Hello Dr President, this is for you!

With Singapore's Presidential Elections done and dusted, and the announcement of our new elected Pres. on Sunday morning, I'd been thinking of making a little something to mark the event. While picking through the social media grapevine, I came across this ripe little pun...


'Make sure you vote for the right Tan. If not, you may end up with a 笨 tan (moron), or worse, a 坏 tan (baddie) who will 捣 tan (mess up) and Singapore will be 完 tan (finished)' 


I've no idea where this pithy statement has come from, but I'm sure whoever came up with this won't mind me sharing it here. I love Tans. When it emerged in the press a couple of years ago that Tans are good for you, I was overjoyed! I keep a supply of them ready at home all the time...

So how about cooking one up for the President?

I could make it plain and simple...

Or dress it in something a bit more fancy.

Reckon this'll make it to the Presidential table?

*For all my non-Chinese, non-Singaporean readers, Tan is a play on 蛋 (dàn). All the candidates for this election were Tans. Naaaah, it's not so funny when I have to explain it, sorry!

A Fairbridge for all weathers

I'd been plugging the Makeshift Arts and Crafts Market at Fairbridge on Facebook for a couple of weeks now, and last Saturday was when it all happened! The fair itself was a wee bit on the quiet side, but I'm still delighted with the outcome. Although Birmingham city centre is only seconds away by car and a few minutes on foot, I guess it's difficult to convince visitors to go out of their way, past car dealerships and industrial areas to find us. We also learnt, closer to the time, that other events were also happening in the area, so there was a bit of a clash.

Well, *shrugs* certainly can't moan about Boremingham!

In spite of the quiet turnout and a bit of rain, we had a really good time! Fairbridge offered both in-or-outdoor space to stallholders for free, all we had to do was donate a tombola prize. Entry for visitors was free too so I hope the Centre made lots of money through the raffle, cake sales and other activities for their generous support of local designer-makers, musicians and small businesses.

Selling cakes galore, finger puppets, face-painting, balloons and tombola raffles all for a great cause!

Supporting local musicians...it did rain at one point, so the wellyboot backdrop is v. apt!

Do you know the Madras man...*hums*

I got a chance to catch up with my crafty chums, meet new ones, make some money, while Andy had the pleasure of eating lots of cake and getting plenty of female attention (since he was in the overwhelming minority!) There was plenty of time to wander round and chat to other stall holders, so I thought I'd take pics for a little feature on local artists and designer-makers while I was at it.

Me first, I'm a local designer-maker too! It's been a while since I ran a stall. This time I thought I'd lighten things up with a yellow backdrop. Anyone with more tips or suggestions, please let me know!

Now all my work shows up against it, with hidden storage under my shelves too! *beam*

First, let's start with Emma O'Brien, Coventry's resident naughty-monster maker, who runs The Lock Gallery and monthly Cov Art Fair at the Canal Basin in Coventry and was the first arty-fartist I met in the area. Emma also works at the Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, where she's helped start the hugely popular Knit, Stitch and Crochet Club of which I'm a big fan. More on that in a later post, but what I want to know is where she finds the time to do all this! Have you got more hours in the day than the rest of us, Emma O. B.?

They come in all shapes and sizes for people of all shapes and sizes!

She's also started making zombies. They appeal to my visceral sense of humour so much, I HAD to have one! This one has wool guts spilling out, the one I bought had a bone leg (don't misread that!) and wool blood gushing out of the wound. What macabre fun!

Bleeeeurgh!

There were a couple of gems, such as Alison Perry's luxuriously presented jewellery stand.

Dramatic and gorgeous

Yup, this one is All About the Beads. What I love most about Ali is how she gives every piece incorporating gemstones and lampwork glass beads a title, just like a rare masterpiece! Names like 'Sheherezade', 'Angels on Bare Skin' and 'The Woman Clothed with the Sun' describe her creations perfectly and make you ache to wear them. Even a non-jewellery person like myself...

Scrummy boiled sweet delights! But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself!

And it's a craft fair, so beads and, yup, you got it, buttons are out in profusion. Julia Gandy, who runs the Transport Museum Craft Fairs,  also makes unique and elaborate Hole-Button Jewellery. Her chunky necklaces and fascinators would make a great statement at a wedding...without upstaging the bride, of course...uh, unless you ARE the bride, then it doesn't matter!

