February 28, 2014

Guitar + Harmonica = Perfect Gift for Papa

I mentioned in my previous post how Papa play the guitar well. I haven’t mentioned that he can also do harmonicas. I think this could be a perfect gift on his 60th birthday – a guitar + harmonica. This will happen in 5 years from now which means I have ample time to save pennies for a guitar and a set of lee oskar harmonicas. Together with the package is a customized crochet case for the harmonicas like the cellphone case below which I did for one of our customers.
Crochet cellphone case

If I will be able to give this to him, I know he will treasure and use it on his spare time after his retirement.

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February 27, 2014

Crab and Corn Soup

With cold weather, soups are best food to keep you warm. Here is another soup suggestion – Crab and Corn Soup.

Blended corn kernel, eggs, crab meat and onion

You will need:

4 pieces crab sticks, chopped
4 cups corn kernel, crushed using blender
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
2 pieces egg, slightly beaten
2 tbsp butter

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February 26, 2014

Felt Cloth Owl headband

Hey guys! I am so excited to show you my first felt cloth owl headbands!


Cute, right?

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February 21, 2014

Crochet Hello Kitty Booties

Today, I will share with you the long overdue pattern for our Crochet Hello Kitty Booties. But let me remind you that I am no expert in writing crochet pattern so please bear with me.

Crochet Hello Kitty Booties

You will need:

Hook size 3.5mm
Worsted Light Weight Yarns (color of your choice you need for the booties and hello kitty face)
Pearl Buttons
Tapestry needle

Finished booties length is approximate 4.5" for the following pattern.

How to crochet:


Booties:

R1. Ch18. 2sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 6 chs, hdc in next 4 chs, dc in next 5 chs. 6dc in last ch. Working along opposite side of row. Dc in next 5 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 6 sts. 2sc in the same st as 1st 2sc. Join with sl st.

R2. Ch2. Hdc in the same st as ch2. Hdc in next 16sts. 2hdc in next sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in next 2sts, hdc in next 16sts. 2hdc in last st. Join with sl st.

R3. Ch2. Hdc in same st as ch2. 2hdc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 15 sts, 2hdc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 15 sts. 2hdc in last 2 sts. Join with sl st.

R4. Working in back loop only. Ch2. Hdc in same st and around until last st. Join with sl st.

R5-6. Work in both loop. Ch2. Hdc in same st and around until last st. Join with sl st.

R7. Ch2. Hdc in same st as ch2. hdc in next 22 sts, dc2tog, dc in next 12 sts, dc2tog, hdc in next 19 sts. Join with sl st.

R8. Ch2. Hdc in same st as ch2, hdc in next 5 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next 15 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in next st, dc2tog 4x, hdc in next st, hdc2tog, hdc in next 13 sts. Hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 sts. Join with sl st.

R9. Ch2. Hdc in same st as ch2. Hdc in next 22 sts, dc2tog 4x, hdc in next 17 sts. Join with sl st.

R10. Ch1. Sc in same st as ch1. Sc in next 21 sts, hdc2tog 4x, sc in next 14 sts. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Make 2 pieces.

Right Strap:

R1. From the center back (with booties facing you). Count 12 sts to the left and sl st to that st. Ch2. Hdc (to the left right back to the center) in the next 24 sts. Ch2, turn.

R2. Hdc back until the the top of Ch2 in R1.Ch16, hdc in the 3rd ch from hook down until the 1st ch of Ch16.

R3. Do not turn. Sc in last hdc of R2 back to the 1st hdc of R2 and 2 sc (as edging) down the last hdc in R1. Sl st to the st next to the last hdc in R1. Fasten off.

Now, we need to do hdc to the the other side of the strap (the Ch16 that we did in R2). Start in the st next to where you sl st in R1. Sl st on that st and do the 2 sc (as edging) up (make it the same like you did in R3 down). Hdc in the free stitches of the Ch16 in R2 up until the last st. Ch4, sl st to the other side to form a ring. Ch1, turn and make 4sc into the ring. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Left Strap:

R1. From the center back (with booties facing you). Count 12 sts to the right and sl st to that st. Ch2. Hdc (to the left back to the center) in the next 24 sts. Ch2, turn.

