Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Rachel Enlow!!!

Rachel Enlow (#6992) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a Beginner Level Gaining Ground Merit Badge!

“Last year, I made my first compost bin from a 50-gallon Rubbermaid tub. I researched what to put in and not put in, drilled holes for air and moisture flow, and got a rake tool for turning it frequently.

This spring, I bought a second tub because I couldn’t use my compost fast enough. I am pulling out of the old tub for this year’s garden and contributing fresh organic matter to the new tub. Next year, I will reverse that. I am already seeing some lovely decomposition in this new tub and really look forward to next year! I am hoping that this two-bin system will serve me well for many years.

In the picture are my two tubs, which I moved to be near my garden.

It worked out so well that this year, I had a lot of compost to use in my garden, nearly 30 gallons. That’s a lot for a small garden like mine!

The only “problem” I’ve had is that I must have thrown a cucumber in with it because this year, I am getting cucumber sprouts everywhere I used the mulch!”

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.”

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!

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!”

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.”