Still More Christmas Places

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

I am trying to ignore all the clothing sales and continue my Christmas décor tour. I spent the Friday after Thanksgiving decorating my houseboat for the season. Saturday I got back to Christmas décor shops . I love arriving at Under the Tree Christmas shop my first stop.

It always looks so gorgeous at the doorway with the shared environment. Inside is such a selection of any type of décor, lovely trees in one area, tables with little gifts and decorations for your own tables and signs for your walls. In the next area are delicious cakes , pies and pastries for your dining tables. Wonderful foods from ham turkey, prime rib platter and all the sides with utensils are available for purchase.

Another section is filled with delightful toys for all ages. I found some parents there trying to make decisions. Moving along into the next area I found wonderful outdoor scenery perfect for winter regions and snowy areas. Upstairs there is a great choice of furniture for the season.

From the main building I walked down the path to the barn where I found little animals that any family would like to add to their homes .Check out the whole store it is just packed with so much to look at , especially the toy section. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Larsen/84/211/103

Just down the hill in front of the store is a favorite stop of mine, Tex ‘s Tree Farm. Here you can pick your own tree and chop it down!

Grab and axe and go for it. It is great fun. The trim comes with the tree when you pick it up. I chopped down a tree but did not pick it up so it disappeared into the air.

Tex has his trees growing and ready to take but he also has some other trees already set to go if you like, or wreaths. Some of the trees allow you to pick and chose what you want for decorations on it. It is a fun family activity. Enjoy! Larsen is one of the all time winter regions so dress for it! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Larsen/81/195/103

Christmas Delights is a great place to visit if you are looking for outfits among other items. They have over 300 outfits from formal to fun in their Santa’s closet. It is dazzling! I saw that ad and ran over there first to take a look at them all. They are from some well known creators so go take a look. I have to make a decision about a couple and will be back after I decide. Some cute holiday jewelry is also available there.

Outside one is surrounded by trees garlands, wreaths to choose from. Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their red oufits either standing or moving around for those who love these and other characters from comics and stories. For those who are prim conscious by necessity some 1 prim animations of Santas and other characters of the season. They impressed me with their cuteness! They also had some nice dances on sale for 50L and I grabbed a couple. There is a wealth of garlands on the wall here, some sparkling. On sale is a choice of two radios that are transferable with 20 Christmas stations available. Nice gift idea! Great place to just wander and check out all the décor. I saw some awesome skating figures for your pond.

If you want to try some skiing there is a hill to climb and a saucer rezzer along with skis . Grab a free set and also a saucer to take with you for the whole winter season. Below the hill is a great skating pond with skate balls for singles or couples. I saw some awesome skating figures for your pond. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gen/102/164/27

There are so many markets and shops full of seasonal décor I hope to get to a few more and then will get to more Christmas places you might like to visit that may have some shopping but more sites to just roam and take pictures.

Gemma Cleanslate

Christmas at Creations Park and Botanica

By Gemma Cleanslate

It is always good to shop over at Creations Park because you are not only getting clothing and decor from your favorite designers you are donating to a great cause. All or part of your Lindens go to Team Fox for Parkinson’s disease research and support. Check out their video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyiiWxNguGo&feature=youtu.be). There are many events scheduled at Creation Park as the board at the landing area shows.

While you wander the many levels to visit the shops look down and find the stocking that holds a stuffer that is very inexpensive.

Then get over to the soaring castle and have the fun experience of finding the 12 gifts hidden there . They could be anywhere and watch for hidden rooms but they are not hard to find.Take a picture with Santa in the entry room. Each room is decorated so beautifully . High up on the parapet rezz a Santa Sleigh to soar over the sim . I am missing one gift...Number 11 so I have to go back!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creations%20Park/44/212/28

While I was doing that very ride I saw bright lights from a distance and  remembered that next door to Creations Park there is another sim not to miss. After I finished my tour and collecting all the goodies from the Castle I wandered over to Botanica.

It is so beautifully decorated . My first stop was in the Christmas Tree Hall where I found a delightful little band that performs  many choices of Christmas music that you can ask it to play.

