Sunday, July 8, 2012

National Sugar Cookie Day 2012!

Well hi there!  Did you know July 9th is National Sugar Cookie Day?  It’s amazing that not everyone knows this, so I’ve decided to make sure you all know and introduce you to some amazing cookiers.  Last year I introduced you to Callye from The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle’s; Bridget from Bake at 350; Georganne from Lilaloa; Pam from Cookie Crazie with a Mission; Paula from Vanilla Bean Baker; Alison from Ali Bee’s Bake Shop; and Marian from Sweetopia.  I use to stalk all these wonderful blogs and forced myself on them last year with this post. This year I can safely say that all these awesome ladies are my virtual besties, friends!

So today I’d like to introduce you to some more amazing cookiers.  You know, keep this tradition going.  The ladies I’m going to introduce you to have also become very dear to me and I’m so proud and honoured to call them friends.  And just for the record, I didn’t bribe them to say they liked my blog :)

NatSweets

Natasha from NatSweets is in a nutshell, a sweety!  We met via Facebook and her cookies are just adorable.  These are my favourite from her pictures online.  Natasha doesn’t have a blog, boo, but her warm heart shines through in all her cookies.

natsweets

1. When did you start baking?
For as long as I can remember, probably in late elementary school when I was finally old enough to use the oven and not burn the house down. Lol, I love all things sweet and I have a huge love for designing and decorating. I started decorating cookies in January of 2011.

2.  When did you start blogging?
I don’t have a blog. Hopefully I will one day when I have some spare time.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?
I chose my fan page name “NatSweets” because growing up my nickname was and still am “Nat”. So I combined my name and my passion for sweets and created NatSweets.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies?
I would definitely say BROWNIES! Everyone who really knows me that well can say that I have a weakness for walnut brownies. I try not to bake too many for my own good ;)

5. What is your favorite blog at the moment?
I really love reading Glorious Treats blog. Her work is so beautiful and creative that I have made so many of her delicious treats and can say she is truly talented and amazing!

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
Yes! I did last year.

The Baked Equation

This is Melissa and her blog/FB page/business is called The Baked Equation.  She, like me, does both cakes and cookies but as you can see from this absolutely adorable picture, her cookies are the bomb!  We met via Facebook as well and ended up doing a cookie swap.  So I can honestly say her cookies taste as good as they look!  Her blog is just beautiful, so you need to take a look.

thebakedequation

1. When did you start baking?
I have always loved to bake but it was two years ago when it developed into my passion.  It started with bake sales to raise money for my husband's charity. The next thing you know someone asked me to make their wedding cake. I was shocked that anyone would ask me to do that, there is a big difference between brownies and a wedding a cake. Last, July when the cottage law was passed in Arizona I moved from doing bake sales to a full on baking business.

2.  When did you start blogging?
October 2011. At first I thought does the world really need another blog? But I am so glad I decided to forge ahead, I love the creative process in coming up with a post.  One of the best bonuses to having a blog is that I have met so many wonderful ladies through the process.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?
I actually have a blog post on this very subject. http://thebakedequation.com/whats-in-a-name/ It's actually kind of humorous how we came up with it. To this day it is still my dad's favorite post. Leave it to me, to not be able to answer this in one concise sentence. ;-)

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
Tiramisu. I love it! I can't be left alone with it!

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
How am I supposed to answer this??? There are so many. Can I break the rules?  Here are some categories I love: I love treat Wednesday's at Trilogy Edibles {so not attempting to suck up but I love your blog, it's real, it's you, it's fun}, Linky Parties over at The Bearfoot Baker, I AM BAKER for recipes and food photography inspiration, LilaLoa because she is hysterically funny, Simply Sweets by Honeybee and Lizy B Bakes because they are just cute & fun.

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
Nope. I had never heard of it, but I am not surprised either, everything has a day. Like today is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day.

Sparkling Sugar Sweets

Sparkling Sugar Sweets is another sweet cookier, Brandy!  I just loved this Dorothy cookie with the ruby slippers, too adorable.  Now Brandy is an awesome decorator who doesn’t know she’s awesome. She doesn’t have a blog sadly but she loves to share her stuff on Facebook.

sparklingsugarsweets

1. When did you start baking?
I have always liked to bake but I became obsessed with sugar cookies at the end of 2010. I can't get enough and I am always thinking about what I should create next.

2. When did you start blogging?
I don't currently blog. I just have a facebook page so that I can share my love for cookies.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? 
I came up with Sparkling Sugar Sweets by trying to think of a unique name that was girly and fun.

