Be There

There are certain times in life when you want so desperately to help, but the only help that is needed is just to be there.
So I'm off to 'be there' for a much beloved  man, father, father-in-law, uncle, grandfather and friend.
Thanks in advance for your kind thoughts and prayers... and I'd love if you did something else too.
Go kiss and hug your 'elders'.
Tell them you love them.
Tell them you appreciate all they've done for you in your life.
Listen to their stories about when they were young.
Make them smile.
...and when you've done all those things...
...do them again.

Love to you all, be back soon.

Take A Peek Tuesday! Which Came First....?

A reader posted a question on those Chevron Heart Cookies from a few days ago.

K asked "Do you sugar first and then go back for the second color, or the other way around?

When she posted, she chose Anonymous and was a 'no-reply' commenter,

so I couldn't answer!!!

But I can answer her here!

Whew...

I always, always, always decorate the section to be sugared, last.



Here's why:

See that baseball diamond cookie on the left? Notice where the brown 'dirt' meets the sugared 'grass'?
That's what happens (at least to me) when I sugar first, then flood the area next to it. The wet flood icing sort of grabs onto the little sugar crystals and the edge isn't quite straight.

The sparkly centers on these cookies were done after the outer section had dried, much cleaner edge.

Hope that answered your question K! Thanks for asking!

Be Mine Valentine Cookies

"be mine"

Oh, really? Be yours?
Somebody seems to be wearing their bossypants today!

"be mine, be mine, be mine, be mine, be mine."

Well now, telling me what to do 5 times,  isn't going to work any better than telling me once!
Sheesh!


"be mine"

Hey now...unless we're talking carats,  bigger isn't getting you anywhere!

You've got one more shot...I suggest making it a good one.

"be mine....

...please?"
Absolutely.
Never could resist a Valentine with manners.

Just say no to bossy Valentines. Manners matter. ;)

Silvery Pink Valentine Cookie Tutorial...In Print!

Sometimes, there are things you wish for without even realizing it.

Sometimes, there are little dreams you have for yourself, that hang out in the corners, just waiting to come out and play.


And sometimes,  every now and then, they come true.

Oh my word, I have a 'by-line'...that's my name up there!

Last July I was asked by the editor of Stitch, Craft, Create Magazine  to create a cookie tutorial for their January/February issue.

Until now, they've been primarily a sewing and fabric arts publication,  but are branching out into sugar arts as well.

They asked for lots and lots of pictures and requested the  cookies be decorated in pale pink and silvery grey.   Other than that, I could create whatever I liked!

I'm still pinching myself.

Just in case someone wants to pick up a copy...
You can order it from the SCC website HERE,
you can find it at Michael's,  JoAnn's and Barnes & Noble,
Or you can order it from Amazon...there's even a kindle edition!

By the way...big big thanks to Shannon Miller for the opportunity!!

Chevron Cookie Heart Tutorial!

You want to freak me out?
As in 'kick-a-chair-and-mutter-bad-words-under-my-breath' freak me out?
Ask me to make chevron cookies.

Ugh.
Nothing against chevron.
Love it on a pillow for my sofa, a nice apple green would be great. A scarf would be fabulous, adds a splash of fun to any outfit.

But on a cookie...it's all my perfectionist nightmares rolled into one.
The spacing of the points. The width between the rows.
Ugh.
(but I found a little trick, and I think it worked...wanna see?)

I found a little tool from one of my favorite Etsy stores, Plastics in Print.

Although it's technically a cutter, I used it as a stamp.
Plastics in Print makes it in a few different widths/thicknesses, I chose the original.



(All these steps were done BEFORE the cookie was baked)

I drew a line down the middle of the heart as a guide for keeping my points centered.

Started at the bottom, pushing just enough to make an impression...

...and just eased it on up.

All ready for baking!

Look!
Chevron!!!

Then it was just a matter of outlining...
I put a little dab of red in some rows to remind myself that I wanted to start and finish with red.

Everything looks more glamorous with some sparkles, don't you think?!

I am happy to report that no chairs were abused in the making of these cookies.

Happy Chevroning!!!

Take A Peek Tuesday! Organizing Tips!

Okay,  that sounded like I was going to give you tips on organizing didn't it?
I meant...here's how I organize my tips, my pastry tips. (Those metal pointy things that all look the same from the side)

I love this box!!!   I bought it at Jo-Ann's a few years ago, with a coupon of course. Darice 2025-288 Double-Sided Clear Plastic Craft Tote

It holds tons of stuff and you can move around the little dividers  to make the sections all different sizes!

I keep it open on the chair next to me while I'm working so I can see down into it and grab what I need.
Easy-Peasy!
I keep my 'boo-boo' sticks in there, and tweezers. Tip covers and bag ties too.
You can't see what I love most about this box though...
It flips over and has more storage on the back! (I'll save that for another day)
*Jaclyn...thanks for asking!!!*


Don't forget to enter my Valentine's Day Giveaway! Win cookies for you and your sweetie!
click HERE

Jack's 'I Love You' Cookies

"Jack!  I made something just for you!  Come look"
"Mom, I thought you were doing cookies?   I don't like icing, remember?"
"Of course I remember....I'm your mom."

"...you put the pink in the cookie...not in the icing?!"
"I did, just for you, so that you could still have a fancy cookie, but without the icky icing. They even have words,  can you read them to me?"
"I....Love...You. They say I love you!!!! How did you do that?"

"I used this little stampy thingy I had. Do you like them?"

"That's the bestest thing you could have ever given me."

"They even taste like love!"
"I'm so glad you like them little man.  I love you lots."


"Mom.....can I have another one?"
(and that's all the thank you a mom ever really needs.)

Giveaway still going on! Be to sure to enter to win Valentine's cookies for you and your sweetheart!
click HERE

Giveaway time! Valentine's Day Cookies!

It's almost Love Day!
Yay!
To celebrate Love Day I thought I'd do something for all of YOU!!!
Because I love all my readers!!!
Thanks for always stopping by, leaving comments and brightening my day!
So.....
I'm giving away 2 dozen cookies for Valentine's Day!!!

But here's the catch...
you need to share the love if you win the giveaway!
The winner will get one dozen cookies to keep...

And another dozen to give away to someone who brightens their day!
Woo-Hoo!
Here's the Rafflecopter...
I tried to think of as many ways to enter as I could!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway