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SweetClementine

SweetClementine
Date Joined: February 8, 2008
Last Online: February 10, 2012
Birthday: June 3, 1975
Country: United States
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About Me

Updated January 4, 2012

WISHLIST GROUP: I'll be happy to help you with addresses. Please allow a couple of days for a response. Thanks!

Domesticated Edibles

Please don't let my lengthy profile scare you, I just want to give a lot of options to make shopping for/sending to me easy and fun rather than a guessing game! :-)

To tell you a little about myself, I am a 36-year-old mom of 2 young children, married for 14 years to my best friend from high school. We met in a karate class...but that's another story! I have a Master's in Education and was formerly a Spanish teacher and a gifted & talented specialist. If you are Spanish-speaking, I am "Spanish reading"! ;-) Just go easy on me; my Spanish is getting very rusty! I am now enjoying staying home with my 2 kiddos (girl 6, boy 4 years). I am continuing in a volunteer position that I've held for last 9 years as an advocate for gifted children, and I'm an active volunteer with the local school also.

My home is non-smoking, but we do love animals! We have an ancient cockatiel (almost 16!) who named himself Birdie and a rescued Labradoodle named Tofu Loki. We really believe in giving animals another chance for a happy home; if you're looking to add a pet to your family, please consider adopting a homeless animal from a rescue group, humane society, etc. There are some great animals out there needing loving homes!

Important info: Grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate, and Xylitol sweetener are toxic to DOGS. Be very careful around your pet. My pup spent 3 perilous days under a vet's care due to a raisin-eating episode in April 2010!

Pup at park

Favorite Crafts

I pretty much stick to sewing, fabric, and needle arts crafting. I'm a huge fan of embroidery and enjoy making things like embroidered flour sack towels. I sew SIMPLE things like reusable tote bags (like Morsbags) and have been a quilter for 11 or 12 years. I started out piecing and quilting by hand but bought a machine to speed things up! I still love to quilt when I can find the time (machine piece & hand quilt). For now, I'm sticking to smaller projects that I actually have a hope of completing! I also have an interest in felting sweet little things.

I truly enjoy learning new things. If you assemble a kit to teach me something new, I will undoubtedly love it and give it a try! I could make an embroidery kit for you if you're interested. :-)

Fabrics: I purchase only quilt-shop quality fabrics. I would prefer to receive a smaller amount of quality fabric than a larger amount of lesser quality. These are some examples of my "fabric style". I love bright, modern fabrics, but I also love vintage reproduction fabrics (especially 1930s) and Japanese-import juvenile novelty fabrics. :-)

Fabric Style

I don't do paper crafts, scrapbooking, crochet, or knitting. It's not that I don't like the idea, just that I'm out of space and time. But I'm VERY interested in seeing what you make in these areas.

Favorite Books

http://www.glitter-graphics.com

Prior to having children, I was an avid reader. Now it's difficult to find time to fit in anything of length. I'm still always in the middle of a book; I'm just super slow getting through one!

I most enjoy crime, mystery, and suspense novels, like Jeffery Deaver and Patricia Cornwell. I also enjoy series like Harry Potter and Twilight. I really love to write and hope to find time to write my own book some day.

I also read cookbooks, crafty books, and magazines for a quick fix. My favorite magazines are Country Living & Clean Eating. I prefer mostly cooking and science-related magazines with an occasional quilting/sewing magazine thrown in for good measure. :-)

I also collect:

  • children's books in other languages with simple words and lots of pictures
  • books of quotes and sayings, especially bilingual ones with English translations
  • cool vintage classics and vintage cookbooks
  • copies of Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST (sentimental reasons for my daughter!) in any language.
  • copies of Sherlock Holmes for my son (vintage or in languages other than English)

Favorite Foods

http://www.glitter-graphics.comhttp://www.glitter-graphics.com

As the founder of the Edibles Group, I'm sure you'll believe that I adore receiving international foods. I will love:

  • Something typical of where you live or locally made

  • Something edible that you have good memories of. Tell me a little about it!

