ArtyBeth3

Updated 6/5/17.

I’m Beth from Oregon, USA. I’m happily married. We don't have kids, but we've got a small cat who brings us great joy & a little fur or is that great fur and a little joy?! ;)

I'm a born-again Christian. Jesus Christ is my Savior. No one can earn their way into Heaven; not by works; nor by just being kind to others as I once thought. There's only one way and that's through a relationship with Jesus. If you want to know more, feel free to ask me.

I enjoy cycling, rock-hounding (looking for rocks & minerals on beaches and "in the middle of nowhere") and playing cards/games with friends.

Some random things that make me happy:

• Receiving colorful happy mail in a decorated envelope (white ones are so boring!)
• Sending happy, colorful snail mail to brighten people's days!
• Song birds singing their sweet songs.
• Meeting other Christians who enjoy my love of paper arts and/or writing letters.
• Cats (meow!)

IMPORTANT USA POSTAL INFORMATION - - PLEASE READ

Please put proper postage on your envelopes. If they are "bulky" (1/4" or more thickness), it's best to get it weighed and stamped at the post office. Sometimes this size is considered a small package and costs a little more to mail. If you are sending a card with a rigid object on it (i.e. a bulky embellishment), these sometimes need the non-machinable surcharge added (21 cents). Also, if you envelope is envelope, it will also need the extra 21 cents. Getting mail "postage due" is no fun, especially when it's your husband who inevitably ends up having to pay the amount due when the mail carrier knocks on our door.

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

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.

P.S. I always, always, always send out my swaps, and most often it's right after partners are assigned. If for some reason you do not receive a swap from me, please send me a PM or an e-mail before rating me poorly. I will do the same for you too.

I LOVE paper crafting – probably because I love paper. There are so many colors & textures out there, oh my! It's hard to resist not buying more of it! Of course this seems to be a pattern with a lot of other crafty things I like too. LOL! :) I enjoy making my own cards and envelopes. I like doodling and creative lettering. I've been a rubber-stamper for over 15 years and have recently jumped aboard the coloring craze, using my many stamped images and making them into cards.

I enjoy pen palling in an effort to "help keep the lost art of letter writing alive."

FAVORITE THEMES: Christian, song birds, cats, owls, bicycles, butterflies, flowers, tea, coffee and cupcakesl. I love these same themes done in a whimsical flair too.

FAVORITE COLORS: it's hard to choose because they're all so pretty! My "go-to" colors right now seem to be blues, greens, and bright pinks; however, it doesn't mean that I won't be happy with other colors too. I prefer "happy" bright colors rather than say, khaki and beige tones, and prefer gold over silver.

The things listed below I would love to receive in my FAVORITE THEMES (listed above), unless otherwise described:

• BIBLICAL VERSES (New or Old Testament): Stamped, stickers, washi tape, printed on decorative tapes or labels or card stock.
• DIE CUTS/PUNCHED SHAPES: In my favorite themes (see above).
• WASHI TAPE: I love most colors/designs, however if you really want to please me, please don't send themes on my dislikes list.
• STAMPIN' UP CARD STOCK: Any color (at least A2 folded card size).
• RUBBER-STAMPS/CLING STAMPS: Your hand-me-down used rubber-stamps or cling stamps (see my favorite themes above).
• YOUR HANDMADE CARD CREATIONS: I especially enjoy fun folds or fancy folds card techniques. I like them for inspiration. :)
• TEA: I prefer green tea varieties (jasmine, toasted rice, and other "earthy" ones); I enjoy tropical additives (figs, pineapple, etc.). (See tea dislikes below.)
• UNUSED USA POSTAGE: Vintage (the kind you have to lick or glue to seal) or current self stick kind.

We all have our own likes and what you like might not necessarily be what I like. Below is a list of things I do not want to receive.

• Although I'm a Christian I don't care for crosses, pictures of Christ, or most Christian imagery. I prefer items with scripture and a flower or other non-religious picture (like any of my preferred themes above).
• Postcards (tourist or other subjects).
• Glittery items, as in the kind of glitter that shakes off a card and gets all over the place. It drives me a tad bit crazy. :)
• Themes: moustache, circus, cutesy (Hello Kitty, Disney, cartoony), Asian, holiday-themed items (unless I've signed up for a specific swap), bugs/insects (dragonflies & butterflies are ok).
• Scented things: perfume, incense, candles
• Make-up
• Tourist items (example: magnets & keychains)
• Tea: I like tea (see above kinds under my wishlist), but NOT these kinds: licorice/anise, hibiscus, lemon, orange spice, or any black tea. I don't like tea that brews up red in color (usually from hibiscus being a top ingredient). No Stash brand tea.
• Chipboard scrapbook embellishments.
• Swaps sent in plain white envelopes with no decoration (there is no excuse for this when there are washi tapes, deco tapes, stickers, colorful pens, etc.)

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and learn a little bit about me and what I like. It's appreciated and really makes all the difference to me to know you took time to put thought into your packages. It makes them personal and meaningful rather than just "checking the box," and moving on to the next swap. It's the difference that can totally make someone's day. I always read the profiles of my partners for this reason. I would rather send things they are happy with and can use, rather than things they will toss away - even if a swap says it's sender's choice. So, thanks again! ♥

Lastly (if you've made it down this far), please know that while sending extra goodies is fun, it's optional. I'm going to rate you on what you did for the swap itself.