sugarskull

I enjoy crafting. (That is a complete understatement.)

I try to make do with what I have. I reduce/reuse/recycle, so most of what I make has somethings that enjoyed a former life as something else :)

I enjoy meeting new people and learning about them.

I live in the suburbs with a nice man and two dogs. I like him and he likes me :)

The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson

Anything in the Tortall Realms by Tamora Pierce

Harry Potter series

Basically whatever Garth Nix writes

The Hunger Games series

Anything Cassandra Clare has written (fanfic, v. secret diaries, all her books...)

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

{Oh, there are more. Many, many more. I read like a crack addict smokes.}

Knitting

Embroidery

Sewing

Scrapbooking

Card making

Mail art

Would anyone like to teach me how to tat lace?

{Those are the basics. I just like making, and keeping my hands busy.}

At TVs: Bones, Modern Family, House, the news, Project Runway, RuPaul's Drag Race, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Steven and Chris

At Movies: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World; Ocean's 11, 12, and 13; the X-men movies; The Avengers movies, Wayne's World

Tea: mostly blacks, earl grey and that sort. I will graciously accept anything, because new tea is always exciting!

I drink coffee rarely, but I like coffee-flavored things.

Books, books, books, books!

Skulls, not gore

I prefer to work with natural fibers, like cottons or wools

Friends, not foes

Kawaii, not Disney

Little scraps of interesting paper, especially newspapers and magazines in other languages than English.

Animals in general (especially penguins!)

Chocolate, not raisins (except Raisinettes!)

Cooking AND eating (HA!)

Colors, colors, colors, colors! And shades and hues and gradients...

I collect 1-inch badges (pins), penguins, and weird pictures.

I also like hearing about your hometown and country!

We've been together for five years. Excuse me while I wax poetic for a moment, but I am continually amazed and falling in love with him. His patience and love makes life that much easier (even though he'd die if he ever saw this little bit!) :D

He is officially a Certified Pharmacy Technician! Thank you for any and all good thoughts!

He collects coins! If you could include a small denomination coin with your package he would be elated! I would also be interested in doing private swaps; pm me please :)

He drives a Jeep and loves little Jeep-related things. He also collects LEGOs, GI Joes, elephants, and loves Iron Man. He likes just about anything neat and really likes to see what I receive in swaps!

I'm allergic to smoke, and red dye in foods. Stuff from a smokey household don't bother me so much, but please don't send me things like Kool-Ade or red candies.

I really don't use lotion or many skin care products (hooray for uber-sensitive skin!) so thanks, but no thanks.

Really? I've been flaked on enough to warrant a flaker section? Jeez people!

1st Quarter Reading Log Swap 2013 by SheSins - what an apt name! She hasn't been on SB since 3/4/13, and seems to have flaked on plenty of people.

Angelled by the lovely hostess CayleighTheShell, who has taken care of all the flakers' partners, it seems. :)

USA only...Partners' Name ATCs by tnhomeschoolmom Nothing. The last time she was on SB was 2/1/13, two weeks after the send by date.

one sentence journal swap for january by ukstash She said she was having some trouble catching up after a break, but I haven't heard from her since.

I saw this written about a pillow swap on the blog Cut to Pieces. I thought it answered "Why do you swap?" rather elegantly, so I wanted to share it :)

"I am SO OFTEN asked "How can you give that away?!" when I make a swap item. I'll admit that the items I make to give away in swaps are some of my most treasured pieces. I put my whole heart into each one and then send it on it's way.

But I don't even start out with the mentality that these items ever belong to me. They belong to my partner from the moment I begin to come up with an idea that is hopefully perfect for that person. Yes, they are all a part of me...I make them. But they are not mine. This pillow is no exception. It would not exist if not for my partner. SHE was the inspiration for it...her life, her style, her loves. It is hers."