Christmas Craft 2014 : Cat Plushie

This Christmas, I decided to embark on a project making a cat plushie for a dear friend. I failed terribly with using polymer clay and decided to create a simple cat plushie. I bought all my supplies from Daiso, so it was relatively affordable but the time and effort that goes into it is taxing, however I love every minute of it. My cat plushie is not perfect, but I am pleased with it since it is my first time doing that.
A week was spent researching on the materials and fillings ( check this out ), followed by getting ideas of the cat plushies/cushions on Etsy and Pinterest.
Another 2 weeks were spent on conceptualizing to re-doing ( when it gets real bad ) to stuffing in the polyester fiberfill to finishing up the whole product.

Materials required :
Felt material cloth ( Daiso ) - I bought adhesive and non-adhesive types
Polyester Fiberfill ( Daiso )

You can actually use a sewing machine which would be faster but I hand-stitch all the way, to make it a very handmade item. The white and black felt materials on the cat plushie itself are adhesives. Some people will prefer to stitch non-adhesive types but since I already have some adhesive felt material from my last craft project, I decided to use them.

Steps :
(1) Conceptualise the drawing.
(2) Made measurements on the felt material. I use a pencil to lightly draw on the grey felt cloth and then cut out the picture of the cat.
(3) Using the cut-out, I duplicate on the grey felt cloth so that I have 2 identical pieces for a front and a back.
(4) Place both pieces together and start to hand-stitch them, leaving a small gap for your hands to go in to pull it inside out as well as to insert the polyester fiberfill in.
(5) After the hand-stitch is done, place your hands in and pull out it inside-out so that the stitches are inside instead of outside.
(6) Draw the eyes, mouth and whiskers on another felt cloth material ( I use black and white adhesives ) and paste them on.
(7) I stuff in the fiberfill in the plushie. Even though the description on the polyester packaging states that the 130g is good for 45cm by 45cm, I feel that the 130g is not enough for my almost 30cm by 30cm plushie, but its up to individual.
(8) Ladder-stitch the remaining gap, once all the stuffing goes in. Check it here.
(90 Ta-da, the end product!

Sanritsu D'asses Green Tea Biscuit

2 boxes were retailing for $8 at the Robinson Expo while Choco Express is selling one for $4.50. Delicious and addicting, the biscuit crumbles with every crispy bite with that hint of matcha flavor.

Waffle Slayer - Matcha Azuki Buttermilk Waffle

Waffle Slayer, an offshoot of Strangers' Reunion café next door, is located in Kampung Bahru and offers waffles in their tiny café, manned by college and university students. I was there on a weekday afternoon and we were the only customers while Strangers' Reunion was 40% filled up with young customers.

At $14.90, I thought it was way overpriced, considering the quality of the food. Only the vanilla ice-cream is decent. Thick and dry, the waffle is infused with fine green tea powder that gives it a slightly bitter taste which doesn't seem to blend well with azuki beans that are not sweet enough. And the orange segments are probably from the can. $14.90 for such waffles, no way.

Funwari Meijin Uji Matcha Chocolate

It costs $5.50 from Yamakawa Super but I bought it when it was at 30% off, usually because its about 1~2 months away from the expiry date.

Each pack contains 4 individually packets with 5 oddly shaped pieces in it. An airy rice snack, with a barely there cocoa taste, you can feel the softness and sweetness as you bite into it, which seems to melt in your mouth into nothingness that makes me want to take another bite.

Easy on the stomach with a sugary and sweet taste, it somehow feels more like fun rather than a decent tea break snack. I don't find it to be a satisfying snack too. Just an innovative creation and a interesting unhealthy snack.

Glico Friend Bakery Cookie

I snagged this for $2.50 from a shop in Orchard Central. It contains just a few cookies which I can easily polished off within an hour but I refrain from doing so, since I always like to enjoy my matcha snacks slowly. 
The matcha taste is rich and flavourful, with biscuit at the bottom and the matcha cream on the top. Nice to indulge when you requires something fulfilling on the stomach.



                                                        

Meiji Rich Matcha Biscuit

Meiji comes to you with another great candy treat, an Oreo-like cookie sandwich but made from high quality ingredients, this one with real matcha (green tea). This is a box of Rich Matcha Biscuits using a creamy white chocolate blend that's 51% real matcha. A delicious, rich candy treat you are sure to love. Twist, split and share with friends, or enjoy each bite just for yourself. The pari pari (crispy) outside with the creamy inside makes for a delicious combination. Individually wrapped and each one good to the last bite.

A product of Japan, each box comes with just 6 cookies where every 2 cookies are packed together. So essentially, you get 3 packs in a box, with 6 cookies in total. A dear friend has bought it for me, but I think it costs $4 based on Choco Express.

It reminds me of American Oreos and even though I am not an oreo fan, I still feel that this matcha biscuit tastes worse than the regular oreos. I didn't really like it. The chocolate crunchy exterior is hard and dry with a mild bitter taste while the matcha blended with white chocolate is sweet. It may feel like a good combination but I just didn't like it, in general.

