Simply for Men Theme Week

I always intend to submit theme-related creations during the FA theme weeks and it always seems that whatever I'm currently working on holds me up. So today I decided to change gears.

I've had these Viking themed pendents for a while now, intending to make them into male necklaces for my Swedish (and very Viking) hubby. They look fabulous in-game - very detailed, although sometimes the game's lighting is a little harsh so it's difficult to get smooth photos without a lot of glare.

I expect this set will go live and be available for download sometime around Wednesday, June 14'06.

Järnsten vs. Jarnsten

Apparently there's been a question of game compatibility with my updated version of Järnsten Condominiums. If you've attempted to download the file (specifically using the TSR download wizard) and received error messages OR if you get errors when trying to install the lot into your game, DO NOT PANIC!

I believe the problem stems from the use of the Swedish vowel 'ä' in the lot's filename. Why this is suddenly a problem is beyond me, as it seems I used the same spelling on the original version... Regardless, I have renamed the lot, repackaged it and updated the file in the database.

So, long story short, if you're experiencing any problems whatsoever with the file, please download the updated version here.

And as always, please make sure to read the game requirements. ;)

Luxury Townhouses

My townhouse series has now been updated for NL and OFB. Originally I had planned to simply rebuild them as is, adding in the necessary garages and perhaps tweaking a few things that never quite worked the way I had wanted them to when the game was new. But I got carried away. As you can see from the preview images below, I started with the Foxglove, which is nearly identical to the original, but then each house thereafter deviated a little more.

Not that the deviations are bad - the main differences stem mostly in the roof configurations and I think the changes are a big improvement. Overall the houses are layed out better (stairs especially), provide more from the start (garages, pools, landscaping, etc.) and are just plain more elaborate and thus I decided to rename them 'luxury townhouses'. I've also taken advantage of TSRAA custom content.

Foxglove Townhouse retains its original layout, although I had to switch the upstairs bath around the chimney for reasons liking stemming to my inability to count. :D The multi-story deck has been totally reworked and now functions (and looks) a ton better. A single-car garage has been added, as well as a backyard patio. There is room enough upstairs to add another bedroom if necessary and plenty of yard to expand on as you wish. This is without a doubt my favourite of the three. :D

Rosehip Townhouse retains its original layout, but I reworked the staircase into a split-level L-shaped version, which gave more room for the powder room and a tiny optional laundry room (or you can merge the two together). A single-car garage has been added, as well as a backyard pool with small pool house. Again, yard space remains for you to add in swings and the like.

Larkspar Townhouse retains its original layout, although I decided the second-story turret wall should be wider, so it now is. Thanks to UN I was finally able to include the original arched columns around the kitchen space and it once again looks much classier. I also opted for fewer 2-tile windows rather than the many 1-tile windows for a grander appearance. A single-car garage has been added and a backyard deck, although I left the rest of the backyard landscaping open for your own creativity.

Whew! Well that was an entire day's worth of work yesterday and I hope you enjoy the improved versions, which should be scheduled for release mid-coming week. I believe these are the last of my lots I'll be updating to current versions, at least for a while. I do have some other building ideas on the burner but might have to switch back to objects to refresh myself. :)

Updating Lots

With the addition of expansion packs, I've meant to update my build lots to include driveways and the like but somehow it always ends up on the bottom of my list. Not today.

To start with, I have tweaked my Järnsten Condominiums complex to include a much-requested elevator instead of the multiple stairs (which I'll admit, I was never happy with, either). The parking lot has also been expanded to include NL driveways (you will need Cyclonesue's invisible driveway and Windkeeper's plastic hedges). I should also mention that only the 3 parking spaces on the left of the lot actually work; the 4th is decorative only, as there is not enough 'driving' room from the edge of the lot to allow a functioning 4th place but it still looks nice. :)

Next up, I have expanded my Holland Acres country home to include a small floral home business. The plantation yard has been reduced to half to allow for shop space (you should have Windkeeper's rosewood doors and windows), which has been outfitted with the basics required to run a shop, plus a flower crafting station. I also added a driveway and a few other minor tweaks.

Forthcoming Creations

I hadn't planned on there being such a lag in time until posting my next creaions but last week was quite the rollercoaster. Real life will probably continue to keep me hopping for a while yet but hopefully I can squeeze in a bit more TSR work here and there.

The next 2 sets I'm releasing are some summer planter boxes for your Sim patios and gardens - one a collection in wood and another in metal. After they are posted, I hope to finally get around to the nursery theme sets I had planned to add to the theme week.

Minisite

I have a minisite.

Shocked. Flabbergasted. Cool. :D

The realization is just now sinking in and there is still no way to quite describe such a euphoric feeling.

I guess I finally need to get my butt into gear and publish the stack of creations loitering on my harddrive.

And before my head gets too big, a huge squishy thank you to TSR (and Thomas, thanks again) and everyone who has given me feedback, comments and constructive criticism (I suddenly feel like I'm at the Grammies or Oscars now...).