Pushing Daisies is the most beautiful show on television. High Definition was made just for this show. It’s visually stunning. Each week I look forward to seeing what costume designer Robert Blackman has made for us. It’s not just Mr. Blackman, the entire creative team is outstanding: art director Kenneth J. Creber, set decorator Halina Siwolop, and head makeup artist Todd McIntosh. Bryan Fuller put together the best crew a show could have.

Unfortunately for the viewing public Pushing Daisies is not renewed for the third season. It suffered a downward turn in ratings during election season. The good news is the first season is available on DVD. I encourage all of you to watch this show while you still can. Not only is it entertaining, but you’ll see great ideas for costumes in every episode.

Here’s a small gallery of some of the great costumes from Pushing Daisies.

Today is the last day to submit your entries for First Annual That Costume Girl Halloween Costume Contest. The response has exceeded my expectations.

If you have not received a confirmation email from me, please check with me to make sure I have received your entry.

Friday night was a lot of fun. We went to the Dr. Horrible Sing-Along-Blog sing-along. The show was a blast. The crowd sang along and got involved. The cast looked the part. Immediately following was the Buffy Sing-Along. The cast was spot on. They’ve been working together a few years now and have really gotten into their parts. Sweet is the best villain of the Whedonverse.

We had a late night wandering around looking for Old Greg. I wouldn’t have thought a green haired man in a tutu would have been hard to find. Our night ended when we ran into Nathan Fillion at the elevators. Nathan snapped a pic of us as the groupies and Dr. Horrible. We knew our night had reached its climax and headed back to our hotel to rest up for Saturday.

Saturday morning arrived early.

Dressed as Wonder Girl and Yorick, we headed down to the parade. But it was too hot for poor Yorick. ManWithPez was melting under the gas mask and poncho. He went back to the hotel to change into Seymour which is slightly less hot. He caught up with Lissa and I on the parade route.

The streets were lined with thousands of D*C attendees and Atlantans. I found a spot kneeling in the street at the crosswalk on Baker St. It was great. Well until the news cameramen decided my spot was perfect for them too. They kept walking back and forth in front of me. Sigh. Hopefully the parade pictures will turn out well.

We got a few autographs after the parade. Everyone can breathe easier knowing I met Sean Astin. I still need to meet Avery Brooks. Nathan Fillion took a picture of Seymour and Audrey II. Alan Tudyk complimented the puppet and thought Frank Oz would like it. That would be quite a compliment indeed. Now it’s time for a little break to rest our feet.

ThatCostumeGirl’s Dragon Con 2008 Gallery

This time next week I’ll be standing in line to pick up my Dragon Con pass. I’m not ready. It’s too soon. Eeek. What do I do? I keep working.

Today I’ve been corresponding with a reader and first time D*C attendee. She needed some help brainstorming last-minute costume ideas. Between the two of us we’ve made a short list. Now I cross my fingers and hope she can find the parts to make one or two of the outfits.

I want to stress to all of you readers planning on attending D*C: costumes are not mandatory. There is a good balance of costumed and not costumed people milling around the convention. If you don’t have the time or money to put something together, don’t feel bad, you ca do something next con. Besides, half the fun is gawking at the people wearing costumes. Take your camera and have fun.

Conventions are packed full of bodies and tempers. Do your best to let things roll off your back and help other people when you can. Your convention karma will thank you.

I’ll see some of you at Dragon Con 2008. Happy costuming!

Good question Skymouth. I was writing about Dr. Horrible today anyway, why not talk about the coat?

Dr. Horrible wears the classic mad scientist smock. Some call it a Dentist smock or a Howie coat. Also consider Chef’s coats as a possible match. The reason it is not a Dentist smock, but is very similar, is Dentist smocks are typically short-sleeved. Horrible’s coat is long-sleeved, white, buttoned at the shoulder, and long with side slits. Don’t fret, I have a suggestion.

We ordered our coat (product MCCX1) from a UK supplier. I can not testify to its quality as it has not yet arrived. International shipping is notoriously hard to track. My fingers are crossed. (They canceled the order and failed to refund.) Some costumers have taken to sewing the gown/coat. Admittedly, it’s a simple pattern for an experienced sewer, but us regular folks are better not to try it. My last suggestion is to buy a costume smock and modify it.

The Mad Scientist is very close. Remove all the black buttons. Then attach four buttons to the shoulder. Basic white or clear buttons are fine. Check the length and sides. You’ll want to hem if it hits below mid-shin. Add slits up the sides if none exist. The slit should reach the hip. This is an easy fix requiring only scissors and a straight seam (sew or heat bond). You might also want to take the scrap of length cut to make a waist band for back vents. Finally, add the caduceus logo right front pocket area. We ended up doing this and the results can be seen here.

Skymouth, Dr. Horrible’s coat is likely Dr. Simon Tam’s coat from Firefly. They look identical to me and the costume designer is the same. It could mean the coat was a custom job inspired by the antiseptic Frankenstein look. Let me know if you find something.

Good luck.

My Dr. Horrible post was going to be about the ever troublesome goggles. We had some on order. Back order, actually. That wasn’t a big deal because we knew that all the major suppliers were being overrun with orders. Just a few days ago we were finally notified that the back order that was supposed to take 10 days (ordered in July) will not be available until the first of September. Since we need them for Dragon Con which takes place Labor Day weekend that date was unacceptable. The order is now cancelled.

I’ve called all the local welding supply shops only to find none of them carry a model similar to Dr. Horrible’s goggles. I have found them online but most are international shops and can not be trusted to arrive stateside in two weeks. I’ve ordered them from a questionable little discount store. I have an order number but no tracking number as yet. The order will need to ship by Monday if we have any hope of taking the goggles to D*C. My fingers are crossed and I continue to call stores looking for the goggles.