I Like Paper Cutting & Craft

'Angry Bird' Happy New Year

2012-01-20T02:01:00.003+08:00

We have angry bird to decorate our house this CNY. I also bought angry bird red packets too.

I will be away for the rest of this week to be with my family. Have a prosperous, healthy and no-angry festive celebration.

Paper Dragon Toy

2012-01-18T01:12:00.039+08:00

This year, we are celebrating year of the Dragon. I found this cute paper dragon toy in china town (Petaling Street). I think this toy is beautifully made. Kids enjoy playing with it the whole morning. Happy Year of Dragon.

Paper Red Flowers

2012-01-16T01:11:00.065+08:00

I made some tissue paper flowers to decorate the living hall for the coming CNY. I love RED so much and it has become the 'must have' color for everything to celebrate CNY. Just wondering, my Chinese blog friends, are you in the CNY mood already?

Materials:

red craft tissue paper

thin wire

scissors

Method:

1. wind the wire around the middle of the folded tissue paper.
2. trim the ends of each side of the tissue paper into a half circle.

3. gently separate each layer by pulling upwards toward the middle of the flower.

One flower done.

GONG XI GONG XI

CNY Dresses

2012-01-13T01:22:00.010+08:00

I was at PJ Newtown the other day and a little kids wear shop caught my attention. I and Amanda walked in to the shop, we were attented by an old lady. She told us this shop is owned by her and her husband. They both hand sewed little dresses to sell. As we were talking, I noticed her husband is busy sewing fabric pieces together at the corner of the shop. I was impressed by their work and I really appreciate hand make products. I purchased two dresses from them as their dresses are just beautiful and also to show my support for hand make. Here I have done shopping for Amanda’s CNY new clothing.

The shop is called Kitty Kidswear and it is located in front of the MPPJ tall office building.

Paper Strip Red Lantern

2012-01-11T01:08:00.002+08:00

These super easy to make lantern is prepared by Amanda. Amanda had it hanging in front of her room.

Paper Strip Lantern
Materials:
A4 size color paper
brad/ split pin
ribbon
paper strips

Method:
1. Red A4 size paper, cut into 1 inch strips. Punch holes in the end of the strips.

2. Take the brad and thin red ribbon, poke it through the hole, fasten the strips together.
3. Pull the ribbon until the strips form curve shape.
4. Spread out the paper strips until it forms a round shape.

Green Peas Cookies

2012-01-09T01:34:00.000+08:00

I am going to share with you this fool proof recipe. I made this for my mother in law who will be on vegetarian during CNY.

Green Peas Cookies
Pre-heat oven to 170 degree celsius. Line a cookie tray with parchment paper.

Ingredients A:
250 gram wheat flour

250 gram ground green peas (blended into powdery form)

150 gram icing sugar

Ingredient B:

150 ml corn oil

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients A together until no lumps.

2. Add ingredient B (oil) and knead well. (add extra oil if needed, you should get a dough that does not break or crumble easily).

3. Roll dough 1cm thick, cut out round shape using round cookies cutter.

4. Bake at 170 degree celsius for about 25 minutes.

Note: green peas are those sold as snacks from kacang putih uncle, not canned green peas or frozen green peas.

CNY PaperCut Art

2012-01-06T01:21:00.001+08:00

These are some simple CNY greeting cards I made early this month. I cut out the designs using red paper. I then pasted it on a card. Lastly, I topped it with semi-transparent paper for see through effect. They will be posted this week to my family members and friends.

Tell me, do you still send out greeting cards on festive seasons?

CNY - Sakura

2012-01-04T01:20:00.000+08:00

Gong Xi, Gong Xi. Chinese New Year is just 20 days away from now. I beat you have started the preparation, decoration and baking already. I will be posting more about CNY crafting soon. I wish you have a busy but happy month. This photo was captured last year during CNY. It was a real sakura tree display in the shopping mall.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-02T02:49:00.030+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am showing my paper cut art for my first post of 2012. These are just some paper cutting I did over the last weekend. What is your new year resolution? As for me, I hope for only one thing. I hope I am able to response to your comments as much as I can.

Cinnamon Latte

2011-12-30T01:00:00.003+08:00

I make this cinnamon latte from the steps I learned from a cafe I visited for their Pandan Latte.

If you are a caffeine person like me, perk up your morning with a cup of your favourite coffee.

And, have a good year ahead.

Cinnamon Latte

Ingredients:

1 cinnamon stick

1 cup fo fresh milk

1/2 cup of brewed coffee/ instant coffee

milk plunger (optional)

Method:

1. add a stick of cinnamon into milk.

2. heat milk in a saucepan on the stove until just before boiling.

