So, for the past week or so, I’ve been learning bits and pieces about PhotoShop. I know, I know, that’s all I seem to talk about. I’ll stop after this post…maybe. *giggles* My main teacher has been the ever talented, Trouble Dethly. You may have heard of him. He’s one of the co-founders of BVN. He’s the editor of Eclipse Magazine. He’s an active blogger with a unique style unlike anyone else I’ve seen. He also happens to be the SL son of Kess Crystal, who just so happens to be my SL sister. Well, Trouble has been so kind and patient with me, despite my ancientness. *glares at Trouble* Even though I backed out of two scheduled lessons, he still agreed to help me. So, after hours of guiding me through the various steps he takes to completely edit a photo, we have come up with the shot you see here. I took the photos in SL over a week ago, but we finally broke down and edited the shot the other night. I’m so happy with the results and I’m truly blessed to have had such a wonderful instructor. Thank you, Trouble…I hope I wasn’t too much trouble…tehehe.
I don’t need diamonds, no sparkly things
‘Cause you can’t buy this a-feeling
Nothing lights my fire or wraps me up, baby, like you do
Just want a cozy, a cozy little Christmas here with you
~ Katy Perry – Cozy Little Christmas
Once upon a time, a very long time ago…I mean, I was little girl…so it was a REALLY long time ago…my mom used to bake…a lot. You see, even though my mother was an educated woman with a nursing degree, she had married a U.S. Soldier. So, despite the fact that she had a good job at the hospital as a registered nurse, she was Germany bound after only two short years of marriage. She would not be employed in Europe and would stay home looking after her precious little angel. *grins* That’s me, in case you missed it! Yes, they used to call me that! *laughs* There’s no way they could have known THAT early.
Anyway, my mother got very good at baking. She got a Betty Crocker Cooky Book when I was about 3 yrs old and the course of my life was forever altered. Thus it became a little tradition for each of us (mom, dad, me) to choose 1-3 cookie recipes from the book and Mom would make said cookies for the holidays. There were always extras and that was okay, my father was a solider, afterall. There were always plenty of young, single G.I.s that were so far from home…any treat made from scratch was appreciated. We still have that cook book and I still grab it from time to time for a cookie recipe.
With all of that now written out, it will make complete sense that I was super excited that so many designers were thinking cookies this year! I grabbed as many cookie making props as I could and immediately began creating my photo of Cookie Madness! With that said, I want to also point out that the little red over with the tablet that you see on the left is an interactive delight. Rather than tell you about it, I’m going to direct you to this video and let Nod tell you about it, herself. The details on everything are listed below, of course. Merry Cookie Christmas! 🎄
Another PhotoShop experiment…I really like how I was able to make the reds pop!
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory @ Epiphany
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory Red RARE LI: 8
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory . Chef Hat (decor) LI: 2
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory . Mugs and Pots Stand LI: 2
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory . Cupcakes Stand LI: 3
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory . Santa’s Cookies Plate LI: 2
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory . Cocoa on the Counter LI: 1
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory . Recipe Book and Cookies LI: 2
KraftWork Lecker’s Cookie Factory . Little Helper Stool LI: 1
KraftWork Vintage Kitchen Scale LI: 1
{moss&mink} group gifts
{moss&mink} Christmas Cookie Mix LI: 1
{moss&mink} Candy Cup (Classic) LI: 1
MudHoney Ember Fireplace & Holiday Decor @ Tannenbaum
MH Ember Metal Votive LI: 2
MH Ember Glass Votive Red LI: 2
MH Ember Glass Cone Tree S LI: 1
MH Ember Glass Cone Tree L LI: 1
MH Ember Faux Fireplace Wood LI: 8
MH Ember Mercury Glass Tree L LI: 1
MH Ember Ceramic Tree L LI: 1
MH Ember Ceramic Tree S LI: 1
MH Ember Lit Star LI: 2
As I said, I am still blogging, but I’ve stepped back from taking anything new from the brands I blog for on Blogotex until January. I’m finishing up the posts for the things I have taken and will practice with the ever patient brands that use inworld groups. Plus I’m doing photos with friends and stuff. I’ve been getting by using PicMonkey and PhotoScape for the last four years. Before I started blogging, I was a pixlr junkie. It’s weird that I’ve been taking photos in Second Life for as long as I can remember, but never sat down and forced myself to learn PhotoShop. Suddenly, I’m out of my element and feeling like a noob again. Oddly enough, that has gotten me excited again. It’s been a while since I was truly excited about my photography, with the exception of a few photos that filled me with some sense of pride.
