National Sugar Cookie Day 2011

July 10, 2011 | 36 Comments »

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

 

Cookies, Miscellaneous Cookies, Sweet Sugar Belle
36 Comments »