March | 2013 | Raising Jane

Hear Ye!

Posted on March 29, 2013 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 … Sherrilyn Askew!

Sherrilyn Askew (sherri, #1350) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a Beginner Level Backyard Farmer Merit Badge!

“We started by digging out the old barn from under the blackberry bushes. We then had to rebuild the majority of it. In one end we built a chicken coop. This past June we purchased a variety of baby chicks and started our hen house. We now get over a dozen eggs a day and supply our family and neighbors with fresh eggs. We use a local feed called “Scratch & Peck”. It has no GMO’s and is a small local company. The chickens think it is fantastic!!!

We wound up with 5 roosters and 19 hens. So far we have eaten 3 of the roosters. The eggs are fabulous!!! I had forgotten how good fresh farm eggs tasted and how beautiful they looked. Such large golden yolks and firm whites. I want to try my hand at pickling eggs at some point.”

Way to go Sherrilyn! Good choice on Scratch & Peck for your feed. That’s what we feed our chickens here at MaryJanesFarm.

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photo-of-the-day

Posted on March 25, 2013 by maryjane

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photo-of-the-day

Posted on March 24, 2013 by maryjane

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Shutterbug Merit Badge

Posted on March 24, 2013 by mbajane

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 4,882 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—6,641 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! MJ

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

For this week’s Each Other/Farmgirl Shutterbug Merit Badge, I was pretty thrilled to finally take my Christmas gift from Gramma Barbie out of the box. That’s right. It’s been sitting there, collecting dust, the owner’s manual staring up at me, for quite a few weeks now. What is it, you ask?

Why, a camera, of course!

MBAJane-8656

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Basket Weaving Merit Badge, Part II

Posted on March 19, 2013 by mbajane

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

For the continuation of this week’s Stitching and Crafting/Basketry Merit Badge, I straightened my shoulders, cracked my knuckles, and dove right back in where I left off: weaving my own willow wicker basket. Just in time for Easter, my little peeps!

To recap, I had begun with soft willow branches. I chose eight of the pluckiest looking branches and used a sharp knife to make a slit in the center of half of them. I then inserted the remaining four (and you thought I wasn’t good at math—HA!) through, centering them. Capisci? Sometimes I channel my inner Italian lady when crafting; don’t mind me.

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Elizabeth says:

March 19, 2013 at 12:46 am

Much easier to understand the price of a hand/well made basket now. Guess wearing gloves for this project is out of the question;-) My fingers hurt just thinking about it. Hope you enjoyed the S’mores!

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Hear Ye!

Posted on March 15, 2013 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 … SuZan Brown!

SuZan Brown (imascholar2, #4394) has received a certificate of achievement in Each Other for earning an Intermediate Level Entrepreneurial Spirit Merit Badge.

“I signed up to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. I paid $99 for the beginning kit and then set a goal of $300.00 in sales each month. I also began a blog at agivingart.blogspot.com to showcase my creations and to offer tutorials to my readers. I named my demonstrator ship “A Giving Art” because that is what making cards, scrapbook pages and 3D projects/gifts is all about. I only dreamed about it for 2 days before making my dream a reality.

I set up my business. I am keeping accurate and detailed records. I created my business cards. They turned out GREAT! I am in LOVE with my SPRING business cards. This has been a HUGE blessing in my life. It has reawakened my creativity.”

Congratulations SuZan! Farmgirl hugs and blessings on your business.

Winnie Nielsen says:

March 15, 2013 at 4:08 am

Your cards are beautiful and eye catching! I hope your business takes off and becomes the reality you have been working towards too!

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Basket Weaving Merit Badge, Part I

Posted on March 14, 2013 by mbajane

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

For this week’s Stitching and Crafting/Basketry Merit Badge, I actually followed through on the course I like to tell people I majored it in college: Underwater Basket Weaving. Minus the underwater part. I mean, maybe when I get a little more experience under my belt and dry-land basket weaving just isn’t challenging enough, then perhaps I’ll channel my inner mermaid and attempt to kick it up a notch.

I was actually pretty thrilled to learn this ancient art. I love baskets. And what holiday are we coming up on, my little chickadees? That’s right: Easter. Easter baskets! And Easter bonnets, too, don’t forget the bonnets. Is there a bonnet-making badge? I need to look into that. I’ve always had a secret yearning to be a milliner. I think it’s because of Jane Austen. Who doesn’t love Jane Austen? But, anyway, back to the basketry.

Now there are a few different types of basket weaving, and I decided to go with the one that seemed most familiar: wicker. (I do get weepy over willow.) I’ve been collecting my willow for a few weeks now, so if this is a badge you want to try your hand at (or to be more specific, both your hands), then decide when and how you are going to find your stack of appropriate materials.

