krismakes

Profile Update: Jan 2022 I am currently not participating in group swaps due to other commitments, however I am still open to private swaps!

*Please note that mail is taking quite a while to and from Australia but I am a patient person and will keep in touch if I am waiting for a swap from you and I hope you’ll do the same for me. We are currently experiencing true “snail mail” aren’t we?!

I am a craft loving aussie who is particularly enamored with papercrafts. I live in a small town with my partner of 16yrs and we have a 15yr old dog. I don’t have a particular style in the way I dress, decorate my home or craft/make art - I just love so many different styles I can’t pin it down to just one! I have slightly alternative/eclectic tendencies and am quite keen on organic beauty/skincare and general earth-loving non-toxic living where possible.

I’ve had 4 consistent pen pals for the last 8 or so years whom I cherish dearly but I am open to making new pen friends. Of course I love receiving little surprises and goodies from my pen pals but the MOST important thing for me is the letter. I love long rambling letters that let me get to know people. Tell me about your life; your home, friends, family, work, hobbies, crafts, dreams, goals aspirations, favourite things. If you are a long letter writer please get in touch.

I mostly make cards, envelopes and writing paper, bound / junk journals, art journals and other papery creations. I do love fabric too but have yet to make much of a dent in my collection. I love looking at patterns for handbags, cushions, softies and such. I like to cook and bake as well, particularly healthy whole foods and anything I can throw in my Thermomix.

I heart snail mail and I'm up for private swaps too so drop me a line if you're interested or would like to exchange letters. I'm also happy doing private swaps that are not "like for like" eg. if you want something that is easy for me to get in Australia and you can send me something that I can't get here. Does that make sense? Or if you want to sew something for me I could make you a journal etc. PM me to discuss options!

I will try to keep this short and sweet! I have always been into stationary so I enjoy all paper based crafts like card making and rubber stamping. I’ve recently started making junk journals and I also have quite a few art journals on the go for mixed media collage, journaling and experimenting. I love patterns and so I also love fabric. I do a little sewing but I’d love to do more and one day I'll try my hand at quilting. I also make a little beaded jewelry here and there too, and would like to improve my skills in this area. I have an appreciation of all art and crafts especially now I know how long it can take to make something and how much of yourself goes into it.

I mostly read fiction; mysteries, crime/detective stuff, books with a light sprinkling of history, fantasy, science fiction and/or romance. I love finding new-to-me authors. I also enjoy craft books and home decorating books. Personal finance and self development books are also favorites. I love libraries! In recently years I have surprised myself by falling in love with reading books on my iPad, something it never thought would happen. I still love turning the pages of a physical book thought.

I don’t watch as many movies now there’s so many tv series to stream but some of my all time faves are The Goonies, The Lost Boys, Grease, The Prestige, Groundhog Day, The Holiday and all the Harry Potter movies.

We have Free to Air, Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and Prime Video and I love, love, love watching tv series. My regulars are Grey's Anatomy, Dead to Me, Veronica Mars, Locke & Key, Santa Clarita Diet, Russian Doll, Hannah, All American and tons more lol. Past fave shows include True Blood, Switched at Birth, Orange is the New Black, Nashville, Orphan Black, iZombie and Jane the Virgin to name a few.

I enjoy watching YouTube videos on various crafts, decluttering, organizing, cleaning, personal finance / FIRE, budgeting, saving money, meal prep and self improvement, goals, habits etc.

I would love to hear your suggestions for any tv shows, movies, books, blogs, YouTube channels and so on.

My wish list is long because I like to give people options and make it easy for them to find things to send to me!

• anything paper craft/scrapbooking/card making/junk journal or art journal eg different types and patterns or paper, ephemera, rubber or acrylic stamps, Washi tape, embellishments, tags, brads, buttons etc (please no beginners kits as I've been doing this for many many years now!). Vintage style in pretty much anything is good. I also like Art Deco and art nouveau style.

