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She just sings whatever she's seen

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2017 Solstice Swap Q&A

Updated 11/18/17

Any Weenies you missed out on?
My wishlist is up-to-date (through Yule! OMG!)

Are you Amazon & Etsy Wishlists up to date? They are - Amazon definitely, although it is a little scattered, but anything on there is stuff I would still like. Etsy hasn't been updated in a while, so I'm not sure how much is still available, but anything on there that is not on my "I own this" or other specialized list is fair game.

How do you feel about animated films? I generally like them, but I am a bit...oversaturated on animation with a 7 year old in the house. And we have a TON of them.

Does anyone need any cosmetic or larger bags? I do really like the box bags, but I'm not sure what I would put in it. I would love something like a hand bag or shopping bag, though.

If I were to knit you something like fingerless mitts, do you like short or long over the fingers? To the wrist, mid arm, or to the elbow? Thumb or a thumb hole? Frilly or not? Preferred color? I prefer gloves a little past the wrist and midlength up my fingers. My armwarmers with a thumb hole and open fingers that I can bury my fists in tend to get the most use, since I'm usually wearing them when my Reynauds flares up and my office is freezing. Colors - dark. Black, dark grey, peacock blue, red, dark green are colors I could acutally use. I have a couple of purple pair already. Not frilly.

Is there a book you've always meant to read, but never got round to it? There is a bunch on my various wishlists. The main thing I'm kind of jonesing for that I should really just buy myself is the Bitch Planet graphic novel.

If you've expressed an interest in candles, do you prefer unscented or scented and if the latter, what scents? No candles for me please!

Do you like windchimes or other similar tinkley noisemakers? I love windchimes, also holiday themed bell ornaments, sleigh bell sort of things are lovely.

Do you/would you like Christmas/holiday music? If so, any particular genres or styles? I think I touched on this in my questionnaire, but I LOVE holiday music, especially rock/punk/goth versions of classics.

Do you have a Goodreads? Is it useful for my stalking purposes? I do and it is and I know I addressed this in my survey.

Are there any holiday movies or shows you would particularly love to get your hands on? I have a lot of holiday shows already, so I am probably set.

Would you prefer your nourishment to be literal (i.e., actual food) or representative? I don't have a strong preference, so whatever seems to sing to you is great!

In terms of actual food, are you comfortable with homebaked goodies so long as potential allergens are not involved? Absolutely!

Do you have favorite holiday foodstuffs? All the cookies! I bake fruitcake every year and then do a baking day with my stepmom where we make peppermint sugar cookies, coconut lime snowballs, and bunches of other noms. I welcome anything decadent, boozy (I love rum/whiskey balls, cocktails, etc), or any other specialty of your house.

Are you adverse to burning things as part of your sacrifice? No incense or anything like that please, but if it involves lighting paper on fire in a sink or something, that's fine.

So how do you feel about teas? Would you be interested in getting some for your "nourishment" part of your gift? If so, are there particular companies you love or have always wanted to try? Special varieties you like- holiday blends, or decaf or solid standards like Earl Grey or Sencha? I have an awful lot of tea, so I should probably pass, but I do love me some holiday blends and Earl Grey variations (or other things flavored and/or scented as such).

And what about tea accouterments, like rock sugar, nice honey (I have a fabulous apiary that is literally 6 blocks from my house!), a special spoon? Honey is always welcome in my house. I don't really need other items, though.

Or maybe coffee is more your thing? I have access to an incredible little shop that sells some of the best bean I've ever had (let me put it this way- even when I lived in Coffee Capital SEATTLE, I had bean delivered to me from this place!). If you like coffee, what kinds? (this place does AMAZING DECAF as well as the strong stuff!). And would you want your beans whole or ground (if ground, what grind do you like?) Coffee is always welcome! NO DECAF please, but anything else, including flavored, is great. I prefer whole beans, but can accommodate either.

Scented candle lovers: do you have a favorite store/brand? Aaaaah. Stop tempting me with candles! (I love them, I just have waaaaaay too many.)

Favorite/Least favorite bath products (e.g. do you like scrubs, bar soap, gel)? I don't have a tub right now, so nothing bath only. Otherwise, I like pretty much everything *except* non-cleansing scrubs. I just don't have the time to wash and scrub, so I need to combine that part of the process.

