HorseTenderStudio

Please note: As of Dec 18th, 2012 I've sent out ALL current swap items! If you don't receive something from me, please let me know!

I was born into a family that loves to create things, from arts and crafts, to music, gardening, and baking. Grew up with Granny entering flowers and tatting projects in the county fair.

I have always loved to create things, be it a song, a pretty piece of jewelry, or a well-trained horse.

I love plants and gardening and this year finally started learning to make jams, can fruit, and make pickles. We are planning an even bigger garden next year!

I live in South Dakota with my husband, 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 rats, 2 salamanders, 1 horse, and a betta fish in a pear tree.

I am a Christian, but I don't believe in trying to cram my beliefs down other people's throats. That type of thing was done to me when I was younger and all it did was turn me away. I am a fairly new believer and my life changed drastically when I asked Him into my heart. After what had been a lifetime of turmoil, I found peace.

I will not be offended if someone from another faith were to send me greetings from their beliefs. I would be happy to receive a kind message that sometime takes the time to send.

My favorite crafts are inspired by nature. I use many natural elements seen or collected on hikes and horseback rides. I've dabbled in a little bit of several different things and am always open to learning about new crafts or new ways to do those I already enjoy.

I love paper crafting, making jewelry, dreamcatchers, and cross-stitching. I also do a bit of painting and sculpting - mostly resculpting and repainting existing objects.

I have JUST (as of the end of November) learned to do tatting! My Granny has done it for as long as I can remember and I have been wanting her to teach me for a little while. Thanks to a trip to visit her for Thanksgiving, I can tat now! I'm so excited about this new crafting pasttime and I may be tatting some things to swap at some point.

Just about anything on Animal Planet, Discovery, National Geographic, and Science - save for the reality shows that seem to be creeping in everywhere.

I enjoy documentaries, learning about the world and the plants and animals we share it with.

I listen to a little bit of everything and go through different phases from time to time. I'll listen to country, rap, rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, classical, metal, techno... pretty much anything.

A few standby favorite artists through the years have been: Bryan Adams, Richard Marx, and Keith Urban.

I grew up in a very musical family, several family members have played instruments and done vocals. I love to sing.

My favorite books are mainly non-fiction. My Granddad helped to give me a thirst for knowledge and I have quite a little library of books on topics that interest me.

Favorite topics are: horses and horse training, animals, nature, personal development and fitness, history, and home topics like gardening and decorating.

Dances With Wolves, Jurassic Park, Hidalgo, The Black Stallion, Man From Snowy River, Thunderheart, Tombstone, Avatar, Last of the Dogmen, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, etc...

Pretty much anything centered on horses, animals, or an interesting historical flick. Also have a soft spot for movies with a lot of good special effects - ever since seeing Jurassic Park as a kid and being amazed at what they could accomplish with animatronics and CG.

Tell me about your pet: Sent 12/18!

Mega Christmas Card Swap: Several sent out on 11/5. All others sent 11/9.

QUICK Swaps: Rubber Stamps #85: Sent 11/13 ---- Pick 5 Somethings #48: Sent 11/13 ---- Pick 5 Flat #60: Sent 11/13 ---- Christmas Card #5: Sent 11/13 ---- ATC #92: Sent 11/14

Here's a short random list of other favorite things and more info about me...

Favorite color: BLUE, along the lines of royal blue, bright blue, electric blue, intense blue, lapis blue... I've also seen the particular shade that I adore called "Cobalt". Other favorite colors are: green, yellow, black, purple, golden orange, red... Visually I tend to prefer bright, intense colors to pastels or muted tones, but I also believe that beauty can be found in just about anything!

Favorite animals: Horse, Red fox, Cheetah

Favorite foods: Fruit and cheese

Favorite ethic foods: Italian and Mexican

Favorite drink: Fruit juice

Favorite season: Spring or Fall

Places I want to visit: Australia, Africa, and Spain

Places I've been: Almost every state in the U.S. and some of Mexico

Random fact: I love snow!

I thought I'd add a short list of things that are useful to me, in case anyone is wondering. :-) I'll try and keep this updated.

These are two things I'm going through a lot of right now:

• Embroidery/cross-stitch floss (I have a lot of black and white, but am always short on colors)
• Tatting/Crochet thread (I just started tatting and am mowing through the ball my Granny gave me, haha)

Other small things I tend to use:

• Stickers - especially nature related (animals, birds, fish, trees, etc.)
• Charms - same as above, I do a lot of nature-inspired crafting.
• Beads - seed beads and pony beads are the sizes I most use, but would like to play around with more beadwork sometime too!

A note on scraps: I don't mind getting scrap papers - but please try and send only paper or cardstock scraps that are ATC size or bigger. I have a ton of solid-colored scrap card stock, but I would always be interested in seeing some pretty paper or patterned cardstock in useable sizes. :-)

Oh, and I make a lot of bookmarks too, so longer strips at least an inch or two wide will get used up too!