GigiMinor

Hi all! I'm making changes in how I swap for 2008 and I thought I'd share what I'm doing. First and most importantly I'm trying to really incorporate more quality handmade items into my swaps and not get caught up in the over consumerism that drives me a little bananas! Don't get me wrong I love "stuff" but what I love more is time and thought put into my swaps. I hope my small efforts can help our over flowing land fills for future generations!!! So in saying that ~ Happy Swapping & Happy Recycling Good Stuff!

Hi! I'm Gigi & Big Red on flickr in case you're wondering!I consider myself to be a crafty gal! I love to bake, decorate & glitter just about anything and have an extreme passion for any type of cupcakes/cake/sweets (real ones, fake ones, made from paper yadayadayada. Handmade useful items are always welcome! I love to receive pin cushions, plushies, stuffies, fabric and embellishments for my own crafting. I'm finally editing this part of my profile: read on...the weather is heating up again So PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHOCOLATE!!! I adore chocolate but it doesn't fair well in my oven of a mailbox : ( I do however love any type of interesting candies and goodies. Especially any kind that could be used for Decorating Purposes! Love Cherries and Strawberries! My husband and I are getting ready to build a house right now, so that takes up most of my time. We have 3 pets and live in Arizona. I guess I should mention that I love individuality! So surprise me with your swaps- and be yourself! There isn't too much I don't like except maybe Black Licorice and "Precious Moments" type "cheezy" stuff (shutter...Ewww!)

My music is all over the map. If I'm in the mood it might be Tool or it might be the soundtrack from The Nutcracker Suite. I LOVE MODEST MOUSE, Pavement, AFI ( Hunter's from my home town Grass Valley,CA) and Built to Spill. Then it changes to ( are you ready for this?)...drum roll please...Hilary Duff! I know really weird, but if you haven't heard Hilary's new CD- go get it! It's the best dance, get your rear off the sofa, motivating music! Gwen Stefani, Fergie & Madonna too. DJ D:Fuse is HOT! Fat Boy Slim, 311, Sublime, Luna, Morphine, Pixies, Air,The Verve,(Old)Samiam, Lagwagon, CAKE, System of a Down,and another from my home town The Lonely Kings. I'm loving on Amy Winehouse right now...hard!

I love collecting new/used books on Vintage Pin-Ups, Alberto Vargas, Baking, Dessets, Candy Making etc. I'm pretty much into cookbooks, DIY, Retro anything, Coffee Table books and I love reading biographies. Although I never have the time anymore- Kurt Cobain's story was a real tear jerker.(sniff sniff...)

Well it's defiantley time for an update in this category! We watch LOST (all 4 seasons so far)and I have to say I'm wanting more from that show, but how can I stop now!? I love The Class with John Ritter's son Jason Ritter, (pooh it didn't come back this season : ( How I Met Your Mother with Neil Patrick (aka Doogie Houser), So You Think You Can Dance, I am addicted to Rock of Love (those chicks are Ca-razy) and I have been known to be some what of a soap junkie. Y&R and All My Children. Soaps are the best way to stay out of the malls and I love the fact that soaps are taped live! One chance is all you get. Oh yah, HERO's is really good! How could I forget Ugly Betty! What an incredible show! I love Rachel Bilson, Mischa Barton, Adam Brody and Ben McKenzie. If you can't tell I really miss the OC! But love the reruns! I'm a movie watchin' machine. I think we own about 1000 flicks and counting...Gossip Girl just started and I lurve it! Chuck is a great show and Pushing Daisies might be the best show on the face of the planet!!! Amazing, inspiring, colorful and thrilling!

Creating is who I am. It can lift my spirits when I'm not feeling so chipper. It make me feel like myself- the self that I like. On occasion I've been known to craft & bake from the time I get up until I go to sleep sometimes! I love Paper Crafts, Kitchen Crafts, Decorating Fancy Cookies, Gardening and studying Interior Design. My husband and I love to cook together too. We come up with a lot of quick yummy things. He doesn't eat meat so we cook veggie. I do like chicken, but I prefer not to cook it at home. I don't like to touch it raw. I think it's the 11 years of catering that did me in. And yes, I've made chicken picata for over 1200 people at one time! Whew!

