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Under Construction
Posted On Jul 25, 2008 | Click here to comment
Sorry it's taken me so long to start building again. At the moment I'm working on "Cold Spring Harbour Bed & Breakfast" another Modern Oriental home & as row of houses for Stoneyville.
Thank you all for your patience during this trying time.
Love & Hugs
Shaz
Back on the horse...
Posted On Jul 14, 2008 | 2 Comments
I've been working on rebuilding my life & have been replacing all the worn items in my house & my wardrobe. It's given me something to focus on & I've been enjoying the opportunity to make all the decisions on my own. My house looks & feels sensational & I feel better about myself than I have in a long time. I even treated myself to a trip to the hairdresser & a massage to help relieve some stress.
Pat & I made a lot of decisions together before he died (like donating his clothes to the homeless) which has made it easier for me to do what needs to be done. I've nearly finished winding up his estate & once that's complete I'll need to get myself into a routine as I've been flitting around like some demented creature.
I must admit it's strange to have all this time to myself & I'm finding it difficult to sit in one spot for long - hence the reason there is nothing new to download at the moment. I do have about 12 half built lots & I will finish them when I figure out how to sit still for more than 5 minutes.
I never thought I would be single again at 39 - but I plan on making the best of the situation I'm in. I'm starting to sleep a little better - at least deeper if not longer - & I've been losing weight, which isn't really a surprise as I haven't felt like eating.
I'm lucky to have a wonderful friend who has been there supporting me every step of the way. Louise - I couldn't have done this without you! Thank you for always being there at the end of the phone & for giving me the space to grieve & grow.
Thank you all for the messages of support - I felt everyone of those cyber hugs!
Love & Hugs
:wub:
Shaz
Life
Posted On Jul 06, 2008 | 7 Comments
Hey Everyone,
Haven't been building much of late as unfortunately there is a lot to do to wind up Pat's estate. Have also been cleaning my house from top to bottom, as I never had the time & energy with Pat in & out of hospital.
On the up side have been buying new sheets, towels & generally giving the house an update. It's looking (& smelling) heaps better. I'm trying to focus on all the positive in my life & not keep looking back.
Thanks to everyone for checking up on me. Apart from having trouble sleeping, I'm coping much better than I expected. As a wise friend told me today, it's probably because I've known Pat was dying since December & have been grieving along the way.
Now I'm splurging on myself & the house so that when I have to get back to strict budgeting, everything will be fresh & help me keep moving forward.
Love & Hugs to all
:wub:
Shaz
His Legacy...
Posted On Jun 27, 2008 | 11 Comments
It's strange how well I'm coping so far (so everyone tells me). I think the reason is because I was loved so thoroughly. Pat & I left no words unsaid, there are no regrets & no hugs & kisses left ungiven. How can I be sad knowing that he didn't want to leave me.
He taught me to be brave & strong & to be true to myself. It's because of him that I'm now a Featured Artist. He encouraged me to build from the start & when I didn't know what to do with myself, he'd say "why don't you go & build a house while you work out what you want to do".
In my mind, he's just gone to play with our children (we lost 5 to miscarriage) & he promised to given them all a hug from me & tell them that I love them. I know he'll be there to greet our "puppy kids" when they cross over & I know when my time comes, he'll be waiting for me with open arms.
Thank you for all of your lovely messages of support. I feel comforted knowing that you all got a chance to "meet" him through my Blog. I used to read the comments to him & you all made him feel like he was a part of the TSR family. So I thank you all for "bearing witness" to our journey together.
Love & Hugs as always,
Shaz
PS. I Love You
Posted On Jun 25, 2008 | 35 Comments
I just wanted to let you all know that Pat passed away at 10am this morning. I was lucky enough to have been there with him & he was coherent up until about half an hour before he died. It has been my priviledge to have been married to a man who's only concern about dying, was for me. He just wanted to know that I would be ok.
Thank you all for your kind words & for thinking of us during this difficult time.
Love & Hugs
:wub:
Shaz
GunMod's Camera Mod
Posted On Apr 01, 2008 | Click here to comment
I know some of you have been having trouble locating GunMod's Camera Mod, so I thought I'd provide a direct link to the thread so you won't have to go searching for it at Modthesims2.
The Camera mod will allow you to view the entire neighbourhood, right to the edges, so you can use the whole map. Without it you can only view the centre of the map. That's not to say you have to have the mod, I'd suggest trying the neighbourhood without it first & then if you do decide you want to view more, then download the mod.
I use Gunmod's Camera Mod 3.1A & I just use the "Neighborhood Camera" & the "Live Camera" as I find it gives me more scope to take snapshots without having to go into the free camera mode, using the "Tab" button.
Here's a link to the mod: http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=97642
Have fun!
Love & Hugs
Shaz
Poll Results
Posted On Mar 24, 2008 | Click here to comment
Thanks to everyone who took part in the poll. I must admit I find the feedback really helpful, as it lets me know what you guys really like.
