About Me




Hello friends...I'm Janet!
My blog name was born from the fact that my two wonderful, talented and handsome sons are grown and out of the house.
I know many parents love when their children grow up and move out, but I hated it.
Without sounding too sappy...my boys were such a complete joy to raise and be around.
I seriously can count on one hand the number of times they gave me a problem.
They have grown up to be each other's best friends, which my proudest achievement as a mom.

I am the oldest girl (number 5) in a family of eleven...yes, I said eleven children.
GOD BLESS MY MOM AND DAD!!!!
How my Mom stayed sane all through the years still amazes me.

Being the oldest girl, my youth was one of babysitting, cooking, and cleaning.
My Mom worked a 3-11pm shift so I was kind of in charge in the evenings.
I don't regret a single day of it...the added responsibility helped me to be a better mom..wife and sister.


In 1975 I married a great guy (Mr. Secret Agent) who loves me despite my hair color changes...my obsession with painting and
whatever new craft I take a liking to.
Mr. Secret Agent works very hard so I can be in my studio having fun working.

I wanted to be a nun when I was little.
Sister Mary Margaret...yup, that was going to be my name.
My obsession with Robert Redford ended all that.

I am originally from Poughkeepsie, NY. We spent 21 years in Houston, Tx and now live
 in beautiful Virginia.


I do love hearing from my blogging friends and hope to someday meet many of you.

Hugs,
Janet xox

23 comments:

TJM wanna be quilt artist said...

Okay since you have repeated many times you are open to meeting your blogging buddies...I am putting in an official request ;-) who knows possibly sometime when you are restocking you shop? or want to show off your birds and scenery that you photograph so nicely?
Kelly Ann hopefully will vouch for me ;-)
your faithful blog buddy,

Syndi of Beachnut Lane said...

Just found your blog on Picket Fence Blogs (My blog is also there). I too love Annie Sloan Chalk paints, aprons and slipcovers! So I had to just stop and say hello.

LL from KS said...

I just found your blog thru Before and After. I have to say your blog name intrigued me as I am about to be an empty nester too. My kids are 28, 21 and 18. I bawled my eyes out when the two older ones flew the coop and I've bawled just thinking about my baby leaving! I've been a stay at home mom for so long that I am terrified to think about what I'll do next. I will be spending lots of time reading your blog from the beginning and hoping to find words of wisdom as to how to reinvent my life.

my spare time design said...

I think I'm going to stick around and see what is going on here....I'm an early empty nester too...my 15 year old is now living with his older brother...I have three boys ages 15, 21 and 24, and had been dreading the empty nesting syndrome. Wouldn't you know it it came about four years early...so now I'm no longer on a schedule, with tons of craft supplies, and a heavy heart. I'm so trying to get back to me without feeling selfish, so it's great to hear others who have overcome or are working at overcoming this new stage in life!!

Carrie said...

I'm not an empty nester - yet feel I can sympathise with how you felt when your kids are grown and out of the house. I have one son, and he went to Kindy this past fall. That was hard for me - husband and I joke that if when Bentley moves out as an adult and lives in a different area - yep, we're the stalker parents. We'll up and move to be near him. I dread the day he moves out, yet know that is 'the main goal.' To raise an independent member of society. ;)

JenniFaux! said...

This site is wonderful! I found you through Facebook. I've used ASCP on several projects, but just love your tray idea. I've been a professional faux finisher for...geeze...15 years now, and have kept my business part time to have time for my 5 kids. The last one is leaving the nest in 3 days and I cry every time I think about it!!! Empty nest = sad. Keep the inspirational projects coming...I'm gonna go shop for some trays! Thank you for your blog.

Paige @ Lucky Me Studios said...

ps - i love Hope Studios !! I bought 2 of her signs a few years ago. One for me, one for a buddy. Kindred spirits need to hang together ;))

Tea Time Consultants said...

I too am a empty nester, 1992 was when the last one left home. But I have been busy with volunteer projects and now realize I am an Apron-ologist.

A whole history of aprons lives at my home in Houston, TX. Stop by my blog sometime for a visit: www.teatimeconsultants.blogspot.com

Tricia said...

I was searching for empty nesters and found your blog ~ so enjoyable to read! I too am an empty nester (well sort of) and well...pop over to my blog and you can read all about it...while you're there sign up for the FREE LUNA bar giveaway!! I'll return to your blog to "see" what's new =)

Cheryl said...

