Progress Report

Progress Report

Recent Jewelry Repair Work

     I had a few jobs this past month from friends to do some fixer-uppers on their jewelry.  One was a bracelet I made that was obviously much loved!  The other was a bracelet that wasn't mine but a favorite of another friend.  It flatters me so much when people trust me with their prized possessions!  Hopefully both are pleased with the end results and not just saying that to stroke my ego!

    First up was a repair job of the original USA bracelet I made for a friend in Rhode Island.  She apparently has worn the heck out of this bracelet!  At least I hope that's the case here!

    Yikes, right?  I cut off all of the leather cording and wove the beads back onto new cording with a new stronger thread I found.  Hopefully, this one holds up better!   She also asked for it to be shortened a bit so I took off a repetition of the pattern.  

     Ta-Da!  Good as new!
     Next up was the bracelet I agreed to repair sight unseen from a friend in my old city of Charlotte.   This one was much-loved and worn out also!  The knots were totally falling apart.  I was scared to pick it up!!

     I struggled on this one to make it a bit more visually appealing.  My friend that owns this bracelet had also bought one of my necklaces with a turtle that matched up very closely with the ones on this necklace.  

So I used some leftover beads from the necklace that I still had stashed away (and between my daughter and my niece going through my extras all the time, this was a miracle!) to alternate between the turtles with the same small metal spacers that I had used on the necklace.  End result....

     One of the things I was told about this bracelet is that it is often forgotten to be taken off before getting in the shower.  So even though the metal fittings I've been using seem to have held up well through washing my hands, being caught in the rain, leaving my own things in the bathroom to the elements in there... I was hesitant about having them 100% in the water for an extended time.  I haven't done much testing on showering and swimming with my items and recommend they be taken off before-hand.

     So after doing some research, I decided to use some of my techniques with my latest triple-wrap bracelets and combine that with a simple button.  I picked a nice button that matched up with the colors of the turtles fairly well, but wasn't snazzy enough to distract from the main attraction.  

    I'm pretty darn confident that the knotting and weaving I did to attach the clasp is going to hold up to the water test!!   I used waxed linen cording and it is what actually goes through the turtles and beads so unless something is cut or snaps... it's going to stay put!

     I feel horrible that I took so long working on these!  The USA bracelet going to Rhode Island had a custom request with it, and hunting down the right beads, waiting for them to ship, then just Murphy's law going on in my life put me out several weeks.  Then with the turtles, it just took a while for everything to click-click-click in my head.  Once it did, I had those turtles in place in no time and heading back down to Charlotte!!  

     But I owe those ladies a great deal of thanks for their infinite patience!  Bless you both!



Hugs & Kisses,
Carissa
The Crafty Warrior

    

TS2 - Legacy Cove - Week Seven in the Cove!

The Sims 2

TS2 - Legacy Cove - Week Seven in the Cove!

     I think I need to start off this simming update by saying I really slacked off on taking pictures during Week 7.  Let me show you some examples of what I did take pictures of the first half of the week.

     My nephew's SimSelf rode the bus home with one of the girls, and thinking he would like to see him in my game and on my blog, I snapped some pictures of him getting off the bus, playing with the dogs, fighting with the other teen Sheridan Mellon who came home with the kids too.  

     Chase in real life is SUCH the ladies' man.  He would never fight with a girl, he LOVES GIRLS.  But Chase Bearhunter in my game is not so suave.  He's pissed off Sheridan and I had to separate them.  

     The next thing I took pictures of is relevant to their week but there's still no pictures of the actual sims living in the house yet.  In any matter, Astro and Anabelle gave me THREE puppies!  CRAP!  On one hand... Cool!  One for each kid!  On the other hand... CRAP!  THREE PUPPIES AND TWO OF THE KIDS ARE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL.  

     We have two girls and a boy.  Andromeda, Agnesi, and Aristotle.  They really are cute puppies... all white and snuggly.  They are adorable!  Yay!  Let's just keep them all until the kids graduate college!  Because I'm so crazy!  Yay!

     That night, something really extraordinary happened. 

Amaris.

Wanted.

To.

Whoohoo.