With 30 Votes, Stoneyville is still the favourite style with Beachside running a close 2nd, with 26 Votes. Cold Spring Harbour attracted 15 votes, so I'm really glad to see it already has a good following. The remaining categories all scored between 4 & 7 so they'll be getting a little less attention than the top 3.
The favourite type of lot is Residential with a massive 61 votes! Community lots had 14 votes with the rest between 1 & 4. Again, it doesn't mean I won't create these lots, just not as many as the others.
Out of 92 voters, 89 want more variety, with the top styles being Modern (18) Small Town (18) Victorian (16) & Industrial (10). The other styles all scored between 4 & 7.
I've also managed to get an updated version of Numenors "Any Game Starter" & have just finished a set of 5 starter homes for Open For Business. I also plan to do a set for Seasons, Bon Voyage, Freetime & I'd like to do a set for Cold Spring Harbour & a Mountain set.
If anyone has any ideas they'd like to see realised, if you can find an image, please send me a link & I'll see what I can do!
Love & Hugs to all!
Shaz
200,000 Downloads
Posted On Mar 17, 2008 | 2 Comments
I want to thank everyone who's downloaded my lots & neighbourhoods. It's my priviledge & pleasure to share my creations with you all & I hope they bring you a lot of joy!
My hubby is off to see the surgeon's today so they can arrange for tests to see if the chemo & radiation has managed to shrink his cancer. As he's feeling better & is back to being a cheeky rat - I'd say chances are good!
Love & Hugs to all,
Shaz
Inspiration
Posted On Feb 07, 2008 | Click here to comment
I thought I'd share some of my favourite sources of ideas:
I prefer books & magazine's to using web images as I love to sit & browse. If I'm looking for TV & Movie shows ideas I tend to buy them on DVD & then sit down with a sketch book & the remote! I also draw inspiration from playing strategy games & their guides.
Magazines, Books & Websites:
Creative Homeowners - http://www.creativehomeowner.com/
Houseplanners Inc - http://www.houseplans.com/
Unique Homes - http://uniquehomes.com/
Luxury Real Estate - http://www.luxuryrealestate.com/
TV Show Homes:
1164 Morning Glory Circle - http://www.1164.com/
TV - http://www.tv.com/shows.html
TV Land - http://www.tvland.com/shows/
Other Games:
"Sim City Societies" - PC Game & Prima Guide
"Sims 2 Castaway" - on Playstation 2 & Prima Guide
I also search images on Google when hunting for something in particular, like a specific TV show or Movie house.
Have fun!
Love & Hugs
Shaz
Newsletter Interview
Posted On Feb 06, 2008 | Click here to comment
1) Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Shaz & I live in Adelaide in Australia. I'm 39, married & have 2 Maltese Terriers (small white fluffy dogs) who are my "kids". I love watching movies, reading books & listening to music.
2) How long have you been a TSR Featured Artist, and what bought you to TSR in the first place?
I've only recently become a Featured Artist, but I first joined TSR in May 2005, as I loved the variety & quality of the downloads.
3) What do you primarily create for the game and its community?
Lots & Neighbourhoods, but I've also created a "Renovation" Challenge & a tutorial called "Life's a Beach... & How to Make One".
4) When creating new content, where do you draw ideas and inspiration from?
Books, Magazines, Requests, Images from the web (www.houseplans.com & www.creativehomeowner.com) TV Shows & Movies
5) Typically, how long does it take you create new content?
When I'm really inspired to build, I can complete a small house in about 2-3 hours unfurnished or 4-5 hours if it's furnished. Sometimes it takes a week of "tweeking" before I'm happy with it. Larger community lots tend to take me weeks as I tend to do a little bit at a time. It all depends on the strength of the inspiration.
6) Has the way you create changed since being Featured at TSR?
No, but I do feel more confident.
7) What advice would you give to newcomers to the TS2 Modding/Creating scene?
We all have to start somewhere, so don't be too hard on yourself. My rule is - if I wouldn't download it, then I don't upload it. I started by downloading houses I liked, then I'd go in & "deconstruct" them to see how they were made. Read tutorials, study your favourite lots & try to figure out what makes them so appealing to you. Then try to recreate the effect yourself. If you make a mess, use the undo & start again. Also when photographing your lots, click on the "..." options menu, that way the gridlines won"t show up in your photos.
8) How long have you been playing The Sims games and what do you enjoy about them most?
I only started playing the Sims 1 in 2003, as my old computer wouldn't run it. I love being able to create a house & then move my favourite movie & book characters into them. My favourite thing though, is the change of Seasons.
Thank you for taking part in this interview for the TSR Newsletter, Any parting comments you would like to add?
Please think about the comments, pms & guestbook messages you leave for other people. One day you may be a creator & how would you feel if someone left nasty comments on your creations? If you don't like something, then just move on. It's only a game, so let's help & support each other to keep it fun!