“Treasures” From The Past: Patches
by Jenners • 12/12/2011 • My Childhood • 57 Comments
My brother inherited our parents’ house after they passed away, and he has been steadily excavating through the piles of stuff they stored in the basement. (We’re finding out now that my parents apparently saved EVERYTHING.) He recently came across a “treasure trove” of my stuff and packed what would fit in a box and sent it to me. Although he called it “a big box of your crap,” I think a better word might be “a big box of blog fodder.” I thought it would be fun to write a series of posts about these “treasures” from the past. Previous posts featured my homemade Rolodex, my high school wallet and my personal flair. This time out, we’re taking a look at patches.
Apparently, at one point in my life I collected patches. Since they are not attached to anything, I guess I just collected them for fun. Actually, the source of most of my patches was other Girl Scouts. When you went to scouting events, you often brought patches from your council/troop to give to other Girl Scouts. Since I was a Girl Scout up until high school, I collected a lot of patches. Here is a photo of a small sampling of them. (Note: I didn’t want to take the time to lay them all out, so there is a rather big pile on the left that you can’t really see. But trust me when I saw that there are more patches in that pile than anyone should really have.)
Patches I Got From Others...
Pretty fancy patches, aren’t they? Nice and colorful and professional looking. Now let’s take a look at the patches that I gave out when I exchanged with other Girl Scouts.
Patches That I Gave Out.
Do you notice a slight difference in quality? Apparently, lacking either funds or filled with a “can do” attitude, I decided to make my own patches. Yes … these are iron-on patches that I made myself with some kind of fabric paint. The trees are supposed to represent the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey. I’ve also portrayed the ocean of our fair state. (Cue sarcasm nusic now.) I’m sure the other girls were so happy to receive this patch, I’m sure it was worn with pride, I’m sure more than a few people saw this patch and thought “You know what, I’m going to take my next vacation in New Jersey. It looks gorgeous there.” It is a wonder I was not asked to head-up a tourism campaign for the state.
So now, when I tell you that I’m not an arts and crafts type of person, perhaps you will believe me.
Next up in the series: proof of my canoeing prowess!
Pingback: “Treasures” From The Past: Proof of My Short-Lived Canoeing Career
You may not be into crafting but you earned way more Girl Scout patches than I so you must have been a more dedicated Girl Scout than me. And I actually find the homemade one charming. I’d have happily exchanged those with you.
You are way too kind. And I was very very very into Girl Scouting. Like almost creepily so!
I’m sure I saw those Pine Barrens patches on ebay; but they were not in my budget.
Well, for a bunch of cookies, one could be yours!!!
I like your homemade patches
And lol about ‘the ocean of our fair state’…don’t get me started!
Don’t you think I captured NJ in the patches? HAHA!
Lol. Love your homemade patches! Gosh it’s been ages since I’ve seen so many patches in one place. Lol.
Me too! You don’t really see patches nowadays.
But who wouldn’t want a homemade patch!
Reminds me of the year I made homemade presents for my whole family at Christmas- I was 9 I think. Yea, it wasn’t pretty
Well, you must have improved a lot since then as your crafts and homemade presents are amazing now!
But where is the Jersey Devil?
Lurking behind the trees!
Take comfort in the fact that you can draw better than I can.
My condolences to you then.
I earned lots of badges too, but never made my own to trade! I’ll send you one if I can have one of your NJ badges! I was in Girl Scouts through 8th grade and then we sort of disbanded.
You’re on! I have about 4 I can trade … all that survived the years. HAHA!
A couple of months ago my husband decided to be extra “frugal” and reduced our cable thus cutting off many television view channels, so that leaves me to watch crap. Where am I going with this you ask? Well I was watching storage wars, and one of the guys bought a storage container with girl scout badges, apparently they are very collectible. Take your stash to an dealer and see what you can get, or maybe just ebay. You were quite a collector. Love your creations.
Are you kidding me? These things might be worth something!? I would be shocked if they were. I’ll have to look into this. I’ll give you a cut of any proceeds!
That is great! I still have all the patches from when my dad was a hot air balloon pilot.
