Creme caramel is probably the best dessert in the whole wide world. To me, a perfect creme caramel must be rich and creamy,it must have a very smooth tẽxture with a beautiful golden caramel. When you take a bite, it should be so silky that melts in your mouth like  delicious caramel flavoured panna cotta.

1. Caramel:

First, we’ll make the caramel.for the caramel, i’m using 1\4 cup of sugar,and 1\4 cup of water.

When we make the caramel we don’t want to stir it or else the sugar will be crystalizd and stick to the utensil 

We’ll start the heat high, and when it simmers, we’ll turn the heat down to medium and wait for it to turn golden brown

Golden brown like this is perfect

When we pour the caramel in the cups, we want to be fast or else the caramel will be crystalize in the pot 

Before we do the custard, we have to preheat the oven to 325 degree Fahrenheit 

2. Custard

I have tried different recipes and found out that with too much milk it does not hold the form but  too much eggs will make it too firm,and can’t be melted in your mouth

So To me, 2 eggs and 2 cúps of milk is just perfect

To make a smooth and silky custard we want the least amount of air bubbles. There are a few ways to do that: 

First, Stir the sugar in with the eggs before you add the milk. It makes everything combined nicely without stirring a lot of air into the batter 

Second, we use cold milk instead of warm milk. When we use warm milk, we need to stir it fast to avoid scrambling the egg, and stirring fast will create a lot of bubbles.

Last but not least, strain it to get all the  lumps out of the way

We even strain twice to get a very very smooth texture

Pour it very gently to make sure we’re not forming any bubbles

Creme caramel should be bake in hot water bath. They love hot tub just like me 

Now let’s put it in the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes

 50 mins is over, let’s see if it’s cooked all the way through.

 How we test it is we wiggle it gently,  and if it wiggle very slightly just a bit like this that means it’s ready 

If it doest wiggle at all, that means it’s overcooked.

We need to let it sit to room temperature before refrigerating it, or else the cups will crack and the custard will go out 

The flan caramel should be in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours. 

Our flan has Been sitting in the fridge overnight.

Let’s eat!!

Now we slide the sharp knife gently around to release the flan from the cup 

And then, the coolest part is putting a plate over top of the cup and flip it over 

R u ready? 1 2 3

Oa la

Look perfect

The post Creme Caramel recipe – Melt in the mouth appeared first on Mini Lya.

Bolero jacket is a must have in any girl’s wardrobe. It’s a super cropped jacket that will do the magic – making even a simple dress shine and transform any outfit into a style success.

Bolero jacket is small and cute. It’s even more teeny tiny when it’s made for our 12″ little girl. That’s why I had to work hard to create an 01 piece pattern in order to keep it free from seams.

You might find detailed step by step how to sew this bolero jacket in our Youtube channel. Let me know if you have any question.

Happy Sewing!

The post BOLERO JACKET FOR MINILYA appeared first on Mini Lya.

This is another Kin Kin’s design. I can’t believe we’ve gone that far from here to here in just couple of months.

This time, I helped her to sew the basic dress, and she did the art work of decorating it.

When we got a perfect pattern, we got a good chance to have a gorgeous dress.

With this design, we use the same pattern with this spring floral dress that we made couple of weeks ago. We didn’t have a single problem making that dress, because it was an easy non-slip cotton. But this time, we got a lot of issues working with this fancy fabric. No matter what tricks I tried, the fabric slid and the pattern on the fabric is not exactly the same with the paper pattern. We could have chosen an easier fabric like cotton, but Kin Kin – our 7yo designer wouldn’t be happy with that. It must be that elegant, delicate bridal satin for her design. So we tried a lot of different ways to work with this garment.