                                           

 Source : Jbox

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Kataoka Bussan Tsujiri Matcha Milk

At $4.90 from Yamakawa Super, The Central, each package contains 5 individual sachets that makes sipping a hot mug of matcha latte a very affordable alternative to paying $6 in a downtown café.

At times, I just like to have a mug of matcha latte in office, settle down my nerves, breathe, relax and then focus again, especially when things get hectic.

Else, I drink it on a lazy Sunday afternoon at home, listening to some new age music, chill and recharge to prepare for another hectic week at work again.

I like this matcha milk where the quality is comparable to those you get from cafes. It has a lovely matcha aroma, blended with just enough milk to give that right concentration of matcha taste. Not too bitter or too sweet. Just right for me! A winner, in my opinion.

It can be drank iced or hot but I prefer mine to be piping hot so I can't really comment how it tastes like, when its iced matcha.

Other types are also available. Check out more below.

Kataokabussan TsujiToshi Uji Matcha containing brown rice tea

Kataokabussan TsujiToshi Matcha milk soft flavor

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Maccha House : Maccha Float & Maccha Cream Soft

In comparison with Miam Miam and Nana's Green Tea, Maccha House which hails from Kyoto, definitely offers much reasonable prices.

Their Maccha Float is competitively priced at $5.90 for a large size and Maccha Cream Soft goes for a reasonable $3.40. For a spacious and relaxing place like Maccha House in Orchard Central, I think its quite an unpretentious chill-out place to catch up with friends or just to rest your feet after a day of shopping. And on the same level, you can also check out this shop which sells Japanese snacks. Just beware of its expiry dates when their goods are on promotional prices, because the last time I was there, I noticed that their expiry dates were much too near.

The Maccha float is slightly bitter due to its matcha, yet has an overly milky taste which did not quite cover the bitterness. The Maccha Cream Soft is real good, with a rich concentrated matcha taste. 

Glico Cacao Le (Milk & Matcha)

A mixture of strong cocoa, green tea milk and 100% cacao bean made in Ecuador, the individually packed chocolates has an initial strong taste of milk which slowly gives way to a slightly bitter matcha taste and finally a lovely tasting blend of matcha milk and chocolate.

Source : CatchJapan

Nana's Green Tea Shiratama Float

When I'm alone, I like to enjoy my matcha drink in a not-so-crowded cafe and Nana's Green Tea fits the bill. Spacious, without interference from the next table yet not crowded on a Sunday evening.
I opted for Shiratama Float which is matcha latte with matcha ice-cream and 3 regular mochi.

Soft and chewy mochi paired with iced matcha drink and delicious matcha ice-cream. Delicious at a pricey $9. With GST, I end up paying a perfect $10. Not for everyday indulgence.

Glico Pocky Matcha Chocolate

These delicious Matcha Pocky are a rare treat from Glico. Each chocolate sticks is a deluxe treat from Japan. The softness of the whipped chocolate couples beautifully with the sweet crunch of the stick. Now in this rare flavor -- the uniquely Japanese taste known as Matcha (green tea). It's the perfect blend of bitter and sweet. This special chocolate is made using real Japanese tea, for an authentic treat you can't find anywhere else. Comes with two packs of pocky inside each box.

Miam Miam Iced Matcha Latte with Matcha Softee

I am loving my matcha from Miam Miam. Uber delicious. Concentrated matcha flavor in its drink and ice cream.
I am always irritated by Iced Matcha being diluted by the ice, making it unbearable but this is not, because of the ice-cream so you still have it tastefully good after your meal. But its pretty expensive at $8.80

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Tohato Caramel Corn Matcha Milk

Product Description
Caramel Corn is a popular crunchy and sweet Japanese snack containing bits of roasted peanuts. This caramel corn is a limited edition: green tea flavor

I picked it up for $2 ( down from the $2.80 ) at Medi-ya Supermarket in Liang Court. Anything with matcha in it makes my eyes pop.
Daiso also has it for $2 but the name is different, I am not sure if its the same. This caramel corn is sweet caramel with a hint of matcha taste in it.

I can't really polish caramel corn in one sitting, even if its matcha because its too sweet and gets kinda sickening after awhile.

You can check out the range of Caramel Corn flavours here.

                                                                  


Source : Tanesei , KawaiiSurprises

Hard To Say I'm Sorry - Young Ji

Lotte Chococo Matcha Cookies

One of the most popular snack makers in Japan, Lotte, is bringing us a wonderful new treat. This wonderful crispy, baked cookie snack is covered with a layer of chocolate that melts in your mouth, layered over an irresistible matcha gren tea flavored cookie -- crunchy and delicious. Each box of Chococo comes with 17 individually wrapped cookies. Great for an after school or after work treat. Made in Japan.

