About Me

My name is Janet and I welcome you to my website!

My interested in homemade things began when I was a little girl and spent lots of time on the family homestead in South Dakota with my grandparents. My grandmother was the most incredible person I have ever known. And, I loved to help her.

Grandma made everything...she sewed clothes; made homemade soaps; canned fruit and vegetables; made sauerkraut, catsup, and pickles; cured bacon and hams in the smoke house; churned butter; and baked breads, cakes, cookies, pies, and muffins in a cast iron cook stove.

My favorite was when she made lotions and perfumed products using the flowers from her garden. Unfortunately, grandma passed over in 1960; that was 50 years ago and I still miss her. Her attitude and mannerisms were much like those of Grandma Walton from "The Waltons" tv program that originally aired in the 1970's. When I feel melancholy, I pull out my Walton's dvds and my thoughts go back to those wonderful days of my childhood.

In the 1980's it was my good fortune to work in the crafts' department of Family Circle Magazine where my love for crafty things grew even more.

Making gift baskets was a natural progression and I have been creating them for friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, etc. for years. I always keep materials like shred and cello on hand so when an occasion comes up; I buy a few gift items and treats and make a gift basket quickly. It doesn't take any longer than shopping for that one special gift.

When I retired in 2002, I needed to keep myself busy and supplement my retirement income. After more than a year of researching every option I could find, I decided that making a website based on past experiences and my love for all things homemade was my best option. Fortunately, I made the right decision because I've been able to supplement my income in only a few hours a week.

If you are curious about how this tech-challenged grandmother created a website, visit how I built this website.

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