from what i understand is that you can only alter the arms and hands according to the the contest rules, as far as i undrstand them. of course i can be mistaken!

That's why I used the question form to ask specifically about the removable costume.

Now you have really peaked my interest.  A secret identity!     Can't wait to see it.

Yes. In fact, it's even secret to me. lol

uh-oh, i was thinking of adding something too, but my villian won't have a secret identity! i'll have to ask i suppose

neat! i cant wait to see your chatcters... im soo excited even if i dont win!

I asked them about adding and they said that you can make any changes you want, you just have to use the pattern as a base

cool cuz i have some ideas that would involve modifications. so this will make my job alot eaiser.

yeah they said you could go pretty far in your deviations, but if your changes are very dramatic, you should include pictures as proof that you did use one of the patterns as a base

I don't know if anyone else has done this or needs to, but I made an armature to put my puppet on while working on it.
It was pretty easy to do. I used the body pattern to cut out cardboard and then taped the pieces together with circles at the top and bottom put in to shape it. I like it because it's extremely cheap and gives a more accurate shape than if you use a bottle or stand.

that sounds cool! i have not tried that yet but it sounds like a good idea... i usually use my brohters arm when im doing work that needs to stand or if i need to look at it a certian way. :D

he also is the one in most of my picture cause im picky about my shot so hes the one inside the puppet posing for me.