STORYLINE: No one knew how it started. A sneeze in a subway car? The bite of an exotic pet? Perhaps a meal created of dubious ingredients? Surely no one would have deliberately infected over million people in Mopire City with what they call "The Blood Pox," ...that would be insane.
Oh yes, you can tell where my head is with this image. Its hard to escape our reality at the moment. I hope you all are taking precautions during the SARS2-CoV-19 outbreak. Thoughts about the pandemic leaked into my first image for the Madness theme round of Aenigma. I was inspired by the claws, and syringe to make a type of Outbreak image. Omg I love these L'Emporio&PL claws so much! They come with fits for Niramyth Aesthetic, Jake 2.0, Legacy m, and Gianni. They include a texture hud with 14 gothic and bloody textures plus alpha options to turn on and off individual nails. There is a very good chance I might wear these forever. lol From Reliquary is a cool oversized Syringe guaranteed to make any needle-squish people weak in the knees. It comes with a pose and optional textures you can drop on it to change up its look. I used the Red textures. The bracelets from Badwolf include 4 styles in gold and silver. The are unrigged so you can edit them and move them around for the best fit.
STORYLINE: "Betrayer," a malevolent voice whispered in the dark. No, not again.... A whirlwind suddenly exploded. Books flew across the room. Rosa Rossa quickly grabbed his dagger and tried to stab the disembodied arms before they could scratch "Mine" across his body once more. He screamed and thrashed wildly. He was no longer the sleek hunter, a fiend feasting on the blood of innocents. No, it was he who was the prey. "Forever young," they said, "forever beautiful." But none of those lying Nosferatu bastards offering him the Gift bothered to mention there were other dark forces lurking in the shadows.... They gave not one word of warning that a soul who died violently could return to exact revenge.... Now there was no escape. No way to kill the monster he created. Two immortals, locked in a war of love turned to hate for all entirety.
There's a brand new event, Aenigma, full of many wonderful designers delivering creative items around a theme. The first round is "Tainted Love." Don't miss it, it will be closing on the 15th. Hurry hurry! And keep an eye out for the next round, Madness! For more information, go to: https://www.acadiaslevents.com/aenigma.html
I'm very happy I was invited a few days ago to blog this event, so many designers I love are here. This image was inspired by a few of the items at the event. The Ghost Hands are super cool! They are animesh by Maru Kado, and hover around you in a very creepy way before grabbing at you. I love it! Coming with it is a White Crow tattoo of scratch marks, in applier and BOM for face and body. I love this super cool Rose and Thorn hand bling by Silvery K. I had to have it! So I switched to the Maitrya body with V-tech chest to wear it. The Dagger is by Deadly Nightshade and includes several hud triggered attack animations. The heart lock collar by unstable includes a hud to change its textures. And lastly you can find this dandy hat in Insonmia Angel houndtooth gacha at Aenigma. The RavenBell Jay hair I picked up recently at the Humpday Sale. Its awesome! Be sure to keep your eye on those sales to see if he offers any new hairs in Dystopian colors. And lastly, I want to show you a sneak peek of the new FATE Oculi eyes! They are very cool with animated irises that dilate and contract automatically. I helped beta test them. So many things on my wishlist from Fate Eyes and now these made it into the product. You guys are going to love them so much. There will be addons too, for super huge eyes, cat eyes, and a dev kit for the creation of new eye texture and appliers. It's coming soon to the marketplace near you!
STORYLINE: In a not-too-distant future where the climate and oceans are rapidly changing, few brave souls willingly live in the danger zone. Stationed at Weather Outpost 017, located in the Florida Keys, is one such person, a Climate Scientist. His mission is to collect vital data for better weather forecasting, and transmit it back to NOAA and the National Hurricane Center in New Miami.