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
My favorite dessert other than cookies would definitely have to be brownies and ice cream.

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
My favorite blog at the moment is Love From The Oven because of all the amazing dessert recipes.

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
I didn't hear of National Sugar Cookie Day until last year. Sugar cookies totally deserve their own day!

Sweet C’s Bake Shop

This is Christine!  I met Christine when she finagled herself into the same cookie swap I was having with Melissa from The Baked Equation and I’m more the better for it!  She sent an awesome tea mug that is now my new favourite and think of her every time I have a cup.  Sadly there is no blog for Sweet C’s either but you can find her awesome cookies on her FB page.  I mean look at these retro 80s cookies.  Ah, it brings back my youth (yes I’m a child of the 80s)

sweetcs

1. When did you start baking?
I've always had a love for baking.  When I was in my early twenties I was dating a guy who was going to culinary school.  He used to bring home these elaborate desserts and sugar sculptures that left me in complete awe.  It was then that I started experimenting more.  After I got married and had kids I started baking all of the time.  I was the one who provided desserts at family parties, holidays and get together's. 

2.  When did you start blogging?
Blogs and I don't do so well together.  I love reading other peoples blogs but for some reason I have a major problem trying to run my own.  I created a new one recently for a cookie swap I did with some of my super sweet cookie friends but I haven't posted on it since. 

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? 
When my ex-husband and I were dating he used to call me Sweet C.  I loved it and I actually have a tattoo of it.  When I knew I wanted to start a business I thought it was perfect.  I was into Cookies, Cupcakes and Candies (Confections) and Sweet C's was perfect....ya know cause all those things start with C.  haha

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
Eek, that's really hard.  I have two.  Creme Brulee and Flourless Chocolate Cake.  Mmmmm, yes please!!

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
That's a loaded question isn't it?   Well, I OF COURSE love your blog Karen.  I also really enjoying reading Melissa's blog at The Baked Equation and I can never get enough of The Sweet Adventures of Sugar Belle

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
I actually heard about it last year when one of my good friends posted about it on my facebook page.  I love that we cookiers have a special day to celebrate our passion.

Peapods Cookies

Kristie from Peapods is a new friend and I’m in love with her cookies.  Peapods does have a blog but as she states, she updates her FB page more often.  I just love the cookie picture she sent, the colours are amazing.

peapods

1. When did you start baking?
I honestly have been baking for as long as I can remember.  Growing up my mom used to make my sisters and I bake our own sugar cutout cookies for our birthday every year!  No joke, she had us trained at age 5!  But, officially I started my cookie business in January 2012 :) This is me at age 5.

peapods -me at age 5 rolling cookie dough

2.  When did you start blogging?
The beginning of this year I started peapodscookies.blogspot.com but I do find myself updating my facebook page much more often! 

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?
It is www.facebook.com/peapodscookies.  Peapod is my 7 year old Pomeranian (perpetual) puppy.  I love him to death and couldn't imagine naming my cookie love after anything else! 

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
On my honeymoon I had the most amazing pineapple bread pudding at Tidepools in Kauai...to this day I can't stop thinking about it!  It was warm and fruity and the vanilla cream they used was melty and rich...YUM!  But an every day favorite is nutella, almond slivers and coconut flakes mixed together...I eat it with a spoon. 

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
I will always love Bake at 350.  She really got me back into baking a few years ago and I think she is hilarious!  It is great to see someone turning out amazing goodies in such a lighthearted way :)  

A blog other than baking at the moment I love is polishartaddiction.blogspot.com.  I just love doing nail art on myself and there are a lot of good ideas and tutorials on her site.  Probably not the best hobby for a cookier - tons of baking=lots of chips - but oh well!

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
Yes!  I heard about last year, but I was not really part of the cookie community yet!  I am so happy to be a part of it this year.  I am in love with how all the cookiers offer so much support, inspiration and friendship!

Flour Box Bakery

Anne from Flour Box Bakery is a blog I found sometime last year and if you’ve visited you know why.  My favourite thing about Flour Box Bakery is her amazing ability to do schemes.  If you saw her Christmas scheme of cookies, then you understand.  Anne is also a super sweety and always thanks those who visit her blog. 

flourboxbakery

1. When did you start baking?
I started baking very young with my mom. We baked together a lot, especially around the holidays. When I was old enough to use the oven by myself, she turned the holiday baking over to me and I did sugar cookies every year for my family. My decorating sure has come a long way since those early days! I started my cookie business almost 5 years ago when I left the 'real world' to be at home with my daughter...now I have two girls and I'm still baking and decorating cookies! My oldest daughter loves to bake with me and we do decorating projects together too!

