Saturday, January 31, 2009

Vegan Etsy Team Sponsors the January Little Black Box


This month the Vegan Etsy Team sponsored The Little Black Box. All the items in this month's box are vegan and many were sent in by Vegan Etsy Team members.

Don't know what the Little Black Box is? Neither did I. It's a great way to discover some small independent crafters. Each month a box of sample items is put together from submissions and sold through the website. You can visit the link above to learn more. It's a good way to get a new audience for your products and also to find some new crafters you may not have known about.
There are a limited number available each month, so if it sells out you have to wait for the next one. This is the first all vegan box, so show it some love!

Friday, January 30, 2009

And my own treasury....

Take Me Out! features some preprandial panda picks!

Etsy Treasury Friday (Afternoon)

I am currently featured in 2 Treasury Wests.

My mini monster garland can be found in tweet!, put together by karuski. Visit her etsy shop to see her creations with vintage and upcycled inspiration, such as this flower bracelet/necklace.


My poohead valentine can be found in Freaky Friday, curated by For The Love of Vegan. She specializes in vegan sweets, and y'all already know how I feel about sweet, sweet cookies. Especially organic peanut butter oatmeal.

Cookie Friday! Sparkled Ginger Cookies


To continue the ginger theme from earlier this week, today I have the recipe for the sparkled ginger cookies from Vegan with a Vengeance. This is hands down my favorite cookbook and I don't know how many times I've made these cookies. They are excellent for shipping out in holiday packages or to eat by yourself with a cup of tea while hovering over your wonky radiator pretending it is a fireplace at your country estate.
Photo is courtesy of oh, it's amanda and you can click over to her flickr page because her pictures are lovely.

These cookies are all over the internet. You can find many photos on flickr and also the recipe floating about.

4 tablespoons turbinado or demerra sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup soy milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
-Place the turbinado sugar in a small bowl. It will be used to roll the cookies in
later.
-Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
-In a separate bowl, mix together the oil, molasses, soy milk, sugar, and vanilla. -Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and mix.
-Roll into 1-inch balls, flatten into a 1 1/2-inch diameter disk, press into the
turbinado sugar and place 1 inch apart sugar side up on a cookie sheet.
-Bake 10 to 12 minutes and cool

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Tater Tot Update


A tater tot update for you, gentle reader. These come to us from Veganachronism. If any of you decide to make you own, send some to your pal panda.

Tot on!

I'm on the Etsy Front Page!



My FAIL heart is on the front page of Etsy right now!
Woo!

The CPSIA and Small Business: Blog-In


Good morning everyone! A serious and long blog post this morning. Small businesses, including those over at etsy, are reeling from this proposed law to take effect in February. Please read through this and take the time to contact your representatives and Senators. The short of it is that people making children's products will be required to pay large amounts for testing to ensure safe standards. Safe standards are a great idea, but I believe most of the lead-paint-in-toys-scares have come from imported products from China and not my etsy shop.
Many of the good people at etsy have gotten together to blog about this today.
An excellent site for information: Handmade Toy Alliance

From the CPSIA blog-in:

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” Article here.

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
CPSIA

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Etsy Treasury Tuesday


My nature cyanotype has been featured in a new etsy treasury tonight called Am I Blue... put together by lazydayz.
You can link on over to her shop to check out her silver jewelry creations.
I am particularly fond of the triple hoop earrings she has featured at the top of her page, shown here:


Have a most pleasant evening all!

Panda or Cookie? Gingersnap Candle from Chickscratch



Today's panda or cookie features a gingersnap soy massage candle, available from chickscratch. She is a fellow member of the EtsyVeg Team. She carries a variety of soy massage candles in her shop, as well as brown sugar scrubs. I of course chose this particular one to highlight because what could be better than the scent of gingersnaps in the apartment on a cold (so very cold) winter night?

I'll have a recipe for sparkled ginger cookies later this week. Gingersnap immersion!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Blog Comment Problems

Gentle Readers! I have received some messages that people are having problems leaving a comment on my blog. My settings are enabled for anyone to comment. If you are unable to tell me your opinion on tots, please send me a message through my etsy store and let me know. I am going to try to resolve it, but don't know how many people are affected. At Panda With Cookie, your opinion matters.
Thank you.

Monday Morning Etsy Treasury




An EtsyVeg Valentine Treasury features my FAIL heart that I posted about earlier in the month.
This lovely treasury was put together by Kelle's Kitchen, who makes all vegan, cold processed soaps in her etsy shop. She even has a soap o' the month club, where you can get a subscription for 6 months.

