First off, wow. Has it really been a year since I've updated this thing?

I've decided to take a bit of a hiatus from this account. Thanks to my summer classes and rewarding (but sometimes degrading) secretary job, I haven't found the time or motivation to get back into dolling or pixel art in general. At this time, I'd much rather spend my free time improving my design and illustration skills. I'll still keep in touch with whoever hasn't gotten sick of me yet, just not on this account! If you think you'd be interested in what I churn out next, please watch me on this account instead . I assure you, my work on there will still be as goofy and cutesy as ever, just not as tiny!

Thanks everyone for all your thoughtful comments, fave binges, and inspiration.
See you soon!

Dolling Meme
Dolling meme stolen from ~TaciturnSeraph (:<

1. How long have YOU been dolling?
Since May of 2006. I first discovered it here on dA, through ~Elychan's account!

2. You have to like something about it; what is it? What do you enjoy dolling?
I like the fact that its an easy going hobby and the community is what really keeps me in. I love dolling cutesy things, simple as that. Oh and expressive facial expressions.

3. What do you HATE dolling, eh? You know, clothes, hair..
Shoes! It'll always be shoes.

4. Your favorite part of your dolls, usually is:
The palette and face edits.

5. What do you put the most effort into: clothes/hair/stuff..or base editing?
Both base editing and hair. I'm always trying out new techniques and some take longer than others.

6. Bases are a staple of the dolling community. Do you like using them, or do you prefer to go baseless?
There are so many cool/cute/sexy(fine) bases out there to try out. When I do use one, I usually end up butchering the original face and shading of the body to better match my own style. So lately, I've been making more baseless/on my own bases stuff.

7. Not all dollers are basemakers..are you?
I like making them (:

8. Are you part of any dolling forums?
Pixel Princess! Much love for Pixel Princess, I'm a mod over there. I'm also on Glam! as an editor.

9. This community can suck ass sometimes. List for us FOUR pet peeves when it comes to the doll community, that you just wanna strangle people for:
- TRACED BASES
- Asspat comments
- Forum drama
- TRACED BASES

10. But there's awesome people here, too! List three of your favorite dollers.
BIFFFS


Speaking of three people...Tag three dollers to do this.
If you're up to it:~abzdragon,~MeganClare,*mouldyCat, and you!

Happy New Year!
Just wanted to wish everyone out there a happy New Year! New Year's Eve is tomorrow, so get to cracking on those resolution lists. Let's try to make them a little more realistic this year, yeah?

My List (so far):
~ Get back into drawing, learn Illustrator and Photoshop
~ Keep those A's up
~ GET A JOB (Obama, please help fix the economy!)

...now it's my turn to answer.
(Set that to the tune of Oh Christmas Tree. I am so clever!)
Poked by ! Fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper of course. There are so many cool designs out there now, if I could I'd probably frame some and hang them up in my room; that's how cool they are!

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial. My family and I have been using the same artificial tree almost all my life. I've never actually had a real Christmas tree before, but have friends who always do. They smell nice!

3. When do you put up the tree?
The day after Thanksgiving!

4. When do you take the tree down?
Sometime after New Year's.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I'm not ashamed to say that I've never tried it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Probably this one cute tent/playhouse my parents gave my sister and I. I remember it being a bitch to fold back up!

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yeah, on our living room coffee table. Its huge and doesn't offer much space for other things.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My Mom. She is one picky person.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My little sister!

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
An ugly jacket. I never wore it, but thanked whoever gave it to me anyway!

11. Mail or email Christmas card?
Mail! I need to get on that D:

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
The Year Without a Santa Claus! It's so tacky, its great. My sister and I also watch the Nightmare Before Christmas every year.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday, anyone?). This year, like, two weeks before Christmas.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
LOL no. Not yet! I've liked most (by most, I mean everything except that jacket) everything I've gotten so far.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Christmas ham! Sweet, sweet Christmas ham!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
I like rainbow lights, but we use gold on our tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Silver Bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We usually travel for Christmas (went to grandparent's in Mexico last year), but we're staying this year. For once!

19. Can you name Santa’s reindeer?
No! Cupid, Comet, Blitzen, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen(?). Rudolph!

20. Do you have an angel on top or a star?
An angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
At midnight on Christmas Eve, so technically Christmas morning!

22. Most annoying thing(s) about this time of year?
My sister's emo attitude and ungrateful people.

23. What theme or color are you using?
In our home, red, green, and gold.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
The ham, duh! Oh, and homemade Mexican food (birria, tamales, posole). We do it every year.

25. Do you read the real Christmas story at Christmas with your family?
Nope. Sometimes we watch The Little Drummer Boy special on TV, but that's about it.

Do it if you wish!

Attention Southern Californians:
Anybody else feel that? It's been a long time since we've had a quake around here. It's all over the news! I think we're all overreacting a bit though. Sure it was pretty shocking (5.8 on the scale!), but there was no real damage done. I did let out a little scream though!

Where were you when it happened? I live in the Riverside area, so we didn't feel it as heavily as those in the Chino Hills area.

On a lighter note:
No one caught the 25,000 kiriban! I don't think I'll be setting another anytime soon since there seems to be no interest, but who knows?

Birthday Wishes!
Yeah, I know it seems silly to post a journal entry promoting your own birthday, but I'm honestly very excited! I'm so looking forward to a much needed day of fun and merriment. But, since it is a weekday, eating out and partying will have to wait until the weekend. That's where you come in! I'd love some suggestions for good places to eat out. I hardly ever eat out as it were, so I'd appreciate suggestions to some good (and middle-class income affordable!) restaurants. They can be nationwide chains (like Chili's or Applebees, tell me if those are any good) or if you're in Southern California, tell me about your favorite local joints.

I'd also like to know what some of your favorite birthday-related activities are! What are you planning to do on your birthday, and if its already passed, what was the most memorable thing you did that day?

Art School?
So, I know for sure that I want to pursue a career in art and design, but I'm still unsure if I should be attending a regular college or a private institute. I know that with the private institutes, you get more hands-on learning, but the downside (as far as I know) is that they're really pricey. Anyone in a situation similar to this? And hey, if you're already attending a school, care to share your experiences? I'm planning on majoring in either graphic design, web design, or illustration (maybe even game design, but I don't think my parents would take me seriously lol).

Other Chocotastic Happenings!
Recently, my love for playing Animal Crossing (gamecube version) has been rekindled! I've been designing clothes like mad in the tailor shop. I find it a good way to practice making pixel art with a limited color palette. I wish I could share some of the images with you XD

Kiriban
I've decided to do another kiriban, this time at 25,000 pageviews! Be sure to send a screencap if you happen to catch it!

Artsy To-Do List
-Finish remaining sketches and pixel dolls ([link])
-Contest entry
-Gift art
-Original character development
-Other junk