crrcookie

If you need my address for anything it is:

crrcookie

PO Box 577

Tecumseh, OK 74873

I am crrcookie in many places on the internet and you will most likely find a ladybug or two lurking around my screen name. It's safe to say I really like ladybugs and have gotten a bit obsessed with them.

I have several rubber stamps with ladybug pictures on them and you should find one (or more) on any swap that I send out. I hope it makes it easier for you to identify as being from me.

I have many hobbies and I enjoy all sorts of crafts. I look forward to expanding my online friendships with swaps.

I am a very organized person and I keep extremely detailed records of the swaps that I am in. I make sure that all of the swaps I send out are received so I really appreciate a rating from you as soon as you get what I send. That is the easiest way for me to mark down that you have gotten it. If we decide that something is lost in the mail then I can do a re-send. Communication is the key! Just send me a message.

I try to check my PO box at least every couple of days and will do ratings in a timely manner. If you've sent something that I have not rated it might have gotten lost and we'll need to message about it so that we can get a correct rating.

PLEASE put the name of the swap on the swap somewhere. The more obvious it is that your item is a swap-bot swap and which one the easier it is for me to rate you. (And it will save us both a headache.) I get lots of things in the mail from a variety of sources so this is really important!

I am having a great time collecting and trading postcards. I started collecting some time ago with PostCrossing and I love to buy them when I go to tourist places. I also like making them with my own photos mostly using Vistaprint. I'll only send out my Vistaprint cards if the swap indicates that they are acceptable because I know that some people regard them as inferior to other cards. I don't mind receiving them in swaps as long as they are good quality and they are suitable to the swap.

I started saving postcards for a homeschool project. I figured that we would take location specific ones and add them to folders for each state/country. And I like other things that we can research whether it be zoo animals (awesome!) or National Parks, or other fun fact type things. We try to be really creative and a picture of a flower may be used to illustrate a project on botany or whatever we are working on at the time.

Really most postcards fit into the "research project" idea and so the only ones that I don't really have a use for are random unknown landscapes, cartoons and other things that I can't use for some sort of educational purpose.

I like postcards that are written on and stamped and sent through the mail "naked" (with no envelope). However, I respect the rules of the individual swap and I prefer to send and receive according to the stated swap guidelines.

I often purchase multiples of the same postcard to send out. I notice that I sometimes get the same partners in similar swaps. I can't always keep track of who gets what postcard so PLEASE if you get a duplicate postcard just let me know and I will happily send you a different one.

I have my own Mailer's Postmark Permit so that I can cancel the postage stamps on the mail that I send out. It helps me get a clear impression on the postmark so that you can see the date of mailing.

For more information on getting your own permit (USA) visit the FAQ at http://www.mppclub.org/

This also makes all of my mail unique as my permit number belongs to me and will never be issued to another person.

I like postcards, and regular cards, and letters and snail mail of all kinds.

I like books (and BookCrossing), historical markers (and Markeroni), crocheting (and a variety of charity groups that relate) and photography/scrapbooking.

I like dogs (and other people's cats). I have a 9 year old Shih Tzu that is quite spoiled but would never have a cat in my house. I don't mind if you have cats though ... to each their own. I think that both puppies and kittens are cute! (Other baby animals too!)

Some gift ideas would be:

*postcards (used or un-used) [Favorites are those that I can use for research in homeschooling. Zoo animals and National Parks are especially awesome.]

*ephemera (especially nice bits that I can use in art collages - not so much into "trash" like receipts, gum wrappers or other junk)

*Items for scrapbooking or paper crafting

*books (especially those already registered at BookCrossing)

*stickers

*Anything "boy" Disney for a 6-year-old (He also likes Lego and Nickelodeon characters and his favorite color is red.)

*Anything I can use for homeschooling lessons (brochures, maps, info about your location)

*Anything LADYBUG! I think they are wonderfully cute and they are relatively popular now.

I try not to hang on to things that I don't care for. And I am trying to keep my possessions to a minimum. So one of the best bets is to send me the requirements of the swap because that is what I agreed to when I signed up. Extras are a nice gesture but not necessary and will be best appreciated if they fit into the above things that I like.

I am not a religious person. Your religion (or lack there of) does not offend me and I prefer when it doesn't affect me. In other words, I don't want people to evangelize to me or try to push their beliefs. I'm very tolerant of lifestyle choices because I believe that everyone should have just that ... choice. Please respect my choice to live my life the way that I please with my own research and beliefs.

I really don't want to get food products in the mail. There is just something a little creepy about eating things sent through the mail by strangers. The exception would be if I joined a specific swap where one of the items would be a food product but I don't think that is likely for me.

I am joining a TON of swaps for the holidays. I really enjoy filling up my mailbox this time of year and I look forward to getting all of my swaps.

I'm hoping that I get funny looks from the post office!

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays everyone!

~crrcookie