Coming tomorrow will be another edition of panda or cookie. Stay tuned!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Tot Madness

In light of my recent tot infatuation, I wanted to link over to Escapades in Cooking for some homemade tot action.

My own bag of frozen tots ran out two days ago, but I am considering giving these a go.
Tot on!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

A New Etsy Treasury



Once More Unto the Breach is my latest treasury on Etsy. Please check it out if you'd like.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Vegan Earl Grey Tea Cookies



I first had these cookies at a Prospect Park potluck and have been meaning to make them ever since. And now, gentle reader, for you I have.
Although not the most photogenic cookie, these are most delicious. You can't go wrong with a cookie that has tea.

Earl Grey Tea Cookies

2 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 T earl grey tea- from a tea bag is better than loose tea. You want it ground fine.
1/2 t salt
1 t vanilla
1 t orange juice
3/4 c margarine, cut small (I use Earth Balance sticks)
1/2 t lemon zest
1/2 t orange zest

-Mix together the flour, sugar, powdered sugar, tea and salt.
-In a separate bowl cream the vanilla, orange juice, margarine and zests.
-Add the dry ingredients and combine.
-Divide the dough into 2 logs and wrap with wax paper. I do shorter and fatter logs
for a larger cookies.
-Refrigerate for a few hours, preferably overnight.
-Slice and bake for 9-13 minutes at 375.
-Cool before eating.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

January 21: A Day of Tater Tots



I declare today to be Tater Tot Solidarity Day! Tots for all!
I grabbed a picture from the fabulous fee over at the PPK, where we have been discussing these delightful potato delights.

Tot!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Panda or Cookie? Vegan Propamanda's Pignoli Cookies




Today's Panda or Cookie features the vegan pignoli cookies from asacco9642, otherwise known as Vegan Propamanda.
These are part of this month's Etsy for Animals charity special. All proceeds from select cookies go to Animal Place, which is the Etsy for Animals Charity of the Month. So in addition to delicious, delicious cookies, you're also helping out an animal sanctuary and education center.
Check out the Vegan Propamanda shop for more cookies, brownies and other vegan delights.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Etsy Treasury Courtesy of Cookies for Sale


My paper nest has been featured in an Etsy treasury entitled My Lucky Day.

Many thanks to Cookies for Sale for selecting me. She was featured in my second Panda or Cookie with the cute wooden play cookies. Be sure to check out her shop for other fun play food for kids.

Etsy Treasury

I have another etsy treasury today and am apparently craving some sugar. Featuring some fellow EtsyVeg memebrs:

Sweets for My Sweet.

Enjoy!

Panda Pics



Because there are never enough panda pictures.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

A Couple of Etsy Treasuries for the Weekend

I have a couple of treasuries picked on etsy right now.

Red and Green Delight
and
Red White and Blue

It was early and I was perhaps not the most creative with names, but please enjoy anyway.

Panda or Cookie? Gerrijo's Panda Necklace


Today's Panda or Cookie features etsy seller gerrijo and her baby panda necklace.
The adorable panda charm is hand cut and colored on plastic and sealed with a glossy water based varnish. It measures at just under 1/2 inch. Included is a sterling silver chain in 16 or 18 inch length.
Check out her shop for other fun prints, jewelry and more. The bunny catching snowflakes charm is what led me to her shop and there is also a panda print not to be missed.

Have a happy weekend everyone!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Etsy Treasury West Courtesy of Bubbletime




I am being featured in Treasury West today with my origami crane mobile. I just listed it today and am proud to have it showcased. Go west, young man!

Thanks go to bubbletime for including me. You can visit her fun shop to find lots of cute fabric fluffcrobes, pincushions, brooches and more. What's a fluffcrobe you may ask? The link will take you there.

EtsyVeg Etsy Team Giveaway



The EtsyVeg Etsy Team is doing its first ever giveaway on the group blog. They have put together a basket of 5 different items that will be given away on February 4th.
Visit the EtsyVeg Team blog for details on how to enter.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Etsy Treasury Wednesday Courtesy of Ingermaaike and Chickscratch



I'm currently featured in 2 treasuries on etsy!

Garlands and Ribbons features my pink paper flower garland as well as a lovely group of other, you guessed it, garlands and ribbons. It was curated by ingermaaike, whose shop features felted scarves, wraps and more.

