Whew! Finally get a chance to go through a bunch of pages. x.x
I'll try and respond to everything, but if I don't, just poke me or something.

Ferra! I'm [once again] loving some of your entries. I absolutely LOVE the cream and black look, even if you don't use it for the challenge, but I prefer the chunky lovey dovey heels to the pumps. I like the second and last one here as well.

Cherry, I like the symbolism you're going for, but I have to agree that it looks a bit bare. I don't believe I'm one of the judges who say you're using too many layers [correct me if I'm wrong], but I do usually see your style as more simplistic. Not that it's a bad thing, as for some themes, it works rather well. I know a lot of kids that love piling on clothes in real life so if you think it's against reality, not really. I don't see many girls that would wear a corset though. xD I don't expect true to life impressions, but I do value creativity.

Alright. As far as judging based on it looking like a child dressed up, that's how I perceive the challenge, and if you don't like it, I don't really care. I can understand how CK feels and why she posted in defense because almost every round it seems like we're being attacked. We have high expectations, yes, but we don't want you guys to slack off. We're trying to pick a winner without biases on purely the current entry and possibly in comparison with previous entries. We want you guys to do well, and if you don't want to, then please leave and we'll [quite easily] choose a winner without wasting any more of ours or your time.
Thank you.

Donna (and anyone else who wants to answer) - I understand that as a judge you most definitely cannot give me too many suggestions on my avatar, especially not too many specific ones (you obviously cannot build the avatar for me xD) but do you have any vague suggestions? Or, maybe I'd be best off asking a specific question. Would a skirt under the dress look too silly, or is it worth trying more?

EDIT: Nevermind. I reworked some parts and I think I did better this time. Thoughts, everyone?

I think a skirt under the dress would look fine, depending on which one it is, obviously. Though I do like [and apologize because I forgot to comment on] the concept Silver was going for with the Ayumui skirt underneath the lovey dovey dresses.
I also think it's worth at least a shot to try one draft with a nightstalker sash because I think they layer nicely with the lovey dovey dresses, such as the one you used.
I'm sorry I didn't expand. I was dwelling a bit too much on my last statement before I'd even written it.
I also was going to comment that if us [as judges] were not appreciated, then we could stop commenting on both avatar critiques as well as our interpretation of challenges. :/ But I decided that some people really do need it, and whether or not I will do so in the future is currently unknown.

Yeah, I editted and had a version with a nightstalker sash. The gold wasn't necessary, so there was no reason I couldn't change it out for another color. xD Silly me.
I also photoshopped some different hair on since the bun is kind of weird for a little girl. The hair's too dark, but it's the best I can do with what's been provided.

I'm really not attacking anyone, and am truthfully starting to feel attacked myself. I'm sorry if my comments were taken badly; I was just making an observation. I'm not even in the contest--it's certainly not my place to criticize anyone's style of judging.

Thanks for the input! :3 How about these shoes instead?

I perhaps over-reacted a little... I'm very used to having my comments questioned when it comes to judging this contest, so I'd simply assumed I was included under the comments from everyone I was responding to (not just one person).

The chaos/order thing wasn't a dig at you, Cami. It was just the easiest frame of reference I had at the moment (I probably saw your signature and it stuck when I was trying to grasp for a way to phrase how I judged). I go by the framework provided and interpret it within those guidelines, as opposed to how it seems other judges may judge now/have judged in the past. I read the guidelines Seiki sets, read his comments here in the thread if people ask for a clarification, and before judging - I read them again to see what points Seiki wants covered. About 50% of my score is personal taste and 50% is from the guidelines set.

And just as a forewarning - I will continue to mark down for outfits I feel are over-layered. I know it's very mainstream in the AC to have lots of layers and it's what has been grown used to - but it doesn't always work for me. If it works for me, good job (it does work sometimes, after all). But if it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm not telling anyone how to dress. If you like sixteen head items - go for it. Maybe it'll work for me. But seeing as I'm not the only judge that has to be pleased, just go with what you feel confident with. Pandering to anyone isn't teaching you anything.

