sarachung

*** AUGUST 2011 UPDATE: Hello everyone! I am getting ready to return to Nursing school, and so will be taking a break from swap-bot from now, until possibly next April. But, I just wanted to let you all know, that if you want to reach me, you can go ahead and PM me, and I will try to get back to you as quickly as possible although it may take a few days. To all of the groups I am in ... please don't kick me out for inactivity ... I am just on a break, and will be back as an active member next year. ***

Hi, my name is Sara ... I am a 31 year old stay-at-home-crafty-mama to 3 crazy boys, happily married to the man of my dreams, and full time nursing student during the fall and winter.

Besides Starbucks, I am absolutely addicted to arts and crafts of all kinds. Every day I feel the need to create something. My hobby list is extensive, but here it goes: sewing, quilting, hand embroidery, cross stitch, crewel embroidery, crochet, rubber stamping, scrapbooking, card making, drawing, painting, collage, and ATC's.

I love modern and colorful things, as well as vintage, shabby chic and altered art type stuff ... you can check out "My flickr Photos" or "My Blog" link to get a sense of my style.

Randomly, I have a postage stamp collection that was left to me by my beloved grandfather, and I also love to garden, bake and try out new low-fat and healthy recipes.

My ancesters were of Finnish, German, English and Cherokee Indian heritage ... but my husband is Korean .. we are a bit of a blending pot around here, but I love receiving anything relating to our mixed heritages around here.

Although I celebrate holidays that are "Christian" in their origin, such as Easter and Christmas, I consider myself to be more spiritual than religious and prefer not to receive overly Christian items.

About the swap items I send out:

All of my items come from a smoke free, pet free environment ... so if you have allergies, I hope this helps. Regardless of whether or not a swap is "profile-based", I ALWAYS take the time to read profiles and send items that I think you will like. Whether or not my interpretation of your likes hits the mark or not is sort of out of my control, but just know that the intention to send you something that you will get use out of is always there. If a package is marked as sent, that means that I sent it! If you do not receive a package --- please send me a message before rating me. I can always check on the package for you, or even resend out the package if necessary.

Lastly, please rate me, so at the very least I know you received your package!

About the swap items I receive:

If you are sending me a package, I really appreciate a note with the swap name and your user name, it does not have to be lengthy, but I participate in a lot of swaps, and just want to rate you properly. I also really enjoy packages that have postage stamps on them ... not a requirement, but just sayin' ....

Thank-you in advance for taking the time to look through my profile, and thank-you for the gifts! I know that everyone has different policies on what constitutes a heart, but I love to give them. When I can tell that someone has taken the time to look through my profile, or went above and beyond the swap requirements, I am happy to pass on a heart. Although receiving items on my wishlist makes me smile, do not worry if you do not have any of these items ... I can always pass on what you send to other swappers in future swaps. I think that putting together a swap package should be fun for the sender too, and would never want you to feel stressed out putting together a package for me! :)

Happy Swapping! :)

Here is a list of items I either dislike, or just wont get any use from. This list is not intended to insult or offend, but just meant to give a general idea of stuff that I would prefer not to receive (if possible).

• debbie mumm quilting fabrics (or similar in style)

• knit fabric

• synthetic fabrics

• Batiks

• Rub-Ons (I just can't get them right)

• Baby scrapbooking stuff

• Little Girl scrapbooking stuff

• Neon/Fluorescent Colors (I like bright ... just not neon)

• stuff with roosters/chickens/cows/ducks/geese all over it (think "country")

• Disney Characters, Looney Toons, Other Cartoon Characters

• Overly Religious

• Teacher Reward Stickers

  • NASCAR

• Sanrio, Hello Kitty, anime ( However, you can send Hello Kitty if that is all you have, because I can always re-swap it)

• anything that smells terribly of smoke

• Please no candy, teas, drink mixes (exception -- Starbucks VIA packets, or sugar-free ice tea drink packets!)

• Anything that is dirty, or just in plain bad condition. I know this should go without saying, but I have received some packages where I was surprised at the condition of the contents. Nothing grosses me out more than to receive a package where there is a bunch of human or animal hair stuck to the contents. Yuck!

