Browsing Tag

usagi

Diary Portfolio

Creations, Cares & Shop Wares

12/27/2013

Usagi by Amber Renee

So I’ve been sketching so much more since I began living with the man of my dreams and realizing life can be comforting in transition, fear, sadness, happiness, ecstasy, extreme business, security, and overwhelming tasks lists. Sometimes those sketches are finally turned into illustrations by yours truly and other times they are filed, colored by the kiddies or lost and tossed. This one made it through to the other side. I was feeling very dark when I sketched this but also very excited about the future, thus she is split into two. Even more curious I died my hair half and half following this drawing. The dark vs cute seems to be a constant theme in my brain.

I’ve also updated my SHOP a bit and fallen in love with some old and new friends also using storenvy.

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I’ve also got my digital life getting back on track with the welcome of a new computer to the office, my new lovely laptop (little MacBook Pro) which was a gift from Mistereducated. It is so happy to both work with me and snuggle in my still-in-the-plastic Lamb case that was gifted to me years ago. Such a princess of a laptop. She runs runs runs and keeps my eyes happy with a screen that is so decadent and color rich like a Japanese candy store. AH! I was so behind.

Also many more blog goodies are coming along.. I was forced by slight-OCD to organize my Gmail via Imap in Mac’s Mail app (if you need any help with this I have ultimate tips as I ripped quite a few hairs out in frustration). I had (no joke) a bit over 100,000 mails that needed to be organized into folders so I could have an empty inbox and get on track. I was living like a computer file hoarder. Mister even got me an external hard drive because like a hoarder I put off organizing my files and deleting un-needed files for so long and now every file I’ve ever cherished (except for that time in the 90s when my old PC crashed and lost all my files) is organized and neat on the hard drive. Such a relief! Everything is smooth sailing on candy seas. So alas, I have not forgotten about or misplaced your emails! After my crazy roller coaster ride and life restart I am still getting important items in order but I am now pretty much on top of a cotton candy cloud ready to welcome you for chats, cats and tea. I never forgot about you, I was only lost in the forest for awhile.

Also — I got a pink 3ds for a bit of fun in the meantime and mainly for Animal Crossing because it has always been my favorite game next to Maniac Mansion. If you’d like to be friends just leave your friend code. Mine is: 0662 4261 5265

See you in digital wonderland! XX

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DIY Recipes

Rainbow Soda Snowskin Mooncake

02/22/2010

When I first talked with Aunty Yochana I was absolutely charmed, her appreciation for food (namely sweets!) and the aesthetic decadence of it was so inspirational. Always having been addicted to sweets and cuteness (my sweet tooth is deadly!) I was immediately drawn to her and her love of expressing herself by creating mouthwatering masterpieces.

I couldn’t wait to know her secrets and of course I had to ask if I could share them with you as well, with these on your cake platter (don’t forget to adorn with raspberries and macarons as well!) you’ll make quite an impression. Tea party anyone?

Ingredients

90 gm. fried glutinous rice flour
10 gm. wheat starch
30 gm. shortening
40 gm. powdered sugar
200 gm. ice-cream soda or 7-up
a little pandan (green), pink and lemon yellow food coloring

Filling

600 gm. lotus paste
30 gm. melon seeds

* convert grams here

Method

1. Sift the glutinous rice flour and wheat starch into a mould.
2. Add in icing sugar and shortening and mix till thoroughly mixed.
3. Pour in ice-cream soda and mix into a soft pliable dough.
4. Divide dough into 4 portions. Add colouring to each portion, leaving one portion white.
5. Place each dough between plastic sheets and roll into a rectangular flat piece of the same size. Stack the dough on top of one another, then roll into a swiss roll.
6. Cut into 6 equal pieces. Divide the lotus paste fillings into 6 portions.
7. Roll the spiral part into a flat piece and wrap with lotus paste filling. Press into a mooncake mould then knock out.
8. Chill before serving.