Fascinating array of colours

Since we're onto wearables, these girls are part of a collective Sent 2 Coventry, together with Emma Gluyas, owner of Arty-Em Gear. I forgot to take any pics of her knitwear, remade vintage and upcycled clothing (Doh!) but you can still check her out with the link above.

Gemma Hall of Ragamuffins Vintage probably doesn't think she's an artist (I love that name!) but her display was pepped up with lovely bunting and fabric hearts for that touch of retro chic so she certainly has an eye for detail. Plus, since she shared the room and her copious hangers with us absent-minded sods who packed a clothes rail without hangers, she definitely counts as fam! Do visit her website when it's up, the garments she personally selects are truly special.

Looks the part too!

Now then... I've covered cuddly companions for your soul, jewellery to dress up your outfits, clothes to, uh, stop you going out naked, so it must be time for furnishings and accessories to make your house a home!

How about Karmen's Kreations for her calming and spiritual oil-on-canvas paintings, prints and cards? She also sells wonderful handmade throws and duck feather cushions at reasonable prices. I remember thinking how beautiful her stand looked, with embroidered table coverings, flowers and fairy lights, while I was tagging Darn Stuff during set-up. I couldn't believe it when she told us it was her first time at a fair! *pheweeeeet!* Let's give this talented lady the support she deserves!

Charming Carmen also kept me well-plied with compliments about my work throughout the day *preen* 

And now I must admit I've kept the best till last. Mel Smith's happy go loopy stand was my absolute favourite, and if you love vintage and shabby chic, I know you'll see why!

It's all in the details, every single teeny tiny one of them.

Look at all THIS!

Soya wax teacup candles, loopy storybook bunting and all kinds of wonderful treats...

Mel particularly recommends her SOS jars for students first leaving home. They contain every fiddly thing you might need but almost certainly won't have...like Blu-tack! All so beautifully presented.

Having subjected poor Andy to what was effectively one giant hen party on a Saturday afternoon (giant party, NOT giant hens!) this had to be the icing on the cupcake...look what he won from the tombola! *falls off the chair howling with laughter*

His best macho look, considering the floral lace bag and bunny poking out.

Bless his cotton socks...

Apparently the Pandy'd hoped to win it 'cos he thought it'd be just my thing. Awwwww... it certainly matches my outfit!

'Happy birthday!', he said, even though my birthday's in April...
I should've posed with my new boney-legged zombie!

Happee Nashuner Day, peeper! *waves flag*

(Translation: Happy National Day, everybody! *waves flag*)

Actually, I usually just celebrate by watching the National Day parade on Youtube afterwards, so the 9th August isn't terribly eventful for me away from home. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of being Singaporean, I love the country and all it means to me...family, friends, my childhood, the food...AHHHH, Foooood.....*misty-eyed* but I just don't have anyone here to celebrate with! I know, I know.... *violins wailing in the background*

It really doesn't bother me that much, but since 'apathy' has become a new buzzword after the General Elections earlier this year, I must prove that I am not politically apathetic! *stamps feet* Well, I've cooked my own Hokkien prawn mee from scratch. I cooked the recipe from scratch TWICE. It shows that my actions are in keeping with the hawkers out there who do this everyday. The heartlanders...See? How well I know my people...*sweeping hand gesture*

Aaaaanyway, punniness aside, I've also eaten said Hokkien mee for about 4 days in a row! Now if that isn't patriotic fervour, I don't know what is. What to do? When one boils a stinky pig's trotter to make stock for a recipe meant for 10, but isn't cooking for a family gathering *sniff* that means one must eat the same dish ten times lor! Although with some help from the Brit, it means I only need to have it FIVE times! He even helped me clean the pig's trotter 'cos I was too grossed out...I'm a 3rd generation Singaporean lah, we're a bit soft when it comes to eggs and legs but the Pandy's a science geek so he doesn't mind. Even gleefully pointed out to me that there were hairs in-between the toenails. Eeyer! (Translation: Yuck!)