Tips for slippery fabric:

1. The table must be covered with non-slip fabric cloth: I got a lot of issue before while tracing and cutting fabric on a table that doesn’t have table cloth. The non-slip fabric cloth will increase the friction that helps to hold the fabric in place. You may increase this friction by laying out the slippery fabric on the tissue paper.
2. Spray the fabric with starch water: Wet fabric sticks! That’s what we observed when seeing Kin Kin jumped out of the lake with her clothes on – her clothes sticked to her body! Light bulbWe tried this trick when making this silk mermaid gown and it worked perfectly.
3. Cut symmetrical pieces in one layer: Don’t ever think of cutting on fold with this type of fabric. It will slide and you will end up with 2 completely different parts . So what we should do is to mirror the paper pattern at the fold. I usually use carbon paper to do that.
4. No fabric drapes over the edge of the table: Make sure that all of the remaining fabric is on the table. If it drapes over the edge of the table, the gravity will pull the fabric down. For small garment like this 12″ doll dress, I cut out a small amount of fabric to work on.
5. Pin the fabric to the table cloth: This is the game changer. Use a lot of pins to pin around the fabric. Pin close to the pattern to make sure that the piece of fabric that we gonna trace pattern will not move. With this delicate fabric, I always use fine, sharp silk pins.
6. Use fabric marker instead of chalk: When I use the traditional chalk, I have to press it hard to get a clear mark. Pressing hard on the fabric like that will surely move the fabric. It’s so frustrating. Then I changed into water soluble marker and it works great. It leaves a mark after just very gentle touch. The only problem with the marker is that the ink’s gone so fast

That’s it! When we got the perfect pattern on the gorgeous fabric, things became much easier. Just pin along and follow the seam lines. Make sure to pin the top, bottom and all the notches. You may need to use more pins when dealing with slippery fabric.

That’s some of the main things we’ve faced while sewing this dress. I hope you may find it helpful while sewing along with us! If you have any other problems, or if you have better ways to tackle the issues that we’ve mentioned, please share in a comment below. We’d love to here from you

The post A Breeze of Summer ❤️ Tips for slippery fabric appeared first on Mini Lya.

This project was not done in a day. It’s been nurtured in my mind for months since I met this beautiful lady who gave me a whole bunch of leather fabric for free and shared with me the passion in arts and crafts. In return to her generosity, I offered to make a dress for barbie so she can give her great niece as present for her birthday.

I didn’t know much about this little girl, but I guess a young little girl would love something glamorous, something princessy like a ballgown or a dazzling like a wedding dress. I’ve made different designs on different type of fabric for months, but none of them was glamorous enough to be a special birthday present.

One day, we found this beautiful piece of white fabric perfect to make an elegant wedding dress. I’m so excited when a ballgown design formed in my mind.

It doesn’t need to be overly decorated to make a dress look classy. Instead, small little details will make or break the game. Truly understand that, I took all the time in the world to make a pattern for the bodice that perfectly fit our barbie, and very carefully sew and iron each seam.

The bodice looks just perfect. It fits perfectly our barbie, the seam is nice and flat, the sweetheart cup perfectly form. With this bodice, any kind of underskirt will work. I thought so, so at first, I made a circle underskirt with some vertical pleat. Nothing wrong with that. It still looks pretty. But the thing is, it’s too ordinary. Nothing wrong, but nothing special. You can find this kind of gown anywhere.

It must be something special, something unique, not copy from anywhere, I thought. So I decided to unstitch it and do something I’ve never done before – design by 3D draping. This technique has been widely used by top fashion designers like Christine Dior to make creative and high-end garment.

3D Draping on doll

Draping is easier on professional dress form which are made for draping because you can pin on it. With dolls, it’s much harder because you cannot pin on the doll – how can you hold the fabric in place? I kept thinking about it and came up with an idea – make an inner dress and to pin the fabric on.

This type of dress I decided to make is a ballgown which needs volume. So the inner dress I made to do 3D draping is a ruffle petticoat. It worked just fine.

It took quite a while to fold the fabric, form it, pin it, step back and take a look, then do it again and again until I came up with a version that I like best.

The process of draping I have recorded here in this video:

When I was draping, I didn’t really know what it might turn out to be. The only thing I really knew was that it’s unique, it’s one of a kind, it’s the only version up till now – my very own design. I’m really happy with the result. With this technique, I’m very excited to make more unique and creative outfits for dolls of all sizes.

Why don’t you try it with me?

Happy Sewing!

The post How to drape OOAK ballgown for fashion doll appeared first on Mini Lya.

These small little things – It’s hard not to fall in love with them. That’s why not only my daughter who started all of these, but I am also really into it now.

