On Tips and Tea on Tuesdays, I will cover a topic and hopefully provide you with some tips that will be helpful! And just as an afterthought, tea may occasionally be a cup of Joe!

Happiest of New Years to you all. Tea today, was a choice between the Italian Chamomile and the Ambrosia Plum. I am wearing a wonderful fuzzy jacket my daughter gave me for Christmas that matches the plum tin, so my decision was easy!

I think that we all believe in new beginnings in January. We consider what we can do differently, make things better, easier, or even more challenging. I recently read an article in American Quilter Magazine that spoke to me. Basically the resolution was to make doable, and productive changes. I totally agree. Here are my thoughts.

Tips: New Year’s Resolutions

• Throw out bent straight pins. Well duh, why do we keep those in the box?
• Change the blade on your rotary cutter/s, and take your scissors in to have them sharpened. Good to do in January, then you won’t have to try an remember when the last time it was that you did that.
• Clean your sewing machine, or have it serviced. Again, good to do once a year.
• Sort out and take an inventory your sewing threads, see if you are missing any colors that you use often. Make a list, and when you next head out to the store, you will be prepared.
• Make a list of UFO’s, numbering them in order of almost finished, half-way finished, still in flux, etc. Put these in a box, with the items that it will take to complete them. Give yourself the time to work on these a few times a month. No pressure to finish one or all of them, just give yourself the time.

Happy tea drinking and stitching to you! ~Christen

PS: If you have any questions or thoughts, just leave a comment! See Tips, Tricks, the Basics, for more helpful ideas.