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Illiana's Blog
Contrary to popular belief...I am NOT dead!
Hi there all you simmers out there! *Waves spastically* I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth (as some have so fervantly hoped), but am merely dealing with "Real Life". ;)
For those who don't care. Stop here, and continue enjoying the site! Thank you.
For those that do, I have two children I am VERY fond and proud of. My oldest is 19 years old, and this week is his last week home before returning to college, so things have been a bit hectic. *Sigh* How DARE they grow up and move out on mama! :P My youngest is 4 years old...and he is ALL daddy. (Which means I have 2 four year olds running around the house. Hehehe!) So if I'm not taking my eldest out for college shopping and doing last minute checks and laundry...yes, the neverending job...then I am chasing after one energetic 4 year old and following the trail of clothing to my husband. ACK! Plus there's that real life job and all...man! I remember the days when I used to say, "Hey! I can be on the site all the time because I don't have a life!" Bah! Life-Schmife. I'd rather be building than going to work. LOL!
Anyhoo, what this means to YOU is that I have not forgotten that I owe a lot of people a HUGE thank you for so many wonderful comments on my lots, beautiful notes in my guestbook, PMs, and requests for assistance in my Cave Thread. (Yes, arwensmom, I am going to take a good look at your pictures and see what I can figure out...) I have just finished testing, pond stocking, and garden growing a new lot that will be available soon, and got it uploaded tonight. Now, I am just beat. So, if it's ok with you...or not, hehehe...I will be answering everyone tomorrow when I actually have a day off of work. YAY! Thank you ALL for your patience, and your encouragement! Without you...well, then there's really no point to me! (((Hugs!)))
Love and hugs -
Illiana
Free Schedule - New TS2 AND TS3 Lots!
Well it's been a while since I wrote a blog entry. Real life, a new game, and a family can do that to you. Hehehe! Anyhoo, here's some info you may be interested in...or you may not. If you're reading this you must at least be intrigued. :P
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FREE SCHEDULE (TS2 of course!):
Dessirae Split Level - July 24 - July 31
Aikens Place - July 31 - August 7
Terra Rose - Aug 7 - Aug 14
Syracruse Split Level - Aug 14 - Aug 21
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TS2 - New Residential Lot coming! - Tresonne! (Uni/NL/OFB) - Available July 27th
This Contemporary Estate includes pools, outdoor raised entertainment area, 2 car attached garage, landscaping, balconies, fireplace in living room and master bed, master bed suite includes private second floor area with hot tub, huge master bath, 5 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms, teen room on second floor, library, formal dining, and so much more!
Lot has all skills/alarms/phones, and has been fully tested. This is a clean pack upload, and does NOT include any custom content at all. It is fully decorated inside and out. I do hope you like it!
TS3 - New Community Lot coming! - Risho - Retro Drive-in! - Available July 28th!
Drive-in includes a diner where you can work, earn skills, enjoy a meal, and more! 
Includes 4 TVs that simmies LOVE to watch and socialize in front of. Also included are a play ground area, restrooms, games inside the main building, and as a special feature...visiting sims will park their cars in the lot which just adds to the atmosphere of the whole thing! :D This lot has been fully tested, and sims do seem to enjoy themselves here. It is a GREAT place for socializing and meeting people to further your career...or just make friends! I do hope you like it!
To create it, I demolished all 3 lots nearest the Sunset Valley arena and placed it in the center lot. This makes it close enough for sims to enjoy it in town, but far enough that the "private" atmosphere of the drive-in is not disrupted. Cool huh? Just thought you'd like to know as it is a 40x40 lot, and those aren't always easy to find. LOL!
Well there you have it! 4 new freebies, 1 new TS2 lot, and 1 new TS3 lot. *Whew!* Been working away, but it has certainly been a lot of fun creating them! :D I hope YOU like them as well!
Love and hugs,
Illiana
Free Schedule : New Set
Yup...I said I was back, but I guess I lied. :P Sorry about that! RL is kind of hectic, and with Sims 3 adding to the mix it's just been crazy around here. LOL! Hasn't stopped me completely though! I have a few things to share with you, so here you go!
