tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64831973308718819292024-03-12T19:26:24.151-05:00Sugar Beez BuzzBuzz from the Queen Cookie BeeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-77370921922406917402014-01-26T10:53:00.002-06:002014-01-27T08:34:08.798-06:00How It's Made - Bunco Cookie Edition<a href="http://www.sugarbeez.com/" style="color:#000099;">Back to Sugar Beez</a><br />
<h2>
Bunco Cookies</h2>
<div>
I had no idea what bunco was. When I was asked to do cookies for a bunco party I decided to read up on the game. Bunco is a dice game. There are typically 6 rounds, 1-6. Each player rolls the 3 dice with the goal being to get as many of the 3 dice to match the number of the round. For instance, if you were playing round 3, you would try to roll 3s on each dice. You get a point for each dice that matches the round, and 21 points if all 3 match the round. The player with the most points wins. Seemed pretty simple to understand.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What was interesting about the game was its origins. It was originally a confidence game similar to <i>Three Card Monte</i>, in England in the 19th century, a swindler's game. It made its way to gambling parlors in San Francisco in the 1850s which came to be known as "Bunco Parlors." In the 1920s during prohibition, Bunco became associated with Speakeasies. The Speakeasies were frequently raided by police who came to be called "Bunco squads." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It became popular as a family game in the 1980s. Checkered past I must say! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Decorating The Cookie</h2>
<div>
I started with my iced cookie. </div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5wNASYpeT9KrGyvoclvoUG0olzh0MTbbKFxRK-ODo9ntLC3Nj8XiXpl6fD96IMLhRZyet1tSlwW2-6QAlsRAPohgYERFBrKK67Yoiv0rHwIYD8a2TVM08WZ9ioqQgzn0OjeOn7_OhhnP/s1600/2014-01-23+11.53.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5wNASYpeT9KrGyvoclvoUG0olzh0MTbbKFxRK-ODo9ntLC3Nj8XiXpl6fD96IMLhRZyet1tSlwW2-6QAlsRAPohgYERFBrKK67Yoiv0rHwIYD8a2TVM08WZ9ioqQgzn0OjeOn7_OhhnP/s1600/2014-01-23+11.53.06.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had cut out a template onto a piece of 4x6 photo paper. Why photo paper? It is sturdy and resists the oils that are usually soaked up by regular paper templates. I used straight pins to secure the template to the cookie. I also placed the pins at points in the template where I would need to connect lines as a guide for later. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP0IUb5MRhyphenhyphen1bulCQmAnTRN4GJNdIrlM4z5K0ujP7jY8lQJ1GQlynJtszWgZhs37_zzoYseFolMn72C-PkpfDRUi5hny9eOekRhtgsxzMIE5Xid8vV5YXbf12JwYpzLDzqvR52mD3MVZW/s1600/2014-01-23+11.54.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP0IUb5MRhyphenhyphen1bulCQmAnTRN4GJNdIrlM4z5K0ujP7jY8lQJ1GQlynJtszWgZhs37_zzoYseFolMn72C-PkpfDRUi5hny9eOekRhtgsxzMIE5Xid8vV5YXbf12JwYpzLDzqvR52mD3MVZW/s1600/2014-01-23+11.54.06.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I traced the template onto the cookie with an extra fine Wilton FoodWriter. Here you can see where I poked holes with the straight pins as a guide for lines. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkrqtyMUIiOWqeAMCD_Zpj_Tcudo9lXPIprhLxmAYAr4dCGT6H77Jrl7ZKNZA7nlZmtcU-E4pfl1L2ynYM8xv93dwkmbY_XbSTwFnkjmPWkFBznPp-sMmOe-hRwxpWA4M-0_nR27flVqI/s1600/2014-01-23+12.18.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkrqtyMUIiOWqeAMCD_Zpj_Tcudo9lXPIprhLxmAYAr4dCGT6H77Jrl7ZKNZA7nlZmtcU-E4pfl1L2ynYM8xv93dwkmbY_XbSTwFnkjmPWkFBznPp-sMmOe-hRwxpWA4M-0_nR27flVqI/s1600/2014-01-23+12.18.36.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Using the extra fine FoodWriter I connected the holes to make the dice outlines. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdqDX2tvgPIWdJM_eD8RCfhqZE_o70DjFA49TopBs4CTnbSoxmThYlNxvgOB2EBz-oDFwUh55geL38_Zl8G5urdjc0Id26FSthP5XZv9G1MwBDoM7TnUgiGiONdjuMeMLgd0JdhtdfppY/s1600/2014-01-23+12.25.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdqDX2tvgPIWdJM_eD8RCfhqZE_o70DjFA49TopBs4CTnbSoxmThYlNxvgOB2EBz-oDFwUh55geL38_Zl8G5urdjc0Id26FSthP5XZv9G1MwBDoM7TnUgiGiONdjuMeMLgd0JdhtdfppY/s1600/2014-01-23+12.25.28.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I piped over the traced lines with a 1.5 tip and piping consistency black royal icing. I then flooded the dice with white icing. I recently started using white food color when making white icing. I had not realized how off white royal icing is until I started using white food color.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Letters were also piped with a 1.5 tip and piping consistency black RI.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-ZB4jRugle08Xn1-WPXpkMGDdb7bEDrqGNKkq3FNpROaqpHktJzhwsIybPWYokWnOZa3URp1Am-TQjXqzdbkn49iTooCympu5dBVEmVoEoNy_ojgC_d26xzsUK-tsGWb7YKv5x4v0vnP/s1600/2014-01-23+21.19.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-ZB4jRugle08Xn1-WPXpkMGDdb7bEDrqGNKkq3FNpROaqpHktJzhwsIybPWYokWnOZa3URp1Am-TQjXqzdbkn49iTooCympu5dBVEmVoEoNy_ojgC_d26xzsUK-tsGWb7YKv5x4v0vnP/s1600/2014-01-23+21.19.43.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The letters on the dice were piped with a 1.5 tip and piping consistency Electric Pink royal icing. Dots added with 1.5 tip and black piping consistency icing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd27HtYtyuOR43AhzHvw92dydcA9Bc70X7PSBrrPX3Dz9GFe6IY7KMn06fqsEGfYSZZXF-bmlWz2LAmA2_l41eeO0i3Sk4iBcQ7egGN2dItA9q5_muWcKB1ks-wZcEL6LI5rQb-aPO6ufV/s1600/2014-01-24+THIR.HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd27HtYtyuOR43AhzHvw92dydcA9Bc70X7PSBrrPX3Dz9GFe6IY7KMn06fqsEGfYSZZXF-bmlWz2LAmA2_l41eeO0i3Sk4iBcQ7egGN2dItA9q5_muWcKB1ks-wZcEL6LI5rQb-aPO6ufV/s1600/2014-01-24+THIR.HDR.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I hear these were quite the hit at Bunco. Bring these to your next Bunco party and be a winner!<br />
Questions? Leave a comment and I will be happy to get back to you!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sugarbeez.com/" style="color:#000099;">Back to Sugar Beez</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-41936744828165278232014-01-05T10:55:00.002-06:002014-01-05T10:55:55.117-06:00Taking a Break<h2>
So Take a Look!</h2>
<div>
Not much went on this week. I relaxed. Spent time away from cookies for a few days. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I did play around a bit with stenciling and airbrush. What do you think? </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2H0H4ruuBjRp9o8dWs07xLgvdsiXWaqErdtGs7LNbnwab5iqG5klbux2A9Wl2eg1R8GwCAAp0akk-KJyOQQGSv0PzOxueUzymleoqWE2IbySaFHBMQO2bHOZj322A85An1A5Khs3Efpn/s1600/HNY+stencil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2H0H4ruuBjRp9o8dWs07xLgvdsiXWaqErdtGs7LNbnwab5iqG5klbux2A9Wl2eg1R8GwCAAp0akk-KJyOQQGSv0PzOxueUzymleoqWE2IbySaFHBMQO2bHOZj322A85An1A5Khs3Efpn/s320/HNY+stencil.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cookies I airbrushed the lines & dots on the background then pipped over it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRmME5YEO1xyAQufvEPfZTuBElMsOKhANIjy1Pclv3sYaJH3SvHprIQq-6qEEZG-eHzR8tLpECLl-OOy8m5k8zvfmtLSpCS2Pc35kFXMAN9U-r1-nP9RzXJ5or1M_wagiwOpU2zLv1alN/s1600/1524687_10151858680907997_516159074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRmME5YEO1xyAQufvEPfZTuBElMsOKhANIjy1Pclv3sYaJH3SvHprIQq-6qEEZG-eHzR8tLpECLl-OOy8m5k8zvfmtLSpCS2Pc35kFXMAN9U-r1-nP9RzXJ5or1M_wagiwOpU2zLv1alN/s320/1524687_10151858680907997_516159074_n.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cookie I airbrushed color on the background, then laid the skyline stencil over that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And, just for fun....here is a post from the past to peruse! Enjoy! <a href="http://sugarbeez.blogspot.com/2012/06/photo-cookies-101_28.html" style="color: #000099;">Photo Cookies 101</a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-83434243942958149532013-12-31T12:45:00.001-06:002013-12-31T12:48:17.087-06:00All Units Prepare to Copy a Broadcast...<h2>
Be On The Look Out for...</h2>
<div>
A female white, slim fit build, long brown hair, wearing fabulous clothes, and glowing personality. This subject is to be considered armed (with wit) and dangerous (to low self esteem). Subjected is known as Marie Forleo.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Have You Seen Marie?</h2>
<div>
If you do not know Marie Forleo, and you are a small business owner, you are missing out on some great vibes and views! Marie knows her stuff and gives of her knowledge freely! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have been following Marie for about 2-1/2 years now. The MOST important thing Marie has helped me learn is to be confident in myself and MY skills. I stopped comparing myself to others and just enjoy what I do. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her motto is "Have a life & business you love" and I truly do now. I have learned to set goals that are attainable, but not give up on those BIG dreams! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Wanted For....</h2>
<div>
