(updated July 1, 2023)

I'm a 53 year old gal, living in North Western Michigan- I was married to my best friend for 24 yrs.

I'm a "mail enthusiast"! I volunteer by writing letters to seniors via From The Heart & The Angel Card Project (both are FB groups).

I'm also an active member of: You've Got Mail, SendSomething.net & Snail Mail Friends.

Stick me in a room with art supplies and forget about me awhile LOL

I'm "mom" to an 8 year old fawn pug named Madison.

My family: my husband, my mother, and my brother are the most important people in the world to me.

On 11/16/2021 my husband with stage IV colon cancer took a major turn for the worse: he can no longer communicate. He has not taken food in some time, cannot drink, is bedbound, in diapers, etc. I dropped all swaps that were not assigned, got my swaps out that were due, and am explaining any tags during this time. I am caring for him, alone, in my home (as per his wishes) with hospice to guide me in his care. PLEASE be patient with me- I truly am heartbroken and lost right now. Thank you.

My best friend/soulmate/husband sadly passed away on Nov. 21. 2021. I thank this amazing community for all of it's support ♥

We lost my brother unexpectedly on Dec. 20, 2016. He was only 42 years old. I miss him so much & a part of me still can't wrap my head around any of this at all.

March 13,2017: after a long struggle with her illness, we lost an amazing woman. Mom, I will always love and miss you.

May 1, 2018 was the sudden loss of my father.

So much loss, in so little time...

*I have no allergies!

*My favorite part of Swap Bot is doing RAKs & granting wishes, then swapping.

*I've met some absolutely AMAZING people here! Some of the kindest people I know are from this community.

I PREFER my postcards blank and in an envelope- but send them either way that you choose- naked or in an envie.

See "It Makes Me Smile" for ideas on what type I like :)

This list is provided to make things easier for you when you are my partner. "This is a "Things that Tracy likes" list:

Most importantly: I truly appreciate anything when someone obviously puts the time & effort into putting a package together for me. Its an amazing feeling to open something that you know was thoughtfully done, "just for you".

*I love dotee dolls! I now own my very own dotees: thank you to Charlotte @judgedbyabookscover and Suzanne @kiddomerriweather . One is Little Red Riding Hood and the other is Alice in Wonderland, they are both precious!)

*I love HANDMADE items- would LOVE anything that you create yourself (especially, though not limited to: quilted items (mug rugs, bags/pouches & such), hand-knit socks, stickers, flip books, pocket letters, ATC's/APCs/coins, & ANY other original artwork. I really am loving the Teesha Moore inspired art!

*I adore mail art!

*Unused Postage stamps. Support the USPS!

*Washi stickers or sticker flakes

*Wrapped surprises

*Watercolor paper (any size from 2 1/2" X 3 1/2" or larger)

*Interesting pieces of fibers: not regular yarn, but the "frilly" stuff is good, even small pieces- I have no intentions of using it to knit, but would like pieces for altered art projects.

*ANY type of adhesives (sticks, pens, collage mediums, double sided tapes)

*Anything that has PUG dogs on it

*Love all stationery products: letter sets, notecards, postalettes etc.

*Paper punches and/or die cuts

*Used postage stamps- off paper please.

*journals (blank or wrecked by you for me to use!)

*Any ATC supplies: sturdy (watercolor paper) backs, clear sleeves, 9 pocket page protectors, small images and embellishments

*Sturdy postcard blanks (front is blank for making collage postcards, back is pre-printed for address and correspondence purposes)

*Flow! magazines or even pages from them

*"My name is_________" labels or other decorative PDT shipping labels.

*Blank or altered tags, library pockets & goodie bags

*Ephemera

*Vintage Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day or Easter stuff (as well as reproductions)- any time of year!

*Postcards- unused

*Envelope seals, washi tape (not deco tape) or flat non-reward/children's stickers

*I'm especially thrilled with grab bag/surprise packages/profile goodies

*My dog, Madison loves stuffed toys, dental chews and little treats (she has no allergies that I am aware of yet)

*Kawaii goodness: especially large memo sheets and letter sets

*I love handmade envelopes (especially decorated, fun prints or with illustrated liners (mail-able size is a plus- though I use small ones as well) and handmade letter sets.

*Whole memo pads and cute sticky note pads, I do not care for stray ones.

*Handmade paper or seed paper- hmmmm: basically ANY interesting papers you come by!

*Self care products

*Printed socks: the cuter or sillier they are, the better!

*Make-up bags, draw string or pencil bags- especially handmade.

*I love the Pink Sugar scent, I also like honeysuckle, jasmine, marshmallow, orange cream and lemon (most fruity scents I am fond of).

*I'm often interested in private swaps- if its beneficial to both parties- please PM me if you think you have something I may enjoy & we'll see if I might have some profile goodies for you as well! It never hurts to ask ;)

My Favorite Colors:

Pink, green, coral & turquoise/aqua are my favorite colors; though I haven't met a color that I do not like! Another favorite color combination for me is: aqua with red. I'm loving a pink, red & blue combo!

Please, No Thank you:

*I do not like kids, reward, dimensional or puffy stickers.

*Loose sticky notes

*I do not care for deco tape(the plastic looking tape), glitter, confetti, or embroidery floss.

*Not a fan of Friendship books, sheets, etc.

*child/baby/kid things: nobody young in my life to share these items with. Including kids craft items like pompoms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes

*I don't know how to knit or crochet, so I do not need yarn

*I cant stand the smell of rosemary, neroli or coconut

I promise that I will do everything I can to not be late sending anything out.

While I cannot promise to never be late (as I can't predict the future & what problems may arise): I CAN promise to contact my partner in the event that I am going to be, so that they are aware.

I will also do my very best to make sure that I do my research and attempt to send something my partner will really enjoy.

I will rate fairly when I receive, and I will never give a bad rating without PMing a person first to see what happened.

I hope you will do the same for me. I understand that sometimes life can cause issues so I will not jump the gun on negative ratings. This does not mean that I will not give a negative rating- it just means that if you contact me, I am far likely less to. I have given them (sadly), & will again when justified, in order to prevent this behavior to others.

I will always let you know when I have received your items and how much I have enjoyed getting them. Because for me this is all about fun and making someone's day.

NON-RATERS please rate! I have had quite a few swaps that are not getting rated. You really have no clue what your partner thought of their package when you don't receive a rating!

Its a shame when you put time, effort, and postage into a swap (in some cases, a whole month's worth of work!) and can't even get a "Hey, I got it!".

I usually rate the same day I receive my packages! I ask that you please rate me in a timely matter as well, we all like to know if the person received their package and hope that they are pleased with it.

Also, the same for tags and wish lists- I always post in the proper forums that I received/sent items and leave a profile comment when I receive something from someone. I just believe this is proper etiquette.

I enjoy dabbling mainly in paper crafts and doing mixed media art and collage. My current endeavors include: mini zines, artist trading cards/coins, skinny cards, inchies/twinchies, art/junk/magpie journals, mail art envies, handmade postcards, HD/HP pieces, black out poetry, flip books and pocket letters.

Some of my favorite themes are: anything handmade, unusual/strange/odd, pugs, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, Kewpie dolls, nursery rhymes, vintage children's illustrations, whimsical , Kawaii, Japanese illustrations, mermaids, sea horses, roadside attractions, vintage holidays (especially Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day & Easter), woodland critters, Lantern Press, Cavellini, mail/postal/letter, girly/sparkly/pink, Cath Kidston style, & Scandinavian.