Nastasi

Hi there! PLEASE NOTE: I have sent out all of the required swaps -- 3 of them were a bit late, but I did contact the recipients to let them know it would be late... However, I have not heard from at least 4 people re: swaps that I have sent and today I found out that other people are having similar issues. Anyone know what's going on here?? [Happy Book #1 -- which was my OWN swap! hasn't been received // Women Penpal #2 has not been received // a private swap to Holland has not been received // and Daily Find Journal has also not been received -- or, at least, they haven't been MARKED as received].

Anyway, on to my profile!

I have so many different hobbies and interests... I am a member of Girl Guides of Canada and collect Guide/Scout stuff from all over the world. I run 2 different units, "Brownies" which are girls 7-8 years old. My Brownie unit has 25 kids at the moment. On a different night I also run a "Pathfinder" group (ages 12-14) that currently has 7 girls. It's busy, let me tell you. But I adore it! I love being a part of the kids' lives and I truly hope I am making some kind of positive difference to their childhoods. I had a bit of a difficult childhood myself, so I have a real passion for working with kids & making sure they grow up with happy childhood memories.

I recently separated from my husband, so I've been going through a rough time. It has really made me open my eyes to the world... I love swapping and penpalling and I think it's extremely important to connect with people on a personal level (especially nowadays with all the technology we have in our lives that takes away from giving things a "personal" touch").

Hand-written cards and letters are a lost art, I think. I'm so glad to have found this site of like-minded people! I love snail-mail. I believe a person can never get enough "happy" mail :)

I love writing, reading, pen-palling, swapping, ice-skating, hiking, camping, biking, libraries, photography, scrap-booking, candles, crafts, etc etc... I love listening to music, going to live theatre and watching films. I love castles, nature, historical sites... Very much into history and geography.

I adore children's vintage toys, especially the old Fisher Price Little People (from 60s-80s). I love children's literature. I have a whole bookshelf of children's books! I love OWLS, monkeys, armadillos, butterflies, tropical fish...

I love 80s stuff... Everything from the music, toys, cartoons, old arcade games, etc.

Lately I've been doing a lot of Owl-related crafting stuff. I'm a Brownie Leader, so each leader is known by a different owl name. I'm "Snowy Owl". Anything owl related is VERY welcome :)

I love to scrapbook. I've recently been doing a lot of sewing as well (I sew everything by hand, because I'm horrible with a machine)! I use felt to sew little hand-made stuffed animals, etc. I like bead crafts, dream-catchers, painting with acrylics on canvas or on pre-made ceramic/wood figures.

I love crafts and writing-papers that are postage-stamp related. I have some neat stationary that a friend made for me with an airmail/stamp theme. Home-made stuff is unique and I welcome it always :)

I am starting to get into rubber stamping at the moment as well. I'm also a beginner in crocheting and knitting. I love cross-stitch as well but haven't had much time for it over the past few months.

Favourite colours: greens, blues, yellows. For stickers and stationary and craft materials, I also love fiery colours like deep pinks, oranges, reds and purples.

Favourite scents: vanilla, lavender, banana, orange, chocolate, mostly fruity & sweet scents. Don't like heavy floral scents.

Favourite drinks/candy: Love coffee/cappuccino stuff. Black vanilla tea is a favourite. Very big into flavoured teas, coffees & hot chocolates.

I have a big weakness for vanilla-flavoured stuff, creme-brulee, tiramisus, custards, toffee, etc. Also chocolate (especially milk chocolate), cherry, orange, banana, etc...

Don't like: mint teas, spicy flavours, black licorice, strong cinnamon.

I collect & love to receive the following:
* ice skating stuff * owl stuff * postage stamps * postcards (especially unique landscapes, castles, historic buildings, cartoon characters, winter scenes (ice skating, etc)) * coins * chocolate * coffees, teas * candy of all kinds * buttons of all shapes and sizes
* stationary supplies (cute papers, markers, pens, coloured pencils, crayons, stickers, self-inking stamps, etc) * interesting little souvenirs, etc.