National Sugar Cookie Day 2011
I meant to post this on the July 9th, which was really National Sugar Cookie Day but yesterday got away from me.
One of my favorite things about this whole adventure is sharing something I truly love with people who share the same passion.
Before Flickr and blogging, I had pretty limited contact with other cookie people.
I’ve been known on more than one occasion to “ambush” unsuspecting house guests, laptop in hand, ready to showcase my latest cookie discoveries. They were always nice of course, but soon their eyes would glaze over, and Bernie would come to the rescue, having been victim of similar ambushes himself.
That never happens here, though. One year ago, I would have never guessed this is where my adventure would lead, but now that I am here there is no place I would rather be. There is something special about knowing you’ve inspired someone, especially since I am usually the one being inspired by others. So, in honor of our common interest, new and old friends, sharing, teaching, learning, and a day of our very own, I’d like to share the cookies that have most inspired me.
Believe me, this is ONLY the very beginning of my list. I have lots of favorites, which you can see on my Flickr and Pinterest.
The cookies I chose are the most inspiring of all of my faves. They are the cookies that left me so awestruck, I didn’t know whether to giggle or cry. I know that I have talked about all of these before, but even after memorizing every single gorgeous detail, each time I see them, it’s like the first time. I truly hope that you find them as awe inspiring and beautiful as I do.
These cookies were made by Yukiko, AKA Rosey Sugar. If you are a Flickr-er you probably know her photostream and have been oogling her work from the moment you signed up.
These weren’t the first of Rosie’s creations that caught my eye. When I first began decorating I stumbled upon her Star Wars Cookies and I said to myself, “If I could only be half that good one day…” Many many cookies later I don’t think I will ever get to her level, but that doesn’t matter, I am happy with looking at hers.
Keep in mind that these are tiny, as in less than one and a half inches.
The next cookies on my list were created by Marlyn, one of my first cookie friends. I found her after coming across her Lady Gaga purses. I could not for the life of me figure out how she got the little metal pieces so SILVER! I laugh every time I look back on my “rookie” comment. From that moment, I was hooked.
Besides selflessly teaching me cookie tricks, Marilyn has also remained constant as one of my biggest sources of encouragement. On the days I wasn’t feeling so hot about my creativity or piping skills, she would say just the right thing to keep me on track.
When Marlyn shared these cookies, I just sat at my computer and studied them. I was in awe at the amount of planning involved in decorating a cookie like this. Between the placement of the base colors, her amazing piping, and the wet-on-wet cherry blossoms, I was, and still am blown away. Even the color choices are perfect.
The next two cookie sets were both made by the same artisan, my friend Fiona. Everything about her makes me smile. I love our story. Fiona was one of my very first experiences with random acts of kindness one of the many ladies who’ve demonstrated to me the joy of giving.
After seeing her gorgeous damask cookies { the prettiest things I had EVER seen}, I *cautiously* sent her an email asking if she might pretty please consider sharing where to buy that particular stencil. This was a little while after I’d joined Flickr and by then I’d learned that some people weren’t as keen on sharing as others. So, understandably I was more than a little nervous to read her reply.
The answer was more than I ever expected. Of course, the stencil, which she’d purchased in the UK {her home} was simply unavailable. I was bummed but grateful she answered. I’d pretty much resigned to the fact that I’d have to let my idea go when I received another message from Fi…it was short, and very “English” so it took me a minute to realize what she was offering. It said, “If I post it to you, will you post it back when you are finished?”
I was touched. More than touched. I could not believe that this stranger would go out of her way, without even knowing me, to loan me something non-replaceable that might never be returned. After all, I was a complete stranger. To Fiona, it didn’t matter. She sent it to me, with only the instruction to pay it forward.
Soon after I used the stencil it was on it’s way back to England, but the lesson it brought will stay with me always.
Cookies are only one layer of Fiona’s artistic ability. You’d think, making cookies like this, they would be her primary focus. However, this is not the case. Her true passion is cake. She can paint on cake like an artist on canvas. Regardless of what it is, anything she touches turns to elegant and beautiful.
Next up is Emily Reiman. The sheer creativity of her work amazes me. I come back to my favorite sets over and over and smile. Its amazes me how Emily can take a complex design, and make it appear simple and sweet. If you look closely there is NOTHING simple about these cookies.
Emily loves all things vintage and it shows in the details of her inspiring blog, Sugar and Meringue.
This year Emily put together an online booklet to celebrate National Sugar Cookie Day. It features some of her favorite recipes, and fun posts from contributors such as the Layer Cake Shop, The Decorated Cookie, Katie’s Something Sweet, myself, AND a tutorial from Emily that made my heart flutter!
The most exciting part? She’s promised more! I can HARDLY wait!
The next on my list of most inspiring cookies were decorated by Faigy of The Decadent Cookie Company. I love that she can make perfect, elegant cookies without going overboard.
I personally have NEVER been able to grasp simple. That’s my talent, I guess. Faigy, on the other hand, can say more with less. She has an amazing sense of design and a great eye for color. These lemons are simple, yet so striking you almost have to look twice. I love all of her work.
