iLoveMail

Please note: There is only one swap currently on my dashboard, and its late. I PM'd the swap coordinator at least 3 weeks ago, asking if she could extend the deadline, but I still haven't heard from her. (She hasn't logged on in over a month and is also late - with her own swap.) I have been in contact with my partner regarding the swap, so she knows what's going on & why its late. I am usually on time with my swaps, but having some personal issues in my non-SB life at the moment.

I love making things with my hands, from cards, envelopes & boxes to breads & pastries. I love the idea of starting with just raw materials or ingredients and ending up with something tangible that I've created! I enjoy giving things to people, especially when they appreciate all the time & effort I put into my work. I love all things related to paper! Hand-carving stamps is my new favorite thing! Now, if there were only 10 more hours in a day....

I'm 37, married with of daughter - Ella (4) and step-daughter, Alex (16). From California, now living in Massachusetts & always missing southern CA, especially the weather....working full-time in a restaurant, spending any free time I have crafting & swapping - which isn't much:(

• vintage ephemera & anything retro or travel-related
• mail art
• anything by Tim Holtz
• open-mindedness
• travel - there's no place I won't go!
• retro/vintage/shabby chic styles
• writing & receiving letters - I LOVE my penpals :))
• all things paper-related
• RAKs
• baking & cake decorating
• letter paper, stationery, letter sets & envelopes
• quotes
• making things by hand & creating in general
• magazines - I'm a magazine fiend!!
• travelogues or stories of pioneer women travelers
• foreign languages
• family memorabilia & keepsakes
• photography (I'm a total novice)
• thrift store/second-hand shopping
• baking from scratch
• neat fonts, lettering styles, zentangle
• how-to books

....just to name a few....

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY

** felt food

** crafting with clay

** making an altered book/journal

MY CRAFTY PURSUITS:

mAil arT, paper crafts, decoupage, altered anything! making envies, mixed media, stamp-carving, stamping, card-making, fabric crafts, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, photo/memory crafts, mosaics, painting...

HEART-DESERVING....:) It would be great to get any of the following (not necessarily in order of favorites):

• Tim Holtz or "7 Gypsies" products

• vintage or travel ephemera

• unused airmail stickers from any country (like the kind you get free at the post office!) or almost anything postal-related

• any memorabilia or ephemera from airlines that are no longer in business, like PanAm or TWA or any foreign airlines

• something from my Etsy favorites =)

• stamp-carving supplies!

• wax & wax seals

• copic paper or copic markers

• printed paper tape, deco tape, fabric tape or washi tape

• new, unused US postage stamps - any denomination.

• current Somerset magazines or publications

• cake decorating magazines from any country (old or new)

• handmade envelopes from vintage books & maps- any size

• handmade books or altered journals

• foreign maps or pieces of maps (for crafting & collage)

• A to Z List of Likes:

  • A - anything with "Alfie" on it!
  • B - blog help & ideas! or, boxes or box templates - small/unique/any
  • C - chipboard or anything cupcake or chartreuse
  • D - deco tape
  • E - Etsy favorite :) or ephemera
  • F - foreign papers/foreign book pages/ foreign embellishments/ foreign fibers
  • G - good, handmade envelopes
  • H - hand-carved stamps
  • I - international airmail stickers from your country
  • J - jars or unique containers
  • K - Kawaii letter sets or kitsch
  • L - letter paper, with lines please :) NO floral!
  • M - maps - new, used, pieces, vintage
  • N - new postcards
  • O - original craft - made by you!
  • P - postage stamps - new, unused US stamps - any denomination is greatly appreciated!
  • Q - quotes or sayings (nothing religious please)
  • R - rubber for stamp carving
  • S - stamp carving tools or stationery with lines
  • T - Tim Holtz anything!, Tombo adhesive or travel ephemera
  • U - unique items for crafting/creating that you don't see everyday
  • V - vintage anything!!!, especially printed matter, magazines, ads, etc.
  • W - wax seal stamps, sealing wax, whimsy jars (empty is fine)
  • X - extras from anywhere in my profile
  • Y - your favorite craft item or tool (with a note as to why :)
  • Z - Zots - the adhesive kind, not the candy :) (I can always use these!), zentangled anything :)

For specific swaps: I like most any Kawaii characters stationery or letter sets, but especially - San-X, HK, any food with faces

Postcards I collect:

• vintage (1970 or earlier)
• black & white
• scenic, single-view cards - especially foreign, but American view cards are fine too

PLEASE DON'T SEND ME -

• animal cards or cards w/ people
• art cards (unless its a really cool black & white vintage card)
• ad cards
• cutesy, country, flowers or floral
• churches, crosses or any religious persons

I DON'T Care For & DON'T Want:

• anything religious or related to religion
• flower/floral-printed anything
• scrapbook paper (I have more than I'll ever use!)
• tea or tea bags
• stuffed animals
• flower embellishments or anything floral printed
• country/Americana/folk art crafts, prints or colors or ANYTHING
• perfume & scented things such as lotions
  & soaps
• bath & body items or cosmetics (I have VERY sensitive skin.)
• key chains or refrigerator magnets
• drink mixes (hot chocolate, coffee, etc.)
• candy - unless its PEZ =)
• dotees (?) I'm not into dolls at all.
• blank recipe cards, unless its that kind of swap (have a lot to send)
• I'm not religious at all, so please DON'T send religious items, bible quotes, stickers, etc.
• Please don't send seasonal items or colors, like things I can only use for x-mas, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc., unless its that kind of swap. I prefer things I can use year-round
• things smelling of cigarette smoke - YUK!

I always try to respect others likes/dislikes, beliefs, etc. as well! Thanks in advance :) and THANK YOU for reading my profile!!

• chartreuse or celadon or lime green (or mostly any shade of green, except jade or emerald)
• brown - I love brown & chartreuse (lime) together, or brown & pink, or brown & powder blue
• retro, kitsch & vintage designs/patters
• silver or pewter (but I don't care for gold as a color)
• black & white
• paisleys
• tropical colors, but not neon
• I like earth-tones more than pastels; deep colors more than primary colors. I like clean & modern, unless its vintage/retro.

~ If sending address labels, please no script fonts. I prefer handwriting or block fonts. Thanks :) Blank labels are always useful too!

I have been re-using packaging a lot lately, so please don't be surprised if one of my swaps comes in a used envelope - its what's on the inside that counts! (Besides, I use a TON of tape! My worst nightmare is to have a swap ripped open in transit.) I don't mind getting used packaging either :)

Its nice to have a place where I feel I'm surrounded by like-minded, creative, accepting people and this is a safe-haven for me where I "escape" to daily. I don't want to have any issues or problems with anyone here, so please be kind! 99% of the time I send "extras" or more than the required swap. If there's a problem with one of my swaps or you haven't received something from me, just send a message. I send ALL my swaps out, usually on time. If I'm going to be late, I always message my partners. I am NOT a "postmark checker" and I'm pretty easy going as well if my partners need to send late; as long as I receive something eventually! (Just PM me to let me know.)