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Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Patti White!!!

Patti White (#4415) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner Level Dyeing for Color Merit Badge!

“While visiting Shaker Village of Pleasant in Kentucky a year ago, I was fascinated with the weaving and dyeing that was perfected by the Shaker women. They not only used dyes from plants and insects, they also harvested and spun wool from their livestock and kept a worm farm for the purpose of making silk. In their gift shop, I purchased a book called Natural Dyes and Home Dyeing by R. Adrosko to mark my enthusiasm for trying to dye fabrics when I returned home. An excellent historical account of dyeing fabric, the book also had simple-to-follow, tried-and-true recipes. I was committed to using only plants that were growing on our property and to get a variety of colors.

I set an electric hot plate on my planting table in the garage, found an old 2-gallon pot with a lid, and set out to plan my ‘color wheel’! My fabric was 100% cotton muslin, torn into varying sizes.

Here are the recipes I used and the results:

Fabric prep mordant for berry dyes:
Prepared fabric by boiling in 8 cups water and 1/2 cup salt for 1 hour.
Thoroughly rinsed, but kept fabric wet.

Mulberry Dye: 2 cups berries – 4 cups water
Boiled and mashed. Strained through cheesecloth. Put strained dye back in pot and added 2 cups water. Added fabric to dye and boiled for 1 hour. Rinsed off in tub with garden hose and hung to dry.

IMG_2036

Fabric prep mordant for plant dyes:
Prepared fabrics by boiling in 8 cups water and 2 cups vinegar for 1 hour. Thoroughly rinsed, but kept fabric wet.

I followed the same recipe and proportions used in the Mulberry Dye, but used these plant materials: spinach, yellow yarrow, walnut sawdust, pink rose petals, and coffee grounds from my kitchen.

I wore gloves while working with dyes and put the strained mash from each batch in my compost pile. I love the muted shades of my dyed fabrics and hope to someday make a mini quilt using just these fabrics. I presented the idea to my 4H quilting girls as an idea for a project for next year’s county fair. We’ll see!!”

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Wow, Patti, this is fantastic! I love all of the natural dye baths that you came up with and wish the photo showed us more of the results. I would like to try my hand at dyeing wool and then spin it and knit something. My guess is that the Mulberry dye provided the darkest color result. Berries stain fabric so readily that it seems like a good medium to start with. Congratulations on such a successful project!

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  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    My Mom had beautiful purple iris outside out kitchen door just like this every year. They are so beautiful!

  2. Iris, I like to think if them as the “orchids of the north” -they are that beautiful. They are my absolutely favorite flower. My mother planted a zillion of them at our little house in MD but immediately found out she was allergic to them and spent the rest of the time we lived there digging them up. Around here they call them ” flags”. And the purple ones are called ” Blue Flags”. They are planted at the corners of every barn here in Lancaster County PA, I swear. I have some heirloom ones I was given , small yellow and bronze blossoms. But I am still more partial to the purple ones, their scent is heavenly.

    • Winnie Nielsen says:

      Lisa, I am with you. The purple ones are the best. My Mom also had some yellow and white iris mixed in with the purple, but there is something about that purple color that you just can’t beat! We visited Lancaster, Pa once with our girls and my parents for a fun visit to see the Amish. That area of PA is quite beautiful with all of the rolling hills, beautiful farms, and big barns. For some reason I thought you lived in Michigan? PA is much closer and maybe one day we could meet when I visit my family in Virginia.

      • Yes Winnie, you are welcome to visit me here in southern Lancaster County, and I can take you around to see the ” old order ” country around here. The Old Order ( horse and buggy ) Mennonites right near me are even more conservative than the Amish and their farms are also a joy to see. Yes, it is lovely here but like everywhere ,the scourge of our age, development is encroaching on this, the best farmland in the country.

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  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    What beautiful colored feathers on your girl. Nothing like a strawberry blonde to turn some heads with the boys!

    Mary Jane, here is the link on the Connection with photos of my Mason Bee adventure. Connie just posted she ordered some too. I thought you would enjoy knowing how your information on Mason Bees will hopefully become a reality in a few Farmgirl yards this summer. Also, after checking with Brian, I am crafting a hybrid version of the Bee Badge that includes all of the learning parts about honey bees but the raising part with Mason Bees. I know they say it takes about 4 weeks to hatch, but I keep checking the cocoons every day incase my bees are “precocious”! I am excited about this project and I hope it works.

    http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66249

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Hear Ye!

