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 several dogs and a very crafty roomie

I am currently resolving the 1.

The 3s are fairly old, and came during a family crisis. At least two of those people no longer actively swap

The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini

Anything in the Tortall Realms by Tamora Pierce

Harry Potter series

Basically whatever Garth Nix writes

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

Crochetting

Friendship bracelets

Embroidery

Sewing

Scrapbooking

ATCs

Quilting

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: The Great British Baking Show, Sherlock (though series 4 was the worst), Modern Family, the news, Project Runway, RuPaul's Drag Race, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Gravity Falls

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 basically love yarn of any kind.

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!

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.

I have this thing about hair. Now, I own pets, and I know it's impossible for their hair not to sneak into envelopes and such. But hair stuck in the glue holding your project together... gross! Again, I know some hair is unavoidable, and I'm incredibly weird about hair, so I won't say a thing if you're nice and try to keep your projects clean.

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."

Have you tried to email me recently? I only just realized I had a defunct address listed!

The current gmail address is correct.

I'm not ignoring you, I promise!