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Winnie Nielsen says:

March 14, 2013 at 4:39 am

About 25 years ago, I took a basket making class and made several baskets for myself, friends and the Easter baskets for my children. Basket making is fun but it is harder than it looks to get a nice even weave and finish. In my experience, however, there is something very rewarding about making and using a basket in your life. Baskets have practical uses and their beauty comes from how they work with your life to make it easier. They are like a trusted friend. Always at the ready for a task.

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Elizabeth says:

March 14, 2013 at 8:13 am

Wow, another coincidence? Just a couple days ago I was on a quest to replace my rattan/wicker garden baskets; these have weaved in wicker loops~hooks which easily latch onto a fence or flat, vertical surface. I browsed 5 different garden shops that day & still came home without one replacement basket.

I’ve wanted to learn the art of basket weaving for quite a while now. I just love the natural look of pretty woven baskets in the garden. Many years ago I taped & saved one of my favorite, (an older PBS version) Martha Stewart show’s. In this particular episode, Martha visits some folks who have learned the craft of basket weaving as it was passed down from each generation of their family. Martha & the family of skilled basket weaver’s take the audience on a walk through the woods & discuss various, weave-able woods.

But it wasn’t until today & only after reading your story on your latest merit badge efforts that I really delved into the: definition; origin; and ideas surrounding the rattan/wicker weaving furniture & beyond craze. So now I’ve read about & seen some, must have wicker designs! In my futile search for the replacement rectangle baskets, I came across a beautiful, “Nantucket Bicycle Basket” & it had what appeared to be leather buckles attached. This basket was painted pink but they had other colors too:-) I was tempted…but presently still on my search for the longer version.

If any of your readers’ has seen the rectangle wicker basket for sale anywhere, would you please share? Many thanks!

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Terry Steinmetz says:

March 14, 2013 at 10:09 am

I love to make baskets! It is not only relaxing, it is rewarding!

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Buttoned Up

Posted on March 10, 2013 by mbajane

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 4,819 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—6,550 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! MJ

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

For this week’s Stitching and Crafting/Buttoned Up Merit Badge, I was happy to start a new collection/hobby. After all, I haven’t collected anything since the infamous and embarrassing Beanie Baby craze of ’97, so I am pretty due. And what could be easier than buttons, right? I mean, come on, there are aisles and racks of them at the craft store.

Wait. Extra badge kudos go to finding them, not buying them, you say? Okay, I am up for a challenge. I can do that. Give me a pipe, a monocle (manacle?), and a Sherlock trenchcoat (I love plaid), and call me Nancy Drew. Alright, so I’m mixing metaphors and stuff, but you get the idea. I can be a button sleuth.

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Hear Ye!

Posted on March 8, 2013 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 … CJ Armstrong!

CJ Armstrong (ceejay48, #665) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning an Expert Level Herbs Merit Badge!

“Using herbs in our food preparation is nothing new. My husband and I have both used all kinds of herbs in our cooking for years.

The most commonly used and popular herbs in our house are probably:
-OREGANO, which we use in all kinds of pasta sauces, pizza, burgers, other beef dishes and even sprinkled in green salad.
-CUMIN is a favorite for our Mexican food dishes, of which there is a huge variety, sauces, and eggs
-ROSEMARY also for pasta dishes, but also for chicken, pork, and turkey and in breads
-SAGE is a favorite for chicken, turkey, and beef dishes of every description
-BASIL is also a favorite for pasta dishes, sauces, beef dishes, and eggs

These are just a few basics that we’ve used for much of our married life. I actually have two herb gardens. The first one was planted after we built our log house on the property my dad deeded to us from the farm. In that garden I have oregano, savory, chives, and mint. Continue reading →

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Project F.A.R.M.

Posted on March 4, 2013 by maryjane

Oh my, look what came in a box to us from two women seeking their Project F.A.R.M. (First-class American Rural Made) status. Get on over to their website and fetch yourself some certified rural-made goodies, all of them adorably farm themed. Chicken phone cover? Goat Chick mouse pad? Rooster soap? Crazy Chicken Lady key chain? Hen apron? (Actually, it’s called a “chicken saddle’ to be used when there’s some hen-pecking goin’ on, or worse, over-mating. Now admit it. That put a smile on your face.)

Travel diaper for your pet chicken or rabbit? They’ve got it all.

I’m thinking gifts. How about you? Here’s where you can can find Brenda and Mandie (mother and daughter business team) and their adorable rural-made creations, louisescountrycloset.com or LIKE them on Facebook.

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And check out this cup and cell phone case.

UPLOAD_ME

Winnie Nielsen says:

March 4, 2013 at 8:49 am

What a cute site? I bet their business will prosper with the increasing numbers of chicken pet owners. I hope they are successful!!

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Terry Steinmetz says:

March 4, 2013 at 3:37 pm

I checked this out and love what I saw! Best wishes to the girls!

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Lisa says:

March 4, 2013 at 5:27 pm

I have ordered from them – the soaps, a hen saddle, and a coffee mug and ALL are top quality. I am so happy to see them mentioned here!

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