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the ilea underwing

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Good god this was a LOT of work!

Ok, indulge me for a moment or two while I try and piece together a good explanation.
Many moons ago my sweetie approached me with the idea for this years renaissances festival's costumes. He said that he wanted to go as High Court Fae this year, but that he didn't want to look like some of the less inclined to details that are wearing elf ears with tennis shoes.
so we embarked on the idea of two Elves that are trying to pass as human, but are just falling short of it.
Jeremy {~Nviermor} made a suit of armor out of wood.
I. Shit. You. Not.
I will most likely be adding more photos as I receive them for friends and such, so I will be getting a photo or two of his suit up soon. [link]


but this is about me here. sooooo
I was reading along in one of my many books and came across a reference to an ilia underwing moth, and went "huh? A Moth with MY name!? What does this bug look like?!!" (the original greco-roman spelling of my name is ilia)
so I went a-googling to find some photos, and the idea struck me to make my Fae outfit as though I had this moths coloring and wings and wanted to go walking amongst the humans for a day or two.

Upon a doing a little background research on this moth I learned many things I did not know, such is the nature of research... this moth's other names are the Beloved underwing and the Wife...didn't say why, but meh...
plus that it ranges over much of North America and lives on Oak trees and Oak tree sap.
So I adding in a lot of acorns and oak leaves to help round out the look. Jeremy made my crown, and helped me get the wings to fit better.

The whole thing is hand painted with Rite dye and puffy fabric paint (for the white spots)...that was a bitch!
And it took me better part of a month to get it all done.
I've got pointed ears that are so small you might miss them...and I was asked repeatedly if they were real! geez...

Anyway the fair was a blast and I had a ton of fun!...and a ton of photos taken...and was almost bitten on the neck by a complete stranger......hmmm, maybe too much fun....

anyway, I'll be putting more photos up soon!
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More shots of the ilea underwing


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Comments135
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EmmetEarwax's avatar
Comment #137.
I called this the Garage Moth, before I learned the official name.
I only found them in the garage, perched on window panes, or eaten by woodmice.(Peromyscus).(legs and wings in small heaps).

One I captured and, gently holding it between 2 cupped hands, took it out into the yard. When I released it, it flew right back into the dark garage ! Underwings app. can see well. They dislike sunlight.