Craft - Popsicle lollies activity

Hihi dear friends of Hazelnutt House (",)

I was surfing for popsicle stick craft ideas and chanced upon Roots&Wings's idea.

So, I decided to make The Kid a set of this using the colourful felt that I have. 

My Kiddo has yet to start any formal schooling and has been homeschooled for some years.  

She will only enter kindie next year.  I thought this colour matching activity will help in a way when she enters school.

I traced one end of a popsicle stick onto thick paper and used it as a template to guide me when I machine stitch the outline onto the felt.  

After stitching, I shaped the outline with a scallop cutter.

Once this was done, I inserted the matching popsicle stick into the respective felt lollies.

Kiddo's phonics skills is relatively sound, so this activity is suitable for her.  She has to decode the name of the colours according to the initial sound of each colour.  

I keep these sticks in a baggie so that Kiddo and I can look for them easily when we want to colour match some lollies. 

Talk to you ladies soon!!!
I've some other popsicle stick crafts coming up soon!

Craft - Unicorn-dog-horse figurine

Tada!  Wonder what this triple hybrid of an animal is?  hehee... read on.

I had a doggie figurine which broke due to an unfortunate accident.  I bought a new one to replace it coz I really love this figurine of a Great Dane with glasses and a scarf, pretending to be an old lady. 

I fixed the broken leg and ear.  For the snout, I stuffed the gaping hole with cotton wool.

And muzzled it with several layers of newspaper using the papier mache method.

I broke the pair of wired glasses and glued semi wet tissue onto the forehead so that there is no gap between the head and the scarf.

When the reconstruction of the head was done, I added a long horn.  I wanted it way longer than that of a regular unicorn for a comic effect.  

Next, I restructured the face by elongating the snout and adding some eye sockets and nostrils using rolled up tissue.  I prefer tissue for these details rather than newspapers as it is easier to handle and gives a softer finish.

Yups, this hybrid is ready after a day of drying.  I used Reeves Gesso to prime the body coz its initial body was rather smooth and I wanted the papier mache to have a slightly textured surface to stick on.

I made use of lots of origami paper from Daiso and layered them over the figurine.  Once I was done, I applied a layer of Mod Podge over the surface to seal as well as to give it a shiny finish.

Here's a close up after the Mod Podge has dried.

I've put together some tips on papier mache... click here to read.

So, here's my completed project.  This hybrid of a UniCorn-dog-horse resides in my craftroom (",)

Till then, Talk to you ladies soon!

Papier Marche Tips

1) Half and Half Mod Podge + White glue 

I like this combo where I use a mixture of half Mod Podge and half white glue. 

White glue is 1/3 the price of Mod Podge and this method helps me to save a little. 

You can actually papier mache with just white glue or some like to brew their own starch concoction but the latter is way too much work for me.  I find that with this combi, my papier mache projects dry faster due to the Mod Podge content.  White glue alone, tends to take a longer time to dry.

2) Magazines as brushing surface

I like to brush glue onto the paper instead of soaking them into the gluey mixture.  So I need a surface to work on when I brush the bits of paper.  I do the brushing on pages of magazines.  When two pages are used up, I simply turn to a new page and continue.  This way, I will be able to keep the right side of my paper free from glue that may interfere with my final varnishing step.  When I am done with my papier marche project, I simply tear off the pages that I have used.

3) Varnish with a soft bristled brush & Mod Podge

If you want a nice smooth finish, for your papier mache projects, try using a soft bristled brush when you varnish.  I like to varnish with the Mod Podge that I use for papier mache-ing instead of purchasing a separate varnish.  Mod Podge dries very quickly which is such a bonus.  It gives a nice shine when dried.  

4) Sandpaper 

If you want your project to have a really smooth finish, other than using a soft bristled brush for varnishing, you can also try using a super fine sandpaper.  When the first layer of varnish has dried completely, run your sandpaper over the surface gently, blow off the dust and add another coat of varnish.

5) Pinky as smoothening tool

Some people like using a separate tool to smoothen out the layers for their papier mache projects.  I like to keep my pinky finger free from glue and use the length of it to smoothen and the tip to poke the paper into grooves or corners.  

5) Take you time

Very often, I am anxious to complete my projects and end up sabotaging the results due to my impatience.  Nowadays when I notice that my concentration level starts waning, I will stop, wash up and leave the craftroom.  So, give yourself a Time Out in order to achieve a better result (",)

6) Have dried gluey hands

When it is time to wash up, I like to let the glue dry completely on my hands.  It is more effective to peel off the dried glue.  Not to mention how fun it is (yes, I love peeling off dried glue from my fingers). Washing gluey hands is a pain.  I can never seem to get my hands completely glue-free and will have to wash several times before I am satisfied.

