The second sewing course I signed up for was to make local food from felt. I thought I might end up with a salmon plushie but it was to make mainly felt 2D food by mainly gluing and then using valcro, stick onto the purse you had to kinda sew together.
This time the environment wasnt as peaceful cos the aunties were chatting and got a kid at my table. So kinda distracting and I was surprised that it was more of gluing together than sewing though I did re-learnt the "whip stitch". After the 2hrs session, could only finish the purse. Dabao the felt back to finish but cos didnt went about it yet cos partly is mainly sticking together. Felt so unpolished. And I lacked certain felt colors to make the sushi. My set was to make the Hokkien mee.
That was my last course until I signed up for more. Nothing that seems to pipe the interest and also many snatched up.
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Influenced by Tab's continous sublimal message plus I saw the Dory toy while looking at the Pusheen toy videos and liked it. So while my pusheens were held up by that stupid Brit1o, I decided to buy the Dory toy on a Tuesday afternoon. Went to jalan Toys 'R Us at Forum and walked all over until I ended up in P.S.
Dory is very cute and I was happy with it. Though it felt funny having to pose Dory with food initially. Plonked myself in the kopitiam in P.S to rest my dead tired knees then and stoned inside. Tab came and joined me after work and had a few funny pics of our avatars. Cool word for toy. Mine's a fish and hers a cat. So you know what pics would come out. Even collaborated to have a funny poem based on the pics taken. Toys aren't just toys, can derive so much other fun from it.
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Had to experiment and try out some new dishes to make as offering for thanks. So I sought to try out Nonya kuih - Baked Pumpkin Cake. It had the least coconut milk and almost entirely pumpkin which is healthier. Did it on Thurs and it wasnt difficult. Did half of the recipe portion and still it turned out a lot. Taste wise was pretty good, soft and moist. Though I didnt have the right size baking container and it turned out lower cos of the bigger sized container used to bake it. Cut into smaller pieces so it is not jialat to eat. The thing about nonya kuih, some are kinda heavy to eat. This one surprisingly does have a bit like that except when it was cut into smaller pieces, then ok. I felt it was a bit sweet for me so maybe reduce the sugar a bit next time if I make it.
Cos on Sat, might have things to do, I decided to utilise Fri and bake the second experimental dish - Pandan Swiss Roll with coconut cream filling. It had more steps and was more complex but I was happy when my swiss roll turned out fine. I almost charred the top by letting the top heat brown 5mins. Next time just 1-2mins is fine. After the swiss roll was rolled up and chilling in the fridge, I decided to try out the Giant cookies, as I needed to test out how the baking goes in our cheaper oven. Baking differs from oven to oven.
At one shot, to finish using that one egg I whisked, I made 4 different cookies. The Pandan Coconut one failed. Turned out spicy and bitter, reminiscent of the Cinnamon one. But I didnt add any cinnamon nor spice to it. A mystery but had to throw it. The first Oats and Raisins turned out drier cos I baked it a bit too long 5mins. Then the second, above, failed. The third one was PeanutButter and the fourth was GingerCookie. Taste-test, the second failed. The peanut butter was very nice. I love the ginger one too. Yay. Actually still left with one more flavor, Coffee. Until next time.
I was worried after tasting the Pandan Coconut cookie and it turned spicy??? So I quickly took out the swiss roll and tasted it. It was fine, phew! My mom and I were perplexed why the cookie was spicy and bitter?
As I was meeting Quet, packed a box, a bit of each, help me eat cos too much for my family. Too bad Tab wasnt free, otherwise I would have packed her one too.
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Went to Dolby Ghaut to pick up my pusheen parcel. Happy to see the Baker but after I had finished my baking endeavors. Nevermind, more in the future. The two surprise boxes, I kept unopened. Supposed to let Tab choose hers first so until I settled down and get her answer. Was happy with the Baker. Quickly stopped at Daiso and bought the felt I lacked and headed to Quet's house.
We went to her home cos I was bringing a bit of each of the cookies and cakes I made and better to keep the cakes chilled. Whilst at her home, msg Tab to choose her box, so that I could open mine. She was playing coy and I jokingly threaten to let Quet choose for her. Quet asked if she could keep the box she chose. We headed to eat western food again. This time I had a double grilled chicken but chose Honey Mustard and Fiery Buffalo, so it turned out to be the same grilled and still delicious chicken but with different sauce generously drizzled all over the top.