Here is a list of items that I am into right now, just to give you an idea of the types of things that I would get some use out of .... the list is quite long, because I do almost every craft, and can get use out of most anything! :)

• FQ's of Vintage Linens (like from sheets, etc.)

• Scraps of Patterned scrap-booking Paper that are at least 4" (10cm) square or bigger.

• Tim Holtz Paper Crafting Stuff (or similar in style)

• Steampunk type found objects like clock parts, gears, etc.

• Altered art stuff -- bottle caps, dominos, playing cards, scrabble tiles, puzzle pieces etc. (they can already be altered or not)

• Journaling tags

• Bits of interesting paper (for ATC making), such as sheet music, book pages in a different language, very old book pages, pages from well known "classic" books, dictionary pages, old advertisements, old letters, etc.

• Designer quilting weight 100% cotton fabrics (i.e. Alexander Henry, Robert Kaufman, Riley Blake, Kokka, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Denyse Schmidt, Michael Miller, etc. .... you get the idea! ) .. even small (2" square or bigger) scraps are welcome if they are a designer print.

• Trims such as; rickrack, lace, eyelet, thread crochet edging, etc. (12" or longer please as I use these mostly in scrapbook pages)

• Ribbon -- I use grosgrain or satin of all widths (I will not get use out of sheer type ribbons, or those with wire).

• Baker's Twine (24" or longer piece please)

• Sturdy ATC blanks (like mat board or chip board)

• Craft Flower Stamens (to be used with prima flowers or fabric flowers )

• Paper bits with pretty ladies from the past: vintage or retro pin ups, 50's housewife images, old Hollywood actresses, Victorian Ladies, etc.

• cabochons

• Unique or Fun Brads

• Ephemera (such as Bingo cards, state maps, old post cards, bits of paper from the inside of security envelopes, tickets, old postcards, postal air mail stickers, etc.)

  • 100% wool or wool blend felt

• Origami/Washi/Rice Paper

• Stick on gems/pearls for paper crafts

• Gelly Roll Pens, Le Pen pens, fine point sharpies, etc.

• Jewelry Charms that would work well in paper crafts

• Extra Wide Double Fold Bias Tape , lace hem tape, 2.5" cotton quilt binding (can be handmade), etc..

• Unused hand sewing or embroidery needles

• Schmetz sewing machine needles - Universal, Denim or quilting type-- any size

• Gutermann all purpose thread -- any color

• unused zippers 9" or longer -- any color

• bent quilt basting pins, flat head quilting pins, bias binding clips, etc.

• seam ripper

• Basically any type of sewing notion! :)

• Embossing Powder in a color I don't have (colors I do have: light blue, white, gold, light green, black).

• Distress Ink Pads

• Alcohol inks

• ink pads for rubber stamping

• Well made ATC's

• Stationary, cute envelopes

• Buttons -- 3/4" or larger

• quilting rulers

• Hexagon templates for english paper piecing (any size)

• water color pencils

• colored pencils

• adhesives -- I use a million kinds, so any are welcome (tape, glue, etc. )

• water soluble pens (or similar) for tracing patterns onto fabric

• Pads of tracing paper

• small sharp scissors (like embroidery scissors)

• snaps, grommets, etc.

• velcro

• elastic

• fusibles (steam a seam, heat n bond, etc.)

• erasers that erase well (I draw a lot)

• Washi or deco tape

• Cotton Spun mushrooms

• fabric covered button supplies (the naked shells with the shank or shankless backs ... any size).

• new or gently used rubber stamps with ephemera/Victorian type images (old text, stamps, clocks, bird cages, etc. )

• Stamped Images (If possible black ink on smooth white, ivory or kraft colored cardstock)

• fabric flowers, kanzashi, crochet flowers, etc.

• Any type of magazine or book relating to paper crafts such as scrapbooking, card making, ATC's, collage, altered art, etc. as I am always looking for new ideas.

• I love office supplies (I know, it's weird), so unique paper clips, micro binder clips, binder clips with a cute design on them, pads of paper, journals, nice pens, scissors, small envelopes, etc. are always welcome.

