moonlitmaiden's Blog - RSS feed 
![[Valid RSS]](/images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")
Separates Poll
Posted On Jul 09, 2008 | Click here to comment
Time to close another poll. Here's what 214 of you thought about elder-enabled separates:
Question: I've recently started converting adult separates to work for elders. What are your thoughts?
85.78% (187) I like them! It's great to have more versatility.
12.39% (27) They're too much trouble, because you can't use them with regular elder separates.
Question: Would you like to have recolors of the conversions I've done so far?
75.23% (164) You bet! The more the merrier.
21.1% (46) No, I think your elder-enabled clothes have given elders enough variety.
Question: Would you like recolors to include elders, adults and young adults?
56.42% (123) It depends on the style. What's appropriate for one age group doesn't always work for others.
42.66% (93) Sure! It doesn't take up any more room in my downloads folder, and I like having a choice.
Question: Do you like to download several different colors/prints of the same style?
63.76% (139) Yes, if I like the style I want lots of different options.
33.49% (73) No, I limit myself to one or two different colors/prints of any one style.
Question: What colors do you prefer for elder clothing?
12.84% (28) I think elders look better in conservative colors (black, brown, navy, burgundy, etc.).
18.35% (40) I like brighter colors and pastels for women but conservative colors for men.
68.35% (149) I like a mix for both sexes.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to add their votes to the poll. Lots of good information!
Gina
Freetime poll results: Love it or hate it?
Posted On Apr 29, 2008 | Click here to comment
With 216 responses, here's how you answered the question: Now that the final Sims 2 EP, Freetime, has been released, what are your thoughts?
Question: Have you got Freetime yet?
6.48% (14) Yes, and it's a waste of money.
25% (54) No, but I intend to get it.
9.72% (21) No, and I don't intend to get it.
57.41% (124) Yes, and it's great!
Question: If you got Freetime, or intend to, why? (Check all that apply.)
70.83% (153) I love having more activity options.
56.02% (121) I want all the new objects and clothing, and I want to be able to download the recolors artists will create for them.
28.24% (61) I want to be able to download and use lots that artists with Freetime create.
34.26% (74) I just want to have the complete collection of EPs.
Question: If you haven't got Freetime and don't intend to, why not? (Check all that apply.)
7.41% (16) It's too expensive.
4.63% (10) The features don't interest me.
11.57% (25) My computer already has trouble handling the EPs I've got.
6.02% (13) I'm sick of having to upgrade my favorite hacks to work with every new EP.
Question: What Sims 2 version of a Sims 1 EP would you have preferred for the final Sims 2 EP?
31.02% (67) Makin' Magic! Just think of the possibilities for new activities, clothing, and cool objects!
20.83% (45) Superstar! Everybody wants to be rich and famous.
46.3% (100) Neither. I like new concepts, not recycled versions of old ideas.
Many thanks to all who took the time to participate in the poll. Your responses have changed my mind about getting Freetime, eventually -- but not until it goes on sale!
Using Elder-Enabled Separates
Posted On Apr 26, 2008 | Click here to comment
By now, people who know me and my work know that I'm dedicated to enabling the adult clothing in the EA/Maxis catalog to work for elder Sims.
So far, I've limited these conversions to whole outfits, but elders can use converted clothing based on adult meshes for separates as well. However, you must be sure that when you use an elder-enabled top, you only pair it with an elder-enabled skirt or pants. EA's insistence on making elders (particularly women) with paunchy midriffs means that clothing created for use with elder meshes will be wider at the waist than clothing created for adult meshes. Therefore, tops and bottoms based on elder meshes will leave gaps if used with adult mesh-based, elder-enabled separates, as illustrated below:
I hope this explanation makes it clear why you can only use elder-enabled separates with each other. I have several more sets of separates in the works, all of which will be interchangeable. Using these separates is a little more complicated than using whole meshes, but the versatility of mix-and-match separates is well worth it!
Whaddaya like?
Posted On Mar 01, 2008 | Click here to comment
It's time to close my latest poll, with 263 respondents (thank you!). Lots of valuable information for me and other custom content providers.
I was particularly surprised by how much the quality of the preview pictures influences your decision on whether to download or not. This factor even beat out subscriber/non-subscriber. Thinking about it, though, I realize that it makes sense that an artist who's creative and meticulous about their creations will also be that way about their preview shots.
Another surprise was how many "older" players there are. Fewer than 20 percent of those responding were under age 18. Goes to show you, this is far from being just another "kid's game."
Here are the final results:
Question: What is your age bracket?
