http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home en-us CuteNews http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1275417556&archive=

I'm working on a new layout inspired by the Wordpress themes I've seen cropping up everywhere (I know, a new layout already? I love the Garrett one but it's so similar to my others that I want to step out of my bounds a bit). I don't have the patience to put up with Wordpress and I don't have the monetary means to have someone make a layout and install it for me, so I'm just fudging it with CSS. However, it is extremely frustrating to try and figure out, so I've sort of had to step back for a little bit and pursue a few other things while my brain detoxes. The layout should be up in a few weeks, once I have the balls to finish it up.

Updates:

[Re-organized Artwork]: To make everything simpler, I've condensed all the television shows to one page, all the celebrities to one page, etc. Should save space on the server, and there's less clicking involved ;)

[June 2010 SOTM]: I'm awarding this month's SOTM to DEI over @ Lock&Key. She always has superb artwork and I'm happy to give her the recognition she deserves.


[30 Icons]: 6 of Katie McGrath, 24 of desserts, like the one I'm using for this post.

[4 New Wallpapers]: "What's Wrong With Me?" is a Tyler Lockwood piece, painfully simple and kind of hard on the eyes if you don't like dark backgrounds. I was inspired by the Tumblr reblog-art, the little 400x400 images that people create for fandom. Basically, it was me being lazy. Someday I'll get around to arting that scene properly.

"I Have Now Come" is a Supernatural wall featuring Dean photomanipped as the Archangel Michael. This is the first photomanip I've ever done. I kind of like it... I'll probably do more in the future. However, I hate the wall. I just wanted to make something to show off the photomanipulation I did.

"Fated" focuses on the Cara/Leo pairing from Legend of the Seeker. I might be one of the few people in the world out there who actually liked Leo. Sure, he was only around for a few episodes, he wasn't really that much of a looker, he took Richard's place as the Seeker and he swung the Sword of Truth like a lead pipe... but he was a good person, and he broke through Cara's shell a bit. And that "sideways" episode, when Cara never would have been a Mord-Sith... god, that scene when they kiss kills me. Even in an alternate reality they found each other... hence the title of this piece.

"Katie" features Katie McGrath. I love Morgana in the series "Merlin" and Katie is without a doubt a gorgeous girl. I simply adored the photos from this shoot, and the background were easily blendable so I used a few for this. I experimented a bit with differences and inversion layers.

[New Screencap Gallery:] I've created a new gallery to accompany the screencaps that I take. I've already uploaded a few episodes of Supernatural and Glee, episodes 4.06-4.08 and 1.09, respectively. Be sure to check it out!

and lastly, but certainly not least, Christie over at Layout Whore named me her SOTM!! This is my first one ever, so thank you so much for the kind words, Christie! ♥ Here's the award:

]]> 1275417556 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:39:16 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1273637528&archive= The Prodigal, my Supernatural challenge site. Please check it out if you're interested, we're on Round 3: No Rest For the Wicked right now and I'd love some entries, ladies and gents!

The current theme is Angels v. Demons, with challenges such as icons, colorizations, and blends galore.

Deadline June 16 @ 12AM. ]]> 1273637528 Tue, 11 May 2010 21:12:08 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1272680785&archive=
[Updated Sidebar]: New "obsessed"s, featuring two new songs, "Electric" and "Body Bounce" (seriously, if you like to dance or just want to download some new songs for your iPod, these are the ones! Hot tracks), and two TV shows I've been liking recently, "Big Time Rush" (yes, that boy band show on Nick. Go on, laugh, get it all out), and "The Pacific" (it's no "Band of Brothers" but it's still excellent!).

I also added two new affiliate buttons that follow this layout's theme.

[1 Award]: From PSPassions Blends, special gold for a colorization of Lady Gaga. Check out the award over @ the awards section.

[2.5 New Walls]: I say 2.5 because one has a B&W version and a color version.

The first, "Electric" features Ian and Katerina, aka Damon Salvatore and Bonnie Bennett. It's no lie that I ship these two like the Navy. There are two versions, color and black & white. I really like this one because, again, I experimented with a bunch of stuff. I think my favorite part is how the text behind Ian is offset by the black background behind Kat.

The second, "No Control," is from The Vampire Diaries episode 1.19, where Stefan attacks a girl and Bonnie manages to subdue him with her magic. I feel like their scenes are so full of potential, which might have something to do with Paul and Kat's incredible onscreen chemistry. Don't get me wrong, I ship Stelena hard, but Bonnie and Stefan definitely have something that Stefan and Elena don't... I dunno. I just liked this scene a lot. I used lyrics from Bad Religion's "No Control," by the way.

[May SOTM!]: I've also named my new May 2010 SOTM, Staring @ the Sun. You can read all about the reasons why here. Congrats Elle! ♥



That's all for now! Until next time.]]> 1272680785 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:26:25 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1270002750&archive=
And don't even get me started on colleges. Even though it's mostly good news (so far, I've gotten into Brandeis, Boston College, Washington University in St. Louis, Georgetown, U of Southern California, and DUKE!!!!) it's still stressful to have to wait. April 1st is the final deadline (the IVIES... stressed? yes), so I'm on tenterhooks until this Thursday. Just running in with this small update to let people know I'm alive and to share what little I've done since my last art post.

