openasthesky

Special note: I'm running late and behind on three swaps! My deepest apologies. I've had bronchitis twice in the past two months, and it's taken so much out of me. I'm feeling 100% better, though, and am working on getting these swaps out ASAP. If you're one of my partners waiting on something from me, it should be on its way soon -- and I'll send a note when it goes out.

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Hi! I'm currently working in the cold northeast (Rochester, NY) although I'm a southerner at heart. I grew up in northeast TN, where I remember always, always having a craft project going on -- whether it was cross-stitching, making homemade paper, painting, making quote books for Christmas presents, making candles or learning to make jewelry -- I was always happiest when I had my hands into something fun. While I don't do all of those things now, the process of creation drives me still; I'm a print designer by profession, and truly love working to make the best possible final image out of what I've been given to work with. I'm hoping to find ways to expand that joy into more things I can do at home -- the crafting mode is meditative, peaceful and always makes me smile.

I have a wide range of music tastes -- when I drive, I often like to listen to country. At home, I tend to go for the softer, more relaxing sounds. And I like the dance-techno sounds when the mood strikes. Recently, I've purchased Cat Power, Feist and Lykke Li. Other favorites are Shelby Lynne's recent album of Dusty Springfield songs, Blondie (I've been enjoying them for years!), The Cure (ditto) and Depeche Mode (ditto).

Truthfully, I don't read nearly as much now as I used to. When I do, I'm drawn to what I call "chick-lit historical drama" type books (think Philippa Gregory). I subscribe to Vanity Fair, and have a wide range of "chick-lit drama" books that I've picked up because of their covers and summaries. :) Someday soon, I'll actually start reading them!

Kama Sutra (directed by Mira Nair), The Lion King, Shawshank Redemption, Moulin Rouge ... there are more, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment!

Glee, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, Ugly Betty, Extreme Home Makeover, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Tonight Show, Flash Forward

Currently, I'm enjoying making gift tags and ornaments, although I also love making beaded jewelry (normally simple earrings and necklaces, with sterling findings). I also like to attempt to paint every now and then, but it's mostly for my personal enjoyment than it is good art. ;) I would love to learn to sew eventually, and I'd love to start scrapbooking as well. There aren't many crafts that I don't want to do .... if only there were more days in the week!

Cooking, fashion, interior design, becoming healthier, shoes!, traveling to visit friends, long hot baths ... :)

"Knowing love, I can allow all things to come and go, to be as supple as the wind and to face all things with great courage. My heart is as open as the sky." ~ Maya, in Kama Sutra (directed by Mira Nair)

• stationery & notecards (I have a serious fetish!)
• journals & notebooks
• mini notepads
• hello kitty items (note pads, pens, stickers, etc.)
• all things related to beading -- especially glass beads and silver spacers & findings
• scrapbooking items -- intricate papers, accessories, etc.
• quote pages/books/stickers
• fun cooking items (cupcake decorations, interesting cupcake liners, cookie decorations, etc.)
• artistic expressions by others & hand-made items
• ornaments :)
• artistic photographs that can be framed
• wooden boxes to paint or to store things in
• quotes that speak to others
• little bags to store things in (make-up, jewelry, etc.) & containers of all kinds
• little trial sizes of perfumes
• permanent markers in fun colors
• hair barrettes, hand-made or otherwise
• All primary colors, plus aqua and neutrals (black, grey, white, tan)
• absolutely anything that brings a smile :) (fun little cards, gift tags, etc.)

Dislikes: Bright neon colors, pastels. Mostly, I like things that are useful, but there are always gorgeous exceptions. :)

It is my personal goal to NEVER flake on swaps. If you are concerned about a swap, please ask! I'll be more than happy to re-send. Also, if for some reason you don't like what I've sent, please feel free to let me know -- but please don't use the rating system to judge what I've sent, if it meets swap requirements. I do this because I like to be creative, I like to send and receive things in the mail, and it's fun! -- 12/21/09