And last but definitely not least, are these cookies by my friend Alison, of Ali-Bee’s Bake Shop. I don’t know whether to talk about Ali’s work as a whole or these particular cookies. Every single set she makes is just like this one. The colors are always spot on, and she is the master of original designs. I have never met an Ali cookie that I didn’t like, but these just blew me away. Ribbon roses, perfectly imperfect lines, color…*sigh*
I love the way looking at her cookies makes me feel. On one hand, I am blown completely away by her talent. But on the other hand, she makes me want to decorate cookies that will make her think I’m as cool as I think she is.
I really could go on and on. This is my day to celebrate those who have inspired me. By doing this they’ve nurtured in me the desire to share myself in return.
I’d also like to thank those of you of who come to here to learn. You encourage me more than you will ever know, and I hope I do the same in return. Please, everyone, take a minute today to thank the ones who inspire you and to pay it forward. You never know who you may touch or how far it might spread.
Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great. ~Mark Twain
Happy National Sugar Cookie Day!
You bring me inspiration in every post you make.. Your tutorials & videos have taught me that I CAN do things with royal icing even though I failed many times.
Love Love Love your willingness to help all of us learn!
by the way, your video with your brother yesterday.. I had to watch it 3 times … it was great!
this is such a great post! thank you and those cookies are AMAZING! I’m a little frightened as I head over to flickr that I’ll never make it to sleep, I love looking at creative work on different mediums from cookies like yours to beautifully painted nail, painted canvas, home decor and interior design to paper art like quilling or the most AMAZING paper art I have ever seen I found last night, it’s the equivalent of the cookies you showed in the post to the paper world, check it out I hope it will wow you too just like your cookies do for me. I only wish I had half the talent you or the artists who made these http://thisiscolossal.com/2011/07/back-to-basics-retro-electronics-made-of-paper-by-zim-and-zou/
i hope you like it! Let me know what you think! 🙂 and of course, Happy Belated Cookie Day you cookie goddess!
[email protected]
Here we have nothing like the National Sugar Cookie Day. In spain when someone tastes a sugar cookie, says: ” butter cookie ummmm” ja, ja, ja… But I love making sugar cookies, eat them, decorate them. Cookies are the perfect gift, give as to Bother to be Given So: Happy National Sugar Cookie Day!
Un beso, Miriam G.
Happy National cookie day ! I really love your blog ! You’re amazing and so inspiring ! Check out : http://nothinlasts.blogspot.com/ I just posted a 5 things of the week 🙂
Your cookies totally amaze and inspire me. I am new to cookie decorating and am enjoying every minute of it. I have a lot to learn and need lots more practice, but so far, I am constantly thinking about the next cookie I want to make. Thanks for all of your priceless information and for sharing your experience. Happy Sugar Cookie Day!
Ooo! I can’t wait to visit all your friends. Wow – I didn’t know there were so many amazing cookies out there. I was most impressed by that paisley peacock. My goodness, the detail!! I don’t think I could bring myself to eat some of these amazing works of art. Happy Belated Sugar Cookie Day!! I didn’t celebrate it, so I think I’ll treat myself today. 🙂
You are so sweet Callye xo September can come soon enough :o)
I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO ready!!!
i have been coming to your site from day one in this cookie addiction i have. your bookmarked at the top 🙂 i admire your talent and your generosity you share with us. i have learned so much from you and i thank you! if i can help others i love passing it on. learning & inspiring from one another makes me smile ;)))))
Holy cow..you are awesome. You’ve opend up new worlds for me! I’m a “cake artist” who needs to perfect her royal icing skills, and your blog has helped inspire and refine me!!! I love your work and all the extra tutorials and tidbits you bring to it. You are awesome!!!
Absolutely lovely post my sweet friend, and the Mark Twain quote at the end, perfect!
Happy National Sugar Cookie Day to all the sugar cookie bakers, decorators and eaters :-)!!
Callye you are one of my cookie inspirations, I am in awe of your cookies every-time I see them! I remember seeing your Jimi Hendrix cookie a while back and thinking this CANNOT be a cookie. You have an amazing gift when it comes to decorating cookies and it appears you are in great company with your cookie friends!! You all are just awesome and your skills are out of this world!!
Thank you so much for your post(s). As with others, I am new to decorating cookies, although I’ve made the drop kind all my life. At 59 yrs old, I just fulfilled a lifelong dream with the Wilton basic cake decorating class. But, have been having lots more fun using the new techniques, and those learned from you, Bake at 350 and others to decorate cookies. I appreciate all of your teaching techniques and beautiful pictures to study…but most of all I appreciate that there IS an online group of enthusiasts to spend time with and gain encouragement from.
Callye – I am doing three “random acts of cookies” in celebration of this day! One to a friend who was in the hospital, one to a supervisor from college who is going through a rough spot and one to distant relatives who are making a big (geographically-speaking) move.
I love that!