[Updated Sidebar]: New "obsessed" items. Jason DeRulo, Being Human, Melrose Place, and 90210.

[Revamped About Me Section]: All credit for inspiration goes to the lovely Kayla of Shattered Memories. I loved the aesthetic simplicity of how she had hers, so I tried to imitate while adding a bit of my own touch. Check it out here. Rather than typing out all my favorite books, movies, tv shows, etc., I just put pictures of the "constants," as I call them. The constants are those that are my all-time favorites, the ones that have either been on my radar for a really long time (e.g. Supernatural and Garrett Hedlund) or have made such a great impression on me that I will love them in years to come (comme The Vampire Diaries).

[4] New Screencap Packs: The Vampire Diaries 1.11, 1.12, 1.13 and Supernatural 4.05. More on the way.

[1] Colorization: Lady Gaga is love.

[1] Retouch: Mandy Moore.

[2] New Walls: Tron Legacy featuring the dropdeadgorgeous man Garrett Hedlund. Haven't seen the trailer? You unfortunate soul. Watch it here. Also ETA I finished a LOTS Richard wall a while back, using the same style as the Kahlan and Cara ones. Thus completes the set.]]> 1270002750 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:32:30 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1268687917&archive= The Prodigal.

GRAND OPENING

Do you love to make graphics? Do you like the cult hit television series Supernatural? Do you just love getting awards based on your artistic talent? If you answered yes to any or both of these, there's a place you can go to satisfy your needs. The Prodigal (version 1: Carry On Wayward Son) is a brand-spanking-new, exciting new community where you can try your hand at some or all of the monthly challenges that revolve around Supernatural, its characters, its actors, and its unique and enthralling plotline.

Don't know what Supernatural is? No big. Check out The Prodigal anyway, we'd love to have you try out some of our challenges. With a low-key, simplistic layout designed so that you feel welcome and eager to join, The Prodigal welcomes artists of any skill and background. You are guaranteed an award for just participating! So try your hand at some colorizations, blends, or touchups, or throw in a graphic that you've made for the "Of the Round" monthly draws.

Hope to see you there!]]> 1268687917 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:18:37 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1267493582&archive= Supernatural graphics challenge site (tentative start date March 15), trying to revive O`Death, writing a new multichapter Bamon fic, and collaborating with two other authors on two separate Bamon fics. *whew* This is a lot, and I think I'm going to have to take a step back with SGO until I get my priorities in line.

However, I'm still working on graphics, and I'll be updating with new pretties soon enough. I do, however, have one new item of note:

[March 2010 SOTM!]: Steff @ Tired of Being Sorry. Click here to read more about why I chose her!

[1 New Award]: From a while ago, when I entered one of my old videos over at Chosen One Awards. My forte is obviously graphics, but I think I did pretty well for someone who only uses Windows Movie Maker! Award here and winning video right here.

That's all for now because I'm so rushed. But I've gone so long without at SOTM it was about time

P.S. Happy birthday to Jensen Ackles! BB turns 32 this year (gasp! He's an old man! Lol)]]> 1267493582 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:33:02 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1265851704&archive=
Anywho, more updates!

New Layout!: Titled "The Family Business" because I'm unoriginal like that. I just wanted to have an excuse to use the new high-def Supernatural promo photos I've saved as well as some awesome textures I snagged from Marilyne. I've seriously been on such a layout-making bent lately it's ridiculous. It's also addicting! I'm probably going to stick with this one for a while. I didn't really like the last one I had, which is why it didn't stay up for more than a couple of weeks. Note the sidebar "dailies" image: I had lots of fun coming up with a new, imaginative way to link my daily haunts. Also changed my "obsessed"s. Will add a SOTM sometime this century.

Rearranged Pages: I rearranged some things, namely I revamped the "Goodies" section to be a bit more straightforward and streamlined. Took "Screencaps" out of the sidebar and merged it with "Goodies," sorry for any confusion.

[1] New Affiliate: CRene @ Magical Mayhem. She's got some great stuff!

[3] New Screencap Packs: The Vampire Diaries [1.01 & 1.09] and the movie Stardust.

[3] Premade Layouts: Yes, that's right! I'm so excited about this, you have no idea. I've decided to start a "business" of sorts by creating "Basic," "Plus," and "Deluxe" premade layouts. "Basic"s are, of course, free. "Plus" costs $2USD and "Deluxe" $3.50USD. For more info on each, click here and scroll down to "Premades."

The first premade is called "Black Ice," featuring Paul Wesley, one of my newer muses. I think it's fine as far as lighter layouts go, and I wanted to make it mostly black and white to make it look more modern.

The second premade is called "Protect You." You might recognize it from one of my older layouts (two lays ago, to be precise). It's one of my favorites, and I've decided that after a respectable amount of time, I will allow some of my layouts to be open to the public, the ones that I'm not selfish about.

