Change ahead!

I think it's time for me to leave this site..I can't upload pictures and the new look of blogger is giving me a headache. There's a lot of updates I don't have time to read and I think they want me to have a google+ acount which I just deactivated some weeks ago for personal reason. Maybe one reason why I couldn't upload my pictures. And now,uploading my photos here isn't working in my side and for no apparent reason why. There's so many things I don't understand at all here. Maybe, I will lost a lot of my readers here. It would be a risk but I have to change and move on to another blogsite. 

It's time for a change.

Hello!

Hello there! 

Days are lovelier. Most days are spent outdoors either chasing my kids or window shopping. If you ask me if warmer / hot days are my favourites....

Ooh well! No! 

I like warmer weather here though in Poland but soaking myself under the heat of the sun is a great NO NO for me. I'm not fan of sunbathing and getting a very tan. I spent most of my growing up years living in a tropical country and I had enough sunshine.  My tan skin colour is already great. To be honest, I wanna be whiter. (hahahahha) That's what Asians like.... Whiter and clearer skin complexion. So here!? expect me wearing an umbrella under the heat of the sun. I don't mind at all neighbors/people staring at me bringing umbrella, for here parasols are for rainy days only. Hmmm! Not for me. Not for Asian like me. Maybe crazy to look at for Europeans but hey! try it out. More glamorous (maybe) to wear umbrella in a sunny hot days. 

That's all for today. I can't upload my entry on Me-Made-May 2013 for I have a problem downloading pictures here in blogspot. I don't know why. If you have the same trouble, please comment below and let me know the solution. 

Have a nice springy day! Enjoy as always....

Ai

Almond Cake

The weather sucks today. Stormy, rainy and sun didn't shine.Which means we can't go out with the kids to play outdoors and I need to give them activities that would not bore them. So, we baked almond cake. A simple Italian cake that I always love for an afternoon teatime with family. 

However, After wanting to post the pictures here of my delicious almond cake, I can't upload the pictures. Why blogger? Pictures will be posted later anyways.  

Here's the recipe though but you can try this other recipe too.

Almond Cake

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. almond extract
2 eggs
slivered almonds

Mix sugar, flour, butter, almond extract, and eggs on high for 3 minutes. Pour into greased pie pan. Sprinkle with slivered almonds. Bake at 180C for 25 minutes. -enjoy!

Enjoy!

Me Made May 2013 - I'm In!

 

I am taking part of this wonderful Me-Made-May '13 challenge. This has been going on for over 3 years now and this year I am challenging myself to take part of this. Pretty good challenge isn't it? Though, I'm a bit scared. 

And so I pledge.............

'I, Ai of Polish-ed Ai, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear a handmade garment (sewn or refashioned) for at least twice a week for the duration of May '13. 

Goodluck to me! (yey)

Sonja dress in tulip print

 

This dress is looking for an owner. I made this  out of boredom one lousy day. 

(Blame my hormones again!) 

Without thinking & remembering that size 38 isn't my size and way too big in the bust area. I am  (still) size 36. It is a Sonja dress in tulip print.  It is a  free pattern that is easy to sew and a versatile pattern to work with. The fabric is a jersey type in black and white colour. I think, I will give it away to a friend.

Petion: Make more men patterns BURDA!

  

I never sew any garments for my boys and been wanting to but due to lack of patterns and my sewing skills for men isn't that great like making a piece of trousers.Still needed harnessing. But how can I hone this skill if I couldn't see any patterns that is accessible for me, right? And everytime I sew something for my little girl my little boy would always say, how about me mum? (oh, pity little one)

Good thing though a group of Polish sewing bloggers / community made a petition to burda magazine to at least produce and make more men patterns. Our men deserves a pattern and a good garment right? Knowing too that more men now are becoming so conscious of buying handmade things. Would be a good alternative too as a gift for all our men. So, why not make more pattern for men. The sewing skills isn't only limited to sewing women's garments but for men too.