What sounds are comforting for you? Any that bring up good memories? Waves/water sounds, bird song that isn't too shrill.

Do you like and use christmas/other celebration decorations, baubles and the like? HO HO yes. We bought a new pre-lit tree this past weekend and I am seriously tempted to put it up this Sunday (normally we wait until the day after Thanksgiving, at least). I am not big into "country Christmas" motifs or overtly religious iconography, but bring on the Santas and snowmen and reindeer and silly animals in santa hats.

Last year, some of us that participated in this swap received singing bowls for our "sound" item. Would YOU like to receive a singing bowl? Sure! I might have to steal it back from my spouse, but that is totally fine.

Would you mind receiving a pre-loved book (one in good condition)? Not in the slightest!

How do you feel about fruitcake, assuming that I can make it without any stated allergens? I love love love fruitcake and any other fruity holiday baked good (stollen, panatella, etc)

How about rum/whiskey/bourbon balls (these are no-cook, so the alcohol is still pretty potent)? Sure! I will probably make some of my own this year, but I love trying other people's recipes. All alcoholic holiday goodies are welcome.

What is your favorite store-bought holiday treat? I love those little Pepperage Farm gingerbread people, marshmallow santas, maple sugar candy, marzipan...the list, it goes on and on.
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2018 Spring Cleaning Swap Qs

Updated 3/29/18 am

do you need craft supplies? What sorts?
Not particularly. I can always use craft paper and markers and other colorful drawing/kid friendly craft stuff like pipe cleaners and pompoms and such though. I have given up any hope of actually getting back into needlework while my daughter is in elementary school.

do you like fantasy type books?
Oh yes. Check out my goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1543793-em) for more than you could ever hope to know about my reading habits.

What format(s) do you listen to music on?
Mostly on my very old and out of date iPod that I desperately need to transfer back into itunes. Otherwise, I do listen to the occasional cd still in my car, and will listen to stuff off of youtube or Amazon music for that sort of streaming.

Anyone have kids or otherwise can repurpose toys, like Barbies in very good condition, etc?
I do have a kid who would not necessarily be opposed to Barbies and the like. She doesn't play with them a ton, but free is free.

are you interested in preloved tees like BPTP ones? If so, styles and size?
I can wear tissue tees in XL, would need XXL for anything else. I pretty much only wear babydolls and tunics these days.

Do you have a need for costuming pieces? Anything specific you’d like/ not like?
I can't think of anything specific, to be honest. I don't have the time/patience/extroversion to cosplay, although in theory, I would love to.

Interested in vinyl art toys (kid robot & such)?
Sure! Anything for my fandoms that I mentioned in my survey, plus/or specifically because I am too lazy to look it up - Harry Potter, Star Wars, Wonder Woman, Nightmare Before Christmas, Groot, female characters generally, Doctor Who, random super coolness...

I have collected art faster than I can frame it. Anyone interested in prints from Independant artists or do you have a specific decorating scheme happening in the house? (Which is, of course, ok)
I have the same problem, to be honest. I have so many cool things, including some total awesomeness from previous swaps, and not a whole lot of usual wall space thanks to the way my main living areas are laid out.

Do you use K-Cups and would you like a variety of coffee/tea?
I don't use them at home, but would get some use out of them at work.

I've done a few subscription boxes in the past, mostly like Birchbox, Ipsy, Sephora.. sometimes I get samples that I either won't try at all, or I try once and go "not for me." - How do you feel about cosmetic samples as long as they're "clean?" (I wouldn't pass on anything liquid that could have been contaminated, unless it's unopened, but I also have things like spray-on products, which I'd consider uncontaminated due to the nature of dispensing.)
That would be totally cool.

Buying fandom related and "cute" items is my guilty pleasure. That's why I have way too many of them. Are any of the following characters appealing to you?
Harry Potter/Hedwig, Disney, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid/Flounder, Grumpy Cat, Pusheen, Hello Kitty, Pokemon? If there's another character that I've forgotten to mention that ís appealing to you, please tell!
Definitely Harry Potter/Hedwig, Grumpy Cat, Pusheen, anything Hello Kitty/Sanrio, anything from any of my other listed fandoms. Also, pretty much any of the cute little Japanese mystery bag sort of thing, Tokidoki, etc. Basically, I have a 7 year old who will glom on anything super cute.

