DIY Birdcage Veil Tutorial

If I may begin this post with a bit of boasting, I'M GOING TO ENGLAND! *fangirl squeal* That's right, the setting of pretty much every steampunk book ever, and I get to go there for a family trip this June! I shall make sure to seek out vast quantities of awesomeness to post about.

I think this would also look quite nice in black, if one is going for a more Gothic effect.

In more immediate news, prom season is coming up, and I've been gleefully searching for lovely neovictorian dresses and accessories and such, and happened across this lovely tutorial by Trash to Couture. I think it would look quite splendid with a flowing ballgown, don't you agree?

Epic Old Computers

For the most part, today's computers become obsolete within the span of just a few years. But at the least some of the obsolete ones look pretty cool! And thus, I've arranged this gallery of epic old-school computers.

The Jacquard Loom, invented c. 1801. Not technically a computer, but it used a lot of the same technology as the computers that came after it. 

And what steampunk computer gallery would be complete without a difference engine or two. This here is a modern production of the Analytical Engine, the second of two computing devices invented by Charles Babbage. In 1823, ten years before this one was designed, Babbage designed the Difference Engine, which inspired the popular steampunk novel of the same name.  

My personal favorite, the Mark 1. This showed up in the 1940's, so it's technically past the more typical steampunk era, but it's just way too awesome to leave out of this gallery. Deal with it. 

All right, this one is a TV prop, not a functioning computer, but it still looks pretty cool.  This one is from the set of LOST, based on the styles of computers in the late 20th century.
>: I miss that show.

Once they started being mass produced, computers, like so many other things we live with, have turned into dull gray boxes. The good news is that a dull gray box could also serve as a blank canvas--the internet is filled with epic steampunk computer mods. Modern functionality meets old-school aesthetic. I like the steampunk future. :)

Steampunk Hotel

I recently received an email from my sister entailing her adventures in the world of grad school tours, which included several pictures detailing the interior design of the Commons Hotel in Minneapolis. This was followed by a few admonishments to get off my arse and blog them already, and I've finally decided to stop procrastinating and do so now. These photos are a bit grainy, I'm afraid, having been shot with an iPod camera, but there are a few better ones on the hotel's website.
 

A small sort of library. Libraries... *drool*

Epic fireplace!

It's a balloon chiar! WANT!

A tin ceiling in the lobby. n_n  I love little architectural details like that.