salfra

Hi, I'm Sally and I'm 38 years old. I was born, raised, & reside in Indiana. I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Criminal Justice & Sociology. I have been a Juvenile Probation Officer for 12 years and love my job! I also run my own antique booth & teach life skills & behavior modification to juveniles in our local detention center.

I've been blessed with the best husband ever! We've been married for 7 years & he is an elementary school teacher. We don't have human children, but are the proud parents of two puggles (half pug/half beagle). Harry Rex (pictured above) is a perfect gentleman & very serious. Molly Belle is a definite "girly-girl" & loves to dress up. She thinks the color pink was invented especially for her. They are the light of our lives!

I love spending time with my husband, dogs, friends, & family, traveling, going to bookstores, quilt shops, needlework shops, & antiquing. My dream is to travel extensively through the United Kingdom, take classes at the Royal School of Needlework, shop at Harrod's, have tea with the Queen, & try on all her fabulous jewelry. I figure if you're going to dream, dream BIG!!!

I'm very friendly and easy to get along with - my husband and parents say I have never met a stranger. Anytime I go somewhere I'm always striking up conversations with whoever I meet. I have no problem going out to eat, going shopping, or going to the movies by myself either. I love to be on go, but also need "Sally time".

I have tried to make my profile as complete as possible. Please note that all likes or dislikes are mine own personal preferences and are in no way meant to offend, hurt, anger, criticize, condem, or judge others. I am Christian & do not mind receiving religious items (no crosses or crucifixes though). I joined Swap-Bot to meet & learn about others, to be inspired, to share my talents, to improve myself, & spread a little joy along the way if I can.

Things I've been asked to add:
- Bracelet size - 8 inch length please.
- Ears - pierced, one hole each.
- Necklace length - 18 inches or longer.
- Hair - VERY short and kinky curly. No hair accessories please.
- Silver, White Gold, or Platinum tone, no Yellow Gold please.

Favorite Books:
Gone with the Wind, Bridges of Madison County, A Thousand Country Roads, The Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, The Ladies Auxilary, Garden Spells, & Amish Grace.

Favorite Authors:
Janet Evanovich, Nora Roberts (J.D. Robb), Fern Michaels, Jane Austin, John Grisham, Jeffrey Deaver, John Sandford, Iris Johansen, Shannon Hale, Stephenie Myers, Nicholas Sparks, James Patterson, Jan Karon, Tom Clancey, David Baldacci, & Vince Flynn.

Favorite Movies:
Bridges of Madison County, Animal House, Officer and a Gentleman, Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, & Disney & Pixar Animations.

Favorite Music:
Aerosmith, Elton John, Ray Charles, Etta James, The Beatles, Foreigner, Def Leppard, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Classic Rock, Rap, R&B, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's, a few country songs, some classical, & no opera. I have over 1,100 songs on my iPod and I'm always looking for more!

I also love podcasts, which is how I discovered Swap-Bot. I was listening to the CraftyPod podcast and it kept mentioning Swap-Bot. I had to check it out and the rest, as they say, is history!

I'm not much of a TV watcher but if I get the urge I like CSI Miami, Antiques Roadshow, Two and a Half Men, NYPD Blue, & the originial Twilight Zone.

Basically I like things that make me laugh, cry, think, or fit whatever mood I'm in at the time. There is nothing better than a good, thick book I can't put down or a song from the soundtrack of my life.

Favorite Stores:
Anthropologie, iTunes, Etsy, Target, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Joseph Beth Booksellers, Dick Blick Art, Antique Stores, Quilt Stores, Joann's, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Thrift Stores, Scrapbook Stores, Garage Sales, Auctions, Godiva Chocolate, and Speciality Boutiques.

Other sites:
sendsomething.net - SallyStitching
Etsy - sallystitching
Ebay - salfra12400

I love to scrapbook, journal, hand or free embroidery (no machine!), cross stitch, knot work, quilt, rubber stamp, alter objects (especially journals/blank books), paint with water colours, make stationary/cards, sew, and attempt to draw. I'm also really getting into dotee dolls, altered matchboxes, altered rolodex cards, iris folding, inchies, and ATC's.

I love to try new techniques, get inspiration from others, share ideas, and see how others express themselves.

