LilDragonCreations

I go active to inactive on swap-bot depending on life, work, and how messy my craft room is. As my job is a full time online banker with Charles Schwab, I currently have a crazy east coast based schedule of 4 x 10 hour days that end past midnight. Basically during the bulk of the work week I just don't get much done other than work, sleep, eat, and work again. My craft days are now limited to either Saturdays or Mondays now, and often thats based on what household chores need doing still. So because of this schedule, from the start of 2025 on forward, I may or may not be currently active. If im currently in a swap, I will do my best to remember to log in at least 1x per week. However, please forgive me if I manage to forget a week here and there. Swaps will go out on time, but activity otherwise may be limited depending on how busy my week gets. (July 2025)

I'm a middle aged lady in Phoenix, AZ, i love Halloween & Christmas, and making others happy with my art. I do a little of everything to keep from being bored. 2 elderly boy cats, 1 full time job, 2 kids, no husband as of 23 years ago ( -ish), but I have a wonderful, solid long term partner of 12 or so years who has his own roof by mutual choice ;). As for the kids, both are 20 something adults. One is a recent graduate from the University of Manoa at Hawai'i, and her older brother is a responsible grown man whom along with his girlfriend is just enjoying life.

Ive cut back on many of the crafts i used to make and teach, as I am retired from teaching private sector art classes as of 2025. What stuck around in my room is 90% paper crafts, (some mixed media, Cricut machines and vinyl crafting, die cuts, embossing, some stamps, wax seals, etc etc), with the other 10% or so being things like miniatures (such as room boxes, small dollhouses, etc), and crochet/sewing/quilting. Pretty much everything else I'm trying to either get rid of completely or downsize to just basic supplies.

I have a significant collection (problem) with collecting Tim Holtz items though, lol. Those are permanent keepers, and last count i had over 200 of his metal die cutting sets, not to mention his ideology line, the inks, sprays, and tools.....he's my crafty muse! I love the cardmaking youtube community as well, and try really hard to not be influenced to buy all the things!

Previously, I've worked on and off for over 20 years as a professional art instructor at various places such as big box art stores, and more recently at a local paint and sip type studio. With my current career in the banking industry as a full time job, I simply got burnt out at always having some class to teach on my weekends. So in 2025 I made the decision to retire from that part of my life, and I absolutely do not regret it. You name it, I've probably taught it - except for anything to do with a sewing machine but I taught myself how to sew! :)

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!! Not the gore, but everything else about it. Traditional, gothic, creepy cute "spoopy", vintage, ALL. OF. IT. :) pumpkins and jack o lanterns!!!!

I picked books because books. I've been super into the romantasy books lately, but have been reading that genre long before it had the romantasy name. I am primarily a fantasy, or paranormal fiction reader.

Too many individual titles so I'll just go with some of my top authors off top of my head. Gena Showalter, Kim Harrison, Sherilyn Kenyon, Kresley Cole, Diane Gabaldon, Anne Rice, JK Rowling (I still have to list her due to my everlasting love of Harry Potter - I DO NOT agree with her political views regarding trans people. I am a PROUD rainbow supporter in all its forms.). Anne McCaffrey, are some of the big ones. There are many, many others as well. I have found so many great new authors and books via the Fantasy Fangirls podcast as well as poking around in Kindle Unlimited - dozens of which are awesome indie authors!

In terms of genre, I mostly go for escapist fiction, be it historical, paranormal, or fantasy.

What I would appreciate: Unusual or vintage ephemera (post cards, signs, etc) (I adore Tim Holtz' style) of any holiday.

Anything Disney, Harry Potter, Halloween, christmas - all appreciated. Unusual buttons, charms, anything small and flat that can be used in mixed media is welcome too. Paper ONLY if it is a pretty, cool, holiday specific, vintage, or a handmade by you background...cause thats always cool!

Atc's Memory Dex cards, bookmarks, greeting cards - anything like that that's handmade I will treasure and keep!

Heidi Swapp branded items - YES YES PLEASE Tim Holtz branded items - YES YES PLEASE Tonic studios, Graphic 45 papers - all YES YES too please.

Bookmarks - I collect them so any size, type, style, handmade or storebought...YES YES PLEASE

Fantasy - this is the one area of paper items I will always say yes too. doesn't matter what type of fantasy, it's always yes.

Exception--- LOVE DRAGONS. I LOVE UNICORNS AND OTHER HORSE LIKE CREATURES. Anything to do with these I will squeal with happiness like a little kid.

Non paper items: um... ask? I can't think of any right now. See below section for "please no". :)

I will update this list as I think of more things to add or edit

I have been working very hard to keep my rating at or close to all 5s. I have participated in swaps for over a decade as of 2025. So please, contact me first, I will bend over backwards to make it right for you.

Additionally, I LOVE sending extra goodies out with each swap - sometimes I get a bit carried away - but I try to make each thing I send out over the top and something I would love to recieve. Any questions - don't hesitate to ask. *****And with the recent destashing and purging, those goodies might be increased as I try to find non land fill ways to pass things on.*****

Any swaps I host, and there will be a more than a few as we head into the holiday season, I will ALWAYS angel if needed. No questions asked.

What I really DON'T need: BASIC paper pieces. I have way too much of those to begin with. Please. Seriously. I am drowning in them. I have more cardstock than I can use in a lifetime, and a stack of 12x12 paper pads that is LITERALLY 4 feet tall. I own 2 (now 3!) Cricut machines, so unless what you have is super rare or one of the exceptions listed above, please keep it and/or send it to someone else that is still building their stash up. I am trying to clean mine out.

I have recently started to go through a major paper purge in my cardstock, patterned papers, patterned napkins, stickers, and dozens of other assorted and like items. I have well over 100 sticker sets that I am figuring out where and how to destash for example. Regarding the type of stuff that can be sent out & recieved, basically I'm really only interested in completed craft items. I'm very much no longer interested in collecting a stash. I'm trying to downsize my craft room for a possible move later this year. I would participate in swaps like stuff an envelope but ultimately the items I would get in return I tend not to use, so I am skipping those swaps and finding alternatives.

Please, no overtly religious items. I am not religious - I have my personal spirituality and I am good without the bible verses, crosses, etc.. Please save them and send them to someone that would use them, and not just toss it in the trash. :)

book pages - I have a collection of about 12 vintage, damaged, and well used books ranging from old encyclopedias to novels found at the dollar store. I have enough book pages to last me till next century :)

Napkins - I had them listed as a yes but honestly - I Have 2 massive bins of them, and I don't use them at all.

Small note: Please, no tea packages in swaps. I will either send them out to someone else, or toss them, but I don't drink tea or coffee.

What can You send then? I love hot cocoa, apple cider, and I have found the ONE tea I drink on a daily basis that I love. Oregon Chai Latte is soo good. I recently discovered that it is sold in tea bags! But it has to be that brand. I've tried other Chai Latte tea bags, and its just not the same taste.

*I will update this list as I think of more things to add . If you aren't sure, just message me :). *

The non-secular side of Christmas that is. As noted above, I am not religious in any way, but the festive side, the decorations, and the Christmas flowers, santa, snowmen - I love it all.