Hi! My name is Karla, and let me tell you that

I joined my first Swap-bot swap back in June 2006 and since that time, I have joined a variety of swaps and met a variety of people. Swap-bot is a wonderful creative outlet for expressing your individual creativity. This is a great swapping venue, and I hope all of you have as much fun as I have.

I have participated in over 300 swaps! Most of my swaps have arrived with no issues. However, if my swap doesn't arrive to you within a reasonable amount of time, feel free to PM me to let me know.

DO YOU EXPERIENCE THIS SPELLING DILEMMA?

"Stationary" or "Stationery"?

One tip is to remember that just like writing letters, we also "write" e-mails. "E-mail" begins with the letter "e". So since we write letters, and we write email, remember the "e" in "e-mail" and use the word "stationEry".

@thegypsie utilized a Google search which gave her this tip...let the "e" in "stationery" make you think of an "envelope"!

And @Itti learned "stationEry because it means pEns and pEncils."

SOME TIPS YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL:

If you want to trick out your profile, with links, pictures, etc., here is a helpful post from Swap-bot's blog. Click here.

Thanks go to @tiggerkitn25 for this link to an assortment of characters you can copy and paste into your profile, swaps, groups, and posts.

My personal hobbies and interests... to put it simply I love anything to do with yarn or paper.

I love to crochet, having been taught by my mom when I was 6 years old. I taught myself to knit when I was 30 years old! I find crocheting faster, but I love the knit fabric and am glad that I know how to knit. However, I'd still consider myself a beginning knitter, though an intermediate crocheter. I also enjoy cross-stitch and will crochet with the thread skeins that you can buy for cross-stitching projects. I have crocheted with sewing thread, too, making dainty little snowflakes for a bookmark exchange group I play in. Crocheting with tiny thread was challenging but the snowflakes turned out beautifully. I predominately crochet with thicker embroidery and cross-stitching thread when I'm not using yarn. I like to crochet bookmarks, snowflakes, coasters, and other small treasures with thread. With yarn I enjoy making pretty much anything, afghans, scarves, dishcloths, potholders, hats, toys, amigurumi...anything!

Besides yarn, paper is another love of mine. It started with writing letters and keeping journals as a child. I've always enjoyed writing letters and receiving them. Since joining SB, I've learned about recycling magazines into envelopes, and I love to make them and receive them. I also enjoy creating scrapbook pages, but my time is so limited that I rarely do a large scrapbook page and instead create smaller papercrafts by making notecards, postcards, and other small items. I like to make ATCs though I consider myself still a beginner. Zentangles are a recent discovery, and I have enjoyed creating zentangles and zendoodles in a small notebook I keep. I would like to incorporate zentangles in my ATCs next. I have also made a few matchbox crafts this year and really enjoyed it. If it's a papercraft, I'll probably enjoy it.

For my personal ephemera collecting, I love postcards, postage stamps, bookmarks, stickers, scrapbooking papers, cardstock, and stationery.

And of course with all the papercrafts I love, I love pens and writing tools, too! My favorite pens are very fine point ones such as Sharpies, Uniball and Pilot Precise V5. The finer the point, the better. I love how much easier it is to write a more lengthy note on a postcard when I have a 0.5 or 0.7 point pen. And colored fine point pens are a bonus!

Besides, the above, here is a little more about me.

MY FAVORITE COLORS:

• Pinks (pale and hot pink and all shades in between)
• Blues (Royal/Cobalt blues and Teal blues spec.)
• Greens (Emerald green and Lime green spec.)
• Ivory
• "Fall" colors of burgandy, hunter green, gold, and browns, individually or in a combination
• Color combos of Lime Green/Fuschia, Turquoise/Brown; Pink/Brown; Pink/Black; Red/Black

I like all colors really, but those listed above really grab my attention.

THINGS I LOVE:

• Swap-bot's "Ernie" - anything!
• Cupcakes
• cute Amigurumi creatures
• Butterflies
• Ladybugs
• Dragonflies
• Flowers
• Green frogs (like Tree Frogs)
• Sheep
• Waterfalls
• Rainbows
• Hearts
• Teacups/Teapots

Postage stamps that have the word "Love" or stamps with hearts would thrill me.

Ok, I've just DISCOVERED Washi Tape. I have a few rolls after seeing some on a website Wishy Washi Tape. I'm IN LOVE especially with the black and white ones, polka dots, and lace ones! Now I see what the craze is for this stuff. And now I know that some of those pretty tapes I've seen on a few of the packages sent to me are Washi tapes. Very pretty!

TYPES OF POSTCARDS I LIKE:

While I like a variety of postcards, I'm not into "dark" or goth themes nor vampires or werewolves (not a Twilight fan nor Harry Potter). Interestingly, though, I did receive a postcard from Hell once, and I found it really interesting. I still talk about it with a smile. Who knew I'd ever get a postcard from Hell? Did you know there was a Hell, Norway? Since then, I've discovered a few other places around the world have a "Hell". So if you live in Hell or some other darkly named town, I'm ok with those sorts of "dark" postcards.

