NorthernBorder

My name is Martha and I love private swaps! I enjoy receiving stuff like lettersets, stickers, plastic charms and toys, crafting papers, scrapbook embellishments, notecards and envelopes. My favorite swap to receive is the good ol' "stuff an envie" profile surprise.

Married Mom in her 40s, on a long parental leave from a 20-year career in not-for-profit management, adoptive parent to almost-two-year-old wonderful little boy born in Ethiopia. We live in an isolated rural mountainous area close to the USA-Canadian border. Parenting is my number one activity and swap-bot is my #1 hobby.

MANY LIKES: * FBs, label bags and that sort of thing * stickers (not the 3-D ones--those I just give away) * handmade things, especially needlework-tightly-crocheted face cloths are my favorite * crafty starter kit to get me started on: crocheting plastic grocery bags, amigurimi * Ethiopia / Africa * small plastic items: charms, fad brand names * doodads and thingumbobs that you don't find in the general store in the remote mountain wilderness where I live * music cds
* how-to tips from days of yore * anything from Trader Joe's, particularly their ruby red rooibos chai tea
* postcards * thrift store and yard sale treasures * treats for my son who is almost two * people of color -- images, stories, poems, themes * animals, especially cats, chickens, pigs * pen pals (I promise to write back eventually) * lettersets * handmade envelopes * hard candy * note cards with or without envelopes * address labels--always need 'em

Some of my swap partners have told me that they cannot figure out what to send or make based on my profile. If you find yourself in that position, please don't fret, just send something that you would be pleased to receive. I do have high standards but on the whole I think I am pretty easy to please.

Please know that I am not in a position to buy new items for swaps. I often send unique, pre-owned, gently used, recycled and thrift shop items, I reuse packaging, and (much to my sadness) I am not very neat! However, I am original :-)

Waiting hopefully for tags from:

• Katara, August 6, 2009, music & a treat from South Africa, cheap postage group forum tag -- pick 2 global

• Littlebluestar, August 3, 2009, wild women tag, South Dakota treats.

Urban soundscapes, rural symphonies. Classical, jazz, "women's music" and world music.

My beloved spouse is full-time school administrator, co-farmer, member of our church board and volunteer firefighter for our town. Our beloved child is full-time emperor of our lives.

My regular pastimes include reading, imagining my family's future, trying to make society more just, being brave, writing, gazing into nature, kissing my Beloved, wishing I were taking a nap, farm work, laughing, chores, arts, girlfriends.

When I have other time I like to draw and make art, write poems or in my journal, volunteer for my town library and our new art center, grow some of my family's food and do some half-fast housecleaning.

Thanks again for your interest. Best regards to you & yours!