phillaine

As of September 18th, ratings and thanks have been posted for all swaps, wishes, tags, WTAs, and RAKs. If you haven't been rated, then your swap has not yet arrived.
Thank you!

Hi! My name is Phillaine, and I'm 36 years old. I'm currently living with my sweetheart and our two incredible hypoallergenic Siberian cats in a city that's pretty great as far as cities go. My heart's home is in the forests and prairies of Northern Minnesota, and I aspire to build a tiny cabin to incorporate into our woodland adventures at the family homestead. At the same time, I am very happy to be living in my first-ever (rental) HOUSE which is charming and wonderful and crooked and a century old and in need of lots of love, which I supply with great enthusiasm.

I LOVE to be outside: my happiness is directly tied to the amount of time I spend outdoors. I am thrilled that I now have the opportunity to do work in the yard any and all times that the weather is fine, and I'll never come close to running out of things to do. Also, I'm extremely fortunate to live near an enormous wilderness area which I'm always eager to explore.

My current focus is on personal discovery and renewal. Thank you for joining me here and taking the time to peruse my thoughts :)

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, 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, practicing mindfulness and self-discovery while working on being present, deliberate, and authentic
I also sit on the couch and watch shows while cuddling with my kitties 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, honeysuckle, 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 the flame makes when it's extinguished, 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, clover, honeysuckle, and pumpkin spice; I adore the flavors and don't at all mind the aroma 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 campfire, 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 experience 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 LOVE 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. ♥

Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Amélie, The Apartment, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Heathers, The Nomi Song, Batman Returns, The Dark Knight, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, The Amazing Screw-on Head, My Neighbor Totoro, The Skeleton Key, Best in Show, Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Producers (original version), The Triplets of Belleville, Dallas Buyers Club, Blast From the Past, Sweeny Todd, The Wedding Singer, Despicable Me, Wreck it Ralph, The Good, The Bad, and Huckleberry Hound

Dr. Who, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Arrested Development, Hannibal, Grace & Frankie, The Blacklist, Leverage, Breakout Kings, Orange is the New Black, Wentworth, House, Pushing Daisies, Once Upon a Time, The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, Modern Family, Community, The Mindy Project, The New Girl, Bones, RuPaul's Drag Race, Charmed, Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, House Hunters, Fixer-Upper, 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 would LOVE to receive a pocket letter from you!
• Your mail art always makes me smile ♥
• Anything on my Amazon or Etsy favorites lists, or things inspired by them, would be delightful!
• Please send me your own personal tried-and-loved-and-tried-again-and-again recipes ♥ Dairy-free would be extra fantastic as I have a dairy allergy
• stationery--I LOVE stationery, especially letter sets, homemade envelopes and any other colorful/interesting envelopes in mailable sizes, decorative adhesive or gummed labels, and anything made with a letterpress
• art journal goodies (any brand or good quality homemade is great)
• nice quality ATC backgrounds (I use these in my pocket letters--I can never have too many!)
• stickers--I only use the flat ones, and I enjoy a large variety (some of my favorites are here ) As I'm currently exploring mandala-making, groups of 4 or 8 of the same image are especially welcome
• rings or necklaces in silver or antiqued-look metals, expecially filigree, enameled, and/or natural stones -- I'm just now exploring what kinds of jewelry I really like
• charms
• pendants
• stones or crystals
• information on natural healing (the healing properties of plants, reiki, accupressure, etc.)
• anything forest related: wildlife, trees, flowers, etc. (see "interests" section)
• uncommon and interesting quotes
• stamps, cut-outs, stickers, stationery, etc. with the following words/phrases: "enjoy," "explore," "hello," "surprise" or "surprise inside," "wish" or "make a wish," "happy mail"
• vintage advertisements
• vintage seed packet images or botanical illustrations
• vintage valentines and vintage Halloween-themed items
• I enjoy traditional (not Disney or cartoonish) fairy tale themed items, especially uncommon or beautifully illustrated fairy tales
• unused postage stamps of any denomination would be great, and I have a special fondness for older (out of print) postage stamps which I can still use to send mail! ♥
• ANYTHING from Paper Source, Now Designs kitchen goodies, or pouches/bags from BlueQ would be an absolute delight ♥
• pigma micron pens (LOVE these!) ♥
• Since my planner literally got flooded (severe water damage), I've started a bullet journal, which is working very well for me. I use it daily and personalize it to meet my changing needs. The only things I need for it are a black pigma micron pen (I've been using a 01 for daily entries) and colored pencils (I can always use more of those!), so I don't really use planner stickers/decorations much anymore.
• any fun things having to do with my other interests :)