While I will probably like whatever you'd like to send in the way of postcards, my favorite themes are:

• anything from my "LOVE" list above
• postcards with illustrations of postage stamps
• sunsets
• moons
• waterfalls
• rainbows
• night-time city views
• daytime city skylines
• hot-air balloons, or any balloons really
• lighthouses
• castles
• cemeteries
• dolls
• brides
• wedding couples/wedding scenes
• paintings by Monet
• paintings by Mary Cassatt
• vintage (meaning "linen")
• girly or cutesie

Animals I like on postcards are:

• kittens
• puppies
• any baby animal, really
• giraffes
• wild cats
• fox
• sheep
• colorful frogs
• butterflies
• dragonflies
• deer/fawn
• colorful birds

I do not have, but would LOVE, a postcard(s) of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

REGARDING HANDMADE POSTCARDS: I love papercrafts, and therefore I can appreciate a handmade postcard. However, I am so sad to receive a handcrafted postcard that got mutilated by our automated postal machines when I know someone has put their time and heart into making it. If you want to send a handmade postcard, I will love that you took the time to make me something. However, consider if the adhesive you use will keep your paper layers secure, with no edges or corners able to be lifted up when they go through postal machinery. When in doubt, I don't mind you sending your handcrafted postcard in an envelope to protect it. I have received some very lovely handmade postcards where the different layers of paper were so secure that it looked like one card and it travelled well. But I've also received other postcards whose glue just could not hold, and they arrived ripped and damaged by the postal machines. Please take care if you choose to send a handmade postcard. I'd love to be able to admire your handiwork as you intended it. :)

If you're at a loss as to what to write on your postcard, check out Postcrossing's blogpost of 20 ideas of things to write about on your postcard! :)

MY FAVORITE MUSIC:

Includes, but is not limited to, contemporary Christian music, classical, a little jazz, 80's music, and strangely, music from the 50's and 60's!

MY FAVORITE BOOKS:

When I have time to read, I enjoy contemporary Christian fiction (though not romance), biographies and autobiographies, and some mysteries. I also like crafty books pertaining to my hobbies or new craft interests. I'm always interested in vegetarian cookbooks or cookie/cupcake cookbooks. My favorite publishers are Multanomah, Tyndale, Harvest, Bethany House, and Pacific Press. Some favorite authors include Nicholas Sparks, Debbie Macomber, and Richard Paul Evans.

MY FAVORITE CANDIES:

I pretty much like any candy made of milk chocolate (Kisses, M&Ms, Hershey's chocolate bars...) I also love Tootsie Rolls, caramels, peppermint, and peanut or pecan brittle. My all-time favorite cookies are Oreos! I also love Fig Newtons. My favorite nuts are almonds, pecans, and walnuts, and any candy or cookie that includes those nuts is just "icing on the cake" to me!

About me and my family, I am married to my first husband, although I am his third wife. Three time's a charm, right? We met each other in July of 1986, got engaged Christmas Eve 1986, had a long engagement, and married in September of 1989, on HIS birthday. We celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary September 30, 2012! ;~)

We are the proud parents of 4 children, 3 girls and a boy thrown in the middle (#3). I can't remember what life was like before them and can't imagine life without them. We feel very blessed. It really is an amazing adventure to become parents and then watch those little babies grow and become. Become whatever they're going to become.

If you have a daughter around 11 yrs old who would like a penpal and is willing to write every 2-4 weeks (writing more often would thrill my daughter, but I'm trying to lower her expectations), my 11 yr old daughter Jessica wants to share her love of writing letters and sending fun mail (decorated envies). Ask me for her mailing address if your daughter is interested.

I am so thankful to be able to stay home with my children and homeschool them. When I'm not at home, I am working part-time with my local county health department as a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. I have taken the courses and trained to obtain my CLC license (Certified Lactation Counselor). I feel so blessed to be available to other moms who want to breastfeed their babies but who are faced with obstacles, real and perceived. Sometimes a mom just needs to know that she's doing it "right", or that her baby is getting her milk, or that she can legally breastfeed in public in the United States of America, or maybe just hear from a fellow mom that she's doing great!

My personal experience with breastfeeding was that I struggled BF'g my first child and lasted only 10 days. I wish I had the SUPPORT from someone else those first days. With my 2nd child, I sought help with a Lacation Consultant and because of her direct help, I was reassured that my baby WAS getting my milk! All it required was a simple weighing the baby before a nursing session, and then weighing her afterwards! Because of this encouragement, I have been able to BF each of my last 3 children for over 2 years each until they self-weaned. My youngest has breastfed the longest, weaning herself here in her 3rd year.

