Chaiphile

MY APOLOGIES FOR NOT CHECKING IN EARLIER!!! I HAD TO MAKE AN URGENT TRIP TO SINGAPORE AS MY MUM WAS ILL. IF MY MAIL/SWAP HAS NOT REACHED YOU, PLEASE MESSAGE ME. I WILL RECTIFY ANY NO-SHOWS.

Hi! I'm Shirin, a Muslim mum of 3. I'm 42 and am originally from Singapore, but have been based in Islamabad, Pakistan for close to 7 years.

I pretend at being creative – I dream of writing a novel, am an addicted Instagrammer and often try out crafts that I am pretty much hopeless at. I'm attempting a hand-pieced quilt, Smashbooking and Project Life. Oh yes, I love tea!

I am married and have 3 kids – we are homeschoolers and books are a major part of our lives. We run a little library for homeschoolers… an excuse for us bibliophiles to continue hoarding books!

I also love vintage things like old pyrex, typewriters, wooden spools and such. If you like tea, then chances are, we can be good pals :)

I like needlework – nothing fancy, just stitchery and redwork – and am starting a Project Life album and a smashbook.

I love journalling in my Midori Traveler's Journal… this cute notebook is my new BFF. If you're a Midori fan, message me!

I love reading and am particularly fascinated with children's and young adult literature. I love looking for award-winning titles and sharing them with my kids. We've amassed quite a collection and trawl second-hand bookstores any chance we get.

My favourite work of fiction is "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. I also love works by Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell.

I love writing letters – my letters are notoriously long and chatty! My daughters aged 12 and 9 are also hoping to find some pen pals that they can build long-lasting friendships with.

I also like exchanging postcards and have resumed postcrossing after a break.

Cards I like:

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• mosques
• historical sites
• landscapes
• fall scenes
• ladybirds and puffins … they're so cute!
• horses
• tea and coffee
• nature
• covered bridges
• rustic scenes, country scenes and homes
• lighthouses
• bicycles
• vintage typewriters, 50s diners

If you're from the US, I'd appreciate a state card (map, flower, bird… whatever!!) as I'm trying to do a 50-state book with the kids.

I'm quite particular about sending out my swaps early or on time. I get anxiety attacks about being late! LOL! So, if you do not receive something from me, please send me a message and I will rectify any non-deliveries. I assure you that I will do the same for you – I would never rate you down without checking with you first.

Pakistan mail is usually reliable, but there are the odd occasions when things are slow… Once, they ran out of high denomination stamps and so I had to repackage my parcel and another time, they weren't able to weigh my letters as the power had been cut! I know this would be totally unheard of for most of you, but hey! It's what I live with ;) A letter or package may be posted punctually and still be postmarked a day later because of their own internal schedules that I have yet to understand.

I am not a fussy person and I'm grateful for whatever I get – I believe it is the thought that counts and you don't need to break the bank to have some fun and friendship :)