Practice makes perfect...

 I haven't had many ordered lately...which has been a blessing in disguise.

As busy as I've been with school (read killer science class), I probably would have been even more stressed out with more deadlines.  I did indeed finish my term, and was able to go to that amazing cookie gathering over the weekend.  Last night, I had some free time and decided to "play cookies".  I got out my airbrush and some of the new stencils I acquired and did a little practicing.  I am waiting on my new stencil genie to arrive, as I think things will improve vastly once I get that.

After I messed around with the stencils, I did some free-hand airbrushing.  These flowers are nothing special, but I just wanted to "get the feel" of the airbrush more.  It is definitely something that takes some practice.

I have a whole bunch more cookies I made to take to the gathering that I didn't end up using.  I will be doing some more playing/practicing in the next few days...and friends/family reap the rewards of my practice (read lots of cookie snacks)!

Floral Fun & Butterfly Bliss...

 This was the set I ended up doing for the winner of my two year anniversary giveaway.

The recipient received these pink and orange flowers and butterflies.

 I love it when I get free reign over choosing what theme of cookies I get to make.

But...

 Inevitably I always lean toward florals!

 ...and butterflies!

 What can I say?
I'm just a flowery kinda gal, LOL!

I also added some squares in the same color palette in a variety of patterns.

 These flowers were inspired by the lovely Sugarbelle. 

Her work is much more lovely than mine.

But she remains one of my cookie idols.

 I enjoyed doing these butterflies.

I put very little detail on the small ones...but the larger ones, I had fun doing a lot of tiny scroll-work.

This watering can was not my best piece of work.

It was the first time I had ever done one, and you can tell...my hand was a little shaky in some spots!  But all in all, I think they turned out pretty good.

The winner enjoyed them and from what I hear, they all arrived in one piece!

Yay!

What are you baking these days?

 

Thank-You Lincoln Elementary...Cookies For A Decade Of Learning!

We are closing another chapter in our life in The James Family.

This is our last year...last week...at Lincoln Elementary.

Ten years...ten...LONG...years, LOL!

When someone saw "10 years of learning" on that cookie, they asked, "Did someone fail a couple grades?"  LOL!

NOOOOO...hahahaha!

My oldest finished grades 1-5 and then right as he moved on to middle school, my youngest started up with grade one...and is now finishing grade 5.

We've been with Lincoln for 10 years...learned a lot, had lots of fun, built frienships, made memories, and more.

I made this platter for the entire staff of the school.

I will take them to the office and ask them to place them in the teacher's lounge for everyone to share.

I did these in a classic sugar cookie with royal icing.

The weather (heat and humidity) gave me some fits with the royal icing.

If you look closely, you'll see my icing did some bubbling/separating.

But all in all, they turned out ok.

I think the staff will enjoy them.

I flavored both the cookies and the icing with almond extract, which has become my new all-time favorite flavor extract.

These two goodie bags went to our bus driver and also my youngest son's classroom teacher this year.

It's been a long road...but we did it!

A DECADE AT LINCOLN!

Good bye and we'll miss you!!!

Pink Power...

These were just a couple flowers I played with.

Had some extra cookies and button rosettes in the freezer so I tried some new things.

Nothing fancy or special...but anything pink is A-OK in my book!

My best yet...

As a newbie baker/decorator, I am very critical of my work.

When I completed this floral cookie pop BIRTHDAY bouquet, I was SO proud of it!

I felt I had put my all into it.

Two days worth of work.

I was excited about the recipient getting it.

But some drama entailed.

Teenage drama.

And the recipient didn't want the gift.

It hurt my feelings a bit.

And technically, it wasn't even ME giving the gift.

It was one of my family members.

But after feeling sorry for myself and all the work I put into it...

I listened to my youngest son when he said, "LET'S JUST EAT IT MOM!"

And so we did.

The happy ending to an unhappy story.

Ha!