Outside grab a pair of skates and take a turn on the pond with the elves. I saw a racing game for which the purchase price goes to the American Cancer Society so again you are donating while you shop. It looked interesting.

If you are into harps and harpsichords or other ancient musical instruments and music boxes do not miss the shop across from the Christmas Tree Hall. I succumbed and bought a new music box.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Merlin%20Gardens/198/49/24

Gemma Cleanslate

Santa's Workshop

By Becky "Sha" Shamen

When searching for the next great adventure to take my readers on, there is one thing we can all count on. If you can name it, there is probably already a sim for it. With that in mind, we are pleased to find that a search for "Santa's Workshop" provides us with a whole list of sims to explore. In theory, the search will list places with the highest traffic (popularity?) at the top, so we head to "North Pole Village and Santa's Workshop" at the Winter Porvoo sim (208,136,127)

Porvoo sim is located in the part of the SL mainland which is perpetual winter, so we were prepared for a snowy landing. As our suroundings came into focus, we spot some signs. The first sign informs us that we must follow the path, to get to Santa's Workshop. A larger sign calls attention to the fact that there is a Santa's Elves Hunt in progress. There are 12 gifts, well hidden in the workshop and North Pole Village. We are advised to click everything, if we want to find the hidden gifts. As we walk along the path, we keep our eyes open and our radar on and notice there are many other avs on the sim, enjoying the adventure. A message comes in local chat,for maximum effect, turn of Music and turn up Sounds. Wearing headphones makes it even better. As we negotiate the path, the wind in our ears, snow crunching under foot and the tintinnabulation of ice crystals bring up the thought that it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. At the end of the path, we find a signpost, showing the direction to the various local attractions.

   In the search for Elf gifts, I wanted to leave no snowflake unturned and began by exploring the near-by Crystal Cave. Seen one crystal cave, you've seen 'em all, is our first impression, as we enter, but the soothing sounds and colorful lights weave their way into the mind.  It wasn't until I began writing about it that I thought something strange had happened there. I returned to the scene to revive my memories and yes, there was indeed an abominable surprise within.

Across from the cave entry, we climb the stairs to the workshop area. Here, you will find, in addition to the toyshop, the launch ramp for Santa's sleigh, the reindeer barn and a garage for sleigh mechanics to work in. You can even buy a full size animated reindeer here. Moving on, we find the toyshop. This area is full of wrapped presents and goodies to buy, to decorate your home, for the holidays. You'll be here a while, clicking on everything, to see if any provide free gifts.

Leaving the workshop area, we enter the North Pole Village, to see what it has to offer. Here, you'll find the Bakeshop, the North Pole Post office, the North Pole Newspaper press room, Elf Comm Central and the Elfamentary School, all around a central skating pond.

   At Elf Comm Central, they have a high tech, computer communication system, to keep tabs on who's being naughty or nice, so you better watch out. On the hill, behind the center, they even have their own coal mine.

Santa keeps his elves well educated, thanks to the Elfamentary School. We stopped in for a lecture on toymaking, that kept getting interrupted by the new elf, behind me, Alfred Elf.

Seems that at least one elf prefers learning on his own. At his vacant desk, I spotted a big yellow book, called "Toymaking for Dummies". Perhaps it can be ordered from Amazon and arrive before Christmas.

After a fun adventure at this Santa's Workshop, I made a quick stop at another destination, where a "Santa's Workshop Photo Contest" is in progress. It turned out to be a promotion by the near-by mall and only open to their group. I snooped around a bit, to see if they had any seasonal backgrounds, for my Christmas card photo and noticed an oddly familiar old building. There was a gathering of people and animals, so this reporter inched closer, to see if there was a story here. What a great joy to find, after traveling to the four corners of SL and even to the moon, for a story, your humble informant is given a photo-op with the King of Kings.