  • Sweets~I just can't help myself with sweets. I love all kinds of candies, especially fruit-flavored candies, gummy candies, toffees, malted candies, white chocolate, nutty sweets, and marzipan. But I'm NOT picky! ;-)

  • I love See's peanut brittle & Awesome Peanut Brittle Candy Bars and Fannie May Trinidads. Unfortunately we don't have See's and Fanny May candies in Texas!

  • I especially enjoy citrus flavors (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit).

  • We like spicy foods and spices in general.

  • Things I REALLY LIKE that many people don't: coconut, nuts, peanuts, white chocolate, marzipan, dates, figs, mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, & spinach.

  • I cherish receiving tried and true family recipes and keep them in two recipe boxes to fit cards that are 3 x 5 inches/76 x 127 mm or 4 x 6 inches/102 by 152 mm.

  • Local and vintage cookbooks are prized. I read them as if reading a "regular" book. :-)

  • I'm not so fond of: artificial sweeteners (I get headaches; Splenda is OK.). I also don't enjoy fish-flavored snacks (though I eat fish), strong black licorice, tea bags, chewing gum, or red meat (beef, pork, etc.).

  • I like chocolate, but it arrives as a melted puddle between April-October.

If you live in one of these places, I love these things that I can't buy here:

  • Chicago & Milwaukee~ The Spice House spices, especially Back of the Yards seasoning rub
  • Canada ~ Montreal Schwartz's steak seasoning for my husband; I'd be interested in trying the poultry spice too.
  • Europe ~ mini Haribo packs of candies; we can get the gold-pack gummy bears in mini packs but that's it. I love them all! :-) My son LOVES Dragibus. Star Mix is my favorite.
  • France ~ caramel, thin, crunchy orange chocolate cookies (I seem to have lost the name of them!). Dragibus by Haribo, especially for my son (though I LOVE the blackish purple ones and eat them all!), and crepes (especially the chocolate ones that you warm in the microwave).
  • Germany ~ mini Haribo packs (Star Mix, etc.) and any local brand of gummies, vegetarian foods and mixes. @Mello sends the neatest crafty things from Germany too--love them!
  • Italy ~ Goleador gummy candies (have tried cola and fruit; love them both!), i Gelatini candies--YUM!
  • Midwest, USA ~ Ken Davis or Roscoe's barbecue sauce
  • Peru~ Sacha Inchi nuts, La Iberica caramels (especially castaña and coco).
  • Spain ~ chocolate bar with cornflakes & peanuts together (I think it was a Ritter Sport?), paella spices, Carmencita salad seasoning
  • Sweden ~ fruit soup mixes
  • UK ~ Horlicks Malt & Caramel flavors, Marmite cashews, peanut puffs
  • USA ~ See's peanut brittle, Awesome peanut brittle candy bars, & molasses chips, Fanny May's Trinidads, or anything from Trader Joe's (we don't have these shops where I live!), anything regional or locally made

url=http://www.glitter-graphics.com

YES, please!

yes

  • Reusable cloth shopping bags that I wouldn't find here in Texas: international, non-English, or farmer's market ones especially. Just something different to spice up a trip to the grocery store! ;-)

  • Locally-made items and handmade things

  • Anything "cultural" really~I love stuff from other places, in other languages, etc.

  • Mexican items~i.e. Dia de los Muertos, La Virgen de Guadalupe, Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera (Hey, I liked them before they were so cool! ;-) I took 150 8th graders on buses to see the Diego Rivera exhibit when it was in Houston, Texas in 1999.)

  • Anything orange-themed (the fruit, not the color)

  • Anything songbird-themed--especially swallows and sparrows, love the retro-styled ones like for vintage tattoos

  • Fruit (especially citrus), vanilla, coconut, and nutty scents & tastes (if it's an "edible" scent, I generally like it)

  • Old black & white photos--my favorites have old cars, dogs, candid children, bicycles, or holiday themes, but I like any old photos, really! I make copies for artwork and never destroy the original.

  • Dragons (my son's name means "dragon")

  • Copies of Sherlock Holmes for my son, especially vintage ones or those in languages other than English

  • Copies of Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST (my daughter's middle name) in ANY language :-). We have English, German, and Greek.

