geedill

I am a college professor by day--scrapbooking mom by night. I've been creating and selling mini scrapbooks on ebay for about a year (scrapbooking for much, much longer) and am really enjoying getting into ATC swaps.

I've always been right brained and have been creating things since I can remember. I tried my hand at quilting and knitting, but found it took too long to finish the project and enjoy the results! When I was 12, I won the state purple ribbon for a quilt I designed and made with help from my grandmother but man--that project took an entire year and I got bored with it! Much of my family members are "artists" in some shape or form . . . my mother was a gourmet chef, my grandmother made handmade jewelry and painted (I wish I had photos of her house--that was one wonderous place). Even my cousin is a tattoo artist.

As far as "likes and dislikes" I'm pretty open with a few exceptions (of course!):

Likes: I am a prof of early childhood development, so I generally like anything surrounding children or that advocates for children. I love to cook and sew, reading, board games, shopping and time with family. My friends would say I have a good sense of humor, am outgoing and bubbly. I have two daughters ages 13 and 10 (my hubby was 42 when our first child was born, and I was 35--we are tired parents!) so my life is surrounded by pop culture, which I don't mind--also teaching college students I try to stay up with what is "hip".

Dislikes: not really into Disney (except Tinkerbell--although I'm not a fanatic), Twilight, horror/sci fi, Asian or religious art, anything that could be considered bias towards gender, race, ethnicity. Love and appreciate gardens, but do not like to garden! Clowns and puppets creep me out (I know that sounds odd for an Early Childhood lover . . . what can I say?) and anything ultra "cutesy".

Disappointments: people who don't rate, people who don't send, people who spend about 10 seconds on their cards.

Regarding my career: I absolutely love being a teacher and was a middle school teacher for 12 years before coming into higher education. That being said, I don't care for the typical "teacher fare": I don't have an apple collection, have never worn a gingham jumper, and don't own a single piece of teacher themed jewelry. I do love children's literature: I collect the Caldecott winners, poured through the Laura Ingalls Wilder series as a child, and read to my children beginning the day I brought them home from the hospital. (My husband thought I was crazy, but now I am proud that my 13 year old would much rather curl up with a book than anything else). Some of my favorite children's authors include Dr. Suess (the king of rhyme), Eric Carle, Tomie DePaolo, and Jan Brett (now that I think about it--there is an obvious connection between the literature that I like and the art that accompanies it). Nothing beats a well written picture book.

About my swaps: I probably won't send you (nor do I expect) additional items with my swaps. At this time, I am concentrating on ATC swaps only--and the focus is on expanding my creative juices. It is not my intention to offend anyone, but I promise to rate you based on the ATC itself, not the extras.

I've lived in Wyoming (born and raised--go Pokes!), San Francisco, Atlanta, Denver and now in the Seattle area (which has converted me from tea drinker to coffee fan!). Cooking and baking is therapeutic to me, and I really enjoy getting together with friends to enjoy a nice glass of wine and a good laugh or two.

I look forward to making and receiving incredible ATCs!