latentsmile

The less you do, the more you get done. Really? Well, in that case... kicks feet up and sips Gewürtztraminer with pinkie raised.

I live and breathe swap-bot and absolutely adore happy mail and making others smile!

If your dog ate your swap and it is going to be late, please just let me know. I know life happens (oh, I've been there honey chile...), and as long as you are reasonable with me and sending a quality swap I will not downrate. We are all here to make each others’ day and enjoy swapping and I don’t believe in making that difficult for people. Please just keep in touch!

I come in two flavors: Zoom-Zoom (highly caffeinated), and Tea-Time (when I'm relaxed). I am a 28 y/o graphic artist with one of the largest food companies in the United States. It pays the bills, but I'm still developing my own stationery business in my free time.

I have a rat terrier (Tetsuko - yes, she knows that she is cute and neurotic) and a betta fish (Dash - he thinks I look cute in fuchsia and LOVES to show off his stripes), and we live in the city. We have a big back yard and a veggie garden as well as multiple flower beds. I love to get dirt under my fingernails; I am definitely a rural soul, built for the country and a 5-acre berry farm. Hoping to someday fulfill that dream, even if it's just to live a simple quiet life for awhile.

I love to cook, create, craft, meet new people, learn about other world cultures, and dream. I've been told that my passion for life and lust for my full potential is unwavering...I'm just in love with adventures!

I have a lust for the dark side of things, and adore dressing in bright colors Yes, my coworkers do whisper about my bright purple pants... I go ga-ga for paper, glitter, and paint. I am verbose. I love to have my nails painted in flashy ways (neon, sparkles, zebra…). I'm a lover, not a fighter, and in 2013 I'm focusing on STRENGTH.

I love to Zentangle, sew & embroider, paint, collage, cook, garden, do macramé/beading, scrapbook, write, and art/smash journal. I want to learn more about rubber stamp carving, photography, jewelry making, watercolors, knitting, and quilting...scratch that. I want to learn about EVERYTHING.

A little bit of gardening, some cooking, a really friggin' clean house…

My home is refuge to a freckled orchid and massive amounts of paper crafting goodies, vintage jewelry and old books.

A lot of paint and glitter and glue, splattered all over my desk, and some finished canvases on that pile in the corner.

My Xbox connected and staying warm with me playing Borderlands 2 and Assassin's Creed III over the winter. (Do you play? Add me, my gamertag is the same as my username!)

My circa 1927 upright piano, encased in walnut, waits for me to refinish and repair it, longing to sing in the foyer for friends.

I spend my evenings building a business from scratch, after I spend my days creating packaging art. I adore creating wedding stationery and small business marketing materials and snail mail goodies.

I live to create. I create to live. I create to let my soul know I am still listening…despite the chaos of the every day.

FOODSTUFF: Please DO NOT send me black licorice. I do not like it, not one bit. Hot cocoa and cider and tea are absolute necessities in life! Gummies, nimm2Lolly suckers, chocolate with nuts/crispy rice, teddy grahams, healthy snacks, chai and fruit and mint teas (I'll drink any tea that DOES NOT have ginger), I'm in love with President's Choice Chocolate Mint tea and we can't get it here, and all Haribo gummies (especially sours and Star Mix...we can't get most of the Haribo line in the States and if you send me these you will be in my heart for life!). I also love wasabi peas and pretty much any other Japanese snackies. :)

CRAFTING: papercrafting/washi tape/smash book supplies, stationery (I can't find any cute stationery in my local area and absolutely LOVE it!), natural hair and acrylic filament paintbrushes, ATCs using metallic inks/raised embellishments, permanent black ink pens in sizes 01 and 05, plastic masks, doilies, and clear unmounted stamps. I love birds and vintage ladies, keys and other symbols (doors, clocks, wings, etc.), ATC supplies, and unique jewelry pieces (charms, beads, etc.) as well as starter's items as I am new at jewelry. There is a fairy tale line of charms that I absolutely adore at my local store. Just the right mix of sweet and sinful. ;)

BATH, etc: lavender, jasmine, vanilla and coconut and other fruity fragrances, moisturizing soaps and lotions with shea. MONOII - coconut oil infused with other fragrances. I received a sea salt and olive oil soak this year in an Advent swap and I am absolutely in love. I would love to receive a similar soak as I can't find this anywhere!

IN GENERAL - I love it when people actually write me a letter/message and spend time on their swaps. It makes me feel good to read your words and know that you spent time on me…me, a total stranger! I'm not all that picky, but if you have a question please message me!

I am comfortable with adult themed artwork, D/s, and other things that many people would find offensive. So feel free to push the envelope a little when you send to me if you so desire.

I am a big fan of paper and collaging pieces, small artifacts of daily life, and heartfelt letters. I love beautiful stationery and handwriting. I am a paper-o-phile. I adore new recipe cards, size 4"x6". I am a little kitschy in my tastes, but like to keep things messily tasteful (after all, I am a trained designer/artist ;) ).

I will not rate anyone down for these things, but I do try to spend time and care to make sure that anything I send looks pretty and will be enjoyed, and I appreciate it so much when others do the same.

I would prefer to receive postcards with artwork or photos rather than a touristy card. I do not appreciate sticker slapping. I adore great quotes and well-thought words.

I can not fully appreciate most Zentangles that are not official patterns...or any art that is rushed and sloppy. It is called a CRAFT for a reason… I will never put anyone's artwork down. I know we have different skill levels, different styles. If you are sending your creation to me, it is a gift. I appreciate that immensely when a partner spends time and makes it really count. It is always, always, always hard for me to send off my drawings and ATC's because of the amount of heart I pour out. That's part of the beauty of it!

I don't care for Disney characters or most cartoony things. PIXAR and fan art etc. are exceptions. I'm just not big on the cutesy stuff unless it has a macabre cast as well. ;) (ummm, Nightmare Before Christmas, anyone!?)

Music is a huge passion for me. I always have it playing (loudly at home, louder in my car). I am an amateur at playing guitar and piano and hope to someday devote more time to learning to play better! I want to learn violin as well.

I love these bands: TOOL, The National, Ben Howard, Lana Del Ray, Blind Pilot, Bassnectar, David Bowie, Band of Horses, Portishead, Counting Crows, Deftones, Radiohead, Beats Antique, Kronos Quartet, Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, Bright Eyes, Better Than Ezra, the Gorillaz, Iron and Wine, and so many more. I am a huge fan of 90's alternative, grassroots, and BASS.

I love to go to concerts. I adore music festivals. I enjoy raves. I love to dance and dress up and let loose. I am so glad to live in this age, where music is so diverse and widely available!

I do love to read, although I don't spend much time at it. Just a few minutes here or there before bed. Some of my favorites are: Vurt, The Sandman series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I am the Cheese, The Last Lecture, and The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King (which I am currently finishing, again... :D).

I have cut back drastically on my television watching, and I am proud of that fact. I feel that it keeps me from creating as much as I'd like to. Netflix has made it all too easy to just pick a show and watch all 18 seasons straight through. :D

My favorite TV shows: Dexter, The Walking Dead, True Blood, Breaking Bad, Firefly, Rescue Me, Battlestar Galactica, Sons of Anarchy, The Tudors, Dollhouse, Once Upon a Time, Phineas and Ferb, Weeds, How It's Made, American Horror Story, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Sealab.

Movies: The Incredibles, Spider (8-minute short film…it will change your life, look it up!), Ever After, The Labyrinth, Boondock Saints, Waking Life, Say Anything, Mary and Max, Where the Wild Things Are, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Crow, Things to Do In Denver When You're Dead.