Swap-bot Time: March 28, 2023 11:29 pm
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teejlc

teejlc
Date Joined: January 18, 2021
Last Online: March 26, 2023
Birthday: October 7, 1978
Country: United States
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About Me

Hello Swappers!

ABOUT MY POST OFFICE: I've had several of my regular swapping friends tell me that my post office is seriously overzealous with requiring the extra postage! I don't want things sent back, so I try to review everything I receive and return on a case by case basis. Sometimes my mail carrier just sends things back immediately (usually if there is over $3 postage due.) I take almost all my swaps to the post office to double check the postage. If you ever get a swap that requires additional postage from me, please just contact me with a photo of the envelope or feel free to refuse the package!

My name is Tracy and I am so excited to be a part of this community! I believe that mail is one of the great joys of life. Sending and receiving has became very important to me during Covid. It is so much easier to be honest, thoughtful and compassionate in letters than it is in an email or on social media. We need to bring back the lost art of this type of intimate correspondence!

I have lived in Michigan for most of my life and am a huge lover of the Great Lakes. Before I left work to stay home with my three young boys, I worked as a wetland biologist for the state. First I worked in the permitting program, then moved on to help head up monitoring, restoration and protection programs for Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands. I miss my work, but don't regret leaving.

We live in Brighton, which is just north of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. U of M is my alma mater and I love visiting the campus as often as possible!

When I'm not focusing on my kids or writing letters, I am an avid crafter. Needlework, knitting and collage (with both paper and fabric) are my favorite pastimes, but I also enjoy dipping into other arts and crafts that I'm not as good at, such as watercolor, drawing and coloring. I love art journaling and am lucky to have two wonderful friends that I trade journals with. We give each other a prompt and encourage imperfection.

Reading is another favorite pastime (especially classics and historical fiction) as is hiking, and exploring our local antique shops. At the beginning of the covid lockdowns I decided I would try to relearn Spanish. I practice every day, but it's going to take some time! I would love to attempt to read and write some Spanish postcards or letters!

Prior to the lockdowns, I became a certified health and life coach and I was working on building a business. My focus clients were women who have never learned to love their bodies and who have been perpetual dieters throughout their lives. (I fit into this category for most of my life.) My program helped teach women to accept their bodies, learn to eat intuitively and pursue health without focusing only on weight loss. I believe that ALL bodies are good bodies and that we must honor and trust these vessels we occupy during our time here on earth. While I loved my wetlands work, I felt that coaching was actually my calling. When schools closed, and my kids were home and needing me so much, I found I couldn't sustain being mom, teacher and business owner. I have temporarily shut my doors on that dream and am trying to work up the will to begin again.

On most people's profiles I see that many are not interested in discussing politics or religion. I completely understand that, and agree that I do not want to be preached to or persuaded. However, I do think that conversation and mutual respect is how we can heal the world, so I am very open to learning about the opinions, passions and stories that make you who you are. I just ask any discussions like this take place with an open mind and heart and always focus on compassion and empathy, rather than anger or an insistence that there is only one "right" way to think.

Thank you for swapping with me!!

THINGS I LOVE

Decos are my favorite thing to swap. I love them all- the beautifully made art ones, taped ones, any theme and from any country! I prefer the ones with specific themes. I am often open to taking extras and homers, but please just send me a quick note to double check first.

I love original art, hand colored items, collage, ephemera, washi, postcards, stationery sets, notecards, new postage stamps, and, of course, STICKERS!

Your handmade postcards will make me happy.

As far as subjects go, I am really open to receiving anything you think is beautiful, but here are a few things I particularly enjoy:

Animals: birds (especially parrots and cockatoos), fish, cats, snakes, frogs, turtles

Plants: ferns, cactus, trees, wetland plants

Natural history: ancient creatures, geology, crystals and fossils, ancient peoples

Vintage: Victorian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, mid century style, Georgian/Jane Austen style... really anything vintage is fun to me.

Places/culture: Local landmarks and history from where you live, regional recipes, fairy tales, folktales, mythology

You: Mostly I want to hear about YOU. What, Who and How do you love? What makes you tick?

Thank you for swapping with me!

Favorite Music

The Indigo Girls, Michael Franti, O.A.R., Dar Williams, Mumford and Sons, Travis, The Avett Bros, Carol King, The Head and the Heart

I LOVE musicals especially Hamilton, Rent, Les Miserables, Wicked and some of the old classics like Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music

Favorite Books

I love so many books that I can't even begin to list them all here.But here is a list of 10 books that I loved enough that I read them two or more times. (In no particular order.)

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

My Life in France by Julia Child

Union Street by Pat Barker

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett

I am also in a book club that focuses on self improvement and spiritual growth. We've read many wonderful books, but my favorites have been "Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, "Soul Craft" by Bill Plotkin and "Big Magic" by Liz Gilbert.

Favorite Crafts

I am a perpetual crafter and love to keep my hands busy. Right now I'm especially loving collage with paper, but I also like fabric collage, embroidery, knitting, coloring and watercolor.

