pootle

I'm a thirty-something mum of one and wife of one from Bedford, England. I work for a leading UK charity coordinating befrienders for people with dementia. I love all things crafty - making, buying, browsing and collecting - my current favourite is anything papery. I'm also making a scrapbook for my son of his babyhood and childhood - he's nearly 5 (where has the time gone!!), has just started school full-time and is as cheeky as they get!

Things I like include autumn, colour green, my son's smile, cats (but only the real thing - please no pictures!), chocolate, ribbons (love sticky ribbons!), hot baths (especially with something from Lush!) and the smell of rain on a hot day.

Also love wrapping gifts, reading in a comfy chair, post from far away, pretty buttons, feeding the ducks on the river, rubber stamps, holding my husband's hand, necklaces (and, recently, bracelets too - esp handmade ones), handmade papers, black and white photos, embellishments such as brads and eyelets, dried leaves and petals, friendly letters, seaglass, did I mention chocolate?

Love found items and salvaged bits and bobs - anything that can be repurposed into some kind of embellishment or trinket :) Also love collaged items - anything made (with love) from bits of this and that. Enjoy using unusual book pages, maps amd labels in my craft.

Things I don't like include Hello Kitty and all that cutesy stuff (although I can do weird-cute!), too much pink, being cold, swaps with no or little thought put into them, most American chocolate (sorry US swappers, but it just ain't the same! although, if you want to try to convert me...), chewing gum, neon colours, stickers (can never really find a use for them). Don't really go for vintage images either, it's just not really my thing. Please don't send me any religious items either - thank you for respecting this :)

Samuel is my little lad - coming up to 5 and tall for his age. He's bright and cheeky, loves books, animals, conkers, stickers. He say his favourite colour is yellow and he loves getting letters in the post!

varies depending on my mood - grew up listening to U2 and indie music and still love it; don't like modern r&b or women that warble when they sing! Listen to the odd bit of classical, sometimes pop, a fair bit of easy listening too, and I'm starting to develop a taste for something a bit more folksy too

these include, in no particular order... "I Know This Much is True", Wally Lamb; "Dracula", Bram Stoker; "Great Expectations", Charles Dickens; "The Time Traveller's Wife", Audrey Niffeneggar (sp?!). I love picking up random books in the 3 for 2 offers in the book shop, charity shop finds and re-reading old favourites

favourite of all time is "Singin' in the Rain"; second favourite is probably "Muppet Christmas Carol". Also love ET, The Shining, The Ladykillers (original version), Toy Story, Love Less Ordinary

The Muppets (obviously) from when I was little - favourite character? Kermit, of course!; love The Office and Extras, The Young Ones (1980's cult viewing); also enjoy 24, Heroes. I'll watch bits of this and that, but I won't cry if I miss anything!

paper crafts such as ATCs, card making, inchies; really enjoyed making bottlecap pincushions recently! I'm trying to join different swaps to experience different crafts (although I think I've had my fill of dotees!).

can't knit, can barely crochet, can't draw, can just about sew - enjoy cross stitch but rarely have the time

I bought myself a soldering iron and have enjoyed practising not burning myself with it!

I've had a bash at making soap and have really enjoyed my first 2 attempts at making paper... so many projects, so little time!