tigermousecat

Getting back into swapping post-surgery.

Please do not send me any extras. Love them but right now I do not have the space for anything extra. As it is, my workspace and storage is so limited. I always rate by effort, not extras!

Due to having arthritis in my thumbs I have taken to typing most of my notes enclosed with my swaps. After hand writing a few lines my hand starts to ache.

I have decided to settle in with the groups I am now part of. I like to be an active participant in each group. If I am in too many I feel like I am too stretched out.

Due to the dramatic increase in postage for larger items, I will be doing mainly cards and journal pages for now. One of my last larger swaps cost me close to $20! OUCH!

Wow! I am now over the 2200 mark for swaps.... Hard to believe!

Thought I would add this. Would love my partners to send their postcards naked when possible. There are some very good sealants that will protect those masterpieces so be brave! Also, it just is not the same without a small note enclosed or written on the postcard. It just seems a bit more personal.

If you do not get a swap from me, please let me know as Canada Post is so slow and I have had items go astray in the mail. It can take up to a month to have swaps arrive to the USA. I try to keep a scanned copy of what I send on my Flickr account so no peeking if you want to be surprised!

I am a crazy cat lady short of cats. After my two cats passed a few years back, I have decided not to get any more for now.

Am now a 66-year-old lady, widowed after 33 years of marriage. I have no children. I am retired! with more time to play!.

Love knitting, crochet and tatting. I do prefer the graph or diagram instructions over the written. For an example, see the crochet in the old Magic Crochet magazine designs. In knitting the European style like what one would find in Burda or Vogue magazines. Always interested in trying something new! I have a special fondness for knit lace and making stuffed animals. Alan Dart is one of my favourite designers for toys. Can never have too many patterns, needles, hooks or yarn!

My BFF got me hooked on making ATCs. I have expanded that to include tags, postcards and journal pages. I do like a challenge! More room to express myself. A nice change from the needle arts.

I would love to hear how you made yours if you are using a different technique from collage. Always looking to learn new things and try new ways of doing things.

Serious addiction to coffee and dark chocolate.

Please no heavily scented products, have asthma. Citrus, soft florals and vanilla scents not an issue.

Have a good sense of humour and an upbeat attitude. Always wanting to learn something new. Love all colours for ATCs. I like "some" cute stuff (Victorian and Vintage) and cat themed items but do not collect a lot of items as I live in a small space. Love most animals (snakes excepting) and space or Sci-fi themed items such as Dr Who , Torchwood or Star Trek. I also like vintage and Victorian pictures etc. DH says I have one foot in the past and one in the future. Love Steampunk!

Enjoy Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Do read many non-fiction history books as well. I am a big fan of Terry Pratchett. Also follow all the Star Trek, though in books only now. I am currently playing catch up with Eric Flint's 1632 series as well as S.M. Stirling's The Change series.. I am also adding Tanya Huff to my ongoing list. She is so fun! Another new love is Gail Cattiger with her unique Steampunk/Goth themes. So many books so little time!

Love Big Bang Theory and many British comedy shows! I love The Orville. Wish it would come back. Love Ghosts, both the British and American version.

I love Dr Who and Torchwood. Have followed Dr Who from the original courtesy of PBS.

Recently I have also been watching Warehouse 13 and the Librarians.

Watch some history shows. We have a provincial channel called Knowledge Network, and it is most excellent!

Love older Star Trek films and some Sci-fi. Also many of the films from the 30s and 40s. One of my favs is the Thin Man series.

Do not enjoy horror, blood and guts sort of films.

One of my favourite films was What Dreams May Come. It is a comforting film as I did a lot of palliative care.

Sadly, after the last bout of sticker shock for some cards I just sent to Europe I will be making more " flat pack" ones to send overseas. The cost of anything with raised embellishments has gotten totally out of hand.

I am continually in awe of the workmanship and quality of some of the swaps I get. I love the painted or hand drawn ones but well done collage and mixed media is great too. Small masterpieces of art. Love it when you give me info on how you made your swap and what you used. Please be aware I may renew, reuse and up-cycle items from time to time.

Learning to run with scissors and play with paper while not gluing my fingers together.... I like to play with collages and mail art. I am trying to stretch myself into other mediums. Some of the mixed media art is intriguing. My DH is a professional photographer and is encouraging me to go beyond the paintbrush. So far it has been great!

I do cards in water colours or acrylics. I especially love the acrylic paints. I love the textures. Anything to add to this addiction is always appreciated such as extra small brushes.

I am fond of rubber stamps. I love to buy the grab bags on sale . When I open them it is a fun surprise as you never know what you will get.

I love adding vintage lace to my project. Old doilies and small bits of old handmade lace are always appreciated.

I like to read my swap partner's profile so I can try to send something more personal. Swaps may be sent on the last day because of this if the time between the sign up date and the send date is short.

I am by nature a story teller. I love a good laugh. Often my cards reflect this. For me a pretty picture just isn't enough.

I try to rate the same day I get a swap. Feel free to contact me if it seems too long a wait for you to get a rating. If I don't see a rating after two weeks of sending I wonder if it got lost.

I like to rate by the effort you put into the card not the extras you send. Don't be afraid to add dimension and depth to what you send. Even if you don't feel you are a great artist but you make the effort I also rate accordingly. If you have read my profile and work around that , that is wonderful. Thanks!

Seems the thing to do so here I go.. Likes:

Ginger anything!

Cats

Most Animals except snakes. Have developed a special fondness for orcas ( killer whales) and rock hopper penguins. The penguins make me smile. They look like the punk rockers of the bird world...

Coffee

CHOCOLATE !

Victorian or Steampunk is a favourite.

I love cards both collage or painted/drawn that have some effort put into it. I love it when people play with something and expand upon it.

I am no prude so partial nudity is not an issue for me.

I have a great sense of humour. I love the quirky side of life.

All colours for swaps.

I am a lover of spring. After our long grey wet winters it nourishes the soul. The colour of new leaves and the sound of birds, seeing the baby animals and early flowers, well you get the picture.

I grew up in the wilderness as a child. I am at home with the ocean and forests. The silence and solitude brings me peace.

Don't ask me why but I like gnomes......traditional, not Disney ones.

I have started embracing my inner cuteness! There are some cute clear stamps I have acquired and wanting to use.

Love handmade postcards both sending and getting them. We have limited choice in my area with mainly touristy ones available.

Dislikes:

Not a fan of most teas except ginger. Recently I have become a lover of the Bengal Spice tea. Most excellent on a cold day to wrap one's hands around a hot mug of that.

I am not crazy over Disney. Please don't send any unless it is cat related. Can never have too much kitty!

Items with smoke or strong scent - have asthma

Please no stickers, just do not use them at all.

Horror, gory, bloody, gross or violent items- seen enough suffering with my job over the years.

Not a fan of clowns or snakes...long stories...

Anything of a religious nature unless it relates directly to a swap requirement - have my own path to follow and respect you do too

I have been fortunate that I have only been flaked on once so far....

Would like to thank Paige 1900 for angeling : Craft/Alter a PC for your partner. It is appreciated!