LittleRed

I am an unfocused craft addict. There isn't much I haven't tried. I have no artistic abilities (really....NONE) but am usually stubborn enough to keep at things til they look acceptable to me. I have scrapbooked but it has not really grabbed me, knit (a little), felted, basic sewing, quilted, thrown pots, done stained glass, lampworked beads, just started to embroider again, and really enjoy cooking (and eating). I enjoy working on small projects since very large ones rarely seem to make it to completion. I find myself always busy with something or another. I do a lot of volunteer work at my sons school.....too much it seems and am trying to cut back. Oh, and apparently my ebaying habits are close to requiring an intervention. I love vintage finds, Love Them! Next I would like to spend some time on crochet. I have just begun to try thread crochet and am a good way into 20 inch diameter table center piece. Hoping to finish it someday soon. You can see my knit and crochet projects on Ravelry....I'm IckleRed there.

I recently discovered how great running can be with an ipod shuffle. Now what's playing on my ipod is some Hoobastank, Avril Lavine, Dido, and Kelly Clarkson. Growing up I took piano lessons for 9 years. I don't play near as much as I should.

Since work, the internet, and keeping my house semi-respectable takes up so much of my time there isn't a lot of time for reading. When I was younger, I used to read for hours....now I would be lucky to find 30 minutes for reading...... consequently I instead listen to books on MP3. Just finished listening to the first five Game of Thrones Books. That way I can multi task When I do have a few minutes I go through cookbooks and crafting books.

I am unexpectedly back to work after being at home for a few years. I have a degree in chemical engineering and have worked in the pulp and paper and petrochemical industry in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. I try to run or do yoga most days. I am cheap...ok thrifty sounds better...or does it? Love garage sales, thrift store and have jars of vintage buttons and trim. Can anyone ever have enough buttons. I am trying to de-clutter as I have a tendancy to collect crafting stuff because the second I throw something out...I find a use, or worse yet, a need for it.

I collect a few things. I am helping my son with a stamp collection so I really appreciate partners who use actual stamps for postage. I usually go out of my way to use postage on mine as well especially if it is listed on your profile as an interest. I have quite a ridiculous amount English china cups and saucers and serving plates. Mostly Coalport, Royal Albert, Parragon, Star, Aynsley, and some Shelley. I also have a small collection of Figgjo Flint in the pattern Lotte and Market which I love for it's vintage look. And you can never have enough egg coddlers. I have 6 now, all Royal Worcester....and I have given some away to try and spread the addiction. Vintage buttons, rick rack & trims. Swanky swig glasses, milk glass, and vintage or new linen tea towels. Cookbooks and Fine Cooking Magazines. Vintage craft magazines and patterns. Some of these "collections" arose from an inability to throw things out....And recently a small collection of owl items....

I like to sew, crochet or knit small projects. So I like trim, rick rack, vintage buttons and fabric, cotton FQ's, ribbon, good quality embroidery floss like DMC & wool felt. I do love the combination of red and aqua. I also like yellow.....and polka dots! I love Liberty tiny floral prints....very hard to get here unless it's mail order. Anything Vintage.... If it's vintage....I will probably love it:) I am collecting stamps now with my son....so I appreciate when you can use actual postage on your envelope...I will save them:) When it comes to teas...I drink a lot:) I love black flavoured teas, mint & genmaicha green teas. I am not opposed to a cuppa camomile now and again. Not a big fan of rooibos unless it is an interesting flavour that masks the flavour of the rooibos itself. Not a fan of white teas at all. That being said, I will pass on anything white in another swap, and might try an interesting flavour of rooibos if it came my way. If you think it's fabulous.....I'd give it a try.

If you have sent a swap to me and I have not rated it yet.....feel free to contact me to check on it. I always rate, and usually within a day or two of receiving a swap. But sometimes I do forget.....so if in doubt please PM me. Please note that mail to and from Canada is a little slow. Mail between the US and Canada usually takes 7-10 working days. Also, if you are receiving a swap from me.....my neighbourhood post office will post mark with the date as the next working day date (not the actual mailing day) if a package is brought to them after the morning mail run. According to Canada Post Rules they are not supposed to do this......but it seems that complaining has not helped.

Ike will be 11 in July 2012. He is a very high energy boy, but is not into competitive sports. He loves Baden Powell Scouts, bugs, water fights, fishing and spending time at the cabin, Wii, Garage Band, bike riding, taking his own pictures, making things, and is just getting into stamp collecting. He likes Pokemon, sonic, and Percy Jackson books. We have read all of the Harry Potter books and are now on to the Charlie Bone book. Not as well written as HP.....but Ike doesn't seem to notice such things.

While I hate to be picky, there are some things I would rather not get. That being said, don't worry too much about this list as I can always find a use for things that are not my cuppa. However, not so fond of cross stitch, plastic canvas, paper art ATCs, (I have received some beautiful fabric art ones though), stickers (unless it is part of a swap requirement), the colour purple, acrylic yarn, polyester fabrics, polyester thread, or poor quality embroidery thread (nothing more sad that making a project where the thread dye bleeds because you used cheap embroidery thread). PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF YOU SEND ME CHAIN LETTER TYPE THINGS I WILL NOT SEND THEM ON TO OTHERS OR BACK TO YOU. I had to add this today as I received an envelope filled with all sorts of post card, bookmark, charm fabric, X-slips??? and postage stamp chain letters.... many with no explanation of how they work. I am a bit sad not to pass them on, but there is no way I am about to mail out 80 envelopes which is the total amount of copies I am asked to distribute.