bren

Married, SAHM of 5. Yeah, I said 5. I cursed myself the day I told my grandmother I'm never having children. But, I still love them anyway! ;D

Occasional artist. I love odd eclectic, out of the ordinary things, mostly natural(I find beauty in a vase of dead flowers), toads, frogs, snails, spiders, leaves, bones and skulls, mushrooms, pinecones(especially glass-blown ornament ones), feathers, shells, stars, colored glass, brass bells, wind chimes. If it is weird, I will probably like it! I love textures and earth tones in greens, browns, and blues, and all other colors in warm shades, as well as the really dark jewel tones. Although, I do find an occasional bright color catching my eye.

I like puzzles of all kind, Sudoku, crosswords, mathematical, jigsaw, even those wood/metal box/link puzzles. And kites, too! I feel the need to get a new kite or two every year.

I live in a creative dead zone and I envy those who live near all those wonderful festivals and specialty shops! My only sources: what I can scrounge up at the thrift store, the internet and of course the Big Box stores. Update- I do NOT scrapbook, but I found a really cool scrapbooking shop for my paper arts. Also, two yarn shops, which I never knew about, and if I drive over an hour to get to Hannibal, MO, I can visit the most awesome quilt shop in the midwest, Hickory Sticks!

I do get lots of spinning fiber from our 5 llamas and 1 angora rabbit, but I like spinning and blending other fibers and materials into my yarns. I like natural fibers and find some of the novelty yarns interesting.

No Allergies :) I love dark chocolate and odd candies- like Cricket Lickits, absolutely love Kookaburra Liquorice Allsorts(but I can no longer find them- MANY THANKS to twobluecrows for renewing my quest for Allsorts! I've found a suitable substitute in RJ's Allsorts out of New Zealand), trying different teas, incense sticks, smelly candles and soaps, but I don't wear perfumes, make-up or use lotions.

I also collect postage stamps, foreign coins, geocaching sig items, pressed pennies-from pre1982 coins- zinc leaves streaks, and postcards-stamped and written.

I will be more than happy to resend a swap if it doesn't make it the first time. Please contact me instead of just leaving a 1. If You have not received a rating from me, it is one of several things- I simply forgot, I haven't received it yet, I am still waiting for others in a multi partner swap, or I don't have anything nice to say about a swap that hardly met requirements.

Classic rock! and some older country-hate the new stuff. The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, CCR, The Cult, Queen, Nirvana, Ozzy(the old stuff), Nickelback

anything science-fiction, horror, most comedy and anything with Clint Eastwood or Harrison Ford.. Soylent Green, Planet of the Apes, The Fifth Element, Serenity, Tommy Boy, Grandma's Boy, 13th Warrior, Slither, Shaun of the Dead, Apocalypto, amazed by 300 -loved it! And I LMAO!! every time I watch Land of the Lost with Will Farrel!

Fringe, House, Avatar-The Last Airbender, HBO's Autopsy, Dexter, the original CSI, Full Metal Alchemist, Death Note, Hell's Kitchen, Dirty Jobs- Mike is a dirty, dirty boy!. I admit to watching a soap. Days of Our Lives is just plain fun to watch! You used to also find me cursing the contestants on the Price is Right, when they say they are life long fans and then don't have a clue how to play the game, "Those prices end in zero, Lady!!" If you watch the show, you know which game I am talking about! Bob retired! Kripes! What am I going to curse at now??!!

Most of the above list is but a memory. Ahead of the digital switch, my wireless cable company cut service. I can't get regular cable and satelite costs twice as much for channels I don't watch. I now get two channels- CBS and NBC. PBS doesn't even come in! DVD- you are my friend now!

WoW! What a difference an antenna can make! I can now get 9 free channels! It's not the best, but it's something! AND IT"S FREE!

fiber spinning- I have two wheels and a few drop spindles; weaving- as in a loom with a reed- NOT craft loops; knitting, crochet, cloth doll making, sewing, altered books, quilting, beading- it all keeps me sane!

1. I have a copy of Wreck This Journal. It's not perfect, but it's never been used.
2. Stamped copper state map postcard of Illinois by Kopper Kard. Unwritten, but has price in pencil in the stamp area.