Gladsome Sisters!!! | Raising Jane

Hear Ye!

Posted on May 22, 2016 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Krista Butters Davis!!!

Krista Butters-Davis (MaryJanesNiece, #528) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning an Intermediate Level Crochet Merit Badge!

“For my Intermediate Crochet Merit Badge, I chose to make a diaper cover that included a matching hat. I then chose to make some baby booties. I gave four sets of booties away for baby shower gifts and made a pair for my son. When I was working on the baby booties, I invited my friend over so we could crochet together. She spent her time making her son a new blanket.

The diaper cover turned out a bit too large to fit my son, but should fit in no time. I enjoyed making the diaper cover because I learned how to do increases and decreases. The matching hat was a perfect fit and looks adorable on him. I really like learning how to make a hat because it taught me how to work in the round. Making the baby booties were my favorite. My first set turned out too small, but I soon picked up on what size hook I needed to achieve the correct size. Aside from that, the booties have turned out so cute and have taught me how to use multiple stitches as well as learn how to sew straps and buttons on with a larger needle.”

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Young Cultivators Merit Badge: Water Conservation, Beginner Level

Posted on May 22, 2016 by mbajane

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 6,962 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—9,905 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! ~MaryJane

Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …

For this week’s Cleaning Up/Water Conservation Beginner Level Young Cultivator Merit Badge, I thought teaching Andy to conserve H20 would be easy peasy, lemon squeasy. And I wasn’t necessarily wrong … he took to it like a duck to water, like a pig to mud, like … like a small boy given too much responsibility too quickly.

It all started when I suggested he make a list of ways to help him and his family conserve water at their house. Sounds reasonable, right?

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Karlyne says:

May 22, 2016 at 6:45 pm

Boys – a breed apart…

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Hear Ye!

Posted on May 15, 2016 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Debbie Klann!!!

Debbie Klann (#770) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner and Intermediate Level UFOs Merit Badge!

“Making a list of my UFOs was enlightening … and a little shocking! I am one of those that LOVE the excitement of starting a new project … but there’s that in-between time of starting and finishing when I can get bored.

I made a list of all of my started projects by category. I have them all separated with all of the supplies I need for each one.

I had been planning on working on just what I had at home as a New Year’s resolution this year, but I was so excited when finishing your UFOs was made into a new merit badge shortly after the beginning of the new year. I have gotten into a routine of working on projects during the day if I have free time or in the evenings. I have made it a personal challenge to not buy or start any new projects. It’s now become as exciting to FINISH a project as to START … and such a satisfying feeling to keep crossing projects off of that list!

Here is a photo of a small tabletop-size quilt that I finished right away. I won’t tell you how long it’s been waiting to be finished!

IMGP0087 In making my UFO list and going through each project, I did decide that I didn’t have an attachment to some of the projects anymore. Those I donated. This left me with what I had to finish for my Intermediate badge.

I had this quilt top that I knew needed something special to really make it stand out. I sent it to my quilting friend to finish on her long arm.

I also had an applique quilt that needed the quilting finished … I had put it off and put it off … now was the time to just get it done!

Eva Marie did a beautiful job, just like I knew she would. I was so pleased with her work!

I cannot believe that the pink quilt is FINALLY done! I had posted pictures of both quilts on the chatroom thread for UFOs. I said that after so long, when that final stitch was complete, I felt like one of my children had left home! It feels so great to have it done!”

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Winnie Nielsen says:

May 15, 2016 at 3:52 am

Debbie, your finishes UFO quilts are beautiful !! Thanks for posting photos and congratulations. You are really on a good roll!

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LISA VONSAUNDER- seed woman says:

May 15, 2016 at 6:39 am

As the arch procrastinator of all time, I applaud you for getting these quilts done!! Very lovely indeed!

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Sally Bush says:

May 16, 2016 at 6:09 am

Congratulations! They are beautiful!

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Judith Lickteig says:

May 17, 2016 at 12:03 pm

Way to go, Debbie! Your quilts are gorgeous! Can’t wait to see what you do for expert level!

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Organic on a Budget Merit Badge, Expert Level

Posted on May 15, 2016 by mbajane

Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …

For this week’s Farm Kitchen/Organic on a Budget Expert Level Merit Badge, I harkened back fondly to when I knew Mr. Wonderful really had fallen for me. It wasn’t that sparkle in his baby blues, it wasn’t when he sat through an opera performance when there was a perfectly good football game on television, it wasn’t when he asked me to go camping and I sneakily turned it into glamping, it wasn’t even when he went to meet my Gramma Barbie.