  • Fabric~cotton fabric, especially vintage or ethnic fabrics, 1930s/40s reproduction prints, Japanese juvenile prints, fabric from where you live (cotton preferred)

  • Colors~ I'm very eclectic about color choices and there's very little I don't like. I usually choose bold, vivid colors over pastels, but yet I like the faded, vintage, shabby chic colors and style too. I adore Jadeite green and really love robin's egg blue too. I probably gravitate slightly more towards blues, purples, and greens.

  • Vintage embroidery/applique/quilting books, iron on transfers for embroidery, and vintage buttons

  • Handmade kitchen accessories (dishcloths, towels, etc.)

  • Recipe cards with your handwritten recipes on them!

  • Private swaps~Is there something you want from the US or from Texas in particular? Is there an American edible you'd like to try? How about an exchange for something I've hand-embroidered or simply sewn? Send me a note~if my calendar's not too busy and you are an established SB member, I'd be glad to swap with you!

No, thank you!

no

  • Artificial sweeteners often give me headaches, though Splenda is alright

  • Smoky, perfumey, or floral scents or tastes (migraines). If someone in your household smokes, please make an effort to send a swap that doesn't smell smoky. If a smoky swap arrives and it is something I can't wash, I may not be able to use it. Thanks for your consideration.

  • Jewelry made with metals other than sterling silver, stainless steel, or 14k gold (metal allergies-boo!)

  • Wool due to allergies--I don't mind something like an ornament made with wool felt. I just get itchy, rashy, & sneezy if I wear anything with wool in it.

  • Commercial characters (Disney, Winnie the Pooh, Barbie, and other popular cartoony characters)

  • I have a very eclectic style (world travel, vintage, kitschy), but I just don't care for old-fashioned, country-styled things (apples, geese/ducks in bonnets, roosters, teddy bears...)

  • Religious propaganda (stickers, music, and other items meant to promote a particular religion), though I do like religious items if they have cultural significance and do like the religious iconography of the Catholic church. I am respectful of others' religious choices, and I hope for the same in return.

  • Chocolate doesn't do too well in the Texas heat from about April-October. If you do send something chocolate during this time, please wrap it separately. White "chocolate" withstands warm temperatures better.

  • Bubble gum/chewing gum

  • Tea bags, unless it's really special--I have my own stash and don't drink it too often. Teabags without individual wrappers seem unsanitary and will never be used.

  • Supplies for crafts I don't do (such as scrapbooking and other paper crafts, knitting/crochet, polymer clay, etc.)

  • Red meat...but I can't imagine you'd be thinking of sending me that! :-)

  • Please save destashed items for someone who would appreciate it more. I freshly make or buy each item I send for a swap with my partner in mind. I appreciate the same consideration. :-)

My Kids

http://www.glitter-graphics.com

Here's a little information about my children in case the swap pertains to them.

My 6-year-old daughter "L" is into:
* The colors pink, purple, green, and blue
* Anything "science-y"; she doesn't get grossed out and likes anatomy-related stuff, insects, etc.
* Arts & Crafts projects, coloring, stickers, and anything related to keeping a journal
* Copies of Shakespeare's The Tempest in any language
* Wears US size 6 clothing
* ANY mail for her, including postcards--she is always interested in where things come from and asks questions to learn more about the different places

My 4-year-old son "D" is into:
* Anything with wheels or dragons
* Balls, Puzzles , Blocks, Legos
* Disney's CARS, Bob the Builder, Handy Manny, Thomas the Train, Fireman Sam
* Sherlock Holmes books in any language or a vintage copy
* The colors blue and yellow
* He's a giant for his age and currently wears US 5T or 5/6 clothing

Method to My Madness ;-)

SENDING: I am completely reliable with a good moral compass, and I ALWAYS send out my swaps. I usually send in the last couple of days; I'm always adding to the package and fine tuning up until the very end. I like to include a note in the package to make the swap more personal. If you are expecting something from me and it doesn't arrive, please PM me and we'll get it worked out! Please also note that the post office I use most frequently is an annex and swaps may not be postmarked until the following mail day if the larger post office has already collected the mail from their facility for the day. Rest assured, I sent on the day I marked the swap as sent.

