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Bandkh1

Bandkh1
Date Joined: April 10, 2012
Last Online: August 21, 2022
Birthday: January 27
Country: Australia
My Flickr Photos

About Me

I am a mother, nanna, (sometimes grumpy) wife, friend, sister, aunt, reader, cook, paper artist wannabe, outspoken, politically interested, globally aware, curious, funny, kind, animal loving, tolerant, strong, independent woman, comfortable in my own skin. I live in Queensland, Australia in an area of outstanding natural beauty. My surroundings and my family inspire my artistic endeavors.

What I Pledge

A NOTE ABOUT POSTAGE

As I reside in Australia, I am already either a day ahead or a day behind many other swappers here on s/b. I mark my swaps as sent THE DAY THEY ARE PUT IN THE POST BOX. If that happens to be a Saturday, there is no postage collection until the following Monday. Also, as I live in a small semi-rural community where postage is consigned to a secondary sorting unit for postage, that automatically adds another day into the equation. I am noticing that most mail I am sending appears to be received approx 16 - 20 days after postage, so please bear that in mind when expecting postage to arrive from me.

POSTAGE PRICE INCREASE 10/22/2012

Unfortunately, with the increase in International Postage rates effective 10/22/2012, I have had to make the decision that I will no longer be putting "extras" into my swaps. It's either that or I discontinue International swaps (which I don't want to do). So while I will always endeavour to meet the swap requirements and include a friendly letter, I simply can't afford to add those little "extras" that increase the cost of the postage. I thank all my swap partners in advance for their understanding. Oh, and by the way, I don't expect extras from you either - why should either of us make the Post Office rich?

I read my partner's profile for a swap and where possible, try to tailor what I produce to your tastes. I also enjoy reading your profiles and am amazed at the talented, funny, inspirational profiles I've read. Thank you!

Favorite Music

Michael Jackson

I like most music styles from Country & Western to cheesy '80's to Classical. My hubby is a musician and plays in a Blues Band, so blues is often heard at my house too.

Some of my favourite artists are:

  • Michael Jackson
  • George Michael
  • George Benson
  • Jason Mraz
  • Dolly Parton
  • Queen (I think Freddie Mercury was a genius!)
  • Rob Thomas
  • Vince Gill
  • Keith Urban
  • Etta James
  • Harry Connick Jnr
  • Bruno Mars
  • Prince

among many, many others.

Some of my favourite songs and/or compositions are:

  • Air on a G string - J.S. Bach
  • Go rest high on that mountain - Vince Gill
  • Love x love - George Benson
  • Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  • All in love is fair - Stevie Wonder
  • Constant Craving - kd Lang
  • Song to the Moon from "Rusalka" - Dvorak
  • A case of you - Joni Mitchell
  • Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
  • The Swan - YoYo Ma

again, among many, many others

I love the old crooners and big band sounds such as:

  • Ella Fitzgerald
  • Nat King Cole
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Billie Holliday

I could go on and on. Music is very important in my life and I can't imagine a day without it!

Favorite Books

reading

Having worked in Publishing most of my life, it's no surprise that I adore reading and when I'm not working on my crafts, you can almost always find me curled up reading a good book. I love thrillers and crime novels, family sagas and factually based historical sagas. I enjoy writers such as:

  • Kathy Reichs
  • Lee Childs
  • Patricia Cornwell
  • Henning Mankell

I have 2 absolutely favourite books and I can't decide between them. They are:

  • I know this much is true - Wally Lamb
  • Someone knows my name - Lawrence Hill (also known in the USA/Canada as the Book of Negroes.

I have also just finished reading

  • Jasper Jones - Craig Silvey.

I adored "Jasper Jones" and I now think that I have 3 favourite books! What a dilemma!

Some other books I'd call favourites:

  • Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café – Fannie Flagg
  • The Red Tent – Anita Diamant
  • Salvation Creek – Susan Duncan
  • Pastures of the Blue Crane – Hesba Brinsmead
  • Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
  • The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Shaffer
  • The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
  • The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
  • The Road – Cormack McCarthy
  • A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini

I also love and collect cookbooks and have hundreds of them. I drool over the photography!

Favorite Movies

forrest gump

I love movies that make you think and leave you with questions. Films such as:

  • Armistad
  • Good Night and Good Luck
  • Amazing Grace

I also love films from Hollywood's golden age such as:

  • The African Queen
  • Leave her to Heaven
  • The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
  • My Fair Lady

I adore old movie stars like Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant. I also love Johnny Depp, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman and Leonardo Dicaprio. In fact, I like anyone who can act!

