very important request to all partners who send to me: Please make sure to write somewhere inside of the swap the specific swap name (or wishlist) you are sending for and your user name to insure you get the rating due to you, or to allow me to thank you in the case of wishlist group surprises. It may seem to you that it would be obvious, but that may not be the case on my end, Thank you!:)

I had, until now, a little blurb here saying if you are going to be late with a swap, please just be considerate and let me know. However, after having been a bit frustrated lately with feeling people were taking advantage of that as a pass to completely ignore deadlines, I've decided to just say I rate fairly according to swap-bot's rating faq. If I receive a swap that meets all posted swap requirements, including being sent on time, I rate a 5. If I personally feel the swap was special to me, and that actually happens a lot, I add a heart. For those that are new to swapping, and aren't aware, though, I'd just like to point out that it's generally considered very bad form to ask for hearts. If the swap does not meet requirements, including being unreasonably late (if you seriously need to ask how late is too late, you're probably guilty) I rate a 3 (just recently, but rarely, has this happened). If I feel a reasonable amount of time has gone by and I have not received anything (and this varies on where the swap is coming from, etc) I will contact you first before rating a 1. Pretty straightforward, and simple, and, I hope, unbiased. I try to reflect my swap experience honestly and fairly, not only for the benefit of the person who sent to me, but for the rest of the s-b community. If anyone ever feels the need to question my integrity in the ratings I leave, feel free to pm me, and I'l do my best to explain.

To those I send to, I pledge to swap unto others as I would have swapped unto me. I'll send on time (and would pm you if for some extenuating circumstance I couldn't- I think to date I have never sent out a late swap), I'll put effort into making swaps that I hope would make my partners smile, and I truly do always aim to please, not to boost my online image, but because I like thinking that I've brought a little bit of pleasure to someone's day via snail-mail. :-) Isn't that what this is all about? And you can always count on me to rate quickly (although I admit I do not check my POB every single day). I hope those who receive from me will do the same!

These days I'm in less official swaps, and busy granting wishes for my favorite group:)

wishlist group members who are interested can find my October wishlist on page three of this month's thread:)

HI! I'm Nicole. I know I have alot of information here, not intended to overwhelm, but because I personally really like to "get to know" my swap-pals. It can be frustrating to me personally to get a partner, go to their profile, and find barely anything to go on. However, for those of you who are the "less is more" sort, if you'll just please avoid the 3 items under "I'd rather not get these things", you could skip the rest of my ramblings, and we'll probably still be compatible ;) So...

about me: I'm a full-time wife and mom in my early thirties (I home educate my 2 girls, so, I'm truly full time!) ;) I graduated from university in '99. Our family as a whole is generally playful, noisy, and affectionate. We have 2 dogs, 2 (outdoor) cats, and 1 neurotic Beta fish. I'm an only child and super close to my mom. Our family is of mostly Mexican and Brazilian descent and I have traveled to those countries many times as well as to France, Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and many U.S. states. I love to travel, even though I'm rather terrified of flying!:-P I can speak Portuguese and Spanish enough to be understood. I think.

I've had a pen-pal (UK) who I've corresponded with regularly for 20 years (since grade school).

happy stuff ♥: my faith and Bible study ♥ books, music, art, movies, photography ♥ laughing out loud ♥ gourmet teas (think loose leaf, flavoured and black) ♥ dollhouse minis ♥ RAK ♥ non-Disney mermaids ♥ OWLS ♥ gnomes, muscaria mushrooms and whimsical woodland ♥ old typewriters, telephones and cameras ♥ dancing, roller skating & nature walks ♥ museums, botanical gardens, parks, mini vacations, B&B's, beaches ♥ map postcards ♥ collage ♥ tattoos ♥ playing MS Pacman & parcheesi (I'm always camels) ♥ the Statue of Liberty & NYC ♥ Wonder Woman! ♥ globes ♥ metal Disney or Olympic trading pins ♥ cute robots ♥ the life and art of Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh, Piero Fornasetti, and Romare Bearden to name a few, the photography of Dorothea Lange, the art of Ted DeGrazia ♥ tiger lilies, poppies & other wild flowers ♥ foreign/ethnic folk art (esp. Mexican), loteria ♥ vintage imagery (1950's and before) ♥ Halloween (cute spooky or vintage, not greusome) ♥ Nativity ♥ big tote bags ♥ strawberries and kiwis ♥ Marcel la brouette! ♥ cute umbrellas ♥ my Havaianas flip-flops ♥ worn blue jeans, courdoroys, chuck taylors, and urban boho style ♥ sillouhettes and cameos ♥ pixar animation ♥ fair trade ♥ "green" products (ie earth friendly) ♥ jewlery, accesories, and household items made from repurposed materials (like necklaces made from paper beads or purses made from juice boxes or bowls made from telephone wire, etc) ♥ jody coyote earrings

my collections ♥ cute robots (especially wind-ups), ♥ OWLS, ♥ tea cups and saucers, ♥ map postcards, ♥ artwork for hanging on my walls, ♥ I would like to collect dotees but am no good at making them

other addictions magazines, books, cd's and loose flavoured black teas!

animal imagery I like: owls, sparrows, turtles, red ladybugs, snails, "mutts", hedgehogs, peacocks, camels, whales, pandas, donkeys, baby deer, mice, rats (cute rather than sinister), hedgehogs, crocodiles. In general, I prefer my animal imagery whimiscal over realistic.

Other imagery I like: strawberries, kiwi fruit, robots, tea themed, vintage housewife/motherhood/girlhood. I also love anything that represents a mommy with 2 daughters (people, animals, objects, whatevs).

Personalities I'm fascinated by: XUXA, Mother Teresa, The Irwin family (of Crocodile Hunter fame) and by extension anything Australian or croc themed, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash (esp. his early years, before he married June, and his gospel work- not so much the popular image of him drugged up & giving the finger;), Dolly Parton, C.S. Lewis, U.S. presidents and first ladies (especially Abigail Adams and Jackie Kennedy).

Characters I like (since this seems to be a popular theme here): Wonder Woman!, Muppet Show muppets, Snoopy, Garfield (+Odie & Pookie), Smurfs, Alice in Wonderland, old Holly Hobby, & classic kids storybook characters (ie Beatrix Potter, Pippi Longstocking, Anne of Green Gables, etc) you know, "old school" nostalgia from my own childhood. Though I also like Charlie & Lola a lot. OK, I'm getting to know some kawaii and I think the foods with faces are pretty cute, and the little geisha doll and ninja characters and the wrestling brothers are too adorable.

favorite color combos: black & greys, blues & purples (love all shades), rich cocoa brown, light blue and white, navy blue and white, bright citrus/tropical colors, shades of aqua/turquoise/teal. I like all colors of the rainbow; ♥ red: ladybugs, strawberries ♥ orange: citrus, tigerlilies ♥ yellow: sunshine, daffodils, lemons ♥ green: trees, sage, moss, money (haha) ♥♥♥ blue, indigo, violet: pretty much everything! Colors I do not like: what I call "poopy" colors like mustard, pea green, avocado, or rusty oranges (these are my mom's favorite colors, though, ;)!)

My home: The walls of my home are mostly painted soft yellows & greens (think maize & sage), & our furniture is mostly shades of brown, but my bedroom is painted light blue and white with b&w decor. I love bright cheerful accent colors, real art work, b&w photography, and unexpected quirkiness. I love things I can hang on the wall, less so things that sit on shelves.

