GIVEAWAY: 4 Lylicraft Malaysian Batik cushion covers up for grabs and a modern take on a traditional Malaysian recipe!

Let's talk Malaysian designs, the art of Batik and where to buy handmade online. Oh! And there's a giveaway for 4 lucky readers too!

One of the things I love most about travelling through Asia is the bright and beautiful, patterned handcrafted goods. They make the best souvenirs to bring home for friends and family! 

When buying for myself I like to find unique clothing, accessories and homewares. On my last few trips I returned home with gorgeous handcrafted plates in stunning shades of blue, perhaps the beginning of a tradition? I am a fan of minimalism although appreciate the effect of a splash of colour here or there. Take the aqua sewing machine in my white furnished room or the red lounge in our otherwise dark and earthy coloured living room for example. So when buying overseas I want something special that will remind me of my travels.  

In Malaysia, bright and beautiful Batik is a design worth bringing home. The art of Batik can be traced back to Asia, India and Africa. It's a textile technique where originally wax was used to manipulate the fabric dying process. These days batik is usually hand painted or machine printed.  The most popular designs in Malaysian Batik include floral and abstract shapes like spirals. Batik designs are used for handcrafted homewares, clothing and souvenirs. Today, Batik clothing is usually saved for special occasions although you might have seen it before while passing through the airport. It's the Malaysian Airlines hostesses uniform! 

Lyli, the creative behind Lylicraft, sources traditional Malaysian Batik sarongs made from 100% cotton fabric then designs and transforms them into pillow covers. The designs are eye catching and will add a splash of colour to any room. The cotton fabric is durable and each finished piece is well made. Lyli is based in Malaysia although thanks to ETSY her designs are available worldwide.

There is something so special about buying handmade. Products that have been thoughtfully designed and passionately made. Whether it's a personalised gift, custom made clothing or unique homewares ETSY is my go to site.

Today Lyli and I are collaborating to bring you a veganised version of Lyli's favourite traditional Malaysian dessert, Agar-Agar Santan (below), and we have FOUR handcrafted Lylicraft cushion covers up for grabs. This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE. To enter, follow @chelseycrafts or @chelseyamberprior on Instagram and tag a friend in the giveaway post. For extra entries see the Rafflecopter giveaway box below. Entries close Sunday 14th of February (romantic, I know) and the winners will be announced on Monday 15th of February.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VEGAN AGAR-AGAR SANTAN RECIPE by Lylicraft

Ingredients

- 4 cups of water

- 2 cups of coconut milk

- 1/4 cup of apple sauce (or other equivalent substitute for 1 egg)

- 1 cup of sugar

- 20g of agar-agar

- 1/4 teaspoon of food colouring in your choice of colour

Recipe

1. Whisk coconut milk and apple sauce together in a small mixing bowl.

2. Bring agar-agar, water and sugar to the boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuosly until agar-agar dissolves.

3. Reduce heat and continue to stir while adding the food colouring and the mixture of coconut milk and apple sauce.

4. Continue to stir until mixture thickens then remove from heat and pour into desired tin (Lyli uses a bowl).

5. Refrigerate until set.

Lylicraft Details
Shop | www.etsy.com/shop/lylicraft

If you tried this recipe I'd love to hear from you. Use the hashtag #chelseycrafts on Instagram or post in the comments form below.