Hi Janet. It was nice meeting you at your shop yesterday. I left with some ASCP and can't wait to use it. I didn't realize your email was not on your business card so thought to contact you here. My hometown is Wappinger Falls, small world.
All my best, Cheryl

Peggy said...

I just found your site thru 11 Magnolia Lane. I like it a lot. I, too, like aprons, and painted furniture and pecan pie! My nest is almost empty. Your pics have inspired me as I am working on my sewing room, painting things, etc. I am disabled by chronic pain and stay home most days. So sewing is a big outlet for me. Will tell my daughter about your site. Thanks and good luck.

Anonymous said...

I found your store in Warrenton before I found your blog. Thank you so much for helping me and my friend yesterday. You are truly kind and so helpful. Your store is a treasure and I hope to return many more times.

Cherri said...

Hi Janet, I just found your blog through the MMS book signing schedule. I also live in Virginia but still about 3 hours from your location. I have had a blast taking a peek around your blog. I have recently signed up for a sewing class (took one about 20 years ago and am ready to get back into it) and your aprons have soooo inspired me. They are absolutely wonderful. I hope that one day I can accomplish something like that. That is my goal. Thanks for sharing with us and I wish you all the best. Blessings, Cherri

Cherri said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cherri said...

Hi Janet, I just found your blog through the MMS book signing schedule. I also live in Virginia but still about 3 hours from your location. I have had a blast taking a peek around your blog. I have recently signed up for a sewing class (took one about 20 years ago and am ready to get back into it) and your aprons have soooo inspired me. They are absolutely wonderful. I hope that one day I can accomplish something like that. That is my goal. Thanks for sharing with us and I wish you all the best. Blessings, Cherri

Anonymous said...

Hello, I visited your lovely shop and chatted with you and your coworker. Your shop is beautiful and you were both so welcoming. Thank you for letting me visit.

nfreiling said...

Janet, so nice to meet you today! I can't wait to take a workshop someday. Fyi, my mom is one of 11 children too. Hope to see you again soon. Nancy

Libby said...

Hi Janet: We "met" back in July: I still have your email in my inbox (yes, all these months I have been meaning to respond!!)
So now, I'm looking at your About Me page and see that you're from Poughkeepsie!!!! We spent 25 years there, and moved down here to N.C. just two years ago. Small world no?
I can't say we really loved Pok. No, we wanted to leave for many years, but my husband worked at Vassar so we had to wait until he retired.
Your work is just amazing. I don't have that kind of patience! Ok, so now I will stop by more often and say hello!!!

Vanessa said...

Hi,

I came across your site theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com while searching Google for blogs talking about growing/gardening equipment and related keywords and was wondering if you'd be open to doing a sponsored blog post.

We have a site that growing/gardening equipment and are looking for more exposure online.

Our budget for this is initially $20 for the post and we would give you the blog post (gardening related & already written) as well as a picture to post. All you would have to do is post it.

Here's a sample post we did on another blog: http://homefurniturebiz.com/grow-lights/

We're really just testing out different bloggers, and if you bring some good traffic, we're totally open to doing an annual banner ad!

Also if you have some other blogs, please send them over and I'll take a look and we might be open to doing a post on those as well!

Let me know if you'd be open to this!

Regards,

Vanessa
vanessac@lashopmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hey! I found you through my Daughter who found you!
My huby/policeman is now retired and the kids are out of the house. I agree with you that raising them was the greatest, although sometimes difficult!
Love, love, love your ideas and projects...am going to try to make slipcovers for 2 old chairs I have in my sewing room, and have your inspiration to thank for it!

blue Line Studios said...

Love your blog! Janet your great for Warrenton and wish you so much luck! Love your store and how you open your doors to anyone!! even me! See you soon.

Eli said...

hi Janet

me and my wife were empty nesters as well and althogh my wife is a licensed marriage therapist we took it pretty hard. We decided to work hard and rekindle our relationship and reconnect by going on several adventures ranging from Tuscany, Jerusalem and even going on a Safari.

While seeing the world we discovered we could live with less and invest more in our relationship. That's when we had the great idea to offer this kind of experience to other couples as well

So we created our website ViaSeminars.com
Basically couples who struggle to rekindle their passion can go on a vacation, relax and at the same time confront head-on the core issues that have taken them in different directions.

kind regards,
Eli

Bit said...

Are any of your customers interior designers? In need of one for my empty canvas living room....