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Linda Cole!!!

Linda Cole (#4879) has received a certificate of achievement in Cleaning Up for earning a Beginner & Intermediate Level Recycling Merit Badge!

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“I contacted all of the recycling centers in our phone book. Learned that only one receives anything but different type of metals. This center will take different types of metals, electronics, glass, plastic, and cardboard. The center will separate the items for you, therefore saving you work.

Made me look closer at things around me. The center is too far from home to use unless I have a large load, but I am glad to know it is there just in case I am able to use it.

Since we have only regular garbage pickup, I contacted our local recycling centers. I found only one that will recycle things other than metal. An area business will buy car batteries. Many items can be recycled in the home. For example, milk jugs can be used to water plants in the garden during dry weather. Plastic bags can be made into holiday wreaths, and food scraps that don’t contain grease can be put into the compost pile or given to the worm bed.

To begin with, I think it would be too overwhelming to try to recycle everything, so I will only recycle three: pop cans, paper, and milk jugs. I have set up a trash can outside for cans and tow containers inside for paper and jugs.

Turning out very well. The pop cans will be sold when I get a trashcan full. At the end of the week, I only had two milk jugs and one of them was collected from outside, where it had been used for something else. All other milk jugs were being used for other things. My biggest problem is paper from junk mail. The paper and jugs are in containers to go to a recycling center in another county as I go to visit a friend in that county.”

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    I commend you Linda for working out a plan to recycle where you live. I understand many communities still do not offer convenient recycling locations and it makes it very hard to do your part in being a good earth steward. Every plan you can come up with will be helpful and perhaps you can start the conversation with your county elected officials to make recycling spots more available to everyone. All county meetings are open to the public and have citizens comment time as part of the agenda. Good luck and kudos for all that you have accomplished so far!

  2. Boy, I guess I can count myself lucky , even the rural area where I live in Lancaster county PA, has full recycling. I have a bin and put in everything, cans, bottles, plastic, the works,( but no styrofoam).
    And if you want pin money you can sell your aluminum cans for cash at the big recycling center nearby.

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Going Green Merit Badge, Expert Level

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 5,892 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—8,416 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 Cleaning Up/Going Green Expert Level Merit Badge, I was pretty happy with the way things were going around my house. Green? You betcha! Everywhere you looked, you could see the rewards and fruits of my labors. Not that it was too laborious; going green is easier than you might think.

My cleaners were homemade, my food was organic, my paint was non-toxic, and everything was looking tip top, ship shape, in Bristol fashion. *

*I may be watching a tad too much British telly lately. I mean, television.

There were only a couple items on my Expert Level Merit Badge that needed to be accomplished:

  • a clothesline
  • a lending library of any how-to books relating to going green
  • spending some time at a friend’s house, helping her abode become more earth friendly

First off, it turned out that that weird-looking post in the ground in my backyard was not simply a place to tie your doggy when you needed to curb his wandering habits. Nope, it was a clothesline! Well, you could have knocked me over with feather. I knew it looked sorta familiar (must have seen one on a period piece on the telly). I got myself over to the hardware store immediately and purchased myself some clothespins (turns out they’re not just for crafts or for holding your chip bag closed. Ahem).

I was flabbergasted at how yummy my organic cotton sheets smelled after one morning in the sunshine! I am not kidding, my little honeybees, they were sweeter scented than anything Downey could ever bottle. I slept like a log that night. Chainsaw included, I admit sheepishly.

Next, I organized my little stack of books (and magazines) and let my friends and family know they were available for borrowing. Two weeks at a time, no renewals. Please fill out this little form, including credit card number, social security, and mother’s maiden name. What? So, I’m a little over-protective of my books … I can’t imagine why no one has visited Jane’s Lending Library yet. It’s a puzzle.

Anyway, after that (and after a short siesta on my floral bed of happiness), I wandered over to Midge’s house. I figured she needed some sprucing up in the ol’ green department, and boy, was I right. That doll is still stuck in the ’50s, let me tell you. Of course, it’s not strictly her fault; Mattel discontinued her in the ’60s. (Reproductions don’t count. My Midge could never be reproduced – pshaw!)