3. pour hot milk into hand pump milk plunger and pumping until reach the desire amount of froth.

4. pour milk into cup with coffee and top it with froth.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2011-12-28T01:24:00.000+08:00

This photo was taken by Amanda while I was decorating the tree. I quite like the effect and I am using this photo to wish you all, my blog friends Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Have a wondeful holiday.

Felt Balls Mirror DIY

2011-12-26T01:35:00.029+08:00

My little princess was pestering me to get her a pink mirror. This was because all the princesses she watched in the movies got a pink and beautiful mirror. The other day, on my way home from work, I made it to a nearby Pasar Malam (night flea market) to just get her a pink mirror. But, she wasn’t much excited when I hand her the pink rubber protected mirror. So we decided to decorate her mirror with colorful felt balls. We both are amazed at how well it turned out. Amanda says this would be her best Christmas present ever.

Felt Balls Mirror
Materials:
Felt balls
UHU glue

Method:
1. glue along the side of the mirror
2. press felt balls on the glue. Let dry before use.

TangYuan

2011-12-23T01:02:00.082+08:00

Happy Dong Zhi! Did you had tangyuan?

It was 'DongZhi festival' or Winter Solstice Festival yesterday, 22nd Dec. It was indeed the most important festival celebrated by Chinese. It is the day for family reunion. We celebrate this day by making tangyuan and everyone in the family has got to eat this dessert. The roundness of the rice balls signifies a wholesome, complete family.

I was at the market the other day and saw some stalls selling dough for tangyuan. I decided to buy it rather than making the dough myself. At home, I let Amanda to give her helping hands to her grandma while I was busy taking care Didi. I managed to capture some photos while Amanda and her grandma busy making tangyuan.

Place the sugar in the centre of the dough and knead around the edge to seal it.

Roll it into balls

Drop the balls into the boiling water and cook them until they float, about 5-10 minutes.

Take out the rice balls and place it into a bowl with ice cubes until the rice balls turn cool. This is to prevent the balls from stick to each other. Then, drain dry the balls and put them into the syrup pot before serving.

Christmas Name Ornaments

2011-12-21T01:50:00.059+08:00

This year, we decorated our mini Christmas tree with our names on it. I used alphabet beads to 'write' names of all family members. I got the idea when I was at the mall shopping for Christmas presents and saw a family tree photo frame. I thought it would be nice to turn the Christmas tree into our family tree.

How about you? Do you decorate your tree with something unique or things that is special to you? Do you make some recycle ornaments? Please share your stories.

Paper Star in 3D

2011-12-19T01:29:00.001+08:00

I must be honest to you. I have just learned how to make this paper star. The girl next door came to my house and teach me yesterday. She is only nine years old and have great interest in crafts. I love how the star turns out when making it with double-sided folding papers. It is easy to make, do give it a try.

3D Paper Star

Materials:

6 pieces of origami color folding papers
stapler
scissors
string to hang the star

Instructions:

1. Fold the square paper twice to make a small triangle.

2. Make straight line cut along the length of triangle and stop 1 cm before the edge.

3. Unfold it.

4. Fold the two center cuts and staple them together.

5. Turn over the square. Fold the two second cuts and staple them together.

6. Repeat step 5 to fold and staple all cuts.

7. You have made the first point of star.

8. Repeat the above step 1-6 to make another 5 points of star.

9. Staple together the side part of each point to build the star.

10. Staple all ends in the center together to make a star.

Lollipops Cookies

2011-12-16T01:24:00.000+08:00

We made our favourite food together today. To be exact, Amanda loves lollipops and I love chocolate cookies. So we made lollipops cookies. Amanda gets her lollipops (made from cookies) and I get my cookies (in lollipops shape). What a win win and fun activity.

Lollipops Cookies

Ingredients:

200gm plain flour

150gm butter, softened

100gm caster sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tbsp milk

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 190C/ 375F.

2. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

3. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy.

4. Mix in the dry ingredients to form a stiff dough. Divide the dough in half.

5. Knead the cocoa powder into one half.

6. Roll a piece of each type of dough into square size. Brush the top of each square with milk.

7. Put the square on top of another and roll them up together.

8. Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

9. Cut the roll in slices. Push a lollipop stick into the middle of each one.

10. Arrange them on the baking tray and bake until lightly browned or 15 minutes.

Easy Sew Jingle Bell Felt Hearts

2011-12-14T01:07:00.001+08:00

Living in a summer all year round country, Malaysia, what is more excited and happier than hearing this popular Christmas caroling song 'Jingle Bells' playing on the radio and in most of the departmental stores in month of December?