R2. Hdc back until the the top of Ch2 in R1.Ch16, hdc in the 3rd ch from hook down until the 1st ch of Ch16. (in this case the free stitched will be on top). 2 sc (as edging) down the last hdc in R1

Now, we also need to do hdc to the the other side of the strap (the Ch16 that we did in R2). Start in the st next to where you sl st in R1. Sl st on that st and do the 2 sc (as edging) up (make it the same like you did in R2 down). Sc in the 1st hdc until the last hdc in R2. Hdc in the 1st free st up until the last st. Ch4, sl st to the other side to form a ring. Ch1, turn and make 4sc into the ring. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Weave all ends. Sew the buttons at each side of the booties.

I know it sounds a little bit confusing. This is the reason why it took me this long to post this pattern. Haha…

Hello Kitty Face:

R1. Ch8. sc 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next 5 sts, 3sc last st. Now working on the other side, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in last st, sl st.

R2. Ch1. 2sc in the same st, sc next in the next 5 sts, 2sc in the next 3s st, sc next 5 sts, 2sc in the last 2 sts, sl st.

R3. Ch1. 2sc in the same st, sc next in the next 7 sts, 2sc in the next 4s st, sc next 7 sts, 2sc in the last 3 sts, sl st.

R4. Ch1. sc in the same st, sc next in the next 8 sts, (2sc in the next st, sc in the next st)2x, (sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st)2x, sc next 7 sts, (2sc in the next st, sc in the next st)2x, sc in the next st, 2sc in the last st, sl st.

R5. Ch1. sc in the same st, 2sc in the next st, sc next in the next 9 sts, (2sc in the next st, sc in the next 2 sts)3x, 2sc in the next st, sc next 9 sts, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 2 sts)2x, 2sc in the next st, sc in the last st, sl st.

R6. Ch1. sc next in the next 13 sts, Join with sl st. Fasten off.

For the ears. Count two stitches down the Ch1 in R6. Sl st to that st. Ch1. Sc in next st, hdc in next st, 2dc in next st, hdc in next, sc in the next 9 sts, hdc in next, 3dc in next st, and sc in the next st. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Make 2 pieces. Weave all ends.

For the bow, you may use the crochet bow pattern here. Use smaller size of hook then sew. Make two small bows and sew one on ear part of the face.

Sew the eyes, mustache and nose of the hello kitty using black yarn for the eyes and yellow yarn for the nose. Use tapestry needle for sewing and weaving.

You may sew the face on the booties toe top. I usually glue the face. I just glue first felt cloth under the face to make it look harder, and then glue them on the top toe of the booties.

Crochet Candy Pink Hello Kitty Booties

By the way, you can also make Hello Kitty Booties with black face.

Crochet Pink Hello Kitty Booties with black face
I did it! I thought I will never post this pattern. I hope you understand this. Feel free to leave a comment in case there’s a part you don't understand or you want to correct.

Happy crocheting and enjoy your weekend everyone!
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February 20, 2014

Sizzling Tofu ala Max’s





The other week, we had visitor in our plant and we went to Max’s Restaurant for lunch. One of the ordered dish is the sizzling tofu which I think one of their favorites. I got curios since it looks like easy to do so I tried to read the menu’s description. Last week, I prepared the said dish less the sizzling plate (I need to purchase one pa. Hehehe)


Ingredients: tofu, all-purpose cream, onion, oyster sauce and bell pepper


You will need:

4-5 cups tofu, fried and diced
1 medium sized green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium sized red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium sized onion, minced
1 siling pansigang, minced
½ cup all-purpose cream or mayonnaise
1-2 tbsps oyster sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Here’s how to do it:

Saute onion followed by bell pepper. Drop in tofu, oyster sauce, and siling pang-sigang. Add all purpose cream or mayonaise and continue stirring for about a minute. Add salt and pepper and stir for another minute. Serve hot or on top of a sizzling plate.

Best paired with rice or serve as pulutan.
Sizzling Tofu ala Max's Restaurant
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February 19, 2014

Crochet Rapunzel Hat

Crochet Rapunzel hat
I used 3-ply light pink acrylic yarn for the hat and thick yellow (Monaco Brand) for the hair. I also used hook #5.

