You Smart Cookie

Summer Cookie Fun!

2011-07-11T14:19:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to quickly post our recent cookie creations. These were fun to make, and the process went rather quickly. Baking, decorating, and packaging happened on 3 different days so it really broke up the work load. These will be shipped to Texas for a going away party.:) I hope they don't melt on the way down!

Thank God for the AC so we didn't bake along with these cookies!;) Keep cool.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

Gifts for the Godmothers!

Inspirations from the Holy Spirit

2011-05-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

I was inspired to make cookies for a friend's daughter's Confirmation. I am her Confirmation sponsor so I thought it would be a nice gesture.:) I chose to use rolled fondant and used a textured mat to get a more elegant look. I then practiced like crazy using royal icing to pipe a descending dove. I still think it needs something since the white on white is a bit plain. However, I can't figure out what I'd add. Maybe I should just leave well enough alone. Understated may be the best way to go with these.

Cinco de Mayo

2011-05-05T08:03:00.003-07:00

We don't typically celebrate Cinco de Mayo. After all, it's only the Independence Day for one city, Puebla, and not the whole country of Mexico. That day would be September 16th. Oh, well...I was inspired by a post over at Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle...she's fascinating btw, and I'm smitten with her creativity and skill at cookie decorating. So I tried a few little treats of my own. This has Sugarbelle and Friends written all over it.

All the fixings to make guacamole and the chips!

And in case you're wondering how I made the cookie chips, here you go.

Felicidades!

Food Photography

2011-05-05T08:01:00.001-07:00

I finally got around to asking a question that's been burning a whole in my brain for a LONG time. You can type in just about anything into an internet search engine (I like GOOGLE!) and get an answer. I've been wondering how to get a seamless whitewash background for my cookies. I love the white background on many food blogs that showcase the food rather than the surroundings. Don't these just look gorgeous?

Of course, light is the key and focus and aperture, and shutter speed...blah, blah, blah. But I'm no expert, but I want to be able to showcase my work for my website. Anywho...here's my amateur attempt at getting something half-way decent.

Still a little blue...I know...but I'm working on that. I like the setup, and I'm getting closer to my goal!! I love that you can tell these are scalloped edge sugar cookies, and the bead border is looking good. Problem is you can also see all the wayward sugar crystals on the surface of the cookies. Oh, well! Does anyone out there have any tips or tricks of the homemade kind?

For National Pig Day...Today!

2011-03-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

These are actually cookies I made last year for the kiddies. They are cute, nonetheless!

The Latest...!

2010-04-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

These little yummies are for Nick's Baptism on Sunday! Monogram madness to say the least. I'm very happy with the way these turned out!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

Of course, Easter is so much more than the sweets found throughout the day; but I did do a little bunny work for the kiddies anyway to get in a little practice and try a few new things. This a swipe at my first monogram and a bit more piping work.

And be sure to check out Amber's cookies over at Sweet Ambs. Her cookies are amazing! Her work is inspiring to say the least.

Cookies for Easter

2010-03-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

I was inspired to do this blog post after reading the following article over at Faith & Family Live. Here are a few pics of great cookies I've been thinking about lately. Of course, I would add my own bit of creativity to these lovely inspirations.

Photo taken from King Arthur Flour

Aren't those incredible! And here's a little more eye candy...or should I say "cookie" candy.

Photo taken from Sweet Ambs

These cute little bunnies are in Amber's Etsy store. The article at King Arthur Flour gives detailed instructions (with photos...bonus!) on how to make the pysanke-inspired cookies. The same technique is used to make Amber's cookies. Amber is a professional pastry artist and has been featured in Bride's magazine so proceed with caution. Her decorating is not for the faint of heart! So bake away fellow bakers & enjoy your Easter preparations.

Oops! I forgot...

2010-02-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

to post pictures of the Advent cookies we made for the homeschool coop bake sale. This post is so overdue. I posted the pics on facebook but forgot to archive them here.:( Oh well, better late than never.

Again, these were made using icing sheets and a software program from KopyKake. The ink cartridges actually have food dye in them so these are edible images.

Christmas Cheer!

2009-11-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Again I am thrilled about the cookies! Here are the Christmas trees, bells, and image cookies that I made yesterday. The packaging is fun, too. Most of the cookies get a cellophane bag, sealed, with a ribbon accent. I packaged up a few half dozens, too, in white boxes. These will get ribbons and ingredient and "You Smart Cookie" labels.

Fun, fun!

Fall Cookies

2009-11-04T05:13:00.000-08:00

These are my first attempt at Autumn leaves and acorns. I used chocolate jimmies to make the nubby part of the larger acorns. The leaves and smaller acorns were swirled using toothpicks with either 2 or 3 colors. I did quite a bit of experimenting to get the colors just right. I think they turned out well.:)

A State of Independence

2009-07-03T20:35:00.001-07:00

These 4th of July cookies were fun to make. I made a few stacked cookies, used luster dust for the sparkle, and made my own rolled fondant. I've learned that the key to fondant is to knead, knead, knead. I guess I did pretty well as it was very satiny-smooth in the rolling. Great!

Birthday Cookies

2009-06-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple pics of birthday cookies I did for the 4 year old son of a good friend. He's really into "Lumpy" from Winnie the Pooh. I used icing sheets to print Lumpy's image and added the text. I baked the cookies with lollie sticks in them to make cookie pops. Cute!

Choo Choo

2009-05-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple pics of train cookies I made for a friend's son's last ECFE class for the year.

Photo Cookies

2009-05-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

I made these for my daughter, Maria's, First Communion celebration. It was my first attempt at using icing sheets for photos. Next time I'll lighten the photos before printing because the color really does darken up over time.

Flower Formers

2009-05-15T14:03:00.001-07:00

I use Wilton flower formers to make my apple blossom sugar flowers. These are what I use for flower cookie centers and baby buggy wheels.

I Do, I Do

2009-05-12T14:14:00.001-07:00

Here is my first attempt at making bridal shower/wedding favor cookies.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-12T14:10:00.001-07:00

Cookie Bouquet for a new client. The tulips were putsy but fun to make.

Oh, Baby!

2009-05-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

Baby Shower Cookies for a friend.