The best Chinese-style cookery book for novice

This is one of my favourite cookbooks which is highly recommended for novices who like to start Chinese-style cooking.

Title          :  Cuisines for Beginners ( Bilingual in Chinese and English)
Author      :  Theresa Lai
Year         :  July 2011
Publisher   :  Seashore Publishing Co.
Price         :  Singapore Dollars $9.90

This book has good explanations, good illustration and learning to cook is just a brisk!!
It is available in Popular Bookstores.  For overseas readers who want to have a copy of this book, I can get it for you. Just simply email me : craftsmemory@yahoo.com.sg with your request.

Enjoy cooking!


 

Chinese Cooking

This September, I am going to focus my attention on Chinese Cooking. As a Chinese, I am very glad that many dishes can be easily cook as long as you put in the right sauce to blend the ingredients. As the Chinese saying, dishes should be nice in taste, look and smell. There are abundance of bilingual cook books in Popular Bookshops and they are selling between $5-$25. I have realised that to cook a dish well, you must have good seasoning and it is a sure-win.

Today, I am going to talk about Tofu and Tau Kwa. The difference is soft , firm or wet. Tau Kwa is best served fried with other ingredients. Tofu, is best served in soup. The pricing for Tau Kwa is about S$0.75/pc, Tofu is about S$1.00/pc. Frankly, Tau Kwa is definitely my cup of tea as it is firmer and tastier. Tau Kwa is best fried with mushrooms, meat (pork) or vegetables.

Basically, you have to pan or deep fry the Tau Kwa first, before stir fry with the remaining ingredients. That's simple.

Word of Advice

To avoid splatter of oil, remember to wipe dry the Tau Kwa or Tofu before frying.

Sockies-Kitty Love





Alas, I had completed this lovely kitty made of sock and polyester stuffing. It was really fun to make it except for initial hiccups like stuffing and making it to stand , re-do sewing on the nose to make it look even..

There are many other designs which one can create, just think out of the box or just run through pictures of cute animals and surely the bulb of ideas will light up.

Words of Advice

Always remember to mould the stuffing before inserting into the socks and the ideal shape will surface. Measure the exact site of the eye, nose and mouth to give the final look a polished face. Finally, use the right stitch to sew the appropriate parts.

Good Luck!

Stray Sock Sewing



These are the two interesting books that inspire me to use socks as craft. It is written by Daniel , an advertising personnel who indulged in using socks to make stuff animals. The books are well illustrated with step by step instructions and colour pictures to show you the process of making it. I tried to buy them from Page One Bookshop at Vivo City but they have no stock. Each book costs S$29xx according to OpenTrolley Online Bookstore. There is another book ( $20xx) written in Chinese by Taiwanese crafter and is available at Popular Bookshop at Nex but the problem is I could not understand the Chinese explanations. I realise many available craft books are mostly from China or Taiwan and they are very well-written with attractive colourful pictures and the prices are so much cheaper. I regret not able to read the Chinese words otherwise I would have bought them. If you are thinking of getting the above 2 books, try borrowing them from the public libraries. When learning craft, one has to be patient and learn from mistakes. What I gather is, craft is such a lovely yet challenging experience and journey...
Make sure you have spare yourself the time and passion to indulge in this world of crafts.



 

Sockies-Making Stuffed Toys

This month, I will concentrate on making stuffed toys using new socks I bought from Daiso. Although this is not a new type of craft, there's something we need to know before diving into it.

1. Must know a few hand stitches i.e.
    a. slip stitch - for hemming so the stitch cannot be seen
    b. french knot - for eyes and whiskers
    c. backstitch- for outlining the shape of the toy (hands, feets and ears)
    d. ladder stitch-for attaching parts together- apply small stitches to prevent stuffing from leaking
    e.straight stitch-for closing the gaps
    f. split stitch-for outlining mouth and eyes
    g. satin stitch-for nose area

2. Choosing the right socks :
    a. baby sock- for small creatures
    b. knee-lgth sock- for bigger creatures
    c. cotton sock - not ideal , as it is cluny
    d. cotton+polyester-ideal for making toys
    e. nylon -worst cos' too stretchy, can see the stuffing
    f.  woolly - the nice comfortable feel, best type for making toys

3. Materials required :
    a. Socks
    b. Stuffing - cotton+ polyester type
    c. Embellishement - buttons, beads, ribbons, satin cord, yarn, felt, sequin...

4. Tools required :

    a. Scissors - separately for fabric , seam & paper

    b. needles / pins

    c. thread esp upholestery type- strong holding

    d. colour pencils / marker

    e. measuring tape

    f.  tweezer- for stuffing 

Words of Advice

Like I said before, have the right tools , materials and learning the stitches correctly, you are surely on the right track to making the stuff toys. Next, think of the design and method of putting it to work.

Good Luck!                           

Felt Bus Tissue Case

Sewing is truly a pleasant way to stay focus. I use to fear sewing because I know my hands are not adapt to doing handwork. Now, I prove myself wrong because I have finally come to realise how much satisfacation one can derive from completing a crafty work with sewing.

Moreover, sewing is a form of staying alert, creating wonderful vibes in one's mind and definitely, I learn to be feminine again. Pals, let's start sewing and make sure don't give up on your handicraft!

In Aug, I will be making stuff toys using socks! Although this is not a new art, but it will be still exhilarating to look at all the possiblities of handmaking your own animal stuff toy.

Words of Advice

Before making the stuff toy, I will go round looking for cheap yet nice socks. From what I learn, it is best to get woolly socks because they are less stretchable and stay in shape. I have visited a few dept stores, but the socks are rather costly about $5up per pair. I managed to get cheap yet good ones from Daiso @ $2/pr but their designs are limited. Luckily, I found out that some neighbourhood shops in Hougang are selling nice ones at $2.50-$3.50/pr. It's ok to buy some and keep it for future use.

In my next blog, I will talk about the 7 hand-stitches one has to learn in order to sew the different parts of a stuff toy together. C u then.

Crafts Memory-Using Felt

Hi, I am in my mid forties and I begin my new journey into Crafts Works. It is my labour of love, time and effort. This month, I am using Felt Fabrics of different colours to make teddy bear's stuff head, a bus-shaped tissue case and name card holder.

Initially, I am fearful of sewing as I know sewing needs skill and patience. Well, it is actually not that scary and I begin to like it. There are a few handstitches to learn i.e. blanket stitch, back stitch, straight stitch...They are really simple once you grasp hold of the method.

I managed to sew my first craft - Teddy Bear's stuff head and it took me about 3 days of 1 hour each/day to complete it. As I said, it's my first so I need to build up my confidence and skill. After completion, I felt happy and of course, I know the craft can be improved such as the stitches and cutting of pattern.

Ok, next week I will do my bus-shaped tissue case and till then, let's invigorate the world with crafts!

Words of Advice:

For novice, as a start buy cheap handicraft supplies from Daiso (any outlets) because their products are only $2/pc and you can get reasonably good quality supplies. However, if you want wider choices of handicraft supplies, you can get it from Golden Dragon, Spotlight, Art Friend and other speciality craft stores. Note, the prices are definitely higher!!