Simple cupcakes.

Posted on September 19, 2007 by Mabel

Okay…I was pressed for time – in between rushing two shawls, marking exam papers, a visit from my cousin who just flew in from Canada and baking class – I cheated by using a muffin mix instead of starting from scratch.

A visit to Bake With Yen and Chang Tung – both baking suppliers in Taman Megah (same row as La Manila) – saw me spending money on cupcake holders, pans, cake tester, sugar dragees (small round balls) and some raw ingredients.

Hence the emergence of my super quick cranberry poppyseed muffins. (The frosted ones – not in pics – are for class tonight.) These are for the tummy! As you can see, I need more practice!!!!

White Flowers

Posted on September 17, 2007 by Mabel

White Flowers
Pattern | Flower Basket Shawl
Yarn | Colourmart 100% cashmere in white
Needles | 4.5mm circulars (very loose cast off by using 7.5mm needles)
Modifications | Soft purple beads around the edging and near the middle plus end of “wings”.

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Wedding favours – Packaging

Posted on September 17, 2007 by Mabel

Since I’m on a DIY roll, I might as well reveal what else I’ve been working on for this weekend. The project is still ongoing, mind you (I have to wait for the dragees to arrive before completing it) but yes, it’s going to look very DIY and well, very simple.

The colours are a bit bright in the photos but generally half of the 150 or so favours will be in red and the rest in yellow. Don’t ask about the cost coz everything was made with leftover stuff…or stuff I bought for dirt cheap! ^.^

Yes, it’s confirmed…I’m a stingy poker.

DIY photo album(s)

Posted on September 15, 2007 by Mabel

When the going gets bored, the bored get going…well, something like that… Yes, I’m trying to be funny but it’s coming out all wrong.

Anyway, someone recommended that I try photobook.com.my instead of sticking to Pixart for my wedding albums and I’m glad that I considered that suggestion!

Although slightly more expensive than Pixart, photobook’s software allows for flexible templates so you can pretty much do anything you want (provided of course your pics have the right resolution, eg 300 and above). They even have a variety of album sizes plus greeting cards too…and oh, they are currently running a Merdeka promotion – lots of savings and freebies here and there.

At the moment, I have e-vouchers (which are valid up till December next year) for an A3 landscape (hardcover), A4 landscape (hardcover), A4 portrait (softcover), three 6R (softcover) and eight A3 posters to fill up with my photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOA!

So what am I going to use them for? Well, there is the registration…the wedding dinner…the honeymoon…the holidays…the gifts to parents…well, there is always something for an album!

Y’know, DIY never came on so stylishly!!!!!!

Just in case you’re wondering, Star Tech did a review on these photobook companies. Have a go here!

Class #2

Posted on September 13, 2007 by Mabel

We worked on stars today…plus some swirls and writing. It was super fun except for the part where my hand started to ache. We even did the basic cone shape for the roses that we’ll be doing for the fourth class.

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My 2nd attempt!

Posted on September 12, 2007 by Mabel

It was way better than the first – both the cake and frosting-wise. I’m still a bit rusty with some bits but at least the sides look better than my first try. I won’t even put up photos!

This time, the base is an orange almond butter cake with baked orange slices and some vanilla buttercream as its filling. My cake turned out thin – only 1.5 to 2 inches tall – so I had to find a way to make it higher. The filling was done with a lattice pattern since I wanted some variation when you slice it. Hopefully it’ll turn out as how I envision it to be.

Now for the pattern…that needs some thinking but I have something circular in mind with lots of citrus-y colours! More pics tomorrow night after class!

Poetry/Readings

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Mabel

I’m thinking of using some poems or readings for the night’s program, especially the part before the couple’s toast…

Poem #1: Recipe of love by Ara John Movsesian
The recipe of love must always include
Some herbs and spices for fortitude;
A tablespoon of forgiveness -
A clove of loyalty -
A cup of faith -
And a sprig of honesty;
A pinch of patience -
A teaspoon of trust -
A cup of friendship -
And a bit of lust;
Mix all these herbs and spices well -
No other recipe could ever excel;
Add (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name) for proper effect;
Then saute the whole in two cups of respect.

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Dame Anita Roddick is no more…

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Mabel

In less than a week after tenor Pavarotti’s death, another one of my favourite people is off for a long trip, as of 10 September 2007.

ANITA Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop cosmetics store, has died after suffering a major brain haemorrhage. She was 64.

The businesswoman, dubbed the Queen of Green, died today at a hospital in southern England, with her husband and daughters by her side, the family said in a statement.

“Gordon, Justine and Sam Roddick are very sad to announce that after suffering a major brain haemorrhage, Anita Roddick died at 6.30pm this evening at the age of 64,” the statement said.

A few years, she made a visit to my old OLD blog – it could be someone masquerading as her but this was fresh from a visit I made to HER blog (I left a comment there as well) – and she left a little comment:

The comment came on December 16, 2003 in reference to the post: 75 Things About Me.

“Woke up at 5am. Babysitting granddaughter . came accross your blog. You are a talented wordsmith. Thankyou for the comments. In the process of writing major book on Water – casacalling in “Thirsting for Justice “. Anita

Anita Roddick [anitaroddick@anitaroddick.com]

She made my day then…and still does every so often with her passion. I only hope the rest of the world doesn’t forget about this Queen of Green.

More here and here.