25 Simple Ways to Regain Time
2008 – This is the year to hit the floor running, filled with direction, resolve and momentum. We are always giving you hints to maximize your sewing time but if you want more time for YOU and more time for SEWING simply smarten up your act in other areas.
House Keeping
1. Paper trail – commit to keeping receipts and paperwork under control. Buy a divided folder and keep it in the kitchen. Then you can file everything systematically as things arrive.
2. Handle every paper only once – Bring in the mail and resolve not to open an envelope until you can sit down, process and file away. You’ll never forget to pay a bill on time again.
3. If you don’t already know, learn how to use Bpay and Internet banking and streamline bill paying.
4. Direct debit as many things as possible to streamline even further.
5. Buy a write-on calendar and hang it where you will see it every day. Transfer everything of importance from last years calendar. Birthdays, anniversaries, public and school holidays, sewing guild meetings, Stitches & Craft Shows.
6. Resolve to run a virus check on your computer on the same day every week. Delete old files and update your anti-Spam system.
7. Clean up your computer and hand held address books. Be ready to be in touch.
8. Keep a small diary or electronic organizer in your handbag at all times. Use it systematically and you’ll soon find that being organized is a breeze.
House Cleaning
9. When you can’t do a lot – just do a little. Time yourself and see how much you can do in just ten minutes. You can clean out the Tupperware drawer, de-clutter and wipe out the fridge, water the pot plants, sort out the undies drawer! You will be surprised at how easy it is to slot in a job that you have been putting off, for just the right time. Do one ten minute slot morning and night.
10. Each month have a major spring clean of one room. Handle all the maintenance issues at the same time, everything from changing a light bulb to booking a tradesman.
11. Re organize your sewing space. De-clutter, re-group and store well. Go through the ‘stash’ and pre-shrink and tag fabrics. Group in like order e.g. woolens, knits, lingerie etc. Clean your equipment and have your machines serviced.
12. Suggest a ‘Buy, Swap or Sell’ meeting with your sewing group and transfer any unloved fabrics or remnants. You may not still love them but someone else will.
Cooking Smart
13. Every time you cook a dish, cook double. Freeze meal size portions to help you out on those busy sewing days ahead.
14. Cook and freeze your favorite cake so you won’t be tempted but you will be ready when your sewing friends come to visit.
15. If you have the space buy your meat and poultry bulk. A good butcher will then package, label and date it for you and the price per kilo should be considerably cheaper.
For YOU
16. Make a list of things you would like to do this year, people you would like to meet or catch up with and places you would like to go. Pin it up, next to the calendar and work your way through it as the weeks run past. Don’t leave a stone unturned.
17. Have you changed your make-up or hairstyle in the past five years? Maybe it’s time to play with the experts in the cosmetic department of your major store. Don’t just do it once, but try several ranges and get several opinions. You may find out that you are happy with who you are, or you may come home and ditch the lot!
18. If you travel a bit or a lot, buy two of every cosmetic and bathroom essential. Leave one lot in the bathroom drawer and always have your wet-pac full and ready to go.
19. Have a closet clean out. If you haven’t worn it in the past 12 months you probably won’t this year. Some things will have run their time and should go off to the charity bin and other once loved favorites should be cleaned and stored for the next time fashion cycles that way.
20. Make shoe maintenance a high priority. Clean, repair, dye or toss.
21. Go to a good corsetry fitter and really buy the right size underwear. Remember that you can’t have a great fit and finished look if you don’t start from the inside out.
Relax a Little
22. Subscribe to your favorite magazine (I hope it’s ours!) and treat yourself to a few hours in a comfy chair each month. Not only will you save on the Newsagent price but also it will be delivered FREE to your door. Life doesn’t get any easier than that!
23. Commit to at least a 30-minute walk EVERY day. Soon you’ll find that you are doing an hour and loving it.
24. Plan to sew, embroider, knit or quilt regularly. Not only is the finished project satisfying but also the process itself is relaxing and enjoyable.
25. Really astound yourself and maximize the January sales. Buy next year's Chrissy presents and accessorize this year’s sewing projects.
Have a fabulous year and remember to stop and smell the roses!
Sue Neall
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