Favorite scents: sandalwood, chamomile, mint, fig, basil, ginger, the earth after it rains, fresh corn tortillas, & oddly enough, play-doh.

favorite places to shop: World Market, IKEA, Target, bookstores, thriftstores, locally owned artsy shops, & Anthropologie & LUSH on the rare occasion I have some extra $$$! I don't do much online shopping for fear of developing an addiction (I know I would, there's just too much great stuff!).

favorite snacks: dried fruit/fruit leather, fruit preserves, good popcorn; I realy would like to try different flavored kit-kats for my girls. My favorite candies are the kiwi & lytchee gummies and a new fave is tic-tac chill exotic cherry (yum). And, oh, how I love tea- I could drink it all day long: hot, iced. I admit that I am becoming a bit of a tea elitest in my old age ;P I'm mostly just into my fancy gourmet teas. Generally speaking, I like my tea black, not white, green, or herbal with few exceptions.

3 absolute no thank-you's:

1~ While I find them adorable, I'm allergic to cats, so please don't send cat fur;-)

2~ I'm also allergic to wool :( even handling it makes my hands red and itchy

3~ please NO imagery/items that would be considered clearly pagan, occult, new-age, or religious other than Christian (ie no Hindu godesses, Buddahs, tarot, pentagrams, etc) I thank you for respecting my personal beliefs on this, and will do the same for my partners whatever theirs may be :-)~I should also add that I usually open packages with my girls, so... you know, keep it, say G to PG, or at least give me warning! ;)

Not so much/dislikes: The stuff below won't offend or make me itch, but in the interest of full disclosure, I feel I should be honest about what I have personal preferences not to aquire (ie would possibly re-swap).

the scents of vanilla, lavender, pine, or patchouli do not agree with me, nor do most extremely floral scents or coffee scented stuff..... I dislike green tea or any coffee or licorice (blehk)..... I like my tea black (not really into white, green, or herbal)...I can only wear metal jewelry that is nickel free or "sensitive"..... I don't really use much makeup other than lip glosses & I never use loose glitter for any purpose..... I try with nominal success to avoid foods with high fructose corn syrup, aspartame or PHO's (partially hydrogenated oils)..... No one in our home is really into most toddler tv characters (Dora, Blues Clues, Sesame Street, Care Bears, etc...), we don't use foamy shapes.....

I have too many: memo pads, ballpoint pens, pencils, erasers, bar soaps, body washes

please no more: reward stickers (I don't have any use for them, even as "pass-ons"), expired products- eww. Please check use-by dates, I do :P

I love snail mail & am easily pleased, so other than the dislikes I've listed above, I'm mostly happy with anything pleasant. Unusual things I would never think of would be cool, too. But here are some things that I'm craving for those (like me) who want lists & info!;-)

♥ anything handmade with TLC by you for me would be so special! I'm especially coveting dotees, chunky books/envelope books/glue books/altered journals/books of any sort, handmade jewelry, anything made of bottlecaps, and your original artwork 4x6 inches or larger suitable for framing and hanging on my walls- any medium is fine: painting, drawing, collage, etc...;

♥ any alphabet or number stamps, rubber or clear- sets, incomplete sets, even single lonely numbers or letters in any font style all are welcome:)

♥ I seriously love map postcards,

♥ I'd really like to have a Wonderwoman bottlecap or regular pinback button to put on my awesome new WW tote given to me in a swap by @caam :)

♥ I am drawn to anything relating to Steve Irwin (aka The Crocodile Hunter) and Terri, Bindi, Australia Zoo (think collages, all things Australian, Crocodiles, Whales, maps of AU, etc- anything you can come up with!)

♥ magazines from other countries, or any US magazines (like People, etc)you've read and are still intact (not cut/ripped up) from within the last few months, or any very old magazines (ie, 70's or earlier);

♥ dollhouse miniatures (1:12), rement;

♥♥♥ robots and owls! (though I usually don't have a use for fabric, any fabric in the afore mentioned themed prints would be put to happy use- anything at all in these themes makes me super happy);

♥ I would really love a rubber stamp of a single banana, or bunch of bananas now that my wish for a kiwi fruit stamp has been granted by @piggybaby :)

♥ arm warmers/wristies/fingerless gloves (thin or thick any colors/styles/materials other than solid pink/gothic/wool)

♥ soft flowy bohemian style scarves like the ones I see at World Market and now Target (gently used would be fine)

♥ WALL-E anything memorabilia, ephemera, I love WALL-E!