She was happy to let me do my thing, so to speak, and we spent a cheerful afternoon throwing out toxic cleansers and scrubs, letting the kids try out my homemade deodorant and toothpaste (good thing they’re organic and tummy friendly, cuz the youngest kept trying to eat them), and pulling out some nasty old carpet in the entryway. (Can you say, hardwood floors beneath? Blimey!)

At the end of our day, I had earned my newest badge, plus a sense of satisfaction and an even deeper friendship. A most excellent way to spend a day, indeed.

Pip pip, cheerio!

 

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Hear Ye!

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Carole Prevost-Meier!!!

Carole Prevost-Meier (#3610) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner Level Knitting Merit Badge!

“I do know how to knit; however, I can only read French patterns. My goal is to learn to read English patterns. I am teaching my daughter how to knit. She made a pair of mittens and a scarf. I am also teaching her about yarn quality, which is very important.”

I love how her scarf turned out. She used circular needles and did a great job.

scarf(1)

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Carol, you go Girl! Your cowl turned out lovely and so perfect for cold blustery days. I predict you will be achieving the intermediate and advanced levels of the badge very soon. From my little experience, knitting gets easier and easier with each new task completed. That in turns energizes you to move on to the next challenge. Plus, with all of the gorgeous yarns available today, it is inspiring just to work with their colors and textures.

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Know Your Roots Merit Badge, Expert Level

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 5,892 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—8,416 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/Know Your Roots Expert Level Merit Badge, I continued where my Intermediate Level left off.

Right at the intersection of Mysterious and Secrets. At the corner of Suspicious and Questions. At the … well, you get my drift.

I was adrift at sea in an ocean of unanswered questions. Call me overly poetic and dramatic, but something was definitely up with my Grandma Barbie. First, she got all weird on me when I mentioned someone named Blaine, and then she hung up on me! Grandmas aren’t allowed to hang up on their granddaughters.

And now, of all the nerve, she is so totally avoiding my phone calls. Ever one step ahead from my ornery grandmother, I borrowed Midge’s phone and dialed the retirement home in Florida one more time.

Not recognizing the number, Grandma Barbie answered cheerfully. “Why, hello, Midge, darling! I’m so glad you called. Could you do me a favor and tell Jane I went away on a cruise or something?”

Me: “Gramma! You are in so much trouble!”

I hear the sound of the phone dropping. Then, “Oh dear. Dear, dear. Well, I always knew this day would come. Hang on, sweetie, I need to refresh my sweet tea if we’re going to go over family history.” I hear her gulp thirstily.

I drum my nails loudly into the speaker as a subtle hint. “You hung up on me, Gramma.”

G.B.: “Yes, I know, dear. I was just so surprised to hear you mention his name after all these years.”

Me: “Who? Blaine? This mysterious fellow from the Outback of Broken Hearts? This Australian Casanova? This …”

G.B.: “You’re being overly dramatic. Now stop getting your knickers in a twist, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Just the facts, ma’am.” The thought of my elderly grandmother getting cozy with anyone gives me a bad case of the no-thank-yous. “Who’s Blaine?”

G.B.: “Well, it was the summer your grandfather and I broke up. It was the late ’60s, you understand, and a time of free love and …”

Me: “BLECH! Get to the point, Grammy!”

G.B.: “Don’t sass me, young lady. Where was I?”

Me: “Making my stomach knot with unnecessary mind pictures.”

G.B.: “Right. Well, anyway, Ken disappeared that year and Blaine was introduced. He was my friend, Summer’s, brother. Remember Summer?”

Me: “Blue hair? Bad driver?”

G.B.: “Well, not back then, but yes. Blaine and I went together for a while. It was a wild time. He was very sweet.”

Me: “Well? And what happened then?”

G.B.: “Well, nothing really. We broke up because Ken came back. Midge started dating Alan. Skipper and Stacie took up a lot of my time. The rest is history.”

Me: “That’s it? Why’d you hang up on me? I thought you were going to reveal some big family secret!”

Grandma laughs. “Oh, Janie, you always were such a worry wart. Now stop poking your nose into my love life, and get crackin’ on yours. Okay, darling?”

I frown. Trust Gramma to spin the situation around. “Okay. But …”

G.B.: “Oh dear, sounds like there’s a bad connection again! Ffklj! Kklmnw?”

Me: “Gramma, you’re just putting your hand over the mouthpiece and making funny noises again, aren’t you?”

G.B.: “Lmeoico? Ajfft!”

Click.