Favorite Television

TV

I love quality TV shows from any Country!

  • Deadwood
  • West Wing
  • Sons of Anarchy
  • Weeds
  • Boardwalk Empire
  • Homeland
  • Dexter
  • Underbelly
  • Prime Suspect

and almost anything from HBO!

Favourite Crafts and Artists

art

My passion is Altered Art such as:

  • altered dominoes
  • altered tins

My style is anything with a slightly grungy edge to it.

Crafty pursuits are:

  • ATC's
  • handmade cards
  • jewellery making
  • any paper arts
  • tags

I am not terribly proficient at any one thing but I love everything and will give anything a go!

My fave artists and schools are:

  • Gustav Klimt
  • Frida Khalo
  • Georgia O'Keefe
  • Wendy Sharpe
  • Norman Lindsey
  • pre-Raphaelite Art
  • the "Heidelberg" school
  • Alphonse Mucha

Other things/people I love

love these

  • cooking good, wholesome food
  • adventurous eaters
  • swapping recipes
  • my family
  • Christmas - everything about it, the songs, food, decorations, family get togethers, planning, even the crowds!
  • dogs - big, small, tail wagging, friendly muts
  • travel and getting off the beaten path
  • thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain which leaves the trees and earth shimmering in their wake
  • my hubby's arms
  • my "double happiness" rescue doggie, Holly. Double happiness because she gives us twice as much as we give her! Just love her!
  • Art Galleries
  • Concerts
  • getting together with friends
  • taking Cooking classes
  • seeing a "Show"

Lots of smells:

  • the smell of wet or just mown grass
  • the smell of a just bathed baby
  • the smell of linen fresh from the clothesline
  • the smell of fresh, green herbs - any herbs
  • the smell of fresh lemons
  • the smell of soup cooking on a cold night
  • the smell of the Australian bush after rain

Things I dislike

dislike

  • Negativity
  • people saying "I'm bored"
  • cruelty in any form to either humans or animals
  • spiteful jokes at the expense of others
  • needless waste
  • gossip
  • people who don't rate or take the time to say "Thank you"
  • waiting in lines
  • driving in the rain
  • smoking - OK for others but don't do it around me
  • too much alcohol - I like a drink but too much is just too much
  • Kawaii and cute - I DON'T DO CUTE!
  • being late for no good reason
  • bigotry

My wishlist

wishlist

YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEND ME EXTRAS TO MAKE ME HAPPY. The goodies listed below are always highly sought after in my travels:

  • glue - any type (I love glue)
  • small snippets of lace to use in my crafts
  • ribbons and trims
  • anything Tim Holtz
  • dominoes or game pieces
  • flat backed pearls
  • hand made Christmas ornaments
  • hand made cards
  • mica flakes
  • atc backgrounds
  • Halloween goodies
  • anything Frida Kahlo related
  • anything Gustav Klimt related

The last word

Further to taking the "Pledge" (above), I want to say that my mother always taught me to play nice! I WILL NOT flake, so if you don't receive a swap from me, please let me know before you rate me down, so I can re-send! I know everyone says that, but I MEAN IT! I also promise to rate you as soon as I get your swap. I don't even open my swaps until I am sitting at the PC, so I can rate immediately. If you haven't received my rating, I haven't received your swap, so please pm me - simple as that:).

Non-raters are almost the same as flakers to me. It gets up my nose that you take the time to make and send your swap on time and then get no rating or even a "thank you". Good manners prevail! Mini rant over, now breathe...not meant as a lecture but for Swap-bot to be a rewarding experience for all, everyone needs to play fairly, honestly and politely. And, I'm here to have FUN!

And finally, to those out there who think they can get away with flaking, if you do flake on me, you will forever be consigned to my "Flakers wall of Shame" and I simply will not swap with you again. That's all...

kisses

Non Raters Wall of Shame

@SEMOkraftee did not rate my swap Layers of Flavour #2 from the Paper Dragon Group. Contacted her twice to give her a chance - no response. Not happy!