• Vintage, Victorian, Shabby Chic, French Country, & Cottage Style
• All colors, especially any shade of Blue, Pastels, Color Combos - Pink & Black, Light Blue & Brown, Pink & Brown, Black & White, Pink & Orange, Lime and Navy, Lime & Pink
• The ocean, sea, water, calm, soothing, the surf, a babbling brook or stream, Mermaids
• Crystal, Rhinestones, Extra Fine Glitter, Vintage Jewelry, Pearls, Sparkly things, Bling, Shiney, Gem Stones
• Vintage Trims, Ribbons, Lace, & Embroidered Hankies
• Chocolate, especially dark with all kinds of flavors, fillings, nuts, and add-ins (except raisins), the more unusual the better!
• Tea, Tea Rooms, Tea Parties, Tea Service Items, Exotic teas, loose tea, bagged tea, unusual tea, black tea, oolong tea
• Pincushions, Needle Books, Antique Sewing Tools/Items
• Blank, Unlined Journals, Altered Jounals, Moleskin books, Quotes
• Wax Tarts, Scented Oils, Candles
• Antique Ink Wells, Fountain Pens, Bottled Ink (any color)
• Gel pens, extra-fine Sharpies any color besides black
• Stationary, especially handmade or Italian or French writing papers, Crane's, Paperchase
• Pretty patterned papers, especially vintage, victorian, shabby chic, french, italian themed for scrap booking, ATC's, inchies, altered rolodex cards, iris folding, altered art, and matchboxes
• Scents - citrus, lilac, spices, chocolate, coffee, fruits, bakery, coconut, vanilla, berry, cucumber, melon
• Flavors - chocolate, citrus, coconut, watermelon, peach, berries, melon
• Pin-up girls, Betti Page, Anne Taintor, 20's-30's-40's glammour girls/movie stars
• Magazines-Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Fine Lines, Inspirations, Sommerset Life, Quilting Arts
• Velvet, Satin, Silk
• I always need ephemera, embellishments, beads, buttons, ribbon, trims, lace, etc. for ATC's, altered rolos, inchies, and other altered projects
• Cameos, Vintage Jewelry (whole or broken)
• Foreign postage stamps (used/cancelled is fine), foreign money
• Asian themed items
• Crowns, Tiaras
• Anything handmade by you - especially if it's the first time you've mada an ATC, inchie, dotee, altered journal, stuffie, needlebook, etc. Practice on me!!! I will love it no matter what:)

I would love to swap for the following items. Please PM me if you'd like to be my Fairy God Mother :)

• Anything from or inspired from my Etsy Favorites (see link above)
• A needlework penpal from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand
• Beautiful glass beads all shapes, sizes, and colors
• Real Angora yarn
• Water colour paint in tubes
• Moleskine Notebooks (unlined, sketch, watercolour)
• Chandalier crystal/prisims
• Velvet ribbon, vintage trims, lace, or hankies
• Vintage china tea cups and saucers (they don't have to match)
• Sommerset Life Magazine (especially the January 2008 issue)
• Antique glass/crystal ink wells, colorful ink for my wells, fountain pens
• Handmade paper or exotic papers
• Altered journal
• Clear unmounted rubber stamps - florals, script, vintage/Victorian images
• Antique glass/crystal salt and pepper shakers
• Very fine/ultra fine/micro glitter (all colors), watercolour pencils, gel pens, ultra fine-point sharpies
• Any embroidery, cross-stitching magazines from the UK
• Sampler Magazine
• Shrinky dink sheets, mica sheets/pieces
• A shabby chic tea wallet

These are things I would prefer not to receive or cannot use:

• Clowns, gnomes, bad witches, ghosts, scary/evil things, Halloween, aliens, gore
• Bugs, bats, spiders, worms, snakes, hedgehogs, owls, trolls, cats
• Kid items, reward stickers - don't have kids
• Make-up except lip gloss and mani/pedi items. I don't wear make-up but I love to do my toes and nails
• Crosses/Crucifixes
• Coffee - love the smell but I don't drink it
• Licorice, spicy hot, grape flavor, gum, chamomile, sour things
• Raisins, Raisins, Raisins
• Gumby, Spongue Bob, Dora, Diego
• Cowboy, Western, Sports Themed items, Country (geese, etc.) style decor
• Cell phone charms, socks, hair accessories
• Fake fur, animal prints, foam shapes, pompoms, plastic pony-type beads
• Please no raw hide treats or chews for my dogs - they can't have them:(
• Did I mention Raisins, Raisins, Raisins???

• I will NOT FLAKE on you!!!
• If you have not received a swap I owe you, PLEASE message me before you rate. I will be glad to re-send if necessary.
• If you owe me a swap and for whatever reason are going to be late or otherwise cannot meet your obiligation, please let me know. I'm more than willing to work with you and I don't bite.
• My goal is to always go above and beyond the minimum swap requirements. If for whatever reason you are not satisfied with a package from me, please let me know and I will do my best to make you happy.
• I ALWAYS rate as I'm opening the package so no one gets missed. If I haven't rated you, more than likely I haven't received your package. If you feel I owe you a rating, please contact me and we'll get it taken care of.
• I ask that you also rate me in a timely and fair manner please:)
• I always acknowledge and respond to the ratings that are left for me.
• Items that I receive that I cannot use may be passed on to someone else. It's nothing personal, I just don't want to see anything go to waste.
• I recycle shippng materials whenever possible to save money and to be eco friendly.
• I do not decorate the outside of my packages as I do not want to draw undue attention to them and risk them being opened/stolen.