Marie is wanted for making my YEAR! She gave me a shout on her weekly MarieTV episode today! Nothing like having your idol say your name to 96,000 peeps! Check out her video here...</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.marieforleo.com/2013/12/marietv-3rd-anniversary/"style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">MarieTV 3rd Anniversary Epiode.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sugar Beez clear...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-74601058454169226342013-12-29T14:00:00.001-06:002013-12-29T14:00:29.556-06:00Happiness Cannot Exist Without Possibility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMQfIxs16w8oUIkceWEPgQCpQ_H1KQQkk3FPxreiBWmXelR0X-YgeyvdS-kcQqw_BfSsxxcEfCaqjJD3rjafnPSP0U2lzwUC7Xmq2aOVVI8XCawpcrH8D5Y0_I8UeYQ3lTN8YooW7cdv_/s1600/hope.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMQfIxs16w8oUIkceWEPgQCpQ_H1KQQkk3FPxreiBWmXelR0X-YgeyvdS-kcQqw_BfSsxxcEfCaqjJD3rjafnPSP0U2lzwUC7Xmq2aOVVI8XCawpcrH8D5Y0_I8UeYQ3lTN8YooW7cdv_/s400/hope.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
Something to Do</h2>
<div>
Not much is going on at the moment, and that is a good thing after the frenetic cookie'ing (you have my permission to use my cool new word) that happened in December on top of trying to do the everyday things like work, take care of hearth, home and family, AND Christmas preparations! PHEW! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are enjoying the quiet slipping away of the old year. Which brings us to thoughts of all the glittery potential of the New Year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The focus for Sugar Beez in 2014 is to just keep doing. We had a lot of growth in the last quarter of 2013 because we were out there moving, learning and socializing. The goal is to keep it up. <br />
<h2>
Something to Love</h2>
</div>
<div>
I love decorating cookies. And it loves me back. Nothing is better than getting an e-mail from someone who has purchased cookies from me saying how much the loved the cookies! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv4gWL6TSatp0KhC3cm-G-25s5jzeRwMPDfQ-RNK5wJh1rxQa5b1EOxoPsvWk3DPsbYLY42l4L94Tj7U7m62ezTIGlaSc_LsPLBdQQ8CcKu6J2m3Nw-fhrcuQlJGzwuE7R4Lnm-wHfWpv/s1600/testimonial.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv4gWL6TSatp0KhC3cm-G-25s5jzeRwMPDfQ-RNK5wJh1rxQa5b1EOxoPsvWk3DPsbYLY42l4L94Tj7U7m62ezTIGlaSc_LsPLBdQQ8CcKu6J2m3Nw-fhrcuQlJGzwuE7R4Lnm-wHfWpv/s400/testimonial.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Something to Hope for</h2>
<div>
My hope for 2014 is to have enough sales to support adding at least one employee, at least part time. Small steps forward so I don't trip and fall running!</div>
<h2>
Happiness</h2>
<div>
I wish all my followers, clients (past, present & future), my family, my friends and my coworkers (did I ever mention I work as a police dispatcher?) the Sweetest Happiness 2014 can afford!</div>
<br />
Sweetly,<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-24465004879777292882013-12-22T12:45:00.000-06:002013-12-22T12:45:47.007-06:00The Story of Why We Leave Cookies for Santa <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLClhJ-u-rYz648sch11oeKvwi7wJkMu6-h2ZFLtggG41FhsBgwj7xLxVkIZukPCDjUvNnamfzDjHXPf5QprSuKU-J7nw-DidO_05OgPfYTcFJ61htPzBhvoh8zmzzA-Y6ilCkOLpu4U6K/s1600/santa+cookies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="www.sugarbeez.com" border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLClhJ-u-rYz648sch11oeKvwi7wJkMu6-h2ZFLtggG41FhsBgwj7xLxVkIZukPCDjUvNnamfzDjHXPf5QprSuKU-J7nw-DidO_05OgPfYTcFJ61htPzBhvoh8zmzzA-Y6ilCkOLpu4U6K/s400/santa+cookies.png" title="www.sugarbeez.com" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.sugarbeez.com<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Milk & Cookies</h2>
<div>
How many of us grew up leaving a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer? Then we of course passed the tradition on to our children. Obviously, Jolly Old Saint Nick enjoys the treats, but why do we do this? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During medieval times in Western Germany what they called a Paradise Tree would be decorated with gifts of fruit and cookies. The folks began to notice that the gifts would be snacked on, presumably by St. Nick, during the night (my guess is more likely mice). Then with the introduction of Christianity to Europe, the Paradise Tree became the Christmas Tree but the tradition of decorating the tree continued. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After many years (about the 1800s) German immigrants in American began to use ornaments to decorate their trees. The Christmas tree began to catch on in America, decorated with lights, ornaments and strings of popcorn. The cookies began to find their way to plates placed by the fire place, Santa's entrance to deliver gifts, by good children as a thank you to Santa for all his hard work on Christmas Eve. And of course, what considerate family would not leave a glass of milk to wash down the cookies? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is said the tradition of leaving carrots for the reindeer began as a result of naughty children trying to bribe the reindeer to stop for a treat and Santa being so pleased with the child he would leave a gift. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Most popular Cookie?</h2>
<div>
Did you know the most popular cookie to leave for Santa is the Oreo? Mmmmm! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Growing up, in my family we always left Santa cookies and milk on a paper plate and Santa always wrote us a note of thanks on the paper plate! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What is your Christmas cookie tradition? Do you have a special plate? A certain cookie? Or libation you leave for Santa? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://friendsofbgs.com/silverlake/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/happy-holidays.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://friendsofbgs.com/silverlake/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/happy-holidays.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-28310533504355730632013-12-15T12:01:00.000-06:002013-12-15T12:18:27.395-06:00How Sharing Increased My Productivity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCPtKVmcwJ6BpWm4IJpGNyZGgufhXfT1HE6tY_nLypOFAnxtvRwyqbYE9ZPThgg4lRaaTCdNYeouEMmacOGdFfFee0Z0uYjoWa0xHssx9l5g6zxTmWRcX3nbpBchW4XaRHRQqqBYBQd8D/s1600/fado.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCPtKVmcwJ6BpWm4IJpGNyZGgufhXfT1HE6tY_nLypOFAnxtvRwyqbYE9ZPThgg4lRaaTCdNYeouEMmacOGdFfFee0Z0uYjoWa0xHssx9l5g6zxTmWRcX3nbpBchW4XaRHRQqqBYBQd8D/s400/fado.png" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sugarbeez.com/" style="color: #000099;">www.sugarbeez.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Colleen of <a href="http://royalicingdiaries.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Royal Icing Diaries</a> contacted me recently to ask me questions about my photo cookies. Colleen is new to cookie decorating and lays out all the ugly truth about starting out on the journey to become a great cookie artist on her blog...check it out! She will show you that cookie decorating may not be for the faint of heart! And she proves...she has HEART! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There might be some people out there that would cringe at the idea of sharing information with other cookie decorators. Not me. I learned by others sharing with me when I asked questions. There are decorators out there that do not sell cookies, and they are gracious enough to share with us what they know so that we can better ourselves. Here are just a few of them show share whether they sell or not. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lilaloa.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Georganne of Lila Loa</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lizybbakes.blogspot.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Lizy B of Lizy B Bakes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://montrealconfections.blogspot.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Marilyn of Montreal Confections</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Callye of Sweet Sugar Belle</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
I do sell cookies, but that does not stop me from sharing. I make a pretty decent amount of dough, and money (ha ha ha, couldn't resist the pun) and I see no reason why I should try to keep all the business to myself. I have seen proof time and again that sharing only brings you more success. <a href="http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Callye</a> is the perfect example of that. A couple years ago (I have been following her a long time) she was selling cookies, and some grinch out there turned her in to the health department. She had to shut down her cookie for profit production. But she did not give up. She began doing tutorials and now she is one of THE most well known and successful cookiers. And I am pretty sure she still does not sell cookies! </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sharing has increased my productivity because I have had more orders since I began sharing what I know. Keeping the knowledge to myself would only make me feel anxious trying to protect by spot in the sandbox, when actually the playing field is way to huge for me to worry how many of us play on it...in fact, the more the merrier! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The cookies above are photo cookies I created for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fadochicago" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Fado Irish Pub</a> this week. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Leave a comment below and weigh in on the topic of to share or not to share! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-72317815515520890262013-08-29T07:00:00.000-05:002013-08-29T07:00:03.079-05:00How To Bee The Center of Attention<h2>
