Spring is almost here!

Blessed Chinese New Year!

The first flower has bloomed after a long break. After clearing the weeds and loosening up 

the soil and watering more regularly, the plant's responding :-) There are a few more buds on the way too. The first time it bloomed was a few years ago and it bloomed 40+ flowers at one go. The living room was filled with natural air freshener. Intoxicatingly sweet if you went nearer the plant. Very nice!

Otherwise, I've made some items. Didn't get around to taking pics but this is one of them. I started out with a cotton/linen patch with this pink as the back but it became another pouch altogether, different from what I had in mind earlier. Managed to find some rather wide lace (about 2 inches) so I can use that as the divider and the cards won't drop out. I'll need to practise sewing faster though 'cos I plan to make more pouches with the bound sides :-)

Have a blessed day!

Never too late for blessings

Mum passed me one of her Chinese New Year cards to make into a box when she saw the boxes I made using 'Condo cards' that I get in the mail. The boxes I made in the past had a separate cover and bottom 'cos I used 2 cards. Since this is a greeting card, 'both' are joined so I decided to do a flip cover. Yes, I do waste a bit at the end of the cover but I still like the result. Hope Mum likes it too :-)

BTW, it's also possible to make such boxes with a single condo card. I made one the other day but didn't take a pic. To maximise as in have as little wastage of the card as possible, score both short ends first then estimate the middle portion rather than just fold the card in half. The cover's always shorter. Email me if you need further clarity.

Cheerios!

Happy Lunar New Year!

Wishing everyone abundance of joy, great health and dreams come true!

Paint the town red

Do you know how many shades of red there are? If you like it fire engine red, perhaps this is the one for you?

Made this though no one requested in particular, but in response to the comments in the facebook entry for the first CNY mandarin orange carrier. Almost the same design in that there is a drawstring closure with 2 pockets for angpows. Lining is same print but in peanut colour. Lots of peanuts during CNY, no? LOL! Difference other than print is that the drawstring is not cotton cord but made of same fabric as exterior. I don't know about size 'cos I don't have a template but I think this will fit 6 mandarins?
This is going at a special rate of S$15 (including local shipping). SOLD!
If you'd like this one, leave a comment at the shoutbox on the left or a comment on facebook. I'll check at noon tomorrow and if there's only 1 person interested in this, I'll sell it to you :-) If there are more, I'll do the random.org to help me select who to sell to.
ps: DD prefers this one.
pps: forgot to add that if no one wants this, it'll be what we're using this CNY... LOL!

Roses are red

Red is the most auspicious colour for CNY, no? Next to orange and gold. Bright colours too. This CNY mandarin orange carrier has it all. Myriad of colourful flowers with gold accents. Drawstring top so that the mandarins don't roll out and 2 pockets inside (incoming and outgoing). Stress points have been reinforced to carry up to 8 mandarins I think.
Have a prosperous and blessed CNY!

POLL: Closed or open?

Which do you prefer, closed or open pineapple tarts? DS likes open ones, DD likes closed ones, I like pineapple tarts. I like these from my friend who's making them this year.

I tried some this year! Soft buttery exterior that crumbles easily, filled with pineapple and fruit peel, or at least that's what I think it is. I like pineapple tarts tangy and these are certainly it!

Or if you like something crunchier that's a hit with younger ones, try these. With nuts and raisins.