• Rubber Stamp carving supplies (like that Speedball Speedycarve pink stuff, carving nibs, etc)

• new or very gently used good paint brushes

• stencils -- especially for letters or basic shapes like circles, squares, etc.

• pencils, pens, markers for drawing

Here is a list of my favorite themes and motifs, and welcome most any craft supply in any of these motifs --

• matryoshka russian nesting dolls,

• Scandinavian (Especially folksy birds, dala horses, Floral, etc.)

• Birds (especially swallows, sparrows, owls, robins, folksy birds, hummingbirds --- NO ducks/geese please)

• pinups (vintage style )

• Sweet Foods -- Cupcakes/Cake/Ice Cream/Cookies/pie/etc.

• cameos

• Fruit -- especially cherries, strawberries, apples

• Vegetables -- especially related to vegetable gardening (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc.)

• Butterflies

• vintage floral motifs

• vintage storybook illustrations

• polka dots , stripes , chevron patterns

• Shabby Chic

• Medical/Anatomical/Nursing Themes

• Botanical Prints

• Plants/Flowers -- Especially peonies, queen anne's lace, lotus flowers, roses , lavender, other herbs, fern leaves, Bamboo, Orchids

• Altered Art/Tim Holtz Style/Steampunk

• Victorian/Vintage/Retro

• I love themes that remind me of the 1950's housewife or other "domestic" pursuits such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, mending, baking, etc.

• Craft supplies with a crafty theme

• Lace, Doilies

• Vintage (or vintage looking) patriotic stuff

• Science (Biology, Chemistry, etc.)

• Themes relating to postage or mail

• Vintage Cross Stitch Samplers

• I also really like mystical type stuff for use in ATC's -- like zodiac symbols, tarot cards, palm reading.

• Eastern Medicine -- like old acupuncture diagrams, etc .... I love this stuff for ATC's!

My favorite colors are:

• Blue (any shade of blue, including aqua, turquoise, teal, etc)

• Pinks

• Red

• Grey/Gray

• Sterling Silver, Brushed Nickel, Chrome, pewter finishes

• Browns (especially darker browns)

• Oil Rubbed Bronze, Gun Metal finishes

• Black, White

I also like:

• Greens

• Yellows

• Purples

• Orange

Colors that I DO NOT use:

• Mostly Neon Colors ( I like bright ... but not neon)

Would you like to set up a private swap?

Here are items I have to offer (please contact me for more details):

• Quality Quilting fabric: Moda, Anna Maria Horner, Valorie Wells, Alexander Henry, etc.

• Denyse Schmidt's new fabric for JoAnn's

• Japanese Amigurumi Crochet Books

• Prima Flowers

• I have every single issue of Crochet Today! and may be willing to part with some

• Vintage crochet patterns (from 30's, 40's, 50's)

• Martha Stewart craft punches

• Half hanks of Appleton Crewel Wool

• Amy Butler fabric scrap packs

• Crochet thread

• I have a Cricut machine, so I can cut a bunch of shapes for you

• Some uncut/unused Sublime Stitching embroidery transfers

• Unused Martha Stewart rubber stamps

• Dry Embossing supplies (incl. Martha Stewart)

• Cross Stitcher (UK) magazine

• Other crafting magazines: Sew News, Cross Stitch and Needlework

• Some cricut cartridges

• Adjustable rings with pad for gluing on cabochons, etc. (and other supplies like this)

• Fabric covered buttons

• Fabric Yo-Yo's

• Fabric Charm Squares

Here are items I am looking for, and would thus be willing to trade my items for:

• DENYSE SCHMIDT FABRIC!! (Flea Market Fancy and Hope Valley especially ... if you have some of that seed fabric, I would be willing to trade a lot for it!)

• Tim Holtz Paper Crafting Stuff

• "Metro Living" fabric by Robert Kaufman

• Woodgrain fabric from Joel Dewberry

• Anna Maria Horner sewing book or sewing patterns

• Denyse Schmidt quilting patterns

• Amy Butler sewing patterns

• "Stitch" magazine

• Other boutique type sewing patterns (like Jamie Christina, etc.)

• Wool blend (or wool) felt

• Quilting rulers/templates

• Modern Quilting books (like Modern Log cabin quilting, Dare to be square, city quilts, etc.)