Flakers Wall of Shame

@gusmom2000 for "Layers of Flavour #2"

Angeled by

@elluzki for Layers of Flavour #2 - TPD group. Thank you Elina xx

Ratings

Meragram rated for Abstract ATC-Painting Techniques #2 on Apr 19, 2013
5
rating
Comment: Thank you Barbara, loved them both! Particularly your use of the metallic paints. I will seek out some of those Lumiere beauties. Also loved your informative letter.
Response: Hi Marg, thanks for the rating and lovely heart. I am so glad you liked them. They were fun to make weren't they? It was absolutely my pleasure to make them for you. I hope we meet again somewhere down the road. Cheers for now, Barbara
choke rated for TPD - Profile Based Postcard Swap on Apr 3, 2013
5
rating
Comment: It was in my mailbox when I got home from work today :) Thank you for the great card! It's a very interesting perspective! Plus I'm not sure I ever knew that there were five lanes going one way and just one going the opposite way.
Response: Hi Colleen, so glad it arrived. The lanes on the bridge change depending on the time of day. In the morning when more people are travelling into the city, there are more lanes going that way and vice versa for the afternoon. Also, I don't know if you can see the railway tracks running down one side - they are still there of course and are still a primary thoroughfare. I think more car lanes have now been added. I think this photo must have been taken in the morning. It's an interesting perspective, as you say. Glad it made you happy. Take care Colleen, Barbara
5
rating
Comment: Hi Barbara, Thanks for the wonderful, exhuberant PC! Reminds me of Toulouse Lautrec. We had temps almost to 50* F yesterday. 2 days before that only 7. Looking forward to Spring! Hugs from Alaska, Sherry
Response: Hi Sherry, thanks for the rating and heart. I'm so glad you loved the happy litle card. I hadn't thought of Toulouse but you're right - instead, it reminded me of Mucha and it was yellow, so I knew I had you lol! Looks like your weather is warming up. Where I live, we are heading into our winter but the region is sub tropical so yesterday was 72! The whales are on their yearly migration to warmer waters, so in a couple of months, they will be going past my door! Keep warm and take care, Barbara
TerryF rated for TPD Layers of Flavour #2 on Feb 20, 2013
5
rating
Comment: Both backgrounds are absolutely beautiful - thx! (You certainly have big cereal boxed Down Under! lol) I am glad to hear your daughter is doing better now, and that you have some time to swap again. I, too, type most letters these days, and find it easier to read type, because of my poor vision, so not a problem at all. Thx, too, for the lovely letter - I really enjoyed it. Hugs, T (";) P.S. I am in Florida for the winter only, returning to Canada in late April.
Response: Thanks Terry. It was such a pleasure to complete these for you. I only wish the weather would have been more favourable so I could have added the crackle - it really looks wonderful on the green piece. Anyway, take care and I hope we meet again in Swap-bot, Cheers, Barbara
luleemik rated for Altered Mini Tart Tin on Dec 2, 2012
5
rating
Comment: awww, Barbara...I don't know what I love most...the adorable tin or your wonderful letter!!! The shell tin is fabulous and will absolutely go on my tree:) I so enjoy hearing about your life in Australia and wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season:) {{hugs}}
Response: Hi Lu, thanks so much for the rating and heart. I'm so happy that you like the tin. They've become addictive to make - I have a bit of production line going lol! Thanks for stretching me creatively once again and I wish you and yours a joyful and safe Holiday season. Cheers, Barb
Lilyluzkay rated for All Black ATC Swap on Nov 23, 2012
5
rating
Comment: The ATC is absolutely lovely! Thank you for sending this wonderful artwork and your beautiful letter as well. I enjoyed reading about your process and the curious habits of kangaroos. Your words alone are more than enough "extra" to have made my day much, much brighter. Thank you. PS You also deserve extra points for being thoughtful enough to make it "hurricane proof". :)
Response: Hi Nichol. thanks so much for the rating and heart. It's so nice produce something that people like. I had fun making it for you and I love writing letters, so that was also a pleasure. I'm glad I brightened up your day. I hope we meet up again somewhere down the Swap-bot road. Take care, Barbara
madcrazy rated for TPD Layers of Flavour Ed Oct20 on Nov 20, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Barbara, thank you for two beautiful bg pieces (I love ferns and the colors you used on both), and I will always treasure a long letter like yours, full of detail, over any extras any day. I have way too much stuff but never too many swap-bot friends. Thank you! Kathy