My Love From The Another Star

Do Min-Joon is an alien who landed on Earth 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty period. Do Min-Joon possesses a near perfect appearance and enhanced physical abilities involving his vision, hearing and speed.
Do Min-Joon holds a cynical view to human beings, but he falls in love with actress Cheon Song-Yi.

"My Love From The Another Star" has put everyone into a frenzy. As unbelievable as it sounds, the fantasy-romantic drama has touched a chord within the ladies' hearts.

Who doesn't want a Prince Charming with super powers, to be always there for her, loving her and protecting her from the evils out there, whisking her to a far flung place with just the 2 of them when things get bad? I know I want that, badly.

Watch live streaming with english subtitles : Dramacool

Glico Pocky Midi Macha

My absolute favourite and its addictive, you can simply polish all 12 sticks at one go because its just sooo delicious like that.

A new kind of Pocky from Glico, this time in a new green tea flavor that will cater to snackers who love chocolate. Unlike regular pocky, with its tall and slender figure, these Midi pocky are short and stout, with more crunch and a thicker layer of chocolate

Pocky midi is the deluxe new version of the classic Glico snack, with a traditionally Japanese flavoured twist. It is covered with a layer of sweet, creamy Matcha (green Tea) white chocolate, surrounded by a second layer of thicker Matcha chocolate.

The macha taste is flavourful and the chocolate is sweet, a blend of both gives a dynamic taste that is pure indulgence! And it costs $3.90 from Mizuki Japan.

Ingredients :
Sugar, Lactose, Cocoa butter, Whole milk powder, Vegetable oils and fats, Egg, Condensed milk, Shortening, High fructose corn syrup, Maccha, Butter, Salt, Yeast, Emulsifier, Flavor, Seasoning ( Mineral salt ), Bicarbonate, Sugar substitute (Sucralose), Contains Soybean.

                                                         

Source : Jbox, Sushinoms

Tokuno High Concentration Matcha Milk Candy

I bought this for $2.20 at a Japanese snack shop in Bugis Village. You can get it at $6 for 3. It contains 10 pieces in each tray. The price seems to vary slightly, depending on where you purchase it.
Colleagues whom I offered the sweets to, claimed that its nice as well.

Chewy initially, it gave way to a harder candy in the end. It has a sweet milky matcha taste

There's another version of it
Mikakuto Tokuno Milk Matcha Candy

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The Notebook (2004)

The movie focuses on an old man reading a story to an old woman in a nursing home. The story he reads follows two young lovers named Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun, who meet one evening at a carnival. But they are separated by Allie's parents who disapprove of Noah's unwealthy family, and move Allie away. After waiting for Noah to write her for several years, Allie meets and gets engaged to a handsome young soldier named Lon. Allie, then, with her love for Noah still alive, stops by Noah's 200-year-old home that he restored for her, "to see if he's okay". It is evident that they still have feelings for each other, and Allie has to choose between her fiancé and her first love.

A very old film which I happened to stumble upon today. It moved me to tears at the end. The love that the husband had for his wife with both dying peacefully together in the end.

" The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more.
That plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds "

Watch online here
Read the synopsis here

Caplico Sweets Sand (Matcha & Chocola)

Caplico's trademark fluffly, light and delicious chocolate now in a Matcha flavor! Sweet Sand is a hearty layer of matcha and dark chocolate wrapped in a crispy wafer sandwich.

I picked this up from Yamakawa Super at Tiong Bahru Plaza when there was a promotion. Similar to the illustration, it is shaped like a chunky big wafer that tends to crumble when your teeth sank into it, making crackling noises. Not a pleasant sight for a lady munching on it.
It contains matcha flavor on one side and chocolate flavor on the other side, just like the picture. A very difference experience indeed.
Its not bad but its not something I would re-purchase. I can't finish it in one go so I kept it for the next day as tea-break.

Source : Oyatsucafe

O-maccha Float from Tsujiri

I'm loving this. Its delicious and full of flavor. You can basically feel the premium drink and ice-cream melting in your mouth. Check out their extensive menu here, a wide array of choices that will make any matcha fan go back again and again.

Hailing from Kyoto, this little café is located at 100AM and they have a little kiosk at Somerset 313. Their matcha is concentrated and strong which is way above the rest of the competitors on the matcha scene where their drinks can be too sweet or too diluted or too milky. The quality and the consistency are there. If you are a true blue matcha fan, try this place and share with me if you like it.

Update (17th June 14 ) :
I went for a 2nd time on a weekend evening and was sorely disappointed that the Chinese guy making the drink for me, was such a contrast from the one I had above ( where the drink was prepared by a Japanese guy ). I wrote in to them but yet to receive a response after a month. It is really such a waste that the consistency and quality differs.

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Ocha Latte from Ochacha Cafe

 

This Ocha Latte is served hot in Ochacha café for $4.80.  A nice hot drink when you are feeling cold. Its nice but not the best as the milky taste overwhelms the matcha taste.