Cookie Swap Cookie

Several cookie artists got together and started a group of like minded decorators on flickr.  The name of the group is "Cookie Queens".  An invitation to the group is given by the administrators.  I'm humbled and honored to be among those invited to join in the group.  We recently had a cookie swap among some of the members.  I participated in it,  my first swap, and it was a blast!  Can't wait to do it again!  It was kinda like waiting to open Christmas presents!!  It was a "secret swap"  with only the swap organzier having knowledge of which "queen" had who.  The rules were simple:  2-3 cookies of your ultimate best, decorated in any theme, shipped to your "cookie queen" using 2-3 mail service.  We had 23 participants, some as far as Canada and Australia!  My cookies went to the fabulous Aileen of 'A Master Creation', all the way to California.  She is a fantastic cookie decorator with super creative ideas!  Here are the cookies I made for her.

 And these are the beautiful cookies I received from my "secret cookie queen".

Gorgeous, huh? Only it's not a secret anymore. These were made by the talented Alison of Ali Bee's Bake Shop http://snargblog.blogspot.com/. Not only are they pleasing to the eye, but also the palette! Check out her blog, she does fabulous work!

LSU Cookies

Finally got the chance to make some LSU cookies.  Been wanting to do these for a while, and got the chance for an engagement party.  The couple are big LSU fans, as are the majority of people breathing in south LA.  Funny thing though, ever heard of so much "po-tan" (Cajun word for commotion or trouble) about an undefeated team?  They just keep on winning, I don't know how, but everybody wants Coach Les to go "miles" away from Baton Rouge.  Go figure!
     Anyhow, here's my version of LSU football cookies.

Halloween Mini Cookies

These cute little boogers were so much fun to make!!  And quick too!  I think I want to start making more of the mini cookies.  They are the perfect "one little bite".

 These are the same cookies as the previous ones only on a different background.  I couldn't decide which one I preferred, so I used both.

This little spider web and spider where ooooh, soooo much fun to make.  I just had to take a closeup!!

Fall Cookies and Bouquet

Each September, my children's school holds a Grandparents Celebration in which they honor all of the contributions that grandparents make in the lives of their grandchildren.  This celebration takes place on two days.  On day one, grandparents are invited to spend an hour visiting in the classrooms with their grandchildren.  This is a wonderful experience for both them and the kids.  As a former teacher, I looked forward to this visit as much as the students did!  Grandparents are filled with so much knowledge and a genuine love for their grandkids, and fill the classroom with an air of excitement that is unrivaled.  Following their visit, they are treated to a reception in their honor that is held in the school cafeteria.  It has been my pleasure to coordinate this event for the past three years.  I, and all of my mom helpers, look forward to this event every year.  We added a new twist this year, and gave away door prizes.  A couple of moms made beautiful fall arrangements to give away.  I made a cookie arrangement!  All of the prizes were well received by the recipients. 

     On the second day of the Grandparents Celebration, all grandparents are invited to the weekly school mass to a celebration of the liturgy in their honor. 

      Here is a close up of the cookies in the bouquet.

 I really like the way this one came out.  This is a wet on wet marbling technique with a super high-tech instrument.......a TOOTHPICK!!!!  Cool, huh!

These are some more fall themed cookies I made for the reception. These were part of the dessert buffet.



Bowling, Birthdays, 4-H, Fraternus

I've been busily making cookies as of late, and hadn't realized that it's been since
August since I last posted anything. Sorry, to my followers! 
Some of what I've done are repeats of previous posts.  So instead of posting something you've already seen, I'll just post those cookies that are new to my blog.

So here's new stuff since the last post:

Cookies with a girly theme for Cassie's birthday.

A birthday bouquet for my daughter's best friend, Carly.  Carly likes playing soccer and swims on a local team during the summer.  I did the little figures with edible markers on top of basecoat of white icing.

A birthday platter for Emily, with a theme of pink and black zebra print.  I got inspiration for these from an icredibly talented and  sweet cookie decorator friend from Texas....SweetSugarBelle.  Check out her totally awesome creations.  She is as prolific a cookie decorator as you will ever find.  There is no end to her creativity and she makes tray after tray of incredible cookies every week.  And she's a one woman show!! 

http://sweetsugarbelle.blogspot.com/

My neighbor's daughter was in a run-off for president of her school 4-H club.  She asked me to help her write a speech to convince her fellow members to elect her as president.  Having made several cookies for her before, she also asked me to make some small clovers to give to the  voters on election day.  I decided to print the 4-H logo onto edible image sheets, and make the cookies that way.  They were a hit!  One kid asked her for a dozen more!  Nothing like buying a vote by way of the stomach.  And they worked!!  She was elected president.  My son was also selected as 4-H president at his school.  No campaign/election process there, so no cookies were needed. He was appointed by an officer selection committee after writing a couple of paragraphs as to why he should be chosen.  He originally applied for the position of club reporter, but was appointed head of the whole thing!!  I was very proud of his accomplishment!  Congratulations Damian and Cassie!!  Two 4-H presidents in the same neighborhood!!  Here are the cookies that "sweetened" the vote in Cassie's favor.

