Swap-bot Time: March 15, 2025 4:43 am
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carrotkate

carrotkate
Date Joined: November 13, 2019
Last Online: March 14, 2025
Birthday: August 21
Country: United States
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About Me

UPDATE: October 2024 - After being away for almost a year, I'm slowly returning to Swap-Bot. Thanks so much for extending me a little grace and time. I love the snail mail community for its patience and kindness!

December 2023 - Life happened… and as a result, I’ve needed to step away from Swap-Bot for a little bit. You’ll notice I haven’t been as active lately. I believe I am all caught up on sending swaps - although it feels like the mail has been running very slow lately - but if there’s something you have not received from me yet, please let me know. Thank you for your patience!

More about Katy Mike

Greetings! My first name is Katy Mike, and that's what I go by as my first name if you're personalizing a letter. To be clear & because it's a common mistake, please don't shorten my first name to just "Katy" - thanks! More on nicknames later... ;) I live in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA and love it here by the Mississippi River. Professionally, I work for a local university, teach yoga and advocate for sustainability. In my free time, you'll find me at the library, in the garden or out hiking if I'm not holed up in my studio room working on some odd project.

Speaking of names, I've had a number of nicknames over the years, including "Killer," "Prairie," and "Maestro," if that provides you with some insight. Here are some more words that have used to describe me...

  • yogi (RYT-200)

  • academic (EdD.)

  • Leo (with Aquarius rising)

  • bookworm (7 different library cards)

  • treehugger / hippie (LEED-GA and Sierra Club member)

  • "campaigner" (ENFP)

  • witch (Woman In Total Control of Herself, lol)

Favorite Crafts

I love handmade objects and items with a unique story or special history (even the ordinary and obvious) so I'm drawn to art-making and collecting weird miscellany.

These odd bits usually show up in my crafting in the form of collage. I am a newbie when it comes to ATC's so as I experiment with those, you'll find examples of this.

Journaling, however, is a lifelong habit/hobby. I would no longer consider myself a "planner addict," and I'm in the process of purging all the planner accessories for something more streamlined. These days my everyday carry journal is smaller - about 3x5 - and I love anything passport or index card sized. I've decided I can't do away with paper completely, but I dabble with digital journaling & digital collage too.

I enjoy textile arts and handicrafts like embroidery and knitting, but I often don't find time for them. It's just too easy to set aside a sewing project in the Spring when it's time to play outside in the garden! To bring the garden indoors, these days I'm building terrariums, forcing bulbs, and sprouting seeds - so I gladly welcome houseplant starts and sprouters!

I REALLY enjoy mail art and snail mail. I've been a Postcrosser for five years and a member of the Letter Writers Alliance & the League of Extraordinary Penpals. I love picking up various pen pals along the way. I joke with my family that I am more likely to write you back via snail mail than an email! Also, because I think it's worth a read, I'm posting this article here -- Why The Post Office Is Even More Awesome Than You Think It Is.

If I had all the time in the world, I'd travel and get really good at taking photos. I toy around with a blog, and am always hoping to improve my writing skills.

Favorite Books

The library will always be one of my favorite places, and I will always have a stack of books in every room.

The best way to see what I'm reading and what books I've favorited in the past is to find me on GoodReads : www.goodreads.com/katymike.

If You're Mailing Me Stuff

I appreciate my fellow Swap-botters and I love this opportunity to participate in this act of reclaiming the postal service from generic mailers & boring bills. It's always a welcome relief to receive something in the mail that was sent with care!

Know I'm Grateful

I am thankful for what you send - it truly brightens my day! I am not quick to rate someone down and appreciate that everyone has different preferences.

Don't Send

Because sending something personalized means so much, here are some tips on what I'd prefer not to receive. This list is shorter, and a good deal of it stems from my work as an environmentalist.

  • Animal print (I'm working on going vegan!)

  • Kid-related or kiddie-themed (I'm happily married with no plans to have children!)

  • Crappy or clearly cheaply made (I believe in up-cycling, not down-cycling!)

  • Scraps of paper (I’m swimming in bits & bobs and can’t possibly upcycle it all right now!)

Consider Sending This

If you're looking for more specific info about my preferences, it may be helpful to know I especially like:

  • vintage pencils (I'm a legitimate card-carrying member of a pencil club!)

  • actually, I’m a fan of most vintage office supplies, tbh. Or vintage anything, especially if it's campy, kitschy, or retro (especially atomic era adverts, old signage, outdated film cameras & fountain pens ...)

  • letterpress, linocuts, woodblocks, printmaking & maybe even letterboxing

  • bicycling stuff or subway/metro maps (I support public transit!)

  • documenting what's going on outside (what does your backyard look like? what's growing? how has the climate changed?)

  • occult themed, including cemeteries, altars, Dia de Los Muertos, and tarot (I'm v. into New Age / Now Age lifestyle but not "goth")

  • Matching stationery (either Lisa Frank print or elegant linen paper, I like a matchy-matchy set sometimes. This includes some of the Kawaii stationery - Kutusita Nyanko and Shirasutai are my favorite San-x characters - but I'm more interested in it all as stationery products rather than the characters.)