FREE SCHEDULE:
Contemporary Warmth - 4 Bed Home (Uni/NL/OFB/Seas/BV) - June 17 - June 24
Luminei - Contemporary Home - (Uni/NL/OFB) - June 24 - July 1
Mardigrew Manor - Traditional Brick Home - (Base Game) - July 1 - July 8
Catherines Ballyhara - Unfurnished - (Uni/NL/OFB/Seas/BV) - July 8 - July 15
NEW SET: Chutney Province - Medieval Starter Set!
- To be released June 19th! - Sims 2
Testing is finally completed on these 4 lots that make up the Chutney Province neighborhood. The set includes 3 residential lots (including a castle done as rental units), and one community lot for shopping and socializing within the theme! It was a lot of fun to test these lots since there was a lot of gardening/harvesting involved. I actually had to fully play rather than just test to be sure everything worked properly! *Moan, moan!* Hehehe! Here's some general facts, but do be sure to check out my upcoming bin for more detailed information on each lot.
- All lots require Uni/NL/OFB/SEAS/BV/AL
- All lots contain NO Custom Content - Yup, Maxis Only!
- All lots are what I call "plop and play". This just means they are completely decorated and furnished. Just download them, install them, and play them! No fuss, no muss! (Of course this does not mean you can't add your own fun stuff...like animals in the pens would be fantastic! Oooohh...and some farming tools and big buckets...er, and tapestries...um, you get the picture. LOL!) By all means - Decorate to your hearts content, but no worries that I will be adding any more CC to your already overwhelming downloads folder. ;)
Sims 3:
Yes...I absolutely will be creating in the Sims 3, but also continue to build for the Sims 2! So keep your eyes peeled for more new stuff coming soon. :D I do hope this news makes up for my short absence, and that you enjoy the new lots and the freebies coming your way. Have fun, and be good to each other!
Love and hugs -
Illiana
I have returned...hehehe!
Just a note to let you all know that real life cannot keep me from my personal addiction...building. ;) I am back now, but am busy getting ready for the Sims 3. YAY! I have every intention of continuing to build for the Sims 2 though, so don't count me out of that arena just yet. LOL! As proof, I do have 2 new beach lots in my upcoming bin just in time for the wonderful Sim Summer theme! I hope you like them, as I did try to have both choices...a traditional home and a more modern version. Choice is, after all, what CC is all about! Ok...back to reorganizing all my files. *Groan!*
Love and hugs -
Illiana
Gone for a bit...
I have had something come up here at home, and will have to be gone for a bit. I am hoping it won't be too long as I have big plans for Sims 3. ;) Sometimes real life gets in the way of my favorite hobby. LOL! Hope to see you all soon! (((Hugs!)))
Love and hugs-
Illiana
5 Week Free Rotation Schedule
Here is my free rotation schedule for the next 5 weeks! I hope you enjoy the homes, and thank you once again for your kindness and willingness to try my lots! :D Nothing makes me happier than when someone opens up one of my homes and has a lot of fun with it in their game!
402 Jefferson Dr - May 11 - 18 - Traditional - Base Game
Aesir - May 18 - 25 - Modern - Uni/NL/OFB/SEAS/BV/AL
Kierston Place - May 25 - June 1 - Traditional - Uni/NL/OFB
Classy Contemporary - June 1 - 8 - Contemporary - Uni/NL/OFB
Chateau de Lumière - June 8 - 15 - French Classic - Uni/NL/OFB
Love and hugs -
Illiana
Trouble with the Site? Help ME help YOU!
UPDATE: The report has been finished and sent. Thank you to all who helped with their information, and I do hope that this report will help the staff get back on track to making this the best site for the Sims out there!
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I get lots of questions on the site from people about various site issues. Some I can answer, some I cannot. So I have decided that to help our WONDERFUL TSR get back to being the bestest site on the web, I am going to compile a complete list of bugs, issues, errors, etc., so that the techies can see at a glance what needs to be worked on instead of trying to wade through multiple PMs, threads, and whatnot. TSR has ok'd this plan, and has agreed to allow me to gather information to help them. YAY!