RATING: I have refrained from rating a couple of times as I felt it more fair than rating a 3 in these particular cases. If I've missed rating you, please never hesitate to send me a PM so I can hop to it! I appreciate those who remember to rate me as well. Regarding hearts: I give them out liberally when I can see that my partner has made an effort to personalize the swap, go above the minimum requirement in some way (not random extras), and/or include a longer note. I always appreciate receiving hearts, as it means to me that you have really enjoyed what I have sent to you. My goal is to always bring a smile to my partner's face. :-)

SENDING ON TIME: I also appreciate swaps that are sent on time. It puts me in an awkward position when I receive swaps that were sent significantly later than marked as sent or more than a couple days past the send date, as I feel that merits a 3. If you PM me before the swap due date to ask for more time, then I'm happy to work with you. Thank you for your thoughtfulness on this matter.

Ratings

ninou rated for How Do I Love Thee? on Feb 10, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for another very special swap Michele! Eloïse and I are very excited to open one present a day from your lovely package! We already love the adorable perfume you sent...
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for your lovley card and for setting up this swap.
Moineau rated for You're the Yin to my Yang on Feb 9, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Thank you so much for all the Ying and Yang you sent :) The Mac and cheese was my lunch on this cold, busy day, and (believe it or not I have never tasted it), it was pretty good! Have yourself a lovely Valentine day.
luluvision rated for How Do I Love Thee? on Feb 8, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for an awesome package, as always! Love the heart shaped dish and the way the pen writes! It's now my go to pen! Can't wait to get to the last 2 things!
Lenna rated for Edible Valentine Scavenger Hunt on Feb 8, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Dear Michele, thank you so much for the lovely and thoughtful package I received today! Once again, you sent me more than it was required by the swap guidelines and made me really happy by taking into consideration my likes. I loved everything-and the felt cupcake bag that everything came in was really great. I will keep the chocolates to share on Valentine’s day and I will be definitely making cupcakes with the heart decorated liners and sprinkles. Thank you so much, once again, it was a pleasure! :-)
SewSouthern rated for I Heart Phoenix Rising! on Feb 6, 2012
5
rating
Comment: I love the embroidered bag...I will have to hang it high, little-hoarder-girls-in-the-making like to swipe all my cute bags for 'their' stuff! uh, the Godiva(s) were delicious... Thank you.
SewSouthern rated for DOMESTICATED: Handmade Hearts on Feb 6, 2012
5
rating
Comment: I totally LOVE the redwork embroidered towel. It's just perfect! Thank you. ps...had to buy a new iron because of the brown crappity-crap coming out of mine too.
ninou rated for Belated New Year's Party Popper on Jan 24, 2012
5
rating
Comment: I received your New Year's popper this morning. What can I say? Everything is absolutely fabulous, as always. You truly are the 'bestest' swapper, Michele. The fabric is just perfect and so is the blue rik-rak ribbon. The "box" you sent it in was just too adorable for words and I'm so in love with the card you included! And of course, I already enjoyed some of the lovely edibles you chose for me! I feel spoiled, once again! :o) Thank you!
nanthom rated for Healthy Recipes for 2012 on Jan 23, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Yummy healthy recipes came in the mail today. I don't know which one to try first. Love the postcards, too! Thanks!!
Tatsu rated for Michele and Alex on Jan 10, 2012
5
rating
Comment: OMG! You always know what to send. I loved everything you've sent me - and so did my parents (a special thank-you from them too). I can't wait to try the cranberry bar and the brittle, although I do intend to share (I've got my New year's resolution to stick to, after all ;) ) The little armadillo is cuddle next to my longhorn plushie, they look so cute together. We do have armadillos in the Amazon -giant, endangered ones that often end up as food. ;.;
aams rated for Christmas swap - sweet and simple on Dec 29, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thank you very much for your wonderful package! I received it today and it was so nice to open it, because you had put so much thought into it. I really liked that you chose me that tea package, I love Celestial Seasonings teas and also this one tasted great! And I've never tasted sugar cookie tea before. :) No, we don't have Godiva chocolates over here, but I now wish we would have because they were in such a pretty little gift box and they tasted so good! I will save the candy canes for some other day, so that I won't eat everything at once. ;) Thank you very much and I hope you had a nice Christmas!
5
rating
Comment: Thank you so much! I can't wait to see all the goodies!
5
rating
Comment: Loved everything (have never gotten my very own gift card in a swqp!), and I ate the chocolate on the way home from Choir practices as my reward. Blessings for the New Year!
5
rating
Comment: I'm so impressed with the lovely gifts you sent for this swap- especially the ceramic dish! I will keep it in my kitchen for a spoon rest and think of you often. Everything was interesting, tasty or useful- thank you!
5
rating
Comment: *Update* Thanks for all the wonderful goodies! Loved everything!! Your package is calling out to me but I will be strong and wait to open up the goodies! Thanks so much!
5
rating
Comment: Oh boy - this is going to be fun! Thank you and I'll respond more after Christmas. Wheeeeee!
5
rating
Comment: Ok, I confess. I read the card and I completely agree - I'm so glad we 'met' here! Don't know how I'm going to wait to open the goodies.... but thank you in advance for making my holidays special!
5
rating
Comment: It's here...staring at me, calling my name...I am taking it out to bury it in the backyard...tell me I can stop.... I loved everything and thank you so much!
5
rating
Comment: Speechless... You really outdid yourself! I don't know what to say, as soon as I opened your package, I felt so spoiled. You know, I went looking for halloween decorations these past few days and I was getting really depressed by the lack of pretty things halloween-related here in Brest. And then, this morning, your package arrived and it was full of many wonderful things. Eloïse and Adeline opened it with me and there were "ooooohs" and "aaaaahs" everywhere! I think I might still be emotional from the pregnancy because I was on the verge of crying and still am as I'm writing this. You are a truly wonderful swapper! A simple "thank you" doesn't even cover it, I don't know how to express the joy and gratitude I feel. Thank you so much Michele for your kindness and generosity!
Stepht rated for Halloween Sweet Swap on Oct 20, 2011
5
rating
Comment: Thank you SOOOO much for your lovely package Michele! I truly enjoyed everything :) I am excited to make cupcakes and use the cute stuff you sent! Thanks a bunch!

