Happy New Year! I hope the first week of January 2012 has been promising for you. As for me, I like the idea of a fresh new year to make plans in, despite the arbitrary nature of the whole concept. I ended 2011 without feeling as though I had really gotten anywhere or accomplished anything, which means it's time to double the effort for 2012. I hope that I get to travel some this year, I hope that I push myself a little further out of my comfort zones, I hope that I meet new people, and I hope that I grow as a person.

I also hope that I get a little further in my cosplay hobby! It's really the only creative or artistic thing I indulge in or feel I'm any good at, and I would really like to start making costumes that I feel completely proud of and start producing stuff that feels higher in quality than what I've made so far. I really hope to turn my cosplay gallery into something special someday. But most of all I want to continue having fun and feeling like a part of the cosplay community. It has really been months since I've turned anything new or good out or gotten photos.

So! When it comes to plans for this new year and cosplay, there are a few costumes I would like to get done before the end of the year! Most of them happen to be Homestuck cosplays, as the comic has more or less captured nearly all of my attention for the last few months. Although my plans are very prone to change, especially the further ahead they are, here are the main costumes I'd like to do this year (in no particular order):

- John Egbert (basic slimer tee, Vriska's outfit for him, Trickster, and redo God Tier)
- Jake English (I should also have a Jane Crocker and R Lalonde with me!)
- DDD Riku
- Sherlock Holmes (from the new BBC series, with a John Watson)
- Twilight Sparkle (human version, with a Pinkie Pie)
- some troll (Vriska? Sollux? Kanaya?) to go with friends' cosplays

Unfortunately I don't feel like most of these cosplays are very challenging. Homestuck cosplays tend to be a simple tee shirt and jeans, I'll likely buy most of Sherlock's, and Twilight's design shouldn't be too complex. But! There is a challenge in presenting simple cosplays in an inspiring way and I guess that will be my focus for this year. The props on the other hand should be fun. I've already made the Warhammer of Zillyhoo, although it's in need of a little repair, and I've begun work on the Pogo Hammer.

I'm not sure what cons I will be at this year. Genericon, Connecticon, and Bakuretsucon are almost always guaranteed, but I'd like to fit another one in. Anime Boston isn't looking likely at this point, though. We'll see what happens.

Anyway, I haven't been too active lately, I know. Part of it has to do with a lack of inspiration which I'm hoping my plans for 2012 will change. But if I post things to here more often I might find myself more motivated, so I will at least try to be a little more active. XD I think that's about all I have to say for right now though. Until next time!