Just like I share other aspects of my life in my blog, I’m going to share bits and pieces of my what’s happening as I continue my blogging path. I’m pretty happy with how this picture turned out in the end. There are some things that I hope to learn that will make a shot like this much better in the future, but for now I’m pretty proud of it.
Raw shot taken in Black Dragon:
After editing in PhotoShop:
I definitely think I’m making progress.
Apple Fall XL Christmas @ FaMESHed
Apple Fall Christmas Soldier – Cream LI: 1
Apple Fall Large Present – Holly w/ Gold Ribbon LI: 1
Apple Fall Large Present – Mistletoe w/ Cream Ribbon LI: 1
Apple Fall Hearts Sleigh LI: 2
A dear friend of mine recently joined the SL Facebook trend. She was shocked and dismayed at some of the hate speech that was filling her timeline. Naturally, I told her to delete these people, cuz that’s what I do. However, this got me thinking about how I hear various people complaining about what they see on their timelines. Do they not know how to Facebook or are they so afraid of missing out that they subject themselves to a constant flow of toxicity?
Let me just say, this is how I Facebook, there’s not wrong or right way, I suppose. Yet, if you follow a few simple guidelines, you can enjoy you social media so much more! First and foremost, don’t add just anyone…make sure you have a lot of friends in common. Odds are better for everyone this way. Secondly, unfollow people that get on your nerves, but you don’t want to unfriend. I mean, if they are posting tons of baby pictures or planning a wedding, etc, I’m likely to unfollow them or snooze them for 30 days, cuz I don’t care about that stuff. Nor do I want to see all that. Block can also be your friend, but I save that for extreme circumstances.
So, really, you have more control over your timeline than you think. Keep the funny, positive people and unfollow the whiney, bitchy ones. I mean its all about how you choose to feed your timeline.
hair: Stealthic – Cascade
head: GENUS Project – Genus Head – Baby Face
–SU!– Face Piercing Set 01
body: Legacy
skin: [Glam Affair] Hanna Applier [ Genus ] @ Uber
Vibing — Rose Necklace Blueberry – Power Play – Tucked In Top
Blueberry – Power Play – Skirt
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”
― Bob Hope
The stockings are for Grace, Kess, Sady, & Tracy. ♥ I love you all.
KraftWork Christmas Poem Night @ Tannenbaum
KraftWork Christmas Poem Night Pillows Adult LI: 2
KraftWork Christmas Poem Night . Wool LI: 4
KraftWork Christmas Poem Night Rug LI: 3
KraftWork Sienna’s American Pleat Curtain LI: 2 @ Uber
O.M.E.N – Waiting for Santa Paws – Knotty Dog LI: 6
Refuge – Tree Frame Red Animated
Refuge – Tree Frame Natural Animated
Refuge – Tree Frame Green Animated
Refuge – Winter Scene Twinkling Stars
Barley – Montreal Complete Set @ N21
Barley – Montreal Flower Pot w/ Cones
Barley – Montreal Crate w/ Cones
Barley – Montreal Candlestick
Barley – Montreal Stool w/ Pillows
Barley – Montreal Wreath Decor
Barley – Montreal Lantern
Barley – Montreal Shot Glasses Decor
Barley – Montreal Candles w/ Holder
Barley – Montreal FIreplace
Barley – Montreal Window Decor
Barley – Montreal Shutter Decor
I’ve spent the majority of my adult Christmases alone. This year won’t be very different. It’s not a great feeling and its one I wish no one ever had to feel. It can be absolute hell for some and the darkest of hours for others. I’m not suggesting that anyone hover over their friends, but please…if each of us take a moment to reach out and wish each other a good day…offer a shoulder if needed or able…a silly little joke…something personal. Not just a generic, “hey, how are you?” Ask something that requires them to think of an answer, not give you that auto pilot reply, “I’m fine.” If we all do this for one another, we will remind one another that we matter….all of us matter. Be kind and grateful to one another and for one another. There are no guarantees that they will still be part of our lives next year. Cherish one another, please.
You promised the world and I fell for it
I put you first and you adored it
Set fires to my forest
And you let it burn…..
