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Date Joined: June 25, 2010
Last Online: July 1, 2022 Country: United States Etsy Favorites Sticker Wish List |
After a long absence, it feels gratifying to finally be back.
I am grateful for my swap-bot friends and appreciate you all helping me to feel connected to the world. Every letter you sent or time you reached out has made my life better. Thank you!
Hello. Welcome to my profile. My name is Phillaine. I live with my sweetheart and our two (magic!) hypoallergenic Siberian cats in a home we've been fortunate to share for the past six years. We will be moving houses this summer, but where to is as yet a mystery.
My daily life right now is mostly focused on finding a new home before the end of July: a sanctuary that will support my health and growth.
I LOVE to be outside: my happiness is directly tied to the amount of time I spend outdoors. Wherever we go, I want great big trees and room for a garden to grow.
My heart's home is in the North Woods, and I aspire to build a little house of my own in the forest someday.
🌈My FAVORITE things to do on swap-bot are granting wishes in wish list groups and sending profile-based swaps and surprises. 💌
Thank you for joining me here and taking the time to peruse my thoughts. 💗
I'll be working on updating my profile over the next few months as well. :)
Things I Enjoy Doing (verbs!)
reading, exploring, traveling, making things (so many things!), planning, being spontaneous (yes, both), making lists, solving problems, visiting with people, being outdoors, taking photos, gardening, baking, cooking, painting, embroidery, crocheting, sewing, paper crafting (e.g. collage, stationery, envelopes and mailers, pocket letters, flipbooks), customizing and photographing Blythe dolls, carving rubber stamps, preparing and sending happy mail by post, writing fairly brief letters and occasional journal entries, solving sudoku and jigsaw puzzles (though I never buy them), playing games like Scrabble, Boggle, Huggermugger, Taboo, Scattergories, Tetris, Alhambra, Arkham Horror, and Skyrim, cuddling up with my kitties while watching shows and working on and/or coming up with ideas for more projects. I am in absolutely no danger of running out of projects. ;)
Things which Interest me (nouns!)
Many sorts of art, literature, and music, folk tales, fairy tales, myths, and legends, intriguing illustrations, thunderstorms, Autumn, Spring, cats of all kinds, wildlife, trees, flowers, etc. (some favorite plants include oak, maple, birch, boxwood, and willow trees, iris, poppies, pansies, columbines, lilies, morning glories, bachelor buttons, clover, bluebells, and magnolias), botanical gardens, orchards, vegetable gardens, rainbows, mischievous fairies, phoenixes, cryptozoology, dinosaurs, TARDIS, Totoro and his umbrella, semi-precious stones and fossils (like spectrolite, moonstone, onyx, ammolite, etc.), sea glass, trains, bicycles, tricycles, unicycles and penny-farthings, clocks, mechanisms, typewriters, strawberries, raspberries, Blythe, photography, many things that are considered "strange," "peculiar," or "dark," I find interesting and sometimes beautiful.
Five Senses
I love ALL of these colors:
Some favorites are autumnal tones, black/greys, All kinds of blues, turquoise, reds, greens, purples-- I do tend to be drawn to more deep, earthy, or rich colors and don't do much with many pastels or neon/day-glo colors.
I especially enjoy ways that colors transform in combination with one another.
Some favorite sounds are rain on a metal rooftop, a crackling wood-burning fire, the sound of lighting a wooden match and the sound of the flame being extinguished by a breath, the songs of crickets and coquis, and the indescribable calm experienced while parasailing.
Some of my favorite flavors/scents are: genuine maple syrup and vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, coriander, and clover; I adore the flavors and, accordingly, the aromas of garlic and curry. I'm crazy about the smell of coffee beans, but can't drink coffee. My favorite scents that are definitely NOT for eating are probably the smell of a wood-burning fire, a forest after rain, and certain cats (the smell reminds me of my grandma's house and our visits there). No eating fire, forests, or kitties.
The cool stone faces of cliffs and canyons, the feel of my hands working through soil and stones or sorting through big bins of buttons, seeds, grain, or other smooth things, cozy homemade quilts of cotton, and the feeling of modal fabrics are all extremely soothing and comforting to me.
