Shannon here: Amy R. Anguish shares how her love for crafting worked its way into her latest novella. Head’s up, this collection is one of my book babies. It’s up for preorder and releases Sept 27th. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Sept 23rd – Oct 4th to enter the drawing for a copy of Love in Any Season which includes her novella, The Missing Piece. Also, follow the fun scavenger hunt for another chance to win (Ends Oct 4th). Deadline for my blog giveaway: Oct 15th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Amy:
Marry Me, Marry My Stash
Have you ever dated (and/or married) someone who wasn’t like you? I’m not necessarily talking opposites here, but maybe simply someone with different interests. For instance, I’m a crafter/sew-er. My husband is … not. And while that probably applies to most men, somehow I think he might not have known what to expect when he married me.
You see, crafters come with stashes. Oh, we might not have a huge when we first start out, but it grows. A few pieces of fabric here. Some beads there. A couple different colors of yarn or thread. Paint. Buttons. Paper. You get the idea.
I’m going to show you PART of my stash. But only part. Because it has sort of taken over half my garage and the entire space under my bed as well as these. And what you’re seeing is mostly sewing items. I really don’t think my husband was expecting all of this when he married me.
Books? Yes. He actually owns more than I do, believe it or not. Shoes and clothes. Sure. He had a mom. He knows how that works.
But this?
Well, the good news is, he’s okay with my stash. Or at least tolerates it, though I do hear an occasional grumble when a stack falls down over an area supposed to be his. He even trusts me to go to Hobby Lobby and Joann’s by myself. Because he knows all of this makes me happy. And that I use it to make things for others more often than not.
In my newest story, The Missing Piece, a novella in the Love in Any Season collection, my character Beth owns a quilt shop with her mom. When Tommy, her lifetime best friend, moves back to town to help go through his recently passed mom’s items, what does he find? Well, his mom owned part of the quilt shop, too, so of course he found a stash of fabric in their house.
He doesn’t understand why she needed so much at home when they had a store full. His dad just shakes his head and offers a sad smile. Because, like my husband, he knows it made his wife happy. And so he had grown to just expect it to be there. His wife also used her fabric to sew for others—making baby blankets and lap quilts for nursing homes.
And even though when Beth asks Tommy’s opinion on a sewing project he replies, “You’re asking me what would look better?” He snorted. “You know my taste is all in my mouth.” I think he understands, too. Because he watched his mom and dad in their relationship. And maybe, just maybe, he can gain one of his own—stash and all.
Question for Readers: So, are you a crafter? Do you have a stash of supplies for whatever hobby you might have? What does your significant other think of it?
About Amy: Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good. Learn more & connect:
Amy’s Website Amy’s Facebook Amy’s Twitter
Amy’s Pinterest Amy’s Once Upon a Page Youtube Channel
About the Novella Collection – Love in Any Season:
Small-town main streets are the perfect place for seasonal festivals, cute mom and pop shops, and a feeling of family shared between locals. They’re a place for friends and family to come together to celebrate what makes their town unique and give everyone involved a feeling of belonging.
But sometimes the festivities don’t hold the same charm for shop owners involved in the events. Personal or professional issues can cause otherwise fun celebrations to symbolize seasons of added stress.
Can the hope of spring bring to life a love for the Dogwood Festival? Will the Watermelon Festival usher in a sense of carefree fun? Is there a possibility for fall’s Best Fest to provide direction? Or for the charm of winter’s Gingerbread Festival to sweeten hurtful memories from the past?
Come take a walk down Main Street, enjoy some fair food, and maybe even find romance in…Love in Any Season.
About Amy’s novella – The Missing Piece:
Tommy England comes back to Sassafras, AR after being gone seven years and can’t understand why childhood best friend, Beth Norton, is upset with him. As they work to save their quilt shop, prepare for the watermelon festival, and complete an unfinished quilt, their friendship regrows. Each stitch taken brings them closer to more than just a beautiful blanket—maybe even to finding their missing piece.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Afraid you won’t win? Interested in Regina’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
Love in Any Season – Preorder Amy’s books – Scrivenings Press
Join the Love in Any Season Social Media Scavenger Hunt. Collect all 15 clues to complete the phrase. Submit the phrase to enter the drawing. Clue # 9 is ACCESSORY. If you’ve missed a clue, check out my website https://abitofanguish.weebly.com/writing/love-in-any-season-social-media-scavenger-hunt where an updated list of clue links and the link to entry submission can be found. Contest ends 11:59pm on October 4th. Open to US Only.
Come back Oct 4th for Sarah Crouch!
Dawn Ford says
Oh my goodness, YES!! I have yarn stashes, and scrapbook stashes, and craft craft supply stashes… the list goes on and on. I have way too many bins, which means when I look for something it is a mission! My poor hubby just shakes his head as well. His mother sewed, so he gets it. I still have some of her fabric in a bin of his family heirlooms even though she’s been dead going on twenty-five years ago. It was scrap pieces from the quilts she made the grandkids. Sigh. My name is Dawn and I’m a craft supply hoarder.
Amy R Anguish says
Yes. We’re still finding supplies from my mother-in-love who passed away five years ago. I’m finally reaching the point where I tell my father-in-law to just get rid of it! It’s slightly painful but not as painful as finding a place for it to live in my house. 🙂
Kendra Muonio says
I’m not a crafter my hobby is doing jigsaw puzzles year round right now I have too many puzzles.
Kathy Burdette says
Oh goodness! I have stashes for crocheting, quilting and cross stitch! My husband, bless his heart will say look a sell on….. I appreciate him supporting my “needy” crafting!😂
Amy R Anguish says
Ooh. that is a good husband! A keeper, for sure!
Cindi Knowles says
I used to crochet and needlepoint all the time but it hurts my hands now. So I read and read and read.
Amy Anguish says
Sounds like a fair trade. 🙂
Cathy Shipley says
I have a whole room of fabric and other craft supplies.
Some are from my mother too.
Fortunately I am single so no husband to complain.
Martha says
Yes, I am a crafter and I have stashes. Stashes for sewing, stashes for cross stitch, stashes for paper crafts, stashes for bead crafts and statshes f just general crafting supplies. My husband puts up with it, but he is rather minamalist, so it is challenging.
Jane squires says
I love crafts. My husband and I are opposites. I also taught kids at church 44 years so had kids crafts. I’m an avid reader but he supports that. My flowers he enjoys with me.
Cherie J says
Not a crafter. Baking is my creative outlet and since hubby enjoys eating my creations it works out for us.
Kendra Muonio says
I’m not a crafter my hobby is doing jigsaw puzzles year round right now I have too many puzzles.