midteacher

2019
My focus this year is my art and photography, minimizing what I have so I am surrounded by only those things I love and need, creating a home which I love to be in.

I am a high school science teacher working in an violent, unstable environment where guns and gangs are the norm. Constant changes in the administration, inept leadership, fear mongering and a "consistently inconsistent" regime makes for an HIGHLY stressful environment. A lot of my time is filled with lesson planning, grading papers, and completing government mandated annoyances. I struggle daily, sometimes hourly, with the constant barrage of disrespect from students and administrators. Creating, painting, working in my art journals keeps me sane. .

I can not live in a house without cats! Our 3 cats (all of which help me create) and my dog help to keep my life in balance.

I Took the Pledge: IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A SWAP FROM ME, CONTACT ME ASAP! I always send. Please do not give me a poor rating prior to contacting me first (I had someone "not like" the ATC they received so they gave me a 3 without messaging me first).

While I truly appreciate the thoughtfulness, please,
do not include extras unless it is something I am seeking, collecting, or for a project I am working on. I'm having a difficult time managing my own overflowing stash!

Please, no ATC's or pocket letters, or washi tape.

COLORS
I love bright, sunny colors. I use a lot of purples, greens, blues, and oranges in my work.

Mixed Media
handmade PCs
photography
art journaling
altered books

I no longer create/collect ATC's so I prefer not to receive them.
Pocket letters just aren't my thing either.

Pinterest (I'm a junkie)
reading oracle cards
reading books & magazines
collecting quotes
gardening

ASKING FOR:
scraps of material -especially with texture
old Polaroids
B&W photos (photos of people are good)
college football (especially U of M)
any rusty small objects
pressed flowers
gelli plate prints
mulberry paper
sea glass
feathers
die cuts (especially flourishes & birds)
ladies hankies
old letters,old ledgers, old envelopes addressed
tea/coffee dyed papers

photos
B & W
flowers
abandoned buildings
old barns
cemeteries,
tombstones
funny/odd signs
painted murals on buildings
cool/colorful graffiti (nothing gang related)
sunrises/ sunsets

I am creating (and still working on) an altered book for my oldest son, Thayer. Because his name is so unusual he could never buy any of those trinkets with his name on it found in souvenir shops.
I am asking folks to search their town's directory for a street sign or a business with his name in it, snap a photo and send it to me (either snail mail or email).
* If you know how to get the coordinates via the GPS on your phone that would be great, otherwise just the name of the town & state.

Naked
I prefer PC"s to be sent naked as I use them in my art journals.

I like photos of hot tourists spots that people buy to remember the place.
LOVE cards that make me laugh!
Postcard books

In Envies
B&W
flowers
birds
cats
holiday
college logos
angels
trees
sunrise/sunsets
odd shaped
rocks & minerals
antique/vintage
Disney (the place,not cartoons)
Germany
books
cemeteries
tombstones
funny/odd signs

Vintage/used
Like these especially if they include the sender's handwriting and cancelled stamp (but not necessary).

Hand crafted
I really enjoy getting water colors, painted or sketched PC's if allowed because I'm not really good at any of these.

DO NOT LIKE
Political, cartoon, religious, art (museum pieces, abstract), African American Heritage, Kawaii, celebrities, civil war

THINGS I am ATTRACTED to:
Spiritual
Mystical
Angels
B & W photos/ pictures/sketches
bright & sunny scenes
trees
crystals
winter/summer solstice
Tiffany glass
flowers/roses
sunrises/sunsets
cats
Maxine
collage football
science stuff (I teach Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Earth Science)

DISLIKES:
ATC's
pocket letters
washi tape
stickers (teacher & Dollar store types)
anything crochet or knit
Kawaii
the Beatles
tea
anything religious or political
anything African American History (I'm a school teacher; I get inundated w/it Jan & Feb)

ESPECIALLY DISLIKE
foam stickers
felt flowers
anything cartoon
loose glitter
loose sequins
junk that is obviously not a treasure

CURRENT PROJECTS:
Rituals: a year long painting course
My One Little Word for 2019: Conscious

.

• I prefer them loose so I can put them in my art journals.
• If you can, add your watermark to the front.
• Put you name and where taken on the back so I can give you credit in my art journals.

@thequilterslink NOT a nice swap partner. Creates drama where there should be none!!!!

@Sharune for Recycle Christmas card as postcard #6 - cat (2014) rated her a 3 for sending very late. 11/2017 she sends several harassing messages to change the rating.

@squince send minimum
@spicemom do not participate in any swaps with her in it