♥ random dominoes (I'd like to try altering them)

♥ any nice art pens for art journaling (black or colored, and single pens are fine, I'd like to try different brands, etc to see what suits me) or anything else suitable for journaling

♥ adirondak pens

♥ anything with silhouette imagery

♥ any Morsbag!!! or totebag

♥ any early reader/I can read/Step into reading books, levels 2-5 (maybe that your children have read and no longer need)

♥ any children's books in Portuguese

(yes, I realize this is obscure, but ya' never know what oddities people have lying around;P)

♥ perhaps someone might have a gently used copy of a book or cd on my amazon wishlist they'd pass along?

♥ anything from my etsy favorites, or even inspired by my Etsy favorites

♥ rosebud salve

♥ jody coyote style earrings

♥ anything featuring imagery of the art of Ted DeGrazia

♥ any fair trade or "green" products you like and would share

♥ I'd like to try Lady Grey tea and would like some decaf black teas (like decaf earl grey, etc) to have at bedtime.

♥ anything related to tea (like tea themed stationary or tea accoutrements like tea spoons)

To be honest I'm really not too diverse in terms of being crafty, although I have a great appreciation for people who are. I've also cut way back on crafting for swaps, because I found it taking away from my crafting for myself and with my children, and because I tend to find it more stressful than pleasurable to craft for a "rating" (not that I've received negative feedback, it just stresses me out!;P). In the past, things I've enjoyed are the larger 250 count matchboxes as well as the smaller (32ct)size, altered altoid tins, collage, cardmaking, bottlecaps, and on rare occasions ATCs. I may occasionally join such a swap for fun.

I keep a collage journal of found images; I think it's like what people refer to as a "gluebook" on a sort of grand scale. I'm beginning to get into "art" journaling.

More of a hobby than a craft; I also have a contemporary dollhouse that is a looong term ongoing project so I'd love any dollhouse minis- especially, but certainly not limited to Rement.

I do not cross-stitch, knit, crochet, do embroidery, quilt, or do any sewing, so I really have no use for supplies pertaining to those crafts. Please don't waste perfectly good supplies on me:)

Any fabric having to do with my favorite things (esp. owls and robots!)would be welcome, though, as I can use it to cover books, or get my mom to make things for me. I do not scrapbook, either, though my daughters occasionally do with my mother, and I help them. If somone would like to "share their stash" they like scrapbook embellishements of the following themes: Disney, skateboarding, swimming, soccer, jazz (dance), gymnastics, dogs, baking/sweets, holidays

I do greatly admire other people's crafts and art, and would truly cherish anything along these lines that anyone wanted to send me.

I would also like to learn how to make the larger sized envelope books (as oppsed to mini ones) I've seen on flickr and would love to have one to spark ideas!;)

This is some info for swaps that are geared towards our children. My girls are my constant little companions, and get really excited when I receive a swap. Anyone who puts in some little thing appropriate for sharing with them in my swaps automatically scores big with me.

We try to stay away from aspartame (found in most sugar free products). Sugar is fine in moderation, though!:)

Please no nail polish, lipbalm, or bath items (no bathtubs here- only showers).

They both love things handmade just for them (would especially love stuffies/amis/dotees), Littlest Pet shop animals, Disney trading pins, and anything kawaii-ish.

My oldest girl, RM is almost 12 (10/96) & more sporty than girly. She's my right hand, a great planner and organizer, and a "little mom" (worrier and all:P). She likes yorkies, rats and most rodents, skateboarding, baking, music, Christian-teen stuff, Disney (esp. Chip 'n' Dale, Eeyore, Tink, and Alice in Wonderland). Her favorite colors are red, blue, green, black, orange, & any color other than pink. Although in her personal style she is not froufrou girly, she is into experimenting with fashion and makeup and she likes quirky-cute stuff; She has recently discovered kawaii, bento, amigurumi, stuffies, etc. She would like rice molds and recipe ideas for her bento. She collects odd/cute bubble machine creatures weird characters like Domo, and the little macaroni guy stickers at the bottom of stickeroni sticker sheets, where he appears in theme (any of those guys cut off and sent would be so greatly appreciated)! She likes cute pinback buttons/badges, funky shoelaces and socks, newsboy style caps, and she also really likes those fingerless arm warmer things (even gently used ones- not ripped/holy/stained- would be great). She plays soccer and is learning skateboarding.

My youngest girl, LB is 6 (6/02) and very girly, but also a daredevil with an adventurous spirit. She is the entertainer in our family and makes us laugh everyday. She loves all dogs (especially chihuahuas, beagles & labs) and says she wants to train service dogs and help special needs children when she's "big":). She also loves kittens, dolphins, horses, and any other cute animals (no creepy crawlies). She collects small music boxes. She is into any musicals (HSM, Annie, Sound of Music, Shirley Temple, etc). She loves her American Girl doll Nicky & dressing her up (anyone make doll clothes?). Her favorite colors are pink, purple, blue, & red. She loves seeing the pics of amis, stuffies, and dotees, and would love to start her own collection. She really wants to learn to crochet (but, sadly, mom doesn't know how!). She loves swimming, jazz (dance), and soccer. She can always use fun print scrunchies (fabric ponytail holders).

I thought I'd put this in on the off chance someone might have something to send that my husband would like. My sweetie-pie husband is Charlie, the only boy in our home (and he is all boy, so to speak;). He works very hard (and never complains) to take care of us and finance my swapping habit, haha! He loves all things soccer, Brazil, adidas, Pink Floyd, imported beers, F-1 racing, turtles, and pool (billiards). That's him in a nutshell! Anything (manly- not cutesy- except the turtles, he'll go for cutesy turtles, but it's a secret) related to these themes would probably bring a big, goofy grin to his face :D I'm currently working on decorating a guys billiards room for him and his friends to hang out in, and will try to incorporate some of those things into the eclectic "decor". Not that he cares about decorating! ;P

I'm crazy for map postcards. I'm trying to collect map postcards of all 50 states, their capitols, and as many countries as possible. Here's where I'll list state map cards I need, meaning I don't even have one. But even if a certain state is not on this list, feel free to send it to me and rest assured it will be appreciated! After all, there are different styles of map pcs for every state (I have 4 different styles for 1 state!) and I don't mind multiples, as I can always use them for collage, or trade with my fellow map card fanatics! Also, I really would love map pcs of other countries and cities outside of the US, or any random, unusual ones you may come across (regions, counties, etc). Please send me map postcards- I'm officially addicted!!! :D This is a surefire way to my heart! Other types of postcards I enjoy include scenic multiview and fine art.

states I need: (woot! 41 down, only 9 to go!) *, Alaska, *, *, *, *, *, Delaware, *, *, Hawaii, *, Illinois, *, *, Kansas, *, *, *, *, *, *, Minnesota, *, *, *, *, *, New Hampshire, *, *, *, *, North Dakota, *, *, *, *, *, South Carolina, *, *, *, *, *, *, *, *, *, *, + Washington D.C.

I would also like a map postcard thet showed the entire U.S.

I'm also particularly longing for: Puerto Rico, Mexico and all Latin American Countries, any African, any Asian, any Australian.

and any others not on the list:)

check out my friend @Puchita and click on her flickr to see her amazing mapcard collection; I aspire to someday have an equally impressive one!:)

(*I keep thinking of deleting this section all together to "clean up" my profile, but since I think you can tell a lot about a person from their books, movies, and music, and since I'm NOT a "less is more" person, I'll keep it for now) :)

Books I recommend: The Holy Bible. That's not just a trite "good Christian" answer, either (not that I'd be audacious enough to call myself a "good" Christian:P, more like a beloved disapointment). The Bible has a little something for everyone- check it out; supernatural phenomena, romance, war, mystery and intrigue, action adventure, epic dysfunctional family drama, deviant behavior, humor, heroes and villains, poetry, history, politics, science... the genres are unending. I really enjoy reading my Bible, and don't understand people who say it's "boring". Most importantly to me, it tells of the greatest love that ever was, and is the basis for my personal faith.

Other books I've read and loved include: unChristian, Grace Based Parenting, The Way of a Pilgrim, The Little Prince by Euxpery, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Time Traveler's Wife by A. Niffenegger, The Boys of My Youth by Jo Ann Beard, Wolf Whistle by Lewis Nordan, Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight and Scribbling the Cat by Alexandra Fuller, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, Riding in Cars with Boys and Looking for Mary by Beverly Donoffrio, Child of the Jungle by Sabine Kuegler, Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet, The Big Rumpus by Ayun Halliday, The God Factor by Cathleen Falsani and books by authors C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Tom Robbins, Wally Lamb, Marek Halter, Douglas Adams, Loisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, The Bronte sisters, Steinbeck, J.D. Salinger, many autobiographies/memoirs, theology, poetry, history, etc...

I love to listen to Pandora. During the day, I keep NPR on at home. Some of my favorite music: Ben Harper, Johnny Cash, Nick Drake, Al Green, Feist, Dolly Parton, Bob Marley, Queen, Fools Garden, Dixie Chicks, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Imogen Heap, Timbalada, Seu Jorge, Weepies, Marisa Monte, Suzanne Vega, Matt Costa, Ben Kweller, Patsy Cline, Ditty Bops, Ramones, Bach, Psapp, Aimee Mann, old REM, the Beatles, the Cure, Crowded House, Stray Cats, Puppini Sisters, Fiona Apple, Gabriel O Pensador, Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Travis, Fratellis, Elvis Costello, Chuck Berry, Jackson 5, Cafe Quijano, Cesaria Evora, and I musn't forget to mention my undying love for ABBA and the BeeGees ♥

my favorite movies: Life is Beautiful, It's a Wonderful Life, Amelie, Cinema Paradiso, Donnie Darko, Citizen Ruth, Edward Scissorhands, Garden State, Whale Rider, Il Postino, Big Lebowski, Traffic, Blow, Election, O Auto da Compadecida, Big Fish, Grease, When Harry Met Sally, Howards End, Little Miss Sunshine, Mars Attacks, I Heart Huckabees, Life Aquatic, O Brother Where Art Thou, Sound of Music, Royal Tenenbaums, Forest Gump, A Day without a Mexican, Muriel's Wedding, Punch-drunk Love, Princess Bride, A Room With a View, Nacho Libre, The Darjeeling Express, Juno, Wall-E

Weeks can go by without me watching tv, but when I do, I like: LOST, Dancing with the Stars, Little People Big World, Jon & Kate + 8 (and other shows about people with tons of kids;P), Letterman (I ♥ Dave), The Crocodile Hunter, HGTV, the Travel channel, and every 4 years, the Summer Olympic games.

OK, here is a list of things I have available for trade. Come back often as it will grow and change as I have time to "take inventory" and list more things! well rated & U.S. only unless the things are very obviously light weight for shipping

~ 4 pair of ladies size medium (actual size is L, but they are cut small) cotton Brazilian Cut panties from Brazil, new with tags (of course!); 1 pair light pink/white trim, 1 pr. hot pink/white trim, 2 pr. "cute" prints on white background. (a little explanation in case this seems a weird thing to have on hand: my husband sweetly brought them back for me the last time he went to Brazil, and I took one look at them, and said, "Ah, no, sorry, those will not fit my tush";P

~grab bag of misc. papers, ephemera suitable for ATC's or collage

~minnie mouse tennis player stuffie (and other misc. tennis items; stickers, etc)

~men's extra large long sleeve button up shirt w collar (nwt) in a mostly muted red plaid print

Any takers? pm me!:)