This is week 6 in the Marketing for Romance Authors Blog Challenge and Hop, wherein MFRW members chat about their…

Hobbies!

Long before I started writing romance books, I threw myself into crafty activities. My less than perfect skills were good for something—they wowed and won over my husband-to-be’s old school, sometimes difficult mother! But now?

Where does the time go?

Managing the time it takes to write a book and keep up with the industry is very doable. What throws my time management all out of whack is marketing, which includes blogging, maintaining a social media presence, and networking through participation in author groups and programs, including my current volunteer gig helping to organize the California Dreamin’ Conference scheduled for March 24-26, 2017.

But, since the writing and marketing of books is now my day job, I won’t complain! I know I’m much better off than authors juggling a job, young children, and authorial entrepreneurship.

Adventures

And I still squeeze out time for hobbies and things like travel. Last year, I traveled to three conferences, one high school reunion, and sadly, a family funeral. I did get to see five new states and revisit some familiar territory. I blogged last year about the drive to the Historical Romance Retreat, and my last visit to Chicago.

In the last couple of months, my husband I have been sneaking away for some hiking at the awesome Joshua Tree National Park. This is, apparently, the rock-climbing center of the universe, but we limit ourselves to hiking the easier trails. Here are two pictures from our last hike on the Hidden Valley Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needle and Thread

Sometimes I sew. When I was thirteen, my mother sent me for lessons, and I’ve taken classes in everything from making slip covers to suits. Alas, my usual wardrobe is not haute couture, and ready-made clothing often costs less, certainly takes less time, and usually looks better than my home-sewn projects. Now I limit myself to sewing pillow cases, table runners, and the Regency gowns I can’t find at Macy’s.

I’ve shared pictures in earlier blogs, here, here, and here, about my sewing endeavors. Last year I made these two Regency gowns for author events.

It was a great deal of fun, and very challenging. The dress on the right required a grommeted closure. The one on the left has a lace overdress. Since this picture, I’ve added more silver trim to the high waist and around the neckline.

When sewing costumes like this, I’m reminded that many women in that era didn’t have access to dressmakers. Making clothing was not one of their hobbies–it was necessary work. I picture mothers and daughters with needle and thread assembling a dress entirely by hand, and I don’t worry so much about the small, inevitable mistakes.

Yarn and Needle

More often you’ll find me knitting. Through the years, I’ve knitted cardigans and pullovers, afghans and baby booties, scarves and purses. Not always perfectly of course. Some projects required revisions that were a little trickier than editing a manuscript.

My most recent completed project was this hat. When I spotted it on Facebook, I knew I had to make it, because look at those OWLS! Growing up, my daughter was crazy for them. She’s twenty-six now, but I still pick up the occasional owl trinket for her.

I decided to surprise her with this hat, something she could pull on for Halloween. But first, I made this practice piece out of scrap yarn. Thank goodness, because it would never have fit—it’s now the proud property of my three-year old niece!

I reached into the math part of my brain to size up the pattern, and I’m about half-way done with a new owl hat. This one will be black with white buttons for the eyes.

If you’re interested in making this owl hat, you can find the pattern here: http://julieiscocoandcocoa.com/product/owl-hat-knit-pattern/

What are your hobbies? Please share!

This is an MFRW blog hop, so please hop along with my fellow authors and see how they spend their free time.

All Images: the author