Flashback Weekend 2021

As my blog and bio readers are fully aware, I attend a lot of conventions to network, gift my art and be around like minded people. The first horror con we ever went to was Flashback Weekend in 2004 (where we met Sid for the first time). We have been attending them regularly, every year since. We even travel to them or have mini staycations for the whole weekend to really make the most of them.

Since COVID hit we haven’t been able to attend any conventions and have been having major withdrawals. Most cons were cancelled or dates kept being pushed back for a long period of time. As they started to gradually make a small come back we were still avoiding crowds, not traveling and masks were still mandatory for photos etc. Not to mention they would be planned and then cancelled as restrictions were changing from day to day.

Since things have started to re-open more, Flashback Weekend announced their return. We originally were not going to attend. Wait it out some more but my husband Frank and I discussed it and on a last minute whim decided to go. We figured if they decide to shut the world down again at least we got to get our horror con fix in. Being smart about things still being so unknown we decided to only go one day and on a Sunday which as any convention goer knows, is the quietest and least crowded day to attend.

Here are some highlights from our last minute horror con adventure…

One of the most exciting parts of the day was when we decided to adopt a life size Stripe Gremlin. He enjoyed the convention with us all day long. The best was when a young girl passed us and said “Ohhhhhh.. you broke the 12 O’Clock rule!” Frank and I laughed about it all day….

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Stripe Garcia also helped us connect with some new horror fanatic friends. So many people stopped and asked about him or took photos of him. Including the most adorable young cosplayer who goes by The Mini Creep. She saw him and asked if she could take a photo with him. I saw her incredible Sam costume and asked if I could take a photo with her. It made my creepy little soul happy to see someone so young and so excited to dress up and be a real part of things. It made me flash back to the day I was little and dressed like Elvira and how much I would’ve loved events like this when I was a kid.

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  The Mini Creep & Stripe

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  The Mini Creep & Living Dead Girl Nicole

Then of corpse the main reason we came to the convention was to embrace our inner 80’s child. When we saw the guest list there were 2 main things we wanted to accomplish, and that was having a mogwai play date with Billy Peltzer and finding the shooting star that would lead us to a circus tent from space! Check and check!

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  Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) – Gremlins

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  Rudy (Mike Martinez) and Slim (Harrod Blank)
  Killer Klowns From Outerspace

We were so glad that we were able to enjoy a horror con again. It was just what we needed. We knew we missed our horror community but after being there again after so long it really hit us how badly we missed it. Oddly enough it was refreshing. I guess if I were to describe it from my witchy point of view I would honestly say it re-grounded me. I was having a bit of a stressful week and I think Frank knew this would lift my spirits (goddess do I love this man).

Thank you again to Flashback Weekend for putting on another fun and safe event for us horror geeks to feel free again!

Stay Spooky & Magical!
LDG Nicole

Chicago Comicon

We went to Chicago Comicon again this year. However man this year it was a mad house. In a good way though. So many people, tons of great cosplay (as expected Deadpool and Harley Quinns everywhere ha ha) and overall just a place filled with our kind of people ha ha. Geeks know how to have a good time 😉

As with any con you have to have a game plan. Our game plan started with getting to see Deborah Ann Woll so I could give her my Invite Me In portrait. So we went to her table but they were not allowing you to even get in line with out an autograph pass for any celeb. Lame. I honestly just wanted to show her the portrait and talk to her about it. They were not allowing photos at the tables either. Something I hate because then you are forced to buy a photo op. I just love the time you get at the tables shooting the shit and getting photos with them in a more laid back un-rushed atmosphere Yah not at this con. So our game plan changed to lets go get a photo op ticket. Go look around and then come back during the photo op time slot.

We wanted to meet Bruce Campbell and have him sign Frank’s shot gun and get a photo with him. But when we got there he was done doing autographs was already at his VIP photo op and Q & A panels and wouldn’t be back again until later in the day. We decided we would wait it out for Bruce and try to catch him at a horror con that is less commercialized and more laid back.

We were first in line for the GA photo op line for Deborah and the VIP line went rather quickly. So before we knew it we were in the photo op area with the beautiful Deborah which made it all worth while. Despite the fact that they were rushing everyone she took the time to really look at the portrait and we didn’t end up getting as rushed as everyone else. She herself kept talking to us and made it an actual experience.  She was in awe that it was so detailed that I even captured all her “beauty marks” and told me she could not wait to share it with other fans on social media. She was an absolute doll and kept telling me how talented I was. She was even grateful that I had a gift bag for her to put it in so it was easier for her to take with her. She thanked me again before we left the area and was all smiles. So was I!

This is a scanned version of the photo op pic…

After all the excitement was over we were able to relax a bit more (not worrying about what time we had to be where) we were able to really take the whole show in. We walked all the exhibit halls and I think our favorite area was the artist alley. So many talented people. Took a lot of business cards home.

We usually only buy stuff at cons if they are pretty unique cause of the costs of things. I left with a Killer Klowns From Outer Space shirt and a  LeeLoo 5th Element shirt. Frank got a shirt with  Bigfoot riding on the back of the Lochness Monster and a Jimmie (Quentin Taratino) Pulp Fiction talking doll. Money well spent ha ha.

Overall we have a great time despite it being so structured but with a crowd that big I guess that is their answer to keeping things under control. I just think it takes away from the fan experience but it is what it is and every con is different. Deborah made it well worth the trip as well as all the wonderful people there keeping it entertaining. Bruce we will see you next time!! Bucket list promise! Maybe now I will have more time to make him a little something when he comes back to town as well.

Now that Deborah owns the original of  “Invite Me In” it is definitely not available for purchase. However, I do still have prints available in my Etsy Shop! So now you can own a piece of artwork that Deborah owns as well!

See more photos of celebs I have given my art work to on the Spitting Image, Adopt The Undead and Freaky Fanatic pages of my official portfolio website!

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole

 

Chicago Frights!

Over the weekend we participated in the annual hearse show at the Chicago Frights Halloween and Haunters convention. It was co-sponsored by our Hardcore Hearse Club so of course everyone had a great time!

Frankenhearse was on display right in the front as soon as you entered the lot!

As always, Frankenstein was nice and cozy in his body bag in the back.

There were lots of killer rides that showed up for the show.

We went inside and checked out all the vendors. I left with an awesome werewolf necklace from Zukati Creations. We also got a new Frankenskull (whose eyes light up green) from Missing Finger Productions. We are going to display it in Frankenhearse when we do shows and in our house whenever we aren’t. We were sold on it not just because it was a Frankenstein skull and that the eyes lit up green, but because it had a very Mars Attacks feel to it.

We were honored to find out that Frankenhearse took 1ST PLACE HEARSE!! We got another trophy!

We immediately put the trophy on display on our shelf at home. It is right next to the other one we got at the last hearse show and our new Frankenskull! As you can see Otis (our pet Axolotl) now has new shiny things to look at from his tank ha ha

The great thing about being a part of the club and taking part in all these fun events is all the amazing new people we have gotten to meet. Definitely looking forward to the next meet up!

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole

My Work + Frankenhearse at The Hardcore Hearse Club Show!

That’s right I will be vending my creepy creations for the very first time at this year’s Hardcore Hearse Club Show! We will also have Frankenhearse with us and on display like last year. This years show is a 2 day event but we will be appearing on Saturday, June 11th only so make sure to save the date. Come out to support my work, see the killer rides, meet Svengoolie, rock out to the bands and win awesome raffle prizes! Fun for the whole family!

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole