audrey

I'm back! Almost up to full power, so I am again working on my swaps. I sure have missed them! I have so much fun with Swap-bot, and it inspires me, (and forces me) to create!

You may have noticed I have dropped out of several swaps. I have rotator cuff repair surgery scheduled for the 26th, and I dropped out of anything that has not been assigned before that date. I have no one here to help me put swaps together after my surgery. I hope to have a quick recovery, and may be able to rejoin some of the swaps I just dropped. I might be a bit slow on ratings too, my surgery is on my dominant arm! Of course!!

About Me: I am a Cat loving, God fearing, Christian woman. I am a full time counselor at a correctional institution. I am a mom to three, gammy to 2, wife to Ben, slave to Tyger and Sadie (our cats!) I love to craft, especially things that would fall "outside the box." I am new to swapping, but it is something I have wanted to do for a while now. My favorite movie is What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and I cry everytime I watch it. I love Contemporary Christian Music, chocolate, free anything, clearance sales, and thrift shops. I hate shoes and would live a barefooted existance if I could. I like to travel, and I love to come home... Update...broken foot, wearing an air splint now, might get cast on Monday...ugh! So, at least one foot will stay covered. Someone, send chocolate to console me... Another update, foot is fine. I am fat, gained 10 pounds. Stop sending chocolate! I am still having fun with Swap-bot. Completed over 60 swaps now, and going strong. Christmas is coming, so will have to slow down with swaps, but I am inspired to do more homemade gifts this year.

I have been creating ATCs, cards, art squared, and odd items for a couple of years now. I sometimes crack myself up... I like to sew, crochet, collage, and alter clothing. I have a huge amount of papercrafting supplies, some of which I will never touch. I must have (currently) over 500 sheets of unused paper, yet I continue to buy more. I have hole punches in lots of sizes and shapes, several corner rounders (but would love more!) many rubber stamps, most unused, but I really like them. I have boxes and boxes of ephemera and fibers. If it on sale, and i think i like it, it is mine. My husband puts up with it because it is cheaper than therapy. I am really into homemade postcards, ATC's, book marks, and art squares. I have participated in a couple of inchies swaps, and I love making and trading them. I won't sell any of my work, although trading is fun. I always hope my stuff goes to someone who will "get it" Update...I have started creating holiday cards, tags, atcs, etc for my co-workers. They really seem to like and anticipate the next ones...

I spent an entire day, 10 am to 5 pm at a scrap and rubber stamp show in Madison Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago. Bought a ton of stuff (duh) and learned lots of new techniques. Can't wait to try them all. Fun fun fun!

My current favorite shows are Kyle XY, The Office, My Name is Earl, Heroes, Numbers, Scrubs, and other silly stuff. I also like most everything on the Food Network, except Emeril and Paula Dean. Love Dirty Jobs, lots of History and TLC programs, and the mystery shows on PBS. Update...we just got the Hallmark channel, but I try to limit myself. I refuse to watch any of the new shows that look good in the promos...I love crafting and don't want to be addicted to more tv, and have less time for creativity... Well, now I am hooked on Project Runway. Darn it!

I smell my food before eating in. Including fruit and coffee. I cut my food into even sized pieces. i "stand" for 10 minutes most afternoons. Just stand. My daughter says it creeps her out, but it is just something I do. I smile a lot, I make eye contact and greet everyone, even in the prison I work at. I will add to this as my friends and family remind me... Well, they reminded me. I am sort of a busy body. Nothing malicious, I don't gossip (much) but I live to match make. I wash my hands, a lot, and go nuts if I touch something "used" at a thrift shop and cannot get to water. I carry purel, wet wipes, and a spray on sanitizer everywhere I go. I also keep a set in each car. i cannot hardly see, but cannot wear glasses--pressure on my head causes a migraine. I talk to the tv, the cats, the appliances, and anything and everything whether it listens or not. I tend to see the silver lining, especially when no one else wants to!

I love to collect stuff! My current passions are angels, devotional books, cool kids books whose pages can be used for altering, vintage junk jewelry--for altered art, and sometimes to wear! I love to wear broaches for each holiday. I cannot leave a thrift shop without checking out the books and magazines. I rarely (ok, never) leave empty handed. I have a lot of fruit and veggie shaped dishes in my kitchen, also fruit and veggie art. Much of it created by me and my daughters.

I can get lost in the songs of birds, crows are one of my favorite species. They are such clowns. I love to watch them and laugh along. I love the sound of the ocean, squirrels chirping, cats purring, woodpeckers at work, and rain. Almost sounds like an old country song... I love living in the country, knowing most of the community, and being known by others. It is a good and a bad thing to be known by everyone. Cannot get away with anything, yet also, people "have your back." Oops, back to nature. I love walking barefoot in the grass, on sand, and in the water. Cool running creeks bring me great joy.

other than chocolate, my passion, I love coffee, mocha, shortbread cookies, light flavored cakes, scones, soups, and fancy desserts. I also love nut crusted fish. Any kind of nut, any kind of fish. Recipes are always welcome.
I cannot go to see a movie without eating popcorn and junior mints. I think it is a law somewhere...if not, then it should be. I love to eat red licorice on road trips. I only stop eating it when I tie the bag shut and throw it waaaayyyyy into the back of the car. Other wise I eat until I am sick. I actually do that with corn candy and jelly beans too. hmmmm, think there might be a problem. Soup season, more favorites...bean soup, split pea, potato, french onion, stew, vegetable. And homemade bread. Yum. No weight loss in my future...