Obvious - Bee A Cookie!</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWI2z8CmN1dth1oJfOoiSiZCbVZYg40qQph85L1XQ9HQer0i4Wwy3u0UFtOzfbnYzpDcfREQ_qpqHgagud5HelieHE9UneyUbPMB0uKBAHvaTsTB-3XwQmv8BDg9MPM9pF7WvF_okFvbB/s1600/2013-08-27+02.02.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWI2z8CmN1dth1oJfOoiSiZCbVZYg40qQph85L1XQ9HQer0i4Wwy3u0UFtOzfbnYzpDcfREQ_qpqHgagud5HelieHE9UneyUbPMB0uKBAHvaTsTB-3XwQmv8BDg9MPM9pF7WvF_okFvbB/s320/2013-08-27+02.02.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
These are a 3.5 inch round cookie with a smaller 1 inch heart cookie on a pop stick. The wedding had a black and white theme and if you look closely, the pint glasses have 2 hearts, which was the reason for the heart on the cookie pop.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To make these cookie pops I did not actually bake them on the stick. I put them on the baking sheet and then using a pop stick made an impression where I wanted the stick to go, removing the stick after making the impression. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then I placed the cookies in the oven. After they came out of the oven, and while they were still hot, I put the stick in the impression and used a fondant smoother to press the hot cookie to get a flat piping surface and deepen the impression for the stick. I then removed the stick and let the cookies cool. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When the cookies were cooled I used some fondant to glue the sticks into the impression and let this dry. After drying I then flooded and decorated the cookies. The stick was basically cemented in place with the flood icing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If anyone is interested, the next time I do cookie pops I will gladly do a video to demonstrate my process for making cookie pops. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpI1FRmheeAndAyKkiyY7apLxjEOJ6bn1P9_8YN1CIRL2azAh7WTBIJHbITMqeX4pT-N_y0BkhYapTT62gUICnYvii-CKWf3PMUdOf0ovX588kewxn4thc8sYcnmRa9k-5ADk-v_hUKsW/s1600/2013-08-10+14.32.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpI1FRmheeAndAyKkiyY7apLxjEOJ6bn1P9_8YN1CIRL2azAh7WTBIJHbITMqeX4pT-N_y0BkhYapTT62gUICnYvii-CKWf3PMUdOf0ovX588kewxn4thc8sYcnmRa9k-5ADk-v_hUKsW/s320/2013-08-10+14.32.13.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-3938876191220740172013-08-21T09:43:00.000-05:002013-08-21T09:43:00.563-05:00When Dreams Send You Running For Cover<h2>
Why Do I Fear My Dreams?</h2>
<div>
My <b>dream?</b> To have my cookie business be the source of my income = my <b>dream </b>job replacing my day job. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My <b>fear?</b> </div>
<div>
►I'm not talented enough.</div>
<div>
►Everyone is going to see I don't know what I'm doing. </div>
<div>
►I won't make enough money to support myself. </div>
<div>
►I'll go out of business.</div>
<div>
►I'll embarrass myself and my family. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I could go on, but then I'd sound crazy...what? Too late? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You're right, it is crazy...<b>crazy </b>to let my overinflated fears keep me from success when they are not even true! Self doubt is just another word for fear. Fear is <b>not </b>fact, but we listen to it like it is fact, confusing it with the supportive inner voice because it talks louder. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Fear</b> is all our past experiences, mostly the negative ones, that hurt us in some way. Our mind, in all its glory, has devised a way to try to protect us from getting hurt or making mistakes again. It tells us not to do things by saying "remember the last time you tried that?" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You want to counteract fear. When it says something negative just say "thank you for your opinion" and keep going. When you realize <b>fear </b>is stepping in and voicing its opinion, ask yourself why. Have you done this task before with a bad outcome? Then stop and think what you can change to get a different outcome. Use fear to your advantage and start to build your problem-solving skills. </div>
<h2>
Remind Yourself</h2>
<div>
When fear does start whispering in your ear you aren't talented or good enough, prove it wrong. I recently did cookies for a bride. When she picked up her cookies she gushed about how happy she was with them. And then later she text me again to say how happy she was with the cookies. This helped me to fight my fear and motivated me to keep moving forward to my goal. </div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj962kb5XGgg-HOBABBlc9FYdEe4E_EMSLYy-3_XRgxXBhQ1KoBIZAVLqktWACOxx5U08B2Zb1fC1R_73gvL2x2dd1tRHgQmaqsHD4CX4LsORyzX39rhU-wUOwFTJrxj_-2hwR8x2Qbvkrm/s1600/2013-08-10+14.32.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj962kb5XGgg-HOBABBlc9FYdEe4E_EMSLYy-3_XRgxXBhQ1KoBIZAVLqktWACOxx5U08B2Zb1fC1R_73gvL2x2dd1tRHgQmaqsHD4CX4LsORyzX39rhU-wUOwFTJrxj_-2hwR8x2Qbvkrm/s200/2013-08-10+14.32.26.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Dream - 1 / Fear - 0 </h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-8418685721897254512013-08-16T11:55:00.001-05:002013-08-16T11:55:59.091-05:00Why Inspirations Are The Secret Ingredient<h3>
How to Stay Motivated</h3>
<div>
Most of us "cookiers" do what we do because it's what we love to do. But there are those times when <b>love</b> is just not enough to keep the momentum going. The path to success for most people is a long haul and hard work. It is tough to stay enthusiastic during the time the work is being done but the fruits of the labor have yet to make an appearance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have committed myself to a <b>Year of Quitting</b> with the end goal being a flourishing cookie business and little to no <b>day job</b>. My <b>day job</b> currently is actually <b>jobs</b>, yep plural. I work as a police dispatcher <b>AND</b> as a medical editor. Takes a lot of dough (pun intended) to run a household and feed the tribe (did I mention I have 5 daughters?). I love my job as a dispatcher, so I imagine I will continue to do that part time for the experience of doing it. Medical editing is just a job...I'm counting the days until I can be done with that! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had big ambitions of writing a blog post every day Monday through Friday...well, with 2 other jobs and cookie orders, it became obvious that was an unrealistic goal. But I have found a way to keep motivated to get back to the keyboard at least once a week...and to stay motivated to keep cookies a top priority. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Write it down</h4>
<div>
List your goals, then under the goal list small steps to get to that goal. Do not focus on the end goal, focus on one small step at a time. When you reach the small step celebrate it. Enjoy the little things.</div>
<h4>
Inspire</h4>
<div>
I am a cookie artist, so I inspire myself by looking at other cookie artist's work. Do not confuse this with comparing. Never do I compare my ability to someone else's work, or I would be a sobbing depressed blob on the floor! I look at their work and tell myself that I can do that...someday, and then I set it as a goal. Find what I need to learn to reach that goal such as a technique, and that set about learning it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are some very good sources for inspiration - </div>
<div>
<a href="http://cookieconnection.juliausher.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Cookie Connection</a> </div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Sweet Adventures of Sugar Belle</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://montrealconfections.blogspot.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Montreal Confections</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These are just a tiny fraction of the fabulous work that is out there, but are some of my favorites to go to. For me it is like trolling through an art museum...hey, there's an idea...why don't we have any cookie museums yet?! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Define Success Realisically</h4>
<div>
Big dreams are great to have, but when it feels like you are not making progress that can be frustrating and anything <b>but</b> motivating. Set your sites on something quickly attainable to see immediate progress and gain your motivation back. This is the idea behind creating small steps to a big goal. </div>
<h4>
Power Through</h4>
<div>
Sometimes you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other until you get through the Lack of Motivation forest to the sweet open fields of Inspiration/Motivation! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Never accept Defeat</h4>
