more, depending on how quickly I learn).

I talked to my mom today and I told her that I was going to come and visit during the summer.  Therefore, she should expect to teach me how to sew an entire outfit from scratch.  She agreed.  She seemed really ecstatic that one of her daughters actually wanted to learn.

I am currently only doing cross-stitch.  It's not the prettiest, but it is the easiest.  I don't really like colorful colors, so my stuff is going to be a bit dull-looking but that's what I'm aiming for.  A very tribal look with not a lot of colors.

Mi Noog Fav Cover

I recently found this cover of Mi Noog and I have to say:  it's my favorite cover so far.

The artists are a group named:  DOG DiG, they are rock(ish) band from Thailand.  I've been trying to listen to some of their original stuff but I haven't decided if I really like them or not.  But this cover just blew me away.  I am officially a fan!!  Check them out here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmBb2JOBVfc

I am most surprised that Hmong Thailand people know Hmong English songs.  It just blows my mind and it's kinda awesome.  Seriously!  I have another group I'm starting to love and I will blog about that at a later date.

Favorite Hmong Song

I really love Hmong songs.  Here is a song that I currently love, Love, LOVE!
The artist is Maa Vue and the name of the song is "Nyob ua ke," which means "Stay together" in English.  The song just portrays a couple that will stay together through thick and thin, no matter what, even when times get hard.  I just love it and it describes my relationship with my BF just so perfectly!

Best Song Cover of "Mi Noog" by SuddenRush

My sister just recently discovered this song. We (my family and I) have been listening to this song for years.  She posted a cover of this song on her blog.  She believes that that version is the best.  Personally, I don't think the guy can sing very well.  But she thinks that the song is better because the Hmong pronunciation is better.

Who cares!  So here!  Here is the version that I think is the best cover of this song.  At least this guy can sing.  Plus, she also said that there is too much emotions when this guy sing!  Excuse me!  But the song is an emotional song.  It's suppose to be emotional!  Boom!