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LISA VONSAUNDER- seed woman says:

May 15, 2016 at 6:45 am

oh YEAH, as a southern girl at heart, there is nothing, I repeat nothing, like biscuits and sausage gravy !!
You are so right, MaryJane, it’s not time to go all lo-cal, this is comfort food par excellance and therefore, by definition , NOT LO-CAL! My mother’s biscuits were always made with that southern staple ” swansdown flour” – keep it light and simple with biscuits and don’t over stir or handle to keep them oh-so light. Thanks for the happy memory .

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Karlyne says:

May 16, 2016 at 10:42 am

Oh, MBA Jane, you’re so much fun! “Out of salad – substitute bacon” – I’ll be remembering that one!

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Judith Lickteig says:

May 17, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Omgosh, MBA Jane! I just died and went to heaven!

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Young Cultivators Merit Badge: Rethink Your Space, Beginner Level

Posted on May 8, 2016 by mbajane

Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …

For this week’s Make It Easy/Rethink Your Space Beginner Level Young Cultivator Merit Badge, I needed to take a deep breath, inhale some calming lavender essential oil, and give myself a pep talk. And this was all before the badge earning began …

You see, this badge was all about a youngster in your life cleaning their room properly.

I chose Andy.

I should have chosen … anyone else.

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Winnie Nielsen says:

May 8, 2016 at 2:48 am

Hahahahaha!!!! Next question is how long did Andy’s room stay nice??? How can kids love like pigs? I remember my brothers loved in a room in our basement which they fondly referred as “the hole”! About once a week my Das would venture down to stir things up . Let’s just say all that hollerin he did never changed the game week to week!

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Amy Cloud Chambers says:

May 9, 2016 at 4:05 am

I’m laughing myself silly over this story! Oh my, I remember my daughter’s room with horror. But the champ in our family was my brother. When mom would try to make a dent in the mess, he’d accuse her of “disturbing the ecology of my environment!”

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Karlyne says:

May 9, 2016 at 8:18 am

I’m thinkin’ these kinds of folks should have their bedrooms outside, like in a tree. With a dumpster underneath…

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Hear Ye!

Posted on May 8, 2016 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Cyrie Wilson!!!

Cyrie Wilson (Pixiedustdevil, #6941) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a Beginner Level Grow Where You’re Planted Merit Badge!

“Ever since I was little, if I saw a flower I liked, I would take it home and press it. I still do it to this day. My favorite flower to press is the forget-me-not, which is the one in the frame.

My recent collection (not all pictured) consists of more forget-me-nots, red clover, two 4-leaf clovers (found on the same day!), honeysuckle, scarlet pimpernel, speedwell, and common daisies. Rhododendrons are very common here, but I don’t like them because the flowers are sticky!

One of the rarest plants in my area is the Myrtlewood tree. It takes 10 years to germinate and 100 years to grow to commercial size. They only grow in a small area in Oregon, and anything made of Myrtle is VERY expensive.

The hardest part is identifying the flowers, I have a few that are nameless.”

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Winnie Nielsen says:

May 8, 2016 at 2:50 am

Lovely pressed flowers you created!! Congratulations on jumping into the Sisterhood and earning those badges!!

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Amy Cloud Chambers says:

May 9, 2016 at 3:57 am

What a wonderful hobby, and such pretty keepsakes. Congratulations on your badge, Cyrie!

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Furniture Makeover Merit Badge, Beginner Level

Posted on May 1, 2016 by mbajane

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 6,861 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—9,721 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! ~MaryJane

Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …

For this week’s Make It Easy/Furniture Makeover Beginner Level Merit Badge, I couldn’t believe my good fortune. Step One of earning this handy-dandy badge? Settling in to watch some DIY furniture tutorials.

I love me a good tutorial.

Confession: I even love a bad tutorial. Laughter is the best medicine after all, don’tchaknow.

I plead guilty to …

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Winnie Nielsen says:

May 1, 2016 at 5:26 am

I have always admired people who can take something in bad shape and turn it into a treasure. On the surface it looks easy, but I know it takes a lot of creativity and elbow grease. Not to mention a healthy dose of knowing how to properly use various tools. When I actually think about purchasing a piece to do a make-over, I feel overwhelmed and all the possible problems stop in my tracks. I think the DIY needs to come with a person to hold your hand for the first project!