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars  
5.0000 290 120  
Completed Fives Threes Ones
244 297 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
1 16 143 84
View all

Comments

kiwivandal on Feb 3, 2012:

Embroidery Hoop sewing supply project tutorial

Check my Pinterest for all the other tutorials, they are listed in my swap-bot idea board and my craftiness board :)

Vblarney on Jan 28, 2012:

You're welcome!

vintervila on Jan 18, 2012:

<3 <4 <5 (hahaha)

Sara

vintervila on Jan 12, 2012:

OMGOMG! Thank you SO much for the butterflies!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to make cupcakes - I think I'll make them to celebrate my friend Daniela's birthday this month. Wow I am soooo happy thank you so much!

HUGS

Sara

SweetClementine on Jan 1, 2012:

biasbabe on Dec 31, 2011:

s

Have a Wonderful New Year

SewSouthern on Dec 21, 2011:

biasbabe on Dec 19, 2011:

s

Happy Holidays!

TC on Dec 19, 2011:

CSNYfan on Dec 17, 2011:

Thank you so much for my Secret Santa package. You picked out and made such wonderful things. I love my embroidered bag and snack bag - so cute! I will have to bring the bag with me when I shop at Trader Joe's to show it off! The sharpies are the perfect size - I love these fine lined ones! My felted soap smells great and I am looking forward to using it. It is so unique. All of the food goodies look delicious and I already broke into the pralines - yum! Those lentils and strawberries look really yummy, and I don't even need to tell you that the Godiva chocolates are going to be great. I may even share some with Michael! And thank you for including my sweet Ernie in the package with the Iams sauce. That means the world to me! You rock! Thanks again!

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