Here's a picture for fun. Of the Hokkien mee lah, not pigs' trotters...there are chewren around, y'know? Wait they cry if they see what's happened to poor Wilbur! Haiyah.
(Translation: Of the Hokkien noodles, idiot, not pigs' trotters...there are children around, y'know? What if they cry when they see what's happened to poor Wilbur! Humph.)

No no no, there's no hor fun here, plenty of mee and bee hoon, yes.

That's an old picture actually, I used kitchi (Malay: kechil = small) prawns this time round so it looks less droolworthy. So, see? Buy something from Sock 'N' Soul HQ and then I can afford big prawns next time! More to the point... I seem to be digressing more and more with every post. Well, y'know what they say: You can take food away from the Singaporean, but you can't take the Singaporean away from food *beam* My sis even says I've got something called a food grin! Usually it's when I've just arrived home and can't decide what to eat, so order about 3 dishes at once and polish them all off *food grin* The last time this happened Pandy looked a bit anxious, but not to worry! Us Asians have good skin elasticity! Comes from all that pigs' trotter collagen. Plus the portion sizes in Singapore are a third of those in English pubs anyway.

So just because I don't do much to celebrate National Day doesn't mean nobody else should, and I thought I'd help you celebrate! WHOO HOO!!! Let's booogie! *waves flag vigorously*

Sock 'N' Soul have come out for the party too!

Red and white, it's outta sight!

LET'S CELEBRATE!

If you make a purchase at £15 (about $30) or greater from my Folksy store (sorry ah, Etsy one not updated yet) from now till the end of the month,  delivery will be free to anywhere in the world that allows Darn Stuff (and everything else I make) freedom of entry.

The rules: 

(us Singaporeans like to be told what to do, the ones that don't, move away. Haha! Joking lah, kay?)

• In the spirit of Singapore's open and multi-ethnic society, this offer is open to everyone. Lelong, lelong! (Translation: Come buy, come buy!)

• One free delivery per customer, per address please, don't kiasu ah! Wait I pok kai then how? (Translation: Don't loot me! What if I go bust like London retailers?)

• Valid for items listed on Folksy only. If I run out of stock, please contact me anyway. (No lah! I won't send you the pig's trotter stock. Donch worrit!) The order is eligible if placed before the end of the month. Unless I really run out of sock, then bor pian. Sorry! (Translation: No, I won't send you the pig's trotter stock. Don't worry!....Unless I really run out of sock, then I can't make more. Sorry!)

So come and look see look see, ok? I've got new Smelly Babies in Melon & Passionfruit or Champagne & Roses fravoured scents. They got smelly balls lah, that's why they smell. Summore got Smelly Bunnies. They have smelly balls too. As usual, they come in a variety of features and embellishments, so click on each item to see the options.

WHEEEEE!!! Having fun on the spinning teacups...

Yah, I know. I have a lot of smelly things in stock right now. If you lay them in your drawer (the wooden pull-out kind, or underwear kind, or bofe) they'll make your melons and passion fruit smell velly nice. Maybe help to increase the low birth rate. Heehee, us Singaporeans like corny joke.

I'm also making some whales. Not smelly ones lah, what would they smell of...sperm? That'd be so wrong. Then, technically speaking, my SBs should smell of poo! Or vomit. Althoooough sperm bal...NO. No smelly whales.

There'll also be some little ducks coming soon and lots of other Darn Stuff, so drop by and have a lookie, okie? See you there!

Dudes with attitood

Bzzzzzzbzzzzbzz *tuning back to Radio 4 from Singlish FM in time for next post* xxx

Why you should have me around on (or after) your birthday

It's going to take me a while to get round to proving that my post today has ANYTHING to do with socks, but how's about sticking around for some yummy pictures?


Monday was Andy's birthday, so our kitchen was a flurry of cake-making and putting together. Actually, I was also assembling a birthday present for my friend Sarah. Her birthday was months ago but her pressie was in the pipeline for so long because I had to pick my moment to give it to her. We often meet in town, but it wouldn't do to have to carry it round, plus it's perishable! Sort of. You'll see anyway.