Come on! You need to improve Burda. Produce some patterns for men not only once a year but at least a page indicated for men.

The last time I also participated in such a cause was like a year ago. Where,  we want Burda to improve into their styling and patterns. Though, they improve a little bit.  So, before hitting the magazine shop to buy a Burda magazine, I checked on bloggers reviews first for the latest issue, if it worthy for me to pick the new one or not. So I won't be disappointed and knowing too that such magazine isn't that cheap. More or less 12Pln. in here. That is too much for me. Good enough to buy a yard of fabric actually. 

Please, support the petition by signing up online HERE! and grab the buttons over here too.

Thank you and we are hoping they will here this petition..

The Great British Sewing Bee

Thank God its Wednesday! 

No work to think in the afternoon, no lessons to think about and I have long time free without my kids at home. Hurrah! That's a great bonus for me to be just by myself from time to time. 

Usually, I do all I needed to do at home. Cleaning, run the washing machine, cook special meal for dinner, sometimes do some small baking and sew.  If I'm not doing things at home for I've done it on a weekend, I go for a quick shopping around the city center and visit second hand shops or  thrift shops to hunt for garments that is still has the potential to alter. Of course, hunt for fabrics. I love hunting fabrics in the second hand shops for not only cheaper but I can find some pretty prints that is unique. So, your right with your thinking I hoard amount of fabrics at home. Is it addiction? I hope not! if you know this piece of passion, then surely you understand. 

Today, I took the time to be out of home, meet a friend and we sat in our favourite cafeteria....drinking our favourite drink which is coffee and talk and talk and talk about different things.  I love it! Just when the day started to be gloomy and rainy, coffee and a company of a good friends is such a wonderful idea to flip your mind about the weather. When we are about to be out of the cafe, Mr. Sunshine came back and off we go home. 

At home at last! run the washing machine, marinate meat for dinner and settle myself with a cup of tea.....

turned the TV on........and watched 'The Great British Sewing Bee' on television. Though, it is aired in Englad every Tuesday night at 8:00 pm, but I am watching it over youtube. So Thank's God for YouTube! 

Just marvelous to watch a sewing program. I feel excited, giddy and therapeutic for me! 

Whew! 

I'm hooked to this program ( I blamed longredthread post for introducing me well to this show) and I can't wait to see finals. I'm learning along the way too and jotting down sewing terms which I know I needed to master, like the putting a zip/fly on a trousers. 

So far my favourite contestant is Lauren. Who has a blog named, guthrie & ghani. She's perfectionist and keen on details in dealing with every challenges. I hope she'll get the crown. 

Though, I love Ann. She reminds me of my grandmother who's a sewist and a tailor. Somewhat they are on the same age and same era where sewing is still such a big thing. Though, I could see that sewing as a hobby and a passion is getting a big come back.  

Sandra is also one of the best contestant. She has a great sewing skill for she sews for her children. Although, I could see she's not so risky in terms of her interpretation in every challenges. But then, again she's a treat to both Lauren and Ann.

As I watched the 3rd episode today, I could feel with everyone when they have to say goodbye to Stuart. It's like something is mising in the sewing room if Stuart is isn't there for he's funny, really gayish and creative in terms of making his pieces of garments. It talks true to his personality. 

I don't know who will win. Goodluck! But I have my own bet.  Well seeeee... Can't wait for next Wednesday though. 

Bye for now!

Pork Steamed Rice

When I longed for home..... back in the tropics,  I just usually indulged mysel into home comfort foods. To alleviate my mood.

For awhile now, I mastered the art of cooking dimsum/chinese foods. For back home, I love to chinese foods and frequent in dimsum restaurants and one of my favourite is steamed rice paired with siomai.  So, I cooked my own version of pork steamed rice the other day. Though, in that picture I use turkey fillet for I am trying to cut down my pork intake. Still tasted great. Recipe will follow soon.......

xxxooo