Stitchy Saturday...on Sunday: Mug Cozy

Sometimes, I just want to make something cute. You might be thinking that thermal travel mug might not need a mug cozy. If you have ever made a cup of tea in one and scalded your hands as I result, I think you would agree that it is necessary cuteness.

I used a great tutorial by Polka Dot Cottage. I really encourage you to head over there and buy the PDF. It is only 99 cents and worth every penny! Lisa put a ton of time into the tutorial and explains it beautifully.

I decided, in true Weas fashion, that it needed a little more "something" so I added some rick rack (you know how I adore rick rack). I also decided it needed some tea specific adornment.

I sketched a little tea tag to stitch up and applique on. 

I love it! Super cute, super functional, and VERY Weas!

How Tuesday: Brewing Loose Leaf Tea

There is a quiet ceremony is having a cup of tea. Heating the water. Steeping the leaves. Cupping the warm mug in your hands. Slowly sipping.

Both Asian and British cultures actually do make tea drinking a ceremony. They use special cups and tea pots and carefully select the tea they use. In the US, we throw a tea bag into a mug and zap it in the microwave. Not very ceremonial at all--I have decided that when time permits, I will strive to make it a more special occasion.

I am lucky in that I have a tea infuser, but you could also use a coffee press, a tea strainer that goes over your cup or an inexpensive tea ball. Loose leaf tea is available at finer grocery stores, many coffee shops, and of course, online. 

Use one teaspoon of loose tea for every six ounces of water. Heat the water to boiling and pour directly over tea leaves/strainer/ball. If using an infuser or french press, place the lid on but do not depress the plunger. 

Let the tea steep three to six minutes and dispense the genial beverage.

Tea is a civilized beverage that should sometimes be treated as the special treat that it is.