Talk to you ladies soon!!!!

iHerb Loot - Third batch!

Hihi friends of Hazelnutt House (",) 

Ah ha! My 3rd order from iHerb.  The package took less than a week to arrive. 

• Annie's Homegrown Cheddar Classics Crackers - $3.30
• Annie's Homegrown Macaroni & Cheese - $3.47

• Barbara's Snackimals Animal Cookies in Snickerdoodle flavour! - $4.48

I added an exclamation for this item coz it tastes soooOOooo soooOOooo sooOOooo good!

Semi sweet with a cinnamoney taste (",)

• Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, alcohol-free toner - $8.60
• Hugo Naturals Essential Mist in French Lavender - $2.16
• Herbatint Rosemary Herbal Oil - $8.64
• E.L.F. Studio powder brush - $2.99

• Spectrum Essentials Chia Seed - $9.70
• Bob's Red Mill Coarse Grind Cornmeal - $3.05

Here's how the coarse grind cornmeal looks in case you need some reference.  I intend to use this for corn muffins ala Kenny Rogers' style (",)

• Just a Leaf Tea Infuser - $2.95 (original price $8.95)

The tea infuser comes with a lid, cup and a strainer.

Shall try out some of the items and make short reviews (",)

Talk to you ladies soon! 

And don't forget to make use of the code SRD618 when you make your first order on iHerb! 

Bakin' - Banana oatmeal muffins with chia seeds

Hihi friends of the Nutt House (",)

I've been baking quite a bit lately, much to the delight of Kiddo.  Usually I will surf for recipes online.  This time round, I decided to try out something of my own using a simple banana oatmeal muffin recipe as a skeleton, taking away some ingredients and adding extras.

This recipe makes 12 (",)

*Note: Sugar is optional as I added lots of mashed bananas.  The chia seeds are optional as well but it helps make this breakfast muffin a lot healthier.  Ok... my bad.... *oops*, a dollop of Nutella in each muffin also amps up the sweetness level.  So, sugar is really not needed.  If you have a sweet tooth, go ahead.  The muffin is semi sweet, the way I like it.  Coz I dislike ultra sweet and rich muffins.

As for the rolled oats, once I added a cup and another time, I added close to two cups. I like this recipe coz of the flexibility with the portions.  Both tries worked fine, with the latter being slightly less moist.

I added a layer of batter into each liner and spooned a dollop of Nutella into each muffin cup.  Try to avoid having Nutella on the sides as it will ooze out during the baking process. 

Last step, not shown in pic - I topped more batter above the Nutella.  Make sure to cover it well.  The idea is to have the Nutella spread in the middle of the muffin. 

The Kiddo approves.

Several of my friends tried the muffins and they gave the thumbs up.  Even a friend with fastidious tastebuds said it was good.

To sum it up, if you like a moist and healthy breakfast muffin, give this a try (",) 

Oh yes! I did not use any electric mixer for this...just your arm muscles and a spatula to mix everything up (",) 

A hassle free and quick baking project (",)

Tiny loot, bulky ramble... Bangkok

Hihi friends of Hazelnutt House (",) 

The Hubs and I went on our annual Bangkok trip a few weeks back.   

I didn't do much hauling in terms of fashion and accessories coz as much as I would love to haul up a storm, the clothes do not appeal to me anymore.  I am sure it is coz of age ... sad but true.  Bangkok is still a fashion mecca for youngsters.

Well, instead of scouring the night markets and streets for interesting finds, I satisfied my buying urges with these lil' loot. 

First up, I purchased this Sugarlicious beauty box from Benefit @ Siam Paragon. 

After the conversion to SGD it was about $45.  I have not been to Sephora in Singapore lately, so I am not sure if the price is similar. 

I've been wanting to try the Benetint as well as High Beam but I am unwilling to fork out money for the full sized items coz with my drawer-ful of blushes, deluxe sample sizes of these two items is just perfect.  It comes with a Sugarbomb blush as well as the Sugarbomb lip gloss.

Before boarding the plane at Changi Airport, I snagged this Philosophy Miracle worker set.  There's a 'travel exclusive' sticker on the box, so I suppose it's not available at regular stores.

This set costs $59 and contains the: 

• Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid pads & solution
• Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoid Eye Cream
• Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer 

This anti-aging set is good for 30 days (",) 

I'm excited to try this out since I've read tons of fab reviews on the retinoid pads and also, my skin reacts well to retinol... so hopefully this works miracles if not then at least one miracle on my skin (",) 

OH yes, ... here's something that I will not leave Bangkok without.  I buy these Bayer Aspirin by the box and I usually get weird looks by the counter staff.  They must be wondering if I am nursing a permanent headache with this stash of pills.  They are about 70 cents for one full tab.