So I'm really passionate about helping women who want to breastfeed and being their support and sometimes simply a cheerleader. I have a heart for those first time moms especially. I'm a big advocate for the benefits of breastfeeding and want to supply mothers with all the information that they want as to how beneficial breastfeeding is to their babies and to their own health as a woman. If you need encouragement or have questions regarding breastfeeding your baby, check your local health department for support through Breastfeeding Peer Counselors. The support there is free. Or contact a Lactation Consultant. Sometimes it only takes one visit to get the reassurance you need to breastfeed your baby or babies! If you want to do it, you can!

Breastmilk is FREE! You can provide it to your baby wherever you are in any given day, and you are giving unseen health benefits to your baby and to yourself when you choose to breastfeed. So if you want to breastfeed, arm yourself with knowledge and support.

Thank you for reading my Profile. I hope it gave you a sense of my likes and interests. If there is anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask me. If there's any other information you think I should list here in the About Me section, let me know!

Waiting for Ratings

@lizmoore01 aka Elizabeth Moore for Six Weeks of Snail Mail Swap #6 ending March 15, 2013 - member partially suspended w/4 1's as of 3/26/13; PM'd on 3/26/13 requesting rating

@cfroggie aka Cynthia Frank for NTG ♥ Think "Love" Notecard Swap ♥ ending Feb 1, 2013 - unable to contact swapper to request rating as she used the "Block" feature after her disappointment in receiving (two) updated 1's to 3's from me (3/26/13)

@faerytalz aka Erica Dorris for February Love Matchbox Swap #4 DC#03100480000358464277

@elleboheme aka Elle Taan for 100,000

@purplcircles aka Stephanie Thompson for Notecard #24 - Ended 10/8/11. PMd her on 10/31 asking if she'd recv'd; She replied 11/1 saying she recv'd but was behind on ratings & should have it that night; Left a Comment and another PM on 12/15 reminding her again.

@amylou2 aka Amy Johnson for October Birthdays! - KIDS Delivery Confirmation indicates it was delivered 10/05/11.

Swaps Not Received

@browniemommie2005 aka Tabitha for ~Unique PenPal journal Swap~ newbies welcome! - never returned my journal to me. She has 17 "1"s currently - 10/26/11

@cherrygirl aka Irena Furlanic for Basic Postcard Swap # 2 Angeled!

@thefourthstar aka Heather Hladish for Round 3 Surprise Your Partner W/1 of Your Crafts Angeled!

@helmetwearer aka Elizabeth Barnett for Origami

@Whiskey aka Kay Anders for 48 hours to sign up and send a naked postcard in a

@Dready aka Lena Matveeva for "Simply Love" PC Swap Angeled!

@krissywhite1 aka Kristen White for Round 5 Surprise Your Partner With 1 of Your Craft Angeled!

@anneress aka Serena Pyle for PRIVATE: Message In a Bottle - Round 2 - Holiday Themed - Neither sent to me nor rated me.

@Miss007 aka Cecilia Nordqvist for 30 Day Journal Project Angeled

@Sumersrose aka Hilary Summerfield for FaveCrafts Valentine's Card Swap

@awesomesauce aka Kristin Nohe for Simple Postcard #1

@jequirity aka Jocelyn Ford for No Introduction Needed Angeled!

@LaineFace aka Theresa McDouglad for Quotecard Postcard #53 ending Oct 31, 2011 Angeled!

@Treksek aka Daire Luus for Postcard of Lists #7 Top 5 Favorite Christmas Song ending Dec 17, 2011 Angeled! ; Message in a Bottle (Inter'l!) - Holiday Themed ending Nov 28, 2011 Angeled! ; Note card Swap - International #4 ending Nov 16, 2011 Angeled!

@moepontiac aka Chaya Radin for Embroidery Floss Swap ending Jan 8, 2012

@Jenneth aka Kaisa Rantanen in Finland for Valentines for You ending Feb 6, 2013 - Host @leecytx indicates she will Angel this swap in swap desc, but has not Angeled, nor asked me if I've received from my partner as of 3/26/13. Does she as Host go back and check swappers after swap has ended?

TOUCHED BY ANGELS!

Special to Swap-bot Angels!

@CraftyRiki for Round 3 Surprise Your Partner W/1 of Your Crafts

@ladyaries7 for Swap a teddy! she hosted. Voluntarily offered & angeled pkg. to my 9 y.o. daughter who received a torn bear in the swap.

@kraftykj for 30 Day Journal Project

@PATHACKER for Round 5 Surprise Your Partner With 1 of Your Craft

@Merimax for "Simply Love" PC Swap, Basic Postcard Swap # 2, AND No Introduction Needed

@Saucyknits for Quotecard Postcard #46 - What a nice surprise! Thank you!

@FibreJunky for Quotecard Postcard #53

@rachelcdoyle for "Note card Swap - International #4"

@MeliaMellon for Message in a Bottle (Inter'l!) - Holiday Themed

@Megbomb for "Postcard of Lists #7 Top 5 Favorite Christmas Song"