The Little Details-BLACK SUGAR PEARLS=eyes

 If you're a cookier,

 you know that the little details can really be a life-saver when decorating.

It can be a technique,

it can be a tool,

OR

it can be these little treasures!

Black. Sugar. Pearls.

LOVE these!

Until a year ago, I would just add eyes using black icing.

If you know me, you know I hate dislike black icing.

So then my wonderful friend Kris from  So Cute Cookies

introduced me to these. 

 I was hesitant to use them because 

I figured they'd bleed just like the icing eyes (my way of adding eyes) sometimes did.

Then I tried them.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

Another favorite thing of mine.

I heart BLACK SUGAR PEARLS from CK.

(I've heard that the Wilton ones bleed--I've never tried them)

You can buy them at Karen's Cookies.

If you see them, buy them because sometimes they're hard to find.

I just might need to try all of the other colors too!

When I used them for the above cookies, 

I placed them right where I wanted them to be 

so they sink right into the icing while it's still wet.

All Because of Cookies--My Garden Grows

In the journey of life,

everyone has a friendship garden.

I have met some new friends.

I have reconnected with old friends.

I am truly blessed.

And very thankful!

All because of COOKIES!

Chocolate

  Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE chocolate.

I've tried several chocolate cookie recipes, and I just wasn't happy with the results.

Too blah.

Too dry.

Too crunchy.

Too yuck.

So I tried another one, tweaked it to my liking

and

the entire family is HAPPY!

Really happy!

I'm trying to decide if these should go on the "cookie menu".

I may have to send some out to my

"test market group"

**It is now a few days later and I'm thinking of sticking to my regular cookies for now. 
These are very good but I'm still going to tweak the icing a little bit--after Valentines Day!

Cookie Cake

I'm always in "cookie mode"! 

While others think about where they want to vacation,

or what car they'd like to drive...

I'm thinking about HOW I can create something from or with cookies.

Another cookie gal calls it COOKIE THINK.

So we needed a birthday cake--kinda last minute.

Since I am only a cookie decorator,

 I could see what I wanted in my head using a cake and cookies.

I found these party paper goods at TARGET in the clearance section sometime last summer. 

 I decided to use them as my "guide".

I thought and thought about making the cake myself,

 then I remembered that I'm not a "cake gal"

(someday maybe)

So I bought a cake from a local grocery store who has the BEST cakes (Basha's)

then came home to make the accessories for the cake.

Accessories

Put it all together and this is what you get...

Happy Birthday Mom!

PS- Did you know that Sandra Lee (no connection) has an entire 30 minute show on the Food Network

dedicated to creating great parties and such using

85% store bought goods and the rest from home.

Semi-homemade!

My kind of gal!   

Inspiration Cafe

Like I've said before, much of my cookie ideas and color inspiration come from everyday things. But there is one place that is like DISNEYLAND for me...Hobby Lobby!  I can walk around for a long time just taking it all in.

My favorite part of the store is the fabric section.  I gather many color combinations right there in that little area. It's like my very own INSPIRATION CAFE! My head starts to spin after a few minutes and I feel sorry for the gal who is cutting fabric that day because I always take 1/8 of a yard in all the patterns that catch my brown eyes (she's really nice and knows exactly what I'm using the fabric for and understands my crazyness--well she at least smiles like she does).

I went there yesterday sans children and husband and I. was. inspired.  Really inspired!
When I got home, I had an email with a cookie order and the customer said, "I'll let you pick colors and such--I trust you".  Did she know I had just returned from Hob Lob with new fabric?

I can "see" the final product already!

Last Day of 2011

Wow.

This year has been an amazing year for me.  I realized how important it is to keep my creative spirit alive and creating. 

 It keeps me sane and happy! 

I realized that life is really short and I need to be involved with things that are important to me as a wife, mom,

woman, and person. 

With things that I TRULY believe in...

I found my voice, I'm so glad for that. 

My words may not always agree with what others are thinking, but it's MY voice.

There is CALM in my household. 

I realized and accepted that I am NOT Superwoman and something had to give. 

My house now feels calm. 

Not always tidy and free of messes, but calm.

I think know it was a good year. 

I feel ready for 2012.

I want to continue growing creatively, spiritually,

and completely. 

I want to strive to be a better person today

then I was yesterday.

I want to continue to focus on being in the present moment--where ever it is.

I truly believe that one must CREATE the life he/she wants. 

Whether its with education, a voice, a creative outlet,

or a BIG leap of faith (often the case).

Until next year...

  

Why, How and Multiple Blessings

Many people ask the how and why I ended up being a "cookier"--

that's what I'm called in the cookie decorating world.

