crrcookie

I AM RubyLadyBug!

Once upon a time I was crrcookie. It was a good username and it served me well for years. But since about January 2013 I have used the name RubyLadyBug. I changed my name on all the websites I frequent, got a RubyLadyBug email address or two and quit signing in as crrcookie. I don't use any of the old crrcookie accounts anymore and can no longer access the email associated with some of them.

I like LadyBugs! And I collect pictures of them and other small articles for household use. (I display or use up most of what I have since I don't have much storage for extra things.)

I have several rubber stamps with ladybug pictures on them and you should find one (or more) on any swap that I send out. I hope it makes it easier for you to identify as being from me. (IF my username on Swap-bot never gets changed I will write both usernames on all swaps!

I have many hobbies and I enjoy all sorts of crafts. I look forward to expanding my online friendships with swaps.

I am a very organized person and I keep extremely detailed records of the swaps that I am in. I make sure that all of the swaps I send out are received so I really appreciate a rating from you as soon as you get what I send. That is the easiest way for me to mark down that you have gotten it. If we decide that something is lost in the mail then I can do a re-send. Communication is the key! Just send me a message.

I just got a brand new mailbox (August 2016) and I cannot wait to fill it with mail!

PLEASE put the name of the swap on the swap somewhere. The more obvious it is that your item is a swap-bot swap and which one the easier it is for me to rate you. (And it will save us both a headache.) I get lots of things in the mail from a variety of sources so this is really important!

I am having a great time collecting and trading postcards. I started collecting some time ago with PostCrossing and I love to buy them when I go to tourist places. I also like making them with my own photos mostly using Vistaprint. I'll only send out my Vistaprint cards if the swap indicates that they are acceptable because I know that some people regard them as inferior to other cards. I don't mind receiving them in swaps as long as they are good quality and they are suitable to the swap.

I started saving postcards for a homeschool project. I figured that we would take location specific ones and add them to folders for each state/country. And I like other things that we can research whether it be zoo animals (awesome!) or National Parks, or other fun fact type things. We try to be really creative and a picture of a flower may be used to illustrate a project on botany or whatever we are working on at the time.

Really most postcards fit into the "research project" idea and so the only ones that I don't really have a use for are random unknown landscapes, cartoons and other things that I can't use for some sort of educational purpose.

I like postcards that are written on and stamped and sent through the mail "naked" (with no envelope). However, I respect the rules of the individual swap and I prefer to send and receive according to the stated swap guidelines.

I often purchase multiples of the same postcard to send out. I notice that I sometimes get the same partners in similar swaps. I can't always keep track of who gets what postcard so PLEASE if you get a duplicate postcard just let me know and I will happily send you a different one.

I have my own Mailer's Postmark Permit so that I can cancel the postage stamps on the mail that I send out. It helps me get a clear impression on the postmark so that you can see the date of mailing.

For more information on getting your own permit (USA) visit the FAQ at http://www.mppclub.org/

This also makes all of my mail unique as my permit number belongs to me and will never be issued to another person.

I like postcards, and regular cards, and letters and snail mail of all kinds.

I like books (and BookCrossing), historical markers (and Markeroni), crocheting (and a variety of charity groups that relate) and photography/scrapbooking.

I like dogs (and other people's cats). I have a 12 year old Shih Tzu that is quite spoiled but would never have a cat in my house. I don't mind if you have cats though ... to each their own. I think that both puppies and kittens are cute! (Other baby animals too!)

Some gift ideas would be:

*postcards (used or un-used) [Favorites are those that I can use for research in homeschooling. Zoo animals and National Parks are especially awesome.]

*Items for scrapbooking or paper crafting

*books (especially those already registered at BookCrossing)

*stickers

*Anything "boy". I have a son (lilgrovers) that is nearly 10 and a new baby boy (LilBug) on the way for December 2016.

*Anything I can use for homeschooling lessons (brochures, maps, info about your location)

*Anything LADYBUG! I think they are wonderfully cute and they are relatively popular now.

I try not to hang on to things that I don't care for. And I am trying to keep my possessions to a minimum. So one of the best bets is to send me the requirements of the swap because that is what I agreed to when I signed up. Extras are a nice gesture but not necessary and will be best appreciated if they fit into the above things that I like.

I am not a religious person. Your religion (or lack there of) does not offend me and I prefer when it doesn't affect me. In other words, I don't want people to evangelize to me or try to push their beliefs. I'm very tolerant of lifestyle choices because I believe that everyone should have just that ... choice. Please respect my choice to live my life the way that I please with my own research and beliefs.

I really don't want to get food products in the mail. There is just something a little creepy about eating things sent through the mail by strangers. The exception would be if I joined a specific swap where one of the items would be a food product but I don't think that is likely for me.

I often join a lot of swaps at once and send out large batches of mail so I can make trips to the post office (11 miles one way) to use my Postmark since it must be handed to a postal clerk after I cancel it.

Again with the organization I am dedicated to sending out all of the swaps that I join according to the requirements. PLEASE rate me!

~RubyLadyBug (aka crrcookie)