embers

I'm female, single and I have two cats and a dog. I lead a quiet crafty life.

I like warm drinks especially tea and hot cider, but I like coffee and hot chocolate too. I drink a lot of loose tea - I have about 40 different types at present.

I bike to work daily - or at least I will as long as chicago's weather holds out. I do it partially out of a like of biking, part out of a commitment to the environment, part as a weight control measure, and part as a money saving means. I have my own kayak which I use a bunch- though I think it's officially too cold here to do that any more this year.

My favorite color is green. I especially like it in combination with Brown, grey, purple or pink. I think the only color of green I don't like are neon green and puke green.

Anywhooo - I'm excited to be here and get swapping, if you want to know anything just ask...

I like knitting and I'm pretty good at it. Most of what I knit fall into the catagory of accessories - hats, gloves/mittens, socks, wraps and throws. I like knitting lace patterns. I like to knit toys for my pets too. Most of the time I use natural fibers, though I like using soft microfiber stuff and occasionally use fun-fur type stuff. Right now I'm teaching a group of my co-workers how do do more than just knit and purl.

I'm learning to quilt. I'm just starting - my first project is a t-shirt quilt with a simple pattern of squares. My sister is having a baby March and I'm thinking about making her a baby quilt next.

I work in a library and I make notebooks out of the old slip covers from the books. We have a bindery and I enjoy being able to get in there and use the tools. I also like to make book thongs.

I read a lot of mysteries. I'm a bit addicted to the 'cozy' mysteries published by berkley prime-crime. I also like historical mystery/adventure stuff and fairy tales that are re-written or that are a new twist on an old story. I also enjoy the fantasy end of science fiction. I like vampire fiction.

I'm really into philosophy, especially the study of ethics. It was one of my majors in college and it is something that I still read a lot of and I collect books that are interesting spins on philosophy. (ex the tae of piglet)

I have a gluten intolerance - so please don't send me cookies or candy that has any kind of wheat in it (like kit kats, twix or crunch)

Please don't send overtly religious stuff, it's just not me.

I like black and white photography. Especially landscapes. Ansel Adams is my favorite. I also like the work that Andy Goldsworthy does. I like how he uses natural materials, and repetative marks. I also am intrigued by the way so much of his art is temporary.

I also like the look of vintage stuff. Not 70's look vintage but like 20'3 and 30's or victorian looking stuff.

I like lace, keys and locks. silouettes - especially those of a bird on a branch, and things that have repetitive marks. I like maple leaves and oak leaves (maple for my time spent in Minnesota and Oak for Illinois).

I saw these on other profiles and thought I'd do one to expand mine some.

Amigurumi (crocheted dolls) I love them, but I’m no where near good enough at crochet to make them…

Bubbles, butterflies, book-thongs

Cats, china (the pottery kind)

Dogs, darkness, daybreak

Ear Cuffs – yes, very random. I have nickel allergy so I don’t wear many pairs of earrings anymore cuz I can only wear ones with gold posts… but I love wearing ear cuffs instead.

Fiber – most of my craft work involves fiber work – sewing, knitting, weaving, I love it all. Mostly I use natural fiber, but sometimes I really like the sparkle you get from Fun Fur.

Gardening – this spring I am starting my very first urban garden – seed contributions are welcome.

Handmade from the Heart – If you made it with love – I will love it too.

Ice cream – nuff said

Jelly Beans – my favorites are jelly belly’s fruit flavors

Kangaroos and Koalas – My grandma was from Australia and it makes me think of her.

Locks and Keys – in images, art and charms – even just old ones sitting on the shelf/

Mail – thus participating in swap bot – I’m all fro keeping the US postal service alive and still in business.

Notions – charms and clasps that are pretty always please me.

Ornaments – whether for a Christmas tree or for a person either is fun.

Puzzles – I especially like Sudoku and Kakuru puzzles

Quiddich – ok so that’s code for Harry Potter – I’m a Fanfiction junky – there – I’ve said it.

Rainbows- whether in the sky or projected on my wall by a prism, they are beautiful. I'm not as mush a fan of the iconic arch kind - but abstract representations of rainbows are wonderful.

Sunshine – on my window makes me happy

Tea – loose tea is preferable – but I drink most anything.

Umbrellas – and parasols – yes odd but I like waking in the rain.

Vampires- will not overboard about it (I’m not Goth, nor do I think they really exist, nor do I want to be one) – I do like a good Vampire fiction.

Wood – in sculptures, furniture, jewelry, - something about the natural material appeals to me.

X marks the spot – yay scavenger hunts and buried treasure.

Yarn – natural fibers are best – but I’m open to blends as long as it’s soft.

Zoos – every family vacation as a kid we always went to whatever zoo was in whatever place we were going, so I’ve been to a ton of them and probably have more random animal knowledge than any 10 normal people.