Photos: cats in bag, mid-lick, and igloo

[vilakins]

And here are some cat photos taken in the last couple of weeks

I was in the laundry when I heard a strange scrabbling. I looked around and only saw Ashley on the floor, doing nothing in particular. Then I heard it again--and saw two ears appear above the top of the large paper bag I keep there for paper, which I'd recently emptied into the recycle bin. It was Jasmin. I lifted the bag onto the washing machine (which I cover with a sheepskin for cats to lie on, and to keep it clean) and went for my camera.


"I bet you didn't know it was me in here."


"Admit it. I'm so much cuter than that recycle paper you usually put in here."


"In fact, I think I'll make this my home-within-a-home."


"What? You think living in a paper bag is a bit infra-dig?"


"It even makes a very elegant cape."


Ashley caught in mid-lick.


Ashley in her igloo. We bought this a couple of years ago for Claudia and Tessa, who got in and out a few times for the first week, then ignored it completely. Jasmin's made a bed for herself in our bedroom on a chair, so I got it out for Ashley last winter, and she loves it. She spends most of the night there, moving to the foot of our bed in the early morning.

Comments

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I have some new software called Artrage (developed here, actually) which simulated pastels and oils and acrylics etc really well. I had 2.5, the cheapest version (and it's very reasonable, about $25) but I got a coupon for over 50% off an upgrade to the Studio version which has watercolours for only NZ$22. Yay. I shall experiment with it, but you put the paints on with trowels of brushes, and can set it to dry or not between strokes. Wonderful stuff! You can also pick the surface you're painting on and play with the settings. I thought you'd like it. It uses layers, and there are tutorials. You can export to other formats as well.

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

I checked it out a bit just now. It looks as if it'd work much easier with a tablet & I only mouse around. I thought I could check out the tutorials, but all the ones I found required you to have Artrage installed in order to see them.

They've got new versions as of only a couple days ago. There's a 30 day demo of the Studio Pro here
http://www.artrage.com/artragedemo.html

Oh! There's also a free starter edition on that page to download. I think I'll try the free one & see if I can work reasonably well with it via mouse.

I tried out the free starter edition & I'm really pleased with it. The interface is not what I'm used to, but it's quite intuitive & the effects are REALLy gratifyingly like the actual media.

OK, so, now my decision is, do I start out with the cheapest one & then maybe later upgrade to the middle one, or jump straight to the mid-range. Mmm...

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I was very impressed with it! It's designed for artists, and to simulate the media really well. I started with 2.5 (the cheapest, with not as many tools, but it's still amazing) and only upgraded yesterday when I got a coupon giving me more than 50% off an upgrade. Maybe you could go that way.

The tutorials are really helpful in showing you how to use the tools.

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

I think it'd be more economical for me to go straight for the middle, which is $40. The best one I think is not worth $80 although the ability to create 'stickers' does tempt me.

I've got stuff to do today, so I'll think it over a bit more. I'm also trying to decide whether I should tack on another $10 in order to get a back-up CD physically mailed to me. I tend to think it's not worth it.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I didn't. I registered both my products on the site and you can download the installer again. My PC gets backed up every night anyway.

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

And I suppose I could save the installer to a CD, probably, too. Not going to order it today, though, I'm *flumphed*. :^)