Well, I use these pills as a scrub for my body as well as for my face.. oh yes, feet included.  The salicylic acid in aspirin works really well on my skin.  My skin is always soft and ultra clean after my weekly full body and facial aspirin exfoliatoin. (yup... I scrub very gently, coz the grains from the pills are really rough... so, be warned.)

This time round in BKK, I decided to purchase some lemongrass tea. 

I bought a packet of organic lemongrass + pandan mix.  The smell is divine... *mmMMMmmm... Mmmmmmm*

I tried steeping these leaves but I find that boiling water is not enough to bring out the aroma.  So I ended up boiling the leaves as I would if I used fresh lemongrass and pandan.

Although it's handy and I'm able to store these dried leaves for a long period of time, I do not like the idea of having to boil them like I do with fresh leaves coz I get ants in my pants whenever I have to keep watch at the stove.

This box of pure lemongrass teaBAGs, however... is great to have in my tea drawer (",)  It comes in a handy triangular bag sans the string... and I was able to bring out the aroma with just boiling water (",)

So, no no to the loose leaves that I bought... but YES! to these lemongrass tea bags (",) ... They are about 65 Baht if I am not wrong.

Oh yes.... I always buy these elastic hand ties when in BKK.  It's really sad coz the lady who sets up a roadside store at the tip of Platinum Mall no longer sits there.  Coz Novotel Bangkok Platinum's security has set up post at her spot and I guess she is no longer allowed there.  

She sells these elastic hair ties at 10 Baht for a BIG packet... 

Although disappointed that I could no longer find her there, I found these at MBK.  The difference is, the stores in MBK sells them for 10 Baht for a tiny packet.... 

Each tiny packet still contains hundreds instead of tens of thousands bands in the BIG packet.  It's still a good buy coz I love the quality.  They are really rubbery and stretchy and they do not snap easily.  I've tried many random brands but they all get over stretched and eventually snap before I could secure The Kid's hair.

Someone tempted me with these coconut rolls while at work and I cannot believe that I've never tried them on my numerous trip to BKK.  This time round, I bought some and I regretted not buying more... they are soOOOooo yummy.  Lots of the shops at the airport sells these.  So, if you're thinking of getting them for relatives, you can do a last minute pitstop at the airport for these. 

Well... this is my really modest loot from BKK... nothing smashing and over the top and neither is it exciting... hehehehe.... gonna stop my bulky ramble over my tiny loot (",)

Talk to you ladies soon!!!

Magnum Cafe in Siam Centre, Bangkok

Hey hey :)  The Hubs and I were in Bangkok, Thailand for a couple of days.  I've heard quite a lot about the Magnum Cafe in Siam Centre in Bangkok.  I managed to coerce The Hubs to visit the place for some sweet treats. 

Right outside the Magnum Cafe, there's a long stretched table, the decor on the table looks very much like how The Mad Hatter's tea party would look like.

 I ordered the Brownie et conj fumee @ 160 baht.  It is a "hickory smoke brownie served with magnum green tea and thick chocolate mousse" as described in the menu.  

I thought it was gonna be a Magnum green tea ice-cream, but it was a vanilla ice-cream dusted with green tea powder.  When the dish was served, it came with a glass cover.  When the server lifted the cover, I smelled burned wood.... which is what you see in the tiny saucer in the dish.  Well, it's an interesting concept... I am really not a food critic, so all I could say was; as I was eating the sweet treats, the smell of burned wooden chips was rather welcoming!  It kinda lightly smoke over the intense sweetness of the dish.  The chocolate brownie and thick chocolate mousse topped with the ice-cream was a fab. combination... sweet, dark and creamy (",) 



 

The Hubs ordered J'adore les bananes (i love bananas) - 260 baht.  It is a 'crepe with caramelised banana served with magnum strawberry and caramel biscuit'.  The Hubs likes the strawberry Magnum and the bananas but I could tell that the dish was way too sweet for him.  

He removed the caramelised sugar coat that was on the slices of bananas and did not eat the ultra sweet caramel biscuit.

Here's some pictures of the stretched table that is outside the cafe... 

I love sweet treats and as much as I enjoyed my dessert at the Magnum Cafe, I would say it is a place I'll visit just for the ambience and experience.  The decor which I did not featured, is indeed beautiful... quirky with an Alice in Wonderland theme.  

I prefer my ice-cream straight from the tub or in the form of a simple banana split ... I don't need the fancy mishmash and hodgepodge when it comes to ice-cream.   

That said, I'll definitely take Kiddo there though, coz I know she'll like the place.  Besides, the desserts aren't expensive for the ambience.

Talk to you ladies soon (",)