Would you like to receive silver rings that are worn but still look like new? If so: what ringsize do you wear? And any specific styles that you like?
Or silver earrings (brandnew)?
I don't really wear rings other than my wedding and engagement rings (on separate fingers for reasons). Artsy dangly silver earrings are absolutely wanted if they are either hoops or have hooks. No posts, please.

Do you like animals? If so: any favorites? (Yes! Buying animal related items is another guilty pleasure of mine 🙃 I'm also a photographer and have many animal pictures printed)
Birds - especially owls and other raptors, flying creatures generally, sea creatures, lizards, spiders, bats, frogs, cats. So, er, yes?

Anyone interested in fragrance oils (non BPAL) for soap or candle making, materials to make lip balm?
I would not get any use out of non-BPAL fragrance oils or other soap/candle supplies. Lip balm is kind of intriguing, though.

Jewelry making supplies?
I should say no to this as well. I have a ton of supplies...somewhere in the depths of boxes moved 2 years ago.

Lularoe Leggings? Don't worry, they're NEW and never worn. Would you like them? What is your size? What about other Lularoe clothes?
Sure! I am a TC for LLR leggings, 2xl for Julias and Randys and Madison (I think? The skirt with pocketses), M or L for Irmas, M for Lindsey, L for Sarah & the fringy kimono thing, XL for most everything else I've tried. I haven't bought any of the newer styles that have come out in the past year or so like the jean jackets and such. If you have kids stuff lying around, my daughter is a L/XL in the leggings and an 8 in anything else.

Which reminds me, I have a pair of knock-off leggings with bits of Hamlet written on them that my teenager rejected, OS, never worn. Hamlet leggings, anyone?
These sound AWESOME, but probably too small.

Could you use Melitta filters for coffee?
No thank you.

New - Jewelry making addendum: Gemstones?
Probably not.

Cookbooks (or Magazine back issues) anyone?
I would take fun geekery ones off your hands (I have a Doctor Who cocktail book, but otherwise, not others), or specifically baking, cocktails or Instant Pot/pressure cooking. Otherwise, this is an area I kind of desperately need to purge.

Table cloths, placemats, runners, napkins, dish towels?
Fun graphic dishtowels, yes. My kitchen decor is best described as "eclectic randomness". Just plain or floral or country kitcheny anything will probably languish. Same with napkins and placements. I always mean to use them, but rarely get around to it.

BPAL storage boxes?
I could find a use for one, especially if it were just a box without dividers.

5 strange things, off the top of your head that you need?
Folders and/or file envelopes for organizing paperwork; large printable address stickers (the half-sheet print it out from Paypal/USPS size); fabric organization bins (I have a friend who does Thirty-One and she's always pushing those things, but I cannot bring myself to pay their prices); cuticle oil/cream - my fingers are a disaster; Sharpie type markers

Cookie cutters? Cookie press/cake decorating kit? Mini muffin tins?
Yes to all! Although I have a lot of cookie cutters, so would be most interested in fun geeky shapes.

Are you traveling or contemplating traveling anywhere? I may have a book for that. Not necessarily guidebook, but fiction or non-fiction related to your destination.
Fun! This summer we are going to Grand Teton and Yellowstone with stopovers in Salt Lake City and probably Craters of the Moon in Idaho.

A knight-light? (nightlight shaped like a knight, get it?) Or a plain old still in packaging nightlight?
Sounds fun, but I will pass. I don't have a lot of outlets in places where (k)night-lights would be practical.

I have blank BPAL bottle stickers and CDs for burning...
Not sure if this was actually a question, but I could definitely use blank bottle stickers. I do not need blank CDs.

Could you use any spices, herbs, or salt?
I do not need any plain salt, but I would definitely make use of salt/spice mixtures, or just spice mixtures. Plain spices and dried herbs, I'm pretty good on.

What about reusable totes or bags?
If something is super super cool, sure, but just generic bags from the grocery store, no thanks.

If you're collecting or trying Discworld books, what's the next Discworld novel you'd like to read?
I don't think we have Raising Steam. Otherwise, I think we have them all, but they are in boxes scattered about at the moment.

