currently indulging in some motherhood time away - will miss you and all the fun swaps for a while

Hi!

I’m an English teacher from Portugal, a land of sunny landscapes and friendly people with a passion for good food. 🇵🇹

I love art and am a self taught illustrator (both digital and traditional). I’ve recently found the pen pal and swapping community and I’m fascinated and happy to join in, because crafting is making art basically 😌

Reading is life, especially sci-fi, horror and romance (quite the mix, I know) and running is my outlet to help balance my anxiety and stress levels - I’m lucky to live in a countryside like place with tons of fresh air and natural landscapes.

I love how inspiring and heartwarming other people's projects are and I heartily appreciate the effort and dedication it takes into creating them.

Because there’s no Planet B, I re-use envelopes, always redecorating them with washi tape, stickers and beautiful paper, so if that’s your vibe, too, feel free to send me beautifully upcycled envies 😊

I always send out on time, usually shortly after partners are assigned and before due dates and post to and from Portugal is very reliable. So, if for some reason you don’t receive a package from me and/or are not happy with something I sent you, please let me know. I aim to make my partners happy and I really make an effort and take joy in creating special packages to send out. I will always try to make it right so please act with patience and consideration if anything goes awry 💛🙏

Things that make me smile

I am thankful for and especially love all the things listed below but just because something isn't on here doesn't mean I won't enjoy what you pick to send my way 😊

• rich colours, jewel tones but also soft pastels and neutral, earthy tones (think mustard or rusty orange, for example);

• stickers, especially nature/floral/botanical (except reward, kiddy, planner or teacher stickers);

• washi tape (except word filled washi and/or deco tape);

• bookmarks or book related merch (stickers, prints, magnets, buttons, pins, quote cards, etc.);

• illustrations or stationery by small business illustrators;

• stationery items/sets (snail mail writing paper or notecards and matching envelopes);

• die cuts, cards, textured, vellum or handmade papers and paper ephemera (vintage or other but no junk mail type ephemera nor postage stamps, used or new, please);

• themed postacards tied to my likes, featuring photography, art, nature, funny or book quotes;

• miscellaneous notebooks, notepads, list pads, memo pads and sticky notes sheets;

• handmade and unused envelopes, flipbooks, snail mail folders and beautifully crafted ATCs

Things that are not my cup of tea

All things listed below will be wasted on me. I’d rather you save them for happier destinations in other households, please 👌🏼

• spiders and graphic images of insects with way too many legs are really not my cup of tea, so if there could be none of such related things sent to me, that would be awesome!!!

• I’m not religious, so no religious material or themed items, please.

• I also don't really craft with sequins, buttons or anything very glittery, children themed or alphabet/numerals things.

• I prefer my kawaii/anime/cartoon/Disney/super heroes/Harry Potter/Star Wars/K-pop and skulls/zombies/horror stuff in the realm of movies, shows and books only - none in my crafting, thank you.

• food, beverages or candy (although fruity tea or hot chocolate mixes are welcome, even if not my fave items).

• items to do any other crafts, like knitting, candlemaking, sewing etc. (I’m a papercrafting only kind of girl).

• jewellery, handmade or other, makeup, perfume or other beauty and body related items.

Thank you for reading it all and be free to message me if you have any questions or if you would like to get a swap going! ☀️