marinda

Hi! Thank you for taking the time to read my profile!

Here is a quick little run down about me so you can get to know me better. I have one husband and four kids, ages (Ethan) 11, (Paige) 9, (Logan) 7, and (Samuel) 5. We also have a foster baby. I live in Arizona. I have a Basset Hound dog (Char), two cockatiels (Captain Jack and Disco) and a Betta fish (Red). I love swapping on swap-bot. It is something that I do for "me" to brighten the otherwise mundane housework, grocery shopping, homework, carpooling, etc. of everyday life. I LOVE MAIL!

SOME OF MY FAVORITES:

Colors: any and all shades of green, my very favorite is dark/forest green. I also love purple (darker shades). However, I never met a color I didn't like!

Animals: I love, love, love the duck-billed platypus! I am fascinated with those creatures. They seem like they were made from a bunch of "leftovers" after all the other animals were created. I also love Basset Hounds, cockatiels, mallard ducks, walruses, sea horses and turtles.

Hobbies: Playing the piano, reading, cooking (trying out new recipes), couponing, soccer (yes, I'm a "soccer mom") ;-), playing Mario brothers games, crocheting, knitting, exercising, recycling, adding to my collections

Books: I LOVE books and reading! For an idea of what kinds of books I like: crochet or knitting books, magazines or pamphlets; Harry Potter; Jane Austen; "The Host"by Stephenie Meyer

Crafts: Crocheting and knitting. I also enjoy sewing simple things and cross stitching occasionally. I have tried ATCs in the past and enjoy those, but only when I'm feeling creative.

More detailed descriptions of what I like are below:

I would love to receive crochet or knit books or magazines.

I would also love to receive the Harry Potter books numbers 1, 2, 5, and/or 7, or any of the Jane Austen books. Also, "The Host", by Stephenie Meyer. I don't have those, yet, and would love them. I also enjoy Christian fiction (with happy endings).

Please do not send me any other books, unless the swap happens to require it. I have discovered I am just WAY to picky about what I read! I am an avid library user. ;-)

I love to knit and crochet. Those are my main crafts, but I also like to sew and cross stitch occasionally. I am trying my hand at ATCs.

I love to try new crafts. I'd especially like to learn to make Jewelry. I think it takes special tools that I don't have, though, so if you send me handmade jewelry, I'd love it! (Just not green! Since my favorite color is green, I now have way beyond enough green jewelry! LOL I would love purple, red, gold, black, brown or silver jewelry.)

I also love the kitchen and cooking. It's kind of a bummer because my Hubby is allergic to so many foods, but I try my best. I'd love to receive allergy free recipes (with easy to find ingredients).

Please send me your unwanted leftover yarn balls! I make little things from yarn leftovers all the time. I would love to take them off your hands!

I love to collect NATIVITY Christmas ornaments. I decorate my tree with them. If you send me a nativity ornament I will 'love you forever'. ;-) (Please no angels or stars by themselves. Just Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, and/or wisemen. Thanks!)

I like to collect and would love to receive:

amigurumis

anything platypus-related

anything Mario Brothers related (especially one-up mushrooms)

leftover yarn balls

acrylic worsted weight yarn

nicely made ATCs (especially profile based ones)

Nativity Christmas ornaments

Dove Christmas ornaments

jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings for pierced ears, toe rings)

postcards (blank; I tend to prefer ones that are unusual in some way, not so much the usual touristy postcards)

cute/pretty/unusual refrigerator magnets (especially holiday or seasonal themed ones)

Here is my wishlist. Anything from this list will be greatly adored:

anything from my collections section above! :-D

yarn needles (large eye, blunt)

plastic safety eyes

stickers (flat ones, not the scrap booking kind that stick up/are 3 dimensional)

acrylic worsted weight yarn

Nativity Christmas ornament(s)

sugar-free candy/treats (not hard candy)

personal address labels

perfume samples

exercise DVDs (new or used)

handwritten letters (pen pal letters)

Decorative bandages (band-aids) (Any and all kinds, even kids kinds!) :-)

piano sheet music

decorative envelopes (storebought or handmade)

hair accessories, barettes, clips, headbands, etc.

gum/mints

craft kits (crochet, knitting, sewing)

tried and true recipes that are allergen free (especially desserts, doesn't have to be sugar free)

butterscotch flavored hard candy (yum! the only kind of hard candy I like)

wrapping paper/gift wrap (Christmas, birthday, all occasion, wedding, baby, etc., any kind)

7-inch crocheted Granny Squares for an afghan I'm making. I'd love help with my project! :-) Color and style do not matter.

A handmade (or store bought) half apron with pocket(s)

Wii games rated "E" or "E 10+", new or used.

Nativity scene/set that is unbreakable that my kids can touch and play with.

Anything related to platypuses. (Even Perry from Phineas and Ferb. Love him.)

Stitch counter

I would LOVE an advent calendar (I especially like the ones with the little gifts inside)

Anything from (or similar to) my etsy favorites .

My husband is allergic to wheat, gluten, eggs, and all milk/dairy products. My son is allergic to nuts.

I join a lot of postcard swaps. I love them! I am putting here that I really enjoy getting postcards blank in an envelope. (If you are willing to send your postcard to me blank in an envelope, you will be guaranteed a heart. That's not to say that I won't give you a heart otherwise! I'm just stating my preference. I love to receive naked postcards, too.)

I guess I should add a "dislikes" section:

Please do not send me candy, unless it is sugar free. I am not diabetic, but sugar makes me feel ill. I like sugar free candy, and I especially love other kinds of sugar free goodies. I once received a sugar free brownie in a swap (it was store bought and wrapped) and I LOVED it!

Please do not send me coffee or tea. I don't drink them.

Please don't send me recipes that call for fish or seafood, soy ingredients or tofu, and please no eggplant (tried them, and it was a no-go at our house).

I don't appreciate nudity, sexual references, foul language or excessive violence.

I don't need scrapbook supplies. I have tried that and it just hasn't worked out. I have great respect for those of you talented in that area!

Please don't send notebooks, journals, magnetic/paper lists, or stationery. I already have all I need.

That's probably about it! My list of dislikes got kind of long! blush, blush I will love and appreciate anything you take time in to sending me. :-) Happy swapping to you all! ((hugs))