more from the menagerie

I found a couple of photos of toys I'd made recently and not posted here. The kittens, Gilroy and Archie, went off with my last order to Tiny People. Albert the monkey is soon to be included in "Softies", a book being published by Penguin Australia in September this year. His pattern will be in there too. It looks like it's going to be an interesting book, with a number of craft bloggers submitting patterns. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

Also, I was wondering if I could please enlist some help from the baking inclined among you. The recipe for yo-yo biscuits in my last entry uses custard powder. A couple of people left comments asking what it was as they hadn't come across it. It seems as though it is either not a universal ingredient, or that what we know as humble custard powder here in Australia goes by another name in the US. I'm talking about a yellowish, flour-like substance that you add milk to, to er, basically make 'fake' (ie without the eggs and assorted palaver) custard. Any ideas what other name it goes by, or what might be a good substitute? Thankyou!

Comments

[daria]

I love your black kittens the very best.

maybe instant pudding as a substitute for custard powder? vanilla flavor, I'd assume.

[daria]

I love your black kittens the very best.

maybe instant pudding as a substitute for custard powder? vanilla flavor, I'd assume.

[Jo]

The softies book sounds like a great one. Congratulations on your inclusion. Can't help on the custard powder, that's a strange one. Let us know if you find an answer, it has me intrigued.

[Tiffany]

http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Custard-Powder-Double-Size/dp/B000JMBE7M

Apparently they sell Birds Custard Powder through Amazon.com here in the U.S.. Wikipedia says it is cornstarch based, so not sure if it would be the same as instant pudding. (Although the coloring sounds right.)

[andi]

Dr. Oetker's Vanilla Pudding is VERY similar to custard powder. Sold at Amazon and other places. The Dr. Oetker's produces a slightly thicker pudding than yer Foster Clarke's :-)

[andi]

PS. I will never grow tired of those monkeys!

[Thimbleanna]

Thanks for the tips for a custard powder substitute. I'm hoping to try them out with the pudding option in a month or so (after some traveling) and I'll let you know if it works!

[Stephanie]

i've been a long-time lurker, not often commenting but have loved all your sewing and cooking expeditions. and i'm glad i clicked on tonight, because i would love to get my hands on that book. i'd love to start sewing again, and albert is adorable. any idea when it's release date is (i live in australia as well, in qld).

[scribblesnbits]

Congratulations on your inclusion in the Softies book! I look forward to that one!

On my favorite website in the world, they say that custard powder can be found in British specialty shops and that instant vanilla pudding is a good substitute (use measure for measure). Anyway, I found that on this website:

http://www.foodsubs.com/

I don't know how I survived without this website before.

[Amy]

I so LOVE those kitty overalls...

[carmen]

If you can find a specialty shop that sells British goods, try looking for Bird's. In Canada we can buy Harry Horne's custard powder in most grocery stores. It has a red label and looks like a cocoa powder tin. Vanilla pudding isn't really the same. Harry Horne's ingredients are corn starch, tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, potato starch, salt and artificial flavour and colour.

[cat]

love love love your new banner!!!!

[Maritza]

I love those kitties! So cute! *hearts*

And congratulations on being included in the softy book. Very exciting! I can't wait for that to come out.

P.S. - About the custard mix, I'm in the US, and I think I know what you're talking about. I remember about a year ago baking something like that but instead of custard mix, I used tapioca mix. Not quite the same by definition, but it did give the cake a lovely texture.

[Rachel]

I think I've see that Jello makes instant custard packs.
Yup actually I'm pretty sure.

[Dacia Ray]

those biscuits look delicious. I would guess it's just called instant pudding--other people besides Jello make it too. But, I'm not sure. I have an old recipe book from my grandma that employs many "instant" things, including pudding. They are fun recipes to try. And, they're always very simple. Those 50s women knew how to cut corners!

[Dana]

Will that book with Archie be available in the US?

[Emma]

Ah! You're going to be in that Softies book too! It seems nearly all of my favourite plush-making craft bloggers will be having a project in it so I am definately buying it as soon as it comes out. And I'm excited it's a local publication too so I don't have to wait until after everyone else gets it ;)

[Lily]

Congrats on your pattern being published! Do let us know when/where we can get our hands on it :)

[Monica Huete]

I love you work ... congratulations. I would like to add your blog to the list I'm prepairing for my site, is it ok?????My blog is www.feltland.blogspot.com
Please let me know if I can add your blog to my list. Thank you

[Nicky Fraser]

Im another lurker.. not sure if I've commented on your blog before but I love all you do. Especially love the dungarees on the kitties. I got to know your site through The Crafters Companion, wonderful book! Keep up the good work, and eye candy!!

[Jess]

Corn flour is a great substitute for custard powder. You need to add a little vanilla flavour/extract as well. I always use corn flour to make yo yo/custard creams. I am also a fan of your blog. I don't know who could not be.!

[Amy Elise Designs]

Wow! I am in love! The monkey is so fantastic!

[bobinamyrabelle]

I love your black cats... all your menagerie. I'm french and I would like to put you in my blog. Can I ?... my english isn't very good...!! I make also toys -in french, "Doudous" and I'm very happy to do that.

[Allie from Minneapolis]

Your softies are adorable...you are SO talented! Congratulations on Albert being chosen for the book. That's so exciting :o)

[Frances]

Awww. So lovely. Can't wait for the book, too. x