Find :: 3ft (36 inch) Balloon

These 3ft (30 inch) perfectly round balloons have been floating around on the internet for a while. They are great for weddings and any extra special occasion. 

I fell in love with them when I first spotted them and if you are wondering where you can get your hands on some, here is a list of places that stock them. 

1. Balloon Connexion (Singapore) 
Sold in a pack of 2
Cost : SGD$13.50++  

2. Red Carousel (Singapore)
Sold individually
Cost : SGD $6.50 (solid colours) $9.90 (polka dots)

3. Missy Moo (UK)
Sold in a pack of 2
Cost : GBP 7.49+

4. Shop Sweet Lulu (USA)
Sold individually
Cost : USD $6.00

5. Bargain Balloons (USA)
Sold in a pack of 6
Cost : USD $9.90

p.s. Click on the links to their sites to see the range of colours and patterns available.

DIY :: Spray Paint Easter Eggs

Easter is around the corner and I thought we would try a new way of decorating our eggs. I thought it would be fun to create a multi-colour effect. I mean, who doesn't love rainbow colours. 

To do this, I thought spray bottles might be the best way to contain the mess. So I headed to Daiso and found a couple there.

What you need: 
- spray bottles (Daiso)
- white eggs
- food colouring
- toothpicks

Instructions :
1. Place the eggs in a pot of water and bring the water to a boil. 
2. Remove the eggs and let them cool.
3. Add water to the spray bottles. Using a toothpick, add a little food colouring and shake.
4. Lay out some paper on the table and place the eggs in the centre. Spray the edible food paint on the eggs as desired turning them to cover them fully. Leave them to dry.

Tip: To achieve the pastel effect, pat dry the eggs with a paper towel. 

The kids loved this activity and honestly, I totally loved it too. Creating the coloured effects was so easy and I really loved how all the eggs turned out. In fact, clean up was a cinch which was an absolute bonus. 

We brought the eggs to school the next day for my son's friends but I think these make awesome gifts for easter. You could use the spray paint bottles to create the same effect on paper or little gift tags too to accompany the eggs. 

p.s. For more of such ideas, check out my Easter posts from the previous years.

DIY :: Fondant Cupcakes

I love parties and planning for them but this year, I decided to do things a little differently.
 
The plan was for each kid to invite 3 friends and we would head to Adventure Cove Water Park for a fun-filled day of water.  
  
To keep things simple, I focused on 3 things : cupcakes, customised shirts as favours and customised tattoos. 
 
As outside food isn't allowed into the park, we were going to meet outside the park to sing Happy Birthday. Since we had planned an early morning start, I thought muffins would go down nicely. So I bought store-bought muffins from Chocolat N Spice and set out to decorate them.
 
Here is what I did:
 
What you need :
- white fondant
 - icing colours
 - cutters
 - rolling pin
 - plastic sheets
 
Instructions :
1. Colour the white fondant in varied colours as required.
2. Roll out the white fondant with a rolling pin between two plastic sheets. Then using a cutter, cut out white fondant circles to use as the base. (See the steps here)
3. Using a cutter or a sharp knife, cut out the shape that you want. (I use straws for the eyes) 
 4. Lay it on top of the white fondant.
 
The kids have been watching a show on tv called Slugterra where slugs have special powers. The slugs have special names and each one has a different power. To surprise the kids, I decided to try to create their favourite characters. 
 
I searched for some images on my iphone and tried hard to recreate them. It took me a whole morning to create 2 slugs because I had to work freehand and I was almost going to give up. But then I didn't exactly have a backup plan so forced into the corner, I set about decorating the surrounding muffins with other simpler patterns. I also used alphabet pasta to form the happy birthday greeting and you can create any message that you like. 
 
When the kids got back from school, i showed it to them and they were tickled. We brought the cupcakes to the Water Park and after we sang happy birthday, I peeled off the fondant and gave the muffins to the kids.
 
Although it was a little bit of work to create it myself, I am glad it all worked out. 
 
