Ceinwyn

Swap-bot member since 16 Jan. 2008

HOLIDAY NOTICE

I will be for vacation in Canada from September 14 till September 28, and will therefore not be logging in for two weeks. I will make sure all my swaps with due date in that period will be sent out before I leave and I'll rate any package I might receive after my return.

Ratings are an essential part of a swap : they confirm that a swap was well received and how it is appreciated. As I like to know the appreciation of my efforts, I assume others do too. Therefore I rate my partners as soon as I have received their swaps. If you haven't been rated on a swap you sent to me, it's simply because I haven't received it yet.

Also, in the spirit of "treat others like you'd like to be treated", I am not into plummeting someone's rating for a late send (I have more interesting things to do than checking dates on stamps). I consider myself a rather patient and comprehensive person. There is a life outside of swap-bot (luckily enough) and sometimes that life can have the better of you. So if you have a problem and cannot send by the due date, just PM me and we'll work it out. :o) Communication is the key and is common courtesy!

I ALWAYS sent out my swaps and 90% of the time, before the deadline. If I have marked it "sent" and you haven't received it yet, please contact me before giving a bad rating but keep in mind that postal services can be a bit slow when they have to cross the big pond between Europe and the US (or any other continent for that matter). Should something get lost in the mail (I hope not !), I am willing to re-send when possible.

As swappers seem to be very sensitive about allergies, I just want to inform you that I live with a smoker and I have two cats who roam freely about the house. I never had any complaints about the swaps I sent out (nor smells nor cat hair), but if you are concerned by having me as your partner, feel free to send me a PM and we can try to work out a solution.

About me

Always difficult to summarize in a few words, who I am but here it comes. My name is Ingrid and I'm a 33 yrs old Belgian, working as a PA. So far for the 40+ hours I spend at work, but what's more important is what I do in my spare time.

Besides taking Japanese lessons (which take up a lot of my free time), I love reading novels, mangas and magazines (rel. to news, travel, crafts, cooking, animals and chick lit); writing letters to all my penpals; going out to the movies, a concert, the theatre or a exotic restaurant; listening to a wide range of music; cooking (traditional and exotic dishes), baking (cookies and pastries) and taking courses in those areas; watching TV and doing some cross stitching on a cold winter's evening.

I love travelling and if I'm no travelling, I'm already planning the next trip. I have been to most countries in Western Europe and as far as the other continents are concerned I went to Florida, Brazil and Morocco. I'd like to return to Southern America to visit more of Brazil and the other countries and a trip to Japan is also scheduled, but that will be in a few years when I will have mastered enough of that language to venture out there. Meanwhile our next trip will take us to Canada in Sept. 2008 in two weeks from Niagara Falls to Gaspesie. If you want to have a look at my travelmap, you can find it here

I have two silver tabby sibling cats (Lancelot & Lisa Lynn) of almost 2 years old (the type of cat famous from the Whiskas TV commercials) and I love animals in general, provided they are furry and four-legged. Bugs and spiders make my hair stand on ends.

I used to collect perfume minatures but once my display was full I stopped buying new ones. I still buy the large models for personal use of course :o). Nowadays the only collection I have going, are Swarovski crystal figurines, only animals. This is the latest addition to my collection (I cannot stop myself from buying swarovski taxfree at the airport) :

In general, I prefer movies with a message or based on a true story like "Hotel Ruanda","Va, vis et deviens" or "Trade" (one of the last films I saw), but any drama, comedy or thriller will do, as long as it isn't too scary or bloody (ok, I'll admit I'm chicken :o)). I also have some Bollywood movies on the shelves (a.o. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho). I just love their dances and the high voices of the female characters :o) You will however never see me in the audience of a horror/sci-fi/war movie.

My favourite directors are David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino and Pedro Almodovar with a special mention for "Mulholland Drive","Kill Bill" and "Hable con ella".

Most TV shows shown in Belgium are US formats and in that category my preference goes to (in random order) : CSI (all 3 of them), Without a trace, Cold Case, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Prison Break, Rome, Grey's anatomy, L word, Queer as folk and Weeds. From Down Under, the series McLeod's Daughters, is definitely worth watching.

