mamajoy

My name is Joy, and I am a retired real estate broker from northern Ohio. I am married to an awesome (and tolerant) man who puts up with my ever changing interests. I have 4 daughters, 4 stepchildren & combined 14 grandchildren. He also has 3 great-grandchildren. That makes me........married to a great grandfather. I play golf, camp with my sister, craft and travel. Cruises are our favorite vacation. I also love baseball, football and any Ohio sports team.

Music seems to be limited to oldies, classical, and anything my grandchildren (the musical ones) are involved in. Norah Jones is my current fav. I really like peace and quiet. I am my own best company.

Now starting (I'm sooooooo excited) Dan Brown's long awaited Lost Symbol. Just read "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. It's also a Oprah book club selection. Also finished a series of political/thriller books by Vince Flynn. Recently read "Winter Solstice" by Rosamunde Pilcher & "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". Books are a very important part of my life, both written and audio. I will read almost any mystery or best seller. Historical novels are pretty good also. Once in a great while I'll read a "trashy love story" just to break the monotony of serial killers. My eyes get tired more often, so sometime it takes a while to get through a book. Funny how I can whip through them at camp when it's quiet and peaceful.

TV is just a vehicle for watching movies and sports. I LOVE movies. I found that the local library has most of the just released movies, and I usually have a list of 25 or 30 at any one time on reserve. My hubby can't find anything to watch out of 200 channels, so this keeps him happy. My favorite movies are French Kiss, You've Got Mail, Moonstruck, do you see a trend here? Meg Ryan.....Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, etc. However, I am not opposed to any genre, except perhaps most sci-fi's. (Ok, I'm not totally square....I do like The Matrix and Kill Bill) I do look forward to Project Runway every year. And Top Chef. Bravo is a great network. HGTV has changed. Love Dog Whisperer (don't have a dog any more, but love the discipline) Can't wait for "The Tudors" to come out in DVD every year.

Ok, crafts. Where to start. I have never done "paper" crafts or collages in the past. My interests run more to textiles & fiber (knitting scarves/afghans) and crochet (tidy towels), sewing, and collage jewelry/button stuff. Collage pins out of old jewelry and buttons, paperweights and card holders from recycled marble trophy parts and (you guessed it) jewelry and buttons. Button dolls. Any Christmas ornament or decoration. I started making my own Christmas cards. I could go on, and do......So this is a new venture for me. I am obsessed with ATC's. Scrapbooking has been a difficult project for me. So this may help in overcoming that. I'm sure I will get into more and more paper art from now on. Also, making postcards has become a new interest. 2009 - I am just learning basket weaving. What fun! These will be Christmas presents to all my family and friends.

I don't want to put down too many specifics since I love anything to do with crafts. I am not easily offended, love tasteful nudes, double entendre's, etc. I collect and hoard any craft material, from natural things like pine cones or shells, and fabric, and ribbon..... to whatever I need at the time for my current project(s). There is so much to learn and do, and so little time. Since I do craft shows in the fall (sadly, I am retiring from them after this year to pursue my love of atc's and altered books) I tend to make multiples of each item. I do love hand made things. There is a little bit of the artist in everything hand made. I think thats why I love ATC's. The maker's personality shows through. So, do not worry about what I like. I am open to anything you love and will always find a use for it. Give me your orphan items, 1 earring, a lone sticker a scrap of paper. I love it! I have recently developed a love for postcards. It's instant mail gratification...I like them naked with a nice note, or sent bare in an envelope (to be used for another swap). I love sending and getting little pieces of mail. My vacation shopping now includes buying interesting postcards for my swaps. Too funny!

OK.... I guess I have to be more specific according to some swap rules. I will be adding thoughts from time to time. It's hard to list likes when there is very little I don't like.

I Love...........

*Anything about the Royal family. I have a collection of British commemoratives (china, postcards, etc.)

*Extra ATCs - I would like to build up my collection

*anything (book pages, etc.) written in a foreign language

*Unusual colored & patterned papers All colors, especially green, purple & blue. ATC sized papers of any color/pattern are fine. I really like hand made backgrounds.

*markers - double end sharpies

*Rubber stamps, especially clear or unmounted ones

*Victorian ephemera, also up to and including the 50's-

*Notecards, envies

*Used/unused postage stamps from anywhere. I would love it if you used unusual stamps when mailing me.

*unusual new or old buttons and glass beads

*unusual yarn (not 4 ply Red Heart type) , any color, single, individual strands about 6+ foot long, for scarves.

*books and magazines on crafts, beading, buttons, or scrapbooking.

*Butterflies

*dotees (I would like to learn to make them)

*handmade dolls of any kind

*Postcards - written or unwritten from anywhere in the world. Such cute little pieces of mail that make my day. I like vintage style, people, real animals (not the cartoony ones) world heritage sites, scenic, buildings, map & foreign cards.

• whimsy jars (?) I've never even seen one

*Tee shirts (men's XL)

*pierced errrings - I prefer goldtone but do wear silver occasionally. I like hooks rather than posts.

*Chocolate, especially dark or bittersweet

*Decaf coffee or tea

*Anything made with love

*my kitchen is Tuscan (olive green & burnt red) computer/craft room is dk. yellow & blue, rest of the house is green & dk.burgandy/pink.

*Computers (I don't mean someone should send me a computer, but I spend a lot of time on mine.)

*Movies (ditto for movies)

*Cutsy stickers (Hello Kitty, Kawaii, etc.)... It's ok if you make me something with them, I just don't feel creative using them myself.

*quilting-supplies or fabrics, I don't quilt.

*I don't journal, but I do like small, purse sized note books.

*All jazz music, heavy metal, some country (I know, it's un-american)

*Sci-fi movies

*Most bugs

*Spandex anything

*make-up, I don't wear any

*Cooked spinach - liver - mushrooms

*squash (anything with a z or q in it)

*perfumes and lotions. I'm not into scented anything.

I always send my swaps on time. I never mark sent until I actually mail my swap. However, sometimes it goes into a mail box, not the post office, so the post mark might not be the same as my sent date. If you don't receive anything in a reasonable time-frame, please let me know before you rate me and I will resend. I do keep track of my swaps. I know it's my responsibility to check on whether you received my swap, and as many of you know, I do. But it's also your responsibility to rate me when you do receive it. Thanks.

I promise to rate as soon as I receive your swap. I appreciate thoughtful extras, although they are not necessary for a heart. I will give hearts for good or caring work. If you send on time and it is the required item(s), you will get a 5. If you have a good reason for being late and let me know, I will try to be patient. Sometimes life does kick us when we're not paying attention.

I POST PICTURES OF MY ATC'S ON FLICKR, SO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE BEFORE YOU RECEIVE, DON'T GO THERE!