ladybree

Besides swapping, I enjoy reading, watching movies, playing video games (I love my Wii - Guitar Hero III, DDR, Mario games, Legend of Zelda, etc), knitting (which then lead to making beaded stitch markers, which then lead to making earrings and bracelets), Sudoku & other brain teasers, Mad Libs, hanging out with friends, listening to music, going to museums (I'm a science nerd), art galleries, and cooking.

As I mentioned before, I really enjoy knitting. I've been knitting for two years. I like to make hats, scarves and socks. I've recently learned how to knit fingerless mittens. They're really not as complicated as I once thought they were. I think it's pretty cool how you can make something great from a piece of string and a couple sticks.

My knitting goals for 2009 are to knit sweaters and to work with lace weight yarn. I'd also like to learn how to do magic loop so that I can knit two socks at once.

I really enjoy knitting with merino wool. As a relatively new knitter, I'm still experimenting with different fibres and brands. I really like sock yarns in solid or semi-solid colours. The only yarn I do not like so far is Noro sock. I would also prefer NOT to receive acrylic, cotton, bamboo or novelty yarns.

My ravelry user name is also ladybree. At knittinghelp.com, I'm bree.

I have another favourite hobby - beading. It first started out when I wanted to learn how to make stitch markers. Then I realized how they were just earrings, but with a loop at the top instead of a hook. So, now I've been making earrings. More and more earrings. I don't even like wearing beaded earrings, lol. But I really like making them. So I have a lot of happy friends and family members. lol

I love working with glass beads. I do not like plastic, wooden or pony beads. I have more than enough seed beads to work with, so please do not send me more.

I like to read lots of different kinds of books, mostly fiction, but I do enjoy reading about science and psychology. Some of the books I've read recently and really liked are The Time Traveller's Wife, Angels & Demons, Memoirs of a Geisha, A Million Little Pieces, and My Friend Leonard. The books I'm currently reading are Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, and The Swarm by Frank Schatzing.

My fave bands are Coldplay, Maroon 5, Hayley Sales, James Morrison, Chicago, John Mayer, Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado.

Just to name a few, I really like Memento, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Sleepless in Seattle, Mermaids, Dumb & Dumber, Nacho Libre, One Hour Photo, Amelie, and The Birds.

I'm finding lately there really aren't that many good shows on television, though I seem to have the tv on the time, even if I'm not watching. When I do pay attention, I like to watch Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science, Criminal Minds, House, Star Trek: TNG, Deadliest Catch, Law & Order:SVU and CI, reruns of Seinfeld, Family Guy, American Gladiators, reruns of Fresh Prince, the food network (esp Ina, Giada, Jamie Oliver, Nigella, Rachael Ray, Gordon Ramsay), Flavor of Love (yes, I know he's a lil whacked, but he sure is entertaining), Knit & Crochet Today, Family Guy, Ellen, Oprah, Martha Stewart, Dave Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel. Hmmmm, maybe I do watch too much tv.

My favourite colours are blues, greens, reds, and purples. I like pretty much every colour EXCEPT bright neon ones.

Some of my fave snacks are bbq chips, nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews, macadamia), pumpkin seeds, Japanese rice crackers, kettle corn, wine gums, nibs, Riesen, Werther's, Nips - coffee, caramel, peanut butter and butter rum flavours (I'd love to get these because they're hard to find in Canada), Reeces Pieces, milk chocolate, Big Turk bars, Turkish Delight (I'd love to get some authentic stuff from Turkey!), Quality Street, white chocolate (esp with almonds), mint chocolate, chocolate with nuts or dried fruits (except pineapple or orange), chocolate covered coffee beans, teas (Twining's Earl Grey & Vanilla Earl Grey, Japanese green tea, rooibos with cinnamon and white tea- loose or bag), espresso, matcha, chai, bubble tea... and the list goes on and on, lol. I don't have any allergies, thankfully. I enjoy most foods, maybe even too much! I'm willing to try almost anything once. My food faves are sushi, Greek, Vietnamese, Indian, and Italian.

I really love shopping for yarn and needles and all the good things associated with yarn. Oh, and beads too. Beads, beads, beads, beads, beads. I think shopping for the supplies is equally as fun as crafting. But I really do not like clothes shopping. I just hate having to try things on. Why can't I just pull something off of the rack and take it home and have it fit me perfectly?! Why?!

I'm currently collecting re-usable shopping/grocery bags. I'd love to receive ones that are handmade or purchased at stores that may be found only in your area. I'm really trying to reduce as much waste as I can and re-use when possible.

I love to send and receive postcards. I'm an active user on Postcrossing as ladybree. I'd really like to receive some new, unused artistic ones. I'm not too picky on what types as long as they are not the "touristy" ones that are photos of your area.

Large sized Post-it notes would be greatly appreciated :)

I'd like to receive things that are on the weird, unusual or on the obscure side. Things that would make me laugh would be really cool too (I have a sarcastic sense of humour and not easily offended). Anything with my name on it, spelled correctly of course. Handmade things would be greatly appreciated :)

Please don't send me anything that is strongly scented, especially floral scents (I like light, fresh, clean scents like cucumber, melon and aloe). I would prefer not to receive any religious items. No black licorice, Peeps, Jolly Ranchers, liqueur filled chocolates, Smarties, Mars bars or marzipan. No dark chocolate over 50% cacao. I don't like berry or orange teas. That is all for now... Thanks :)