Here's where I need YOUR help! If you are having a problem with the site, no matter WHAT it is...downloading, uploading, dashboard, opening links, wizard, storytelling, whatever, I would LOVE it if you could please PRIVATE MESSAGE me with your issue. (The link to do this is right underneath my Page View counter!) I don't care if you're a subscriber or not. ALL of us make TSR what it is...so don't be scared to pipe up! I just build houses, so you don't have to worry that I'm going to make an effigy of you to shoot darts at in my game if you do. LOL!
There's a catch, though! I need you to be as thorough as possible when you do this so be sure you include as much of the following as you can:
1 - A clear description of the issue you have. I already know you're frustrated, so please just stick to the issue. ;)
2 - If a code pops up when you try to open something, or a link appears, please be sure you copy that and include it.
3 - Include your browser info. (IE, Firefox, etc.)
4 - If you know it, include the name of the Antivirus software you are using. (Avast, Kipernski, etc.)
5 - If you know it, please include the pop-up blocker you are using.
I know that with YOUR help, and with a thorough list of "to dos" for the hardworking staff here, we can get TSR back to where it needs to be! Sometimes people are too close to a problem, or don't realize how important something is to someone else. That's where this list will do the most good!
I sure hope you'll help me help you and the site. I really do love TSR. I love the people here, and I love the FEELING here. Let's get 'er back where she needs to be...together! :D
Love and hugs -
Illiana
SPECIAL NOTE: If your problem includes NOT being able to send a private message, go ahead and post your problem/s here on this blog. If your PM system is working, I would still appreciate getting a private message instead. PLEASE limit all comments on this blog to problems for the list. Thank you!
If your problem includes NOT being able to log onto the site at all, please try to have someone you know who DOES have access to the site PM me your username and your list of issues that way. We'll see if we can't get this straightened out for you!
Lots of NEW stuff! LOL!
Well, I've had a busy week! Been building away, and have quite a variety of new lots to share with you...and a possible upcoming tutorial as well! YAY!
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KATHERINE'S COTTAGE
First on the docket, is Katherines Cottage! If you LOVE gardens, but hate having to worry about that ol' gardener, this might just be the home for you. :D Don't get me wrong! You'll still have to do SOME gardening. After all, there are 3 fruit trees, and a lovely hot house for growing those all important veggies. But the flowers and bushes do NOT require care!
As you can imagine, this means that some CC had to be included, and it never occured to Maxis that we may not like to have to constantly water flowers or prune bushes all day. So be sure if you want this lot that you follow the installation instructions so you get all the pretties for your new house! CC in house consists of only the flowers, 2 doors, and some ground paints. Furnishings, etc., are all Maxis!
EPs needed? Uni/NL/OFB/SEAS/BV
Available for download on the 25th!
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MY DAISIROSE
For those who like a little something different, I have created this traditional home with a split level entry. That's right! Cool, huh? LOL! Anyway, it has lots of fun places to explore, and contains absolutely NO custom content. It is also Base Game, which means you don't need a single EP to play it. :) Aren't you proud of me?!
EPs needed? None! YAY!
Available for download on the 27th!
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DESSERAI
So, you think I've gone all traditional on you, eh? Not likely! LOL! For those who are more into modern homes, you might want to take a look at this one! Only requires Uni/NL/OFB, contains absolutely NO custom content, and...wait for it...is a split entry home! YAY! Right. Anyway, this lot has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, so if you like to keep your families simple, you should be all set!
EPs needed? Uni/NL/OFB
Available for download on the 28th!
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TUTORIAL and ANOTHER lot?!
Finally, I have just finished completing a new tutorial. What's it going to be about? Well...to be honest, until I have been given approval, I will just keep that to myself. You should know, though, that I owe a HUGE thanks to rose_maman for encouraging me to create it. So, if it DOES get approved, and you do get a chance to try it, I hope you'll stop by her guestbook and leave a nice "thank you" to her. Thanks Rosie!
Also, with that tutorial will come another lot! I want to wait to show it off until I am sure I will have the tutorial published though, so no sneak peeks until then. LOL!
See? Busy week! LOL! I hope you like the new lots, and really cannot thank you enough for taking a looksee. Hope you like them!
