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9/20/2010

Review of Crayola's 26-pc Pipsqueaks markers portfolio

Item #3 I'm reviewing from my loot: the 26-pc Pipsqueaks markers portfolio (retails at $23).

The pouch includes 14 regular-sized pipsqueak markers and 12 skinny markers (packed separately in two different compartments) and a doodle pad (a stack of note paper) in the middle of the pouch.

The regular-sized marker measures 1.5cm in diameter (where the child grips) and the skinny marker measures 0.9cm in diameter (where the child grips). Both types of markers are about 10.5cm in length (with cap on). They are little markers for little hands. :)

I bought this because Alicia has been wanting to draw with my markers and those aren't washable and aren't non-toxic.

I've not really tried out how washable they are because erm, so far no accidents have happened. :P Nevertheless, from my experience with Crayola's promise of 'washability' of their products, I think these markers should be washable too - as with their other (washable) products. Just make sure you clean up the unwanted marks immediately to minimise the 'damage'. :)

Folds up to be like a pencil case...


This is how it looks when you open the first fold...


Here's the complete picture of the product when you open the pouch fully...


Doodle master at work

Alicia isn't really that interested in this set of materials - I guess it doesn't have the 'wow-factor' compared to the window markers and the dry-erase travel pack (she just loves how the marks disappear instantaneously when we wipe them off!). Nevertheless, I'm placing this pouch in the coffee table drawer (that's where I used to store my markers) so she gets to doodle with non-toxic, washable markers (made for little hands) when she wants to. :)

Review of Crayola's Dry-Erase Travel Pack

This is part of the stash of art supplies I bought for Alicia the other day:

Retails at $25.90

This is how it looks like when the pouch is opened

In the case, there are a total of four crayons (red, blue, green and black), a crayon sharpener, an erase mitt (for cleaning), and eight (reusable) activity sheets.

The crayons are washable - Alicia accidentally brushed one against my fabric sofa and I managed to wipe it off easily with a damp cloth. The crayon marks also come off easily by just wiping the plastic surface with the erase mitt provided (it's a glove, so just slot your hand (or your kid's hand) in and wipe, with a bit of applied pressure).

There is a plastic folder where you slot the activity sheets - and that's really what makes them reusable. The activity sheets are really just normal paper. :P

And hence, that means you can technically create your own activity sheets, cut them into the right size and slot them in and you have customised activity sheets for your child! Sounds great, huh? :) I've yet to have to customise any for Alicia yet... hee.

Alicia working on one of the activity sheets


Colour away!

The best part about this product is that it's meant for travel use so it all folds up nicely into a compact case (slightly larger than A5 size). A good way to entertain a kid when on the move (or when you need her to stay still for awhile)! :)

The only thing that I'm disappointed with is probably the limited colours of the crayons... but it's meant to be a travel pack, so I guess we can't have that many crayons... :)

Chayote (chokos) with glass noodles


I'm really quite in love with this vegetable as you can see... I cook it as a dessert, I stir-fry it with prawns and dried shrimps and just over the weekend I tried cooking it with glass noodles.

I came across this idea while reading Ju's blog and I thought, I'd try it some day.

And so that day came and I cooked it.

I think I still prefer the thinly sliced version instead of the julienned one because I prefer my chayote to be crunchy rather than soft. But oh well, if I don't try it, I'd never know right? :P


Chayote (Chokos) with glass noodles


Ingredients:

  • 1 big chayote
  • 1 handful small dried shrimps
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 bowl stock
  • 1 bowl water
  • 1 small packet of glass noodles
  • fish sauce to taste



Method:

  1. Remove the skin and seed of the chayote and julienn.
  2. Rinse the dried shrimps a couple of times then soak in a bowl of water. Remove the shrimps and air-dry before frying (to prevent oil from splattering later). Reserve the bowl of water the shrimps were soaking in.
  3. Soak the glass noodles to soften them a bit.
  4. Heat oil in a wok and fry the garlic and dried shrimps till fragrant.
  5. Add the chayote and fry for 30sec before adding in the stock and bowl of water.
  6. Bring the stock to a boil then add the glass noodles.
  7. Add fish sauce to taste.
  8. Dish and serve. 


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