That, by the way, is why I'm still not going to bother with much feedback on in-progress submissions. I want to know what you can do on your own based on the guidelines for the challenge, your personal taste, the judges' comments on how they intend to judge, and feedback from people who are not me if you really feel you have to have feedback before you submit.

I'll help out a bit more when the field narrows.

*not really related*

I don't ever really expect much help or feedback and I pick and choose what suggestions to follow anyways, so I've never been too worried about that. I do try to ask for advice though since it's an aid available to me. :3

That being said, it looks like I have throw out my "EGL" potential entry anyways since the Musketeer bustiers don't layer over clothes anymore and I'd rather not cheat with layers. I probably will submit my blue/teal/purple one instead which is my 2nd favorite. :)

EDIT: Lol, the layering was changed now. But I like my other entry and I like my current outfit, so I have no regrets. <3

This round has very different entries.
Its really interesting to watch.

Um... just for the record, I wasn't trying to criticize any of the judges when I posted on the last page about the use of black in these princess avatars. :sweat:

I just wanted to point out that it can work well if used as an accent color and that lots of princess dresses for little girls do indeed include black. It wasn't meant as a jab at anyone and I haven't had any issues with judging. After reading the comments on this page though, I realized that I should make that clear because I don't want anyone to feel like they're being attacked.

And I really don't think that any of the other contestants are having any issues with the judging or scores... but I guess I can only speak for myself. People make comments about how the judges say the exact opposite things, but that's always happened in the past too. I think it's more of a simple observation than a "hey, what's going on here!? omg, they're contradicting each other--someone interpreted the challenge wrong!!!".

If someone really had issues with the judging, I'm sure they'd be a lot more clear about it or that they'd contact Seiki directly. I think the 'drama' (if you can even call it that) in this thread comes from people taking things too literally or too seriously. If someone's just making an observation or a comment about the interpretation of a challenge, it should be taken as such, not blown out of proportion and turned into a personal 'attack'.

I'm having fun with the challenge and I'm getting everything that I want out of the contest. I'm sure that's true for everyone else, contestants and judges alike. Can we please just have fun making avatars?

And... just for the record, lol, I'm not 'attacking' anyone for taking this too seriously and/or being too easily offended. If someone feels like a comment is directed at them personally, I understand that they'd want to speak out and defend themselves, but I don't think that's the intention of any of the judges or contestants here.

Also, sorry if there's was no actual drama or problem here and I just posted this whole rant for no reason. I just got this... 'tense' feeling all of a sudden and felt like something had to be said to end it.

whattttt they changed those bustier layerings again?

)X
MAKE UP THEIR MINDS

Wait wah? Where are they now?

DX
over the clothes again!
it doesnt make sense!!!!

x.x Conspiracy to hurt our minds? xD

)8
well imo
like the bustiers with the most recent vday event
it they cover the bottom
they go under
if they dont
they go over
these clearly cover our lower section
)<
GO UNDER DAMIT
i mean yeah its nice to see the top over some stuff
BUT THE BOTTOM OVER IS SO WEERD

I am confused by your covering and under and over. xD

But I do like the smallest tops being on top more than the bustiers.

The V-day ones understandably look like ones that would go on top.
I dunno though.
Everything is so confusing. :lol:

<headdesk repeatively>

:lol: Sorry. xD

I don't think layer should be changed unless the original layering was a mistake. Messing around with layers after items have been available on the site for a while just turns into a confusing mess. >__<

Maybe to make everyone happy, it should be multi-posed. xD With the little panty-like bottom part on and it all layering under everything, and without that and it all layering over everything. xD
But I'm pretty sure a multi item can't have different layers... oh well. xD

Is happy to have achieved 200 commons (205 to be exact) with over one fourth of that being footwear like stockings, socks and shoes :)

I'm not sure what to think of it
My head doesn't want to work today

-gives you a headmassage-

Something like .. ~Squee?

I don't understand anything about the convo that is going on
-rubs head-

)<
CHERRY
ITS BRILLIANT

Oooh. Head massage would be nice. :drool:
I hit my head the other day, so its been tense since then

Nor do I, really.
Just that its about the bustier layering.
And I just suddenly got a massive headache. Ooooow.