redsockz

IF YOU ARE IN A SWAP WITH ME, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO LOOK AT MY FLICKR PHOTOS - IT COULD RUIN THE SURPRISE

I'm a mother of one fantastic 33 year old daughter. I'm a motorcycle rider, foodie, painter, sculptor....I play bass guitar and I love the quirky, unusual and beautiful world around me.

I ran my own catering company for a few years, and now I occasionally bake/decorate cakes for fun and profit. My husband trained to be a chef, but hates working nights. So we join forces and prepare food for our own events and work day jobs for pocket change. I have one small black cat (KeyKey) with a big personality. I love to laugh and I am a fiercely loyal friend. I have very little tolerance for drama. I will avoid confrontation if possible. I spend my evenings with my wonderful, musical husband G ...and "creating" in my studio.

We have three big events every year:

The Spring Fling - A formal cocktail party. No one is admitted unless properly dressed. Fancy drinks, fancy foods, twinkling lights, crystal and fine silver.

Costumes and Cocktails - We transform our home from ceiling to floor. Each room has a theme or mood. Our decorations are selected for quality, or designed and made by me. Our food is delicious and creepy - but never gory. Costumes are mandatory, I make my own costume every year, and especially enjoy creating the small details that make each outfit realistic. This year (2012) I have 4 costumes in process (three for other people, one for me).

Heather's Cookie Swap - 2019 is the 17th year of the cookie swap. Held during the second week of December, this party is a baking competition where everyone wins! Prizes are awarded for different categories and everyone is given a prize. Each year there is a theme, to inspire bakers to use their creativity. The 2012 theme will be, ??? Themes from past years have included: Super Heroes and Super Villains, My favorite holiday, My favorite ancient civilization (real or fictional). My favorite movie, ......(so many!) If you have an idea for a cookie swap theme, I would love to read about it.

Princess Bride, Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Spirited Away, 5th Element (so cheesy), 13th Warrior, LOTR (though I prefer the books), and my guilty pleasure movie is Legally Blonde. I enjoy well done horror films and would appreciate hearing about your recommendations on all films.

My preference is rock, but my music collection holds a bit of everything..it is the artist and song, more than the genre of music that speaks to me. My first recollection of music is The Beatles.

Painting, sculpting, knitting, baking, cooking, re-purposing and combining items in a new way, writing, sewing, gardening....I love to try out new crafts as well.

I know my expectations are high, because I spend a lot of time on my projects and assume others do too. I've been disappointed by some packages I have received, and will write a note to the swapper explaining my thoughts; however, I always rate based on the swap criteria and have given out 5's when I feel a 3 was warranted. I do not give out hearts for extras, but I do for kick-ass swap items.

If I love your item, you will know that too. I share my excitement and do my best to leave honest feedback on swaps.

Anything black (except black licorice, yuck)

My favorite colors are black, red and deep purple. I avoid pastels ...unless I am making a baby gift.

Coffee

Whole Spices

Asian Art

Spicy Foods (Insanity Level Spiciness)

Unusual findings

Black Cats (I collect black cat items and I have a black cat)

Halloween related items....we have a spooky cocktail party every year and it is one of my favorite holidays.

Confetti shapes - especially halloween and winter shapes

All chocolate, the weirder the better.

The smell of real vanilla (not a cheap chemical vanilla smell)

Paper napkins (love the interesting pictures and patterns available, I am delighted with partial packages, funny bar napkins too!)

Motorcycle related items (not Harley-Davidson, I am a BMW owner who appreciates most motorcycles though!)

Wind up toys: I get a big kick out of them.

Sand ( I collect sand from all over the world - All I need are two heaping spoonfuls)

Yarn (not acrylic)

Ribbon

Fabric - vintage is wonderful, though I do like most everything

Antique buttons

Anime

History

Steampunk, Mystical things and Ren Faires

Handmade and offbeat items

Skulls, dark imagery, zombies...spook me - I dare you!!!

Spiders

Hair Toys (barrettes, elastics, clips, headbands, etc.)

Black and white photos

Funny photos

Old family photos (random shots from the 50's, 60's and 70')

Old magazine pages (I make collage items and old ads, article and covers are great for this. All magazines from tame to porn)

Interesting post cards

Handmade soaps and scrubs

Facecloths (thick ones)

I like things with whisks on them, like recipe cards and note cards.

If you are stumped and you are not sure what to send me....send me something that makes you laugh. :)

artificial lemon or lime flavors

anything hazelnut (the smell makes me ill)

Stickers

cutesey kitten/puppy things

country "style" craft items

eagles, elk, moose, wolves (the real animals are great, just do not like them in my art/decor)

clowns (yikes)

Anything overtly religious (unless it is funny)

Pez dispensers

The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Rachel Maddow, Archer, True Blood (not a crazy fan, just enjoy the camp), American Dad, Any Travel Show, Venture Brothers, Big Bang Theory, Aqua Something-Something-Whatever, America's Test Kitchen (nerdy but full of good information), Nova, Iron Chef, No Reservations, Two Broke Girls, Leverage, Robot Chicken.

http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/30410 Flaked on by Shank

http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/26314 Flaked on by JumpingBean

Keykey