jg380940

Hi! I'm Jill. I'm 33, I live in PA with my three kids and my cat, and I teach college-level history. I love to read and write (I mean, who doesn't!?) and I'm just getting into crafts. I have a little experience with crochet - I made my mom a crocheted blanket, but it took me forever, so I try to keep my crochet projects small and manageable. I like all kinds of stuff, and everyday I find something else that makes me go "oooooh!" I recently got my mom's sewing machine - I used to love to sit at her feet and watch her sew, so it was such a treat to "inherit" her machine. Now I just have to learn how to sew!

I grew up in the 80s, so I have a soft spot in my heart for those old, cheesy synthesized pop songs. But my standard playlist includes hard rock/heavy metal/industrial metal, country, some adult contemporary, and classical music.

Loves: I love the horror genre. Always have. I will read a mediocre horror novel before anything else. The first full length novel I read was Carrie, by Stephen King. I have read everything Stephen King has written up to last year. My favorite authors are Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Thomas Ligotti, Terry Pratchett, Kim Harrison, F. Paul Wilson, and Jim Butcher. I am also open to other genres, as long as they're unusual or strange or just have something interesting to offer.

Hates: As a rule, I generally can not stand the urban fantasy/urban horror genre, or the young adult versions of those. There are a few series, like the Dresden Files and the Hollows, that I like, but for the most part, I can't stand most of what's being published in that genre. I also can't stand romance novels; I keep waiting for the monster to come out and bite their faces off, and it never happens!

Topics/subjects: history, mythology, the supernatural, anthropology, Celtic and Germanic culture and history

Food: always on the hunt for healthy, unusual recipes.My daughter is allergic to eggs, so I try to avoid them when cooking. Ethnic food recipes, particularly Mediterranean and Indian.

Animals: I like almost all furry creatures, and some not furry creatures. And dragons.

Other stuff: Crafts: cords, charms, jewelry making materials, yarn, crochet hooks, cloth remnants, sewing supplies, repurposed things, thrift shop recycling, picture and mirror frames, anything that can be sanded and painted, easy sewing patters

Food/cooking: recipe cards, recipe boxes, recipe books, kitchen gadgets, spices, teas, jars with stoppers, cookbooks and cooking magazines

Writing: stationary, pens, journals, post cards, note cards and such

I'm usually open to most things. I'm not very artistic, so I guess I wouldn't be interested in anything requiring me to draw or paint. I also have limited time, being a teacher and a single mom, so long-term or really involved projects are probably not a good idea, because I want to make sure I can fulfill a commitment before joining a swap.