In The Garden And Other Things

For many reasons I have not felt like meshing, at least one of those reasons I will touch on in this post. Indulge me. It isn't often that I feel the need to vent just a little, and especially in a place that is meant for Sims sharing! Thankfully, as always, Eric (Bau) was there to nudge me and inspire me. Back when I first started making things, there was a real spirit of sharing and learning - at least amongst the people I was fortunate enough to fall in with. It is my impression, anonymously reading out there in Sim land, that people have the impression that anyone who makes something for this game and shares it on the internet knows every technique, every nuance that goes in to making custom content. Not so! We're all on different levels, and at least for me, there isn't one set that I don't make that I have not learned something new. That is probably why I love making things so much - always a learning experience. When you are fortunate enough to have someone to collaborate with, even if it isn't a joint effort, it makes it that much more enjoyable. Eric is the epitome of a phrase I see frequently: constructive critisism. Honestly, if he didn't say "hey why not add a slot to that?", I probably wouldn't even think of it. Or, "hey, I like that, but it's a little off on the left side". That is constructive critisism, and it is the only way that I know to improve and challenge myself to make something better than I would on my own. Honestly, if he said "Omg! This sucks! You suck!", I probably wouldn't bother. It is entirely disheartening to see the unrestrained, entitled attitudes from so many people out there! Not for the things I make so much as the things that I see said about other's attempts to share something they find useful or pretty. I'm not going anywhere, even though I often take long breaks to become inspired again, but it really is very discouraging when you spend a great deal of time, effort and attention to detail making things you hope even one person can use. Obviously meshing and all that goes into it is not brain surgery, but I think many of you would be surprised at the process that goes into making a set that is (hopefully) ready to share. Time consuming and sometimes headache inducing. Heh. I probably wrote this long winded post for an audience of one, but meh. I feel better saying it.

Ok, so garden stuff! I made a few things that are either in my garden or that I wish were in it! The little fountain is made by turning a pot upside down and putting the drain plate thingy on top. I have hoards of birds that play in mine all day. There are a few plants in pots - something I love to tuck in with my plants in the ground, but I find that I am lacking these for my game. Plants. The bane of my existence! I am not terribly good at making plants. I find it very difficult to make a natural looking plant and keep the polys low. There is an avocado plant in a tin can, a pennywort and basil plant in pots. I saw the hanging bells in a catalogue and want to get them one day. A couple of little finials that I thought would look neat tucked into a garden, a crate table that I wish I knew how to make stackable like the one I see recolored all over the community. Anyone know how to do that? There is also another birdbath that does not have slots and the most annoying outdoor lights ever made! Seriously, if Eric were not there to push me to do better and figure it out, you'd have glass balls on a stick. These however light up correctly and have recolorable glass - again, thanks to Eric! To get the items he made in these pictures, go here! Finally, the little sofa-bench-thingy is part of another set I hope to have finished up later this week. It's been sitting around since March :(

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