DIY: How to make a Christmas Hairband

Ho ho ho...Here is the 'Step-by-step guide on 'How to Make a Christmas Hairband'. And this is my early Christmas gift to all :)

Materials:
Scissors, acrylic felt (white & red), felt marker, needle, thread, glue (E6000 or UHU), black hairband and scallop scissors (optional).

Steps (with pictures shown below):

1. First, draw 6 circles on the red felt (diameter: 6 cm).
2. Cut them out.
3. You will get 6 red circles. Put 2 of them aside.
4. Take 4 of them. Fold it in half.
5. Then, fold again.
6. As shown in the picture.
7. Using a needle and a red thread, sew it few times at the tip (holding all the layers) and make a knot.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 until you get four petals.
9. Now, get ready the white felt and draw a circle (diameter: 4.5 cm).
10. As shown in the picture.
11. Cut it out and put aside.
12. Draw another white circle (diameter: 6 cm).
13. As shown in the picture.
14. Use a pair of scallop scissors and cut slowly at about 3 to 4 mm away from the circle. (If you don't have the scallop scissors, don't worry, you can always draw the wavy line and cut it carefully).
15. Take the four petals (from no. 8), sew it onto the white scalloped-circle.
16. Repeat for all four.
17. Now, get the 2 red circles (from no. 3). Fold it in half.
18. Fold it again, 1/3 to the front (as shown in the picture).
19. Fold it again, this time 1/3 to the back (refer to the picture).
20. You will get something like a 'S' shaped petal.
21. Sew it at the tip, holding all the layers together.
22. Then, sew it to the centre of the white scalloped-circle with the 4 petals (no. 15).
23. Stitch it nicely at the centre and end it with a knot. Repeat steps 17-23 for the second petal.
24. Now, you will get a nice red Christmas peony!
25. Turn to the back.
26. Apply some glue to it, make sure you glue the knot and the stitches.
27. Place the black hairband to it, at the desired position. Hold it carefully for few minutes.
28. Then, get the smaller piece of white circle (from no. 11) and apply some glue on it.
29. Put it onto the back of the peony (no. 27). Press nicely and leave it for 10 minutes to let it dry.
30. Now, your Christmas Hairband is DONE! Simple and nice, right?

Enjoy and Blessed Christmas!

'Kam Puang/Kolok Mee' (Foo Chow Noodles) Recipe

Hi all, as I promised..here is the 'Kam Puang/Kolok Mee' (Foo Chow noodles) Recipe. 'Kam Puang' mee is a very famous Foo Chow's local delicacy. Fyi, Foo Chows from Sitiawan, Perak call it 'Kam Puang' and in Sarawak they call it 'kolok mee'. Actually the traditional Kam Puang recipe uses lard (from pork) and pork crisps, but I replace it with shallot oil (remaining oil from Steamed Pumpkin Cake) and shallot crisps-healthier :) My parents have been making their own mee (handmade noodles) since I was young and I always love it. And now, my children and husband also enjoy this delicacy so much :)

As usual, i only share simple and easy recipes...So, to make it an easy recipe, you don't have to make the noodles yourself. I replace it with Sakura 'You Mian' that i bought from Tesco (picture as shown at the end of the article) and replace the sliced 'char siew' with hard-boiled eggs. And you still can enjoy the 'authentic taste' of this delicacy!

'Kam Puang/Kolok Mee' (Foo Chow Noodles) Recipe

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 4 'pieces' of Sakura 'You Mian' noodles (you may use yee mee too)
• Some vegetables - i use 'Siew Pak Choy' (chopped)

For toppings:

• 2 eggs (cut into 2) - you may use minced meat/'char siew' pork (BBQ)
• 3-4 shallots (minced and fried)
• Some spring onions (finely chopped)

For seasoning (sauce):

• 3 tablespoons of shallot oil (i use the remaining oil from Steamed Pumpkin Cake)
• 1 tablespoon of thick soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon of light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon of Maggi seasoning/mononatrium glutamate (MSG)
• A pinch of white pepper powder
• 1/2 cup of hot water

Steps:

1. First, prepare the sauce. Add all the sauce ingredients together and mix it well.
2. Then, prepare the toppings' ingredients.
3. Boil a pot of water. Boil the vege for 5 minutes. Remove and drain it and keep it aside. 
4. Next, boil the noodles in the pot and cook for about 5-6 minutes.
5. Drain and run cold water through them and place them in a big bowl.
6. Add the seasoning mixture (sauce) to the noodles and mix well. Portion them in 4 plates.
7. Garnish them with the toppings and that's it!

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Enjoy!

I use these noodles...

These are the ingredients.

I left out this in the above picture...