carladallas

I grew up an "oil brat", traveling around the world. I'm married, with two teenage daughters and a medium dog. We live in Texas and love to travel. I've tried to be as detailed as possible in my profile. In each section I have my likes and dislikes. At the end I have some other general stuff on colors, themes, etc.

HOW I SWAP~ I like to put a lot of time and effort into my swaps, and especially like to try to send things that match my partner's profile. I love to send little extras and try to always include a little note because that's our chance to get to know each other! I enjoy private swaps, especially if we can come up with creative challenges for each other. I almost always send my swaps EARLY! If I am running late, I will PM you to let you know what's going on.

RATING: I always ALWAYS RATE, usually on the day I receive (Sometimes I travel for work in which case it would take me a few days. When I travel for longer periods of time I write those details in my profile). I consider myself a very fair rater. I am not stingy with hearts, although extras don't guarantee it. I usually give a heart when I can tell you carefully read my profile, or went the extra mile to make the swap special. Likewise I am not afraid to give 3's or 1's if I don't receive a swap, or it does not fulfil the requirements. I always call out flakers in the forums. That said, communication goes a LONG way with me. If you are running late with a swap, please PM me.

I am looking for partners who have this same philosophy!

GROUPS: I cut down on the number of groups I belong do, removing groups that were inactive or that I wasn't active in. I host two groups: Swap the Planet, and All 50 States.

PM me if you have any questions!

I love to receive mix CD's! I like Ethnic, Folk, some Country. Specific artists: Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, Sheryl Crow, Patty Loveless, Nora Jones, Ophra Haza, Gypsy Kings.

NO rap, hardcore / acid rock, or Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson type music.

I love to read and enjoy receiving books!!!! My favorites are The Red Tent, Cold Mountain, Geek Love, Smilla's Sense of Snow, anything by Isabel Allende, anything by Annie Proulx, The Omnivore's Dilemma, Life of Pi, anything by John Irving.

NO self help books, relationship books, "romances", or diet books please!

Also check out my goodreads.com site, see link above.

MOVIES

I'd love to get a movie you don't want to own any more, along the lines of Amelie, Frida, A Very Long Engagement, Kite Runner, Out of Africa, Dear Frankie, Tender Mercies, Chocolat, Shakespeare in Love, Places in the Heart, Whale Rider.

NOT really into Hollywood movies, definitely no zombie / scary / slasher movies.

If our tastes are similar and you also use Netflix, PM me and we can become friends there too!\

FAVORITE TV

I guess HGTV, I don't watch much television, mostly I get movies on netflix. I know virtually nothing about current sitcoms, drama's, etc.

• sand from all over the world (please tell me the name of the beach)
• little boxes
• tiny nativity sets
• crosses
• buddha stuff
• funky heart shaped stuff
• anything Frida Kahlo
• matchbooks--the freebies from restaurants, bars, etc.
• religious candles
• traditional looking teacup with saucer
• mismatched wine glasses
• mismatched black and white coffee cups

I make and sell jewellry and generally that's all I wear (it gives me an opportunity to tell people "I made it" if they like what they see!

I make "repujado" pieces (Spanish colonial artform embossing on thin sheets of tin/silver/pewter) and like to send this in swaps as it is unique.

I love to take pics (see my flickr site!). I have dabbled in "alebrijes" (fantastical paper mache animals), which is really fun.

If you want to send me art stash, I like getting miniature things I can use in matchbook altars, I also like fun yarns, even if it's just a few feet. NO kits or plastic beads please!

In GENERAL my interests are anything vintage, cultural artifacts, literature, wild west, deep south, things that reflect the local culture, traditions, etc (whether that's Bolivia, Boston or Bentonville).

DETAILS.....FAVORITES

Colors: deep purple, saphire blue, turquoise, pale yellow, deep red, off-white, gray-pink, black.

Things I really like:

• anything "ethnic", especially from Latin America, India, Middle East and Eastern Europe
• books (fiction mostly)
• organizer stuff (drawers, boxes, dividers, gadgety stuff)
• natural fabrics (can be brightly colored) such as linen, cotton, silk
• candles, both scented and unscented, all sizes and shapes
• lotions and soaps in citrusy scents, also "grass" or "rain" scented
• funky unique stuff that's local to your area, whether that's candy, soda, artifacts, etc.
• religious stuff of all faiths (hindu, buddhist, christian, catholic, etc.), not preachy stuff, mostly the imagery (if in doubt, don't send)

I really love anything that's handmade, painted, embroidered, etc.

PATTERNS AND MOTIFS I LIKE:

• hearts
• spirals
• ethnic
• moon
• "natural" ie. shells, trees, flowers
• maps
• delft
• asian
• eye / evil eye
• circles / dots
• loteria
• clocks
• fleur de lis
• leaves
• snowflakes
• irises

In GENERAL I'm not crazy about animal prints, cartoon characters, patriotic themes, religious themes (except in a cultural way, hard to explain) or anything overly "cute" such as puppies, cherries, etc. (unless it's stationary or decotape).

Yukky Colors: Olive green, orange, chartreuse, anything neon/glow in the dark, most yellows

NO "Collectibles"! ie. wizard of oz, betty boop, sports teams, disney, pez, etc.

NO CLOWNS PLEASE! They've always scared me...

Other DISLIKES: "cutesy" designs with dogs, cats, etc., vintage or real stuff from the 60's or 70's (I was there, it wasn't so great the first time around...), animal print stuff, stuff along the lines of "princess/diva/queen", self-help books

FOOD

I'm 'into' fresh ingredients and simple dishes when I cook. I don't like using cans, premixes or artificial flavorings. I love all sorts of spices. I'm not a good improviser and generally make menus and use a cookbook rather than improvise. I have a small collection of excellent cookbooks that focus on fresh, easy, etc.

I do like candy, chocolates, snacks etc. especially if it's unique to your area.

I like all flavors of coffee and teas, prefer the teas individually sealed. I love hot chocolate and other drinks such as mate, atole, ovaltine, etc.especially if it's unique to your area.

I would enjoy receiving dry ingredients and recipes for any and all sorts of ethnic foods.

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

You may be able to tell from the description above what my taste is in clothes and jewelry. Here's some more information just in case.

JEWELRY: please don't send me any! I make all my own jewelry and have more than enough already.

CLOTHING: I am a "big girl"! I wear very simple clothes in neutral colors. The only clothes I can imagine anyone sending me in a swap would be a t-shirt, in which case I am a XL. I don't like a lot of patterns or PR type t's such as freebie shirts. I would enjoy any t-shirt that was embellished, embroidered, etc. tastefully (ie. less is more!). I also use a lot of scarves, but have plenty already, unless you have an extra special hand crafted or ethnic funky one for me.

ACCESSORIES: I LOVE colorful and crazy socks!!!! (not the "toes" kind because they are not comfortable!). I don't currently have a need for warm hats, winter scarves or gloves as I live in a devilishly warm climate.

Someone offered to angel for me and I really appreciate it, and decided to add this section on what I've been flaked on and if it was angelled. If you send one of the flakeage items as an extra I will surely give you a heart!

• @armywife1997 flaked on savory snack
• @ymber flaked on just for you bookmark swap
• @terryjo flaked on glass heart beads swap
• @firefly flaked on 100 things I’m grateful list swap

Thanks Angels!

• @amanda25523 flaked on surprise coin purse swap, which was angelled by @spinweaver thanks!
• @monkeyscrop flaked on quick book and bookmark swap, THANKS @aonbelay for being a great hostess and angel!!!
• @cat flaked on things that are blue swap and it was angelled by lucky