Some critics have called my Grandmother a dumb blonde, but I’m telling you … she’s tricked them all. That woman is deep.

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Whenever all 5 of us girls get together, we can spend hours telling stories about the family. The two oldest girls were from my Dad’s first marriage and he married my mom after his wife died. So, the two oldest have tales of Dad as a young man and what it was like when he married my mom and added 5 more to the mix. Now in my 60s, I cherish all of these stories and photos of who my parents and grandparents were and what kind of life they lived. Family stories and history help me understand who I am and also put into perspective those in the family who were always “a little different” or “temperamental”. In the big context, those qualities are seen more as badges of honor and not so worrisome. After all, everyone has someone in the mix who insists on marching to the beat of a different drummer!

  2. Stay tuned for more glorious adventures! Gee, Gramma had a life? We all tend in retrospect to want our relatives to be staid and perfect. Good for you Gramma, for having a little romance in your life ! But, she’s tame compared to my married 4 (or maybe 5 ) times Grandmommie. My friend , the geneologist is still researching that wild woman’s life for me. And trust me, there are way bigger secrets in this woman’s life. Enjoy finding your roots .

    • MaryJane says:

      You know what Margaret Mead, who was married 7 times said, “Oh my, yes, and I loved them all.”

      • Karlyne says:

        I did NOT know that Margaret Mead was married 7 times! Wow, look out Elizabeth Taylor!
        My real, very adored Gramma was divorced way back before it was acceptable and common (in the ’30s, I think, when my dad was quite young), and how I wish I knew more about her life! I should have pinned her down and made her talk about the past… She’s been gone almost 33 years, and I still miss her.

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  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    I love stone crocks and pottery. Not only are they extremely useful, they just have so much character. I have a few pieces from an old pottery maker in Roseville, Ohio, Robinson Rainsbottom Pottery. They used to offer crocks with hand painted scenes on them along with plain standard fare and I was able to find some small ones on Ebay.

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Hear Ye!

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 a Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert Level Weather Merit Badge!

BEGINNER:

How does one describe the Earth’s atmosphere and weather? A very complicated, complex process that we can only begin to understand. Earth’s atmosphere is briefly described as “layers of gas,” which are mostly nitrogen, but contain some oxygen. The short term is “air.” Often, certain air masses remain stationary over certain areas for a time; for example, the air over a tropical climate would become hot and humid. But the masses can shift and could bring changes to an area that are not typical for that region. But the atmosphere is ever-changing and moving, causing a variety of weather conditions. Part of that process causes changes in the atmospheric pressure, and a high-pressure system would indicate good weather, while a low-pressure system means clouds and precipitation are probably in the works.

A barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure and can indicate short-term changes in the weather.

Wind is basically movement of air and, briefly described, is formed with changes in the Earth temperatures, with different heating patterns between the equator and the poles, and is affected by the planet’s rotation. Wind is also difficult to describe.

Studying all the elements of how weather is formed is very interesting and very intricate. Some of the other areas I have studied that impact weather are air masses, process of evaporation, jet streams, and El Niño.

INTERMEDIATE:

One could study clouds for a long time and one could watch them form and move on for hours. They are beautiful, interesting, and ever-changing. Basically, clouds are formed of condensed water/ice and are formed when rising air expands and cools to the point that molecules clump together faster than they are torn apart by thermal energy.

Common types of clouds are:

Cumulus, meaning “heap”

Stratus, meaning “layer”

Cirrus, meaning “curl of hair”

Nimbus, meaning “rain”

There are also classifications of high-level, mid-level, low-level, and vertically formed clouds.

I learned to classify clouds a long time ago as a child in school. It’s something that my husband and I still practice so that we have sense of what weather might be coming our way, and it’s something we taught our daughter when she was in school. Very intriguing practice!

EXPERT:

Because of our need to know what weather might impact travel, gardening, building projects, outdoor activities, and numerous other situations or activities, my husband and I have been charting weather in our area for a long time.

We are mindful of what might be ahead before planning any activity or project that is going to be greatly affected by the weather.”

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Ceejay, I share your interest in weather too! This is one of the badges I have on my list that would be fun to work on. Now that we have weather.com, I am obsessed with watching and learning about what the weather is going to be every day. I am especially interested in learning more about the big wind patterns that circle the globe like El Nino and La Nina, which effect the US weather. Congratulations on your work for this badge at all three levels!

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