Susi

My profile is currently under construction. I deleted all of my old info, because it was from about 4 years ago! Many things have changed since then. I will be working on it little by little, so in the meantime, if you need to know anything about me, or want to ask me a question, shoot me a message. Thanks!

Update as of today: I must confess that I have been as diligent at working on this as promised above! I had extensive wrist fusion surgery on January 17th, so that has slowed me down some (although my surgeon says that it's not been enough as my wrist is not healing as quickly as it should be). My right arm is in a cast from my hand to my upper arm. This is forcing me to use my left hand which has been an interesting challenge for me, since I am right handed! I must say that my handwriting is getting better every day though! I do have to say that if any of my swaps may be late because I cannot drive right now, so getting anywhere is a real hassle. It's not that I am being a unconcientious swapper, it's just a transportation problem. In the case that in that case, I will always message my partners to let them know.

I am: * 50 years young * Mom to 3 grown kids, Jesse, Jeremy, and Kaity * Mama to 4 lovable but naughty dachshunds named Pica, Pinto, Patches and Benjamin * a surgically altered freak (this NOT a bad thing)! I had RNY gastric bypass surgery done on Valentine's Day, 2011. If you visit bariatrictv.com, you understand why I call myself a freak * 110 lbs and 48" less of a person since that day :) * striving every day to stay on track so I can reach my goal weight, which is not always an easy task * an advocate for people who have mental illness, as I happen to be one of them. I have several diagnoses, but they do not define who I am. * a shopaholic. My favorite places to shop are Joann's, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, Tuesday Morning, TJ Maxx, Ross, Savers, Walmart, Goodwill, eBay, Craigslist and Amazon, to name a few. Oh, and i forgot yard sales!!! Basically anywhere I can find art materials and other stuff at good prices. * very talkative, sometimes to a fault

I love most paper crafts, ranging from making mini books, cards, paper flowers, stuff like that. I have made decorative stick pins and I want to learn how to make little charms and dangly things I can add to my minis and art journals.

Otherwise, my interests are quite eclectic. At the moment, I enjoy drawing zentangles, and my current passion is art journaling. I have about 5 art journals that I am working in currently!

I also am liking smash books and junk journals, preferably hand made. Right now I have 3 "real" Smash books, pages for a hand made smash book on holidays and other celebrations that i am making, two hand made smash books that i have received in swaps and a composition book junk journal. Of all those, the one I have more stuff in is my composition book junk journal. I am putting things in the others as well. I love, love love to paint! When I am stressed or upset, it really helps me calm down to just slap some paint on a big piece of paper and just paint away. My motto is "Art keeps me sane".

Likes:

*The color blue. Any shade of it, especially teal and turquoise. I'm not a big fan of navy blue, but I don't hate it, IYKWIM...

*I love dachshunds. I.have four doxie fur children, ever since I became an empty - nester, they took the place of my children. It's. like having toddlers again, lol! They have to be near me at all times when I am home. I can't sit in my comfy recliner without them unless I make them stay off of me, which doesn't happen much, hehe!

*i love paper. All kinds, shapes and colors.

*i love pens, pencils, markers, paints, etc; anything you can make a mark with.

(I think that you could probably put those two things together and call them art supplies.You could probably call me an art material hoarder. I am trying to get a handle on that though!)

*This may sound strange, but I love containers. Envelopes, bags, baskets, tins, storage bins, boxes, totes and the the like. I told you, it's kinda weird, but it is what it is!

• I love flavored coffee and creamer. I never drank coffee before last summer, and now I have to have at least one cup in the morning. I never drink more than two cups a day though. If I do, I'm up all night! My favorite flavor is hazelnut, but I'm not against trying others!

Misc other stuff: * Bright colors. I really like the combinations of pink and brown, and I love black & white. * Buttons and little pretty little things like beads and stuff like that. * Things that are up-cycled and hand made. * Pretty smelling hand/body lotions and creams. * Fruity candies, especially the chewy kind, the sour kind too!) * Caramel and nuts and dark chocolate I love* Salty, crunchy snacks like chips, pretzels and popcorn etc. * Red licorice! I really don't need/shouldn't eat the above things, because I had The gastric bypass to lose weight, but I don't deprive myself either. When I eat any of the above, I try to eat it in moderation. That's the key word.. Moderation. Sometimes it's not easy.

LIKES/WANTS (pretty please!) * tags from stores that say things like "sold", "as is", dry cleaning tags, etc. Basically any tags. * Grungy stuff (not dirty!), you know, the style! * anything dachshund related * quotes, sayings, short poems (funny or inspirational) * art paper scraps (inked, painted, collaged) * calendar pages/pictures * old planner pages * misc pieces of washi tape, or any other tape for that matter (not masking or scotch tape though) * book, newspaper, telephone book pages, especially if they are in other languages!) * anything blue * anything with bright colors * children's book pages * graph paper * old workbook pages * envelopes of any size, color or shape * interesting magazine picture/word/saying cut outs * fun paper clips * fun/funky/silly stickers * stamped images * fibers, colored string, bakers twine, hemp cord * Journal spots

Please don't send: *absolulutely NO religious material * scrapbook paper or scrapbook book paper scraps. I have plenty of that already :) ! * baby/child related stuff

Thanks!