Response: Hi Kathy, lovely to hear that I'm on the right track. Thanks so much for the rating and heart. I really loved making these pieces and I will do so again. I loved the process and I could have just kept layering. The piece with the ferns was my favourite - I love the very vintage look of it. I had such fun making it for you and I'm glad we could swap again. Thanks so much and I'm sure we'll meet again. Take care, Barbara
choke rated for TPD Layers of Flavour Ed Oct20 on Nov 17, 2012
5
rating
Comment: These are wonderful, thank you so much! I really enjoyed reading a bit about your life, having all of those animals around must be very entertaining. You did a great job on your layers and I am very excited to use them in an upcoming project. Best wishes!
Response: Hi Colleen. I loved doing these. It was such fun and I hope to do it again. For me, it was somehow a "freeing" process! I'm so pleased you liked my efforts and I'm honoured to think that they might grace some of your fantastic art. I hope we can be swap partners again somewhere down the Swap-bot road. Cheers for now, Barbara
NaughtyElf rated for Holtzy Halloween II ATC on Nov 16, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Thank you, thank you! I really loved the ATC and as far as extras go, your letter was one of the best ever, it was really nice getting to know you more and to hear about your creative process. What a great idea! It saves postage, helps to protect the ATC and it gives your partner insight to who you are! Brilliant and I loved it! Thanks again! Sher
Response: Hi Sherie, Thanks so much for the nice rating and heart. I'm so glad you liked my mad bird concoction for the Holtzy Halloween ATC. I had such fun making her for you. I was honoured to have you as a swap partner! I'm also pleased that you understood my reasoning behind the letter - at least I know I'm on the right track with people! Thanks once again and I hope to be your swap partner again somewhere down the Swap-bot road. Cheers, Barbara
KatarinaNavane rated for All Black ATC Swap on Nov 12, 2012
5
rating
Comment: thanks for the card and nice letter! I always like hearing what goes into a card. And I only mind glitter when it's poorly attached and gets all over everything, so no worries there! The all black really is a challenge--I haven't finished my cards yet.
Response: Hi Heather. Thanks for the nice rating and heart. I also found the all black theme a challenge. But I love a challenge! I'm glad you liked the ATC - it was fun to make. I am not a real fan of glitter either but, when it's called for, it can certainly bring a bit of bling. And we all need a bit of bling from time to time. Take care and thanks once again, Cheers, Barbara
AZmom875 rated for Trees ATC on Nov 11, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Thank you so much. Your letter was worth heart, as well as just your card alone.
Response: Hi Heather, thank you so much for the nice rating and heart. I had a lot of fun with the Tree and I hope it shows. Take care and I hope we get the chance to swap again. Cheers, Barbara
TerryF rated for TPD Cultural Exchange #1 on Nov 5, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Thx very much for the very informative letter, and the interesting Aussie ATC. I thoroughly enjoyed your swap! Hugs, Terry (";)
Response: Hi Terry, I'm so glad you finally received the ATC and letter and I'm pleased you liked them both. I had fun making them for you, using the sticky backed canvas as I hadn't used this product before! Thanks for the nice rating and heart and I hope to meet up with you again in another swap. Cheers for now Terry, Barbara
SacredYoli rated for Frida Ink Stamp ATC on Nov 2, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Well Looky here! I scored again!! Thank you so much for the great ATC's I love your Frida Images! Also, thanks for the lovely letter. I owe you, Chica. I'm going to send you a little RAK real soon, stay tuned. Yoli
Response: Hi Yoli, who'd a thunk I'd get you again...my lucky day! Glad you liked the images. I love them too! Thanks for the rating and heart. (((hugs)))' Barbara
SacredYoli rated for FK Handmade PC w/a Quote on Oct 26, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Barbara, Thank you so much for the beautiful postcard and the wonderful letter. Please do not ever underestimate your work. I am so happy and honored to have you as a partner, and yes, I hope we can trade again. :-). You did an amazing job. Mil Gracias!
Response: Hi Yoli, thanks so much for the rating and heart. I so appreciate the encouragement as well. It was absolutely my pleasure to have you as a partner. I loved doing the postcard and will certainly do more like this as my confidence grows. I'm thrilled that you liked it and I hope we meet again, Cheers, Barbara
5
rating
