Welp, I’ve ignored my book this week. I’m getting back on the horse by Monday. I’ve taken up one of my hobbies I haven’t done in a while. I started sewing again. I have three sewing machines, so it was always something I’ve been serious about. I’ve owned my one machine longer than I’ve known my husband!

It’s lovely. All different shades of pink. I bought it at Montgomery Wards. Monkey Wards, lol. It’s hard to tell in the lousy lighting I have. This is my favorite machine. The other one is a heavy duty machine. I bought it for working with denim and heavy fabrics. My third machine is a serger. I really need to learn how to use it. Wait! I have four machines. I bought an embroidery machine, but it is still in the box. I have to learn how to use that one too!

I do have two or three years of college sewing classes behind me. I used to make all my kids clothes when they were little. I made all of my work clothes too, eons ago. I even made pajamas for my granddaughter. When she was little she was really picky about her nightwear. I made a few barbie clothes. Those were awful, they were so little. I also did a whole wardrobe for my daughter’s American girl doll. They have now made their way to her daughter to play with. My granddaughter was thrilled.

So, I’ve currently been sewing hot/cold packs. 3 1/3″ x 11″. I’ll be selling them along with my books at the book signings I’ll be going to this year. Though I’m not sure I’ll display them there. I’ll have them on my preorder forms. As for selling outside of signings, I don’t know yet. Right now I’m enjoying the process. Here are the ones I’ve done so far. The main body is muslin with jasmine rice. On the outside I made a removable cover so it can be washed. It will let them last a lot longer than the ones that don’t have them.

This little book worm one is my absolute favorite. He’s so cute and the colors are vibrant.

This book one is made from soft flannel. I just want to pet it. All of them are made from 100% cotton material. The thread is a blend of cotton/polyester. The interior of all of them is jasmine rice. No additives like flax or essential oils. I have horrible allergies and I can’t imagine anything worse than having a stinky pack. Essential oils can be added if you like them. A couple of drops before you microwave it will perfume it right up.

The skull and roses seem to be the fan favorite though.

Of course choose love! I am a romance writer after all.

I will also have another horse print and a cat print. My granddaughter placed an order for a cat one, lol. I just haven’t made them yet. I decided to concentrate on getting the inner section done and do the outside cases later. The covers are just like putting on a pillow case. They can be microwaved in 30 second intervals. At one minute, mine was toasty hot. They also can be put in the freezer for 3-4 hours and be used as an icepack. They feel awesome across the eyes or the back of the neck when I have a nasty migraine.

I’m going to get a TikTok together to show how I made them. If I can figure it out. These will make awesome stocking stuffers for next year. I’ll just have to get different sleeves for the geeks in my life, lol.

I’m off to head out with the daughter and granddaughter. We were supposed to go ice fishing but it was cancelled since the weather turned to the 40’s and the ice is now unstable. Instead, we’re dropping the granddaughter at her other grandma’s and me and the daughter are hitting the thrift shops in town.

A perfectly good way to spend a Saturday!