• I take ALL of my packages to a US Post Office to have them weighed and stamped. You should NEVER receive anything from me "postage due". If for some reason this happens, please contact me immediately and I will reimburse you for any postage. I will also be having a discussion with the Post Office!

• I LOVE doing private swaps with experienced, trustworthy swappers. Please pm me and I'll be glad to set something up for us. Private swaps appeal to me because I believe they are more personal and I get to know my partner better.

As of 10-10-08:

I OWE the following:
- justmeth81 - something for her daughter
- cobaltgypsy - pic
- certifiedscrapholic - thank you and pics
- AmigurumiNymph - ATC's
- justj - envie of ATC goodies
- lavanderspretty - flat rate box of crafting goodies - ready to mail
- Aleigha369 - baby girl items - ready to mail

I'm to RECEIVE:
- meggert - lavander
- AmigurumiNymph - Watercolour paints from the Clutter Clearer Thread in The Attic Group:)
- nikirniemeier - RAK tea surprise
- justj - surprise goodies

OTHER SWAPS:
- Bubble Envie - 3 P's Group - waiting to receive
- chincho - lace surprise - in progress
- Oct. Secret Sister - Rainbows & Rainclouds Group - working on the surprises!
- Mystery Swap - Attic Dwellers Group - working on my secret project:)

Swappers who did NOT rate:

Swaps I was FLAKED on:(
- @rachel92491 - Newbie Whimsy Jars - being sweetly angeled by @weeatcrayons

ANGELING PACKAGES:
I LOVE to angel packages. If you were flaked on and it is something I am capable of doing for you, I'd be honored to be your angel. To me this is the most satisfying part of swapping:)

• Please allow me 2-4 weeks to prepare your package. I use this time to research the swap, study your profile, gather ideas, design & make any needed handmade items, purchase whatever is necessary, and get the package ready to mail. I know some swappers feel this is too long a time to take on a package when someone has already been made to wait due to being flaked on. However, I feel it's important to take a little extra time to make the swap special and do a great job on it.
• If you are waiting on an angel package from me, you can check my progress by watching this section of my profile for daily updates.
• When your angel package is ready, I will PM you the day I ship so you know to be looking for it in the mail. I do NOT expect anything in return for a package I've angeled, but I would sincerely appreciate it if you would let me know that it arrived safely.
• Just as with any other swap, I will re-send if your angel package does not arrive or you are not happy with the contents. Please let me know if there is a problem of any kind and I will do whatever I can to fix the problem.

I'm ANGELING:
- na195097 - $5 profile surprise - RECEIVED
- na195097 - herbs or essential oil - RECEIVED
- na195097 - herbs or essential oil - RECEIVED
- myrrhmaid - The Goddess Within Group - Filled Tarot Bag Swap - finding lots of goodies!!!
- MrsRankin - alphabet swap H-N - almost done
- MrsRankin - alphabet swap O-U - almost done
- sally - alter cloth - waiting on more info from her. Has not signed on since 6-29-08 and is partially suspended.
- lw2dragonflies - $10 flat rate cram - RECEIVED
- lw2dragonflies - journal swap - RECEIVED
- macka - Do you have extra scrapbooking paper - RECEIVED
- macka - I've never made an inchie - RECEIVED
- macka - Stock up swap (penpal supplies) - RECEIVED
- macka - International 100 piece Sticker swap - RECEIVED
- Pooky - Tea and a Surprise - RECEIVED
- YooperHill - Unique Paper Junkies - RECEIVED
- donnadmb - Journal Altering Kit - RECEIVED
- wrgmama - Have a nice day card & message swap - RECEIVED
- Lace2DsugarDoll - $8-10 cupcake swap - RECEIVED
- pgk's son Aaron - matchbox/hotwheels bottle swap - RECEIVED

• I have NO FOOD ALLERGIES. However, I have asthma and I'm allergic to smoke and cats.
• I am technically challegened and do not have the first clue how to post pictures, etc. I'm learning slowly thanks to my very sweet husband. Please be patient with me...
• I am a creative (horrible) speller so I apologize in advance for any errors. Feel free to correct me, I need all the help I can get!
• While my dogs are not allowed anywhere near my sewing/craft room, the random dog hair occassionally finds it way in. I apologize if any of these stow away in your package.
• I get all the drama I need at work and get paid for dealing with it there. I just want to have fun, be inspired, and make others smile here on Swap-bot. I'm easy to get along with, hard to offend, and look forward to getting to know all of you!

• Check out my group Crazy Quilties
• www.nordicneedle.com
• www.sendsomething.net
• www.sublimestitching.com
• www.woolandhoop.com