Peace on earth, y'all,

"Sha"

Laura Liberty’s Valentine Town

By DrFran Babcock

You may, or may not remember my story about the wonderful Christmas Town that I wrote for this esteemed publication. (http://slnewserplaces.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-town.html ). Well, it seems that Laura Liberty, a builder I have admired for many years, does a build for most of the holidays, with themed building activities, and shops. I figured it would be worth it to see what she had in place for Valentine’s Day. I was not disappointed. Valentine Town (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elizabeth Town/151/170/36/ ) is a joy for all whether or not you have a loved one.

The Build

Laura Liberty is the creator of Valentine Town. Of course, the color palette is what you would expect, reds, pinks, purples and baby blues. What was uncanny to me is how well Laura works with her prims and her colors. I was sure that the cartoony houses that surround the perimeter of the sim were made of mesh, but I was told that was not the case, as I found out. I had the great fortune to run into Laura Liberty when I dropped in to do my story. I gushed like the fan I am over her work, and asked her what program she used to do her meshes. Here is the exchange:

DrFran Babcock: what do you use for your 3d software? Your stuff is always so coordinated and well done?
Laura Liberty: I use Photoshop Elements, and thank you.
DrFran Babcock: But the 3D??

Laura Liberty: 3d textures?
DrFran Babcock: no the building It's not all regular prims, is it? It has to be mesh.
Laura Liberty: the buildings are just prims and some other bits are sculpts. I think I have one or two small mesh things.
DrFran Babcock: you are even more amazing then.

You simply must come to Valentine Town to see this build, and tell me if you thought it was mostly regular prims. The secret, I suppose is in the carefully thought out color scheme which cannot help but lift your spirits and feed your eyes.

The Activities

There is a lot to do at Valentine Town once one is through wandering around and admiring the look of the place. In the center of the village square stands a huge gumball machine spitting out giant colored spheres. There are two ways to dive in here. You can sit on any of the dark maroon gumballs and “mosh pit” your way around, or touch the sign and get a bunch of free, floaty gumballs. On my last visit, an international assortment of residents was rolling an laughing all around.

You can also leave your mark on Valentine Town by taking a photo of yourself there, and sending it, full-permissions, to Laura Liberty. She will put it up on the Snapshot Board located near the giant gumball machine. In addition, you can get a free face emoter HUD, so you can be smiling in all your pictures.

There are two fountains in the central square, and both of them have great animations for hanging out and chatting, or taking pictures to give to Laura. I spent some time dangling my feet in the water while I tried to speak Italian with a handsome guy.

Shopping

Valentine’s Day is a day that is often about gifts and flowers, and jewelry and lingerie, and…love. There is no shortage of all of this at Valentine Town. Absolutely anything that you can think of that relates to Valentine’s Day is on sale here: Animated furniture with models to try, full perm textures and sculpt texture maps of valentine-related shapes, flowers, landscaping, decorations, clothes, lingerie, sweets, balloons and cards. Everything you’d expect, but with a special twist. My favorite store was the LOL Anti-Valentine Gifts. There’s a certain someone who is going to get the blow-up doll with curlers that is in the shop.

Are you pining for someone, still in love with your ex, or do you have a secret crush? Well. Laura Liberty has a solution for you. No, she won’t get that person for you, but you can send them an anonymous gift. All you have to do is buy something on the sim (just about everything has transfer rights), put it into a folder along with a notecard with the recipients name and the date you want it delivered, and give it to Laura Liberty. Gee, I think I have about five of those to send out.

But, Wait, There’s More

When you love someone, sometimes you hold on to a little suspense to keep the tension going. Therefore, I will wait for another time to tell you about the little corner of the sim, hidden away and cloaked in yellow, purple and green. Can you figure what holiday uses those colors? Stay tuned for more about this astonishing builder, and the holiday sims she features.

DrFran Babcock

FMODAKFAP: Fairy Magic Occult Dark Arts Kissy Face Action Party

FMODAKFAP, the latest Syzygy installation, is an imaginative treat created by Elric Anatine.  It is located at Syzygy Nyx (113, 141, 2357).    The letters stand for Fairy Magic Occult Dark Arts Kissy Face Action Party.   When Lady Pipsqueak Fiddlesticks, Anatine’s SL companion, described the site as a Fairy Magic Occult Dark Arts Kissy Face Action Party, Anatine knew they had found its name.  
 