After that we headed back and walked around the shops. Quet checked out the new fruit stall and bought some lemons and watermelon. We went back to watch a movie. I chose Batman v Superman and I must say the Batman cannot make it. Superman also not as hot. But cos it didnt have too much dialog, we could chat, dun focus on it and still not miss any plot. Kudos to the Lex Luthor actor and character. Unfortunately even Alfred the butler had more character depth than Batman, who looked really fat in the suit.
So while watching, we could chat, look at phone, and even film the unboxing of the Pusheen surprise box after Tab finally chose one. I was really surprised to get the Taco cat which incidentally spelt backwards is still taco caT. Cos I really liked it since I saw the designs and from watching those unboxing videos, know that Taco is one of the rarer designs. The rarest is the purple Doughnut. Then the rarer ones are Taco, Ice cream. Rare ones are Cookie and maybe Burger and super common are Cupcake, Mug and Pizza. I didnt realistically think that I stand a chance to get it from just buying 2 boxes and taking one of them. Think the Taco cat will inspire me to make some tacos from scratch. Baker and Taco cats can inspire more baking and cooking dishes. Yumz!
Left Tab's chosen box at Quet's place cos I wont be free on Sat and I asked Quet if she would be meeting Tab. She would be, and now the surprise box is with her, Tab would surely not miss the meeting up. Like held ransom. And later on I saw her unboxing video, glad to see she also got the rarer one - Ice cream cat. Soon, we would all suddenly have the urge to eat tacos and ice cream cones.
Enough money spent on toys cum avatars for me for now. Indulge a bit but enough otherwise everywhere I go, have to bring a pack of toys about. At least until GUND suddenly releases series 2. Remember this surprise box is series 1. Let's hope it wont be anytime soon.
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Monday, July 04, 2016
A day of sewing and visiting Geylang Serai bazaar
From the leathercraft making course that we managed to sign up for, it has led me to sign up for a series of others, usually I attend them solo cos Tab was having her holiday in UK then and also some courses suited my interest more and also me having time on my hands, so even weekday courses are fine.
From our first leather keychain beginning to a leather coin pouch, I have assembled a small drone and tried flying it 3 sessions and have slightly improved my flying skill.
Went for the 3D printing training and actually I have 'tinkered' with a 3D design but dont have a laptop to install a program that is like a printer set up for me to download my design and set its 'print' format. Only then can I go and try to print out the design with a slot at the library.
Headed to a Chinese water painting course where I learnt the two genres of Chinese painting and tried my hands to paint a lotus but I think my color blending and shadowing concept needs to be strengthened. Plan a couple of art jamming at Tab's place, if DF doesnt mind (maybe one of those sats before Nat day)
My most recent one was on Sat morning, 11.30pm. I had to drag myself out of bed cos of my chaotic sleeping timing. I am still in the midst of readjusting but I have some success on some days where I am up early in the morning though I still slept late, 2am. On Sat, I managed to get up around 9am and out of bed by 9.30am. Got ready gradually and left home around 10.45am to have ample time to reach JE library by bus. I actually overslept for the previous Chinese painting one at 2pm... yes I woke up way past noon and had to cab down.
The session was on sewing and making a fantasy-theme passport cover. It had caught my attention mainly cos I am unable to sew. Didnt have much success in secondary school days and couldnt absorb the very few sewing sessions we had. My mom helped me in my home economics sewing part. So this was my chance to pick up the basics. At least the project was not to make some culottes but a more accessible passport holder. The interesting part was making your own sewn patch and later sewing it onto the passport holder and finally using running stitch to sew up the passport holder.
I learnt how to do the basic 3 stitches, back stitch, running stitch and overcast stitch. Also how to make your own patch using the stabliser (like a sewing design transfer tracing paper that melts and disappears in water) and a fabric marker (that disappears with ironing) and with simple instructions from very kind and gentle ladies instructors, we went about tracing, pinning and sewing. I must say it was very easy to comprehend and some of my latent sewing foundation came to the front (that I didnt know I had). I could thread and do the stitches with ease after a brief demo and can even ask some questions about sewing, like double line. Learned a bit more from asking some questions one-to-one.