I was on a roll with the edible image thing and used it for a repeat performance when asked to prepare a little sweet something for my son's challenge ceremony reception for Fraternus.  If you've never heard of Fraternus, you're not alone.  There are only 5 chapters of Fraternus in the whole country, and our chapter here in Louisiana, is in it's infancy.  What is Fraternus:

FRATERNUS mentors boys into virtuous Catholic men. Weekly meetings, outdoor excursions, discipleship groups and summer camp are designed to engage the masculine heart and build virtue.

Pretty simple mission statement, but so profound a challenge in a world in which we live today.

It's pretty incredible to have one of these chapters in our small community here in SE LA.  My son is totally enjoying it and looks forward to frat night every Sunday evening.  Check out their site for more info:   

http://www.fraternus.net/index.php

These are the cookies I made for the reception.

These were a request for a college student who is on the bowling team at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.  These were pretty fun to make.  I especially like the way the marbling technique came out on the bowling balls.



Saints Cookies

At long last, the latest edition of New Orleans Saints cookies has arrived!!! This is my version for the upcoming football season.  I was inspired to make the LA shaped cookie with "Believe Dat" by a sticker I saw while Googling one day after the Superbowl win.  Saved it, and thought I might use it one day...... that day has arrived. 

It pays tribute to the long suffering fans of the "Who Dat Nation" who have endured untold misery for far too long.  It took one special coach, who learned very quickly the incredible bond between his team and the city of New Orleans and the surrounding gulf coast area, to bring in one special quarterback, who, like the city of New Orleans and the gulf coast region, had to find untold strength from deep within, to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, to comeback from despair, destruction, and defeat, who together, understood the magnitude of the task the two of them had before them.  It didn't take long for Sean Peyton and Drew Brees to realize that they were not here for the sole purpose of resurrecting a woeful excuse of an NFL franchise.  No, they realized early on that they were being called to rebuild more than just a football team. The coach, his quarterback, and the whole New Orleans Saints team and organization, took the city, the region, its fans, and everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina upon their shoulders, and carried them along as they all rebuilt, together, to come back stronger, more determined, and more confident in their ability to overcome adversity. 

This year's edition of Saints cookies is dedicated to the Who Dat Nation, who've had to endure for sooooo long a miserable football team, and a crippling blow from a storm named Katrina.  It finally happened .... SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS!!!!
To those who said it would never happen.....BELIEVE DAT!!!!!!!!

Beach Themed Wedding Sampler

I was contacted by a future bride through my Etsy store and asked to design some wedding cookies for her beach themed wedding.  These are sample designs based on her wedding colors and theme.

Pink Zebra Print Floral Bouquet

This bouquet was a request for a "get well soon" for  a young cheerleader recovering from a shoulder injury.

It got a big "COOOOOL" from my 10 year old daughter.  I guess that age is

into the animal print thing.

Night Out Against Crime

In celebration of National Night Out Against Crime, I made 2 trays of cookies for our local community's annual celebration.

High Seas Adventure, Baby Shower, 5 Years Cancer Free

A variety of cookies this week........

My kids look forward to vacation bible school every summer.  So do I.  It's fun, lots of activities to keep them occupied, breaks the monotony of the summer boredom that has set in at this time, and most importantly, it has a way of teaching them, on their level, about God's word.  My oldest was excited because he got to be one of the staff helpers this summer.  I volunteer to help out as well, and the organizers so graciously place me in the arts and crafts department!  I wonder why??  That's right up my alley, and I totally LOVE it!! 
Anyway, this year's theme was High Seas Expedition.  The decor, lessons, and crafts were all related to ships, the sea, and adventure at sea.  Of course, I volunteer to make cookies for the culmination on Friday.  We usually have about  30-40 kids.  This year, our numbers grew, a lot!  I think the total I made was 101 cookies.  Doesn't sound too bad, unless unforeseen THINGS prevent you from staying on schedule and you end up decorating 101 cookies in one afternoon/evening (Thursday - when they're needed on FRIDAY), and then have to bag each one early the next morning because your schedule is off and they need time to dry!  Thank goodness for fans and heat lamps for speeding up drying time.

Regardless, the kids loved them, and I did have fun making them even though it was a rush job.

 Also due for Friday, was an order for baby shower cookies.  The gender of the baby is not known, so the theme was  gender neutral baby blocks/animals.  This is my interpretation of the shower invitation.

I decided to spell out the family name of the baby with the blocks:  Baby LEFORT.  I think it came out kind of cute.

One of my son's classmates celebrated his birthday Saturday.  Not only was he celebrating turning the age of 12, but he was also celebrating  reaching the milestone of being cancer free for 5 years!   Nick was diagnosed with a tumor on his kidney at the age of 7.  He courageously went through surgery to remove that kidney and the chemotherapy that followed.  He was going to second grade at the time.  Even though he had to go through all of this, he still managed to keep up with his school work and successfully complete second grade.  He is an inspiration to all who know him, and is such a sweet, loveable child.  I made this bouquet for him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON 5 YEARS OF BEING CANCER FREE!!

May God bless you with many, many more years of freedom from that dang disease!