Ages ago I was looking up how to construct a bustle when I stumbled upon the great crafting project site www.cutoutandkeep.net. After getting sidetracked for hours, I found a particularly magical project : http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/batman-comic-book-flats. 

 Finally, I decided it was about time to make some of my own comic book shoes to match an outfit for Comic Con.

I started off with $10 T.U.K. shoes that I got on sale *yay* The polka dots made me feel like I could walk into a Lichtenstein painting and they are pretty easy to walk in (though I did size up). 

I then went through my stash of comics and dug up some Uncanny X-men from the 90's. Lot's of action and onomonopias, so I only had to cut up two of them *tear*. Side note: the winning onomonopia was "shluppy". Can't say I've ever heard what that would sound like.
 
Now here is where I'm hoping someone can help me out for future projects. I've tried Modge Podge a couple times on other projects and it was pretty easy to scrape off on accident or leave dents in and I couldn't really resist just peeling it off altogether. Is there a better alternative out there or am I just using it wrong? I use Aleen's Jewel-it for some appliques but it just didnt seem right for this project since I was afraid it wouldnt dry as clear as the Modge Podge does.

I ended up using the Modge Podge, but I've only put one layer on so far. I *probably* should have watered the Modge of Podge down seeing as though it felt like it went on thick. I'm thinking I'm going to use a triple thick Master Shine finish to even everything out and seal it.

For the mask, I was going to go for a Crazy 88 look but I also wanted some cat-eye. I made my mask out of vegetable leather by cutting out a pattern I made with an exacto knife, running it under hot water then drying and shaping it on a styrofoam wig holder with a blow dryer. I sprayed it with some matte clear spray because I found that it stiffens it a lot and made it "sandable" so I could shape some of the edges. Then painted it with black acrylic and sealed it with matte black spray. Probably not the most efficient way of doing it, but I liked the results.

Also, vintage gauntlet-cut leather gloves? Yes please.

If you end up making any, please post pictures of your creation on my group page in the discussion forum! I have a few more pictures there. http://www.pinupgirlstyle.com/group/stephanie-castro-official-group...