My wee tiny monster is featured in Hopeful Year, with fellow EtsyVeg Team Members with items from our January challenge. It was put together by chickscratch. You can check out her shop for soy massage candles and sugar scrubs.

Many thanks to them both for including my works!

Panda Picks: New Items in my Etsy Store



New this week: cranky conversation hearts for those who don't want to give flowers and candy for Valentine's Day. These are available with different messages and special orders are welcome.
Roughly 6 x 6 inches, these little pillows will be treasured for years by your loved ones. Guaranteed to not fail.
Hearts can be found at my etsy shop Panda with Cookie.

Monday, January 12, 2009

A New EtsyVeg Team Treasury

I also have a Treasury West up today featuring my fellow EtsyVeg Members, which can be found here.

Please comment, click and enjoy.

A New Etsy Treasury

I have a new etsy treasury up this morning, which can be found here:

The Moon and The Stars

Please check it out and leave a comment if you'd like.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Panda or Cookie? CookiesForSale's Wooden Play Cookies



Today's Panda or Cookie features etsy seller CookiesForSale and her half dozen assorted play cookies. A set of 6 cute wooden cookies is included in different shapes and colors. Each has a different sprinkle or chip pattern on top. They are made with non-toxic glues and paints. A great gift for kids that supports a small business and less plastic.

Check out the CookiesForSale etsy shop for other fun wooden play food and baby blankets.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Coconut Lime White Chip Cookies

coconut lime white chip cookie

A delectable vegan cookie, perfect for the spring time or when it is snowing out and you wish it was spring. This is based on a recipe from Vive le Vegan by Dreena Burton, but I've added a few things and removed a couple of things because most of the cookies I make must have chips in some form. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

1/3 c shredded coconut
1/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c flour, unbleached all purpose
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda

1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c canola oil
2T soymilk
2 T lime juice
zest of 1 lime

1/4 c or more vegan white chips

Mix the wet ingredients, maple syrup through lime juice in a medium bowl.
Mix the dry, coconut through baking soda in a large bowl.
Add the dry to the wet mix, adding in the lime zest. Don't overmix.
Add in some white chips and fold in.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Eat them. Eat them all.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Panda or Cookie? KnittyKrissy's Ecospun Felt Sugar Cookies

A new feature where I highlight the wares of other etsy sellers who have an item that is either panda or cookie. I realize that every feature is new in a new blog, but I am enjoying sounding innovative.

Today's offering falls into the cookie category.




KnittyKrissy is a fellow EtsyVeg Team member with lots of fun felt and clay creations in her shop. Pictured today are three felt sugar cookies, made from ecospun felt, which comes from recycled plastic. Check out her shop for other felt goodies, including cupcakes and a PB&J sandwich. Sweet sweet cupcakes.

If at any point one of my lovely, dedicated blog followers would like to send cookies, possibly in the oatmeal butterscotch variety, please do not hesitate! One cannot live on cookies alone, but I would like to try.

A note about the EtsyVeg Team for those who are curious. We are an etsy team for vegan and vegetarian etsy sellers. I'll have occasional links to contests and group projects that are happening and you can find my Monday Panda Picks feature on the EtsyVeg Blog, where I highlight some of my favorite items from member shops.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Panda Picks: Favorites from my Etsy Store



A new blog feature wherein I post about some of my favorite items from my own etsy shop, Panda with Cookie.
Wee tiny monster garland! It's small and fun and guaranteed to brighten one's day by 14%.

Coming later this week will be some highlights from fellow etsyveg team members and hopefully cookie reviews. An unexpected influx of work may prevent any baking, but I am hoping to make the sacrifice to bring you sweets, gentle reader.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Panda Pics: Zhen Zhen of the San Diego Zoo


Zhen Zhen is the female panda cub born at the San Diego Zoo in August of 2007. Let the adorableness consume you until you are a little puddle of mush.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Welcome to Panda With Cookie

Welcome to Panda with Cookie. Please, won't you have a cup of tea and sit?

Panda with cookie began as an etsy shop in 2008 and is now expanding to the blog-o-sphere. The name was chosen because I love both pandas and cookies and combining the two seemed like a good idea. I hope to update regularly with fun things, starring in no particular order:

*cookie recipes
*panda pictures
*updates on my etsy shop
*intermittent updates about Pluto
*haiku, possibly relating to both cookie and panda
and surely many other things too numerous and exciting to miss.

Please feel free to leave comments, share with your friends and let me know how your cookies turn out.