<div>
Do not give up! Many very famous folks such as my all time favorite - Oprah Winfrey, and many just as fabulous folks such as Steve Jobs, Michael Jordan, Walt Disney, JK Rowling, and many more, the one thing in common, they did not give up! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Share how you keep your motivation by leaving a comment below. Share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Leave a comment that you shared and be entered to win a dozen cookies! </div>
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-53573112347986562692013-08-04T21:30:00.000-05:002013-08-04T21:30:00.530-05:003 Ways Challenges are Cooler Than Justin Bieber<h2>
Seriously, Challenges ARE Cooler Than JB! </h2>
Some challenges are thrown at us and we have no choice but to deal with them. These are not the challenges I am talking about. A few weeks ago someone asked me to make cookies for him, <b>BUT</b> with <b>NO </b>icing. WTH?! <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Me: "Okay, I <b>can </b>do that. What shape would you like."</div>
<div>
Him: "Oh, anything you'd like to do is fine with me."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
So, for days (okay, it was actually weeks) I was constantly thinking about what to do for these cookies. I'm a cookie decorator...this was like asking an artist to make you a plain canvas, and then charge you for it! I would stare at my cookie cutters blankly, not even able to grasp the idea of not decorating the resultant cookie.<br />
<br />
I procrastinated. I know...gasp! Did you know the #1 reason people procrastinate is because we think the task will be harder than it actually turns out to be? Well, this was <b>actually</b> hard because I could not come up with an idea...I was drawing a blank.<br />
<br />
Out of nowhere an idea hit me...color the cookie dough! I started doing research (aka googling) for ideas for colored cookie dough and pinwheel cookies are what I decided on. I really enjoyed making these cookies. I got my 13-year-old daughter involved by having her weigh out the 5 colors of dough and rolling them into small balls. I then put the 5 colored balls together and rolled them out into long ropes to make the pinwheels. What a time-saver she turned out to be! We whipped these cookies out in no time!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroSjjj2SWh3_lZbCj0XbCCmqXB7W1OKG1pKIUCvv5RZ5N2-EuFZ5UzpuJPAdlFllXhl1ojOznMci6X4hHL0qylzQL-3B7Aipgo-RrTiitFNjRHRkZniJS7iVtq8Mhk-1WnjD1a2c4ecwp/s1600/2013-08-03+08.54.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroSjjj2SWh3_lZbCj0XbCCmqXB7W1OKG1pKIUCvv5RZ5N2-EuFZ5UzpuJPAdlFllXhl1ojOznMci6X4hHL0qylzQL-3B7Aipgo-RrTiitFNjRHRkZniJS7iVtq8Mhk-1WnjD1a2c4ecwp/s200/2013-08-03+08.54.54.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The recipient of the cookies loved them. Everyone who saw them was impressed, which made me feel great. Who does not love it when people ooohhh and ahhhh over your work?<br />
<br />
<h4>
What I learned from this experience </h4>
Allow yourself to sit with a challenge and think. Do not pressure yourself. Sometimes procrastinating is actually part of the work-in-progress process! Just do not give up on the challenge, keep working it. Have confidence in yourself, you <b>will</b> conquer this challenge! Do not doubt your ability to think outside the box. It can be learned for those of us who do not naturally think that way. <br />
<br />
<h4>
What's The Biebs Got To Do With It?</h4>
<div>
Justin Bieber challenges me to be tolerant of celebrity antics that only confirm that fame is not for the immature. <b>Cookie challenges</b> are much cooler, they </div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<ol>
<li>Exercises Your Problem-Solving Muscles,</li>
<li>Build Confidence, And</li>
<li>Grow Your Skills.</li>
</ol>
</h4>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I'd love to hear how you have grown from a challenge...I know we all have experiences to share! </span></h4>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-10616349374162863732013-08-01T15:12:00.000-05:002013-08-01T15:12:46.516-05:00Quit Listening! <h2>
I can't Hear YOU!</h2>
<div>
Today's mission, should you chose to accept, is....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stop</b> listening to <b>your</b> <b>inner critic</b>. I am my worst enemy. I have come to learn that inner voice that I had been listening to and allowing to stop me from being productive and happy, is lying to me! It is not "me" I hear in my head, but all those years of people who may have said, "oh, honey, that's not the right color for you weight" or "hmmm, that cookie is nice, but I don't know...it's just...nice." You know what I mean. All those little <b>not so nice</b>, but well intended (at least I like to believe they were well intended) comments you hear over the years of a lifetime that get stored in your psyche and added to that inner critic's stock pile. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My inner critic has a lot of ammunition to use against my self esteem. For the longest time I listened, and even believed those insecure thoughts. One day I happened to read something about a book that sounded interesting, so I downloaded it to my Kindle. <b>Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It </b>by <i>Kamal Ravikant. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
This book has helped me to quiet my inner critic and love myself. I know it's cliche, but you have to love yourself first before anything or anyone good can come into your life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This year my blog is about quitting...quitting my day job and living my dream job. You can't have your dream job if you are letting your inner critic have free reign. My inner critic was telling me I wasn't talented enough, creative enough or deserving enough. I decided to quit listening...<b>I am ENOUGH</b>. </div>
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-69658172921364923162013-07-31T09:00:00.000-05:002013-07-31T09:00:08.045-05:00Quitting...day 5<h2>
My goal is to quit!</h2>
<div>
That just sounds wrong, doesn't it? Who in their right mind would make quitting their goal? I've never been accused of being in my right mind anyway, so I guess it's no shock that I would set quitting as my goal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am quitting one thing each day that stands between me and my goal of a full-time cookie business. Today's focus was to <b>quit being scared.</b> Lots of times in the past I have been too scared to see the reaction on someone's face to deliver cookies to them. I have this crazy fear that someone is going to take a look at the cookies and call me a fraud...tell me my cookies are ugly, and they can't believe someone would pay me to make such ugly things. <br />
<br />
I have always tried to talk my daughters into making deliveries for me, and then I sit on pins and needles until they tell me they were delivered and the person enjoyed them.<br />
<br />
Today, I had a delivery to do. I was determined to make the delivery myself and fight my irrational fear. This was a special delivery from Lincolnshire Police Department to Lt Carney of the Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District. I knew I would catch him at home and with his kids.<br />
<br />
My heart was pounding when I got out of the car to make the delivery, but Lt Carney was gracious and personable. His kids were fun and excited to get cookies, and they loved the cookies.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2knpO3O3MdRR0jP3UppfcYaFL0NadGwZk90XLuZc_Q3KM5hgEswk2H2tMdAs8AvmfX-gK00FrbkGtjUGVPSquXrzryL38a1YeTtgN0h4jx6TH012sLpdikrDii9rJgGdDa1fFt7CJMhG-/s1600/2013-07-30+11.00.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2knpO3O3MdRR0jP3UppfcYaFL0NadGwZk90XLuZc_Q3KM5hgEswk2H2tMdAs8AvmfX-gK00FrbkGtjUGVPSquXrzryL38a1YeTtgN0h4jx6TH012sLpdikrDii9rJgGdDa1fFt7CJMhG-/s320/2013-07-30+11.00.45.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peyton, Lt. Carney, Brett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, thanks to Lt Carney and his kids for helping me take my fear head-on today! Lt Carney, I hope you continue on the road to health, you have a lot of people on your side!<br /><br /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-52730656255242728702013-07-30T09:23:00.001-05:002013-07-30T09:23:25.426-05:00What Mom Never Told You About Police Officers <h2>
They Love Cookies Too! </h2>
<div>
My <b><i>day</i></b> job is a police dispatcher (using the term "day job" loosely since I rarely work a day shift, usually overnight shifts). The officers have become a great fan club of my cookie business. Despite what the media tries to lead us to believe, cops do not all sit in the donut shop nomming on sweet treats all day. Most of the officers I know are lean and health conscious. In fact, the first time I brought cookies in I had to really convince them to try them because sweets and carbs are not in their diets. After their first taste they all glow about my cookies. Great way to motivate me when I'm questioning my choice of "dream" jobs.<br />
