Let’s Make a Thing – Nerdfightastic Doormat

It’s 11:45 on Friday. I’m pushing this deadline, but I’m not even a month into blogging, and I don’t plan on breaking promises now.

Though I always knew the difference between a house and a home, it’s only now that I’m realizing how much work that takes. You have to start from the front door inwards, in this case it’s the doormat.

I chose the saying to represent my Nerdfighter pride, and also to remind myself and my housemates to never forget to be awesome.

This is a simple, sweet, short and cheap DIY so let’s get to it!

YOU WILL NEED

• A Doormat ( I used this one from IKEA)
• Stencils
• Tape
• A Measuring Tape/Ruler
• Spray Paint

Step One – Choose a phrase, spend some time and pick something that will make you smile as you fumble for your keys. Then draw up some drafts and finalize your placement.

Step Two – Unless your a master stencil artist I suggest practicing with a mock up. I had never used a stencil/spraypaint combination before in my life and without my mockups would have ruined at least three doormats.

Step Three – Measure your doormat and calculate the exact centre and use that centre to plot out your phrase.

Step Four – Start taping down your stencils. I cannot stress this enough. Without proper taping your stencils will leak to the point of being unrecognizable. Luckily the sort of rustic look of woven rugs and spray paint gives you a margin of error.

Step Five – Spray Away!

Step Six – Enjoy your cute new doormat!

Geeking Out

The secrets out, I’m a huge nerd.

Well, if their was any doubt of my absolute geekiness, that will have been completely squashed by this weekend.

Every year towards the end of August downtown Toronto become overrun with cosplayers, fanboys and general weirdos for an entire weekend. And let me tell you folks, it is glorious.

Growing up as a nerd, the hardest thing one faces is a sense of isolation. Despite it’s growing popularity, geeks still fall outside of the mainstream, and it’s often not considered socially advantageous to regularly express your love for Battlestar Galactica.

This is why conventions are so fantastic. Not only are we able to meet our idols (Stan Lee anyone?) but we are surrounded by our “own kind”, an entire convention centre or hotel filled with kind, friendly people who have the same passion you do for things your other friends may not.

Conventions are places where even the most obscure hobbies are respected and promoted. For example, the massive fan made model of the ship Serenity from Joss Whedon’s Firefly was a massive hit in the artists alley. I even purchased a mini kit for my bedroom!

The guests at this years conventions were fantastic as well, and though I was unable to meet many of the celebrities I had hoped to, I did get a photo op with one of my idols.

My sister, myself and Stan “The Man” Lee!

But to my mind, the greatest part of any convention is the cosplaying. This year I attended as Clara (or Oswin) from the Doctor Who episode Asylum of The Daleks. I knew I had done a good job when a little girl ran up to me, called me Clara and asked for a picture. My sisters had great Gravity Falls and Young Avengers cosplays and being a “crossover” group was absolute buckets of fun.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend, and worthy of a bonus post in my mind. I’ll leave you all with a few pictures and some questions.

Have you ever been to a convention? What are your thoughts on FanExpo? Do you identify as a geek/nerd and can you explain your reasons?

See you on Monday!