• art supplies like paints, colored pencils, crayons, water colors, paint brushes, specialty art paper, inks, stencils basically anything from an art supply shop.

• any stationary - pens, pencils, fountain pens and ink, notepads, journals, envelopes, writing paper, address labels, stickers etc. Any Japanese or Korean stationary supplies.

• vintage or retro fabric, aprons, pillow cases or table linens.

• magazines, newspapers and books in languages other than english or just pages if it's too expensive to post (if you want the same in english PM me for a private swap!) Also Flow magazine or similar.

• Pages from botanical books. Also pages from old children's illustrated books or school books.

• maps - from anywhere, free ones most welcome (usually available at tourist info centres) my faves are the older pale coloured ones, also transport network maps wanted!

• stamps, rubber/mounted/unmounted/clear and inks.

• anything Rifle Paper Co, Peppin Press, Cath Kidston, Cavallini and Co, Tim Holtz or similar brands/styles

• Japanese pattern stuff - deco or washi tape, fabric tape, fabric, paper, printed twill/ribbon but not kids stuff please or branded Kawaii

• recipes esp. for Thermomix or healthy whole foods; recipe books that I can't buy here (like local school/church/group ones from other countries)

• old swap cards, vintage postage stamps

• Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood, actually any of the old fairy tales

• fabric and lace (vintage, retro 50's, reproduction)

• patterns for sewing or templates for papercraft

• stuff with cute/pretty/antiquey/quirky/vintage things like mushrooms, birds, keys, tickets etc on them

• funny little handmade doll/softie/creatures/amigurumi

• I love socks, particularly stripey ones and I would love to own a pair of handmade knitted socks one day. I also like hats, scarves and beanies.

• for personal items like hand cream, soap, lip balm and so on I prefer organic or as natural as possible. Candles and melts in foodie smells like caramel, creme brûlée etc

• anything handmade for me! I don't really sew (I'm a beginner), knit, crochet, draw, paint etc so if you are good at these things I would love to receive a surprise :o)

• I like black tea, chai, fruit teas and the cold brew teas and water flavourers, dandelion, earl grey, hot chocolate drink mixes, herbs and spices, chocolate and candy/lollies. Ranch and chipotle flavors. I don’t have any allergies but if sending any of these items outside of Australia please check first as they may not be allowed to be posted into Australia.

• I don’t mind upcycled things as long as they are made properly and so on. Happy to receive eco items like reusable shopping bags etc.

• My favorite colours? I really Really love teal but I do like lots of colours so don't worry too much about this bit. I don't think there's any colours that I really don't like.

I don’t have kids so anything kid-ish I do not want except vintage kids books/pages, vintage school or educational kids books/pages and that sort of thing as I use them in my paper crafts and journals. If you’re unsure please ask me - I won’t be offended.

I’m not a big fan of super tiny stickers especially the tiny loose ones.

I’m not into friendship books, deco’s, slams etc.

No green teas please.

No Kawaii brands please but I do like the cute Kawaii things with faces (food with faces), and the faces on their own if that makes sense! I’m fine with any type Kawaii in comments on my profile though!!

Please no sloppy art or craft work. I take pride in my creations and I know that no one is perfect (I certainly am not) but if you slap something together without any effort it shows. I realize that we all have different tastes and I do not rate people down simply because something is not to my personal taste (unless the swap was profile specific!)

I will always send out swaps!!!! If I have any unforeseen circumstances I will make contact with partners and co-ordinators straight away. Please contact me if you are waiting for something from me or have not received anything please let me know before rating and I will chase it up. Mail from Australia to overseas can take around 3-4 weeks most of the time (which is unfortunately out of my control, sigh). Even longer due to Covid-19!

I like to hear from people so don't be hesitant to contact me if you are unsure about anything - just be friendly like I endeavour to be! I rate as soon as I receive and hope that you will too. Thanks so much! Kris xx