I discover something in me that I never thought ever exits.

A better version of me – someone I always wanted to be.

It takes more than words to explain what is really happening in me. I bet this is why people are into arts and crafts. Working with this little things fulfills me, bringing a sense of meaning to life that no words can ever describe.

“If you slow down and savour the small little things, you don’t have to wish for a different life. You can discover the beauty in the life you have” (Ginny)

If you love this design, here is the link to download free pattern and please watch our video for instruction

I used to be afraid of sleeves. But since I discover that if I relax and loosen up, I can create something more fun and stylish. These super puff sleeves also one of my new discover. Rather than being precise about the height, the curve of the cap, I just made an exaggerate one, and look at the result! Isn’t it so cool?

Happy Sewing

The post Stylish Super Puff Sleeves Crop Top with Leather Mini Skirt for Fashion Royalty Doll appeared first on Mini Lya.

It’s incredible to see what a 6yr old can do.

Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.

She is like a wildflower, or a river, keeps flowing without rush. It may pass this cliff fast. It may take longer when wondering around a gorgeous valley, just to enjoy a bit more of the green field, the blue sky and white clouds. Just like that, she is spending a bit more time here in this miniature world. In this mini world, things look like our real world, but much smaller, and prettier. Yet, there’s no pain nor sorrow.

She is flowing at her own pace. Just like a river – despite all obstacles, it will always get there, to where it’s going.

This dress is designed and made all by herself.

We chose cotton the white skirt, because she wanted some embroidery as designed. It may not be a good fabric choice to make a bubble dress. Without embroidery, I will suggest something shinny like satin to show better effect on the bubble

I’m not going to say much about the bodice, which is just a simple basic bodice. In this post, I’m talking a bit more about the bubble or pumpkin skirt.

It is a 2 fan shape layers – 3/4 of a circle each in 2 different sizes. The big fan is the outer layer. When you gather its edge to match the smaller fan, it will create the bubble shape.

That is! How simple, and creative!

If you want pattern for this cute dress, please contact us @ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075830885987

We will more than happy to share with you the pattern for free! Let’s sew with us and stay longer in the miniature world.

The post Bubble dress designed and made by 6yr old Kin Kin appeared first on Mini Lya.

Winter Solstice marks the time of death and rebirth of the Sun. Winter comes to the deepest, darkest time of the year. You know winter is here when one day, your nostalgia becomes stronger. You miss your cozy home where there’s mom and dad around the fire. Flash back to the warm night, shimmering lights, shimmering faces…

I’ve never honoured twinkle lights this much before I moved to Canada. Back home in my tropical country, there’s no such winter like this – deep, dark, cold and lonely. Here in Raincouver, it’s been raining continuously for two months. We are never this far to the Sun. Since we can never blame Rain. Without her, there’s no Forest, no River, no turquoise Lake. Thus, the best thing we can do to warm up this deep, dark, cold winter is to kindle the Light inside…

Kin Kin was so happy to find a piece of red sparkly fabric that for her, just like fairy lights that are twinkling everywhere now when Christmas is around. If you want to make this dress but cannot find a suitable fabric, please contact us. We will be more than happy to share some twinkling materials enough for you to make a dress for your barbie for her Christmas. We hope it also warm you up in this cold winter.

Let’s sew with me

Step 1: Print & cut the patterns (Please contact me for free patterns)

Step 2: Pin on the fabric, pay attention to the grain line of the fabric. I have marked the grain line on the patterns. This is a double layers dress, so you should have 1 set for the front fabric and 1 set for the lining fabric

Step 3: Sewing

1. The bodice

• Sew the front and back bodices together – both front and lining layers
• Give them a nice iron press before sewing the front and lining layers together, right sides facing
• Snip the edges then turn it over. Iron it again

2. The skirt

• Pin the front and lining layer of the skirt right sides facing.
• Sew the edge of the circle
• Snip the edges, turn to the right side and press

3. Attach the bodice to the skirt. This part is a bit difficult to explain in words. That’s why I’ve made a youTube video to make it clearer for you.

• Align the bodice to the skirt
• Sew the front bodice to the front skirt
• Pull out the skirt lining and sew it to the bodice lining

4. Install zippers & button

You’ve done!