Ratings

5
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Comment: Thanks for your pretty plants deco, Tracy. I look forward to adding to it. :)
5
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Comment: So much fun in a postcard! Thank You teejlc. We definitely could talk stickers. I can also go endless on about glues, adhesives, and methods for attaching stuff. Do you speak ubbi dubbi?
5
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Comment: Thank you Tracy for the gorgeous peacock Punch Studio card came to my mail box, & your note describing about peacocks. Most interesting facts I'm first learning. My memory as teen visiting my aunt's farm, she had peacocks. They are noisy. My Aunt gifted me with a few feathers she collected when the male drops his feathers. Fun swap.
Hotthreads rated for Deco Deco 2-23 on Mar 21, 2023
5
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Comment: Thank you for joining my swap. Sonya’s owl deco is adorable. Thank you for the extra Deco. Sad that there are so many passers on it. Have a great week.
5
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Comment: Tracy, I love this swap! From the stamps on your envelope to the chickadees card with your sweet note to all of the birds, you really made me happy. Thank you. You were wondering where we lived in Michigan...Holland and, for a few years, in Hamilton. Our boys all graduated from Hamilton HS. I do know exactly where your town is. I went to a doctor at U of M. The daughter of my dear friend in Holland lived in Brighton. I don't know if she still does as I haven't been in touch since my friend passed away several years ago. We lived in the Houston area after hubby retired. A son and family were living there. They moved here for a new job and we came too. We used to stay a night in El Paso when we would drive from Houston to Phoenix to visit a son and family who live there. Sometimes we flew, but we loved the scenery in West Texas and beyond.
5
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Comment: Thank you for the fabulously vibrant green sticker PC, I LOVE it! And I, too, have been known to send an upside down postcard or two - I think it just adds to the handmade charm! Bonus extra love for the selection of green stamps - the whole thing just really makes me smile. <3
mchesser12 rated for Sticker Slap the ABC's #2 on Mar 11, 2023
5
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Comment: Thanks for the wonderful Jane Austen postcard. I love all the stickers. I forget how many things actually start with the letter J. I love the journal and jacket stickers the most!
Sonya rated for DB ♥: ART Deco 3/23 (Int'l) on Mar 11, 2023
5
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Comment: Thanks for sending Janet's open theme deco. Cheers!
5
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Comment: First of all, I LOVE the postcard and stamps you chose for me (a big heart for that!), and your names made me giggle. Your rapper name (Lil’ Cheese and Crackers) was by far my favorite too. This was fun!
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Comment: Thanks for the 2 great decos… Yoga &/or Orange and Vintage Diner Deco. I look forward to adding to them!
kaijapapu rated for A-Z of SCIENCE PC - “C" on Mar 8, 2023
5
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Comment: Amazing card! I love the retro feel as well. And you curated all the stamps to match my tastes. Amazing eye on the details. Thank you so much!
5
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Comment: WOW thank you!!!
Sonya rated for CPG: ICM Deco #341835 - Global on Mar 2, 2023
5
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Comment: Gotta be honest; I never expected your little envie to hold a deco! Jessica's "Let's Face It" book is so tiny - wonderful. Thanks much. :D
5
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Comment: Love the giant frog on the front! One of the stamps you used is of Edith Wharton which made me smile because I was currently reading one of her books! Thank you so much for the fun goodies. Love the floral washi, the bunnies in the pocket and the really cool tickets.
5
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Comment: Thank you so much! Toasty say meow to Zelda!
riviwriter rated for CPG Feb ‘23 Move a US Deco - US on Feb 22, 2023
5
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Comment: Thank you so much for passing along this BEE-utiful bee deco! I'm excited to add my page
5
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Comment: Thanks for the decos!
PaperPassion rated for DB ♥: ART Deco 2/23 (Int'l) on Feb 19, 2023
5
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Comment: Thank you Tracy for sending the Asia deco.It will be fun to work on.
LauraM540 rated for CPG Green Flat Envie 2023 - US on Feb 18, 2023
5
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Comment: Thanks for the awesome green goodies! I love everything, including the cool froggie on the envelope!
5
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Comment: Safely arrived, thanks for all the extras.

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 402 10 11
Completed Fives Threes Ones
362 426 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
4 123 235 0
View all

Comments

PrincessLeia on Mar 27, 2023:

PH WTA DEC2022 Hello Tracy, just received your envie! They are all great! My favourite amongst them is the beautiful turtle.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

colleenbUSA on Dec 19, 2022:

Thank you for the CPG wish of printable the bookmarks are so cute!

user6937 on Dec 6, 2022:

Hi, Tracy - thanks so much for my November wishes; the paperclips are new for me - I like the idea that the blue and white one is a mountain, although I guess it could be a cake with icing, too. Let's stick with a mountain! I do just save them :) I'm going to stamp on the labels and make my own stickers.

DeboraCreates on Nov 28, 2022:

Thank you for granting my November CPG Wishes! I will put it all to good use!

OrigamiGrace on Nov 24, 2022:

ty

DeboraCreates on Nov 24, 2022:

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OrigamiGrace on Oct 31, 2022:

ty for the finished deco you sent home to me! What a treat - it's been everywhere!! Only the 3rd or 4th one I've ever rec'd back!! You are the best, many thanks!

9O96O on Oct 19, 2022:

Thank you for sending me my full ICM "Trees" deco! I'm so pleased with the results.

simcoe54 on Oct 7, 2022:

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!!!

thriftymermaid on Oct 5, 2022:

Happy Birthday Month from all of your swapping friends at the WIYM Group!! We hope you enjoy your special day. May all of your Birthday wishes come true and your New Year be all you hope it can be and more!! 🎂🎂🎂💌🎂🎂🎂

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