     Holy schnauzers!  I indulged.  Zane didn't argue either!

     The battle between Kate & Silia persisted.  I got so aggravated with them, I turned on boolprop and made them sit down to play chess together.  WORK IT OUT!  STOP SLAPPING EACH OTHER!

     

     They totally didn't get to say good bye to Zamaris as she went off to college.  That's what you get ladies when you can't keep your hands to yourself!  I award you no points for this day.  

    This leaves only Zayna home with mom and pops.  She is in science hobby heaven with her parents.  They spin up the want all the dang time to talk about their hobby.  Since they all three like science... they talk about it, there is a line for the telescope, and they blog about it also.  I need to just buy them all their own telescopes and get them out of my hair!  

     Meanwhile though... when the telescope and computer are in use, Zayna likes to check herself out in the mirror.  Well... she IS cute.  I'd probably do the same thing if I was a cutie like her.  

     And when Zayna isn't around... Zane and Amaris are just sickening.  These two can't stay away from each other.  If one is asleep, the other has to relax on the bed.  If one's in the shower, the other wants to clean the toilet.  THREE-BOLTERS!  What are ya gonna do with 'em?  

     The puppies grew up into three healthy schnoodles.  Schnoodle.  It's such a fun word to say outloud.  It's awesome that we just lucked into a dog breed that will keep me amused for generations through the pet adoption service.  

     Sadly, the day after the pups grew up into adult dogs, Astro also had a birthday.  The founder of the dog legacy is now an elder.  *sniffle*   I don't want Astro to get old!  He's such a good dog!

     Just a quick pop-in of one of the NPCs... but the pizza guy!  Ugh!  I need a cow plant soon!  I can not let that guy breed with my beautiful girls.  STAY BACK, FOUL BEAST

     Saturday rolled around, and both Zane and Amaris work Saturday mornings.  Zayna was alone in the house for the first time ever.  She made herself lunch and since there's not any other families in the neighbhorhood yet I couldn't have a play date.  Sure, I can invite the townies but I really don't like doing that so much.  It weirds me out that these townie kids could withness several generations of Archer kids growing up and dying before they might get a chance to grow up.  

      Then later when the parentals were back home, Trevor came by.   Let me tell you about Trevor in my old hood, because he is one of the immigrants.  Trevor has ZERO outgoing skills.  He runs and hides at all of the Saturday play dates since he was a child and still does it as a teen.  If he socializes at all outside his house, it's with the pets.  

     So when I noticed that Trevor was seeking out Zayna to do stuff like give her a backrub!!!  Or to hug her!!!   Well, I paid attention.  Zayna, I was already entertaining sending Trevor to college with you but I seriously can't ignore this.  The boy loves her!  They will be married after college.  

    Zayna has a few more days before she goes off to college, so she's here for another week.  But it's time now to go back over to the uni campus to check on Zachariah and Zamaris.

PS - To prove how slack I was on taking pictures, Zachariah and Antoinette were over visiting at least every other day while I was playing the main house and then Zamaris was teleported in also the second half of the week after she went to uni. 

PPS - I've lied to you all for several weeks now.  Their college is not Sim State but the Academie.  Oopsie!  

Love always,
Carissa

New Jewelry Items - Halloween included!

New Listings!

     Wow, am I so behind on updating the blog!  I have several new items that I've listed over the last month, but I've failed to update the blog with them.  So I better get cracking.  This blog update will just be the item picture and then the link.  Wordy updates to come later, for now just sit back and enjoy the eye candy.  

Pink Skull Charm Bracelet

Teal Skull Charm Bracelet

Purple Skull Charm Bracelet

Orange Skull Double-Wrap Bracelet

 Skull Stretchy Bracelet

 Pumpkin Charm Necklace

Ready for some non-Halloween items?

The Forest Lady Double-Wrap Bracelet

Fearless Triple Wrap Bracelet

Mocking Jay Necklace

Peace Charm Triple Wrap Bracelet

Mother Charm Bracelet in White Pearl Beads

 Sister Charm Bracelet in Pink Gemstones

 Aunt Charm Bracelet on Amethyst

That's enough for one day!

