Moonberry

UPDATE 7 Nov: I am back! Hard work travelling to 4 cities in 2 weeks with a toddler. I think I need a holiday, lol. I've rated everyone except for a few outstandings (thanks for being in touch with me, I appreciate it). And thanks for all the nice ratings and hearts, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to have such good swapping friends.

I am a wife, mother and artist. I love scrapbooking, stamping, painting, mixed media, altered art, creative sewing and reading. I am a self-confessed bibliophile and cannot go to a bookstore without checking for new stock! My family and friends say I am "artistic" (i.e. strange, weird and creative with a bizarre sense of humor). What a compliment!

I'm originally from South Africa and am now living in Dubai. Yes, it is very hot in summer. No, I do not live in a tent, although we do have sand in our backyard. I love camel milk and enjoy eating sweet dates. It is a lovely city with people from all over the world.

I have fibromyalgia, asthma (thanks to parents who smoke) and am bipolar. I read fast, type fast and love brainstorming ideas (I have more ideas than I could ever get done). I have 3 tattoos. On my left shoulder: a crescent moon and strawberry (Moonberry) and a scroll spider on my left wrist. I believe in freedom of choice (religion and personal responsibility). I am opposed to drug and substance abuse and even quit a new job when I found out I had to import cheap cigarettes to the Middle East. My moral code is very strong and I respect other people more if they live by their code, whatever it is.

I love all the colours and combinations. Favouritest colours are purple, blue, red, green - basically the jewel colours. I also love mermaids, vampires, the supernatural, textures, beading, fabric and fibers. I am dollhouse crazy, miniature obsessed and lately into spirit houses and shrines. I have also started designing and carving my own rubberstamps. I'm a closet Sims2 player (think of it as dollhouses with little people!) and am very good at Sudoku and poker. I also like Pagan, Wiccan or Goddess themes. I adore flourishes and scrolls, architectural drawings, onion domes, text and letters, things with many layers.

Things I don't like: politics, Christian religious material, dog/cat stuff, cutesy mass-produced things, African themes, animal/wildlife themes.

I love songs instead of artists. But generally I like strong women's voices like Evanescence, P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Vas, Duffy, Medieval Babes, Belinda Carlisle, Britney (yes, I do like a lot of her songs, poor thing, she is going through a lot and has lost her way badly). I also like clubbing music and I used to go dancing with my girlfriends before my daughter was born. Greatest exercise ever: dance from 11pm to 3am straight with one break for 2 shots of Amarula liqueur over crushed ice. That is the BEST tasting alcohol ever, it is South African and if you can find it, you'll understand why I love it. I'm also a bellydancer and did a professional gig once at a friend's birthday party.

Books - how do I love thee! More like obsessed, lol. I recently found www.librarything.com and am hooked. So far I've entered 300 books and that is just the downstairs craft bookcase! Been reading voraciously since I was small. I once read 7 Nancy Drew novels in one day (age 9). Mom was furious, it was supposed to last the whole school vacation, not just the first day, lol! Vampires: Laurell K Hamilton and Anne Rice, although Sookee Stackhouse's adventures are hysterically funny too. Dragons: Anne McCaffrey is the best, but my favourite heroine of all time is Killashandra Ree - the Crystal Singer. I wanted to name my first daughter after her, but it just wouldn't sound right. I also read candyfloss girly novels, spy thrillers, Steven King when I'm in the mood for dark and disturbed stuff. I own the entire Angelique series by Sergeanne Golon (found them when I was 16) and love the cover art. Currently reading craft and art books, not so much fiction. And I just discovered Jeremy Clarkson's books. Dh and I watch Topgear regularly and I just love his dry wit.

Awesome plot: Gothika, 50 First Dates, I am Legend.

Cute and odd: Corpse Bride, The Invincibles, The Animal.

Fun: Blade series, Harry Potter series, Lord of the Ring trilogy.

Ghost Whisperer, Gray's Anatomy, CSI Vegas, X-files, Nip/Tuck, Supernatural, Prison Break, Charmed, Hustle and lately started to watch Eastenders (a soapie).

My version of sewing and embroidery, beading, carving, scrapbooking, photography, collage, mixed media, acrylic and oil painting, assemblage, ATCs, altered books.

Postage stamps, rubberstamps, punches, templates and stencils, books, original art, interestingly shaped glass ornaments and vases, costume jewellery, mannequins, Bratz and Barbie dolls (some of them mermaids), playing cards, tarot decks, dice and old photographs.

I am preparing my entry for the local Red Bull Art of the Can competition. I am also working on altering a shop mannequin. I have a craft kit dollhouse that I plan to alter before assembly (easier that way). I am doing a series of canvasses with embroidery, collage and photographs. Hopefully they'll be accepted for this year's tutor exhibition at DUCTAC, the community art centre in Dubai where I teach part-time.