January

Updated 5/29/22 -

Teacher, 4th grade ELA. Native NY-er, loving life in Pittsburgh, PA.

I started my "art journey" as a quilter. When I took a journal quilting class and learned about art journaling, I was hooked immediately. Then I began to start exploring mixed media and here I am. I haven't quilted in years but I still sew things from time to time. Lately, I've been exploring sewing on paper in my mixed media projects.

Married for 30 years, with two adult sons, musician and journalist.

No drama from me. Creating art is my fun and relaxation. I will always send on time, and on the rare chance that I am unable (life happens) I will contact my partner. I rate all swaps, because I hope you will do the same; if nothing else, it's my confirmation that my happy mail has arrived.

Art journaling

Gelli printing, especially with deli paper

Mixed media

Making my own junk journals

Faces, especially odd ones

Stencils

Collage and making collage fodder (I didn't join Fodder School but have been following those who did with interest)

Stamp carving Art foamies

Paper marbling (Turkish water bath marbling, with water thickened by carageenan)

Book binding (trying to teach myself from videos)

My current influences/artists I follow:

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Dina Wakley, Seth Apter, and Wanda Hanson, a quilter whose blog is called Exuberant Color

I love bright colors (but not neon) and really, I like all colors.

I love folk art.

I gravitate towards modern and contemporary art.

I like the quilts and color combinations of Kaffe Fassett.

I like explosions of colors and patterns.

I am drawn to faces. I cannot really draw well but I am trying to learn how to draw faces. If they come out odd, it's fine.

Lately, I've been loving kraft paper/cardstock to create on.

I also like vintage style (though not steampunk) - old postage stamps, vintage office papers, library cards, ledgers, maps, receipts, travel tickets and other tickets.

If you are a "maker", I like receiving hand-carved stamps, your painted papers, altered tags, handmade journals, homemade washi tape, elegant or modern looking return address labels

Washi tape - I like vintage-looking washi or watercolor-y washi

Pens and paint markers

Paper ephemera - such as maps, sheet music, art-y magazines, old tickets, old ledgers

Journals - I like to make my own junk journals

Collage fodder of stamped images, watercolored bits, etc. (I didn't join Fodder School but I might next year...very tempting)

Tags - my own or other's - all kept on a big book ring, fun to flip through

Smoke smell. Please please don't send anything that smells like smoke. I am highly sensitive to it and will not be able to appreciate, or even keep, what you send.

Holiday-related items - sorry but I just don't have use for or like receiving items for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc....so please do not send that type of item

No glitter please, if possible; thanks.

Steampunk style Kawai style "Cutesy" stuff I don't need or collect printed/scrapbook papers, have too much and am slowly giving it away

Animals - except I do like birds

Tea - I do not drink tea