Books
Too many to mention! Like I said, I collect myths, folk tales, fairy tales, and legends. Those are my favorites. I have a great fascination with and passion for children's literature. I especially adore Le Petit Prince and The Neverending Story, and reread Heidi and the Little House books every so often when nostalgia attacks ♥. Some favorite fairy tales (off the top of my head) include The White Cat, Puss in Boots, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Blockhead Hans, and Hansel and Gretel; I'm always in search of stories where the girls and women are clever and play active roles rather than being basically powerless victims who are "saved" by a man. I'd love to hear your recommendations!
As for "grown-up" books, I like interesting fiction that features unique characters and storytelling (my favorite I can think of off-hand is Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut), quirky old books on things like etiquette and education, "vintage," unusual, and vegan cookbooks (I'm not vegan, but am allergic to milk, so this helps). I also enjoy modern nonfiction, especially cultural anthropology and self-help/psychology books (e.g. Blink by Malcom Gladwell and The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker) as well as books on mindfulness and meditation (e.g. Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh).
Music, Movies, and Television
Johnny Cash, Regina Spektor, Madeleine Peyroux, Leonard Cohen, Steve Earle, Elvis, Tom Waits, The Ramones, Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, The Beatles, Joan Jett, Mika, Mumford and Sons, Trampled by Turtles, Flight of the Conchords, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Patsy Cline, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Led Zeppelin, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Sting, U2, Cher (mostly in person--she's a delightful entertainer), Lady Gaga...I enjoy a wide variety of music. I get nostalgic and a little homesick (in a good way) when I listen to the old Grand Ole Opry Country Classics and Blues and Bluegrass and Folk music. ♥
The Addams Family • Addams Family Values • Amélie • The Apartment • Batman Returns • Beetlejuice • Best in Show • Blast From the Past • Clue • Coco • Coraline • The Dark Knight • Death Becomes Her • Despicable Me • Django Unchained • Edward Scissorhands • The Fantastic Mr. Fox • The Good, The Bad, and Huckleberry Hound • The Goonies • Harold and Maude • Heathers • Hocus Pocus • Isle of Dogs • Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle • Knives Out • The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra • A Mighty Wind • Moana • My Big Fat Greek Wedding • My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 • My Neighbor Totoro • The Neverending Story • The Nightmare Before Christmas • O Brother, Where Art Thou? • Parasite • The Princess Bride • The Producers (1967) • Quigley Down Under • Romy and Michele's High School Reunion • The Shawshank Redemption • Sing • The Skeleton Key • Stand By Me • The Triplets of Belleville • Up • The Wedding Singer • Who Framed Roger Rabbit? • Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) • The Witches (1990) • Wreck it Ralph • X-Men • Young Frankenstein • Zootopia
Dr. Who, Schitt's Creek, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Bones, Charmed, Arrested Development, Hannibal, Grace & Frankie, The Blacklist, Leverage, The Wire, Breakout Kings, Orange is the New Black, Wentworth, House, Pushing Daisies, Once Upon a Time, The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, Modern Family, Community, RuPaul's Drag Race, Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, House Hunters, Fixer-Upper, Property Brothers, Love it or List it, all sorts of HGTV shows. I also enjoy documentaries. Lately, I've been especially enjoying The Great British Baking Show. BAKE!
Yes Please! (also refer to interests):
I have a great appreciation for things which are both useful and beautiful.
I'm always looking to swap for wishlist items, tools and supplies I'd like for my studio and current projects, and interesting unused U.S. postage stamps I can incorporate into mail art. If you're interested in setting up a private swap, please contact me via PM.
No thanks:
Please don't send me anything involving violence or gore, political or religious things (spiritual/inspirational=fine, just not religious), or any food or beverage items, makeup, or other personal care items (unless it's something specifically on my Etsy or Amazon wishlist). Thank you.
As for the following things, I simply don't care for them and don't have any use for them, so they'd be better saved for someone who will appreciate them:
touristy or ad postcards, small fabric scraps, kids' craft supplies, foam/puffy/"3D" stickers, sequins, glitter, bling, items that are frilly, over-the-top cutesy, Americana, "country charm," "glam/fashionista," sports, wedding, or baby-themed
I can't use anything made of wool (fabric, felt, yarns, etc.) because it makes me SUPER itchy. :(
Most importantly, please don't send me anything smelling of smoke, mildew, or strong perfumes (I have allergies). Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and learn a little bit about me and what I like. It really means a lot to me to know you put such thought and care into your parcels; it makes them personal and meaningful rather than simply transactional. It's the difference that can totally make someone's day. I always read the profiles of my partners for this reason; it's one of my favorite things about swap-bot. So, thanks again! ♥
Hello, everyone!
