Skybird

Above all else, I want to thank each and every one of my swap partners for the time, effort, and -of course- money they have spent on sending something to me that they believe will make me happy. You guys are awesome!

It's all about fun and fulfillment, so whether this is our first or fiftieth swap, if you have received something from me that doesn't meet the swap requirements, or if the Send-By deadline has long passed and you have not received anything from me, please send me a private message ASAP. I'm not intentionally dense, and I do not flake. But I am human .. sometimes. :^)

I was a computer "Gal Friday" for nearly 30 years, doing everything from data entry to programming to user support to training; nowadays, I leave the super-techie stuff to others. I was also and still am a writer, editor, and voice talent, plus I've given in to one of my lifelong passions and become a professional photographer. Life is good for this leftie!

Also, I recycle packaging (envelopes, bags, squiggles, etc). That means you might receive a package from me with lots of marked-out stuff or funky (but not in a bad way -g-) padding. Hopefully, you'll be as delighted as I that something got a second chance. Or maybe third or fourth chance. :^)

Photography (and making things with photos) . . . Crochet (granny-square-a-holic here) . . . Needlecraft (cross-stitch, needlepoint, embroidery) . . . Felt-sewing (like sequined Christmas stockings) . . . Knitting (super simple, such as scarves) . . . Making friendship bracelets (knotted) . . . Machine sewing (super simple, such as bandana-like "quilts")

Blues of all types . . . Bright fall colors (reds, oranges, golds, etc) . . . Pretty much anything in the Southwest color palette (teals, tans, wines, golds, whites, etc) . . . Lots of other colors, mostly on the "bright" side, though not just primary colors . . . For my bandana-like "quilts", I'm crazy about primary colors . . . If I had to pick, I'd say I could maybe get tired of too many bland blacks, browns, and taupes

I love spending an afternoon with gardening and decorating ideas magazines . . . I've become an audiobook-aholic (why read when I can knit and listen? -lol-) . . . I adore puzzle books (brain games, word search, etc - but not crosswords) . . . Lovelovelove big jigsaw puzzles with photographs of mountains, cozy scenes (like a small town in fall), and lakes . . . I collect old books and dream of opening a bookstore (/ "junk" shop / yarn nook) someday . . . No problem with "used" goodies, as long as they're readable/listenable (but no books with covers torn off or "ripped" audiobooks)

Cotton, bamboo, hemp, and linen yarn (acrylic okay in blends, but no blends with more than 20% wool, please) . . . Embroidery floss . . . Baubles (pretty beads, fancy buttons, shaped sequins) . . . Vintage goodies (photos, cards, postcards, letters, books) . . . Funky/"eccentric" things (I once found a little hand-made copper wire lizard lying in the street that's now one of my favorite treasures) . . . Cute refrigerator magnets . . . Prayer flags ("windhorses") . . . Anything related to mountains, Basenjis, horses, dandelions, dragonflies, mooses, snow, and camping . . . Chai tea (decaf) . . . Audiobooks . . . Picture frames (any size) . . . Iron Man (comic book or movie -g-) . . . Red Hots in very small doses

I am very allergic to pretty much all perfumes and scented items (soaps, lotions, candles, etc) . . . I cannot wear or work with wool . . . Feathers, dust, smoke, and most fur make me wheeze and sneeze . . . Caffeine, coffee, chocolate, mint, lots of sugar (like candy), and the sweeteners in most "sugar-free" goodies are not my friends (tragic, I know) . . . I'm just not into anime, manga, goth, vampires, or slash

My (smoke-free) world is ruled by a sweet/silly black-and-white Basenji girl (African barkless dog). I store my craft supplies in plastic bags and containers, but she curls up next to me while I knit, do cross-stitch, and pretty much everything else. In other words, she's all over my world. What I'm getting at is: IF WE'RE PARTNERED AND YOU HAVE ANIMAL ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. Thanks!

Pay it forward.

Y'know, I created this section (originally titled "Flake List") because someone flaked on me once. And then life happened and I flaked on a swap. (!!) I was fortunate .. life settled enough for me to change from a flake to a very tardy swap partner. So I've decided to no longer call out folks who flake on me, because maybe life happened to them, too. My flake policy now? Think positive thoughts for partners who never (or tardily) fulfill a swap and go have some more fun. :^)