mamajoy

5/3/25 ANNOUNCING THAT I WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN SWAPS FOR THE NEXT MONTH. I WILL BE TRAVELING TO SEE FAMILY ALL OVER THE US. SO, NO RATINGS, NO NEW SWAPPING, NADA, NOTHING. I HAVE A COUPLE OF OUTSTANDING SWAPS NOT RATED YET BUT MY BOARD IS CLEAR OF SWAPS. SEE YOU IN JUNE. JOY

I am a retired real estate broker from northern Ohio. I have 4 daughters, 4 stepchildren, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Nora was born on 3-20-23 (a palindrome birthdate) #5 on her way. I craft and travel. I used to cruise. I also love the Cleveland Guardians (Indians), Cavaliers, Browns and any Ohio sports team.

Music seems to be limited to oldies, fifties to eighties, classical, and anything my grandchildren (the musical ones) are involved in. Norah Jones is a fav. I really like peace and quiet.

NEWEST READ:
* The Women by Kristin Hannah (outstanding)
NOT SO RECENTLY READ BOOKS:
*Spare (Interesting perspective)
*The Midnight Library
*The Book of Names
* Dear Edward
* All Nicholas Sparks
*WWII love stories
* Love Jeffrey Archer
* Lee Child
* David Baldacci
* Harlan Coben
* Rosamunde Pilcher
* Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour (not a western)
* Philippa Gregory.
* JoJo Moyes

Books are a big part of my life, both written and audio. I will read almost any mystery or best seller. Historical novels are pretty good also. Once in a great while I'll read a "trashy love story" just to break the monotony of serial killers. My eyes get tired more often, so sometime it takes a while to get through a book. I am downloading books on my IPad. Love it!

TV is just a vehicle for watching movies and sports. I LOVE movies. The local library has most of the just released movies, and I usually have a list of 25 or 30 at any one time on reserve. My favorite movies are: Anything Marvel or DC, French Kiss, You've Got Mail, Moonstruck, Kinky Boots, Avatar, Chicago, Triplets of Belleville, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, Breakfast Club, Howl's Moving Castle, Shall we Dance, original Japanese version. I am not opposed to any genre, except perhaps most sci-fi's. (Ok, I'm not totally square....I do like The Matrix and most Quentin Tarantino movies) Loved John Wick 1- 4. I find I like Kung Fu movies, and laugh at myself. I have been watching dvds of BBC series, such as Upstairs/Downstairs, Downton Abbey, etc. I look forward to Project Runway and all variations. Since Covid, Prime & Netflix are my big addictions. They carry movies, tv series and original programming that I can watch anytime, anywhere.

My interests include textiles & fiber knitting (scarves) and crochet (afghans), sewing, and collage jewelry/button stuff. Button dolls. Any Christmas ornament or decoration. I started making my own Christmas cards. I am obsessed with ATC's. I made 5 "family history" altered books. Also trading postcards and playing cards have become an interest. . I do some Kumihimo braiding. I am making beaded bracelets. 2019: Beaded suncatchers and tree ornaments. Fun and easy gift. Am doing some glue books. It's fun and relaxing. Cutting and pasting takes me back to my childhood.

I am not easily offended, love tasteful nudes, double entendre's, clever sarcasm, etc. I collect and hoard whatever I need at the time for my current project(s). I did purge all the supplies for past projects during the move. I feel so much lighter. There is so much to learn and do, and so little time. I do love hand made things. There is a little bit of the artist in everything hand made. I think that's why I love ATC's. The maker's personality shows through. So, do not worry about what I like. I am open to anything you love. I have recently developed a love for postcards. It's instant mail gratification...I like them naked with a nice note, or sent in an envelope (to be used for another swap). I love sending and getting little pieces of mail. My vacation shopping now includes buying interesting postcards for my swaps. Too funny! I lost my cat, Ozzie, in 2023. One of the funniest YouTube videos is: Sad Cat Diary by zefrank1. A must see for cat lovers.

OK.... I will be adding thoughts from time to time. It's hard to list likes when there is very little I don't like.

I Love...........

