Jan 27 2009
Costuming and Your Local Scrapbooking Store (LSS)
When most people hear the word “scrapbooking,” they think about doting mothers and grandmothers constructing 12 x 12 tomes full of baby pictures. There are bubbly, pink, blue, and yellow baby-friendly graphics; there’s so much baby it’s probably almost like a 2-D baby infestation!
Have no fear. Not all scrapbookers only scrapbook their kids, and some that do find way more creative ways to document those precious childhood memories. Take me, for example. I don’t have children (yet), so most of the pictures and memories I scrapbook revolve around older family members, friends, and my fiance.
On top of that, I happen to be a LARPer. Try finding “geek paper” at the LSS, as scrappers call it, or your local scrapbooking store.
Some people also go all out. They buy the most expensive gadgets, which kind of contributes to mainstreaming the whole damn hobby. You can even buy premade layouts, which I think kind of take the fun out of… layouts.
Being a LARPer, I always have my eyes open for decent deals. Stores like Michael’s and A.C. Moore actually have tons of items that I’ve used in costuming for LARPs and even Halloween. For my award-winning witch costume, I went to Michael’s and picked up some discounted floral arrangement items, including feathers and fronds. I also found a half-priced broom there, as it was so close to Halloween.
Large LSS places typically run 50% off ads. They can do this because they completely gouge anyone wanting to purchase a custom frame. I guess that makes up for the cost or something.
These stores also depend on scrapbookers. We are a compulsive bunch. I am probably one of their ideal customers. I scrapbook AND use the store for other things. They even have appliques at these stores–items like felt poodle cut outs which could inspire an entire retro 1950s costume.
It’s also excellent to wander around these stores if you’re feeling creative but need some costuming ideas.
Ready for the best story ever?
Once upon a time, I was regularly attending a LARP. The LARP included a minotaur race. One of the minotaurs was white. Not like “hey there’s a white guy playing a minotaur!” but like white fur; albino minotaur. Well, when looking for leather bracelet-making materials in the LSS, I found the very same ‘fur’ he used to make the costume. Seeing as I was a barbarian and played on the opposite team, I showed up to the next event with the albino minotaur pelt in my belt. Proof that I had slain the enemy!