Here's my story.

I was a teacher and last year was challenging for whatever reason.

I would come home each night and I WAS GRUMPY!

Really, really grumpy!

In October of 2010, I realized that I was not loving my job the way that I had for the previous
 12 years and it was time to move on---I just didn't know where I was going.

I wanted to find a hobby to "decompress"

 from testing, testing, testing, and what seemed like MORE TESTING.

I felt like a professional test giver--not a teacher.

So I started visiting different blogs. 

I was so intrigued when I'd come across the blogs of creative women
who were documenting their journey of creating. 

I was also a bit sad that I was not creating!
I realized that my creativity was gone--long gone.

I made a decision to find my creativity that was hidden away.

I found a blog of a woman who was using cookies as her canvas--

I knew I wanted to give it a try.

So I did.

My husband borrowed his moms Kitchen Aid and made me some dough
 because I was scared to use a KA and I had never made cookie dough. 

Silly I know! 

The first few dozen cookies,
 while they were edible,
 they were not so cute. 

I tried and tried and tried some more!

I was determined to make beautiful cookies.

Determined!

I'd come home from school each night and practice making and decorating cookies.

Slowly,
 they became more pleasing to my eyes

and
I realized that my stress level was getting lower and lower in the process.

Who would've thought?

Since I didn't really like sugar cookies myself,

I kept trying and modifying recipes until I created one that I liked.

By Christmas, I was getting to be an OKAY decorator.

I decided to make some snowflake cookies and sell them at a holiday boutique. 

I figured if they didn't sell,
 I could always give them away.

I made 4 dozen, all of the same design and crossed my fingers!

All of them sold in about 20 minutes.
I.WAS.SHOCKED

and
oh so humbled!

I was touched to see that others were enjoying MY cookies. 

I felt like they were blessing me!

I made Valentine cookies.

I made Easter cookies.

I made Mother's Day cookies.

I made cookies for babies.

I made cookies for special kids with special needs

and adults fighting for their lives!

That's just what I was called to do!
It felt right.

I made lots and lots of cookies.

Again, I was blessed by the happiness cookies brought others.

I gave so many away to coworkers and friends--again I WAS BLESSED.

I also became certified by the state to sell cookies from home
(God's timing--another blessing)!

I realized that my God given talent of cookie decorating HAD to be used to serve others. 

So that's how I look at this cookie journey--
this is my way to serve by using my God given talents.
Plain.
Simple.

Sometimes I feel compelled to make cookies for someone---so I do. 

I don't always know the person or people, I just listen to my heart. 
I always hope they don't think I'm nutty by handing them some cookies!

 
It's just my way of saying
I'm thinking about you.
I care about you.
I feel for you.
I'm here for you.
I admire you.
I value you.
I appreciate you!
My cookies speak from the heart.

Of course,
orders have come along (lots of orders),
 but that's NOT why I create.

I create because it's the most rewarding "job" I've ever had. 
I give each order 100%!
 Every time I deliver cookies to someone and I see their facial expression,
 I am humbled. 
My heart is FULL!
Really full!

I also get this overwhelming feeling of realizing just how blessed I really am!

I always tell my husband that I cannot believe people pay ME
to do something I truly love doing!

Cookie-ing
allows me to serve others,
 to be a NON-grumpy mom and wife,
 and to create!

Who could ask for more?
Not me!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Where this cookie journey takes me,

only one person knows--
and I am completely trusting Him.
COMPLETELY!
Love, Jackie

Everyone has a talent!
What talent are you blessed with?
Are you using it to serve others?
Imagine if everyone did...

PS- I no longer teach.
Maybe someday?
I think God saved my sanity through cookies.
I am so lucky!
That's HOW.
That's WHY.

My kind of cookie!

While creating on a cookie...

sometimes its...

let's say challenging.

Today it was total F-U-N!

I think it was fun because I was on my own.

Any idea that came to mind went on the cookie

and

there was not a right or wrong way! 

My kind of cookie!

Day of the Dead cookies

It's a celebration recognized by the Hispanic culture.

Hairdresser and Baby--Love them both!

This box is for a "Thank You" to a hairdresser! 

You know we LOVE our hairdressers!

*My hair gal (Crystal) deserves 10 of these!

These are on their way to Colorado to be used as

 baby shower game favors

This 1.5 inch onesie is just so cute I had to share!

Winner-Champion-All-Star-#1

Are you a CHAMPION?

A WINNER?

An ALL-STAR?

Of course you are! 

We sometimes just forget!

I can do ALL things through Him who gives me strength.

                                                          Phil. 4:13

He Knows Me