More than just a home, the Outpost also functions as meeting area and office space for visiting scientists, government officials, and journalists. The curved home is built to withstand extreme weather and packed with advanced Green Technology. It generates its own power for the home, appliances, and the electric truck outside using a wind turbine and solar panels. Water is produced thanks to a rainwater collection cistern connected to the roof. Food is grown on the roof top garden. Being located close to the Gulf of Mexico, the home is raised off the ground in case of storm surge. The thick LED infused glass windows are handy for Heads-Up weather alert displays, and they are also shatter-proof up to a Cat 5 Hurricane.
Unlike the old Lighthouses of a bygone era, the Weather Outpost is better able to entertain its lonely resident with satellite link internet for watching TV, holding video conference calls, and playing games against other people through the internet.
It's a dangerous life in what was once considered paradise, but the Climate Scientist is committed to his cause to save lives.
This is my entry to this year's Decorating Competition at the Home & Garden Expo! The challenge is to decorate one of 14 homes with 450 prims in one week, and include at least 3 Relay for Life donation items for sell from the Expo. The winners are determined by votes paid with Ls to the RFL kiosks in front of each home. All the money raised from the home design challenge goes directly to Relay for Life. Voting will close at midnight SLT on March 12th(UPDATE: extended to March 20th). You can read more about the contest here: decorating-competition.
....By the way, did you catch the debut of the brand new Linden Home theme, The Lodge Cabins in the Redwoods? You can run go see them here: Linden Homes - Log Cabins
March 24 UPDATE: My home took 2nd place in the Storyteller's contest. Thank you judges and all those wonderful people who donated to my home!
(click to enlarge)
Home & Garden Expo Design Challenge: Weather Outpost #017 by DevinVaughn
My idea for the home is Futurist style and Green Technology. (NOTE: The gamer chair, figurine, fridge, & geosphere donated by Akira Voorhees. Thanks, Akira!) You can visit my house and other houses and for vote for your favorites here: Its all for a good cause! Home & Garden Expo Design Challenge: House 13 Natane http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hope%203/55/41/23
(NOTE: Please allow time for all textures to rez. The decorating challenge area is packed full of mesh and many textures from each home. I recommending letting your avatar wait 5 minutes to rez in textures before entering each home.)
This is my 3rd time at the decorating challenge. Its no understatement to say I look forward to this all year and take it very seriously! lol Of course I took the lessons learnt from the past, and applied it to this year. And I also worked on my inventory to better fill in areas where I knew I was weak. But even the best laid plans can get destroyed! You never know, nor truly be prepared, for what style of home you will get. I carefully considered what house inspired me and what type of house I could best decorate with my existing inventory. It was Akira Voorhees who made me look again and consider a house I hadn't considered, the Natane. The more I thought about it, the more excited and full of ideas I had. This year I was determined to not suck, so I took a crash course in interior design, (thanks to many wonderful tutorials websites and videos on Youtube). I think all that hard work and cramming made a huge difference!
Tips and & Tricks: Rather than repeat my past Tips and & Tricks, this year I want to share what new tricks I learned. The first is called 60 - 30 - 10. What is it? Its a simplification based on Golden Mean. Basically 60% of your room should be one color. 30% is a secondary color, and 10% is the accent. Since my floor and ceiling are the same texture, that automatically determined what my 60% color would be, medium cool grey. White is my 2nd since its the other wall, and the accent is of course Green, and I have little splashes of cyan, blue, black and warm wood.
Tips and & Tricks: How do you create a room within a much larger room, aka the Open Concept space? How I did it in the entryway is the animated carpet. It clearly establishes this as a "room." To further define the space I used 2 bookcase dividers and the long hanging plants. For the Office, I used a raised platform, and for the living room, the curved sofa.
