ilove2smile

My name is Katie and I am 23. I'm a graduate student, so swapping keeps me sane :] I love private swaps!

What I pledged

If you will be sending late for any reason, I'd love it if you could please let me know. If it is a "life" issue, I generally don't rate down for things like that. But I'm not a fan of sneakiness.

I love it when people use recycled envelopes and boxes! Save the earth! :D

snail mail! Oh, don't we all... I write a lot of letters... and while I can't always become regular penpals with everyone, I love random surprise letters! If you ever just feel like writing, about whatever, I will enjoy reading it and I will respond at least once (to make it worth your while).

crafts! At the moment I am doing mostly cross stitch, but I also crochet a bit (beginner-level), and love to make collages. Recently I have started mini-whimsy jars and matchboxes! I want to try little felt stuffies, but don't have any supplies as of yet.

nature! :D and gardening I would be content with just sitting under a big tree and listening to the rustle of the leaves and chirping of birds all day. But as I obviously can't do that as often as I wish, I try to bring as much of it into my busy life as possible. I have many houseplants and I love gardening. Succulents, cacti, trees, orchids, daffodils, dogwoods, fruits & vegetables, and green viney houseplants are my favorite things to grow.

all colors! I will run outside and literally "chase" rainbows at any chance I get. :] I love them all, really, but if I do have to choose just a few, I guess "earth-colors"--and that doesn't mean just brown! :]

music! I play the flute and piccolo, and dabble a little in saxophone and oboe.

college sports! Go Rutgers Scarlet Knights!!!

reading! Especially fantasy (LOTR, Harry Potter, anything by Tamora Pierce), as well as scientific fiction. Margaret Atwood is currently my favorite author.

Anything I can use for writing letters:

• stationery

• envelopes

• address labels!!! (in dire need at the moment)

• stickers

• blank notecards

kawaii!!!!! (see section below)

State map postcards -- I prefer them "clean" in an envelope. If anyone wants a private swap, I can send Maryland! (and usually some other random states) Don't worry about sending duplicates-- I love them all :]

Postcards of protected nature sites like state parks, national parks, bioreserves, etc.

Postcards of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Themes:

• beach, ocean

• fairies, fantasy creatures, castles

• flowers, trees, old growth forests

• woodland animals, froggies, turtles, piggies, cute cows

• sunshine, clouds, rainbow, moon & stars

• ladybugs, dragonflies

• berries!!! I like those deep, rich color themes, too.

• Disney (esp. Eeyore and The Little Mermaid)

Misc. items I'd definitely enjoy:

• insightful quotes

• real 4-leaf clovers (pressed)

• fruity candies (not a big fan of chocolate except kinder)

• cute buttons, beads, ribbons

• blank journals (I prefer lined)

• chapstick/lip balm (but not lip gloss)

I love all kawaii things, but can most use:

• letter sets

• envelopes

• large memo pads/ loose sheets

• stickers (sheets, flakes) -- I prefer flat stickers more than the puffy or 3D ones.

• small deco tape

Favorite characters and designs:

• Tsuginohi Kerori (Tomorrow Frog by San-X)

• Sabo Kappa (by San-X)

• Monokuro Boo (by San-X)

• Tenorikuma (by Sanrio)

• Landry (by Sanrio)

• anything with clover!

• fairytales

I'm not a fan of the anime-style people, real people, or skulls.

scrapbooking, ATCs, dotee dolls, or making cards

And I don't need anymore small spiral notebooks-- I have so many!

• All sorts of Maryland (and Baltimore, specifically) souvenirs!!!

• Kawaii... I have some new things, but mostly grab bag type items (loose memos, stickers, letter sets, etc). I don't have a store to buy it around here, but I've got a stash.

• Other stationery, note cards, stickers, postcards (esp. maps!)

• Penpal letters

• Probably other things... just ask!

In all honesty, there's not much in life that I don't like. And if I get one of those things, I can always pass it along to someone else. I can't wait to swap with you!!!