Would you be ok with a least favorite scent note in a shower gel, soap, scrub, or lotion if it's mixed in a blend of other notes and isn't prominent? or is it totally a no? And are you good with lotions/candles/scrubs/etc. that don't have either your favorite OR least favorite notes in them?
Jasmine is pretty much always a no, and a migraine trigger (although night blooming and sambac can *sometimes* be okay, but are iffy), and oakmoss and poppy/opium notes tend to overwhelm everything else for me, so I'd rather not have anything with those. Otherwise, I am usually okay with things like red wine and strawberries in bath products.

What about colors of things like nail polish? If I don't have your favorite color(s), do you still want polish?
I would lean toward no on polish unless you have something really incredibly glittery bright and fun that you feel like really needs to come to me. Please don't send neutrals or pastels.

New question: do you have a bathtub? Would you like to receive a bubble bar?
Sadly no and no. I am hoping to change this in the next year, but in the meantime, I have too many things I cannot really use already.

how do you feel about knitted things?? More specifically washcloths or scarves?? Colors you love/hate? And fibers you like or don’t like??
I really do not need more scarves. Washcloths/dishcloths, definitely. I prefer brights to neutrals, natural fibers to synthetic.

Do you have a preference for more fitted women's style tees, or are you fine with a basic crew neck?
Definitely more fitted women's styles. Men's style crew neck tees make me look like I am wearing a sack of boobs.

If you were given a choice of a top that was navy and tan stripe vs a more cobalt blue base with a jewel tone stained glass pattern, does one or the other sound preferable? Neither? Both?
This isn't really fair for me to answer, since I know what each one looks like but generally speaking, I do not wear tan and if I do, I pair it with black mainly in order to wear very specific shoes. So definitely the jewel tone for me. (Disclosure, I love the jewel tone top, but it is too small.)

Are you okay with receiving a book that is completely within your areas of interest, but that is in the middle of a series? (Assume a standalone storyline that might reference events in prior books but that is not dependent on them.)
With the caveat assumption, sure. If it picks up in the middle of the plot, I will be sad.

Would you be interested in graphic novels within your areas of interest?
Absolutely.

Would you be interested in new or very gently worn shoes, if so, what size?
Yes, for sure, as long as the heels are not over an inch or so. Size 8US (can sometimes wear 7.5 or 8.5 if they run big or small respectively).

Do you enjoy Tokidoki?
YES!!! I mostly enjoy it vicariously through my daughter, but please send it all our way.
Would you like fabric with one of your favorite fandom on it but chibi/cute style characters?
I really should say no to this, but I am gonna say yes anyway because cutified versions of my favorite things are like ultra faves.

I have a bunch of baking ingredients in my pantry that need to be used up. Would you be interested in receiving any baked goods (like cookies or scones)?
Either cookies or scones or pretty much anything baked goods wise would be awesome. I do have a particular fondness for scones.

Any interest in books about learning other languages?
Not really.

Any interest in reading poetry or plays?
Absolutely!

Do you enjoy audiobooks?
I do - I have discovered they are a great way to experience a lot of the classic literature that I tend not to enjoy reading in printed form.

Any of this year's Lupers you still need/want to try?
Anything I am still interested in is in my wishlist.

Could you use any tealights?
No thank you. I have more candles that I can ever hope to use.

I have an extra book light. Could you use one?
Sure, especially if it is made for an actual book. I have one that I got to use with my old Kindle e-reader, but it doesn't translate well to actual paper books.

Any BPTP swag you would like or are in search of (stickers, bumper stickers, pins, etc.)?
Nothing in particular.

Would you like any unused tins for tea storage?
Please please please do not send me more tea tins. I have dozens lying around that my son keeps swearing he is going to use for projects.

Would you be happy to receive homemade jams/jellies?
Always!!!

Gardening stuff and or seeds?? yay or nay? If yes, whats your climate/zone?
This is one of those questions that I want to say yes to, but I know that things will never get used. Maybe wildflower seeds (zone 7a) as we always want more pollinators in our yard. We don't have a veggie garden or anything.

Yay or nay? accessory scarves? yknow, the sheer or silky kind? colors, length?
Nay on this. I have a bunch that I never wear and, in fact, really hope my dustpan answers this one, as I have several that should go to new homes.

Tabletop gaming stuff? Board games? Yay or Nay
Yay! Anything Munchkin, D&D, Warhammer or military gaming will get swooped up by the 9th grader, but that's cool. Otherwise, we have a fair amount, but the more the merrier.
Em-

Em-

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