Love and hugs,
Illiana
Why can't I download your stuff, and other fun questions answered! :D
So you're an FA...what does THAT mean?!
Since the new TSR version has gone live, it has become a little less obvious about what it is exactly that FAs are, and what they do. :) The BEST explanation I have ever read came from the magnificent Windkeeper on our TSR forums.
You should be aware that all FA items, (unless on a free rotation schedule or permanently set free), are for subscribers only. This means you must be a subscriber to the site before you are able to download these items. You can tell whether or not an item is an FA subscriber item by looking for the GOLD artist pallette, and the little gold KEY on the items title. If you do see a little golden key, it means that the item is a subscriber only item.
FAs are asked if they are willing to be subscriber only artists by the site itself. They do so for their own reasons, but my particular reasons were:
1) Because it is a REALLY great honor to be considered one of the top artists on the site!
2) Because I LOVE this site, and know that by allowing my lots to be subscriber only I am also enabling many other artists to NOT worry about the costs of uploading to a site, or worrying about uploading to the web in general.
I, and my fellow FAs, are in essence helping to ensure that thousands of other fabulous items are kept FREE for you to download. FAs encourage subscibers, which pay for the site fees/servers/professional staff/etc., which in turn allows most of the items on the site to remain free of charge! It is a very small price to pay to be sure that this wonderful site continues to be one of the best, friendliest, and most reliable sites for downloading content on the web. As a "thank you" to our subscribers, they get perks like no ads, full access to FA downloads whenever they want, etc. For a full listing on the benefits of subscribing, you should check THIS out.
Free Rotation Schedules
Some artists allow their items to be set up on a free rotation schedule. There are a certain amount of months before an item can be placed on this schedule, so you won't see new items up there for quite some time...and not all artists participate. It is their decision, and theirs alone. Asking for free items, or asking us to create items for free, is actually against the rules of the site. We're usually pretty patient about it, but asking too often can result in you getting your account closed down. That would be AWFUL! I sure would hate to see someone lose an account because they were asking around for free stuff. :( It's just better to be patient and either earn a kudos downloading spree day, get a subscription, or keep an eye on your favorite artists blogs for updates on their free schedule list if they have one.
About requests:
Now, about requests...there are LOTS of artists on the site that take requests. They do so for many reasons, their friends asked them to make them something, a favorite commentator on their items asked them, they are in collaboration with other artists, etc. NOT all artists take requests. Before making a request of an artist, you should find out if the artist actually takes requests. Some have notes on their personal info that say they don't/do take requests, some FAs tell you on their forum threads (usually in the first posts), and some in their blogs. Most don't really say, as it isn't something you think about until someone actually asks. So if you can't find any info on whether they do/don't, it is best to just post in their guestbook and ask if they take requests before listing that amazing idea you have for them. :)
As for me? I do not normally take requests, although I do like suggestions! It isn't because I don't think other people have terrific ideas...most DO! It is because I frequently have 4 - 8 ongoing projects I am working on at any given point. I simply don't have the time. :( There are rare occasions where I will find a request on the Lot Builders forum, or offer to do a request for a special occasion like I did for Valentines Day, but for the most part, I just can't do it. I hate having to tell people that I cannot, but I have to be realistic and know my limits. If I stretch myself too thin I am going to lose the fun of building...and I sure don't want to do that! LOL!
Anyhoo, I hope that has cleared up a few questions you may have about what we are, what we do, and why we do it. If you've read this far, thank you. Your willingness to learn and listen is what makes this site such a pleasure to be on! :) Enjoy the site, enjoy the downloads, and enjoy YOURSELF! That's what TSR is supposed to be about. :D
Happy simming!
Illiana
Free Rotation Schedule
Ok all...here is the Free Rotation Schedule for the next 4 weeks. I hope you enjoy the lots, and thank you for being so kind! I am very happy knowing that you like the homes/lots that I create! :D (((Hugs!)))
Little Family Home - Apr 10 - Apr 17
Vallejo - Modern 3 Bed Home - Apr 17 - Apr 24
Panacea - Contemporary Beach Home - Apr 24 - May 1
Brendtwood - 3Bd - 4.5 Bath Home - May 1 - May 8
Love and hugs - Illiana
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