I just made a chart with the new USPS postage rates to print out on an index card, and thought I'd share. Feel free to copy, print, and distribute however you like.
Happy Mailing!
♥ Phillaine
This section is where I keep notes on outstanding swaps/tags/wishes/RAKs/WTAs to make sure everything arrives safely; I always send my swaps on time and try to rate as soon as I can after receiving from my partners.
PLEASE contact me before rating if you haven't received from me or the envelope is damaged; I'm happy to re-send if something gets lost or torn up in the post.
June Wishes Sent
CPG group wish list
@heliogal rec'd 6/17
@colleenbusa rec'd 6/15
@OrigamiGrace
@bluerose3
Wonderful Wishes
@Ikat78 rec'd 6/21
@Autist rec'd 6/13
@bethe rec'd 6/12
@Highlander18
@susieq11 rec'd 6/15
@warheart rec'd 6/23
May Wishes Sent
CPG group
@LadyJo rec'd 5/23
@annanymark (Sweden) rec'd 5/29
@colleenbUSA rec'd 5/20
LSRUS group
@simcoe54 (Canada) rec'd 5/22
@LavenderSprinkles rec'd 5/15
Make a Wish
@susieq11 rec'd 5/11
@dartha rec'd 5/14
@Ciska76 (Netherlands) rec'd 5/29
@anicka22 (Netherlands) rec'd 6/14
Wishlist
@Sandy1969 (India) rec'd 5/26
@TeaNi rec'd 5/23
Wonderful Wishes
@kiddomerriweather rec'd 5/14
@Autist rec'd 5/16
@grammypammy rec'd 6/6
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Completed | Fives | Threes | Ones |
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Comments
Thank you Phillaine for the June WW fantastic wishes! First of all, your Etsy seller made this so special. She did sewing machine zig-zag stitching on the edges of a map envelope (will use for a pocket page in my next journal) and included the sweetest note from you. I love your favorite faux postage happy mail stickers and the lemons. Both are so cute! I will enjoy using these on more happy mail and keep some for my journals too. Oh and she included a cool large sticker which goes right into my journal. Thank you for remembering me this month! I appreciate your kindness and generosity! I hope your packing and move is going good. (moving is never fun but the reward is worth it) Bonnie xo
Thank you for the CPG June wish of labels. You can never have too many : )
Thank you so much for the pretty Jamberry nail wraps from my June wishlist at CPG!! I'm gonna try them tonight, woohoo!
Thank you for the lovely June WW :)
Oh wow! Thank you for the wonderful June WW of the mail stickers. They are very cute and I love them!! 🤗
WW ~ May Wishlist
Sorry this is late in saying Thank You, but I wasn't sure which swap/group it was from and I couldn't find you on swap-bot when I searched. Anyway, I did receive the Postcard Puzzle and I loved it! What a creative idea and I just might do this for a swap/wish! I appreciate you granting my wish!
Enjoy your day! Hugs, Pam
Thank you so much!! I was so excited to see my CPG June wish/birthday gift from you in the mail yesterday!!! I am overjoyed with my Violette sweet heart stickers and they included the cutesiest cat in a bonnet sticker too!! It is so nice to see you on swap bot again! I just came back a year ago too and I love running into old friends on here!! Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness!!
Thank you for the fabulous wishes for WW June! Starting with the pretty floral envelope - wow! And lots of poodle stickers, poodle card, sweet deer and other stickers….this made my heart so happy!!! I cannot tell you how much I love it all! Thank you for always being so kind and generous!!! XOXO
Thank you so much for the HP stickers and traveling postcard for CPG June wishes! I love the stickers! And I already decorated and passed on the tpc!
Thank you so much for the amazing may wishes. I loved hearing from you! And the stickers are just amazing!! ( just like you are dear friend)