katalina / Blog

Author: katalina | Posted Jan 30, 2012

Yes, I am back... anyone miss me LOL!   So much has changed in my life in the last 6 months and more to come but I am tired of not being able to do what I enjoy doing and that is to build for Sims 3.  I have really missed it and the TSR community of wonderful people.  I hope to bring more fantasy cottages along with some surprises..  Really miss you all (Hugs)

Author: katalina | Posted Jun 15, 2011 | 3 comments

Sorry that it is taking me so long to produce another lot but recently I've had some personal problems that has set me back, way back and it is taking it's toll. I don't even feel like building but once I get my life in order I will be back bigger then ever.  Until then, hang in there and if you want to Pm me I can tell you what's going on, I just don't want to go into detail here. Thanks for listening and may God bless you all!

Author: katalina | Posted May 14, 2011 | 2 comments

Sorry it is taking me so long to get another creation submitted, I just don't want anyone to think I dropped off the face of the earth lol.  Some personal time off, my job and other things have made it more slowly to work on another creation, though today I'm working and trying to finish up on another cottage I am sure you will like. More chocolate to simulate the brain and get creative juices flowing!! 

Author: katalina | Posted Mar 15, 2011 | 2 comments

I'm starting to do a series of Gothic style homes for your Vamps or Goths. The first home is called "Nightshade" and is your typical looking Gothic home, others will be somewhat similar or more elaborate. I got the idea from Daisylee who is a member here at TSR and in the future she will being doing a Vampire neighborhood in CAW. Stay tuned!

Author: katalina | Posted Oct 26, 2010 | 2 comments

Yep it is that time..  I haven't had a vacation for 2 years! Because of that I am so burned out by my job but thanks to my boss she is giving me and hubby our Christmas bonus early and sending us on a cruise to The Bahamas, woot!

I'll be leaving Nov 4th and maybe be back on Nov 8th or maybe not come back at all LOL!  Today the new EP Late Night comes out and honestly I am more excited about my vacation then I am the game and haven't even ran out to buy it and I may not until I get back.

Having a vacation is much more important to me then the game right now especially for my sanity lol. If you knew my job you would understand. One sad thing about vacations is that they end but I have the new EP to look forward to, another woot!

Author: katalina | Posted Oct 9, 2010 | 4 comments

Hi everyone who reads this lol.  I have decided to make several lots without using custom content. Some will be base game and others will be with expansions. My reason for taking this on is that I was always concerned about lot file sizes. It is easy for me to make a lot that is well over 20mb using custom patterns, terrain paint and objects.

I wasn't aware that using CC can cause problems with another players game. All my CC comes from TSR and is TSRAA only.  So far I have made 2 lots without CC and one is with expansions and the other is base game and both homes are totally different.

I plan on leaving these lots unfurnished to keep file sizes down and also let the downloader decorate with their own CC or EA store items.  I have no idea who download my lots and then get inside and strip it and then redecorate to their liking. It takes a lot of time in the design tool to change patterns on walls, cabinets and objects and since I am not doing that, I can really make many No CC lots in a quicker amount of time.

This has actually been fun then a challenge but their have been times I wish I could have used a CC pattern on something because I don't always like what EA has to offer lol.

You can read the thread I posted about lot file sizes here http://forums.thesimsresource.com/showthread.php?t=386409  We have done our own testing and research on why lot file sizes can get very large.

Here is a pic of my first No CC lot but only using WA and Ambitions expansions and you can also see more pics in Simalot forum and the post is called (No CC lot, LOOK!) Thanks for reading and feedback is always welcomed :)

Author: katalina | Posted Jun 16, 2010 | 1 comments

I wanted to express my thanks to all of the lovely and wonderful comments you have left me on my houses. I have been really slacking lately. Sometimes I get busy and sometimes I just forget but either way I want you all to know how much I truely appreciate your comments and that you like my cottages. Your wonderful comments is what drives me to make those homey cottages so you and your sims can have a great living experience. Thank you so much!

Author: katalina | Posted May 16, 2010 | 3 comments

I want to share with you all an incredible magazine that depicts Sims in beautiful fashions that look every bit as professional as Vogue magazine. This magazine not only showcases fashions but home interiors and lots created by people like you and me.  I was pm'd by Okadoka a staff writer for the magazine and asked permission to use my Island Get Away lot for their upcoming swimsuit issue and also be interviewed. I was thrilled, honored and humbled that they picked my beach lot out of the many beach lots out there.

If you haven't experienced this amazing magazine for sims, you don't know what you're missing. You can go to this link where you will find my lot and interview. http://issuu.com/sf_magazine/docs/sf_magazine_issue_2 and make sure to put in page 36 where the interview starts. I know you will enjoy this magazine for sims.

Author: katalina | Posted May 3, 2010 | 4 comments

In the next couple of days I am about to submit this huge Victorian. I made this lot with our pattern artist (djehmli) in mind. I wanted to show how beautiful her patterns look in her favorite style of home with Victorian gardens, though I almost wish the lot was bigger to make more interesting gardens.

There is no garage, just a parking block. I felt a garage would detract from the over all beauty of the home and less room for gardens and knowing me, I love to landscape lol!  I call it The Grand Lady well because, well look at it! It is as grand as an big Victorian of it's day with a wrap around porch and even has a sunroom in the back and of course a gazebo.

Before I submit this lot, I will be taking out some furnishings since the file size is well over 16mb. I need to learn not to be so excessive lol! but sometimes I get carried away in the moment and always wonder what else I can do in the lot.

The colors I chose remind me of original colors that might have been seen on an old Victorian. I almost went with white siding,(yuck) so I kept the brick and the scalloped patterns. The scalloped patterns is as close to gingerbread as I can get which is seen on Victorians.  Well hope you like it Julie, it will have plenty of bedrooms to start a new legacy :)

Author: katalina | Posted Apr 14, 2010 | 1 comments

It's off to building I go lol! This should give you a hint on my next creation and if you haven't guess it is the seven dwarfs cottage. I could only find a couple of images of the cottage so I ended up doing a little improvising of my own. This cottage sleeps 8 and naturally Snow White is the 8th person and has her own bedroom. I also made a barn to house animals made by Rebecah a artist here at TSR.  Right now the cottage is built and decorated and I am focusing on the landscaping. I am trying to create a forest like atmosphere with lots of trees, shrubs and flowers.

Landscaping is one of my favorite things to do on a lot but even I can get stumped on how I want it to look or even how it should look. Usually when I get stumped I take a break for a few minutes or even longer and just refresh my brain a bit. In keeping with the Disney theme, as in catoonish, the interior and objects are colorful but not so bad as looking outlandish lol!

This lot has a lot of CC to depict what the seven dwarfs cottage would look like and decorated. Not all CC will be included in this lot and only TSRAA objects and SA. No FA CC since I want this lot to be free and any objects that came from another site will not be included but I will have a link where you can find them.

I am really enjoying building this lot and have wanted to do it for awhile. I hope you like it and comments are most appreciated :)