For the crown:
Round 1: Ch4, 10 dc on the first ch, sl-st on the top of ch4.
Round 2: Ch3, dc on the same st, 2dc in each st around. Sl-st on top of ch3.
Round 3: Ch3, dc on the same st, *dc on the next st, 2dc in each st around. Repeat * around. Sl-st on top of ch3.
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February 18, 2014

It's Fun to be Fit with Mom & Me!

Hello Moms and Dads! Here's another Mom and Me event that will surely make your summer fun and fit.

From the Press Release Kit:

Keeping fit and healthy starts in the home. Kids need physical activity to build strength, coordination, and confidence and it is the parent’s responsibility to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. How can you do this, you ask? The answer is simple – engage in physical activities with them and make it a daily habit.

For kids, fitness means playing and being physically active. Once they enter nursery until they get to big school, exercise comes in the form of playing tag with friends, P.E. classes, and attending organized sports such as basketball or swimming. However, parents can no longer rely on physical education in schools to provide enough physical activity for kids. They need to play a more active role and make fitness a family routine.

This March, jumpstart the summer with Mom and Me: Fun To Be Fit, a series of health and fitness activities that both moms and kids will enjoy.  

Mom and Me: Fun To Be Fit

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February 15, 2014

Tiramisu ala Chemist Dad

Tiramisu ala Chemist Dad
At first I thought that Tiramisu is a Japanese dessert only to find out that it was originated in Italy.

Tiramisu (from Italian, spelled tiramisù, [tiɾamiˈsu], meaning "pick me up" or "lift me up") is a popular coffee-flavoured Italian dessert. It is made of ladyfingers (Italian: Savoiardi, [savoˈjardi]) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks, egg whites, sugar and mascarpone cheese, flavoured with cocoa. The recipe has been adapted into many varieties of cakes and other desserts. (Source: Wikipedia )

Glad to share my own version.
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February 13, 2014

Perfect Valentine's Gift Part 3

Few days left before Valentine’s Day and for those who haven’t bought their gifts for their loved ones, it is not yet late to purchase. Here is another gift suggestions for the so-called gadget geeks.


Main Product Image
Photo Source

Virtual Keyboard – this works for any gadget via Bluetooth connection. The advance optics technology tracks fingers movements as you type in the projected keyboard.
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February 12, 2014

Oven Toaster Brownies

Oven Toaster Brownies
Since I haven’t purchased an oven yet (a long time Christmas wish) I tried making brownies using the Maya Oven Toaster Brownie Mix. All you need here is an oven toaster.
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February 11, 2014

Flower Power Tuesday: Can You Guess This?

Aside from flower, can you guess what kind of flower is this?

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February 10, 2014

Nature's Touch Monday: Tridax Sky

"People with disabilities have abilities too
and that is what this course is all about - 
making sure those abilities blossom 
and shine so that all the dreams 
you have can come true."
- Mary McAleese


One of the tips I got in photography is to shoot in an unusual angle. So here is a tridax daisy flower taken from the bottom making the sky as the background rather than shooting it down .

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February 7, 2014

Random Shots Friday: : Star ng Pasko 2

"When I have a terrible need of - 
shall I say the word - religion. 
Then I go out and paint the stars."
-Vincent Van Gogh 

Star ng Pasko
Still another Christmas pahabol post. This shot is taken during our new year “pasyal’ at SM Marilao.
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February 5, 2014

Mango Float

Mango Float
There are lots of fruit vendors in the market selling mangoes this season. Mommy requested me to make Mango float. So here it is:
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February 4, 2014

A Perfect Valentines Gift 2

Love month has already started and in a couple of weeks, we will celebrate the much awaited event this month - Valentine's Day.

Mommy posted a perfect gift that women will definitely love - buckle bangle bracelet. What about men? What do you think would be a perfect gift for them?

I know most women find it difficult to look for a perfect gift. Here are another suggestions:

For guys whose into photography (like me. :-p), a new lens will definitely irresistible.
Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm VR II Telephoto Zoom
source
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