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!"

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.

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.

Merged

This post was actually started two days ago so while it seems like I am preparing you, dear reader, for my upcoming set, you've probably already downloaded it or at least wanted to find out 'what was he thinking' . . . here goes:

Sometimes you think you have a set that will just keep going on . . . that is sort of how I felt with the mirror set (can be seen here and here) that I was pulling together.

In continuation of the set . . .

I have not been rushing on this set - I want each piece to be interesting and complete so I have been taking my time finishing up a few pieces - I think I have one more item to go, but we'll see - it needs something. I would love to make my own camera that actually worked, but the truth is - I would want to make a vintage camera that one holds at waist level and looks down into the view finder from the top.

Different items currently being worked on

I don't have much of a set to pull together. I finally am sitting down to work on some projects that I have wanted to work on, but they don't really fit into any sort of a theme. Of course, I have a number of paintings that I am working on and a new rug mesh that I am excited about, but these are just a few of the odds and ends that I am pulling together . . .

Sleeps with the fishes

I haven't had much time lately to create - it's a bummer and I hope that resolves itself soon, but I have been slowly finishing a set that has been probably eight months in the making. Sad, I know. I photographed these art deco fish prints at work ages ago and I had a simple frame that felt unfinished.

Quickie time . . .

I took a bit of a break from anything sims and I visited my home town in Massachusetts - it's a little coastal town and quite beautiful (something I did not appreciate as a child). Seeing my parents and my sister, seeing my friends (albeit briefly) was absolutely rejuvenating. When I returned home I was left feeling like it was a bit of a dream.

Life immitating art

If you'll recall, I frame pictures for my living - an extremely humble living, but more about that later. One of the things I like to do with creation of objects is to mimic those things I either desire in real life or really have in real life . . . . it's not always often that I create something and suddenly I am making it in real life too, so this was funny to me. Funny odd, not funny ha ha. If there was also a cat on my head, that might turn the tides.

Poor Wendy Darling

eureka

In attempting different lights, I wanted to try something like and Edison bulb. You know the ones I am talking about - very old fashioned - the glowing dim filament - very cool and a cool shape. I kept thinking I was doing something wrong because the filament kept showing up on its black background, but I did not delete the saved one from the game - it kept showing the old texture. Duh.

Salvaged while sick

Have a terrible cold - just in time for my ten day vacation from work. Forced vacation - we are made to save days as they close shop for a week between xmas and new years. So thank god I saved this cold for my time off. Meh.

Architectural Elements or What We Salvaged From the Yard.

Pulling together a new set with Heidi at Exotic Elements. This set was inspired by an unreleased finial that Heidi designed for one of the sets. I was under the impression that it was released as I had tested it and loved it, but her displeasure with the way it patterned made it sit on the shelf, so to speak. It got me thinking about things that we use for one thing - a finial for decor - and what it was meant to be used as - a decorative finish to a post.

In continuation . . . .

This has been the albatross for me - my flour cabinet. In trying to understand how to make better meshes at the lowest number of polys, I have been slowly creating items I see daily in my own home. This kitchen set was inspired by Exotic Elements as Heidi has created (and is about to release) another gorgeous kitchen set.