I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

The post Twinkle dress for Twinkle Christmas appeared first on Mini Lya.

First snow today. The year is coming to an end. Sometimes I wonder where the time has gone.

Together, we’ve just made another dress for her beloved Jessilya. Jessilya is the first barbie doll she has, maybe that’s why she loves her so much.

We found this piece of fabric @ Fabricland, just perfect for the design. We were so happy to find it that we completely forgot to ask the name of the fabric. If you can’t find a suitable fabric to make this dress, feel free to contact me, we’ll more than happy to cut a piece for you, enough to make one dress for your doll.

Instruction:

Step1: Print out the pattern (1:1)

Step 2: Cut and pin the pattern to the fabric. For this dress, patterns for small size doll (barbie and fashion royalty) are a bit different with the pattern for big size doll (16″ Tonner)

• Top & middle bodice: cut 1 piece on the fold

• Front skirt: cut 1 piece on the fold

• Back skirt: cut 2 piece

Step 3: Sewing

I sew this dress by hand, so the seam size is 1/8″ – quite small. If you are using sewing machine, please use the pattern for sewing machine which I changed the seam to 1/4″.

Before you sew, make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts etc. from the pattern piece onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.

• Fold, pin and sew the bust darts, waist darts on front and back dress pieces.
• Hem the top of the dress.
• Sew the top to the middle bodice. Make sure to match the dart lines
• Line the darts and sew the skirt to the bodice.
• Sew the back of the dress and attach invisible zippers
• Depends on the fabric, you may decide whether or not hem the dress.

That’s it. You’ve done!

The post Christmas party dress for Jessilya appeared first on Mini Lya.

(Free patterns and instruction for 11.5″ barbie, 12″ Fashion Royalty and 16″ Tonner dolls)

Christmas is around the corner. Everything is covered by a magic spray of sparkly lights.

My daughter has designed a beautiful gown for her barbie – Jessilya. She always wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up.

Christmas lights, see them shine
In the eyes, of a child
Let them shine
I used to be, one of them
Christmas tree
Innocent, let them shine

It reminds me of the dreams I had when I was her age

Which never came true

Because I was waiting for the future. Everything was to prepare for the future. And you know, future means never.

So I told her: if you want to be somebody, rather be now, in this very present

There’s a lot to learn, not easy for a 6-year-old girl, from making patterns, cutting fabric. Even sewing is also a challenge for a girl whose fine motion is yet mature. That’s why I’m here, by her side.

I may not know better than her. But together, we’ll learn. Together we’ll bring it to life. I just want her to see that her design can become a nice dress, something real. I want her to understand that her design, like all other ideas, and dreams, will come true, in this very present.

If we hand on it. Now.

I hope this video may inspire you. Despite of ages, your dream will come true, if you start now.

If you love this design and would like to make one for your doll, you may find free pattern in pdf here for your doll.

In this design, we use printed cotton fat quarters. The Christmasy pattern on the fabric just fits her design so well. We found a half inch ombre ribbon which is just perfect for the dress and an invisible open 5″ zipper. This type of zipper is so easy to use. You’ll love it.

Step 1: Print and cut patterns on the cutting lines

Step 2: Place the patterns on the fabric, pin it, and cut it.

Step 3: Sewing

• Fold & sew the bust darts of the bodice
• Fold and sew the top hem of the bodice
• Gather the skirt to match the waist of the bodice
• Place the bodice and skirt right side facing and sew them together
• Make a belt with the ribbon by folding loops at the centre of the ribbon. Tie with a smaller red ribbon
• Sew the belt to the dress, make sure the bow is in the middle
• Fold the center back of the dress in, pin zipper along the edge and sew to attach zipper to the dress. The zipper should go past the hip of the doll. Pin the edge of fabric from the end of the zipper to the hem and sew to close the skirt.
• Fold and sew the hem of the skirt.

Please feel free to comment or contact me if you have any question.

Happy Sewing!

The post Christmas gown for Jessilya appeared first on Mini Lya.

Be my friend or I will cry

Come on let’s play forever and more

And be friend ’till we’re ninety four

The post Beautiful Poems by Kin Kin appeared first on Mini Lya.