FMODAKFAP is a wonderland of changing colors, swirling stars, soothing chimes, and other fantasy objects too numerous to list.  A notecard explains that Anatine was inspired by his recent purchase of the Wishmaster HUD on SL Marketplace.  He wanted to create an “immersive fantasy photo environment,” and he succeeded. 

Anatine’s notecard, which you can pick up at the landing point, lists the interactive photo spots that he has created.  They are all interesting, but in the Enchanted Fairy Circle, you can fly like a fairy.  My favorite spots include sitting atop magical mushrooms and inside one of the cocoon-like white chairs. The chairs include different poses, including a yoga meditation one.  

When you are finished exploring the landscape, climb the wooden ladder to the fantasy structure that is uniquely Anatine.  Two circular rooms are connected by another ladder.   In the spooky Victorian library you will find chairs, a sofa, and a nice pot of tea.  But keep a sharp lookout for witches, ghosts and goblins.  Boiling cauldrons, a crackling fire and a stack of books about magic spells mean they must be close by.     

This fun site is filled with imaginative flowers, crystals, lighted trees, and other fantasy objects.  I was inspired on my second visit to take some photos wearing a pair of fairy wings.  Anatine encourages visitors to use their own poses, special effect HUDs, and to thoroughly explore his creation.  At the end of their trip, visitors will find three souvenir gifts that Anatine made to remind them of their magical visit to FMODAKFAP.   

Grey Lupindo

North Pole and Santa's Workshop

If you’re looking for a place for holiday fun, take a trip to the North Pole and Santa's Workshop, Porvoo (255, 88, 104). Snowflakes and jingle bells greet you as soon as you rez. I even thought I heard a distant “Ho, Ho, Ho”.

Follow the footprints through the crunchy snow to reach the village and Santa’s Workshop. Take your time and enjoy the crystal sculptures and other treats that you’ll pass along the way. Detour off the path to visit the penguins and bears, too. But watch out—the ice is slippery!

I love the North Pole post office. The details—like stamp machines and mail sacks-- are whimsical and charming. Inside the elves are working very hard to sort and deliver all the letters to Santa. You can buy a few of the items here, including the animated elves, but the building doesn’t look like a store. Santa is in the corner near a sign that tally’s the number of Naughty’s and Nice. Fortunately there’s no names attached to the Naughty’s. Before you leave, be sure to click on the sign to hear Santa’s Christmas greeting.

In the middle of the sim is the largest building, Santa’s Workshop. Inside the elves are frantically working here, too. The workshop is jammed with colorful toys and the sounds of singing elves. Toy airplanes fly overhead and trains chug around their tracks. This is a busy, busy place. I liked the conveyor belt and the stacks and stacks of gifts. It’s impossible to walk around the workshop without smiling. A few of the toys are for sale, but the workshop doesn’t have a commercial look to it.

My favorite place is the Reindeer Barn. It is very realistic, and a quiet retreat after the hectic pace of the workshop and post office. There’s an elf here, too, but he doesn’t sing. Donner and Cupid are the first reindeer to greet you. They move, of course, and make cute reindeer noises. Blitzen was a bit stand-offish the first time I visited, but Dancer was so friendly that he followed me home. You can purchase all nine reindeer from a box tucked off to the side, or buy individual reindeer. The harness bells are extra, but well worth the $50L to add a festive, holiday touch.

A sign outside of the Workshop says that the elves have hidden some prizes around the buildings. I love a good hunt, but there are so many cute and whimsical things to see here that I didn’t bother doing the hunt. One problem, however, is that this sim fills up quickly. I crashed twice during visits at busy times. Try to go at an off hour, if possible.

If you have young children in your home, or if you’re young-at-heart, the North Pole is a great place to visit.

The North Pole and Santa's Workshop is at Porvoo, (255, 88, 104)

Grey Lupindo