Friday 26 April 2013

Lovely Notebook Cover 美丽的书衣

In this electronic world, most people can't live without their electronic devices. No doubt it is really convenient to organize ones daily activities such as appointment, meeting, clearance sales (yup, to me it's an important event :D), to-do list using the electronic devices like smart phone or tablet. But for me, I still prefer the traditional way of organizing my day-to-day life ~ keeping a notebook. My sister-in law once teased me that my notebook is my 'smart book' haha...

The wonderful part of using a notebook is that I can add drawings, stickers, or stamped it. I can also paste name card, receipt or any interesting flyers onto the notebook. Notebook comes in different sizes and designs. I particularly like vintage and retro designs. As for the notebook size, I go for A6 size. It is not too big nor too small, just ideal to be put inside a handbag. Every time I visited the bookstore or stationery shop, I just can't help checking out their collection of notebooks! Prices of the notebooks also vary depending on the brand and quality. There are expensive and exclusive ones like Moleskine, which I would love to have one myself, there are also inexpensive ones which are affordable by all levels of people.

I have no budget for a Moleskine at the moment, but I can make a unique notebook cover for my inexpensive notebook. I came up with two designs of notebook cover. Both are  using the combination of polka dot fabric and floral prints fabric. I love it!

Sweet pink polka dot with tiny floral prints
Little brown spot with vintage floral prints
New handmade clothes for my notebooks
Printed cotton tape adds the finishing touch to the piece

  

Friday 19 April 2013

Bread Stories 面包的故事

I love bread since I was little. My mum used to pack bread for me and my brothers to bring to school. But that time, the bread we ate was nothing fancy. We bought our bread from Indian bread man (a.k.a roti man) that sell breads and cakes on his motorcycle. That's the way the Indian bakery operated at that time. The bread man came by the neighbourhood everyday in the afternoon, rain or shine. He would ring his bell signalling that he is here. People who wants to buy would waive at him at the gate. The bread we usually get is the plain bread loaf without egg. That's the memory of bread during my childhood.

Over the years, more and more bakeries opened up in the neighbourhood. The breads that the new bakeries supplied were different from the Indian bakery shop. It's fancier, the sweet breads and buns. Somehow, I still prefer the plain bread loaf.

My mum taught me to make my very first loaf of bread. Since then, I started baking my own bread. The bread that I usually bake is either the plain white or wholemeal bread loaf. It's simple and easily be taken with any condiments or even ham, egg or bacon. I have started to collect books on bread making too. I find baking a bread is a lot economical than cakes. Simply because the amount of butter and eggs required in baking a bread is so much less than those required in cakes and sometimes you don't even need eggs or butter! So it's healthier too. :) 

Here are some of the breads that I bake for my family. It can be taken as breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Milk bread (牛奶面包)
Milk bread - close up
Parsley bread (香菜烤饼)
Parsley bread with chicken curry
Brown sugar bread loaf (黑糖面包)
Polo bun (菠萝包)
Multi-grain bread loaf (杂粮面包)




Monday 15 April 2013

Craft Materials Hunting @ Supplies Surprise! Bazaar 逛手作材料市集

I went for craft supplies hunting last Saturday with my craft buddy, my sister in-law. It's the day we have been looking forward to. This is the first time we visited such craft supplies bazaar ~ Supplies Surprise! Bazaar. We usually get our craft materials from random shops that we came across during our shopping trip. 

It was really crowded at the bazaar, everyone was looking excited searching for their materials. Despite the small space, there were a lot to see and buy. We were overwhelmed by the wide selection of craft materials available ~ lovely stamps, colourful stamp pads, scrapbooks/photo book paper & accessories, retro stickers, funky washi tapes, ribbons, quilling tools, sewing tools & accessories, fabric, DIY soap making supplies, clay tools and many many more!  


Both my sister in-law and I were very happy with our hunting results haha.. each with one full bag filled with lovely craft materials. We look forward to visiting the next craft supplies bazaar together :D

Craft materials shopping!
 

Friday 12 April 2013

Home Sweet Home 温暖的家

While I was working on the ballerina photo frame, I accidentally broke the glass of the frame. I had to replace the glass by taking it from another photo frame. So I have a frame that without a glass. It is not so nice to keep a photo in a frame that without a glass. The colour of the photo would fade. 

Using my fabric stash and some buttons, lace and ribbon, this is how I transformed the photo frame. Sometimes, you would be surprised how such a little creativity could brighten your day.

Have a nice day!

Photo frame after makeover
Home Sweet Home

Friday 5 April 2013

Beautiful Ballerina 美丽的芭蕾舞女孩

My daughter's friend in her ballet class invited her to a birthday party. She loves to go to birthday party as she gets to dress up, play and eat and as long as there is no mascot or clown at the party she would have a wonderful time. She is very afraid of mascot as well as clown. I still remember her very first birthday party invitation, it was held at a fast food restaurant. She was very excited and happily played with her friends. Suddenly, she ran away from the crowd and hid behind a chair. There, stood the restaurant mascot. She didn't want to stay anymore so we took her home. From that day on, every time she got invited to a birthday party, she will ask if there is any mascot at the party. Now she has grown up a little bit, yet she is still a little afraid of mascot, still a little...

For this coming birthday party, there will be no mascot or clown :). My girl and I were discussing on what to give to her friend. We agreed that we should make something for her friend. We decided to make a ballerina photo frame and a birthday card. 

We hope her friend will like our handmade gift with love :). 

Custom made gift - using resin clay
Ballerina dancer
Beautiful ballerina in purple tutu dress
Beautiful ballerina photo frame

Birthday card - by my daughter
My girl's creation