CreativityLane

*** UPDATE JUNE 7, 2016 ***

Hello swap-bot friends! Just a quick update to let you know that I will be out of the country June 7 through June 20. I have sent all of my swaps and I've rated all swaps received before leaving town. As soon as possible after my return I will post ratings for swaps received between now and then. I'm looking forward to picking up some fun postcards to use in future swaps!!

I am primary caretaker for my spunky 90 year old grandmother (NaNa) who is a never-ending source of entertainment. She is my very favorite person and I feel truly blessed to spend her golden years with her.

A recovering lawyer, I am a self-proclaimed Creative! Engaging in the creative process means more to me than the end result. I enjoy trying new things and thus am more a "Jack of all trades" than a master of any. I like to travel, take art classes / workshops, and connect with other creatives. The best vacations are the ones that combine all three: travel, creativity, and connecting. I get chill bumps hearing about folks living their creative dreams.

The older I get, the more I realize just how much of an Idealist I am. I expect people to have good intentions and do the right thing. I don't like controversy and just want everyone to get along and be happy. (This might have something to do with why I am a recovering - and not practicing - lawyer! Ha Ha)

I enjoy many types of art and crafts, but Mixed Media is a current favorite. I love combining layer upon layer of paint, collage, and other ephemera to create a work of art. I also like to dabble in three dimensional mixed media pieces. Some of the mediums/techniques I employ in mixed media include: - Gelli plate - Acrylic Paint - Collage - Photo transfers - Stencils & Rubber Stamps

Other crafts I dabble in: Sewing, Hand Embroidery, Crochet, Photography, Beading

Things I'd like to try: - Fabric dying (Shibori, tie dye, ice dye) - Zentangle / Doodling - Hand Lettering - Upcycling clothing - Weaving

Sirius XM's The Groove on channel 50 is my "go to" car radio station. There's just something about funk and groove that that feels good and lifts my mood. Everything from Car Wash and Brick House to You Dropped a Bomb on Me to Happy, it's all good with me!

My other go to radio station is the local Public Radio contemporary music station for wherever I happen to be. You know, the one that introduces you to new artists and local talent. I love that!

Outside of the car, I tend toward Classic Rock, Indie Rock, and Bluegrass.

A few of my Favorite Contemporary Musicians: - Bela Fleck (Banjo) - Ben Sollee (contemporary Cello) - Amos Lee - Michael Franti - Rhiannon Giddens / Carolina Chocolate Drops

When I watch TV it is usually with my grandmother. She LOVES Castle, so we watch a lot of Castle reruns. We also watch Law and Order, Criminal Minds, the Voice, and a lot (A LOT) of Hallmark movies.

In the rare instances when I have the TV to myself I tend to watch things that would probably be a little too "out there" for her: Orange is the New Black, Breaking Bad, and HGTV.

Confession: I'm not the best reader. I'm a rather slow reader. I got my first pair of glasses at age 18 months and bi-focals in middle school. I learned to read early and easily, but my vision problems took a lot of the fun out of it. I also can't read for long periods of time. (How did I ever master law school? It's practically all reading!) When I do read, I tend toward fiction:

John Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors. I love the way he uses words -- so real and relatable.

Jane Austen is another favorite. She is the master of love stories and her writing is simply beautiful.

A few of my favorite reads: - To Kill a Mockingbird - Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - The Giving Tree - Marley and Me

I enjoy a wide variety of movies. I don't care for horror flicks or much science fiction, but other than that I'm pretty open minded. I enjoy the classics (Audrey Hepburn!), mysteries and suspense (The Usual Suspects), comedy (Raising Arizona), romantic comedy (Sleepless in Seattle), I could go on and on....

Themes: Birds, dragonflies, flowers, dogs, cows, typography / letters / words, maps, people, houses, sun, hearts, quotes, apples, pears

Favorite Colors: Blues, Turquoise, Greens, Reds, Pinks

Wish List: Ephemera (photos, maps, postcards, stamps, old papers, movie tickets, cool papers, travel memorabilia, hotel key cards, buttons, game pieces, playing cards, etc.); fabrics, handmade items, original art/crafts (drawings, doodles, ATCs, etc. :: small things), coins, stencils, rubber stamps

I'm pretty open minded and welcome most things. If I get something I don't care for and can't use, I'll pass it along to someone else if I know someone who would like it.

There are a few things that I'm not crazy about: Purple (I shudder at the thought), science fiction, "cutesy" themes (i.e. - traditional "girly" stuff, like purple unicorns), cats

I'm loving the postcard swaps! I prefer receiving naked postcards (written, stamped, and mailed without an envelope), but if you prefer to send in envelopes I won't complain. :)