Reselle, Natural Red Cordial

We served lots of red cordial drinks to our guests this CNY. Oh yes, we love everything in Red. But this year, I boiled Roselle cordial instead of using the ready red-coloured cordial. Simply because it is natural, healthier and high in vitamin C. Roselle can be easily found at Malay stalls in wet market, at RM2 for a big bag.

Roselle Cordial

Ingredients:

Roselle, 2 handful

3 litres of water (est. 2 x 1.5L bottled water)

sugar

Method:

1. separate the red calyx from the seedpod.

2. wash and drain the red calyx.

3. place red calyx and water in stainless steel pot and bring to the boil. Simmer until the red color has faded from the calyx.

4. add sugar to taste.

5. strain through a sieve and throw away the fruit.

6. let cool and keep it in the refrigerator. Serve cool.

Planting Roselle

If you wanted to plant Roselle of your own, keep the seedpod as seedings are inside the seedpod.

Steps:

1. put seedpods out to dry.

2. crack open to take the seedings out and plant it.

'Angry Bird' Happy New Year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 



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.