<br />
Yesterday one of them, TJ, even confided in me that when he first saw my cookie he thought to himself it was going to be hard and dry, he was so surprised that it was exactly the opposite. The icing, because it is royal, was hard, but the cookie was so moist. Thanks TJ for being so honest with me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWSAOEwyi1baQnL9gmgYHNCYL44z4gWO8mKo8zeRivSKjXqjb4OipRGn5beV5UuplqA4j970QjxvTZDrwidho-BVMrqHJVUcpzlfOq2yDBqJEJ6dC_w3A4gI89PhYeVVRVsSTbQiADV_N/s1600/2013-03-23+19.54.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWSAOEwyi1baQnL9gmgYHNCYL44z4gWO8mKo8zeRivSKjXqjb4OipRGn5beV5UuplqA4j970QjxvTZDrwidho-BVMrqHJVUcpzlfOq2yDBqJEJ6dC_w3A4gI89PhYeVVRVsSTbQiADV_N/s320/2013-03-23+19.54.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4SPAygGJIOjUcPIfMBFU3-YyiEw5JP4Fz7oC0La6KNiBkmWN9TidHDH4gPQUGqoxkzQn-BJ4i0ZCxIsWCNmjZpJCoTOsR7sbKUNBtHVflRJjdeWR-i3jlEORkoIjs0GX0WcWTsdmbrWo/s1600/2013-03-23+20.14.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4SPAygGJIOjUcPIfMBFU3-YyiEw5JP4Fz7oC0La6KNiBkmWN9TidHDH4gPQUGqoxkzQn-BJ4i0ZCxIsWCNmjZpJCoTOsR7sbKUNBtHVflRJjdeWR-i3jlEORkoIjs0GX0WcWTsdmbrWo/s320/2013-03-23+20.14.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I did these cookies for free to share with the officers I work with. I do a lot of free cookies. Drives someone I know to frustration with me, not gonna mention any names, but she is the first child I gave birth to.<br />
<br />
In Jon Acuff's book "<i style="font-weight: bold;">Quitter"</i> he really excited me with his thoughts on doing things for free. He said something to the effect of do a project for free if it is something you have not done before. It gives you the opportunity to practice. And we all know practice is essential to becoming better at what we do.<br />
<br />
Off to go <i style="font-weight: bold;">practice</i> some more! More cookies and a story to share tomorrow! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-66304012629712734922013-07-29T07:48:00.003-05:002013-07-29T07:48:38.772-05:00Want to know how to be Successful?<h2>
Do the HUSTLE!</h2>
<div>
Have you heard the saying "a body in motion stays in motion"? I'm testing this idea for the sake of all those who want to be successful. I have read if you want to be successful, at business, life, love, house cleaning (say WHAT?!), then hustle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWxx3Cp31VLuxrWBcbQqZsT2yAUwUITV1pp6uiPjNwkpiV4naiJ50gGwQyi72OeN4G4RX9mdGGmJRSKYGO5robDLDgkmSqsdA55mU7J3Ry-xvbBuZECmBOVg0Y5yyDOkq9zXP7BRk8knZ/s1600/hustle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWxx3Cp31VLuxrWBcbQqZsT2yAUwUITV1pp6uiPjNwkpiV4naiJ50gGwQyi72OeN4G4RX9mdGGmJRSKYGO5robDLDgkmSqsdA55mU7J3Ry-xvbBuZECmBOVg0Y5yyDOkq9zXP7BRk8knZ/s320/hustle.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have begun planning my day the evening before. I have found if I wake up knowing what I am doing first thing and throughout the day I am much more likely to be productive and constantly in motion towards the goal --- <b>SUCCESS. </b>A great tip, is to start your day with your challenging tasks first, get them out of the way and you'll coast through the rest of your day! </div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
It has been working and I find myself being so much more productive than I ever had been in the past. I got cookies done without stress, and they look great! I was able to work on them leisurely, without stress because I did not procrastinate (did I mention that I have decided to <b>quit</b> procrastinating?). I planned to work on them each morning after my coffee, and I did! <br />
<br />
There was also time in my days for laundry, cleaning my room, work, social interaction with friends, time with my family and personal time. Anytime I found myself wanting to procrastinate or take a nap (my favorite way to waste time) I reminded myself that I needed to keep going because being productive translate to money earned and that means I can support my family better. That's my motivation, and it really works.<br />
<br />
Summary:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Plan your day the night before.</li>
<li>Know what you are going to do when you get up in the morning. </li>
<li>Start with biggest tasks first.</li>
<li>Find your motivator, and remind yourself of it whenever you feel like slowing down.</li>
<li>Be more productive.</li>
<li>Have more time!</li>
<li>Bee Happy! </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-65352014694936308122013-07-26T09:00:00.000-05:002013-07-26T09:03:41.941-05:00What Experts are Saying about Quitters<h2>
A Year of Quitting</h2>
<div>
What <i>are </i>experts saying about quitters? Let's see what one has to say...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jon Acuff, author of the book <i><a _blank="" href="http://www.quitterbook.com/" style="color: #000099;">Quitter</a> </i>is an expert. He quit 8 jobs in 8 years, which certainly qualifies him as an expert on quitting. In his book he offers great advice on how to quit your day job for your dream job. He is now working his <b>dream job</b> with the fabulous <b><a _blank="" href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/" style="color: #000099;">Dave Ramsey</a></b> team, creators of the Total Money Makeover program; a great system on how to become debt free. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You see, I am a cookie decorator, which is my <b>dream job</b>. But, I am also a single mother with 5 daughters and so I work as a police dispatcher and a medical editor (day jobs) to pay my bills and feed my family. Some days I feel I took the left when I should have taken the right fork in the road to my <b>dream job, </b>I'm in nightmare territory now! Caught on a treadmill to make money, but never really getting any closer to my <b>dream job.</b></div>
<div>
Today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me! <img height="50" src="http://www.neoclipart.com/uploads/posts/2009-04/1241082358_clipart_music_notes_223_op_800x202-full.jpg" width="200" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For my birthday I have set a goal: In a year I will be working my <b>dream job</b> to support myself and my family, and not my day job(s). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jon Acuff's advice in his book <b>"</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Quitter",</i> on how to move from your day job to your dream job makes great sense. I love it when someone can make sense of something that I have heard over and over, but never could "hear" the intended message, very much like the first time I heard Dave Ramsey talk about how to become debt free...it was an <b>ah-ha!</b> moment. I have decided today is the day to <b>QUIT</b>...</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>...making excuses.</li>
<li>...procrastinating.</li>
<li>...stop planning and start doing.</li>
<li>...stop telling myself I can't.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Today is the day I get off the treadmill to nowhere and back on the path to my <b>dream job</b>. Follow me on my journey from day job to dream job as I document the adventure, musings, and discoveries along the way, by subscribing to my blog updates. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And that, my friends, is what my Year of Quitting is all about.</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<a _blank="" href="http://photobucket.com/" style="color: #000099;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-13295543579483010622013-05-19T18:09:00.000-05:002013-05-19T18:45:32.957-05:00Serendipity<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">ser·en·dip·i·ty</span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">/,serən'dipitē/</span><br />
The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way: "a fortunate stroke of serendipity".<br />
<br />
Her name is Carolina. She's 13, angry and scared. The officer walks into the dispatch room where I am working my afternoon shift as a part-time 911 dispatcher. He tells me that she has a bad attitude. He caught her trespassing on city property with a group of teens. The officer walks into lock up to talk with the other kids from the group. Carolina is in our lunchroom alone.<br />
<br />
I walk in and see her sitting at the table. I can feel her fear and my mom instinct kicks into overdrive. I engage her in conversation about art. Then it occurred to me that I could offer a kid like this something...she has an interest in art, I have a business that engages a person's creative talent. Then it hit me...so I handed her my business card and told her, if she would like to find a way to use her talent and needs something better to do than hanging out and getting into trouble, she could give me a call. <br />
<br />
I really think I am on to something. Mentoring at-risk teens and get them interested in art, pastry or both! I'm excited about this idea...I've heard so many other cookie artists say the best way to succeed is by giving back...this makes lots of sense to me because I love to mother, obviously, I have 5 daughters! It will make me feel good to help a young girl find an interest that can give her some direction in life, how exciting is that?!
