MINImalist

Quick personal note: My father passed away on 7/31/2011. This isn't how my family thought things would turn out. One day, there's optimism and hope, the next day you're turning off life support. Swapping has had to take a back seat to the real world for the past year, but I'm starting to get back into it. As a result, my creativity has been hibernating and I'm trying to wake it up.

Hi Everyone!

I always send out my swaps. I promise! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE: If you do not receive a swap from me, let me know. I try to send my packages from the university where I work because when I send items through them, they arrive at the destination. I do not want to be one of those jerks who doesn't follow through with their commitments. Please let me know if you do not receive a swap from me and give me the opportunity to re-send it.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Let's see....I live in Maryland. I like to do things with my hands (crochet, sew, write, pet the cats).

No kids, just me.

My favorite color is pink. But I'm also enjoying bright colors like lemony yellow, lime, any pinks, bright orange, bright blues and greens. You get the idea.

I usually find humor in the most random things, such as monkeys or fish or kumquats or jellyfish or pirates. I really love to laugh at absurd stuff.

I have been a member of other swapping sites (books & dvds) for a while and have an excellent history of getting the correct stuff sent on time. I try to be judicious in which swaps I sign up for, simply because I know my limitations and would rather be in 1 or 2 swaps than commit to more than I can handle.

I'm trying to get into the habit of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle". I'm totally into reusable shopping bags (any kind) and forcing people I know to use them as well. I also make an effort to recycle packaging, so please don't be offended if your packaging is "gently used".

I have a pretty broad range of tastes. I don't like to say, "Oh, I absolutely can't stand that!" I'm generally appreciative of anything that anyone does for me.

I love to read just about anything. If you have literary suggestions, please feel free to share. I really like the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich. I'm also quite liking historic fiction at the moment. Old gothic novels (from the '60's and '70s) are grabbing my attention.

I'm not a scrapbooker/stamper/card making person.

I am interested in learning more about ATC creations, as in: what to use, appropriate adhesives, how to come up with ideas, etc. At church recently, someone had thrown away a Memory-type card game, and all the cards were the size of regular playing cards. So, I rescued most of them, thinking it would be fun to make some ATCs, (as they appeared to be the appropriate size and of a good sturdiness), but I don't know how and I have no ideas. Won't you please help? Your contribution of 1 idea a day could help save a poor, ignorant crafter, and lift her up into a world of hope, knowledge, and expanded artistic expression.

I enjoy sewing, but can't make anything too elaborate. I made some costumes for the MD Renaissance Festival, but they were really basic pieces. I like making shopping bags out of old coffee sacks or burlap. I also love to crochet. I've been doing basic stuff for a while, so I'm trying to expand my skills. I am currently trying to teach myself knitting. I know the basic stitches, but I'm having trouble with the whole thing.

Once in a while, I get on a kick of making stretchy bracelets with funky glass beads. I do love glass beads, seed beads, and fun charms.

I go through lots and lots of pens and pencils at work, so anything that's fun or decorative is cool. Even if it's a free pen from your local bank or grocery store, and you want to send it to me, I'll still think it's neat because it's something I wouldn't be able to get where I live. I also use lots of binder clips, paperclips, erasers, highlighters, etc. Even though I've been working at my job for 4 years now, my office is still pretty impersonal at the moment. Please feel free to help me make it a fun place to sit for 8 hours a day!!!

I do like things that are considered "cute". Doesn't necessarily have to be Kawaii-cute stuff.

I've been known to use bad words (I can cuss like a sailor, so to speak), so I'm not offended by them. However, I don't integrate them into anything I make, unless it's a parameter of the swap. I think some of the funniest movies on the planet are "Team America: World Police" and "South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut". I have no doubt that South Park will one day be made into a Broadway musical.

