Author Archives: maryjane

GIVEAWAY: “Stained Class, Hanky Panky”

In the Oct/Nov issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Hanky Panky” (on newsstands Sept. 15), I led you here to my daily journal for a chance to win a beautiful, vintage, coffee-stained tablecloth, made with my coffee staining instructions on p. 74.

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GIVEAWAY: “Hanky Apron, Hanky Panky”

In the Oct/Nov issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Hanky Panky” (on newsstands Sept. 15), I led you here to my daily journal for a chance to win our cute half-apron made from vintage hankies on p. 79.

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We also provide instructions for making your own hanky apron in the Oct-Nov issue, so be sure to pick up your copy when it hits newsstands on Sept. 15. But if you’d like a chance to win this one, using unusual fall-themed vintage hankies, just share what aprons mean to you in the comments section below. I’ll toss your name into a hat and draw a lucky winner in mid-November, when the Oct/Nov issue expires on newsstands. Stay tuned for more magazine-related giveaways!

If you’re not yet a subscriber to my magazine, MaryJanesFarm, subscribe here for $19.95/year.

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GIVEAWAY: “Filthy Farmgirl, Hanky Panky”

In the Oct/Nov issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Hanky Panky” (on newsstands Sept. 15), I led you here to my daily journal for a chance to win a fanciful farmgirl soap from Hawaii’s Filthy Farmgirl. Their ultra-cute labels have a decidedly tongue-in-cheek attitude—their “Live Nakedly” motto refers to their 100-percent natural ingredients, and a few of their titles bend toward the bawdy with double meanings, but there are lots of options for good, clean farmgirl fun.

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GIVEAWAY: “RePurpose with Cari, Hanky Panky”

In the Oct/Nov issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Hanky Panky” (on newsstands Sept. 15), I led you here to my daily journal for a chance to win samples of Cari Cucksey’s RePurpose Chroma•Color ReColor Paint in my favorite color combination, turquoise and red.

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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 … Michele McElwee!!!

Michele McElwee (#5969) has received a certificate of achievement in Farm Kitchen for earning a Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert Level Icing on the Cake Merit Badge!

“I have taken all of Wilton’s cake decorating classes in order to earn the Beginner badge. I loved the classes so much. I also taught Wilton Method classes for two years.

I made this cake for my daughter’s going-away party (boot camp) using different techniques I learned with icing/fondant.

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I think it turned out well. I always know I have lots of room for improvement and I continue to learn, but I was pleased. A few people wondered why I had boots on the table with the duffle bag cake!

I was contacted by a company (Icing Smiles, Inc)… to bake a cake for a little boy named Hudson. About the company:

Icing Smiles Inc.

We are Baking a Difference.

Icing Smiles is a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child. We understand that the simple things, like a birthday cake, are luxuries to a family battling illness. Our goal is to create a custom cake for the ill child, or their sibling, that provides a temporary escape from worry and creates a positive memory during a difficult time.

Memories have magical powers. Long after the cake is gone, the memories linger – memories of the kindness of a stranger, of the art of the design, of the sweet smells of a special treat, of the smiles and laughs, of a normal childhood experience so often stolen from these children. These memories are why we say, “It is so much more than a cake.”

With that being said, I was asked to donate a cake for Hudson, and I was very blessed to be a part of this! (I continue to be involved with them.)

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Hudson’s mom sent me a video and pictures of Hudson seeing his cake … and in the video he said, “Thank you, it’s the best cake ever!” So as long as Hudson was happy, I believe it turned out great!”