JulieK

I live in beautiful Louisiana with my husband, two cats, and one hound dog (love my rescued animals!) I work in an IT kind of job but I am a crafter at heart. I make handmade cards and other paper crafts and I also enjoy cross-stitching and trying new crafts.

I have a website HandmadeByJulie.com where I talk about my crafts, mostly cards.

I donate a lot of my cards to a charity called Operation Write Home which provides blank handmade cards to deployed troops so they can write home to their families. If you are a cardmaker and would like to participate in this, send me a PM and I'll be glad to give you all the info you need and answer any questions!

I love to read and always have something going on my Nook.

Currently reading: The Kitchen House, and after that will be The Hunger Games series.

In general I love historical fiction, sweeping dramas, and a good old fashioned murder mystery. I also have a special place in my heart for any fiction set in the South, especially Louisiana.

My favorite brands are: Stampin' Up!, Hero Arts, Bazzill, Tim Holtz, Sizzix, and Martha Stewart.

My favorite colors: black, pink, red, kraft, teal, olive, chocolate, ivory, white, royal blue

My favorite craft supplies: red rubber stamps, punches & die cuts (I have a Big Shot), dry embossing folders, heat embossing powders, RIBBON (love love love ribbons!), dye ink, Versamark, Copic markers, buttons

Themes I really love: flowers in any form or fashion, leaves & trees, fruits & vegetables, animals, whimsy, Americana, patriotic, hearts, sewing/quilting, old Hollywood glamour, black cats (not necessarily Halloween), beagles!

I also like to cross-stitch, and I am trying to learn to sew!

I do not scrapbook or make ATC's, I only make handmade cards and the occasional 3D papercrafted item.

I love to cook and I love cookbooks and recipes! It's a good thing I like to cook, because I am a picky eater.

Cuisines I love: Mexican & Tex-mex, Cajun & Creole, Southern Soul food, Italian, Greek & Lebanese, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Vegetarian

Foods I love: coffee(!), vegetables, non-citrus fruit, whole grain breads and pastas, rice, cheese, peanut butter, beans (especially black beans or chick peas), tomatoes, seafood (if it swims, I'll eat it!)

I don't eat any red meat or pork at all. I am allergic to citrus so I cannot eat it (sad, I know!) I also am trying hard to give up sugar so please don't send me any candy!

buttons! - I am especially in need of ORANGE buttons right now so if you have some I would be thrilled to receive them! (Also please flat buttons, no shanks, regardless of color.)

ribbon - I love ribbons of all color, shapes, and sizes!

stamped images to color - if possible please use Memento black ink and smooth white cardstock

old maps or book pages - especially non-English text

patterned paper cut to A2 size (4.25 x 5.5 inches) or larger

bits of fabric at least 3" x 3" - any fabric will do

baker's twine, hemp twine, jute, etc.

favorite family recipes - love getting these and it costs you nothing :)

flat-backed rhinestones or pearls for crafting

a sturdy smallish notebook with unlined paper that I can use as a sketchbook

~~~Things I dislike: glitter (yes it's cute, but it's sooo messy), religious statements, political statements, pinup/sexy girls, anime, kawaii, baby-themed stuff, kid's stuff (cartoon-y things)

I don't sign up for tons of swaps at one time, because I know my limits on what I can get done by various deadlines. That means I do not flake! Ever!

If for some reason you don't receive something from me, please PM me and I will gladly send again. I also extend this same courtesy to others - the mail is not 100% reliable!

I try to rate as quickly as possible, so if I have not rated you, I most likely have not received your package.

Flaker list o' shame:
4evercrafty for the Make me a papercraft kit! swap. It was supposed to have been angeled by the coordinator but unfortunately never was.