Updated 5/11/13

I’m Beth from Oregon, USA. I can't claim native status though - I was born in Massachusetts and lived in New Hampshire before moving here.

I’m happily married. It's just the three of us (we don't have kids, but we have a small cat who brings us great joy. We are both Christians and love Jesus! It's not about religion, it's about a personal relationship with Christ. Some of our combined hobbies are: square dancing, riding our bicycles, rock-hounding (looking for rocks & minerals) on the beach and out “in the middle of nowhere”), and playing cards and games with friends.

Some random things that make me happy:

• A day in which I have received happy mail!
• Song birds singing their sweet songs.
• Meeting other Christians who enjoy my love of paper arts and/or writing letters.
• Cats (meow!)

I enjoy putting swap packages together to make my partners smile. Even though a swap says "sender's choice," I always take the time to look at my partner(s) profiles to try and send something they will like and use.

Want to know what would make me super happy? When sending swaps to me, please decorate your envelope in some way. It really doesn't take much to add a few colored swirls or squiggles, color a rainbow, add some stickers, use rubber stamps, make it out of pretty scrapbook paper - - it makes it go from a boring plain white envelope to a bright, happy one!

Please include your swap-bot name and swap name, so I can rate you easily.

Lastly, our home is a nonsmoking one. If you are swapping with me and are a smoker, please try to keep the odor as low as possible.

I LOVE paper crafting – probably because I love paper (there are so many colors & textures out there)! I enjoy making cards and envelopes, and creating mail art. I like to doodle and experiment with creative lettering. I've been a rubber-stamper for over 10 years and over the years I've experimented with all sorts of mixed media projects (ATCs, art journals, altered books, zines, handmade books & more). I like collage and have felt inspired lately to get back into making some ATCs, and trying my hand at a zine or two, all because I've received some cool ones lately from my pen friends!

FAVORITE THEMES: song birds, whimsical owls/birds, butterflies, cats, flowers, tea, vintage (ancestors - relatives or "borrowed ones"), Paris/France, and all things postal.

FAVORITE COLORS: green, blue, pink & vintage (brown, sepia, creams). I also love the rich colors of autumn. I prefer gold over silver.

Below are some things I'd be happy to receive; based on these, you might think of some other things I might like too (smile):

• SNAIL MAIL: Help keep the lost art of letter writing alive (this means less e-mail and more sending correspondence through the postal system). I'd love to receive a note or letter from you, in a pretty envelope. Handmade envelopes are always appreciated (please do not fold them). Do you have the capability to make custom return address labels? I'd love some with either a bird or cat theme.
• RUBBER STAMP IMAGES: Christian biblical verses, quotes, and any images in themes I've mentioned above in my profile.
• WASHI TAPE/PAPER TAPE: any color, any design!
• UHU Glue Sticks
• IDEAS: for mail art/decorating envelopes
• ZINES: perhaps you'll share one you've made so it will inspire me to create some of my own.
• TEA/COFFEE: herbal tea and green tea; (please do not send Stash brand tea); Starbucks Veranda-blonde roast Via single coffee packets and 3-pack coffee samplers (vanilla, caramel, mocha).
• SWEET TREATS: Chocolate (plain or filled with caramel, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry or other berries; not so much into nuts). I love chocolate/caramel/sea salt combinations) - even a mini bar would be lovely :) I enjoy cookies and have recently discovered the brand "Enjoy Life" - they make a delicious gingerbread spice cookie. I like snack bars, and dried fruit too (especially the dried mangoes from Starbucks-they are only $2.00 US a bag).

I’m pretty easy to please - surprise me (Think practical/usable, NOT things that collect dust.)

Plain, undecorated mailing envelopes, smoke or musty smelling items, neon colored paper, lemon, lime, or licorice flavors (also see tea dislikes in tea section), perfume, make-up, lip balm, or bath products, animal prints, cutesy themed items (Disney, Kawaii, Hello Kitty, cartoons), horoscopes, tarot cards or anything that is dark or evil, St. Patrick's Day or Halloween items, Santa Claus/Elf items, Oriental themed items, eyelets, beads or yarn, Dotees or friendship books, Dollar Store (or similar) socks - they don't fit!, knick knacks; they collect dust and I hate to dust!