No thanks:

Please don't send me anything involving violence or gore, religious things (spiritual/inspirational=fine, just not religious), or any food or beverage items, band-aids, 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:

touristy postcards, small fabric scraps, fake or dyed feathers, kids' craft supplies, foam, puffy, or "3D" stickers, glitter, bling, items that are frilly, over-the-top cutesy, "country," Americana,"glam/fashionista," sports, wedding, or baby-themed

Most importantly, please don't send me anything smelling of smoke, mildew, or strong perfumes (I have allergies). Thanks!

Needed for current projects

• JOKERS from playing card decks. Do you collect a specific playing card? Or also collect jokers? I have several different decks of cards and some duplicate jokers to trade with you.

• authentic wooden Scrabble tiles, any age or condition (gift projects for my sister's and brother's families)

• colored (not painted-on, but colored all the way through) glass or stone pony beads and strong waxed cord-- I have had trouble finding these, but like to use them to make "fidgets" for folks to help alleviate anxiety and improve concentration, focus, and ability to be present

• my swap-bot friend @piratecaptainmo recently introduced me to sticker mandalas. To make these, I need multiples of 8 or 4 of the same sticker (or 2 or 4 pairs of reflected images, like in many Mrs. Grossman's stickers). Any sticker bundles you send my way for this will be put to very good use, as I plan to make some for gifts for my little ones back home (and eventually a larger nature-themed one for my studio). They can be from anywhere; some good brands that are fairly easy to find include Mrs. Grossman's, Violette, Sticko, and Paper House (non-scrapbook kind). Especially desirable are any that are die-cut around the image or have clear backgrounds. Any cute multiples from planner stickers would work, too.

Work in Progress: The Great Destash of 2018

This year, I am going through all of my art supplies and making LOTS of things to give, share, and swap (along with lots of "extra" art and craft supplies and other treasures I find along the way).

I will be compiling a flickr album with photos of available items, so if you see something you'd love to have or give as a gift, I'd be happy to set up a private swap. I make homemade envelopes, personalized return address labels and swap cards as well.

I will update this section with the album link as soon as items are photographed and online

I'm always looking to swap for US postage of any denomination (so I can send out more wishes and RAKs), wishlist items, and/or tools and supplies I'd like for my studio and current projects.

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and learn a little bit about me and what I like. It really makes all the difference in the world to me to know you put such thought into your care packages; 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! ♥

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 inexplicably lost or torn up in the post.

Wishes and RAKs:

September Wishes Sent

A Wish Granted: USA
@bluesky
@Countrymom

All About the Wishes
@sherba31
@kaypendragon

Make a Wish
@user6937

Wishlist
@OrigamiGrace

July Wishes Sent

Make a Wish
@anicka22

June Wishes Sent

Swaps & Wishes
@mariamichelle rec'd 6/26

April Wishes Sent

Make a Wish
@simcoe54 rec'd 4/26
@CrystalZ rec'd 5/4
@shirleyinCA rec'd 4/20
@anicka22 rec'd 4/24

RAKs and surprises pending arrival

Outstanding Swaps:

contacted @PinkFluffyUnicorn re: WIYM: Happy Flat Mail May-USA as I did not receive anything from her and also didn't receive a rating. Sent personal messages on 6/28 and 7/16. Waiting for a response from her. On 9/4 she responded to my messages, and I replied on 9/5. As of 9/11, the status is waiting for her to read and reply to my PM in order to resolve the matter.

Outstanding Tags, Trades, and WTAs:

need to send to @shirleyinCA