I rarely see them when they are transmitted on TV, but I usually buy the complete season DVD boxes. The advantage is also that I can watch all the episodes one after the other without having to wait for a whole week to know what happens next - I'm not too fond of clifhangers really, I'd like to know everything right away. That's why I am also the type of person who will read the last chapter of a "whodunit" halfway through the novel. Way too curious, just cannot help myself :o)

I prefer mystery, detective and historic novels although I do not shy away from the occasional non-fiction work. I try to read all novels in their original language, as the writer intended them to be read. Of course this only goes for the languages I speak :o) (unfortunately not as many as I would like to).

As I am always reading several books at the same time, you will find at the moment the following books on my nightstand/desk/handbag :

• The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie;
• the English translation of Gurotesuku (Grotesque) by Natsuo Kirino;
• Los plátanos de Barcelona by Victor Mora

My musical taste is quite large : from world music (fado, flamenco, rai, latin) over jazz, R&B, country, soul, blues, pop and rock to classical and opera. Browsing to my CD collection I think that anyone would be able to find someone to his/her liking.

To give you an idea, the CDs I am listening to in my car for the moment are : Latin lounge, Kokia, Kathie Melua, Conchita, Bharati, Francis Cabrel and Melendi.

My interest for Japan goes beyond the Japanese language and manga. I recently rediscovered "kawaii" and realised I never really forgot the cuteness of the wide-eyed anime characters of my childhood. I'm not really a collector (I buy things to use, not to lock away) but I have a preference for Sanrio designs (not too fond of Little twin stars though - or any human-like character for that matter) and Charmmy Kitty & Chococat in particular. Although San-x's Nyan nyanko is very cute also.
Hmmm, I think you'll start to see a pattern in here :o). Basically if it purrs and has whiskers, you cannot be wrong.
Nevertheless, these are just my favourites. As long as it isn't a human-like or realistic character (like real puppies, kitties,...), anything is welcome, really! And although Kawaii means cute, and some Disney or Diddl characters can be "cute", I'd rather not receive those (there are loads of diddl and diddlina stuff around here). I am really looking for the Japanese/asian brands.

Ever since I tapped into Swap-bot, my "crafts" have been evolving, so I thought that after 6 months, I should update this section on my profile.

I like cross-stitching counted designs, which I find easier than following a pre-coloured canvas. I find inspiration in cross stitching magazines and buy all the separate flosses, or I just buy a complete kit containing pattern, canvas and all the necessary threads. Most of my "works" are animal themed or a bit Asian inspired. If I had to choose a favourite in the "all in one kits" category, it would undoubtedly be Lanarte (check out their website for their gorgeous designs).

Through SB I discovered loads of new crafting possibilities o.a. ATCs, Matchboxes, Bottlecaps, Dotees, altered journals and Stuffies. As you have to try everything at least once in your life, I joined beginners' swaps to see how they worked out. ATCs have by far exceeded my expectations and these little cards are quite addictive. So it comes to no surprise that I find myself joining more and more ATC swaps. I love making digital ATCs as well, although not everyone considers them to be of equal "artistic value", which is a pity. In the same "papercrafting" spirit, I am also looking a bit closer at scrapbooking courses they are giving near my home. I have already tried digital scrapbooking, which is fun, but I miss the textured feeling of real cardboard, ribbons and other embellishments.

I recently got into jewelry making as well, but I am just barely making my first steps in this craft so my "creations" don't have a very elaborated design (yet :oP). Now that I am looking more closely at beads and crystals, I'd love to create my own beads using polymer clay/fimo but I think this is still a bit too farfetched for my skills at the moment.

Some examples of things I made or am working on :

I am editing this list every time I think of something, so this tends to get a bit long (sorry !). A list of things I like in general (random order) and which will always be appreciated :

