mamajoy

*FYI: (12/4/11) I have filed a formal complaint with the USPS about the branch I have been using. Much of my mail has never been received, especially post cards, and I have had to resend several swaps, including 2 - 3 type swaps. I have switched to another branch. I send all multiple partner swaps at the same time. So, if you see I have been rated by someone in your swap, you know I did send to you also. It is becoming very frustrating. Hopefully, the change in PO branches will solve the problem.

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 6 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.

RECENTLY READ BOOKS *Just read The Help, after seeing the movie....both great! * now working on David Baldacci books * Love: Michael Connelly & Harlan Coben * political/thriller books by Vince Flynn * Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher * Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour (not a western) 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. I received an ipad2 from my children, what a wonderful tool for downloading books, etc. Love it!

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. 8/14 - Just saw "The Help" I see academy award nomination in it's future. Wasn't "The Kings Speech" the most wonderful movie? My favorite movies are French Kiss, You've Got Mail, Moonstruck, Kinky Boots, Avatar, Chicago, Triplets of Belleville, Breakfast Club, Howl's Moving Castle. 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 most Quentin Tarantino movies) I have been watching dvds of BBC series, such as Upstairs/Downstairs, etc. I do look forward to Project Runway every year. And Top Chef. Bravo is a great network. I''m now hooked on Fashion Police....I think Joan Rivers is a "bleeping'" hoot!

Where to start. I have never done "paper" crafts or collages in the past. My interests ran 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 and take mini workshops on greeting card making at the local scrapbook store. I am obsessed with ATC's. Scrapbooking has been a difficult project for me. So this may help in overcoming that. NOT! I have expanded my art to altered books. I just finished 5 "family history" altered books. I'm sure I will get into more and more paper art from now on. Also trading 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. 2010...Just started an afghan.....just what I need, another project. Finished 3/30/11. Lampworking is a new hobby of mine. Took a class last year and bought the supplies. I am now getting serious about it. Love making glass beads. Hope to get more consistant so I can make jewelry for myself.

I am not easily offended, love tasteful nudes, double entendre's, etc. I collect and hoard whatever I need at the time for my current project(s). There is so much to learn and do, and so little time. 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 button, 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 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 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 small collection of British commemoratives (china, postcards, etc.) Looking for a William/Kate postage stamp (if there is such a thing.....maybe in the future?)
• Middle ages (Henry VIII, etc.)
• anything (book pages, etc.) written in a foreign language
• Unusual colored/patterned/floral papers. All colors, especially muddy/washed out/muted colors and patterns. ATC sized papers (2.5 x 3.5 or larger). I also like hand made papers and backgrounds.
• Rubber stamps, especially clear or unmounted ones
• ephemera from victorian to the 50's
• Anything Tim Holtz
• Notecards, decorated envies
• Used/unused postage stamps from anywhere. I would love it if you used real stamps when mailing me.
• 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 paper crafts.
• Butterflies
• dotees (I would like to learn to make them)
• handmade dolls of any kind
• POSTCARDS - written or unwritten from anywhere in the world. I prefer standard 4x6 size (NOT oversized or large) for my album unless the swap calls for something else. I'm not crazy about most multi view cards. I like:
  • people
  • real animals (not the cartoony ones)
  • art
  • lighthouses
  • touristy
  • world heritage sites
  • foreign
  • scenic
  • map
  • I have:
  • Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, N. Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, S. Carolina, S. Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, USA, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, W. Virginia, Wisonsin, Wyoming, Yellowstone N.P., Sicily
• I just discovered Go Cards and Max cards. Great graphics. FYI: I would love it if you sent a go-card type ad card (in an envie - unwritten) for any postcard swap.
• whimsy jars (?) I've never even seen one
• Tee shirts (men's XL)
• pierced earrings - I prefer goldtone but do wear silver occasionally. I like hooks rather than posts.
• Chocolate, especially dark or bittersweet
• Decaf coffee or decaf 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- that would be a whole other life.
• I don't journal, but I do like small, purse sized note books.
• All jazz music, heavy metal, most 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.
• People who send swaps or postcards without a little personal note. A line or two would be enough. I would love to hear something about you or your area.

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 WILL NEVER LET THE POST OFFICE WIN! 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 be patient. Communication is the key. Sometimes life does kick us when we're not paying attention.

Non Raters: @Kathiann for Let's Fly Away! Postcard Swap @Altkins for 5 postcards from your state or country (resend) @cnjockermans for Free /ad card-2 (resend)

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