AtTheSmithHouse

I am taking a short break from swapping to focus on some "real life" stuff, but I am still checking my messages. So feel free to stop in and say hi during my break!

If you do not receive something from me, please let me know! I always send, but I have had a few things get lost in the mail. I no longer mail from home because of this. I will resend if you have not received my end of the swap.

I always rate the day I receive your swap. If I have not rated, it has not been received. I will always contact you before leaving anything other than a 5. Things happen, and I am extremely flexible. Please give me the same consideration if you do not receive my end of a swap.

I love swapping! I sign up for lots of swaps, mainly postcard and ATC, but also a few penpal or notecard swaps. Don't worry, just because my "current swaps" list is long, does not mean I'm a problematic swapper. I've seen some hosts say that they will remove anyone with over 15 current swaps. A lot of times I have that many, but I am active and a responsible swapper. I like to sit down and work on a bunch of swaps in an afternoon, and mail them all at once. If I have signed up for your swap, I am good for it!

I have met so many kind, creative people. I have also learned so many techniques from other makers. Swapping gives me a reason to create, and I am so very grateful for swap-bot.

ABOUT ME: I'm a homeschool mom and fiber artist who lives in Independence, MO with my family. Independence is a suburb of Kansas City. We love being a full-time family and learning together. Our homeschool adventure has been one of the best decisions we have made as a family.

I enjoy crochet, ATC's, collage, mixed media, gardening, herbs, jam making, embroidery, crochet and knitting, and homemaking.

We are a very creative family. Most nights you will find us around the table working on a project together. Lately it has been Diamond Painting. Have you tried it? So much fun!

We just bought bicycles, and mine is a beautiful, retro looking cruiser with a basket! I have big plans for long rides and picnics.

We have chickens, and I love all things chicken and farm related. I am a farmer's market enthusiast (is that a thing? well, it is now!).We have many good farmers markets here in the Kansas City Metro. I try to grow some of my own food, and I have fruit trees and berry bushes. I am a canner and jam maker. I love gardening! It's like magic to me. You plant a tiny little seed, give it some love, and you get flowers and food!

We have 3 dachshunds, and love love love them! We also have a naughty little old Morkie (maltese and yorkie mix). She is an "honorary dachshund". The dachshunds have incorporated her into their little pack.

I love bright colors! I really like all things paper (journals, office supplies, art supplies, etc.)

I'm always looking for new friends and pen pals. Can't think of anything to write to me about? Tell me about your day, about your kitchen, about your pets. Send me your favorite recipe. Tell me about the last thing crafty you made. Let's talk about your pets, your kids, your husbands. I love connection and community. That is what draws me to this website.

I adore tea!

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Our house is decorated in colorful handmade and vintage.

I am especially interested in making friends with other artists, crocheters, and bloggers.

If you are a homeschool family, let's be friends!

My blog can be found at: www.atthesmithhouse.com - I'm not the most regular blogger. I am working on that.

On Instagram, I am atthesmithhousestephanie

I always rate, and I try to rate in a timely manner. I like to sit at my desk with a cup of tea, and open my "correspondence" with my fancy beaded handmade letter opener. I pretend I am receiving mail from a good friend from far away. It's one of my favorite parts of my day! I rate right away.

mulberry paper scraps,

handmade paper scraps,

hummingbirds,

scraps of yarn (seriously! I can use anything over 9" or so. Love yarn scraps. Save them for me, please? I incorporate them into what I call "community blankets".),

anything Mary Engelbreit,

SARK

vintage ephemera, or anything I can use in collage,

cool socks,

music from around the world, ATCs (artist trading cards),

stationery - cards - etc.,

mixed media art supplies,

glass beads,

anything artsy,

bees, on everything, queen bee stuff is a favorite,

turquoise (the color),

fuschia,

decorative drink stirrers,

tea spoons,

tea (especially herbal or fruity flavored),

blank journals,

chickens,

dachshunds,

postcards from your town or state,

military stuff, especially Navy.

vintage truck images,

vintage bicycle with basket images,

foreign currency and coins (for my 8 year old daughter)

postage stamps (used are good, too!)

rubber stamps

Dislikes:

anime

kid and reward stickers

negativity

complainers and nitpickers

all forms of bullying

drama

mean spirited snark

I prefer bright and bold colors to neutrals

classic rock

country - both classic and new

Spanish guitar

Bluegrass Jazz

pretty much anything from the 60s to the 90s and everything in between

I collect cookbooks, mainly healthy cooking and vegetarian

craft books

books on positive living, meditating, manifesting, and other spirituality topics

home decorating books

trashy novels, on occasion :)

Under the Tuscan Sun

Grease

The Truman Show

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The Little Mermaid

most Rom-Coms (romantic comedies)

Cheesy old horror movies, like The Birds

My husband and I love all the silly dating shows, like The Bachelor.

We are also fans of Big Brother

We watch a lot of Nat Geo

Mysteries at the Museum

all of Josh Gates' various shows

Frasier

The Golden Girls

The Good Place

We are big Kansas City Chiefs fans, so Fall and Winter Sunday afternoons are usually spent watching football

crochet

knitting

sewing

all things paper

embroidery

diamond painting

I love scrap yarn! Please send me all of your usable yarn scraps over 9 inches or so.