Your dad was a hot air balloon pilot? How cool!!!!
showing your cleverness and originality at a very young age I see. nice collection.
I probably should point out that I was probably 11 or 12 when I made these. That might put things in perspective a little! : )
OH, I remember patches! Cool!
I don’t think patches are such a big thing today … but maybe they are. I’m very out of touch with today’s youth (except for 7-year-old boys).
I really like your hand-made patches, Mrs. J…would they have convinced me to vacation in NJ? Well, i isn’t top-of-mind for a vacation site, but you never know…
I love the 80s’ colours of the ‘professional’ badges.
I suspect even if my patches were museum-quality, they STILL wouldn’t put NJ as a top vacation destination!
Nice patches, I see the girl scout patch, I probably have some of those too. It’s neat that you made your own. How creative.
I suspect it was my mom’s idea to make my own patches … and I’m sure her versions looked better than my own. That is what happens when you foist crafty project on non-crafty kids!
LOL — love the patches! Your homemade ones show your can-do attitude.
Yes … they show my can do attitude and my rudimentary drawing skills. : )
The only patches I ever had were the ones I earned in Girl Scouts for things I had accomplished. I never had all these other cool patches that you had! I did have a patch in eighth grade that had the Guns N Roses logo on it, and I sewed it on to the back of my jean jacket. Man, I loved that patch, and I loved that jacket, though I have no idea where it is now! Great post today!
Your GNR patch sounds much much cooler than my Girl Scout patch collection. And I never had a jean jacket. I suspect you may have way cooler than me!
Such a great collection and I’m so impressed with the patches you made yourself.
You are so kind … and so deluded into thinking those are impresses patches.
Sweet! The last patch I bought was in Nepal with dad. I am going to find someone to sew it on my pack. I am so happy the few hours I spent sorting through stuff in the basement that day resulted in some laughs for everyone to share. Sis, you are one entertaining writer. You sniff farts, a lot!
FYI: I kept the 2 best unicorn buttons. I’ll stick them in a package with the quilted unicorn pillow I found last night. The Vader button stays for now. The Bowa ball has all the power!
I shall have to hold off on the unicorn post until I get the pillow … HAHA! I’d sew on the patch for you but you’ve seen my shoddy stitchwork!
Actually, your homemade patches look good and are very creative. Another fun post!
You are so kind and encouraging … you should work with children!
oh my.
I think your reaction pretty much says it all.
That is some high quality work! I am impressed and am wondering if I can have one. I will make you a PA pin in exchange.
Oh yes, Ms. Crafty Mc Crafter … show me up with your fancy pants PA pin and I’ll send you one of my crappy patches. HA!
Well, looks like NJ to me! ha! Love the “v” birds in a couple- I used to make ALL my birds like that!
I STILL make my birds like that. And I’m glad to know you think I accurately captured our fair state … HAHA.
Cracking up laughing at your last paragraph.
I’m sure those girls LOVED your patches! 
Oh I’m sure these patches were worn with pride and given a place of honor … NOT!
Oh that is so funny! I think they look great for being made by hand and when you were a kid.
And if I tried to make one now I would be lucky to match that quality.
I am pretty sure my patches would look pretty much the same now if I made them, sadly.
I love the fact that your family saved all your stuff. (We were tossers). Maybe you should have been an artist. You homemade patches are quite good:)
I was a girl scout for (1) year and hated it, but then I always got bored easily. (Hey, maybe that is why I’m on husband #3 ?? He’s a keeper though.
Glad you found a husband that is a keeper … it took me two tries to find a keeper as well!
Wow, buttons AND patches! I only have buttons!
I’d be more than happy to share my patches with you.
Those are some awesome homemade patches there…maybe you made them to earn the Thrifty Scout badge?
The past couple of days I’ve been contemplating making a no-sew fleece throw for The Boy…you’ve given me courage.
Rock on non-crafty woman! You can make that fleece throw!
Both of my girls were scouts and I don’t recognize a single patch shown. Nope. Not even the elusive “Pine Barrens” patch of southern NJ.
For a reasonable fee, you can own one of the elusive Pine Barrens patches of Southern NJ!! : )