Ex Libris

You know what a big fan I am of wedding romances so it comes as no surprise that as soon as I heard about Jody Wallace's new release , I couldn't wait to read it! Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Jody, who shares with us one behind the scenes secret: namely what she likes to do when not concocting stories! ;-)

What??? Hooking???

I mean, crocheting! In particular, amigurumi.

Amigurumi is, according to Wiki, "the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures." I like to make animals, people, and small critters like gnomes--with smaller projects being more attractive than larger ones. I also like to make gifts for friends (zombie wedding cake topper!), family, and industry professionals who visit our local RWA chapter.

Zombie wedding cake topper

Lately I've been trying to learn to crochet jewelry, with and without beads. It's very different from amigurumi in that you crochet with tiny, squinty crochet thread instead of yarn with hooks the size of pins. Let's just say my love of crocheting prompted me to get my first pair of bifocals!

Crochet necklace

I first started when my grandmother taught me some basic crocheting when I was a kid. I made a scarf. And half of a poncho. But the fact is, I'm lazy and a mini-project takes so much less time than an afghan or a sweater. The first amigurumi I ever made was a tiny, evil gnome, also a character in one of my romance novels. I like to crochet hats, too, and have helped costume some local children's theater productions -- I crocheted helmets and a dragon head for a production of Disney's Mulan Jr.

Crochet hat

Crocheting is like writing in that a lot of tiny, methodical stitches end up becoming something else entirely--like words and sentences become a story. Sometimes you have your plot or pattern ahead of time, and sometimes you free-hand your project until you're satisfied with the end result. I find that the skills of writing and crocheting are quite complementary and only wish I had more time for both!

Crochet gnome

Jody Wallace grew up in the South in a very rural area. She went to school a long time because there was always something new to learn and ended up with a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. Her resume includes college English instructor, technical documents editor, market analyst, web designer, and general all around pain in the butt. She currently lives in Tennessee with her family: 1 husband, 2 kids, 2 cats. One of her many alter egos is "The Grammar Wench", which should give you an indication of her character. She is a terrible packrat and likes to amass vintage clothing, books, Asian-inspired kitchenware, gnomes, and other items that threaten to force her family out of the house. She also likes cats. A lot.

Connect with Jody at her website - - Blog - - Goodreads

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Jody is offering an acorn necklace and earring set - this nature inspired jewelry set features mocha brown shell pearls which are capped with exquisite finely detailed antique brass acorn caps, antiqued brass spacer beads, antiqued brass chain. The necklace measures 17" + 2" extender & finished with a antiqued brass lobster clasp. ~~Gorgeous Set includes matching earrings.


To be entered to win it just fill out the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US shipping only and ends on 12 August 2013!

Good luck!