Swap-bot Time: July 25, 2025 1:15 am
www.swap-bot.com

mjhaertling

mjhaertling
Date Joined: March 7, 2015
Last Online: July 24, 2025
Birthday: January 23
Country: United States

About Me

June 2025 - I am back in a limited capacity. I've missed my Happy Mail so much. For now I am going to do two or three swaps a month and hope that I can stay on schedule with getting them mailed.

JANUARY 2025 - It is a difficult decision, but I am stepping away from Swap-bot for the immediate future. I will miss sending and receiving happy mail as I have for almost 10 years. I have met so many lovely people and learned so many art techniques through the swaps, but I am directing my efforts elsewhere. I feel a need to use my time and my sewing skills to convert my enormous stash of fabric into clothing and blankets to help those less fortunate than I. If I learn to manage my time, I may pick up a few swaps in the future, but for now God bless you all.

Update December 2020 A year later but now I will be moving. My address has been changed on this site. *Update December 2019 At the present time I am hoping to move in a month or so.

I am retired and became a widow in 2014 after 51 years of marriage. I have a large support group of family and church friends around me. My 2 sons & their families live in the St. Louis area so I see them several times a month. I have a daughter in the Chicago area, of course I do not see her as often.

My "new" home is in a St. Louis suburb, a first for me. A change for sure, but recycling. I lived my first 19 years in rural Missouri. Then lived in small towns for a few years before 27 years in the city of St. Louis. Now after 25 years near my birthplace, back to the St. Louis area. I will be a few blocks from one of my sons, 20 minutes from the other.

I will join another congregation of the Lutheran church and probably a quilt club. I would also like to find a group that does paper art like the swaps we do here. I have joined an online group that does collage art and would love to meet some like-minded people.

I have been a part of swap-bot for quite a few years now. It has added so much to my life. I have learned so many new techniques as I made my swaps. I feel like my creativity has really grown.

My favorite swaps are the scavenger hunt PC's and collaboration PC's. I usually try to make something a little off center for these swaps.

I am still trying to hone my photography skills but use my phone a lot more than my camera. It's just so much easier. I use my photos in some of my swaps.

I am always buying vintage books and magazines as sources for images to use in my swaps. It will be hard to part with any of them when I move, so I will probably keep them all.

I enjoy swapping with other Christian women. I hope to do some Bible journaling in the future. I will join at least one new Bible study group after I move.

And a new quilt club. I have enjoyed meeting so many friendly women over the years in the three quilt clubs I have been in at different times.

About Me

Likes: Vintage images, images from nature, illustrations from children's books, interesting photos taken by you, butterflies.

Quirky/humorous interpretations of themes in swaps from you. Seeing your art work.

Unusual book pages & ephemera to use in making swaps.

About Me

Dislikes: Nothing specific here.

About Me

Reading and TV: I read mostly historical fiction and mysteries. I am still enjoying the Maisie Dobbs series of books. Most of my favorite TV shows are British or Australian. I have Netflix and Amazon Prime. I would appreciate recommendations of series to binge watch. No fantasy or futuristic please.

About Me

My daughter and I share a love of hunting for bargains in thrift shops. She does some buying and selling online. I look forward to furnishing a "new" house, probably one built in the 60"s or 70's.

