Who says it ain't easy being green? This grocery tote by etsy seller Nancy Gamon is as gorgeous as it is enviromentaly consious. It looks super roomy and would even make a cool weekend bag.

Taking Craft to School

If you hurry, there's still time to get to Chicago for tomorrow's DIY Trunk Show!
In it's fourth year, the Chicago Craft Mafia has rounded up 96 vendors showcasing the very best in DIY goods. This is one stop holiday shopping, people - and it's all handmade!

If you can make it to the show, please stop on over and say hello! Mention Handmade Parade at my booth (Sweet Jessie), and I'll even reward you with a little gift.

Happy Shopping!

Best ever cookies in a jar

I know the idea of layering cookie ingredients in a mason jar has been around forever but this recipe is so tasty you'll forget this is a craft leftover from the early 90's. I made these for my coworkers last year and they seemed to be a hit.

Chocolate Cranberry Chews

Here's what you layer in the jar (not necessarily in this order):
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chocolate chips
1 3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Press firmly to make it fit.

Cooking instructions (to provide along with the jar of mix). I also put this on a pdf so you can download tags to print out but I can't figure out how to attach a pdf in blogger. Go here to download if you want tags like the ones shown in the photo--sorry for the hassle.

In any case, here are the instructions:
Empty cookie mix into large bowl. Add 1 1/2 sticks of butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix completely. Form into balls and place 2 inches apart on a sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes.

Happy Baking!
Melissa
http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com

Hands off!

Ever gone to work and come breaktime found that your coworkers raided your snack or come home from a long day and your roommate ate the last of your cereal? Well Dippylulu has the solution in these punchy snack clips. Each set comes with two clips and there are five designs to choose from.

Side one--------------------Flip side
#1 I’ve spat in this...-----...so don’t even think about it.
#2 Hands off...-------------...this is mine
#3 If you eat this...-------...you’ll regret it
#4 Buy your own ------------you *@^$#%&
#5 Ask nicely...------------...and I’ll still say no

They will even customise them if you want to be even wittier than they are. How nice.

I'd Like to Introduce Myself...

I am way too overexcited about contributing to a blog to admit it. Well, to anyone else but you guys, of course. But I am! Claire has requested my virtual presence on Handmade Parade to act as a Resident Foodie. I made that title up, but I'm gonna go ahead and run with it. So look for my posts for recipes and other food related entries. Should you get a hankerin' (channeling inner Paula Deen here) for more food goodness, traipse on over to I Pray to Gouda , my little hangout.

For this first humble entry, I simply have a suggestion for a good read. You don't have to necessarily love food or cooking. But you should have a sense of humor. Because really, if you don't have that, you're going to encounter several problems in life that will begin with your loss of being unable to read this book. Julie and Julia is a hilarious autobiography of sorts, outlining the life of a 30-year old who decides to try her hand out at difficult French cooking for a solid year by channeling her inner Julia Child. It's severely on sale at Amazon.com, check it out and stay tuned for future recipe from moi!

i love re:made

The age old tie for dad cliche won't be such a drag to give or get if it is one of these reclaimed and screenprinted beauties by re:made. They also carry gorgeous vintage pillowcase skirts and dresses - the biggest challenge now is choosing which one to get! Everything in th ere:made shop has had a previous life and was reclaimed by the folks at re:made. Love it!

Free Vintage Embroidery Patterns

Bird Bag, originally uploaded by turkeyfeathers.

Vicki of Pattern Bee has graciously added more vintage patterns to her freebie collection. Browsing through th eofferings, my heart skipped a beat when I saw she had up several designs that my granny had given to me, but were too fragile to use. There are several different categories to choose from and she said today that she just reorganized the Christmas section. It sure felt like Christmas to be able to print off such lovely designs!

Appliqued Shirts

Shirts, originally uploaded by kirstencan.

The kirsten can store carries the sweetest, coolest, most fun appliqued kids t's and onesies around. Our favorites are the monsters and the cupcakes. Her site says a big t-shirt update is forthcoming. We can't wait!

Custom Pink Valise

Custom Pink Valise, originally uploaded by littlepinkstudio.

Little Pink Studio is offering custom valises filled to the brim with vintage goodies. She is offering two sizes, large and petite in her Etsy shop. I have a feeling these will go quickly!

Yoyo Necklace

Yoyos never looked as chic as they do in the necklaces by Shanna of Cookoorikoo (how much do you love that name??). She makes these necklaces and other yoyo adorned accessories.