cshor

I currently live in Michigan (having previously moved from upstate New York and northern Vermont) with my husband and two kids--an 11 year old boy and 14 year old girl. In my spare time, I knit and crochet. It's probably fair to say I'm addicted to buying yarn. I learned to knit and crochet as a kid and never stopped. Over the years, I've dabbled in other crafts--pottery, jewelry making but they've never stuck like knitting has. Once I even bought a sewing machine but ended up giving that to my mom.

I'm particularly interested in swaps that involve handmade items. I really appreciate the creativity and effort in crafting stuff. I love going to art fairs and try to buy all my gifts there. I recently discovered etsy.com and plan to explore that more thoroughly. As for work, I used to be a corporate trainer, but got off that track by having kids and frequently relocating because of my husband's career. Currently, I work work part-time at a yarn store.

I especially enjoy reading historical fiction books. I'm a news junkie and love reading newspapers and web articles about current events and politics. I also enjoy some spiritual type books.

My favorite is alternative rock/folk. In general, I dislike top 40 pop music although there are exceptions. In fact, more and more, I'm finding that I enjoy some songs from genres I've never liked ..country, hip hop, bluegrass for example. I love to discover new music. Some of the artists currently getting frequent play on my iPod are: Guster, the Frames, Joseph Arthur, Damien Rice, Bell X1, O.A.R, Gran Bel Fisher, Amos Lee, Mundy. Artists that I loved for years and still love include: U2, REM, Dave Matthews, Wilco, NIrvana, Seven Nations, John Hiatt, Great Big Sea, Jars of Clay, Radiohead, Richard Thompson, Better than Ezra....I could go on and on.

Little Miss Sunshine & Juno are probably my two most recent favorite movies. My all time favorite movie is Forrest Gump. It still makes me cry in certain parts...My kids love it too and entertain me with quotes that they've memorized.

an avid knitter, crocheter

Favorite color: I'm partial to green but there's no color I really dislike

Favorite scents: lavender, rose, citrus...the only scent I really don't like is vanilla.

I don't mind receiving unopened food of any kind in the mail. I like chocolate, coffee, tea (not herbal), salty snacks, hard sour candy.

Some miscellaneous things I'd love to receive: buttons, charms, ribbons, beads and other embellishments I could use to decorate my handmade projects. Good, quality yarn. Any vintage knitting/crochet magazines or books. Wool socks (size 9 shoe). Handmade Christmas ornaments. Pinback buttons with interesting or funny slogans or quotes. Magazines--craft, cooking, current events. Knitting notions. Any celtic-designed items.