Hallowhat?

If you've followed me long enough, you probably know I hate strongly dislike holidays - like ... all of them. I joke that Ground Hog's day is my favorite holiday, but ... surprise - I find that holiday superfluous as well ... well, as superfluous as a ground hog in a hat can be. The irony of it all is that I am the one who has to design graphics for said holidays for work and have been for a number of years now. Take a look at two of my more recent favorites (2017 [Mardi Gras, Valentines, and Groundhog Day combined]and 2019 ... different companies, same schtick):

Pardon the dust ... yo.

It's been a while.

My absence almost directly coincided with my arrival at Tumblr. It was not my intention to just simply stop this blog, but trying to social and unique on the many avenues we call the internet - all while being predominantly anti-social - was a little too much to take on.

Couple of notes on the HOLD IT set

Perhaps it's a silly name for a set - but these items hold things. The books hold information, the cabinets hold items, the mugs hold a drink (and a few, if bittersweet, memories). These cabinets will act like WA chests so they can hold your items too in game - nifty huh? Something with a door and a shelf would actually function (if not in animation, then in practice).

A cup a cupp a cuppa cup a cup.

While I might not be singing 'The Java Jive' I was doing a little jive revisiting the metlox mug I released in 2010. While there was nothing 'wrong' with it - it always bothered me that I needed to release a stacked version of it when it should just stack on its own.

I wave the white flag.

Apparently, texture on glass and I will not come to an agreement. Therefore, I concede. I wave my white flag, constructed with the handkerchief that I used to wipe my furrowed brow and dry my ever so bitter tears while giving it a gesture that only you and I know means 'effffffyooooooouuuuu' in some foreign land (meaning: not 'Ah-mer-KA' as my neighbor would say [while looking out 'him's win-ders' at his 'tah-may-ter' plants.] Bless his hillbilly heart.).

The set that should have been (by now)

It's been a bit of a wild ride these past [many] months.

2012 I found myself on a roller coaster of good news followed by equally bad news. Work, life, et cetera. Found jobs, nearly lost jobs due to lack of work. Computer woes . . . car trouble - expensive repairs followed by more troubles. Medical problems . . . dental troubles . . . a dear friend passing away. 2012, in a word, sucked.

all signs point to yes

We're coming up on the third anniversary for Sims 3. My personal adventures in creation is nearing its second anniversary. Officially in May, but of course, I have been dabbling for a bit longer than that. I had aspirations to do more than just recolors, but I never really thought I would get to the 'next level' of creation.

The evolution of a design

You probably are already aware that I have been looking for a new job. After a while of searching for another frame job (and dreading it) I came to the conclusion that I need to simply step away from that field. Not only have a significant amount of shops closed their doors during this extended economic decline, I am competing for  greatly lowered waged jobs against all the displaced framers. While one would hope that talent really gets you the work, it's honestly is a personality contest and most of us see ourselves a little different than we actually project.

Inspiration Blog Outtakes . . .

Just a couple of photos from the set that won't make the final post, but I liked enough to share:

Blog Inspired Set

I follow an exhaustive amount of blogs looking at all sorts of things from decor, to art, to food, to gardening. Everyone posts these amazing photos that I can't help but save to an inspiration folder. During the holidays (or daze as it was more accurately lived) I was able to devote a good deal of time to organizing the mess of things that I was following and consider some of the items that I was eying. The set that has been pulled together is sort of odd.

News and new

Been a while since I have had the urge to create. I credit my new found desire (read: kick in the pants)  to an article that Sandy at ATS3 scanned for (and translated too! Muy gracias mucho! [did I mention I can't speak another language??]) me from a French Magazine that named my site as Site of the Month. Humbling honestly, as I have this sort of fear that while I hear good things about my creations, it's the amazing lack of downloads that keeps my paranoia that 'none of it is good enough' or 'everyone is just being nice' active.

"B5Studio

Bau's creations, born artist

Layed out as a blog, B5Studio is one of the good URLs of the Web. Its content is diversified, from rugs to lightings, paintings. If it's one of the reference sites, it's because of its realism and diversity of creations that visitors can download. From the smallest decorative item to the massive pieces of furniture, Bau, the blog administrator, does his best to create a content that is and useful and original. You find your Sims' living-room a bit empty? Download the rug "Back to basics", then choose one of the many available textures, and your room will be as new. You're looking for accessories for a photograph studio? Choose then the set Mementoes and become the most famous photographer of the town. B5Studio offers as well many industrial items, that will fit anyone who wants to decorate an artist workshop or mad scientist... To visit without waiting!"

Gorvernment on Drugs

If you think this doesn't affect you? You are completely wrong. Not an American? Visit: American Censorship dot Org . . . you can still be heard.

dogs age

It's been a while. First, let me say 'happy holidays, yo.' Oddly, given all that has happened in the past year, this is the first year in probably 20 that I have actually felt some seasonal spirit. While the search for work continues and seems bleak, I am focused on the good things that have happened this past year and if you knew me, you'd be reaching across the table to feel my forehead to hear me say that. While I call myself a realist, most hear me describe the world as a pessimist. C'est la vie . . . you see a rainbow in the puddle, I see the oil spill from the car next to the puddle. I call it how I see it. That said - this year has been filled with tiny triumphs. Whether it was the mortgage assistance from Georgia's HomeSafe program, Chris being declared cancer free, or finding Laika in the street and giving her a home (and me a completely new take on life) - this year has been hard, but it has been good.

boxed bread

Affectionately called: The "Is It Bigger Than A Breadbox" Breadbox, this is based on a gift from my sister. I am trying to recall the exact circumstances of how it came into my possession, but I remember seeing it at an antique store and commenting on it and suddenly it was a gift to me not too long after. I am told I am a very hard person to buy for so it is not uncommon that if I mention liking something in a shop, it will end up as a surprise for me later. Note to self: comment more on big ticket items. For me? Aw shucks! You shouldn't have!!

eating time.

Just a quick update. While this was not particularly difficult, I have been tinkering with the silverware  on this all morning and finally got it to where I think it looks good. This is based on a real clock in my kitchen. Mine is a little rusty and worn.

Lights and lettering

You know - if you looked at my very early meshes you'd think - meh - not a perfectionist. In reality there is the constant balancing act of doing the best one can and OCD. At any given moment one can only produce to the best of their current ability.

Let the cold winds blow

I have been thinking about the different things that one could have in their kitchen set. All sorts of counters have been created and I don't think I would have anything new to offer other than to say that 'oh - this is something I made' but the reality is - the counters that interest me have already been created by others and rather well too.

Modern Love

I think we're all grown ups here - so when I say I am having a love affair with my latest mesh - it shouldn't even phase you. I think reality television has pretty much made our skins a little tougher.

Laika and the Shakers

While I am busy at work on a new set(s) I am taking a tiny break to present some photos of the irrepressible Laika, whom I spend the majority of my day with now. She's a whopping 34 pounds now! She doubled in size since we found her.

moving backwards to move forward

I've hit a point in creating that I wanted to look at what I have done in the past to see which pieces I have liked enough to go back and fix or update. You learn new tricks or interesting techniques and I feel these previously released pieces might have turned out a little different if I knew then what I know now.