Tips and & Tricks: Open Concept means a large room with several smaller sections in it. My house has a long space that's open concept. To unite the room areas, the professionals say to use a unified palette and the larger colors should be neutral. So thats why my entryway, office, and living room all have the same color palette. Office space: Desk, chairs: IsilEuropa Desk, chairs [mesh](400L) Tree: Little BranchLB_SeaAlmond Seasons [mesh](386L) Planter:[AC] Aethis CreationsModern Planter metal [mesh](199L) Ceiling Light:DenPaMicCeiling Light Hexagon[mesh](50L) Halogram: IsilPlanetarium Hologram (Earth) COMMON, gacha[mesh](50L) Bookcase: IsilFuturist Shelf Set [mesh](350L) Icosphere: Inner Demons{ID} Icosphere Decor Small 7 [mesh](100L) Halosign:solaresTech Sigil [mesh](0L) Ferns:SoyVoluminous Potted Ferns [mesh](100L) Geode:ChiMiaGeode Coffee Table [mesh](100L) Books: Apple FallTied Books [mesh](75L) Books: Apple FallStacked Books [mesh](125L) Books: Apple FallBooks - Arrangement 1 [mesh](150L) Books: Apple FallBooks - Arrangement 3 [mesh](150L) Books: Apple FallBooks - Arrangement 4 [mesh](150L) Coral: Apple FallCoral Specimen [mesh](0L) Picture frame:esgardioFrames [mesh](0L) Weather Station:VON thermometer barometer hygrometer created with prims Stairs:VON created with prims
Tips and & Tricks: The Golden Mean. This is something that blew my mind! This house is my first time trying it in decorating. I know the Golden Spiral well since most of my pictures use it, but it never occurred to me to use it in decorating. Every single item in my house is placed where it is by a golden mean scale, even the heights of objects. The Golden Mean also told me how much stuff I needed in a room (60%), and how much space to leave open (40%). It was so eye opening using this method. I feel this trick single handily raised my decorating abilities to the next level. One of the biggest design challenges of this house was its curved back-wall. What to do there? I knew I wanted to put a TV there and dark tall stripe, it just looked right to my eye. Well, it turns out, using the Golden Mean, that was actually the sweetest spot in the entire house! So instead of it being a problem, it turned into a wonderful opportunity, and I was able to let it shine. (You can read more about the Golden Mean on wiki.) Laundry: Art: Strange Merchant Edge Walls -Wood- V:1.0 [mesh] (Relay for Life - Hope 4) Hamper:David Heather Laundry Hamper His T. Rade Closet, gacha [mesh](75L) Hanging plant: SoySuper long Hanging Hedera [mesh](75L) Washer, Dryer: Pixel Mode Laundry Room - Black [mesh] Dividing wall:VON created with prims [mesh]
Tips and & Tricks: Theme. Before you even start to decorate, you need to pick a style theme for you home and stick to it. I originally wanted to do Cyber for this home but it was impossible for me to have a cyber kitchen and bath so I switched to a more reasonable style, something too distant in the future, futurist and modern. I was able to drop a boxy modern kitchen down but add a cyber themed refrigerator and retro future computer to make it work. The Cybertruck outside and LED breaking news on the windows is a gentle reminder this is a slightly futuristic time. Kitchen and dining: Dining Table:Jian Saxton Dining Table (Animated) [mesh](450L) Chairs:floorplanaden kitchen chair [mesh](25L) Kitchen:inVerse Osoe - full furnished modern house villa hi-definition [mesh](449L) Spices:BAZAR Toronto-Magnetic condiments [mesh] Limes:Apple FallHurricane Vase w/ Limes [mesh](175L) Food: dust bunnyspicy fiesta set [mesh](550L) Computer: BLUE SKYiHeart computer [mesh](210L) Herb: [ keke ] paperbag herb - mint 1 RARE, gacha[mesh](50L) Herb: [ keke ] paperbag herb - salvia 1, gacha[mesh](50L) Herb: [ keke ] paperbag herb - coriander 2, gacha[mesh](50L) Fridge: Violetility Intelligent Life Fridge, gacha [mesh](50L) Lights: Pixel Mode Geometric Hanging Light [mesh] Exhaust hood:Pixel Mode - vent [mesh] Salt & Pepper shakers: Pixel Mode the Kitchen Salt n Pepper [mesh] Teapot: Pixel Mode the Kitchen Copper Kettle [mesh] Sign: Pixel Mode the Kitchen Eat Sign [mesh]