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-69030248532149305612012-12-01T10:27:00.000-06:002012-12-01T10:27:02.484-06:00Anatomy of a cookieI'm learning to think creatively with my cookie designs! I've learned this by reading blogs like <a href="http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">Sweet Sugar Belle</a>. <br />
<br />
I had a request for a "Minnie Mouse" cookie but I did not have a Minnie Mouse cookie cutter. I sat looking at all my cutters trying to think, how can I do this without buying another "one use" cookie cutter?<br />
<br />
The obvious part was tyat the "mouse" would be two different sized circle cutters, 2-1/2 and 1-1/2 inches each. I settled on a 2-inch mini butterfly to use for the bow. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0VbPPMZbQZk9aAPJFwGXtHbw9nBw0o4RS9mJ5m0ief4lnvHlNcNkPxZG1Ge0s_U0Yf3-sgWYUAg0s1eSu2uyUnmrgvmON8WC2jaeN6aKwLfnULgsuis42Asqk9oPu4dU6QaynQcsn8dM/s1600/2012-11-29+13.05.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0VbPPMZbQZk9aAPJFwGXtHbw9nBw0o4RS9mJ5m0ief4lnvHlNcNkPxZG1Ge0s_U0Yf3-sgWYUAg0s1eSu2uyUnmrgvmON8WC2jaeN6aKwLfnULgsuis42Asqk9oPu4dU6QaynQcsn8dM/s320/2012-11-29+13.05.29.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I then "patched" them together before putting them in the oven.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYohL-GjSjZ7OM8lzwTf-HiuccT50Gxv2wRtpeB-Nl5LC1wyCoGuKmeeFoXNbbH4GSvF9MIGSpcFK9tgMvtQX2ThwYdHscrsG6lZRheEUF2fFrdXzqZYERq8mVW9Cnl6BhTFcDO9xnaW-/s1600/2012-11-29+13.05.43a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYohL-GjSjZ7OM8lzwTf-HiuccT50Gxv2wRtpeB-Nl5LC1wyCoGuKmeeFoXNbbH4GSvF9MIGSpcFK9tgMvtQX2ThwYdHscrsG6lZRheEUF2fFrdXzqZYERq8mVW9Cnl6BhTFcDO9xnaW-/s320/2012-11-29+13.05.43a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After they baked and were decorated, you could not tell it was a patchwork cookie! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZkHBUeg26MMugsPTr_iZe0zaNL5HUbLTnCfeGm_rj4bFtxEWnHBdXVWEMmT90q-znZa4CYhCOV1MwHV4bU2Zx88_zKE_xxctXDQ3clDmB3hmBNMRNActhqNJBCWX-lIJg8IhN44IUiuL/s1600/2012-11-30+10.37.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZkHBUeg26MMugsPTr_iZe0zaNL5HUbLTnCfeGm_rj4bFtxEWnHBdXVWEMmT90q-znZa4CYhCOV1MwHV4bU2Zx88_zKE_xxctXDQ3clDmB3hmBNMRNActhqNJBCWX-lIJg8IhN44IUiuL/s320/2012-11-30+10.37.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqp_hwvTElERZifcn7GDc1DU2XXofZUXxxPrO0lbmSZYaTxAJWvG3tgssVfqul_7y6nKUNQll2dJ_tDKu2G6PpIWgm-lC42i9AN4Lhdy12SH_lUq0GEAGA3D2Mj6x-9lbzUVmJ4wK10nN/s1600/2012-11-30+14.41.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqp_hwvTElERZifcn7GDc1DU2XXofZUXxxPrO0lbmSZYaTxAJWvG3tgssVfqul_7y6nKUNQll2dJ_tDKu2G6PpIWgm-lC42i9AN4Lhdy12SH_lUq0GEAGA3D2Mj6x-9lbzUVmJ4wK10nN/s320/2012-11-30+14.41.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Bring it on folks! Keep challenging me to create a cookie without buying another cutter! I loved the challenge!<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-44036172577298968652012-10-17T09:39:00.000-05:002012-10-17T11:37:02.970-05:00Rent Party!I have always considered myself to be a strong woman, but I am learning that real strength is needed to ask for help. So I'm digging down deep to find the strength to ask for help to keep my family in our home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3RxBwNoPqwPFlD9U-CXGSGzpsAWffOMLgx4X-fu9v_JYauv01lx4eVeJHkMhrsAA3h7uKa9cXHqcvP3vcL-PGw4_aODS45bVC-kOd5q6G-ORZ9ZxEql7-PSSSu0aSeYe7NqnYbzDHdIb/s1600/strongwomen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3RxBwNoPqwPFlD9U-CXGSGzpsAWffOMLgx4X-fu9v_JYauv01lx4eVeJHkMhrsAA3h7uKa9cXHqcvP3vcL-PGw4_aODS45bVC-kOd5q6G-ORZ9ZxEql7-PSSSu0aSeYe7NqnYbzDHdIb/s1600/strongwomen.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is not a cry for hand outs, I am asking for folks to buy cookies so I can pay my rent. You can help and show your support by purchasing cookies and passing along the link to others.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2XowQcAnRFyoneWKSdHAOTqfEGGajFUY2kBGu9ZUQeFe-6UKaO9MSKC83AbPUeuKz3zUm1_0XjmE5_jXB-oThb0mFzAdAsr_ZnkUipoyHmT58ZL8cZ2-3NJC7Qpsz-g-jvPNhsnmN-2G/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2XowQcAnRFyoneWKSdHAOTqfEGGajFUY2kBGu9ZUQeFe-6UKaO9MSKC83AbPUeuKz3zUm1_0XjmE5_jXB-oThb0mFzAdAsr_ZnkUipoyHmT58ZL8cZ2-3NJC7Qpsz-g-jvPNhsnmN-2G/s200/hands.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As an incentive, I am offering a 15% discount on orders made and paid for today through Friday (10/17 to 10/19/2012) for our hand decorated cookies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our goal is to sell 300 cookies and we will be able to make the rent! YAY! </div>
<br />
Click <u><b><a href="http://www.sugarbeez.com/pages/rent-party" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">here</a></b></u> to help or learn more!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-1391392277299016262012-06-28T09:24:00.002-05:002012-06-28T09:24:47.619-05:00Photo Cookies 101<h2>
Photo Cookies 101</h2>
<div>
I spent a lot of time trying to figure out photo cookies and a lot of time being totally frustrated! I am here to help you avoid the frustration and get straight to fabulous photo cookies! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some of the problems I encountered in my learning process were </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>If the edible paper (EP) got too wet it would rip or the edible image (EI) would smear.</li>
<li>If I didn't wait long enough for the EI to dry they would stick to the cello bag when packaged and rip off the cookie, very frustrating! </li>
<li>Or the opposite, not sticking to the cookie once it was dried. </li>
</ul>
These are just some of the problems I am hoping to help you avoid. </div>
<h3>
Step 1</h3>
<div>
There are a lot of suppliers out there. I buy my supplies from <a href="http://kopykake.com/pictures-on-cakes/frosting-sheets.html" target="_blank">Kopy Kake</a>. They are always so helpful when I have questions about the product or settings for my printer. I use the 8" x 10.5" frosting sheets and MSWord. I also occasionally use Kopy Kake's Decorator program, but I prefer Word, which gives me more creative freedom. </div>
<h3>
Step 2</h3>
<div>
I cut my Edible Images (EIs) by hand. I use to use a Cricut Trimmer, but the blades dulled quickly and replacement blades always seemed to be out of stock at Michael's. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYae3gSetWm4fDPTuZzxRhMG-Z418nTT4DhnZlMgMPS2ZnDZJs8YRcmdKfxoRO_5oD4EUbWefHeoYuFsml17v0mEIBNO84NcRK7sOrgO0pI12uecbKS-pTeSDBoKl_2hI1QLT53sqQQln/s1600/cricut+paper+cutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYae3gSetWm4fDPTuZzxRhMG-Z418nTT4DhnZlMgMPS2ZnDZJs8YRcmdKfxoRO_5oD4EUbWefHeoYuFsml17v0mEIBNO84NcRK7sOrgO0pI12uecbKS-pTeSDBoKl_2hI1QLT53sqQQln/s200/cricut+paper+cutter.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<div>
Sometimes I didn't line up my images exactly right in Word and when using the trimmer I would accidentally slice off a needed edge of my image....DOH! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hand cutting works much better. After cutting them I put them in a sandwich bag to keep them from drying out. </div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Step 3</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S3NpdWZ6YYzC5_RVfSIBNOqFcT9nEjdQC1FScrsCCIooVxxyegrzRCeUhIYKMB9YH-KQMChIc8VYRxGNSflcTWmmCglxoqumSlcvGjcAjNxvkbuSty1uUJUpX1EY1yODJ5cC2Y9zX4mF/s1600/2012-06-26_11-38-29_201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S3NpdWZ6YYzC5_RVfSIBNOqFcT9nEjdQC1FScrsCCIooVxxyegrzRCeUhIYKMB9YH-KQMChIc8VYRxGNSflcTWmmCglxoqumSlcvGjcAjNxvkbuSty1uUJUpX1EY1yODJ5cC2Y9zX4mF/s200/2012-06-26_11-38-29_201.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
After I have cut out all my EIs, by the way, I leave the backing sheets on them if possible when I have cut them out, keeps them from sticking to each other in the sandwich bag, I take my corner rounder that I bought with my 40% coupon at Micheal's (NEVER shop without it!).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I round all the corners on my EI. This helps keep the edges down on the cookie and gives it a clean, professional look when finished. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90PtLIZMPNOBJynFdMUZ-5SMBlzhgIv4u9anmCq-LfIUi29z0MRePSPDGGhyXr0YqcFItKh5juKnriR7hBvPdQFr0fsXJwhfIvvhpUnxZOThB0TtYJ9YSML14bj46P6VDeF4OiPyyy24x/s1600/2012-06-26_11-38-36_711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90PtLIZMPNOBJynFdMUZ-5SMBlzhgIv4u9anmCq-LfIUi29z0MRePSPDGGhyXr0YqcFItKh5juKnriR7hBvPdQFr0fsXJwhfIvvhpUnxZOThB0TtYJ9YSML14bj46P6VDeF4OiPyyy24x/s200/2012-06-26_11-38-36_711.jpg" width="149" /></a><a 1em;"="" 1em;="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU_NNHh2yr6eJ5UHpDRGs6pNg095WP3ab0C7dDvy8JAUasMzIqidTee2RKzTblLxRNEGYAlGGMKsEzYFwBpEfMeHuI_mw-kvjfIxv9uBr3rqKgv9MrS5RV4mPg6mTgASoKqVCt2n1Yzna/s1600/2012-06-26_11-39-37_863.jpg" imageanchor="1" margin-left:="" margin-right:=""><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU_NNHh2yr6eJ5UHpDRGs6pNg095WP3ab0C7dDvy8JAUasMzIqidTee2RKzTblLxRNEGYAlGGMKsEzYFwBpEfMeHuI_mw-kvjfIxv9uBr3rqKgv9MrS5RV4mPg6mTgASoKqVCt2n1Yzna/s200/2012-06-26_11-39-37_863.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Step 4</h3>