• Anything about the Royal family. I have a small collection of British commemoratives (china, postcards, etc.)
• Middle ages (Henry VIII, etc.)
• anything (book pages, etc.) written in a foreign language
• Unusual colored/patterned/floral papers. All colors, especially muddy/washed out/muted colors and patterns. ATC sized papers (2.5 x 3.5 or larger). I also like hand made papers and backgrounds.
• Rubber stamps, especially clear or unmounted ones
• ephemera from victorian to the 50's
• Anything Tim Holtz
• Notecards, decorated envies
• I would love it if you used real stamps when mailing me.
• books and magazines on crafts, beading, buttons, or paper crafts.
• Butterflies

• Beer Coasters
  *playing cards
  *stickers

• POSTCARDS - written or unwritten from anywhere in the world. I prefer standard 4x6 size (NOT oversized or large) for my album unless the swap calls for something else. I DO NOT collect multi view cards or vintage or handmade. I like in no particular order, but not limited to:

  • people
  • real animals (not the cartoony ones)
  • art
  • lighthouses
  • touristy
  • Lantern Press
  • world heritage sites
  • foreign
  • scenic
  • map
  • national parks
  • black and white
  • stadiums/sports
  • Maxicards
    *State Capitol Buildings

• my state map collection (blank) is almost complete but, there is more than one design for each state. I need all New England states and any foreign countries are welcome.

• I love Go Cards and Max cards. They are ad postcards with great graphics. They are actual post cards with ads on the front and no/very little print on the back. I have not been able to find them in Ohio.

• pierced earrings - I like hooks rather than posts.

• Chocolate, especially dark or bittersweet
• Decaf coffee
• Anything made with love
  • Computers (I don't mean someone should send me a computer, but I spend a lot of time on mine.)
• Movies (ditto for movies) I would love recommendations
• Book recommendations

*PLAYING CARDS: I'm looking for all playing cards in any suit. Love jokers. I started a frankendeck of cities, states and countries. I would love postcards or playing cards specific to your country/area.

If you can avoid these.

• Cutsy stickers (Hello Kitty, Kawaii, etc.)... It's ok if you make me something with them, I just don't feel creative using them myself.
• Quilting-supplies or fabrics, I don't quilt- that would be a whole other life.
• I don't journal
• All jazz music, heavy metal, most country (I know, it's un-american)
• Sci-fi movies
• Most bugs
• Spandex anything
• make-up, I don't wear much
• Cooked spinach - liver - mushrooms
• squash (anything with a z or q in it)
• perfumes and lotions. I'm not into scented anything.
• People who send swaps or postcards without a little personal note. A line or two would be enough. I would love to hear something about you or your area.
• Postcard dislikes:
• multi view
• cartoony animals/people unless it's cartoon characters
• Oversized (larger than 4x6)
• Handmade (unless the swap calls for it)
• Zazzle
• Vintage

I always send my swaps on time. I never mark sent until I actually mail my swap. However, sometimes it goes into a mail box, not the post office, so the post mark might not be the same as my send date. If you don't receive anything in a reasonable time-frame, please let me know before you rate me and I will resend. I send all multiple partner swaps at the same time. So, if you see I have been rated by someone in your swap, you know I did send to you also. I WILL NEVER LET THE POST OFFICE WIN! I do keep track of my swaps. I know it's my responsibility to check on whether you received my swap, and as many of you know, I do. But it's also your responsibility to rate me when you do receive it. Thank you.

I promise to rate as soon as I receive your swap. (Unless I have a brain cramp that day) I appreciate thoughtful extras, but, they are not necessary for a heart. I will give hearts for good and/or caring work. If you send on time and it is the required item(s), you will at least get a 5. If you have a good reason for being late and let me know, I will be patient. Communication is the key. Sometimes life does kick us when we're not paying attention.

THANK YOU to my swap-bot family for all your wonderful swaps. You never disappoint. It's a real pleasure to belong to this group.

I POST PICTURES OF MY ATC'S ON FLICKR, SO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE BEFORE YOU RECEIVE, DON'T GO THERE!