Arks & Crafts - Hard Light Candy

This weekend kicks off the annual Fight Like A Girl Tournament where we all get together and shoot one another (online) to raise money and awareness for breast and cervical cancer research as well as demonstrate the generosity of gamers everywhere.

I had the honor of competing two years ago and was planning on doing so again this year...then TheDonWan dropped a bomb:  Creative Bundle Contest

HELL YEAH

Screenshots? Do I look like some shrubbery?
Forge? Not a duck.
Photoshop? Better not, would probably just draw dicks everywhere.
Fan Art? I will art the hell out of some Halos!

I decided to make my entry into FLAG my first "Arks & Crafts" segment here on my blog, where I'll showcase way-artsy (probably mostly Halo related) makings, and since my Plasma-Pops were such a hit I knew I needed something hard and mouthwatering to get all the fine ladies attention.

Hard Light Candy

Get your mind out of the gutter.

If you haven't finished Halo 4 yet, stop reading and go do that.

You done?

Really?

Was it on easy?

Need a tissue?

Did you wash your hands?

Ok, fine.

These were inspired by the ending to Halo 4, where Cortana encases our hero Master Chief in a shell of hard light to protect him from a nuclear explosion, just before you grabbed that box of tissues.

This was my first time making any type of candy, so I knew I had to get some serious gear. Luckily there is a store here called Do It With Icing that makes you feel like Willy Wonka when he decides he's going to create candy for the rest of his life. Seriously. I walked into that place and nearly dropped out to go work in a candy shop. I got everything from sticks to blueberry flavoring.

The stickers were on sale and I wanted to put them on my homework.

So hot in hurr.

I'm no chemist. So I wasn't too disgruntled when my first batch turned into a disaster. The syrup got too hot and turned yellow...then when it cured it became too dark.

Looks like death.

The gummy looks like it's being swallowed alive. Will make for good Didact candy.

Thankfully I was able to find a solution to my problem and continued to waste my boyfriend's resources.

So much better!

The real major issue was the gummy bear I wanted to put inside the candy. I knew it was going to be hot, and that he might not make it in one solid piece. I froze the gummy bears, hoping to buy myself some wiggle room. Well...

Like those creepy fetus posters they show you in Sex Ed.

Things got better for Master Gummy Bear as the temperature dropped in the syrup..but if I let it get too cool, the syrup would become more viscous and eventually harden.

No filter needed. Suck it, Instagram.

I don't eat candy, so I had to rely on the taste buds of some test subjects. They said they could taste a hint of blueberry and like that it wasn't super overpowering. But what do they know? I guess I'll just have to have another contest and get more feedback from the winners ;)

Fight Like A Girl

 I've gone and entered in this years FLAG Tournament..but not at a gameplay competitior. This year a Creative Category has been opened...and I'll be damned if I don't get something delicious all up ins.

I've already got an idea of what I'll be making/submitting..so watch out! 

Fear The Pink Mist

As a kid my folks didn't want me to have pierced ears. I thought I did, but when I was old enough and the opportunity presented itself, I opted out. I just didn't care anymore. That and I learned that I scarred easy/heal funny/have awkward reactions to some metals. I've been fortunate enough to be able to find some really fabulous clip-ons and I'm a big fan of magnetic earrings...especially since they're the only way I'll ever get to wear 'diamond' studs. Until I start my rap career.

Granted, I do still get a bit jelly when I see all the cool, gaming-related earrings that are for you wenches with pierced ears. But today, after seeing a picture of a friend's daughter with some mother trucking Halo 4 earrings she got from PAX I said enough was enough.

Pardon my hair

My homemade Needler Earrings are probably the greatest thing since sliced bread (good call, JDQuackers). Now when I get into fights, I can not only take my earrings off but use them in battle!

The smallest weapon ever. Well, second smallest. The first is in your pants.

They're nothing but acrylic and clay. The needles themselves are part of some super-glittery foliage that was on clearance at Michael's that I stripped of the said glitter. Gorilla Glue works wonders...thankfully nothing got stuck to my ears.

Can he see me?!

I think my boredom is getting the best of me. By this time next week I may build a Warthog out of some shoe boxes and a skateboard.