Till next time folks!

Carissa

The Crafty Warrior

TS2 - Legacy Cove - Week Six, Meanwhile on Campus...

The Sims 2

TS2 - Legacy Cove - Week Six, Meanwhile on Campus...

     Zachariah is a strange romancer.  He seems to have picked Antoinette, which don't get me wrong, I'm very happy about!  They only have two bolts, she's a knowledge sim, and his fawning on her makes me very, very suspicious.  Right away upon landing in their new "dorm", or private residence hall, he swooped her up and declared her to be his.  He does move fast.  Couldn't even be bothered to move off the sidewalk first. 

     I'm sure most of the people reading this are familiar with me and my playstyle.  When it comes to houses and dorms I have this "Go big or go home" trend.  Listen.  I like rooms to be built in odd number blocks so the ceiling lights can be hung in the middle of the room with no crazy cheats.  I also dislike pathing problems.  So .. I build big.  I build roomy.  Here's Archer Hall-

    The outside needs some more work but for it being brand spanking new, I think it's an excellent start.  It has 8 bedrooms (each 5x5 so the ceiling lights are OCD approved) and plenty of room downstairs and outside for all the extras the current residents and generations to come will desire.

     It was very odd to see my Antoinette, a immigrant from the old Legacy hood, without ANY skills.  Cassie also was totally lacking in skills.  Man, oh man.  Better get cracking on those books, girls.  As Zach has at least 8 points in each skill, this left him to tend to the basics of playing house.  He's not so good at it..

    At least every other day, I pop in one or two of his family members to visit and it's not our fault if they are so easily influenced to help out around the place!  Zayna is such a good little sister!  Oops, sorry Amaris.  Didn't realize the other stall was occupied!  Zing!

   I've been checking out some of the walkbys and our paperboy for potential mates for the girls.  This guy here is Anthony and he's kinda cute, in a dorky way.  I wonder if Zamaris would be interested...

     Meanwhile.. Zach displeased me.  You see him trying to hide it with his good boy actions but he secretly wants to fall in love with Cassie.  Not cool!  Not going to happen!  He doesn't act on it, and doesn't stalk her like he did as a teen when he was smooching on Raven but secretly pining for Antoinette.  So I'm just going to say that I'm watching you Zach... you keep it under wraps and keep the house drama-free.  

    Cassie does look pretty lonely there, doesn't she?  I decided she needed her own circle of friends.  So she greeted Kayla Fancey (another immigrant) and we used the crystal ball to find her a love interest.  His name is Brandon and he's not much to look at but he seems to be a really great guy and gets along with Zach and Antoinette also.  Cassie seems to like him, so whatever makes her happy.  

     Since it seems to be working out with Zachariah and Antoinette (their kids will need much shorter names), I made sure she spent some time with his family.  She likes sports and loves to play football with Zane.  Amaris is happy to do quieter activities with her and the girls exchange a lot of jokes.

     Mostly thought, University life has been pretty dull and boring.  Antoinette sneaks away for some quiet time.  Since she wants to be a dancer she got to buy a ballet bar with some of her scholarship money and she works out every morning on it.  

    I'm trying to push Zach's tinkering interest since he doesn't have much to do other than go to class and do a few assignments.  So he got a train table to leave as his token to the house.  It's a pretty big hit with the visitors!

     And Cassie... well... being a pleasure sim, it can be hard to keep her happy.  What she really likes to do is freestyle.  For tips.  Her boy toy Brandon is usually pretty indulgent about throwing her a few coins.  She also has an easel and she likes to paint.  She's going to leave behind a few of her paintings when she graduates for her legacy to the house.  

     Someone made snowmen when I wasn't looking but I don't think those will stick around for the future generations.  Look!  They are nice snowmen!!

     And here we've reached the end of their sophomore year so it's time to break and go back to the main house!  We have to get Zamaris ready to come join her brother.  Hopefully he remains a respectable young man while his lil' sis is there.  Other than wanting to fall in love with Cassie, he hasn't had much in the way of romancer wants.  I even got him a double bed.. only one side has been slept on.  What a strange romancer!