The best part?
 
It was that I am now up to speed with the slugs in Slugterra. Okay, I don't know all the names and the special powers of all the slugs. But I know some.

Occasionally, I sit down and rest from my chores and watch the show with them. Also, when they rattle on about slug stories, I listen because I get the characters.
 
And that I know, makes them very happy.

DIY :: Ribbon Wands

While I was picking my son up from school on Monday, I overheard a group of kids in the foyer singing the newest National Day song - One Singapore. Now I had watched the video and I didn't think it deserved the negative reactions that it had received but there is really something about listening to a group of children singing it with gusto. 

I probably shouldn't have been surprised because my sons have been singing national day songs in the car and at home over the last week or so. Clearly a sign that they have been introducing the songs to them at school. 

So it make me think that I ought to do something slightly special with the kids. So here's a craft that I made with the kids yesterday in anticipation of National Day but I think it is fun for everyone too.

I grabbed some ribbon from the ribbon box and pom poms and we quickly turned them into ribbon wands that would be perfect for waving as the kids sing along to the songs.

Here's what you need :
- hot glue gun
- chopsticks
- ribbon
 - trimmings
- pom poms (optional)

How to make Ribbon Wands

Instructions :
1. Begin by snipping the  ribbons to the desired length. I used a variety of lengths and let the kids decide how long they wanted them.
2. Then using a hot glue gun, I applied glue to the chopstick and pressed the ribbon down with another chopstick (be careful, the glue will be hot).
3. Finally. you can also glue a pom pom on at the end of the ribbon.

I let the kids choose the ribbons and pom poms that they wanted to use and they happily made two each.  I assisted them with the gluing bit but it was a very quick DIY and they happily played with them for a while after.

So we may not be at the National Day Parade but we will definitely have a lot of fun watching the parade on the telly. You can bet my kids will be waving their ribbon wands as they belt their hearts out. 

Happy National Day, everyone!

* If you liked this idea, here are more DIY Craft Tutorials that you might enjoy.

COOK :: Salted Gula Melaka Popcorn

Singapore will be celebrating it's 48th birthday on 9 August and every year, we gather around the tv to catch the parade. It is a great family bonding affair and the kids love it. 

This year, I thought I would make a simple snack with a local twist to celebrate the occasion. I decided to test it out over the weekend and it was so well received, all of it has been gobbled up. So it looks like I will need to make a fresh batch on National Day for the family.

Salted Gula Melaka Popcorn

Ingredients: 
1/2 popping corn
1/4 cup vegetable oil
125g butter
200g gula melaka (you can chop it if you are in a hurry)
2 cups water
2 tbsp corn syrup or honey
1/8 tsp salt

Directions:
1. Begin by heating the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add in 2-3 pieces of popping corn. If the corn swirls around in a circle, the oil is hot enough. Add the remaining corn. Cover with a tight fitting lid. When the corn starts popping, shake the pot gently. Remove from heat when the corn stops popping.

2. Transfer the popped corn a large bowl. Discard any unpopped corn.

3. Make the Gula Melaka syrup by mixing the gula melaka, corn syrup, butter, salt and water in a heavy saucepan. Stir constantly until all the ingredients have dissolved and bring to a boil over medium heat. 

4. Preheat the oven at 150 degree celsius. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Spread the popcorn evenly on the tray. Drizzle the gula melaka syrup over the popcorn and stir the popcorn around to ensure it is well mixed. Add according to your taste. 

5. Bake in the oven, tossing occasionally for about 40 minutes. Serve the popcorn warm to the delight of your guests.

If you don't plan to serve it immediately, store it in an air tight container and make sure you keep it away from little hands that will devour it while you aren't looking.

I think this might become a family tradition!

p.s You might have leftover gula melaka syrup which is a nice problem to have. Just store it in the fridge and enjoy it on another day poured over coconut ice cream or blended with avocado or even make some Sago Gula Melaka. Enjoy!