The third and last one is perhaps the best layout that I've ever made in my life, if I may say so myself. It is called "Wayward Sons," and features Sam and Dean Winchester with a teal color scheme. The header image is particularly crisp... I almost didn't let this one be a premade because it was so good I wanted it for myself. Almost.

Anyway, find the layouts here. Please let me know what you think about them, and link me if you use them so I can see them in action!! But note that you should have a working knowledge of PHP (which is html) to use them.

ETA: I added an installation guide that is completely step-by-step, so those of who who may not be familiar with that type of thing can DIY! Find 'er here: INSTALL 101!]]> 1265851704 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:28:24 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1265781994&archive= unpleasant sight of my wallpaper being used as someone else's layout... without my permission!

Now, I'm a very easygoing person, so before overreacting, I checked to see if the person had even credited me in the first place. Luckily, this person did, or I don't know what I would have done (this goes without saying, but it would have been of massacre-proportions). I kindly informed the person to freakin' ASK me the next time they decide to run around with a layout using my wall (which, by the way, defeats the purpose of layouts. Either you make one on your own, or you get a premade one with the person's CONSENT. Don't half-ass it like that). Haven't heard back yet, but not sure if I want to. I'm still pretty upset, if you can't tell.

Plus, this makes me really sad, because now instead of finding clever places to hide my watermarks so that they aren't too obtrusive on the eyes, I'm going to have to stamp huge, unsightly brands all over my art so that people won't do this again. It kind of makes me feel like a less generous person, really. Whatever. Maybe I'm overreacting; this is the first time something like this has happened, so I'm not really sure how to proceed. Did I react too harshly? Was it too soft of a reprimand? Ugh. I don't even care anymore. I just want to sleep. :/

/rant

Look out for some new additions: a truckload of caps are coming your way, including some newer movies (Stardust, POTC, etc. etc.) *sigh* Long day, guys. Long day.

ETA: Spoke with the site owner, things are good now. I'm very glad that she credited me and was honest (unlike some scoundrels out there who do nothing of the sort), so thank you NeYma for doing that. ]]> 1265781994 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:06:34 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1265691789&archive=
[2] New Fanfics: Take it Off and Unsaid, which are Damon/Bonnie and Stefan/Bonnie, respectfully. God, I would ship Bonnie with a doorknob I love that character SFM. She seriously needs a love interest sometime soon. You listening, TVD writers? *shakes fist*

[1] New Art Award: Gold for my Keira colorization, which I entered over @ Insomnia Challenges. I'm really proud of myself, getting more involved in other sites' challenges and whatnot.

[1] Colorization: Angelina Jolie colorization, entered for the next round at Insomnia Challenges. Not really fond of her but she is very photogenic, so it was a delight to see what I could do with her.

[1] New Wall: Another background for my favorite Vampire Diaries not-really-but-should-be-a-couple couple, Damon and Bonnie (who else?). Eventually I'll get around to making walls for all the characters, but these two are just so good looking together that I can't resist making everything I do be about them. It's based off this tutorial by the lovely Marilyne; I just sort of took the basic idea and ran with it. I also tried my hand at Anisotropic layers for the first time-- it's fortunate that I found a plug-in for GIMP that works like a charm. I'm also obsessed with using "Difference" layers, if you can't tell from all my recent artworks. I'll get tired of it eventually *shrugs*

Coming soon are more screencaps (I still haven't had school yet thanks to the storm, so I have plenty of time for capping galore) and perhaps a translatable tutorial or two for things like making screencaps better and creating some cool-looking banners for forums and stuff. I'm also working on a Supernatural-themed CHALLENGE SITE so keep a weather eye out for that one.

See you guys!]]> 1265691789 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:03:09 -0700 http://shotgunopera.shattered-memories.net/home?subaction=showfull&id=1265495723&archive=

[3] New Affiliates: SunnyWill @ Fated to Pretend, Mazza @ Chosen One Awards, and Ingrid @ Confessions. Check out their stuff, they have a little bit of everything!

[2] New Wallpapers: "Feel no Fear" and "BAMC (Bad Ass Mother Confessor)". I've only recently gotten aboard the Legend of the Seeker fantrain and it's a pretty awesome show! I decided to make walls of two of my favorite female characters (sorry, Kahlan fans, but Cara will always be #1). I kind of like the colors I gave to each, they're slightly different from each other but you can tell that they match.

[10] New Screencap Packs: 90210 [1.11, 1.12]; Alias [1.09, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13]; Legend of the Seeker [2.01], Glee [1.08], and the movie Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden. P&P is simply one of my most favorite movies, so that's the reason why I did it so quickly. Enjoy!

[1] Colorization: I'm slowly getting better at these, I think, or at least more comfortable. I chose to do a male model this time, because I wanted to challenge myself, and who better to choose than Jensen? He has such a pretty face, and my obsession with him has not waned over the years as some others have.

Plus, I entered it over @ Fascinating Jensen, which is having trouble getting entries. If you love Jensen Ackles, use him as a muse, or just want to get some art awards, check Fascinating Jensen out! It's a fantastic challenges/art awards site, and I'm sure they'd love to see your artwork over there!]]> 1265495723 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:35:23 -0700