Thank you for all that you post. As a Mom starting out on this new adventure of baking it can be overwhelming. Thank you for your inspiration and your education. I get excited each time I see a new post from your website. I am sorry that my words aren’t very good at expressing my thanks.
YOU are my biggest inspiration! I stumbled on your blog while nursing a foot injury and now I can’t stop decorating cookies. You are generous and loving, and you share your gift so freely with everyone. We are all blessed by you! Thank you!!
(And thank you for today’s links – It’s always fun to add new sites to my cool-cookies list!)
I am glad to have inspired you…as for these ladies, AREN’T they cool?! I am glad you can now see their work also. YOu are going to have the best time browsing!
Oh I am so jealous, I wanna national sugar cookie day in Australia. What a great post and thank you for sharing your inspirational friends, they are a truly amazing batch of bakers. and ooops you lost me for a while there……bit dangerous linking to pintrest on your post its a bit addictive.
I wonder what you would have to do to get a sugar cookie day?
Your talent with cookies has inspired me to make them too!! I hope to someday make beautiful cookies that inspire others to make cookies.
Callye,
YOU are definately my greatest inspiration! Each night before going to bed, I look forward to your daily posts. I’m a full time mom, wife, employee. I teach sunday school and I’m the women’s group president of my church. I don’t have as much time as I would like to dedicate to my new cookie hobby. Yes, cookie decorating is new to me. I stumbled accross your blog just a couple of months ago and haven’t stopped reading. This weekend was my first attempt after following you. I had so many compliments, I couldn’t believe. You are AMAZING and so thoughtful in all of your posts. Thanks for all you do sister 😀
wow, i had no idea sugar cookies could be that detailed, cool post.
As a “rookie” in this world of cookie decorating, your site, along with Bake at 350 and Sweetopia, are my inspiration. There are a few others I frequent but you ladies are the rock gods (at least to me) of cookie decorating! I appreciate the tutorials, videos and helpful hints you all offer us. Thank you, thank you!
Thank you Anne, those ladies are my heroes too. Bridget is SOOOOOOO creative and Marian makes some of the most beautiful cookies I have ever seen! Thank you again for the compliment!
Veryyy nice to see, real feast to the eyes, impressed, great stuff….
Callye:
I agree with all the above posts about you being an inspiration. I also can relate to two things you said. When I saw you on Flickr well over a year and a half ago when you were making cookies like mad, I too emailed you asking what was probably a redundant question. You probably don’t remember this, but you were SO sweet to me and nice and helpful. You didn’t have to be, but you were. And when this last year’s journey for you has taken it’s twist and turns, following you and seeing you succeed and inspire others (and still answer my stupid questions!) has made ME want to be better….so thank you for that.
Another thing……….I was on the “cookier” forum one day and I never could find that darn “peeps” bunny at Hobby Lobby…………do you know a sweet cookie person………who did not know me from Adam………sent it to me and would not take payment and asked that I pass it on………..there are still so many good people out there.
Keep on doing your thing…………and let us sit back and enjoy the ride!
Once again I’m so grateful for this post. it shows the conventional and not so conventional side to cookie decorating. As a novice to this art, I am truly happy to share your experiences and awaken my creative side. I once thought that I couldn’t love anything better than making scrapbooks, but boy was I wrong. Cookies not only make me happy but everyone around me.
hi there! i’m fara, all the way from malaysia 🙂 i came across your gorgeous blog linked by bakerella and i’m so lucky to finally find someone who is dedicated in making cute, pretty cookies 😀
keep on baking coz you’re good at it! 🙂
What an incredible list of inspiring cookie artists! I can’t wait to go check them all out. You are such an inspiration to me and are so selfless with helping others along their cookie decorating path. You blow me away with your cookie portfolio and how involved and energetic you are about your art. I adore you and look forward to many more adventures!
I stumbled across your site when a friend credited you for your flower pot cookies… I can’t tell you what good it does my heart to see a fellow cookie baker / artist give credit to the folks who inspire her! It was so nice to link to your page and have such a sweet entry be the first thing I saw!
I LOVE Yukiko’s work… She’s absolutely mind blowing! Had never seen the other ladies you’d listed but I sure am glad I have now!
One day I hope to be as good as all of you are! Sure someone out there has listed you as their inspiration as well… You sure are one of mine now!
A heartfelt hello and appreciation from Trinidad in the West Indies! Keep up your wonderful, beautiful, inspiring work!!!
Carla (daily cookie)
I didn’t see this post till now!! Thank you so much Callye for including me with these greats! Just so you know, everything you do convinces me everyday that you are, and always will be, cooler than me. :). Also, thanks for the post as a whole. It’s nice to hear stories about wonderful kind cookie people. It’s been one of those weeks where I’m feeling fed up and I think I needed a reminder to talk me down off the edge of the baking sheet. :). Love ya!!
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WOW! Really really nice!!
HI! I just only now find this post, this work is a………mazing. Such a inspiration… Have to try for Easter Cookis or any later on…. Let you see on my blog when is done:))
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