<div>
(Personal Note: In the next pictures you will notice my hands, I have vitiligo. Harmless, noncontagious autoimmune disease, but I HATE IT!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4u9kkMNJgZJJE6C5eLoElqtStwOjDc9xXGzkSm7eQ9xnTVjyknrfhLE3VAVRecghi8MCg09Psrv8oohvw4S-CudjT6z7g7KLuPao8xRRPltnGO-I0f3g73gfGOchuVkYoS3vb0E4xHQg/s1600/DSCN0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4u9kkMNJgZJJE6C5eLoElqtStwOjDc9xXGzkSm7eQ9xnTVjyknrfhLE3VAVRecghi8MCg09Psrv8oohvw4S-CudjT6z7g7KLuPao8xRRPltnGO-I0f3g73gfGOchuVkYoS3vb0E4xHQg/s200/DSCN0951.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I remove my EI from the backing before I prepare the cookie for the image. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdo6hL3ckRWbrM1qWTVVwve0lEt8Phj-XEfRWn-8tAk4Q8PaXu67rcmBmSE0ciy6nWLro7f1askPqLdnUOl-n2dQ6GlfiNaceVCkhpRTofFFkSnCSGy9W5Bq_bu0XsGRNXd-4C__U5SFHV/s1600/DSCN0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdo6hL3ckRWbrM1qWTVVwve0lEt8Phj-XEfRWn-8tAk4Q8PaXu67rcmBmSE0ciy6nWLro7f1askPqLdnUOl-n2dQ6GlfiNaceVCkhpRTofFFkSnCSGy9W5Bq_bu0XsGRNXd-4C__U5SFHV/s200/DSCN0948.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I then take my spray bottle, purchased in the $1 section at Target. It is filled with plain ole H2O. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdObEegbs-Igochpuc_IoHVeKVgEFR5gMf3n173NOyDzPQdIVm2dimGu_4vyZgvdn8NeBR9vOnQwL3taCJe88A3kloqAcxnRA7-Sp1cDz_dGftANZsoHyD-s6r0rODLp3npUqeDADqCiv4/s1600/DSCN0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdObEegbs-Igochpuc_IoHVeKVgEFR5gMf3n173NOyDzPQdIVm2dimGu_4vyZgvdn8NeBR9vOnQwL3taCJe88A3kloqAcxnRA7-Sp1cDz_dGftANZsoHyD-s6r0rODLp3npUqeDADqCiv4/s200/DSCN0949.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I take my iced (dry) cookie, and mist it over the sink. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTTaP5_MqWtyxgeQzfqwudCNSv9KBMWCgSs6a53JmNW7B8ap7TCXB3Bv-7WtQa-7sI6axqtAAw6w4WhjN6797Ad2z5cg6Fd16OFSRTDN-T7egpHPiATjSTNFQRKBnxS3XDoeBZcMfPd2p/s1600/DSCN0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTTaP5_MqWtyxgeQzfqwudCNSv9KBMWCgSs6a53JmNW7B8ap7TCXB3Bv-7WtQa-7sI6axqtAAw6w4WhjN6797Ad2z5cg6Fd16OFSRTDN-T7egpHPiATjSTNFQRKBnxS3XDoeBZcMfPd2p/s200/DSCN0950.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Notice the sheen on the wet cookie? I use my finger and run it across the entire surface of royal icing, edges too, to make sure it is completely wet. </div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Step 5</h3>
<div>
I place the EI on the cookie and run my finger across the top and around the edges to make sure it is securely on the cookie. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijdiHjT5XF6CXUrMoHj5dzay7Fi-hg-EDrq3R7N8ylmAgJFJnmFBWW-w2n2kLalpfQ0wRWpUhAovLe0jQA_7OkrLSS4XCcOE-bcLE_zE3RfIyI7w4G7j4_-hQB6JS_3JBDXiheoFCin98/s1600/DSCN0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijdiHjT5XF6CXUrMoHj5dzay7Fi-hg-EDrq3R7N8ylmAgJFJnmFBWW-w2n2kLalpfQ0wRWpUhAovLe0jQA_7OkrLSS4XCcOE-bcLE_zE3RfIyI7w4G7j4_-hQB6JS_3JBDXiheoFCin98/s200/DSCN0952.JPG" width="200" /></a><a 1em;"="" 1em;="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2USjrkiLMq09crjWAe51siseAzE4ZI_tjACsYck9tGUdn8ZVahfrRHB56lUfoKuGG_n99sgQcy6LuzE53rUiJZi7pz4aK85-_Rs6lizh8372F57mBcJ_Ea8fnt9mIp0gTg7wHRXI7eEv/s1600/DSCN0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" margin-left:="" margin-right:=""><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2USjrkiLMq09crjWAe51siseAzE4ZI_tjACsYck9tGUdn8ZVahfrRHB56lUfoKuGG_n99sgQcy6LuzE53rUiJZi7pz4aK85-_Rs6lizh8372F57mBcJ_Ea8fnt9mIp0gTg7wHRXI7eEv/s200/DSCN0953.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<h3>
Ta Da!</h3>
<div>
The finished product! I let the cookies dry overnight at the very least, but preferably 24 hours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi5B97qvxpWaE0RvielBrjZQlhXz5PeN4-LyBPF5VJ1_F8PosLiInnF1Rz10Yx5PoGUZ1P54hAipaDyW5rirdZquwduQnjWuoyv8ZTQqndp0Yee9eWC7H2IXpFiG7vd0m6Uuh5cqaZw1J/s1600/DSCN0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi5B97qvxpWaE0RvielBrjZQlhXz5PeN4-LyBPF5VJ1_F8PosLiInnF1Rz10Yx5PoGUZ1P54hAipaDyW5rirdZquwduQnjWuoyv8ZTQqndp0Yee9eWC7H2IXpFiG7vd0m6Uuh5cqaZw1J/s320/DSCN0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Feedback</h3>
<div>
I would love to hear from others how they put their images on cookies. I know there are many different ways. I hope you learned something you didn't already know! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div 4;"="" auto;="" class="MsoNormal" mso-margin-bottom-alt:="" mso-margin-top-alt:="" mso-outline-level:="">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Freehand591 BT'; font-size: 20pt;">Tracy - The Queen Bee @<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ9-_l0I3t5vcrhoH83-zaE1TrrhO8rUsOD9zTYCx7N06HRuqkSMFfL4eQwaM6XSqGl6arG-iQsShhEZBn_GTQlqv6cAzMnFO4QnIfYbUgGSUVVqKSfCHYOXWfNe9FKjVFKRw9lUqeB5h/s1600/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ9-_l0I3t5vcrhoH83-zaE1TrrhO8rUsOD9zTYCx7N06HRuqkSMFfL4eQwaM6XSqGl6arG-iQsShhEZBn_GTQlqv6cAzMnFO4QnIfYbUgGSUVVqKSfCHYOXWfNe9FKjVFKRw9lUqeB5h/s1600/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div 4;"="" auto;="" class="MsoNormal" mso-margin-bottom-alt:="" mso-margin-top-alt:="" mso-outline-level:="">
<span style="font-family: 'Freehand591 BT';"><span style="font-size: 27px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-44787964007003081162012-06-20T07:31:00.001-05:002012-06-20T07:31:32.621-05:00Photo Cookies<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/4922758289/" title="USAgain "><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4122/4922758289_5b1569e710.jpg" alt="USAgain by Sugar Beez" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/4922758289/">USAgain </a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/">Sugar Beez</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>I get requests all the time for photo cookies. They are a great way to make a very big impact on the recipient. I struggled for a long time trying to find the right way to put the paper on the cookie without ruining it. Finally, after about 3 years, I got it right (yep, I can be a slow learner sometimes! LOL). <br /><br />I want to share with you what I have learned to help you cut down your learning curve! So today I will be making some photo cookies and photo documenting the process so that I can post it here tomorrow. Watch for it!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-52322221138627795212012-05-29T10:12:00.001-05:002012-05-29T10:12:43.843-05:00Memorial Day 2012<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/7295243322/" title="Mem Day 2"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7295243322_d536a140fe.jpg" alt="Mem Day 2 by Sugar Beez" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/7295243322/">Mem Day 2</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/">Sugar Beez</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>I wanted to do cookies as a way to say Thank You to those who have served our Country in the Armed Forces. I found an Armed Forces Service Medal and used that as the inspiration for this set.<br /><br />I really had fun making these!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-88293703618596581832012-05-18T11:09:00.001-05:002012-05-18T11:14:08.771-05:00What do you see?<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;">
These cookies were being decorated as logos for a car dealership, but the order was cancelled. There are 24 mini white ovals.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/7222055752/" title="2012-05-18_10-51-32_979"><img alt="2012-05-18_10-51-32_979 by Sugar Beez" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7222055752_e27ff1a982.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/7222055752/">2012-05-18_10-51-32_979</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbeezcookies/">Sugar Beez</a> on Flickr.</span></div>
Here is your opportunity to get creative! Post your comment with a suggestion for these cookies. The best idea picked by Sugar Beez's staff will win the cookies!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-26505743526523604512012-05-10T07:00:00.000-05:002012-05-10T07:00:09.410-05:00Why is cookie dough like a man?Why is cookie dough like a man? It's gonna make a mess you're gonna have to clean up...because it certainly isn't going to clean up after itself! Baaahhhhaaaa! Oh so true..<br />
<br />
It took me a lot of trial and error (and really bad cookies) before I learned how to make cookie dough well. I think this process is worth sharing. Now I'm not saying I'm any kind of expert, there are probably as many ways to make roll out cookie dough as there are recipes on the web. This is just the way I do, but I would love to see/hear from others on how they do theirs. I will post my recipe down at the bottom.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">
