I so love unicorns, phoenixes and all mythical creatures. They ferry you into fantasy land, give you that something unrealistic to think about, and is just pure fun. That’s why I couldn’t resist buying this yard of beautiful fabric even though I thought it was costly (by my meager standards). I made it into a weekend bag and the rest is history.
I know I haven’t been the most diligent in updating this blog, and I thank you for even coming back here to see what’s happening. You see, I’ve been busy baking something really, really special. Something D-man and I have both looked forward to for ages.
I’ll give you a clue. I made these in preparation.
We are naturally very, very excited and am grateful to all the hand-me-downs received so far. Some of these stuff are so cute I want to keep them for myself.
This one’s for my pal D. Her dear sister is expecting a precious boy and she wanted something special for her new nephew. D is extremely trusting and brave, for she left it to me to make whatever I want (or rather, could).
Have you had an item which you kept since young, for it meant the world to you and cannot be replaced?
I do. It’s an old patchwork baby blanket that my great grandma made for me more than 30 years ago. Its disintegrated beyond shreds now, so much so I feel embarrassed to post a photo of it up. Even my mum, the master of all hoarders in the universe, wants to get rid of it.
Actually I might post a picture of it one day. When I master enough courage.
And then you’ll cringe. You’ll see. You just wait and see!!!
So what I am trying to say is, that rag of a patchwork blanket had inspired me for a long time to actually make one myself. I made an elementary level mini blankie for K-gal and beanie before, but it wasn’t that much of a real patchwork deal.
Therefore I decided to torture myself a little more and made this.
It took me more than 3 months to finish this as I am not familiar with sewing yet and made a few blunders along the way. But I have to say it’s worth it, and I’m happy with the results.
I shall make a faint attempt at showing you how it’s done, but I am still a novice myself so don’t shoot me!
First cut strips of your desired fabric and join them on the wrong side. Press the seams flat.
Cut squares out of the strips and join them on the wrong side, alternating the design and again, press the seams flat.
Cut strips of border fabric and frame the squares together by sewing around them on the wrong side. This is then what you’ll get.
Then just join them all together and add borders, batting and binding to complete. I forgot to take photos of the action but will share them for my next project. Stay tuned!
It’s new! It’s exciting! It’s finally up! K-gal’s webshop has some of the most unique, interesting stuff out there. She has painstakingly taken many many months (or was it years K?) to scout for indie artisans around the world and their creations, and putting it together all by herself. The end result is a delightful mix of fun, quirky, handmade-with-love crafts that you probably can’t find elsewhere.
One of the happiest news one can receive from a friend is that they are expecting a new life. Imagine my joy when I know my dear K-gal is baking a wee beanie! I decided to make a taggie blanket* for her even if I’ve never really sewn properly in my life. I have to say the expression on her was worth the hours of back bending, eye squinting, finger poking labour.
*The brightly coloured tags, or ribbons, around the blanket are suppose to provide tactile stimulation to the babies as they develop their sensors.
I would be writing a step by step instruction on how to make this blankie so watch this space!
In the shape of a Chinese Junk. I had to rub my eyes to be sure it was not an illusion. How cute is that? Anyone knows where I can get something like that?
Sorry I couldn’t resist, especially since it’s the last day of Lunar New Year!
Hello everybody. *taps into microphone*. I am back and I have an important announcement to make.
Chinese New Year is not Chinese New Year without pineapple pastries. Warning. Never attempt Chinese New Year without pineapple pastries. Never! Never ever!!
Otherwise be prepared to face your own gastronomic perils!
And become the laughing stock of the neighbourhood!
And get outcast by relatives!!
Your great grand-children might be black-listed from Havard!!!
Ok I’m a nutcase. What I’m not kidding about though, is how simple to make and delicious these little buggers are.
Ingredients (makes 46 tarts/balls)
220g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
2 egg yolks
375g plain flour
2 tbsp corn flour
50g icing sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 egg yolk for egg wash
About 530gm of cooked pineapple jam.
(either made from scratch or pre-made ones from the supermarket)
To make pineapple jam from scratch, peel and grate 2 ripe pineapples. Then squeeze gently to extract excess juice, but not till its as dry as the Sahara.
Add about 360gm of caster sugar and 5-6 cloves, and cook over low heat till sugar melts. The mixture should be wet and sticky, but with too much liquid. By then you should be exhausted. Put the jam in the fridge and make the tarts another day.