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LISA VONSAUNDER- seed woman says:

May 1, 2016 at 6:54 am

I don’t think I’m a good candidate for any DIY furniture projects. Let’s see- I bought 6 bottles of fancy spray- on- anything paint in a great sage green color to redo my outdoor furniture and wicker 3 years ago . Well one piece got done right away and the paint is actually wearing off now but nothing else got done at all. There is the broken rocker, and 2 wooden fold up chairs and so forth. Nope not my thing, altho I totally admire those who do it.

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Cindi says:

May 1, 2016 at 8:15 am

Doing something like this has been on my wish list for a long time. Shoot, my mom used to refinish, refurbish, reupholster and restore so much, why can’t I, right? Well… cool ideas should come with an automatically induced kick in the rear. Maybe today I will go get something to hold the trunk lid down so I can load that perfect little dresser at St. Vinnie’s into the car and bring home my own treasure.

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Amy Cloud Chambers says:

May 2, 2016 at 5:47 am

I have a basement full of potential masterpieces (hee hee). All I need is inspiration and time. Thanks for providing #1, now all I have to do is find #2. Thanks for the smart advice on starting small!

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Karlyne says:

May 2, 2016 at 8:36 am

I’m off to find two old crummy nightstands to re-do for our new bedroom! And I promise not to leave them in the garage. Mostly because it hasn’t been built yet…

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Hear Ye!

Posted on May 1, 2016 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Sarah Hall!!!

Sarah Hall (Mrssarahhall, #5223) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner Level UFOs Merit Badge!

“I cleaned out my craft room closet and gathered all my UFOs into individual bags and gathered supplies to finish each one. I finished a cross-stitched biscornu that I had started some time ago. I will give it to my mom for Mother’s Day.

I am happy I got everything organized and packaged up. I can’t believe how many projects I need to complete though!”

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Winnie Nielsen says:

May 1, 2016 at 5:28 am

Sarah, your Mom is going to love this lovely cross stitch ornament you completed. It is beautiful! Congratulations on organizing your UFOs too. It will make it so much easier to pick up a project and finish it up.

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Virginia Meyer says:

May 1, 2016 at 7:37 pm

How beautiful! I have been wanting to stitch this one myself! I have done several biscornu for gifts for my girlfriends. I love how (almost) easy they are to do, depending on what you stitch on them. I love the two sided biscornu, as they seem to be the easier ones, but I have done 15 sided biscornu too. My next try will be either this one here, or ones that look like flowers.

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Amy Cloud Chambers says:

May 2, 2016 at 5:42 am

Congratulations, Sarah! It does feel great to get organized, doesn’t it? Your mom will be thrilled with her lovely gift!

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Sarah says:

June 3, 2016 at 2:34 pm

I am so late in seeing this, it is embarrassing! Thank you so much for the comments! My mom did love it, and she said she is going to leave it out all the time! 🙂 I am still working through my UFO’s I might be working on those FOREVER at this rate. ha!

Virginia, 15 sided? Wow that is amazing, I have only done this one and half a dozen of the two sided ones and I love your description of “how almost easy” they are. I know exactly what you mean by this!

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Young Cultivators Merit Badge: Let’s Go To Town, Beginner Level, Part II

Posted on April 24, 2016 by mbajane

Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …

For this week’s Each Other/Let’s Go To Town Beginner Level Young Cultivator Merit Badge, I was still in the library …

… where I had misplaced one small child, two Young Adults, and a couple of elementary-aged bookworms. Not to worry, dear readers, my local librarians are amateur sleuths in their spare time (evidently, detective skills are required in order to become a Children’s Librarian), and the little ankle biters turned up posthaste. One had snuck into Story Time and was sitting on the lap of a mom (who had several children and didn’t seem to notice the extra thumb-sucker), one was gleefully scanning books at the Self Checkout machine, and the teens had found the coffee shop.

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Patricia Dean says:

April 24, 2016 at 2:49 am

Coffee Shop!! Our library just has books….and terrific librarians! My girls and I are there at least once a week for interesting kid’s programs and books.

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Winnie Nielsen says:

April 24, 2016 at 5:08 am

When my girls were little , we used to take advantage of the story hour for each of their ages as well as family movie night in the children’s room. Kids were able to show up in their jammies too! Everyone piled on the floor with blankets, pillows and settled in for a kid friendly movie. It was so much fun, free, and a great way to enjoy great books, songs, and stories. Ahhh, Libraries are the best resource a community has!

