caf1988

My day job is doing bindery at a print shop (everything after a job is printed).

My hobbies are reading, writing letters (snail-mail), and doing simple, quick crafts. I love to make cards. I studied history and environmental science at the University of Virginia, Col 2011 (Yep, I'm pissed!) and I love to learn new things.

While I'm not picky about what I receive, I do have a preference for stationary items (notecards, paper, envelopes, stickers, etc), small notions that can be used to decorate handmade cards (die cuts, washi tape, ribbon, rhinestones, buttons, glitter glue, etc), or anything else that can get my crafting juices flowing.

I have decided to go back to school to get a degree and license in elementary education. One of the ideas I have for a future lesson is a creative writing assignment utilizing a picture on a postcard for inspiration. Postcards for this can really feature anything, but people and settings would probably work best. These can be photographs, paintings, drawings....the sky is the limit! These postcards need to be blank (not written on).

I'm interested in typography and would love to receive interesting labels (from wine or beer bottles, for example, though the sky's the limit) and other ephemera. I don't drink alcohol in any form (I don't care for the taste), so please only send the labels! smile

I have recently started a love affair with fountain pens and would love to receive some cool ink samples!

Or a favorite book recommendation--I'm always looking for new authors to read (any and all genres)! Articles cut out of magazines are cool, too!

I don't have a use for "Post-It" type sticky paper. I don't drink tea or coffee.

I have no food allergies and am game to try any unique snacks you may want to send.

ATCs are always welcome! As is any kind of artwork. I have very diverse taste in art.

My favorite color is orange.

I like fairies, but not the Tinker Bell type. I prefer them to be more realistic rather than cartoon-y. I love anything nature oriented.

My husband drives a tow truck, so I'm intrigued by any towing related items you may find. While we like Tow Mater, I'd rather see vintage trucks rather than cartoons.

Some of my fandoms are Doctor Who, Star Trek (particularly Voyager), and pretty much anything that is a reworking of a fairy tale (I LOVE Once Upon a Time). Oddly enough, I really get excited about fan created art/cosplay even when I don't know and/or care about the original source ☺.

I am open to participating in Private Swaps for anything listed here on my profile. I post all the note cards I make to my blog and this year, I'm planning on hosting a monthly giveaway there for (3) cards made the previous month (feel free to enter!!). I'm happy to swap any of the cards posted on my blog (if they're still available, of course). 99% of the cards I make are 4.25x5.5 inches and most don't have a sentiment (are blank inside).

As a favor to me (it's not required!), please write the name of the swap and your username somewhere on the outside of the envelope. This just makes my life easier when I'm sorting the mail. Thanks!

These are items that I'd be super excited to receive regardless of the swap parameters. A single one will warrant a 5 and a Heart rating from me.

*Paper Punches (any size or shape and they need not be new, just in good working order)

*Rubber/Clear Stamps (particularly words) and ink pads (all colors).

*National Geographic or Smithsonian Magazines (or really any educational magazine). They don't have to be new, but can't have torn out pages and must be in generally good shape. This is for another future lesson.

*JAN 1, 2018: I'm already starting on Christmas presents for 2018! I'm making Ornaments and I was shocked that 4 days after Christmas (I.e. this past Friday) Michaels had NO thin Christmas ribbon (eighth to half inch) on their clearance shelf! So, if you have any in your stash that you'd like to part with (any length, any color, preferably not plastic/curling ribbon) this year, I'd be more than grateful! Any other items that you'd think would work for ornaments (buttons, stickers, die cuts, etc) would also be appreciated 😊.

Thanks!

I'm always looking for new pen pals! I like long chatty letters about anything and everything. Feel free to ask me any questions you like. Sorry, no men, please.

I swap FBs and the like (slams, bags, etc), but ONLY in small quantities (less than $1 in postage).

Our mailbox is located at the entrance to the neighborhood, so I check it once a week in winter and 2 to 3 times a week in summer. I rate swaps the same day I get them out of the mailbox.

I honestly don't notice that the swap you're sending is late until it's been on my sent page for over a month from the send date, but at that point I do send out messages to try to figure out what happened. I refrain from rating 1 until I want to clear out my sent page, IF there's been no communication.

If you want me to run out and check my mailbox immediately for your swap, just send me a message. I really don't mind the walk when I know there's something better than junk mail in it!

1 once got a 1 because Swap Bot lost the message the recipient sent me to say my envelope had never arrived. Please be kind and send a second message if you don't hear from me, especially if SB says I've read the message.