euphoria

For me, the best part about swapping is choosing or making something that my swap partner will love. (Getting something back is just frosting on a lovely cake!) I want the swapping experience to be wonderful for each and every one of my partners and I always rate the same day I receive. I post almost everything I make for swaps on my blog, so if you want to be surprised, don't peek! :)

I've been a mixed-media artist for about 11 years and used to host many, many card swaps. I love making special things for people and am getting back into swapping again on a regular basis. I live in north central FL with my husband and three cats. I enjoy decorating in the shabby chic style and I collect Disney Beauty & the Beast items (mostly dolls, pins and snowglobes). When I'm not creating art, I like to read, write, knit and shop, especially at thrift stores and flea markets. I have a civilian job at the local police dept to support my (pretty much out of control) art supply habit. I also spend a ridiculous amount on art/craft magazines; my favorites are Cloth Paper Scissors and pretty much everything Stampington publishes (especially Somerset Studio).

I love Survivor, Project Runway and Design Star. Aside from those, I watch almost no TV; most of my time is spent creating in my studio or sitting in front of the computer.

Favorite authors: Stephen King, Ruth Rendell, Sophie Kinsella, Ed McBain, Victoria Holt. I like suspense, mystery and historical.

Mixed media collage & assemblage, book altering, knitting, felting, art quilting (just dabbling in the latter for now). I join a lot of ATC swaps on another site; I like having a host that can weed out the "sticker slapped on a piece of paper" type.

I enjoy all types of music except rap, country and gospel. I don't listen to music as often as I used to; audio books have pretty much taken over as my listening choice.

Beauty & the Beast, Ladyhawke, The Princess Bride, Titanic, The Birdcage, Zorro, the Gay Blade, The 10th Kingdom, Blades of Glory, Zoolander, anything directed by M. Night Shyamalan, anything "riffed" by the guys at Rifftrax.com. (They used to be Mystery Science Theatre 3000.)

I love just about anything handmade. I think handmade is far superior to anything you can buy; it comes straight from the heart.

The only crafty type items I don't really like are cross-stitch or plastic canvas (though I love embroidery, especially ribbon embroidery).

Our decor is almost exclusively blue and white, except for the guest bath, which is sage green. Blue is the only color my husband and I both agree on, so we have blue carpets, curtains, countertops & furniture in every room. My art studio, though always messy, is my personal retreat. I painted a "sky" on the ceiling and upper part of the walls, complete with fluffy clouds. The ceiling light is painted with glass stain to look like the sun and large butterflies hang from invisible thread; they are constantly in motion from the slightest air movement.

My wishlist:

I can always use more lanyards - beaded, fabric or whatever. I have to use an electronic key to get into different areas at my work. If I have it around my neck I don't forget to take it with me. :)

Handbags - I have a huge collection of those I've bought and made, but I simply can't get enough. I would love a patchwork style hobo bag in shades of blue.

Somehow I've acquired a collection of magnets, though I hardly ever buy them. I like those with humorous sayings or unusual shapes/styles.

I like Disney Beauty & the Beast pins from other countries, which are difficult for me to get, especially Euro Disney & Tokyo Disney.

My favorite colors are pink, aqua and spring green, though my favorite color to wear is blue. I'm pretty much a pastel kinda gal when it comes to my own artwork, though I'm always drawn to bold colors in others'.

Anything vintage or shabby chic. Mosaics are one of my favorite looks. Favorite motifs are flowers, birds, butterflies, cats, mermaids, fairies, vintage ladies or children - anything pretty, really. I like frou-frou, lace, glitter and bling, so long as it's fairly tastefully done. :)

Have I mentioned I LOVE art supplies? I'm really into small paper and silk flowers, clear acrylic gems, glitter, ribbons, trims, lace, charms, buttons, vintage images, rub-ons (especially alphabets), rubber stamps, handmade or other specialty papers. Also, there is no such thing as too many bottles of "Stickles," any color. I use it constantly and it's hard to find in my area.

Things I don't want/need:

Candy or anything similar (unless it's sugar-free) - I don't eat sugar

Jewelry - I rarely wear it

Bath/body - I don't do my nails and the only scent I really like is White Cherry Blossom from Bath & Body Works (which is sadly discontinued), so nothing in that category, please

Warm accessories, such as gloves, hats, scarves - I live in Florida

Greeting cards - I have well over 75 I've made or received in swaps

Nothing religious, please

Just in case you don't see anything that floats your boat in my profile, you can always send something for my husband. He absolutely loves milk chocolate, though not Hershey's, which he thinks tastes too "cheap." He likes creepy Halloweeny stuff; skulls, rats, pirates, that sort of thing. (Not cute - creepy.) He also collects Jokers from decks of cards, so if you happen to have one lying around, please pm me and I'll trade you something for it. :)