Ratings

donetta rated for USAPC: 3 Elements ATC #110 on Jul 24, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Martha, this one of the prettiest ATCs I have ever received (in, like, 20 years of swapping!)...the beautiful Eastern Bluebird is what immediately caught my eye, and the pretty pink flowers, but that background! That beautiful, beautiful background! You have inspired me to do more with my papers than cut and tear...I want to make painted circles (I have lots of round things to use as tools), and a hint of glimmery beauty here and there! Thank you for the beautiful ATC, for the inspiration, and for the wonderful extras. You've made my day.
thequilterslink rated for AIA: ATC with 3 Prompts 7/25 on Jul 23, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the lovely swap. Loved it all. Especially the note. 😄
Sonya rated for Napkin Atc on Jul 4, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the pretty purple ATC, Martha. Happy 4th of July!
inoracam rated for AAHMPC: Book Pages Collage PC- June on Jun 28, 2025
5
rating
Comment: I love the book page postcard you made and sent to me! I hope you have been staying cool!
Sonya rated for USAPC: 3 Elements ATC #109 on Jun 16, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the pretty hummingbird card, Martha. Also, the Q playing cards are great and the right size! Cheers!
Response: Glad you liked the ATC. I'm looking forward to receiving happy mail again.
Fieke rated for AAHMPC: Happy New Year PC- Dec on Feb 27, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thank you very much for your cards. I love them. You did a nice job. So nice you took a look of my art on FB :)
e2java rated for AAHMPC: Happy New Year PC- Dec on Feb 25, 2025
5
rating
Comment: Thank you - your New Year's Card and bonus Valentine's card are both so pretty. So is your handwriting. I appreciate this.
Response: Thank you for the kind rating. I am glad you liked the cards.
5
rating
Comment: Thank you so much for the adorable journal! I really appreciate how much work you put into it to make it special for me. :-)
Response: Thank you for the kind rating. Your response means a lot to me.
Catt007 rated for SPCP: Christmas pictures on Dec 29, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Sorry for the late rating, it's been manic lately. I hope you had a lovely Christmas. 🎅🏻
lob rated for SPCP: Christmas pictures on Dec 18, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Lovely atmosphere in your pics! It feels calm.
9O96O rated for SPCP: Christmas pictures on Dec 18, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Such interesting photos. I love how the candles created the light streaks in the church photo. I love the ornaments - the tin doll and the Chrismon tree. I had never heard the term "Chrismon", I learned something new today.
Gwillisinc rated for AAHMPC: Themed Collage PC- Dec on Dec 17, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you Martha for you cute Santa card!
5
rating
Comment: Hi Martha and thanks for this beautiful cardinal collage. Can't believe you found a piece of fabric for this - did you add the gold accents? It's really lovely. And it sits on such a varied and interesting background. Love everything about this! Have a wonderful holiday!
ellie rated for USAPC: 3 Elements ATC #102 on Nov 30, 2024
5
rating
Comment: I love your interpretation of this swap. Thank you🌹
Catt007 rated for SPCP: Autumn challenge on Nov 30, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the lovely pics, the Marigold is such a gorgeous colour. 😺
lob rated for SPCP: Autumn challenge on Nov 27, 2024
5
rating
Comment: What beautiful colors, especially the marigold. Thanks for sharing!
hazelwitch3 rated for SPCP: Autumn challenge on Nov 27, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Great pictures! I particularly liked the marigold and the leaves, but enjoyed looking at all of them. I liked the way you contrasted the foggy day with the sunny day -- very cleverly done! And I know what you mean about killing frosts -- we had our first one last week and my garden looked quite pitiful the next morning.
Response: Thank you for the rating and the kind comments. I didn't really get out anywhere to see the fall colors but had a lot of beauty in my yard and on my street.
5
rating
Comment: Hi Martha and thank you for this wonderful collage card featuring my favorite bird - the owl! Love the background you created for this, and the stamping and other bits of ephemera work so well together. And Mr. Owl - what a handsome looking fellow he is!! And thank you so much for the pretty fall ATC and for the vintage papers. I love things just like this and am constantly adding to my collection. So many, many thanks for this fun swap!
hazelwitch3 rated for SPCP: Opposites Scavenger Hunt on Nov 13, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Great pictures and great interpretations of the categories. I love the pop of orange in the corner of the tree picture. Your close-ups -- the red and yellow flowers and the butterfly -- are, I think, particularly successful; sharp and beautifully composed, but I also love the 'dry' trail picture. And I'm fascinated by your bookshelf of older books -- looks like mine!
Response: Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate that you always have some comments in your ratings.
lob rated for SPCP: Opposites Scavenger Hunt on Nov 10, 2024
5
rating
Comment: I especially love the closeup of the flower. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
4.9946 1006 0 0
Completed Fives Threes Ones
1079 1104 3 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
32 115 932 0
View all

Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

yvonne401 on Jul 4, 2025:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a fun and safe July 4th!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

yvonne401 on Jun 22, 2025:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a fun and safe summer!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

yvonne401 on Mar 20, 2025:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a fun, safe and happy first day of spring!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

rarjones on Jan 6, 2025:

Happy Birthday Month! God bless you! CF Group - rarjones

yvonne401 on Dec 31, 2024:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a fun, safe and joyful New Year and year ahead. Happy 2025!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

yvonne401 on Dec 25, 2024:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Enjoy this special day with your family and friends.

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

yvonne401 on Dec 21, 2024:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a safe and fun winter!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

yvonne401 on Nov 28, 2024:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a fun and safe Thanksgiving!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

yvonne401 on Jun 21, 2024:

Hi Martha!

Wishing you a wonderful summer! Hope you have some fun in the sun!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

yvonne401 on May 27, 2024:

Hi Martha!

Hoping you are having a nice Memorial Day with your family and friends!

Love and blessings,

Your friend, Yvonne

Login to leave a comment now!