denisemichelle

I'm a single mom of a teenaged son. A former researcher, I'm now in academic administration. I love reading and taking photos, and of course, making stuff... all kinds of stuff. I'm horrible at following sewing patterns, but like to make things up as I go along.

Crafting is soothing to me when I'm restless or stressed, something about the process of creating/construction something makes me feel better. I do tend to prefer short-term projects however, something I can start and finish in a day or two, or it's in danger of being set aside and never finished, but I tend to be able to get a lot done in a day or two!

I'm quite liberal, definitely a true blue Democrat, I'm not anti-conservative, but I do have grave concerns about the actions of the 'Religious Right'. Even as a liberal, I have family values too, they include compassion, tolerance, empathy, a yearning for knowledge, respect for diversity, and generosity.

I'm immersed in science and education, given my background and current career. My areas of emphasis have been biology, psychology, neuroscience, behavior, genetics, and addiction/substance abuse.

I love herbs- growing them, cooking with them, and crafting with them, all with mixed results! I'm trying to learn to identify wildflowers, but I've been a slow learner on that front.

Right now I'm currently attempting a 365 photo project- I'm taking a photo a day from my last birthday until my next one. Just trying to appreciate and LOOK at things daily, and get back into the mode of just taking snapshots for fun.

My dream is to have a home large enough to have a room designated as my own personal library. I love books. My house is even decorated with books. I've inherited a collection of vintage books from my grandparents, and I love them- particularly the ones that have crayon commentary in the margins from my grandpa in the 1930s. I used to get out my grandma's old 'Jack & Jill' magazines every summer as a kid and read them cover to cover.

I love the color blue, all shades. Right now I'm on a quest to find some sunprint paper that I don't have to pay absurd shipping and handling charges on. I love coffee and tea, and vanilla and chocolate, and asparagus and avocado, I think cilantro and basil are divine, and there's nothing like the scent of fresh rosemary, lilacs, peonies, and fresh laundry. Unfortunately my sinuses react adversely to lavender. Felt creatures and amigurumi are cute, but I'm afraid I have no use for them. I also don't quite understand the allure of ATCs, but that's a bit of a new concept to me, I admit. I can't stand scatological humor, but I love wit and irony. I love Celtic knots and hairpicks and all the great stuff one can shop for at Renaissance Faires. I absolutely love quotations. I enjoy receiving stamped cards and crafts, as it's not something I've had much luck with myself.

I really appreciate when people take the time to rate, it's not about the hearts, but it's the only way I know if what I've sent has made it there!

Beatles; Green Day; Foo Fighters; Low Millions; Movie Soundtracks; Coldplay; Depeche Mode; The Cure,

Country music makes my ears bleed. bleh.

Amélie; Love Actually; About A Boy; Kill Bill 1&2; Pan's Labyrinth; Moulin Rouge; Stranger Than Fiction; Mr. Brooks; Little Miss Sunshine

George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice & Fire series; His Dark Materials series (no, I'm not thrilled about the movie coming out, but I did do the daemon meme!); Harry Potter series; Outlander series; Ender's Game, etc.; Any fantasy, most science fiction; Nora Roberts for guilty pleasures; Oscar Wilde; Sheri Tepper; Melanie Rawn; Jennifer Weiner; (to be continued as names pop into my head)

Current: CSI; The Office; Grey's Anatomy; Supernatural; Dexter; Semi-homemade with Sandra Lee.

Past: Cold Feet; Buffy/Angel; Arrested Development; The Naked Chef

Photography; Embroidery; Beaded jewelry (simple); Recycled crafts; Trying out new crafts

Seed Packet Swap; Pressed Flower Swap; Snarky T-Shirt Swap; Recycle/Reuse Craft Challenge Swap; Photo Challenge Swap; Blank Notecard Swap

If anyone wants to take any of those ideas and run with it- feel free, just drop me a line so I can join too!

Sunprint paper (cyanotypes);
Stationery;
Licorice Allsorts from the UK;
Earrings;
Charms;
Harry Potter related items;
Miniatures;

Ribbon embroidery items/start up kit (I'd love to learn this craft!)