I listened to my playlist on Spotify and proceeded to thread and sew. At first was a bit slow and hesitant but gradually got better as I continued on the outline of my Shire patch. Can see the improvement as I settled in with ease to sew. The music and quiet room made it enjoyable. Almost entirely women, except for one table with a family and the husband and wife were sewing with their older kids who were matured. Kind of therapeutic and got into the 'zone'. 2.5 hours zoomed passed in a jiffy and I was sewing up the passport cover when we all had to stop. None managed to do 2 patches though many of us took two designs to work on. The instructors allowed us to take home extra strings to sew and they have a good range of colors and also thick and thin strings. I took some and packed up to find lunch. Said goodbye to the nice ladies who had instructed us kindly and left.
Decided to head back to Clementi to first drop off a cheque and then eat lunch before heading down to Paya Lebar mrt. In Clementi, I had found a good Bee Hoon Soto stall and I feel it was so much nicer than the ones in my immediate area. So whenever I have to eat in clementi and I want a healthier and calories-friendly meal, I would go for it. Then hopped on the train, got a seat and listened to my new playlists on Spotify, quite enjoyable.
I was early and hung out in the Paya Leba square mall. Glad that SG has strong air-cons in public transport and malls, given the recent searing heat. Walked every level and got myself a dragonfruit juice drink. Waited for Tab to come and we walked over to the Geylang Serai bazaar. I remembered we had gone for one years ago, our usual gang and found it small and limited. This time, it is so much bigger.
So we walked about a bit before Quet came and joined up. I was super-glad Tab made me queue for the Thai milk tea drink. It was super thick and reminds me of the powerful Thai milk tea smoothie I had last year, the one that powered me walking under the scorching heat during Thai summer. They helped me buy a kebab box which I ate much much later but found a generous amount of chicken inside. Yumz. The milk tea did help to cool me down a lot and we went on walking, looking for the Instagram stalls.
Our next stop was the assorted flavors of Churros at Loco loco, which comes with luxurious flavor dips. Tab bought 2, the original and the assorted. She asked for the sauce separately - gula melaka and salted egg yolk. *At this juncture, I am still perplexed about Sporeans obsession with salted egg yolk sauce on just about everything. Personally I only like the zhi char crab version. The rest, I find that it over-powers the original flavor of the food but yet not thick enough* Actually I found the churros nice to munch on without any sauce. I didnt manage to eat the pandan flavor ones but the original, red velvet and oreos ones were tasty by itself. Each having its own distinct flavors and textures.
Quet stopped at a flower stall and bought an orchid for her home. We were looking on and I remembered the days when I was young and planted cactus and also a chilli plant from seed. Those were good childhood memories. I found I seem to have lost the green touch after I started working. Then we walked into the nearby mall on my request to cool down cos I was sweating buckets, back was soaked and I could feel the sweat on my thighs. We went into one and used the toilet too. Tab gave me a wet wipe and it felt good to do a quick wipe-down. After being cooled down, we walked to Quet's car to deposit our load and lighten our bags before a round 2. She had parked at CityPlaza. Man, I havent been here since Tab's wedding. Going there to look for something to wear for her gate-crashing session. That was years ago and felt like a few lifetimes ago. Granted I was much slimmer then and now with my heavier self, even more no need to bother looking at the stuff. I got to eat my kebab box, my main, while they were looking about.
One shop that got our attention was one that sold analog cameras and digital cameras from our youth. The tetris hand held game was one that brought back so much nostalgia. Remembering an even earlier game, Western Bar that was the epitome of hand held consoles. So tempted to buy a tetris game for $10.
Tab's footwear died and we did a quick entry into another old-school mall to look for footwear. The small shop had very good sneakers from Converse and Everlast. So tempting but I have no space, no need and also better be thrifty. Would consider that next time. Tab got her new footwear and we continued.Then we headed back to the bazaar. We chanced upon a socks stall and they bought some five-toes socks and funky ones.
