Nosebleed Iruka

What got you into cosplay?
halloween; I was really into dressing up as a princess when i was young and since then I would dress up when ever I had a chance. Now-a-days, I like to challange myself with tough costumes that my husband and myself make with prop material and with what we wear.
What was your first costume and why?
Sakura kasugano.... i always loved street fighter alpha. When i first started cosplaying, I was heavy influienced in video games (mostly street fighter) and my hair was short as well. I asked my mother to make me the outfit, I altered it and made my own gloves from a formal swim suit and hot glue. I never wore it outside the house, but I love running around in the house with it on.
What is your favorite costume and why?
Iruka Umino from Naruto; It was the only costume I worked the hardest on so far. It took 3 vest to make it complete and somewhat accurate. I was really proud on how it came out and even though I have not updated it in 2 years, i still get comments on it. (also it's because my husband was kakashi and we did a lot of yaoi moments huhuhu).
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
at the moment, I'm not sure... I would love to have the patience to work on a costume that was elebrate and detailed.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Before meeting my husband, we actually crossed paths at anime weekend atlanta 7. This was months before we met (Feb 14th) and it was awkard. He told me about his box costume and I told him about mine. I was in the masquerade at the time and I remember seeing his costume and him being kicked out. Recently, I showed him the video I filmed during awa 7 and to our suprise, I caught him on film more then 3 times. Maybe it was fate that lead us nerds to each other ^^.
Do you participate in masquerades?
I use to. I realized that it took a lot of my time away from friends and photoshoots. Though I know i would like to be judged, I would rather spend my time with my friends and hang out.
What was your best masquerade experience?
Ah, best experience was at AWA 11 (?). That was the last time I cosplayed as Iruka and while I was waiting with the Fighting Dreamers Group in the back hallway, we were playing with my foam core black ninja star. We threw it back and forth cause it was a giant frisbee. A gust of wind from the AC units rose the star up and it got stuck in one of the air ducts. "Ah crap". I never brought it on stage, but I met up with Itachi the next day out of costume and he had the star with him. As an early birthday present for him, I let him keep the star.
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
So far I've won awards in "Audiance's Favorite" for Iruka Umino at Ikasucon 2 and Anime Weekend Atlanta 11. I was in giant groups then and that is why we got awards, even though I really do not have the proof for it. The second closest award I got was a Hallway Cosplay Award for Toph at Ohayocon 2007.
Tell us a little about yourself
I'm currently a culinary chef in training. I'm receiving an Assoc. in Pastery and a Bach. in Culinary arts. I'm also working at the UPS store at the moment but I will be transfering to a location closer to school and home once we find an apartment.
My favorite anime
anything clamp
My favorite book(s)
anything clamp
My favorite character(s)
...... too many to list.
My favorite actors/actresses
Chinese Actor - Aaron Kwok; American Actor - Val Kilmer