Comment: I would have given you a 5 and a heart just for your wonderful letter :o) I really appreciated it, and all of the detail you gave about how you made your piece. And the piece is fantastic by the way! I love the colors and textures you got on the front of the domino, and the skeleton charm is the best one I have seen, I just love it! I also like the way that you chose to present it, in the wood wool (I have never seen this before and am quite fascinated with it) with the spiders crawling towards it, very creepy! I thought you did a great job on the seam binding and I agree it is a good Halloween color, and blends well with the rest of the piece. I have been experimenting with the same method recently, and watched some videos on youtube. It was a great swap, and beautifully wrapped as well, and thank you for the lovely complements, undeserved, but very kind :o) xo
Response: Thank you so much Lesley for the lovely comments. I am so happy that you liked each component of the swap because, as I said, I was a bit of a Halloween "newbie" in that we don't celebrate it here in Australia. I will send you some wood wool if I can get more - I'll pm you! Lovely swap and I had such fun making it. I hope we get the chance to swap again, Cheers, Barbara
Quiltbutterfly rated for Tree ATC on Oct 17, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Love my tree ATC you made for me. Thanks so much for the lovely letter explaining everything. Also for my extras. Would love to catch up :-)
Response: Hi Ros, So pleased you liked the ATC. I had such fun making it and I liked the way it turned out. I'd love to catch up too so the next time I'm coming down, I'll PM you and we can meet at Lime Cafe for a coffee if you want. Have fun swapping and I hope we can swap again. Cheers, Barbara
FreddFudd rated for Tree ATC on Oct 16, 2012
5
rating
Comment: OMGosh Miss "B". More ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I absolutely Love your ATC. Everything is so neat and just gorgeous. This is a keeper and I am heading off now to put it into my coffee table display book. Very nice! Thank You oodles for your wonderful letter, I will also treasure this in my journal. Thank You Miss "B" for being my lovely swap buddy and I hope to swap with you again. Have fun at the Craft Show (I'll be there in spirit, drooling over your left shoulder at all the goodies)...lol. Love, Hugs and Smiles, FreddFudd {;-D
Response: Hi Linda, I'm so happy you liked it. It was such fun to make. I hope it cheered you up a bit! Sorry you can't make it to the show but I know you'll be there in spirit. Hope we get to swap again and until then, happy swapping, Cheers, Barb
5
rating
Comment: To say this was an extra special package is an understatement. The envelope was full of delights. Thank you so very much!
Response: Thank you so much Patti. I'm so glad you liked the ATC. It was absolutely my pleasure to make it for you. I appreciate the heart too! Thanks again. Happy swapping, Barbara
LeosMom4Life rated for Altered Puzzle Piece: Halloween on Oct 14, 2012
5
rating
Comment: Wow this was great work !!! I loved everything you did on here ! Perfect and already placed it on display in my craft room ! Great letter to go along with ! You deserve the <3
Response: Hi Melody. I'm so happy that you liked the piece. I was flying a bit blind as it was my first Halloween piece, so to know that I'm on the right track gives me confidence to try more. I always send a letter with my swaps, so to know that was well received also is really nice. I hope we meet up again somewhere on the bot. Until then, happy swapping, Cheers, Barbara
myartistry rated for Clear Block Stamping Technique on Oct 14, 2012
5
rating
Comment: What a wonderful letter...I loved reading your artistic process. Thank you so much! The piece turned out really beautifully! I adore butterflies, I bet I have 2 dozen rubberstamps in butterflies alone. ;) Your background was perfect with the other elements. I do hope we get a chance to swap again. So sorry it took so long to rate.We just got back home after being gone since Sept 23...whew!
Response: Hi Carol I hope you enjoyed your wonderful trip - I long to see your "Fall Colours" some day! I'm so pleased you liked my ATC. How fortunate you love Butterfly's. It was absolutely my pleasure to make it for you. I always send a letter with my swaps, more as a friendly gesture than describing my artistic process (which can be a bit odd at times), so it's so nice to hear that you enjoyed that as well. I too hope we can swap again someday. Until then, happy swapping. Cheers, Barbara

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 68 2 2
Completed Fives Threes Ones
54 74 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
5 17 32 0
View all

Currently In

  • the user is not currently in any swaps :(

Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

RyeRye on Feb 14, 2013:

From all of us at The Friendship Circle~

RyeRye on Jan 27, 2013:

RyeRye on Jan 27, 2013:

RyeRye on Jan 27, 2013:

RyeRye on Jan 27, 2013:

RyeRye on Jan 27, 2013:

RyeRye on Jan 27, 2013:

RyeRye on Jan 27, 2013:

FreddFudd on Jan 26, 2013:

!!! Happy Birthday Darlin Barbara !!!

Hope your day is All that you want. You are never far from my thoughts.

Hugs, FF

Paige1900 on Jan 15, 2013:

So sorry to read about your family problems. I wish you all the very best. : )

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