I was full, had my Thai milk tea, churros and then kebab box, in reverse order - drink n dessert then main. Tab wanted to eat the salmon burger and get the Paddle pop dadil drink. Many stalls sell those, at $5 per pop but the Salmon burger stall had the nicest color combinations. Some stalls had 3-4 colors but this one had 6-7, all nicely layered. So Tab bought her main and we got bottled juice drinks with basil seeds inside and settled our butts down at the tented area where many others are having their food seated. Found a spot and plonked down to take pics of the Paddle pop dadil. I was too full to try any and just had my drink. The sky had darkened then and we chatted a bit and rest to cool off.
Once we were done, we got back to the mall to cool down. Went to walk about and into a toy shop then settled in a HK eatery. Had to endure Tab's sudden burst of creativity over fried yam cakes instead of fried carrot cakes. Thankful Quet generously gave me a lift home. A good outing, we did hit some of the food but didnt severely overeat. In fact, I think I ate pretty alright and was full. Reached home and bathed off the sweat from all the crowd and the sun. Knocked out that night. We did do a whole bunch of walking.
It was nice to revisit Geylang Serai bazaar. Like reliving some memories from years ago.
From our first leather keychain beginning to a leather coin pouch, I have assembled a small drone and tried flying it 3 sessions and have slightly improved my flying skill.
Went for the 3D printing training and actually I have 'tinkered' with a 3D design but dont have a laptop to install a program that is like a printer set up for me to download my design and set its 'print' format. Only then can I go and try to print out the design with a slot at the library.
Headed to a Chinese water painting course where I learnt the two genres of Chinese painting and tried my hands to paint a lotus but I think my color blending and shadowing concept needs to be strengthened. Plan a couple of art jamming at Tab's place, if DF doesnt mind (maybe one of those sats before Nat day)
My most recent one was on Sat morning, 11.30pm. I had to drag myself out of bed cos of my chaotic sleeping timing. I am still in the midst of readjusting but I have some success on some days where I am up early in the morning though I still slept late, 2am. On Sat, I managed to get up around 9am and out of bed by 9.30am. Got ready gradually and left home around 10.45am to have ample time to reach JE library by bus. I actually overslept for the previous Chinese painting one at 2pm... yes I woke up way past noon and had to cab down.
The session was on sewing and making a fantasy-theme passport cover. It had caught my attention mainly cos I am unable to sew. Didnt have much success in secondary school days and couldnt absorb the very few sewing sessions we had. My mom helped me in my home economics sewing part. So this was my chance to pick up the basics. At least the project was not to make some culottes but a more accessible passport holder. The interesting part was making your own sewn patch and later sewing it onto the passport holder and finally using running stitch to sew up the passport holder.
I learnt how to do the basic 3 stitches, back stitch, running stitch and overcast stitch. Also how to make your own patch using the stabliser (like a sewing design transfer tracing paper that melts and disappears in water) and a fabric marker (that disappears with ironing) and with simple instructions from very kind and gentle ladies instructors, we went about tracing, pinning and sewing. I must say it was very easy to comprehend and some of my latent sewing foundation came to the front (that I didnt know I had). I could thread and do the stitches with ease after a brief demo and can even ask some questions about sewing, like double line. Learned a bit more from asking some questions one-to-one.
I listened to my playlist on Spotify and proceeded to thread and sew. At first was a bit slow and hesitant but gradually got better as I continued on the outline of my Shire patch. Can see the improvement as I settled in with ease to sew. The music and quiet room made it enjoyable. Almost entirely women, except for one table with a family and the husband and wife were sewing with their older kids who were matured. Kind of therapeutic and got into the 'zone'. 2.5 hours zoomed passed in a jiffy and I was sewing up the passport cover when we all had to stop. None managed to do 2 patches though many of us took two designs to work on. The instructors allowed us to take home extra strings to sew and they have a good range of colors and also thick and thin strings. I took some and packed up to find lunch. Said goodbye to the nice ladies who had instructed us kindly and left.
Decided to head back to Clementi to first drop off a cheque and then eat lunch before heading down to Paya Lebar mrt. In Clementi, I had found a good Bee Hoon Soto stall and I feel it was so much nicer than the ones in my immediate area. So whenever I have to eat in clementi and I want a healthier and calories-friendly meal, I would go for it. Then hopped on the train, got a seat and listened to my new playlists on Spotify, quite enjoyable.