• all things kawaii (lettersets, stickers, memopads, plush toys, stamps especially cute non-realistic animal characters and foods) preferably without scents (most of them give me a headache)
• (in case you didn't notice by looking at this profile :o)) all cat-related stuff (i.e. items featuring cats or items for my two little feline monsters. They don't like fish, so any "fish-flavoured" treats would (have to) be passed on to one of the local shelters. But to prove they do not discriminate against fish : they have a blue stuffed fish toy called Nemo (and thanks to madiegrace41 a chewing fish toy called Sushi) they like to play around with. LOL)
• recipes (pastries, exotic & tradional dishes, desserts, chocolates and others). I just bought scrapcooking paper (sorry it's only in French ) and coloured sugar to decorate home made cookies, but I haven't come round to using them yet. So any cookie-recipe would be fine too.
• discovering new things I do not know I adore yet. I think ATC's and stuffies fall under this category, I never heard of them before joining swapbot, and they have turned out to be really fun. Who knows what other great crafts still remain undiscovered?
• receiving postcards from around the world (feat. animals, people, nature, landmarks, ...) and long letters from penpals
• X-stitch related things (patterns, threads, ...)
• Vintage cards, posters and ephemera from the 1800's to 1920's and also the 50/60's : edwardian & victorian photos, daguerrotypes, art-nouveau (Jugendstiel - Mucha) and pin-up style.
• On an arty level, among the classics my favourite painters are Monet and Salvador Dalì (and I'm not suffering from any bi-polar syndrome, if you are wondering by looking at these extremes :o))

• My all-time favourite colours are the paler shades of purple and yellow, but I love most colours with the exception of orange. As the perception of colours seems to be different from one person to another, my favourites look like these (with a special mention for the 2nd from the left in both colours) :
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• Being a "Japanese" student, I like most things from that country : bento boxes and accessories, fabrics, maneki neko (aka beckoning or lucky cats), candy, manga, craft books and magazines, ... I'm not able to read them yet, but I grasp the essentials (like a pattern :o)) I also like the traditional Japanese prints, especially those by Hokusai, Hiroshige and Utamaro.In a more modern version (traditional Japanese & urban graffiti), I'd love to visit a exhibition of Gajin Fujita, if one is ever held closer to home.
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• Although I am not particularly fashion minded, I do have an shopping addiction (and having an internet access doesn't help LOL). I particularly like (designer) leather purses, out of the ordinary hair accessories (check out Manoel's page for her great pins) and earrings. When it comes to earrings, except for gold (which I cannot stand, go figure!), I don't have any specific allergy problem.
• Teas (herbal, spicy, floral) and hot chocolates (flavoured or not, but with whipped cream - yummy !)
• Chocolate : dark, milk, white, stuffed, with fruits, spices, flowers. (Do I need to mention I have a sweet tooth? :o)) The only chocolate I really don't like are those filled with cherries and/or licour. I recently discovered a chocolatier on a "gourmet book fair" and his star anise and cinnamon chocolate are yummy! The website is still under construction but you can have a look at it over here. I recently tried a dark chocolate with chili. Hmm, not sure what to think of that one. I'll have to put it in the "dislike" column, but if anyone wants to try, I have an easy access to it :o)
• One of my favourite flavours/scents is cinnamon. I like to put it in a lot of things and I even had a apple/cinnamon scented shower gel once :o) I discovered cinnamon tictac in the US in 1999 and had to wait for 8 years for them to become available over here. Now I always have a box in my purse :o)
• My favourite flowers are roses, calla lilies, freesia and iris.
• I really like all Indian things (Indian as in India not Native American) : the colours, the saris, the patterns, Bollywood movies and music, the food.
• Magazines : crafts (especially Japanese), nature, travel, history, lifestyle, ... I'm just not particularly into fashion or gossip/showbizz nor music or film. One exception however to this last point though, I'd love anything Bollywood related (music and/or film) :o)
• I am very interesting in all asian philosophies at the moment : Confucianism, Taoism and Shintoism...