I have to say the most important things in my life are Friends & Family! I miss them all so much! I live kinda far away from the Bay Area where I grew up so I do get homesick a lot. I miss Chinatown, The Wharf, Little Italy and Union Square, but most of all I miss being able to hop in the car with my pajamas on and head over to my sisters for a good night of chatting, snacking, reciting movie lines and getting caught up on life. My sister and I have perfected the New Yorker & Scotish/Irish accents. Years of acting school, many "Go-See's", Cattle-Calls, TV, Movie and Commercial try-outs under my belt. Fun but a bit too cut throat for me. P.S. Funny when I think about it, but I do consider so many of you that I've met online as "Friends" too! It's really strange when I think about it that there are a lot of people I've never physically shook hands with, hugged or seen in person before but they know me, understand me, support me and swap with me! A BIG Thanks for that! You know who you are...and that's all I'm gonna say about that.

If I could decorate my house like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory I would! I love whimsy and things out of the ordinary! I'd like to think of myself as a trend setter vs. a trend follower. My husband always teases me and says things like: "You know what's cool way before Martha thinks she does!" I love trinkets from Europe ~ especially France, Germany and Italy, Sock Monkeys, Flames, Little Devils, one of a kind Bottle Caps, Unique Stir Stix, Vintage Pin-Ups, Burlesque, Vintage or new small Tins and miles of Ribbon & Fabric!I love Color,Color,Color! I collect Glass Candies and Sweet related items too. I'm really into Skulls right now. Our house is referred to as "Monster House" because we have a lot of unique ticket items that make people say "Wow- where'd you get that?!" One of our main focuses in the house is a beautiful Tiki Bar my husband and I built last year. Topped with a Mediterranian Palm thatch roof to boot! I's pretty cool and it makes entertaining ever so fun! I should probably add that I'm somewhat of a gift wrap freak. I worked at a shoppe called Packaging Specialties in the Seattle area. It's a crafters paradise! An entire wall of imported ribbon! Favor boxes, tissue, tins and very cool classes on various crafts. And I got to be involved with some huge clients. Microsoft, Starbucks and some of my packaging ideas made it all the way to Oprah and Jane Pauly. I was even asked to make decorated shortbread cookies for Governor Gary Locke's wife Mona for her baby shower. That job Rocked! This will be our 3rd Christmas coming up where I match a decorated cookie to each gift! It's pretty fun and everyone seems to really enjoy! Please see my flickr pix for lots of past gifties! I love thrifted items big time! Especially mix matched pieces of china like creamers, saucers etc..flowers, fruit,strawberry patterns and violets are my passion right now!

That should explain it all! When I'm not busy crafting I am busy wrapping and sending gifts via the post office. You don't want to know how much money we spend in shipping around this house! I could've bought a real nice used car if I could curb my appetite! Naa...not worth it! PS I love to organize things too : by color is my favorite way!

My husband Naiche Sierra Minor! Pronounced "Nay" (like a horse)"Chi" like the Chinese word for Energy. It's an Apache name. Naiche was the son of Cochise who was an Apache Chief. My husband isn't American Indian, but his parents were hippies back in the day. He grew up on "The Ridge" as they call it in the Grass Valley/Nevada City, CA area. His dad built their house with NO electricity! And yes an outhouse. Naiche didn't watch TV until he was 8 years old! You'd never know it today. He's very computer saavy and loves movies, TV etc. But he loves his roots. Growing up that way has kept him grounded, humble and relaxed. We were married at The Paris Hotel in Vegas on 6.5.4 (June 5th,2004). We wanted a cool date! He's the Vice President for Energy Panel Systems here in Tucson where we live. It's a Green Company that builds insulated walls made out of recycled steel and styrofoam. Very cool! They can build a 2000 sq.ft. house out of steel from 7 recycled cars! I'm a very lucky woman to be in a partnership with this man. He's the love of my life!

Maybe that's why I love cratfs so much! Naiche was a touring golf professional for years so every chance he gets he's out on a course. I love it when I can go out with him. Chippin' and Puttin's more my bag. It's so fun to bring some Pina Coladas, enjoy the fresh air and be outdoors!Chester our Silky Terrier loves to ride in the basket! He's sucha good pup- we take him EVERYWHERE!