I really loved how @esmeiolanthe went a step further and made Steve a deeper sim than just someone created for a contest. His secret hobby really surprised me. I first made my round 1 entry with him, I changed to Rose Gardener midway, and I saw Steve as a tough businessman and womanizer. After this is done, I'll probably move all four lots and families to my neighborhood and play with them.

We should have a storytelling contest featuring all these families =D

For some reason I though the deadline was tomorrow so I haven't started yet! I did notice this morning that it was due today but I've been out all day with my parents so haven't had a chance to get anything done yet. It'll be finished and submitted before the deadline though, I'm enjoying this contest :-)

Sorry I haven't posted or put up my pictures yet! My computer caught a virus and in the cleanup, my Sims games got uninstalled.
I've actually just re-installed them, so I'll be working on the house and getting it up today :3
I also, like lauratje86, thought the deadline was tomorrow. Silly head, doesn't like to keep track of numbers ^^;

Good to hear, guys Didn't want to have to dock points for lateness



Would be a fun contest, but would be limited to only people in this contest But you, or anyone else who wanted to, could always start a story in the story thread Just let us all know if you do so we can all check it out.

This contest has given me an idea for my own new one (completely separate ideas, don't worry). I'm not going to give you any clues about it yet though, haven't gotten it all figured out yet, and I don't have time to run another one anytime soon. I came up with another idea when I was doing my scrapbook contest as well, and that one isn't fully fledged out yet either, but you can be assured, I'll be hosting more contests in the future. Thank you jones, for this one!

You're welcome, Phae And I know what you mean, I've come up with several half formed ideas while hosting this one too! lol. But first this one, one thing at a time, jones


*EDIT(shameless plug)* If you all would like these lovely families to have a nice fall outing, go download (and/or thank) my new pumpkin patch

I hope round 1 will end tonight. Lets see what our judges say about the make overs good luck every one and even myself.

My pics will be up tonight. It's been a mad few days at work.

The contest I thought of is called "Home For The Holidays". I thought homes decked out in holiday finery would show all kinds of creative talent. people could use any house they wanted to do this with, but no mass construction. lol I love the idea, but that's all it is right now.

I love your Pumpkin Patch!!! I saw it and left you a feedback note. lol

I wonder how so many get their money right on the nose! lol I won't be able to do that but I can always get close. lol

@Everyone: Good luck everyone on round one and on the up and coming round 2!!

Hey, Jones!

I edited my original post with my corrected pics. (post #384) Please let me know if there is anything else I need to do!

What if we all make sims based on the families and reveal them at the end? I'd love to see how everyone is envisioning these characters in their heads!

We could have a "Steve Parade", ahaha.

All the Round 1 entries look amazing. You guys have done so much to perk up these sad little Maxis-made homes. This contest looks like so much fun that I had to play along at home. I don't have TS2 though so I built the homes from the ground up in TS3 and then decorated them keeping in mind the lot value limit. I was actually pretty amazed at the results with such a low budget.


@ GlorianaGlowbee I would love to see your versions of the families. Lol a "Steve" parade sounds like a great idea

I think that would be fun Gloriana :D

Wow when I look back at all these redecorated houses I'm shocked that its the same ugly beach house that it was before. Everyone has done such a beautiful job!! *claps*

I'm glad we're not doing houses that the premades live in, imagine how long it would take to do Pleasant? I'd rather do Goth!

Okay, looks like I'm done! ^^; Please tell me if I messed up somewhere - it was a long week, today was a long day and I'm totally wiped right now.

I originally started out going with a really modern, sleek look and ... well, I'm not really sure how the end result came about. It just sort of happened! :D

I'm still struggling with getting decent pictures, even with the combination of the tab key, fraps and playing with the camera. I think that time will help me more than anything else, but I hope these are somewhat improved!

Oh, I designed for Steve Jones. I gave him a cute little 'gym', for relieving stress, and attached his office to his bedroom instead of a bathroom, since he's such a workaholic, he has nightmares if he doesn't sleep within a few yards of his computer

No, nooo...it's definitely not a cache files problem for me, I've had that problem before and can recognise it instantly and it is indeed a very simple, painless fix.

My problem is my actual disc drive (and possibly the actual disc too). I accidentally spilt milk on my poor computer well over a year ago (maybe even 2) whilst I was waiting for Sims to load. After taking the million screws out and mopping up the excess, letting it dry out well then putting it back together, it still worked and even more amazingly, Sims still loaded! BUT the drive couldn't eject the disc. Bit inconvenient if I wanted to put some new music on my computer from CD, a real pain if I wanted to watch a DVD (I have no other DVD player!) but at least I could still sim
But it's been getting gradually worse this year, and I do think it is now a case of when it will finally give up completely rather than if

BUT...I did manage (after god knows how many restarts) to get the disc recognised and I have spent the last couple days busy decorating the first 3 properties (the application one and the first 2 rounds). I have returned now to catch up with online goings on and to judge the first round over the weekend, then I shall do battle with the drive on Monday or Tuesday so I can go and get the other 2 houses sorted

SO...below should be attached the pics of the application house.

Oh, and Jones...if you are changing one of the other houses...let me know as soon as you've decided pleeease :D

That was exactly what happened to my laptop. A year or so ago I spilled spaghetti sauce on it. It worked fine up until about 3 months ago, and then it was like an act of God to get the CD to work for me, and soon it quit altogether. What sucked the most I had just gotten that computer for Christmas from dad.

Beautiful home! I could see Lilith living there.

Do we know what time Round 2 will begin?

I'm guessing when Jones is next online

In the meantime, here's what I did with 30 Lakeside...

Not as good as some of yours, but when I saw which property it was (before I asked Jones which the others were) I instantly thought Steve Jones would be the best for it, so I stuck with that. I found the budget harder to stick to with this one, think the windows/doors I chose were a lil too pricey for the number that are used lol
I also didn't develop as much of a story for Steve as some of you (a womenswear designer...who knew! ) just thought of him as a guy working far too many hours at the office, then coming home and doing a bit more, maybe some research before finally allowing himself to unwind with a DVD, the Llamas big match or a good gaming session on his Xbox. I wanted to give him a bit more in his gym and on the balcony but money ran out Also couldn't afford to do the kinda simple landscaping I'd originally had in mind.
So, yeah...not as keen on this one, but never mind - it was done during ridiculous hours of the night, straight after 95 Woodland lol

Other judges aren't allowed to tell us the next lot?

What if we give you candy? What if we give you candy AND a moped? :lovestruc

--Signed,
--Excited Nerdling Who Can't Wait For Round 2

I think they're holding out for a moped made out of candy...

Well, if you're giving mopeds made of candy, I may keep it a secret too till I get one


Round 2! I'll up date the first post with the download right now, this round is the little "trailer" at 35 Woodland Dr.

*EDIT* OMG! Croutonian! WCIF that Pepsi cube?!?!?!?!? I MUST HAVE IT!!! I drink Pepsi pretty much from the time I wake up till I go to sleep, lol

35 Woodland Drive! I can officially start my weekend!

And now I want to learn how to mesh, for no other reason than to create a maple butter crunch toffee moped....