Andy's a hardcore chocolate boy so I made the most gigantinormous cake ever! I'm not much of a chocolate or sugar fiend, but judging by what I made, you'd think I were a major shareholder at Green & Black's or Tate & Lyle. Sorry Pandy, I'm not quadruple-timing you...I just needed a good dose of the sweet stuff that day! It makes me a better wife, honest! *wide-eyed innocence*

Chocolate KABOOM!

The verdict so far has been excellent! This recipe was recommended by my sis, the elusive SesMuphs, but I've had plenty requests for it too. It's a great throw-everything-in-and-stir cake, which is even easier if you have a set of measuring cups and spoons - my favouritest type of cooking! Recipe from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients together.
2. Combine all the wet ingredients together in another bowl.
3. Pour the liquid ingredients all at once into the dry ingredients, and beat until smooth.
4. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
5. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 20-25 minutes. Let cool in pan. When cool sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

I don't think you can go wrong with this, but I've added some salt to the recipe as it helps to bring out the flavour of the cake. I also used olive oil because I ran out of veggie oil, then decided to go all out Mediterranean and try balsamic vinegar instead of the plain white. I don't think it made any difference at all, so feel free to experiment a little.

Thwarted by the empty veggie oil bottle...thank goodness for olive oil!

I find greaseproof paper v. fiddly, so these paper clips are most helpful!

I worked out this trick for getting a cake tin to stay lined. Put your tin in the middle of the paper, cut it inwards to mimic the rays of a Japanese flag, use the longest rays to hold the other pieces against the tin and clip over the edge.

Pour in the goo stuff

See? No leakage and the paper doesn't flop everywhere and dent your pretty cake. I made a chocolate orange icing with the following:

Zest and juice of 1 orange

Squirt of lemon juice

Small piece of butter

Tablespoon or two of unsweetened cocoa

As much icing sugar as it takes to make a thick but spreadable icing

Mix everything together and spread it on the middle, top and sides of your cakey! (or all over yourself, if you're messy like me). Lick your fingers, and the bowl =P~

Variations: You could also add a few drops of orange extract to the cake mix, or more orange juice and zest. Just reduce the water to make sure the proportions of dry and wet ingredients are about the same as the recipe.

Or try an orange drizzle topping? Mix orange juice and zest to granulated sugar (without dissolving it), then spoon it over the top of your cake.

Birthday boy gets to lick the whisk too, lucky thing!

I decorated it with a few jellies and borage flowers from our garden.

I was promptly forgiven for spending the whole afternoon with the said Green & Black and Tate & Lyle

We're gonna eat you, li'l cakey!

I also made some grapefruit creams for Sarah, since she really enjoyed them and maaaaybe dropped a tiny subtle hint about her birthday when I offered them round at my party months ago. My longtime friend, Roz, also loves orange creams, so I've saved her some of these too. Grapefruit creams are just a variation on orange creams that I decided to try. 

This is all it involves:

Juice and zest of a grapefruit

Squirt of lemon juice to reduce sweetness

As much icing sugar as it takes to form a kneadable dough

Large bar of chocolate (I used plain dark)

Mix the fruit and sugar together to form a dough that unsticks from the bowl. It takes a while, so keep going and don't worry that you've made a mess of it.

This is too liquidy, so keep going...

Make little balls with the juicy sugary dough and line them up on greased paper. Dust a fork with more icing sugar and flatten the balls. Chill in the fridge until they're firm, a few hours or overnight is great, but you can get away with an hour or so.

Creamed, balled and flattened

Melt some chocolate in a bowl over a pan of water and dip each cream in. Leave to firm up in the fridge, the longer the better, but again, I only had an hour or two and it still worked!

They closed in fast, their serrated jaws dripping with black goo...guess this is what happens when you cream, ball and flatten someone.

Pack them in between layers of greased paper and give to a thrilled recipient, or eat them off the tray by yourself if you don't want to share (or have no friends)! Hehe.

Okay, and here's what all this has to do with socks. I learnt how to crochet about 2 weeks ago & made a wee trinket so Sarah had something to keep after all the creams were gone. Socks are knitted, or crocheted...and so's this! Wheeee!

Tum tum TA-DAAAAH!!!

This is not just Sock 'N' Soul...this is Sock 'N' Soul Food!!! Pardon the corniness...geddit geddit? Heehee xxx