shandymink

I am fascinated by ATCs and anxious to swap as I love to see what others are doing.

I love cats, especially black cats. Otis & Stewart were our first two (brothers) and now that they are gone we have Elsie (aka L. C., Little Cat, Little Girl and Elston).

I love food and used to love to cook although my tiny kitchen and lack of time mean I don't get to do that so much any more.

I like music, especially opera, classical and musical theater - and I perform in these and many other styles. I have been a singer for almost all my life. I would love to be able to play a musical instrument - I can strum a little on the guitar or ukelele and tootle on a recorder but would love to crash out some Brahms or Beethoven on the piano.

I love books and reading and I especially love blank books and journals, although I only journal occasionally and in cycles. Favorite authors are Beverly Cleary (I especially love children's books), Noel Streatfield, Rumer Godden and I also love to read cookbooks.

My favorite movies are Singin' In the Rain with Gene Kelly, The Music Man with Robert Preston, The Red Shoes with Moira Shearer and The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. by Dr. Seuss and starring Hans Conreid. I also love movie musicals and almost anything with Julia Roberts in it. Of course, The Wizard Of Oz is on my short list too.

I love TV and probably qualify for the Couch Potato Olympics. My event is the triathlon: lounging, sprawling and remote zapping. Fave shows are all the CSI, all the Law & Order, The Good Wife, Judge Judy and The People's Court, cooking shows especially Cook's Country and America's Test Kitchen, anything with Julia Child (I used to work in public television so these are a requirement) and classics like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, and one of my all time faves - Roseanne!

I love to craft and make almost all my own greeting cards for all occasions, and to give as gifts. I knit, sew, tat, crochet, and when I have time, spin yarn and weave as well. I like machine embroidery (but am not very skilled at it) and hand embroidery. Lately paper crafts, scrapbooking and ATCs have been on the top of the list.

I love classic martinis - made with gin, not vodka. Also partial to margaritas, bloody mary's and mimosas for brunch. My favorite soft drinks are Coca Cola, Squirt and home made iced tea with lemon and mint, no sugar.

I am a little intimidated because I am so often impressed by what others are doing and I can't help comparing my stuff to theirs (and usually not favorably). But the feedback I have been getting through the swaps is a great boost to my confidence and has allowed me to try different techniques I might have been afraid of before. Thanks for your support!

On October 15, 2010 I set up a display of my ATCs, greeting cards, journals, bottle caps, paper stars and origami cranes at the University Library where I used to work (up until two weeks before).

This was my very FIRST display of my art, apart from singing or acting in a play, and I was very nervous about showing my work to others. Somehow sharing it with swappers is a little easier, maybe because there is an anonymity factor. My younger sister, a REAL artist, gave me a lot of encouragement and I thank her.

Two days later I went in to drop off some cards with my bio and contact info and saw a woman absolutely enrapt in the display. She is a teacher and suggested I lead an ATC workshop at the teacher's center (it is a teaching based Univ).

WOW! All I can say is it's quite an experience! Thanks for your support and for providing additional encouragement via comments on my swaps!