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Cindi says:

April 24, 2016 at 6:39 am

Nancy Drew! Such memories that brings back of entire weekends spent in my room turning page after page after page. Those books… well, they saved me. Back when I was a kid they didn’t know about dyslexia. While it is to a mild degree, I was still classified as a “poor” student because of my very slow reading. Then my mom came home from one of her weekend flea market runs with a couple of the original Nancy Drew books (from 1932-ish!).Give a child something they find a real interest in and watch them fly! I still have my entire collection of Nancy Drew books. What wonderful seeds you sow MJ!

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LISA VONSAUNDER- seed woman says:

April 24, 2016 at 7:00 am

Growing up in a small southern town, it was mostly the bookmobile (as I have mentioned before in previous related posts). We also had a small library in a converted church with wonderful stained glass windows. I was so disappointed to realize later in life that all libraries don’t have stained glass windows.
My new town has a teeny tiny library that would probably fit into my kitchen but the people working there are so nice and helpful .I was there the other day and the books were so squeezed tight on the shelf it was all I could do to get the latest Susan Wittig Albert mystery off the shelf.
OOh and this week was the library book sale! Held at a nearby church, alas no stained glass windows. I went twice and loaded up on the popular mysteries and novels on Wed. and then came back on the last day when it was all the books you could put in a big grocery bag ( the old fashioned ones with handles). I got about 20 pristine garden related books, including a huge English coffee table book .Now I have most of my Christmas gifts and then some. I have a neighbor just learning to garden and I got a whole slew of step by step beginner gardening books for her.
yes ,I ADORE libraries.

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- Cindi says:
  
  April 24, 2016 at 4:17 pm
  
  Oh my gosh, how I would love to live there. If I was in your town, we would both have a reputation for walking away with the most bags of books. I love it. 🙂
  
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Amy Cloud Chambers says:

April 25, 2016 at 4:12 am

I love the story of how kids discover the magical library! My granddaughter especially likes it when we sit together at the “tiny tables” (her words) and look at books. I’m a huge L.M. Montgomery fan. Right now I’m reading the Emily if New Moon” series.

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Karlyne says:

April 25, 2016 at 9:58 am

I feel so desperately sorry for kids who’ve not had library cards. Libraries should be one of the best memories of childhood, and so hooray for you, MBA Jane!

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Hear Ye!

Posted on April 24, 2016 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Debbie Klann!!!

Debbie Klann (#770) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Level Knitting Merit Badge!

“I have been knitting since I was in grade school. I found this cute wrap scarf and some beautiful, silky yarn with beads and thought they would make a good pairing.

I worked on this on a 2-day trip with my husband to get some seed for the farm. It was an easy pattern to do and went quickly. It was nice to bring home a finished project.

My daughter found this Hunger Games-inspired cowl on Pinterest and asked if I would make it for her for Christmas. I had to research to find the right yarn … I ended up with some super-chunky baby alpaca … SO soft and warm! It was made on size 35 needles. I had to learn to do the herringbone stitch to make this. It was super-easy once I got going and I love how the stitch looks.

I was pleased with how it turned out, and so was my daughter! She wears it to work on really cold days and stays perfectly warm.

This shawl almost made me lose my mind a few times … but I learned SO much! I had to learn a new way of casting on so that I could later add the lace edging. When a pattern tells you to use a contrast yarn to do so … DO IT!!! I did not! There was no way to see the cast-on chain, so I ended up unravelling the shawl and reknitting that part. The lace edging was knitted separately and added on with a 3-needle bind-off … another new technique.

It took a lot to finally finish this, but I am so happy that I did. I love how it turned out. I know that it took at least 50 hours from start to finish. In my years of knitting, I have spent many hours knitting with my mom and friends, and have taught at least five other people how to knit. I think with knitting, you are always learning and you are always teaching each other. That’s one of the things that I love about it. And the relaxing click, click of my needles at the end of the day!”

Winnie Nielsen says:

April 24, 2016 at 5:11 am

Debbie, you have made some beautiful items with your knitting badge! Congratulations on getting all three levels of your badge and having fun creating such lovely things that you can enjoy. Your work is incredible!!

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Amy Cloud Chambers says:

April 25, 2016 at 4:07 am

Debbie, congratulations on your beautiful work!

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Amanda McCardle says:

April 29, 2016 at 7:37 am

Gorgeous!!

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