  • anything with French Bulldogs (I have two!)

If I'm Mailing You Something

Please do reach out if something hasn't arrived in a timely manner. If it arrived with postage due, or damaged, I will do my best to make it right!

Please Pass It Along!

Feel free to reuse & repurpose anything I send!

)

Ratings

sherylk3 rated for Used Stamp Chain Card Round 58 on Mar 13, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the used stamps :)
Candace rated for TGIF Weekend Notecard #430 on Mar 11, 2025
5
rating
Comment: I hope your sister's visit went well.
5
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Comment: Arrived safely! The card is so cute! I'm ready warmer weather too!
RNRISLOVE rated for Vintage tourist card #55 on Mar 7, 2025
5
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Comment: Loved the card and history about it.
5
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Comment: Just got your envie today, thanks for sharing your reading!
grammypammy rated for Profile Deco ~ 2025 March Day 3 on Mar 6, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for joining this swap!
JoeKochin rated for Ugly PC Swap #91 on Mar 5, 2025
5
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Comment: Your card has arrived! Thank you so much! I hope we’ll meet again in another Swap someday.
Nursemummy79 rated for Traveling Book Card #78 on Mar 2, 2025
5
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Comment: Thanks love the goodies
5
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Comment: Hi! I see that the card you sent me was marked January 31. It was just in my mailbox today!!! I wonder where it's been all this time! I love the envelope you addressed to me! I appreciate the card and goodies too.
5
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Comment: will pass along quickly. thanks for the extras
5
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Comment: Thank you! I love the still life card. The whole thing reminds me of my grandpas back/sun room. It’s always been filled with music instruments, books, and craft supplies.
5
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Comment: I love art museums! I'll go to any kind as long as they are around :D Thank you for the postcard, Happy swapping!
5
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Comment: arrived safely. thank you for the extra pc:)
5
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Comment: Thank you for the valentine card! Very fun to receive. I love the way you did the envelope with the white pan and puffy heart stickers and the cute robot. Your stamp even matches the theme. I also like the little goodies inside. I lived in St. Louis for over four years and I have such good memories of that area. 💖
5
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Comment: Thank you for the mini Once upon a time book box. It's a thriller so I will read it! It came with a pair of socks and a notebook to fill with important info in case I ever go missing. And another package from you today! Total surprise! Once upon a time ships fast apparently! I will say.... You are who I am most excited to send to in these book exchange swaps because I think we may be similar in book preferences! I'm already holding books back waiting to get you in future swap. Thank you for two books and the second packages so pretty! I'm eating this yummy chocolate bar right now. Would give 10 hearts if I could! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰
5
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Comment: Thanks for the extra PCs!
monsbrick rated for FLL InCoWriMo 2025 #1 on Feb 20, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Great to hear from you!
di53 rated for HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY - GREETING CARD on Feb 20, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for such a nice card and the Mary Engelbreit sticker and nice words about your mom! I'm sorry I didn't rate more promptly. It got lost in the jumble of papers on my table): I have a love/hate relationship with paper! Thanks again!
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the stamp, note card and post card. I will pass along the traveler as well.
nancylee rated for Spooky Valentine's Profile Deco on Feb 14, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Think you- I love both spooky fun images.

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
4.9982 974 5 5
Completed Fives Threes Ones
800 1097 1 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
12 623 165 0
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Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

happytortoise on Mar 3, 2025:

For Profile Deco ~ 2025 March Day 3:

LadyMalchav on Mar 3, 2025:

Profile Deco ~ March 2025 Day 3

Green

stingrays on Feb 13, 2025:

div

Happy Valentine's Day!

ghost

div

I hope you know without a GHOST of a doubt that you are loved! Whoever you spend your day with, take some time to remind your loved ones how much you appreciate them... and remember to love yourself too! (It'd be a GRAVE mistake if you didn't!)

div

witch

div

Barbara on Sep 3, 2022:

Thank you for granting my August LSRUS wish!

lou on Aug 21, 2022:

Happy birthday, Katy Mike!

simcoe54 on Aug 21, 2022:

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!!!!

Vickyen on Jun 21, 2022:

Hi Kate! I received your vacation pc that you sent extra for the BLC pc! What a bummer that it was too cold to enjoy the swimming hole - and the ticks - yuck! Yes, anything beats going into the office! LOL! Hope you have a great time, rain, ticks and all! LOL! The sunset on the pc is so pretty! Hope you got to enjoy some like that as well! All the best! Hugs and Happy Swapping! ;)

USAFwife on Apr 19, 2022:

Thank you so much for the bonus postcard of Ursula K LeGuin. :) I've seen collections of postcards like this for sale and haven't bought them yet, so this is a new one for me. :) And it made it through the mail ok, so double bonus. :)
Thanks so much! Cindi

Stellaerrans on Mar 29, 2022:

Thank you so much for the washitape samples, notecard and awesome vintage items, you really made my day!! I am in love with those post-a-note ☺ CPG wishlist March 2022 ❤

loveretro on Feb 10, 2022:

ty

so much, for the lovely Missouri postcard , one of my missing US states . Very much appreciated !

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