Dala.ling

Sweden is one of my favorite places to visit. Although I am far away at the moment, I have my Dala Horse to remind me of that beautiful place and fabulous people. These little “love.lies” were given to my darling (dala.ling) for Valentines day.dala horse 1.jpg

Autumn in New Hampshire

The hubby and I are experiencing fall in New Hampshire for the first time.  We hiked the Welch and Dickey Loop recently and experienced a beautiful combination of granite and autumn leaf views. Although there were pops of red and bright orange, the scene was this most amazing, gentle gradient of yellows with undertones of gold and brown.  Almost ombre.  My inspiration for the peaceful and pretty pumpkins.  And on the drive home I spied this adirondack chair with a skull/jack o lantern face cut out of the back.  You know that was meant to be a cookie.  #cookieplatesfortheneighbors

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All that Jazz

The occasion was a jazz brunch for the ladies.  A New Orleans vibe with all the ‘instrumentation’ of their music was requested.  With a nod to the piano and the color theme of white, black, and mint, I stamped, stenciled and gold highlighted my way to these cookies.

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Breakfast of Champions

2016 Fathers Day set #2.  Although this set could be for anyone who has been supportive! These particular cookies were for a guy that LOVES his breakfasts. Has been known to have breakfast for dinner or snacks some days. And, perhaps more notably, he is the MOST wonderful dad (okay, truth in lending, my hubby is the inspiration for these). He has been so supportive of our two girls and has doled out some hysterical and on point advice…unlike their mother, he gives it only when asked!).  We are incredibly fortunate!

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To make the waffle, I started with a square cookie and iced a square grid as shown below. While I let the grid dry, I made the egg, butter pat, and bacon on a separate piece of acetate (or use parchment paper) and let that sit overnight.  Next, I thinned down a small batch of ivory tinted royal icing to a very runny consistency and poured that over the square cookie, letting excess run off. As that set up, I made the ‘syrup’ icing and peeled off the egg, etc transfers. I painted on some dimension to the small squares within the waffle and let that dry.  Then I semi-poured, semi-helped (with a paint brush) the syrup icing to flow where i wanted it.  Added the transfers and stamped the words. Quite happy with how the waffle turned out.  The bacon needs work.

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Sharpest Tool in the Shed

Lots of catching up to do on this blog… going back to Father’s Day in June!!! For greeting cards and cookiers alike, ‘power’ tools are a big point of conversation during this yearly celebration. Of course, I had to create a “word play” take on that theme:

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Hats Off to the Graduate

Can’t believe that our baby girl is graduating from University.  Not such a baby anymore. We are unbelievably proud of her. As a nod to her achievement, I made these quick three cookies: jumbo-sized for her jumbo-sized accomplishments!  Way to go!

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Minnie but Mighty

Bellah turned One in style.  Her party was a Minnie Mouse theme in the colors of pink, white and black.  I added some gold because who doesn’t like gold with pink, black, and white? Last fall I listened to a legal discussion about trademarked characters and so (hopefully) I tap danced my way around any infringement.  Yep, it really is something you have to be careful about.  The things you never think about.  Those unintended consequences.

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Semper Fidelis

Operation Cookie Takeover was started in early 2013 by a group of cookiers who wanted to show support for a friend deployed overseas. The initial concept was to have a small group of cookie decorators send a dozen cookies each, to be passed out among some of the soldiers on base. Thanks to SammieBSweets initiative, many, many cookie decorators have joined in; here is my small but heartfelt thanks to our service men and women.  In particular, this 2016 cookie set went out to a wonderful Marine in the 2/7.  ~Thank you for your service!! I hope the cookies found you safe and sound.~

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Hummus Where the Heart Is

I may or may not be a bit obsessive about hummus.  I mean, the chick pea IS quite delicious when reinvented in all those hummus forms and flavors. And so I give you my cookie homage to crudite and dip. Hummus is where the heart is, or stomach…

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