mercmom41

I am a writer and artist, and now a SAH-Mommy, after trying for 9 years and going through a hellish pregnancy. Beautiful little girl Lily Marie, born on 6/10/07, was totally worth the wait and is sweet and feisty and cute. I write a blog about being a Mommy but it's private so I don't get any crankheads reading it. If you're a mommy, too, and want to read it, just ask me and I'll send you an invite. My other blog (link above) is about my artmaking and life in general.

I've been married for 13 years, and we have one doggie, Cocoa, who has her own webpage on Dosgster, at http://www.dogster.com/dogs/32238/in/stroll/

I used to work at the library, which I absolutely loved because I am reading addict (especially craft books), but I've quit to be a Mommy for a while. I love learning new arts and crafts and making stuff in general with my hands.

Food: I'm a vegetarian so no meat recipes, please. Some people think eating fish still counts as vegetarian, but not me. I don't eat any animals. I'm not militant about it. I do miss pepperoni and salami sometimes (probably two of the worst meat choices as far as health). Anyway, I love potatoes. I also do a lot of gluten-free food, especially for bread.

Frank Sinatra, Norah Jones, Austin Lounge Lizards, Meat Beat Manifesto, Disney movie soundtracks, Hans Zimmer movie soundtracks (Gladiator), Sara Hickman, Andrews Sisters, Schoolhouse Rock, Tish Hinajosa, bluegrass in general but no country (Garth Brooks-gag me!), Enya, Esquivel

It's a Wonderful Life and everything Jimmy Stewart, Fargo, Philadelphia Story and everything Katherine Hepburn, Apollo 13 and everything Tom Hanks, Howl's Moving Castle and everything Miyazaki, Raiders of the Lost Ark and most things Harrison Ford, Tommy Boy, LOTR, Raising Arizona, X-Men, Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Mary Poppins, Jungle Book (original), Batman Begins, anything Johnny Depp, esp. Pirates of the Caribbean

Monk, House, Psych, CSI (the original only), PBS Mystery!, Samurai Jack, Batman Beyond, Ghost in the Shell:Stand Alone Complex, Dresden Files, What's With That House, Reaper, Numbers, The Closer, B. Original, The Craft Lab, Uncommon Threads

I'm into altered books, ATC's, collage and mixed media assemblage art (shrines, etc.),knitting, weaving (mostly with paper) some quilting (mostly for use in other art, sewing anything other than clothing, and love to just play art. I have all kinds of weird supplies--store mannequins, bottle caps, twigs, the front of a large birdhouse,etc. Game pieces are my favorite supply, and I love retro imagery and motifs from the 50's and space-age 60's.

Buttons with cute or cheeky things on them

Pressed Pennies

Kawaii stuff- I like Japanese cute, but not much other cute stuff, I don't know why

a variety of stationery (peanuts, cartoons, halloween, but no flowery pretty stuff)

deco tape

floaty pens and souvenir pencils

handmade stuff, especially drawings and sewn things like stuffies. I bought my current wallet from Etsy and it is made with Kawaii Little Red Riding Hood fabric and I love love love it.

postcards with b/w photos, esp. old ones from 1950's or earlier

used stamps, esp. non-U.S.

sour candy like shigekix

dark chocolate

Robot things (postcards, drawings, figurines, stuffies)

tote bags, handmade or otherwise

I am a Mommy, I get it. If you are going to be late sending your stuff to me just let me know. I am not going to check the postmark, and I would rather you take the time you need and ENJOY making the swap item than dash something off at the last minute because you didn't have time after you were up all night with your sick doggie/baby/self. Remember, this is FOR FUN!!

I love most cartoons, but please, NO Garfield anything.

retro/funky knick knacks (no Hummel): dogs, owls, monkeys, robots

stickers: robots, warner bros., Peanuts

Snoopy: figure, doll, book, stationery, anything.

Character drinking glass (peanuts, curious george, Disney, etc.), jelly jars fine.

Language reference books: quirky, old, esp. on slang or foreign (foreign to me would be not English) terms. Condition not an issue, it can be falling apart.

Other Books on/of: botanical drawing, architecture, embroidery.

tiny vase for plant cuttings- less than 4" tall, glass or ceramic

Fabric - bright colors, retro, or children's theme.

Fabric ribbon

Felt in any color, need brown right now.

Buttons in any color but white

Embroidery floss, need whites right now.

Rick rack of any color or size

Stationery: funky, dogs, children's, hello kitty, kawaii, mary engelbreit, peanuts, anime, cartoons...just no pretty flowers.

Rubber stamps of: dogs, monkeys, owls, abstract pattern or scrolly architectural pattern

Scrapbooking stuff: stickers of words or letters, chipboard, paper, colored wire

Religious items, patriotic items,or anything from a smoked-in enviroment (it's a migraine trigger).

and would be happy to swap with you for something.

Used postage stamps with faces/people on them, also any stamps with flags.

Baby clothes for 6-9 month-old girl

Baby clothes for 9-12 month-old girl

Size 2 brand new dk blue Converse high-top sneakers for boy or girl

(note: all the clothes are in really good shape. I've already weeded out the stained/worn stuff and still have a lot left)