FibreJunky

New Update: 10-16-09 Still have tendinitis. Guess that's what happens when both of your classes require extensive computer use. I've caught up in both classes as of this morning (Friday), including all of my sketches. Yes, that was loads of fun. I also made my first card in 4 weeks. Now to catch up on owed swaps.

Quick Update: 9-14-09 Have had tendinitis in both wrists for over a week. Word to the wise - don't use a laptop mouse for online classes, even if your desktop mouse dies. Go get a new one.

Have new keyboard & mouse now. Very ergonomic. Wrist braces too. I look like a bigger dork than usual.

grumble

N.B. If I haven't rated you, please PM me. There are a couple issues on this one. I live on a military base that sometimes has wonky mail delivery. Second, my kids usually get to the mail before I do and they aren't always consistent in where they put it. Third...I'm an airhead armed with a kitten who likes to knock things off my desk while I sleep. So, just check. I won't feel like you're hounding me. I'll probably be embarrassed, but that's my deal, not yours.

I am currently a Graphic Design/Photography student. I was working on a culinary arts degree until my back decided that was not such a good idea after all. I still love to cook, but the picky people in my house won't eat 90% of it.

I work for a very, very small company in Annapolis called Deloache Chocolate. We make decorative truffles. I have been with the company since October 2005. I began in the kitchen. I am now in charge of the kitchen, do about half the packaging and a large portion of the office work, including the bookkeeping. I still say it's the best job ever.

I have two boys (17 & 19 and three daughters, ages 15, almost 13 and 10. I am usually busier than I like to be and it takes time from my handwork, but, not counting school, what I do get to do is still creative so I can't really complain. I'll be glad when I finally graduate, though.

I don't particularly like muddy colours such as pea-soup green or ochre. I'm much more fond of pinks, purples, jewel tones, natural colours and springy pastels (as opposed to baby pastels, if that makes any sense.)

I love dark chocolate. I think that white chocolate is, generally speaking, an abomination. For other sweets, I like jelly bellies, necco wafers, black licorice, red hots (just about anything cinnamon flavoured), and have a serious thing for wintergreen lifesavers. Oh, I almost forgot. I adore marzipan and maple sugar candy. Real maple anything, for that matter.

I cannot digest artificial sweeteners at all. I have no other food allergies or sensitivities.

I drink a fair amount of tea. I like almost every kind I've tried, except chamomile, which makes my nose itch. I like loose tea when I can get it, as I don't feel like I'm wasting any if I make smaller cups. Lately I've been drinking a lot more coffee.

I'm addicted to Red Bull and to Starbucks. I usually drink caramel macchiatos, triple venti, skim, if you please. YUM!!

I have three cats. Aslan is a big, orange furball. Dru is a long-haired tabby who looks an awful lot like a Maine Coon, but is really too small to be one, I think. She was a rescue, so I've no idea either way. Xander actually belongs to the spousal unit, who found him in the woods. He's a twit, but I think he'll grow out of it once he's beyond being a kitten.

I have a weird nickel allergy, so can't wear most costume jewelry, particularly for piercings. I have 2 tattoos and want another.

I'm a big geek and play Magic: the Gathering, not only with my kids, but occasionally at official events. Yes, I do collect the cards. I'm partial to the foils. What can I say? I like shiny objects.

I like a very eclectic mix of music. I used to say everything but country and rap. Well, a couple years ago, my mother got me hooked on CMT. Darn her! I still don't really care for rap or hip hop, mostly, but there are exceptions.
My all time favourites would probably be the Monkees, Pink Floyd, the Eagles, Supertramp, Dream Theater, Nickel Creek, REM and the Chieftains. I love classic rock and 80s hair bands.

The Sound of Music, The Princess Bride. If I'm in a rotten mood 'Liar, Liar' or 'My Cousin Vinny' are practically guaranteed to make me laugh. Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Cold Mountain was marvelous and will turn me into a sobbing mass of goo.
I'm a complete sucker for Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers flicks and for musicals in general.

Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, House, Iron Chef, Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Good Eats, Ace of Cakes, Miami Ink, Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef, the old Match Game, Two & a Half Men, Bones

Most of my "craft" time used to be spent spinning or knitting. It's been almost completely taken over by rubber stamping and other paper crafts (ATCs etc.)

My great-grandmother taught me how to hand quilt. I love all forms of needlework, from cross stitch and needlepoint to smocking.

I also like kumihimo, bobbin lace, weaving and tatting. I collect wooden lace bobbins when I can. My pillow went into semi-retirement while the children were smaller, but it's ready to come back out - as soon as I have room to put it up again. I'm still upset about a piece that was on the pillow which was damaged when we moved. Never trust military movers with lace bobbins. It's a bad idea. Even if you're chasing around a toddler, find a way to pack it yourself and make sure they pack nothing heavy on top! They broke 2 of my bone bobbins, not to mention many of the threads on the work in progress.

My favourite things to knit are lace and socks. I very much prefer to use natural fibres. I love bamboo needles. I can't knit with straight needles longer than 8" due to a shoulder problem, so I use either circulars or double points for everything. Occasionally I'll use dpns as if they were straight needles for something like a thin scarf.

I've been scrapbooking on and off since my 15yo was a baby.

Constructive criticism always accepted.

I love to read. I am one of those people who will read the back of the cereal box if there is nothing else available. Seriously.

That said, I have favourite authors more than favourite books. I adore Piers Anthony. He's been at the top of my list since I first read a few pages of Nightmare when I was 12. A friend was reading it and laughing. She had me read it. It took me until the following summer to get a copy of my own, but I did and I still own that same copy. I've probably read it a dozen times. At least! Piers signed it for me in 1986.

I will read anything written by Harlan Ellison. That man is a genius. Perhaps a tad misanthropic at times, definitely opinionated and argumentative, but a genius nonetheless. If you've read nothing by him, go. Now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Just do it. Oh gods, now I sound like a Nike commercial.

Katherine Kurtz is definitely up there. I've read everything of hers that I could get my hands on. Same with Mercedes Lackey. I haven't quite gotten to the last few of either of theirs, but I have them, and will get a round tuit soon. I hope!

In addition to SF&F, I like to read mystery novels. I like the serial type, such as the culinary mysteries by Diane Mott Davidson, as well as the more intense ones.

I admit to reading cheesy romance novels on occasion as well. Those are like potato chips. There isn't a bit of redeeming value, but they're definitely quick and fun.