DIY: Make your own cookie cutter

January is almost over?! What? I barely even noticed! I feel like my mind is still stuck in December. Well, it sure feels like it. Still bitter and cold as ever here in Providence, but being the cold weather loving being that I am, I LOVE IT!

Let's talk festivities! Chinese New Year is around the corner and I've got a friend ordering some cookies for her party/event. She showed me this picture, very festive, red, and bold which reminds me of the decorations at my grandparent's during Chinese New Year.

Which reminds me that this will be the 5th year that I'm missing the Chinese New Year family gathering at home. I'm missing all the good food and the 红包 (Red Packets/ Envelopes filled with money are usually given by married couples to single people and kids) 

Anyway, back to the topic. 

The cookies. 

Yes. 

Here's the picture.

Last February, Sweet Sugar Belle created these Chinese New Year decorated cookies on her blog and it has been circling Pinterest for quite some time. My friend wanted the exact same thing, I find them super cute, and I'm so excited to make these....

But I don't have a pagoda cookie cutter!!!

I've looked everywhere, online and in stores, but I guess it's just not that popular.

So anyway, I've decided to create my own cookie cutter, and it's easy. You will need a few things. 

Let me show you!

1. Design. 

My awesome friend Sandy helped me sketch out a perfectly sized pagoda outline! Make sure your template is big enough to fit all the design going on the cookie. This was about 5 inches.

2. Aluminium strips (about 1 inch width) 

I bought a cookie cutter kit online. It comes with a bunch of other things in it which I don't really find them useful, so I won't recommend you to get them, but you can always buy 1" aluminium strips on Amazon or in a Home Depot type store.

3. Some type of string/yarn

You need this to figure out how much aluminium strip you'll need to use. Just trace the yarn over the outline of your design and add an extra inch or two just in case you run out of material when you're creating your cookie cutter.

4. Tongs/ Bending tool

You can use almost anything to help you bend the aluminium strip. I just happen to find that this tool works good for me. The aluminium strip itself isn't hard to bend, in fact it's pretty bendy and you can even use your hands to shape it!

5. Bend Away

Remember to bend away from you. Keep the long part of the strip away from your body (It might be sharp and I'm sure you don't want to get scratched) Keep on bending, bending. bending. But not too much or the strip will break!!!

6. Glue them tight

I find that it's best to use a quick dry solid adhesive. In this case, I used a 5 minute dry epoxy glue - just mix the 2 substance, glue them in place and secure it with a binder clip. 

Taaa-daaaa!! Not bad, eh? It's not the same size (pardon my bending skills) but it's definitely original and worth the time and effort. 

Practice makes perfect. So now, let's bake some cookies!

Inspiration is like pixie dust

How do you get yourself inspired, to keep your dream vivid, colorful, and alive in your imagination...

Do you travel, explore, and experience new things? Or do you go to Pinterest like me?

I am a self-confessed Pinterest-addict. I can't help it, it's just filled with beautiful inspirational photographs of all things possible!

Here's what I've pinned for the past couple of days...

This is a rather interesting one from You Are My Fave.

Send someone a box of where you are! Isn't it delightful? 

I really want to do a Providence box if anyone is up for it! Leave me a comment below!

(and leave me your email too)

This is super cute and adorable stack up kitty measuring cups from Urban Outfitters. 

Sadly, they're out of stock!

They're the Mokomoko fluffy alpaca hug dolls from Luvocracy!

I visited an alpaca farm 2 weeks ago and fell in love with these gentle creatures.

OhMyGoodness. It's calling me... "buy me, buy me!" 

Let's bring out the child in all of us. 

Balloon lights called Memory by Designer Boris Klimek! 

Warms my heart hand warmers from Mod Cloth.

Such a cute way to keep your hands warm when it's cold out!

Stock Culinary Goods: My Favorite Store on Hope St

Have you ever walked into a store and felt like you could stay in there for ages? Looking at every single item on every single shelf?

Well, that was what happened when I walked into Stock.

It's a pretty neat little store selling culinary products that gives you the urge to get them, to buy them.

To have and to hold...

I totally feel like a little girl in a candy shop.

It gives you a different experience than stores like William-Sonoma and Sur La Table. It has a strong local vibe, a very approachable employee (Emma!), and best of all, it is filled with products hand-picked by owner Jan.

Say hello to her. Check out the the store's Website and Facebook Page!

Their product selection is unbeatable. Stock carries products made by local artists and unique finds from all around the world, and they always have something new everyday!

That's not even the best part yet! This store is not only a store. Events are occasionally held from time to time, and everyone is invited. All you have to do is RSVP and turn up to enjoy mini culinary classes.

I think she's a genius!

I can't believe they've been opened for 8 months already, and I've never took notice until now. I guess it's because of the detours/construction on Hope street that's been going on. Hopefully more people will find out about this little gem!

None the less, I couldn't resist the temptation of buying a little something for myself.

From my first trip:

I walked around the store and found big beautiful real scallop shells for baking, and instantaneously I thought of a conversation that Sunny and I had about baking scallops in their shells. This would be perfect for any seafood stuffed and baked.

I can't wait.

And then I saw oyster shuckers! We've been looking for it ever since me and Sandy went to the Farmer's market to buy oysters last Winter!

I picked out this particular one because of the bent tip and handle grip.

From my second trip:

I saw a photo of an anchor cookie cutter on Stock's Facebook page and I literally said "ooooooo!" So I went and bought it, along with the gang (Sail boat, lighthouse, and RI state...) I didn't get the lobster cutter. I didn't know what I was thinking. I should have gotten it. Poor lobster, I'll come back for you next time.

And of course! This!

I've been eyeing this horse pedastool since my first visit, but I was pressed for time so I didn't bother to ask about it. It's just so beautifully designed. It's made by IMM-Living and guess what?! Other than the horse, they also have the rabbit, the duck, and the owl (NEW!)

P.S. Stock Culinary Goods, please order the owl cake stand! I really want an owl cake stand. :)

Attention BBQ fans: Stock sells mini sauce mops! :)

Bakeware goods are sprinkled all around the store...

If you're ever in need of anything cute, fancy, and functional kitchen gadgets, head on down to Hope street and shop your heart out! 

On top of that, if you're a baking/culinary student, just tell her when you're checking out. 

She'll give you a discount! :) *Yay!*