Step 1 - Butter</span></h2>
<div>
<h3>
<ul>
<li>1 pound at room temperature</li>
</ul>
</h3>
<br />
If I forget to take it out of the fridge and I don't have time to wait for it to come to room temperature I soften it in the microwave. Remove it from its wrapper, place it on a microwave safe dish, and heat it for 10 seconds. Then turn it on it's side, (I always rotate it in towards the center of the microwave so I don't keep microwaving the same sides over and over.) and microwave it again for 10 seconds, rotating each time. I usually use 1-pound blocks of butter so if you are using a quarter stick microwave for 5 seconds instead of 10.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once the butter is nice and soft, dump it into the mixer bowl. </div>
<div>
<img height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7167980268_37d2823518.jpg" width="320" />
</div>
<br />
<br />
I usually beat it a little so that it is ready for the sugar. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/7167979522_33c8ab5a17.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what light and fluffy should look like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Step 2 - Sugar </h2>
<h3>
<ul>
<li>2 cups powdered sugar</li>
</ul>
</h3>
Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Here is a trick I learned years ago, and I wish I could remember who to give the credit to, but alas my memory has failed me...sigh. I take a kitchen towel and wrap it over the mixer and bowl like so....<br />
<img height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/7167978838_ee81b0bdc2.jpg" width="320" />
<br />
<br />
This will keep the sugar (or flour) from "poofing" all over the counter, the coffee maker, the mixer, the baker...<br />
<br />
<h2>
Step 3 - Flavor / Eggs</h2>
<h3>
<ul>
<li>4 tsp any flavor</li>
<li>2 eggs at room temperature. </li>
</ul>
</h3>
<br />
Add the flavor and eggs. And if you forgot to take the eggs out of the fridge too, no worries I have a link below with great instructions on how to bring them to room temperature quickly. These are the remainder of the "wet" ingredients...mix them until they are totally incorporated. <br />
<br />
Not like this<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7167978234_1b0c22e8c5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mixture should not look like scrambled eggs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But like this<br />
<img height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7167977518_f53ffae4de.jpg" width="320" />
<br />
<br />
Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl before adding the dry ingredients so that you don't end up with butter at the bottom of the bowl that didn't get integrated into the dough.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Step 4 - Dry Ingredients</h2>
<div>
<h3>
<ul>
<li>5-1/2 cups flour.</li>
<li>2 tsp baking soda.</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><img height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7167976132_b38fd7b78c.jpg" width="320" />
</span></h3>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Add all the dry ingredients at one time. Don't forget to use your kitchen towel to cover the mixer and bowl so you won't have flour everywhere! Take a peek under the towel to see when it is safe to remove it and check the dough. The finished dough should look like this. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><img height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7167974638_9afcb86478.jpg" width="320" />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Then scrape the dough into a bowl, or some folks flatten it into disks, do what ever works for you, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. If I'm going to roll dough right away I let it rest on the counter covered. If I'm not going to roll cookies until the next day I let it rest in the fridge. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7167981026_28a85686ff.jpg" />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 5 - Baking Instructions</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">First off, I highly recommend an oven thermometer, because let me tell you from experience, that oven dial LIES! It says it's at 350, but it never really is, sometimes it's closer to 375...so invest in one of the inexpensive oven thermometers that hangs off the rack...one of the best baking investments I have bought!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I bake my cookies at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Meaning I set the timer for 12 minutes and check on them every minute after that point until they are lightly golden.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I hope you found this post helpful, I sure wish someone would have done something like this when I was first starting out.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Recipe</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">1 pound butter</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">2 cups powdered sugar</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">2 eggs</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">4 tsp flavor</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">5-1/2 cups flour</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">2 tsp baking soda</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Helpful Links</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/how-to-bring-butter-and-eggs-to-room-temperature/" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">How to bring butter and eggs to room temperature</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-49064205040744214532012-03-29T16:10:00.001-05:002012-03-29T16:14:49.073-05:00Baby Buggy Cookie<div>
<br />
I had a request for baby carriage cookies. I have done some in the past, you can see them on my <a href="http://www.sugarbeez.com/products/baby-cookies" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">website</a>. I wanted to do something different and I came across a baby carriage on a <a href="http://www.carriescookies.com/photo_gallery/Pink%20Baby%20Carriage%20web.jpg" style="color: #000099;" target="_blank">site</a> and I used it as my inspiration for this cookie. <br />
<br />
I added the ruffles with a 101 tip (boy, my hand hurts from squeezing that extra stiff icing). I learned to put less in the piping bag so I didn't have to squeeze so hard.<br />
<br />
Also, a trick I used starting with these cookies that I learned from Lisa The Bearfoot Baker is o use a fondant smoother (<a href="http://thebearfootbaker.com/2012/03/flatten-my-cookies-and-not-my-hair/" target="_blank">click here</a>) to smooth the cookies flat when they came out of the oven. This gave them a very flat surface to lay my base icing down and really helped to add a professional look to the finished cookie. <br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCM_CH0rrD1Z_9ZRwGOOSrxHJyoGNr_8fE69bvnX2cv4ull4CLqeLCGnJ7ZIx4f3thgqxnFNfeN12hLhLe7GsLFEIZSswqjJ1tGzJyoamzu9awWiFJc4JdfCgOwhiY3MltYRHzzuA0nug/" /><br />
<br />
Thanks for letting me share! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6483197330871881929.post-31968369227996938782012-03-26T13:16:00.000-05:002012-03-26T13:16:11.303-05:00Spring Bouquet<div>
<br />
I have set some goals for the business...1. I will make $1000 in sale in April, then today I got an order for $770...wow...big jump on the $1000 goal! <br />
<br />
2. I will post photos at least 3 times a week of cookies. So, here is the one I did today. <br />
<br />
Spring flowers are popping up in my yard...love the burst of color and the wonderful scent of flowers in the air.<br />
<br />
I used a seashell cookie cutter as the base for this cookie. My goal also is to grow my creative side by trying to see multiple uses for each cookie cutter. I like the way Alton Brown thinks about kitchen tools/gadgets, they should all be multi-taskers...well my cookie cutters should be too, right? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuLIMHcPNiOItiNBCPp7cUZORTcCPNb8ljDN-mvD3HhcjNGK6CrhVIj8mhjRrD4_K_OXrEtEAm2ij7vmM8az_fb_e-EAarR71eVXIAQwPsXR1xsh9nXaUwu2fo0piKkxBrQFzj2K6fwIW/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuLIMHcPNiOItiNBCPp7cUZORTcCPNb8ljDN-mvD3HhcjNGK6CrhVIj8mhjRrD4_K_OXrEtEAm2ij7vmM8az_fb_e-EAarR71eVXIAQwPsXR1xsh9nXaUwu2fo0piKkxBrQFzj2K6fwIW/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuLIMHcPNiOItiNBCPp7cUZORTcCPNb8ljDN-mvD3HhcjNGK6CrhVIj8mhjRrD4_K_OXrEtEAm2ij7vmM8az_fb_e-EAarR71eVXIAQwPsXR1xsh9nXaUwu2fo0piKkxBrQFzj2K6fwIW/" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad24/BannerBlvd/SugarBeezsignature-1.png" /></a><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09838021848420809656noreply@blogger.com0