kiwideb

I've been crafting as long as I've been able to hold a sharp pointy implement. Over the years my crafting aterials have grown from a box under the bed, to a closet, to several closets, to a small room and now to a larger room - and I really don't buy much - honest! I have had several designs for items published by an Australian craft magazine, which is really exciting.

Well, I'm from New Zealand so it has to be Lord of the Rings. Read the books at least once a year, and on seeing the film decided we had to come home (we were living in Australia at the time)

Love books about bookshops, bookdealers - particularly recommend Anthony Marshall's Trafficking in Old Books.

Wildly eclectic. Like a lot of 80's stuff - WetWetWet, George Michael, but also like Il Divo, Era, and Loreena McKennitt.

I particularly enjoy knitting - if it's on big needles with chunky wool, or if it's a small quickly finished project. I like crocheting, and am currently having a love affair with Nicky Epstein's Crocheted Embellishments book. I make Xmas decorations all year (to my partner's bemusement). I've dabbled in quilting - buying books and fabrics more than actually sewing; cross-stitch - again small and fast gets me moving. from a personal point of view, i think felt shoulbe regarded as one of the eighth wonders of the world.

My favourite periods of history are Roman, Elizabethan (stunned by the blackwork embroidery) and Art Deco. I collect teacosy patterns,a nd rework them into original cosies. I also collect very specific looking Art Deco Furniture. I enjoy the way life was lived 'nicely', and crochet my own laces for pillowcases, table centerpieces etc.

For colours - I love the jewel colours, strong and clear. I like the mystery look of owls.

I joined swap-bot because the idea of swapping craft with people all over the world appeals to me, in a warm-fuzzy 'reaching out to the world' way. For the time being, I'll be doing easy to post swaps, as postage from down under is horrifically expensive. Can I just mention, I would prefer postage stamps, rather than post office generated labels? I'll use real stamps on my swaps.

I am quite hopelessly addicted to housework organisation books - I may not buy them all, but I WILL get them out of the library! I think I'm waiting for that magic fairy to appear that makes housework more fun and exciting than sticking a crochet hook up your nose.