Things I would really like to receive AKA Whishlist

• A 3-ring binder that I could alter. I am looking for a method for storing ATCs and these trading card sleeves seem ideal. Only problem is that they are designed for three ring binders and I cannot find any of those around here. So if anyone would like to help me out with this it would be very much appreciated . A cheap/ugly one is OK, as I will be altering and decorating it anyway. Of course, you may always send me those 3x3 tading card sleeves too :o)
• Decorated matchboxes. As I don't have an easy access to large 250 ct matchboxes, any empty non decorated box of that size is also welcome.
• An amigurumi : I have been struggling to master the basics of crochet, but I only manage to do the straightforward chain stitch. I bought some lovely patterns but am a bit at a loss with them (just deciphering them is already a full time job :o)).
• ATCs and inchies are never turned down.
• Decorated bottlecaps. I bought myself some clean empty bottlecaps but I’m not sure how to start off with them. So if you like to inspire me, feel free to do so.
• As I can never have too much crafting supplies, feel free to send things my way that you do not longer like or use : embellishments, brads, ribbons, eyelets, ink pads, distress ink/powder and embossing powders, buttons … Don’t hold back, I love buying new storage boxes LOL Nevertheless I am looking in particular for embossing powders which give a smooth and shiny finish. The only colours I have found over here with that texture result are : Xmas green and red, baby blue and pink, ivory, white, clear and the metallics (bronze, silver, gold).
• An unazukin. I already have Hydrangea and Cherry Blossom but they would like company.
• A Labbit by Frank Kozik, especially the last series. I looked for it at Kidrobot, but they charge more than twice the price of the labbit just for shipping :o(
• A joanna zhou doll (I already have Sakura and Pinku living at home) or other kokeshi type of doll, and by extension anything from Momiji would be great.
• Thick Mulberry paper to make Tear Bears.
• Anything from my etsy favourites
• Anything from my Amazon wishlist

Things I dislike :

• everything overtly religious : I'm not into crosses/rosaries/bible quotes or any other exterior sign of membership of a spiritual group.
• the colour orange
• spiders, bugs, reptiles and to a lesser extent fish, in whatever form or size they come (spiders definitely the #1 of the "do not send" list - obviously no live ones, but now pics of them neither)
• all things rude/obscene. I know this is a rather vague description, because it's subjective by nature. Someone might be extremely shocked by something which I would only consider tasteless. Let's just say I am not easily offended, but I draw the line at cruelty and humilitation. Btw, risqué and burlesque don't fit into my definition of obscenity ;o)
• dirty things and this is not the same as weathered, which is OK when it comes to old prints etc. - one cannot expect things to pass unscratched through several decades
• coffee, I'm more of a tea- or even a milk-person
• licourice
• cherries, red- & blackcurrant and all other red/blue berries with the exception of strawberries
• marzipan
• clows. Ever since I saw "IT", Pennywise look alikes give me the creeps.
• real fur. Synthetic fur can be just as pretty and I am firmly opposed to breeding animals for the sole purpose of skinning them. As I am not a vegetarian, I am aware that fur (like leather) is a by-product of the meat industry. However since one of the animal protection societies I support found out while researching some shops and boutiques, that clothes with fur they claimed to be coming from rabbits, turned out to be from CATS (!)(with genetic proof to back up that statement), I am definitely opposed to real fur in whatever form in comes.
• Perfume samples. I have been using the same perfume for more years than I care to count (Chanel n° 5), so I don't need any fragrance samples. Best give those to someone who will appreciate them.
• Please do not send any make-up or skin care products. I have a very sensitive skin and have regretted every time I strayed from my habitual brands (for those interested : Environ for skincare and Jane Iredale for make-up; these really changed my life and they aren't tested on animals, an important +).

Tags & games

Due to a computer glitch, I lost my complete tag follow up on August 12. If I owe you something and you don’t see it here, thanks for letting me know

I owe :

• Forum August ATC WTA to CherrythePig (sent 18.08.08)
• Newtree Orange Chocolate to Libbybear (sent 14.08.08)
• Newtree Lavender and ginger chocolate to Rosa (sent 14.08.08)
• YGEM #5 to Lilychouchou (sent 25.08.08)
• Chocolate Forum WTA #5 to MrsD. (sent 25.08.08)
• Chocolate Forum WTA #4 to arcticgirl64 (resent 25.08.08).
• Lisu Child postcard to Dragonfly (sent 01.09.08).
• 3 September Birthday greetings for the HBC (sent 01.09.08).
• YGEM #5 to Keroleen73.

I am looking forward to receiving :

• New Zealand chocolate from Rosa
• Koala postcard from MrsAnnaSue

Pending ratings

I am still waiting for the following swaps to be rated :o(

• It Happened on Your Birthday ATCs by @ClareyFairy (sent 19.05.08)
• Ancient Civilization ATC swap by @mosaic (sent 18.07.08)
• Chocolate mix swap by @Smiddlemore (sent 01.08.08)