I've recently heard that Netflix takes up 30% of internet traffic. My first thought was, "Crap! They found me!" I take full advantage of my account. I don't watch too many recent TV shows, because I know what a TV addict I can be. I enjoy British comedies (Vicar of Dibley, Little Britain, Black Books, Blackadder, Kumars at #42, etc.) I'm also blowing my way through MI-5 and I have no clue what I'll do when it ends. I enjoy Masterpiece Theater, or whatever it is now, on PBS. Also like: Harry Potter, horror films (classic and new), offensive comedies. Really, I can enjoy just about any movie.

I heart my kitties! I have two (Daisy and Girly-Girl), and they are my babies. If I ever send you something I apologize profoundly in advance for any cat hair that might appear. I do my best to make sure none, or as little as possible goes out.

I like both tea and coffee.

I can usually find a use for just about anything.
If it's not my style, I'll do my best to pass it along to someone who will love it. I experience a lot of joy at being the recipient of such wonderful creations, and if I think a friend of mine would experience the same joy at owning it, I may give it to them. I have no intention of re-swapping and passing it off as my own. It goes into someone else's hands directly with the statement, "A friend made this for me." Just wanna spread the love and joy of something handmade with care and pride.

I'm in my 30's.

No food allergies.

My favorite flavors/scents are : vanilla, coconut, citrus, herbal, caramel, cinnamon, mint.

I would love to travel more, both within the United States and abroad. Just don't have the money right now. So anything from another country or something from another state will make me smile. Some of my fantasy vacation places include:

• Argentina
• Seattle, Washington
• Antarctica (really!!)
• Barcelona, Spain
• Russia (I've seen "Doctor Zhivago" too many times)

I hate to put this on here, but it's probably a necessary evil. It's probably not a good idea to send me (and why):

~ Candy & chocolate (it will melt)

~ Candles (they will melt, too)

~ Lip balm or lip gloss (you guessed it, that stuff will melt, too!)

~ Anything lavender, watermelon, banana, patchouli, or any melon scented (just can't stand the smell, sorry...)

~ Incense (I like it, but the cats will try to eat it or knock it over)

~ Anything related to earrings (my ears aren't pierced)

~ Food items in general.

I live in the Mid Atlantic area of the East Coast. Anyone who's been to visit here in the summer knows how awful it can get. Spring lasts for about 2 weeks, and then it gets wretchedly hot & humid. This misery will go on until mid-October. If it can possibly melt, it's probably not a good idea to send it. Not to mention, I don't trust the local post office.

• My culinary skills have gone down the toilet for some reason, so if anyone would like to share recipes with me (even for basic stuff!) I would be most appreciative.

• More information or suggestions or ideas to make ATCs. I would love to know how people come up with their ideas. I'm always looking for new techniques.

• A recent interest of mine is Mexican Sugar Skulls. I think they are so colorful and their purpose is interesting, unfortunately, there is not much around here that has that kind of stuff.

• Crochet patterns/ideas

• Fun pens and pencils are good, even the free kind you get at a bank!

• Not a big collector of things, but one thing I actually do collect are those little ceramic Wade figurines ("Wade Whimsies") that come in boxes of Red Rose Tea. I love them and get somewhat rabid over them. I don't have all the pet shop animals yet, and I'm beside myself with joy about the new calendar series that has come out (for those of you who know what I'm talking about). If you have some that you don't want, I will HAPPILY take them off your hands or trade something for them. Doesn't matter which ones they are. Seriously. Those who collect them know what I'm talking about. UPDATE: Now that the bastards at Red Rose Tea make you send in the UPC codes to get the figurines, if you have Red Rose Tea UPC codes that you don't want, I'll happily take 'em!

• Refrigerator magnets always make me smile

• Sending me anything with a religious theme is okay (cradle Episcopalian)

• Some of my basic ATCs. Still very much in some basic stages.

• I can crochet many things. Hats, scarves, socks, amigurimi, granny squares, coffee sleeves, and probably other things I can't think of right now.

• I'm pretty good at hunting in thrift stores. I can find some interesting stuff.

• Dotees.

• Books.

• Christmas Ornaments.

De Colores!