I was early and hung out in the Paya Leba square mall. Glad that SG has strong air-cons in public transport and malls, given the recent searing heat. Walked every level and got myself a dragonfruit juice drink. Waited for Tab to come and we walked over to the Geylang Serai bazaar. I remembered we had gone for one years ago, our usual gang and found it small and limited. This time, it is so much bigger.
So we walked about a bit before Quet came and joined up. I was super-glad Tab made me queue for the Thai milk tea drink. It was super thick and reminds me of the powerful Thai milk tea smoothie I had last year, the one that powered me walking under the scorching heat during Thai summer. They helped me buy a kebab box which I ate much much later but found a generous amount of chicken inside. Yumz. The milk tea did help to cool me down a lot and we went on walking, looking for the Instagram stalls.
Our next stop was the assorted flavors of Churros at Loco loco, which comes with luxurious flavor dips. Tab bought 2, the original and the assorted. She asked for the sauce separately - gula melaka and salted egg yolk. *At this juncture, I am still perplexed about Sporeans obsession with salted egg yolk sauce on just about everything. Personally I only like the zhi char crab version. The rest, I find that it over-powers the original flavor of the food but yet not thick enough* Actually I found the churros nice to munch on without any sauce. I didnt manage to eat the pandan flavor ones but the original, red velvet and oreos ones were tasty by itself. Each having its own distinct flavors and textures.
Quet stopped at a flower stall and bought an orchid for her home. We were looking on and I remembered the days when I was young and planted cactus and also a chilli plant from seed. Those were good childhood memories. I found I seem to have lost the green touch after I started working. Then we walked into the nearby mall on my request to cool down cos I was sweating buckets, back was soaked and I could feel the sweat on my thighs. We went into one and used the toilet too. Tab gave me a wet wipe and it felt good to do a quick wipe-down. After being cooled down, we walked to Quet's car to deposit our load and lighten our bags before a round 2. She had parked at CityPlaza. Man, I havent been here since Tab's wedding. Going there to look for something to wear for her gate-crashing session. That was years ago and felt like a few lifetimes ago. Granted I was much slimmer then and now with my heavier self, even more no need to bother looking at the stuff. I got to eat my kebab box, my main, while they were looking about.
One shop that got our attention was one that sold analog cameras and digital cameras from our youth. The tetris hand held game was one that brought back so much nostalgia. Remembering an even earlier game, Western Bar that was the epitome of hand held consoles. So tempted to buy a tetris game for $10.
Tab's footwear died and we did a quick entry into another old-school mall to look for footwear. The small shop had very good sneakers from Converse and Everlast. So tempting but I have no space, no need and also better be thrifty. Would consider that next time. Tab got her new footwear and we continued.Then we headed back to the bazaar. We chanced upon a socks stall and they bought some five-toes socks and funky ones.
I was full, had my Thai milk tea, churros and then kebab box, in reverse order - drink n dessert then main. Tab wanted to eat the salmon burger and get the Paddle pop dadil drink. Many stalls sell those, at $5 per pop but the Salmon burger stall had the nicest color combinations. Some stalls had 3-4 colors but this one had 6-7, all nicely layered. So Tab bought her main and we got bottled juice drinks with basil seeds inside and settled our butts down at the tented area where many others are having their food seated. Found a spot and plonked down to take pics of the Paddle pop dadil. I was too full to try any and just had my drink. The sky had darkened then and we chatted a bit and rest to cool off.
Once we were done, we got back to the mall to cool down. Went to walk about and into a toy shop then settled in a HK eatery. Had to endure Tab's sudden burst of creativity over fried yam cakes instead of fried carrot cakes. Thankful Quet generously gave me a lift home. A good outing, we did hit some of the food but didnt severely overeat. In fact, I think I ate pretty alright and was full. Reached home and bathed off the sweat from all the crowd and the sun. Knocked out that night. We did do a whole bunch of walking.
It was nice to revisit Geylang Serai bazaar. Like reliving some memories from years ago.
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