Tips and & Tricks: Make it yourself! Creating a bathroom in the house was a challenge, and the curve of the wall was a design challenge too. My solution to curve was adding a shelf. Originally I made a prim to fit the curve, but later switched it for a futurist shelf. Still, not the best solution, but the idea I think was sound. A second problem in the bathroom was a bold white line going down the window at the start of the curve. To fix the view, I created vertical blinds in medium grey that both covered the white line (thus toning it down) and creating visual anchors to ground the tub. One of the great things about Glas Houses are their creation inworld first before being converted to mesh. Because of this, I was able to add my own prims to the layout of the house and it blended in perfectly! Thanks to the home's designer, Sandi Glas, she told me where I could purchase the textures she used and I was able to match the house perfectly. Did you noticed I replaced the White brick wall upstairs with a grey painted white brick? It was so lucky for me to get a house I could customize in this way! Bathroom: Art:Strange Merchant Hollow Walls - White-#5 V:1.0 [mesh](Relay for Life - Hope 4) Wardrobe: BAZAR Glam-MALE closet 05 WHITE [mesh](637L) Hanging plant: SoySuper long Hanging Hedera [mesh](75L) Ferns:SoyVoluminous Potted Ferns [mesh](100L) Tub: Culprit Zen Stone Tub PG [mesh] Mirror: BackBoneDarkness - Old Mirror [mesh](159L) Table: BackBoneDarkness - Console Table [mesh](159L) Towels:N4RSFloor Towel, N4RS Bathroom Towel Rail [mesh] Sink: BAZARMaldives - Bathroom Sink [mesh](129L) Toilet: BAZARMaldives - Toilet [mesh](85L) Toilet paper: BAZARMaldives - Toilet paper [mesh](29L) Razor, tissue: BAZARFloria-Bathroom cup set-male, tissue paper [mesh](25L)
Towels: BAZARMaldives - Folded towels [mesh](20L) Clutter: Pixel Mode Ansley Bath Clutter [mesh] Caddy: Pixel Mode Ansley Bath Caddy [mesh] Bath Matt:Pixel Mode Ansley Bath Mat [mesh] Soap: Pixel Mode Victoria's Bath Soap Basket [mesh] Towels: Pixel Mode Victoria's Bath White Towel Stack [mesh] Blinds: VON created with prims
Tips and & Tricks: Now a reminder of how to decorate wisely for SL. Look for good low land impact mesh. (For example I love going to Dysfunctionality for well made low land impact items like I used on the roof, the Bamboo planters and vegetables garden plots.) Once you get all your items down, link all copy items that are not interactive. (For example, I never link gacha items or any interactive furniture.) Any prims you laid yourself, be sure to convert them to Convex Hull instead of prim in your edit menu before linking to save even more prims! ...Using these simple tricks will save you so much land impact, you will have plenty of prims to complete your home! Sides, back yard, upper roof: Solar panels:DBy StudioSolar Board [mesh](75L) Wind Turbine:Apple FallWind turbine [mesh](0L) Beach towel: BALACLAVA Triton Beach Towel Pineapple [mesh](120L) Beach towel and parasol: The Dreamer CreationsBeach towel 2, Sun Umbrella [mesh](495L) Palm tree:Little BranchLB_BeachPalm*Double Animated [mesh](286L) Beach:Skye StudiosBeach Building Set [mesh](699L) Ladder:ContraptionSimple Ladder double [mesh](0L) Sounds:Real Wavessound water ocean Paving stones: what next Garden Paving Stones [mesh](75L) Electric Car: S2 - Roleplay, Live, PlayCybertruck Static Prop [mesh](100L) Roof railings: VON created with prims Rainwater Cistern:VON created with prims Water, Weather Outpost 017 sign, beach wedge:VON created with prims
Tips and & Tricks: Get advice! I would like to thank my PaleoClimatologist big sister who is working hard gather data on past climates to better predict future climates. She advised me on what items I would need for my home: Wind Turbine, Solar Panels, Rainwater Cistern, Rooftop Garden, and that the home has ability to be lifted off the ground on stilts during a storm surge. ....she also asked, by special request, for a little Elephant. I put him on the bookcase so you can see him when first entering the home.