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh

Easy Sew Jingle Bell Felt Hearts
Materials:
felt
ribbons
jingle bells

Steps:
1. Cut out 2 heart shapes from felt, using zig-zag scissors.
2. Cut a piece of 6 inches long ribbon, fold in half and place into the top center of the heart. Hold it in place with finger.
3. Use sewing machine, begin sewing the heart together from the top center, then go around the heart.
4. Insert a jingle bell into the heart just before finish the sewing.
5. Now, shake the heart and listen to the music bell makes.

Nine Cactus Pots

2011-12-12T01:52:00.000+08:00

Made some cactus pots over the weekend. My little girl, Amanda insisted to help. I let her cover the soul with some small white stones. We then decorate them with miniatures. Huh.. we have made 9 cactus pots!

Decorate Christmas tree with ribbons

2011-12-09T01:19:00.001+08:00

This year's Christmas I was real busy with work and have no time to buy or make new ornaments to decorate our little Christmas tree. I just tied some simple ribbons on the trees to make it looks 'full'. I used assorted 'red' ribbons. The end result is satisfying.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Magic Wand DIY

2011-12-07T01:47:00.000+08:00

Amanda will ask me the same old question every time she flips her story book and stop at this page.

'Mama, why angel got magic wand? I also want a magic wand.

Last night, after I put her to bed, I quitely make two magic wands, just to surprise 'my little angel' the next morning when she wakes up.

Magic Wand DIY

Supplies:

chopstick

masking tape

felt

glue

scissors

Method:

1. wrap the chopstick with masking tape.

2. cut out two pieces of felt in the same shape (heart or star).

3. place the chopstick between two felt pieces and glue them together.

Japanese fruit drops hard candy

2011-12-05T01:10:00.000+08:00

Amanda and I especially love this fruit drops hard candy, as it reminds us the great but sad anti-war movie called Grave Of The Fireflies (火垂るの墓, Hotaru no Haka) . Both of us love to watch the movie and sob sob together. Let's not be sad and cried. Click here to see the funny and sweet fruit drop moment of the show.

Quiet Streets

2011-12-02T01:26:00.000+08:00

quiet streets

Amanda and Didi were both down with cough and fever.

Their favourite play place - city carpet is clear with no traffic at all.

The streets on the carpet used to be busy with heavy traffic, laughters and loud noise.

Hope they are getting well soon.

Lemon Drizzle Bars

2011-11-30T01:56:00.039+08:00

I love making this lemon drizzle bars. It is so easy to make and taste delicious. I especially love the lemon flavour and the sweet icing topping. This cake is best eaten the next day where the cake is set and moist. Just store it in an air tight container and place it in room temperature.

Lemon Drizzle Bars

Ingredients:

For the cake
½ cup butter, soften
½ cup castor sugar
2 eggs
1 cup self-raising flour
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

For the topping
3 tablespoons icing sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

Instruction:
1. preheat oven to 180C. Line the square cake tin with greaseproof paper.
2. beat together butter and sugar until pale and creamy.
3. beat in eggs, one at a time.
4. add flour and lemon zest into the mixture until well combined.
5. pour the mixture into the lined tin and smooth out evenly.
6. bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
7. combine the sugar and lemon juice and immediately pour over the top of the cake.
8. leave the cake to cool in the tin.

Recycle Craft: Turnable Craft Supplies

2011-11-28T01:55:00.088+08:00

Everyday, I could see some crayons, markers, colored pencils, pencils, erasers, brushes and scissors in every part of my house. I wish to keep these things organise and at the same time make easy for kids to reach it when they needed it. So, I thought of this simple idea by using Ikea lazy susan. What do you think?

Turnable Craft Supplies

Supplies:

Ikea lazy susan

empty food containers

double sized sponge tape

Method:

simply use double sized tape to stick the containers on the lazy susan and that's it.

Empty food containers I collected

Hearty Vegetables Soup

2011-11-25T01:55:00.056+08:00

I love clear soup with lots of vegetables in it. It is a warm and comforting food for me. This is my favourite type of soup. It is easy to prepare and nutritious. I often cook this for my children to eat it with rice. What is your favourite soup?

Hearty Vegetables Soup

Ingredients:

any type of vegetables

(I usually use carrot, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, celery, tomatoes, onion, ginger, spring onions, parsley)

chicken or anchovies stocks

salt or other seasoning, to taste

Method:

1. wash and cut the vegetables in small pieces, put aside
2. heat oil in pot, add ginger and onion, saute for a while or until fragrant
3. add chicken stocks/ water into pot and cook until water is boiling
4. add in all the vegetables, lower the heat, cook for 1 hour or until all vegetables is cooked
5. add seasoning to taste, serve hot