…..And now the chapter is closed and done
To love, love, yeah
To love, love, yeah
To love, yeah
And now it’s goodbye, it’s goodbye for us
~ Selena Gomez – Lose You to Love Me
Normally, I don’t write anything in addition to song lyrics, but occasionally a song comes along that hits you so hard in the feels. I didn’t copy the full lyrics, because this is one of those songs that you can clearly understand every word when listening to it. Most of my friends know how much I adore Selena Gomez, but I’ve never had any special connection to her music. But this song…wow. It just shows how we so often lose ourselves in a relationship…without even realizing it.
With every word, I feel like she crawled into my head…my heart…my soul and captured the very spirit of what I’ve been feeling these last few months regarding the end of my marriage in real life. I can honestly say that I’ve never grieved a relationship the way I’ve grieved this one and I hope I never do again. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with and if you know me, or read my blog regularly…well, you know it just doesn’t seem like the type of thing that would destroy me. I didn’t think so either.
I’m coming out of the other side now…and I am finally finding myself again…after all these years. I’m not playing victim or pointing fingers. I’m dealing with my life the best way I can right now. That’s more than I can say I was doing a year ago. I am finally able to love me again.
It is happening! I’ve already changed my display name to Sαdy M’ғɴ Clαwѕ. Now I’m posing with reindeer and dogs dressed up like elves. Don’t look now, but it seems I’ve caught the Christmas spirit!! (This would be a good time to gasp and run for cover.) I’m so excited to dress up and decorate…everything Christmas. I wonder how long this will last? I know I won’t make it until Christmas. No idea how long it will be before I’m complaining about the commercialism of the holiday and if I have to look at one more “this” or “that.” Based on experience, I have quickly tired of it in the past. I hope this year will be different, as its the first time in years that I’m feeling even remotely festive.
hair: Stealthic – Plush
head: Genus Head – Baby Face
body: [LEGACY] Meshbody (f) (1.1)
skin: — PUMEC #RARE 2 – KATE – MAY @ Kustom9
lipstick: HIATUS – Glamourish #2 HD Lipstick [genus] @ Belle
I really hate seeing posts that try to pit bloggers against creators (and vice versa), because we are all ultimately responsible for ourselves. Though I saw something on Facebook just the other day that attacked a creator for asking too much of their bloggers. Creators have the right to ask whatever they want of bloggers. I’ve seen blogger apps that dictate what can and cannot be written on the blog. I know those are not creators I can blog for, no matter how much I love their store. We have to agree to those terms when we accept a position on their team. If the rules change once I’m already on a team, I’ve learned to discuss it with the blog manager…and if the rules are set in stone and I’m not okay with them…well, that’s when I thank them for the time we had together and I move on. I think that just like creators want fresh faces, the same is true for bloggers wanting to evolve. We are all forever changing.
I get the frustration from both sides, honestly. There’s just no way that everyone will be happy all the time. Its just not how the world works and SL is no different. End of the day, blogging is a choice. Rejections are just part of the deal. We are all human and there are bound to be hurt feelings all around from time to time. However, if we are careful, we can minimize that pain. For instance, using other peoples photos as an example of what NOT to do, especially when they don’t even blog for you…its just RUDE. *glares at a certain store that she will not name or support again* Calling out a store for never taking on bloggers with less than a thousand followers is also rude, because the whole point of blogging is to show the items to as many people as possible. So, yes, they want to know you are reaching a good amount of people…they are giving you their items for free afterall. Instead of resenting that creator, work on building up your following and delivering the best blog you can so that designers will WANT to work with you.
On the flip side, if a blogger takes to social media bashing away at particular creators or even creators in general, you’re taking a huge risk. There are creators and managers that see that and make note of what they see. They speak to one another and speaking out against brands unprofessionally is a huge faux pas. This can, in fact, ruin the credibility of said blogger. Clearly this is not guarantee, but it is a definitive risk. Its important that we think about how this could play out before we go ranting all over social media about how we’ve been personally wronged by a creator. We need to be absolutely sure that we are not over reacting or taking something too personally.
hair: DOUX – Cotton hairstyle @ TresChic
head: Genus Head – Baby Face HIATUS – Glamourish #2 HD Lipstick [genus] @ Belle
body: [LEGACY] Meshbody (f) (1.1)
skin: [Glam Affair] Amelie Applier [ Genus ] @ Kustom9
Sady Style 