Home & Garden Expo Decorating Competition has returned for the 3rd year.
There is still room for a few more Competitors to join, deadline join is extended to Feb 19th!
How does the contest work?
There are 14 houses to choose from, and a prim limit of 400.
Each contestant can decorate in any style they wish that suits their house, but they MUST include at least three items purchased from RFL vendors at the Home and Garden Expo.
Competitors can work alone or in pairs or in a small team.
Apply for the competition, stating which house they would like to decorate.
February 19th – 26th
The competitors decorate their houses and gardens
February 27th – March 2nd
Visitors to the Expo can vote on which house and garden they like best. Voting is by donating to a kiosk set outside each of the houses. Each Linden donated to Relay for Life in these kiosks will count as a vote. All money raised goes to Relay for Life.
March 4th – the winners will be announced at a special party!
To enter, fill in the form on the by Feb 19th:
https://forms.gle/9uZVuqCzgFqG53mJA
More details on the contest and house previews here:
STORYTELLING: A white rat named Itchy and his many siblings, were cold and hungry. There was nothing to eat. Winter could be brutal on tiny creatures. Lucky for them, they were clever rodent-kind! Suddenly, Itchy stood up tall, whiskers twitching. Music! He faced the direction of the wonderful melody. Oh, there was delicious food that way too! He flicked his skinny rat tail as if to say, "This way!," and raced over snow-covered branches and squeezed through tight spaces until the beautiful human home of warmth, music, and food opened before him and his brethren. They were so happy. The humans must have been happy to see them too, since the female screeched, and did a dance with her arms in the air, hopping left and right. Itchy snickered. Humans were strange. He darted across the matt, scurried up a small table, and lifted a ripe orange in his paws. He felt grateful to the humans, so before he left with his ill-gotten goods, he waved a paw back to the humans. It was his way of saying, Thanks.
Happy New Year! I couldn't resist squeezing in one more fun Japonica image. The official start of Year of the Rat is January 25, 2020. There's still time to get your Year of the Rat party on! For this image I included lots of gacha goodies, from decor to clothing from Japonica.
STORYLINE: When the snow was falling, it was so peaceful and quiet. Konpeki loved it and wanted to enjoy it even though it was unwise to walk alone on stairs and the icy paths in his ankle-breaking tall geta. But this was his art. If he could not make it look easy and elegant he would need to find a new job. He was a rare Male Geisha. Everywhere he went, people stopped and stared. Normally he loved the attention and charmed the crowds well, but on a quiet cold night like this, he loved his alone time with nature more.
Japonica has begun its anniversary hunt and there are prizes for men, women, hair, decor and even Chibit! If you haven't stopped by Japonica yet, what are you waiting for? You can see a sneak preview of prizes here: Japonica Hunt
About the kimono coat shown above, it comes in red, black, green, blue, and green checkers. (Note: there is another model of the kimono that has a card pattern instead of checkers). You can choose 2 patterns for the inside or red or black. The kimono itself is Animesh. You need an animesh enabled viewer to see it correctly. It is constantly in motion, and comes with an animation hud to pose the sleeves and main body, or a set of standing and sitting animations.
STORYLINE: As snowflakes drifted downward to the icy shores of Hokkaido, Tsuru hiked into the deep snow, going further and further until she spotted what she sought, -- the elegant Red Crowned Cranes. She smiled at their hopping and fluttering wings. Their mating ritual inspired her to don the crane's colors and join them. Maybe if these mystical creatures liked her dance enough, they would grant her wish for the coming new year.
Japonica Winter has begun. You can find many wonderful and elegant Japanese winter themed items: kimono for men and women, accessories, hair, gacha, poses, and decor. There's lots to choose from to help you ring in the New Year in style!