19.01% (50) Under 18
28.52% (75) 18 to 25
25.86% (68) 25 to 35
13.69% (36) 35 to 45
9.51% (25) 45 or older
Question: What do you prefer to download (check all that apply)?
74.9% (197) Clothing
34.6% (91) Lots
37.26% (98) Build items (doors, windows, stairs, etc.)
27% (71) Floors, walls and terrains
67.68% (178) Furniture and furnishings
64.26% (169) Hair, makeup, etc.
17.87% (47) Complete or Celebrity Sims
Question: Do you prefer to download sets or individual items?
73.76% (194) Sets
23.57% (62) Individual items
Question: What would keep you from downloading (check all that apply)?
49.81% (131) Poor quality previews
60.84% (160) Too many meshes required, or have to go to other sites to download meshes
43.73% (115) Subscriber only items
7.98% (21) Not SA or FA - I think they're higher quality
72.62% (191) Personal taste - just don't like the style, color, etc.
Again, many thanks to those of you who took the time to respond to the poll. I hope it was fun for you!
Bit of a slowdown
Posted On Feb 20, 2008 | 4 Comments
Real life, including some health issues, has been intruding on my Sims time lately. I've also been working through some tutorials and Photoshop manuals to begin trying my hand at recoloring. Still, I have plenty of Maxis catalog clothing sets ready to be recoded to work for elders, and I hope to get at least one set published every week or so while I sort things out in my real life.
Abundant thanks to all of you who give me such great feedback about the elder-enabled clothing! It feels great to know that this is a gap that needs filling, and not just my own narrow preference for elders with a little more oomph! than Maxis programmers decided they should have!
January. New York. 68 degrees F, 20C.
Posted On Jan 08, 2008 | 1 Comments
I've experienced January thaws before here in beautiful upstate New York, but this is phenomenal. For the second straight day, the thermometer has registered nearly 70 degrees. For all you Celsius fans out there, that's around 20.
All the snow has melted away except for a few stubborn little icy chunks here and there in shady spots. It feels like an early April day here and Spring fever is bubbling. So what am I doing sitting inside typing this blog entry???
Happy New Year's Resolutions!
Posted On Jan 01, 2008 | Click here to comment
Time to tally your favorite resolutions:
Question: Do you intend to make any New Year's resolutions?
57.63% (34) Yes! It's a great chance to start over with a clean slate.
40.68% (24) No, I think it's a stupid idea. Nobody ever keeps them anyway.
Question: What New Year's Resolutions do you plan to make this year?
3.39% (2) Quit smoking
30.51% (18) Lose Weight
30.51% (18) Exercise regularly
8.47% (5) Watch less TV
10.17% (6) Spend more time with family, friends
11.86% (7) Spend less time on the computer
8.47% (5) Go to church more often
37.29% (22) Something else
Whatever improvements you choose to make in your lives this coming year, good luck! Thank you all for taking my poll, and for all your support and encouragement during the last year.
:) Gina
Your favorite Christmas songs
Posted On Dec 25, 2007 | Click here to comment
182 of you responded to my Christmas song poll and the top favorite with 25 votes was "Silent Night." Second place was a three-way tie with 18 votes each: "White Christmas," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "The Little Drummer Boy." My personal favorite, "Carol of the Bells," garnered a respectable 12 votes, along with "Jingle Bells." Thanks to everyone who participated, it was fun!
As we wind down 2007, I want to thank all of you in the TSR community for your support and encouragment this past year, both my fellow artists and all the wonderful Simthusiasts who've downloaded my humble offerings. I promise more and better things to come, and wish for all of you a joyous and abundant 2008!
:) Gina
For those who wished for snow for Christmas...
Posted On Dec 13, 2007 | 4 Comments
We got our first real blast of winter here in beautiful upstate New York today. Here's a view from my kitchen window:
And another view, from my living room window:
We're predicted to get anywhere from five to 11 inches before the storm moves eastward. Our little valley is usually well protected from the brunt of most storms, but every once in a while we get to exercise our shovels and see if the snowblowers still work. :D
Look, Mom! I'm an SA!
Posted On Dec 13, 2007 | 2 Comments
What a wonderful surprise this morning, a PM from Anita (Atwa) telling me I'd been made a TSR Select Artist! My guest book has been filling up all day with great messages and congratulations, and I've tried to answer everybody but the server upgrades have been getting in the way. So right here I want to thank EVERYONE who took the time to stop by and congratulate me. I'll do my best to keep getting better and give you creations worthy of space on your hard drive and in your Sims world. Happy holidays!
:D Gina