2.  When did you start blogging?
I started my blog in February 2010 when I launched my online shop at www.flourboxbakery.com. I love to write, as well as bake, so it's fun to have an outlet to post my cookie projects and show them in more detail. I started my Facebook page at the same time and have really enjoyed making so many cookie friends through Facebook. I could stare at cookie photos all day, every day!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? 
In my kitchen I have a HUGE artistic photograph of a daisy, my favorite flower. I make tons of cookie daisies too! My business logo is a daisy cookie. I decided to go with Flour Box Bakery because I love flowers and one day when I have the cookie shop of my dreams, it will have flower boxes on
the front window. And, I like the play on words with flour and flower.

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
Hands down, Lemon meringue pie. My mother-in-law makes it for me on my birthday every year. Yum!! Yum!! Actually, anything lemon flavored is my favorite, including lemon flavored sugar cookies - they are amazing!

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
There are too many wonderful blogs to list and I know I'll miss a few of my favorites! I read mostly sugar cookie blogs and among my favorites are Trilogy Edibles, Sugarbelle's, Cookie Crazie, The Bearfoot Baker, Haniela's, Oh! Sugar Events, LilaLoa, Vanilla Bean Baker, The Painted Cookie, Ali Bee's Bake Shop, Sweetopia, Sweet Hope Cookies, A Dozen Eggs, and Bake at 350 - actually Bridgett's blog is one of the first I found and admired! I love how friendly all the cookie bloggers and facebookers are - I really feel like I have made some wonderful friendships through cookies!

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
Yes, and I will celebrate the day with a big cookie and a tall cool glass of milk.

The Bearfoot Baker

1 01 Snowman Let it Snow final

Meet Lisa!  Super sweet and one of the queens!  Yes, there are queens of cookie decorating.  I first came across The Bearfoot Baker on Flickr and then her beautiful blog.  Always very supportive and has always replied to any comment I’ve ever made on her blog.

1. When did you start baking?
I always baked for my family but in 2008 I saw SweetDaniB on the Martha Stewart show (here is the show segment: http://www.marthastewart.com/244909/santa-cookies-2). I loved that little Santa She made and had to recreate it. I jumped on my laptop and ordered some cute little icing bottles. 

2.  When did you start blogging?
I am a new blogger. I started on December 22, 2011. I am having so much fun and meeting some of the nicest people. I wish I would have done this years ago!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?
I lost my best friend in 2006 to suicide.  I was thinking about how people feel they have bear their burdens alone but, nothing could be farther from the truth. As I thought of this, I was doodling and my little logo appeared. I added a cross to his foot and The Bearfoot Baker was born. Get it? The "Bearfoot" Baker. 

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
Does sugar count? lol I love everything sweet. Forget dinner, pass me the dessert menu! 

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
My favorite blog is Sweet Sugar Belle's blog. I learn something every time I visit her site. I also follow you, Glorious Treats and Lila Loa. That is a hard question because there are so many wonderful blogs!

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
I have heard of it! I am so happy that cookies have their own special day!! Everyone should skip work and bake some cookies!!! 

Cupookie

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The imagination behind Cupookie is Andrea and if you’ve seen her cookies you’d know her imagination is amazing!  I met Andrea via my FB page where she kept telling me I was too cool for sharing other people’s work.  Coming from her, I was honoured but in truth sharing her beautiful cookies wasn’t something I needed to think twice about.

1. When did you start baking?
I’ve always enjoyed baking and can remember baking cookies with my Mom as a kid. When I really got into baking and decorating sugar cookies I would say it all started in the end of 2010 when I tried to make some decorated Christmas cookies. Ever since then I have been at it non-stop and have enjoyed the journey ever since.  

2.  When did you start blogging?
I started blogging November 2010. 

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? 
I wanted to come up with a name that incorporated my love for both cupcakes and cookies....Cupookie.

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
Ice cream hands down.

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
Oh boy this is a tough one. There are so many that I enjoy visiting all the time. If I had to pick just one I would say Sugarbelle's. Her creativity and open heart to share with the cookie world inspires me each and everyday.

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
No I have not heard of National Sugar Cookie Day but you can count me in on the celebration from here on out!

JillFCS

What can I say about Jill?  I met Jill via FB and can we say so supportive.  I love her cookies, they have such amazing character.  The cookie that started it off for me is the one I’m showing, the dancing leprechaun.  How could you not want to go and see all of her cookies after seeing this little guy.  Oh, she also makes pretty awesome cakes too!

jillfcs

1. When did you start baking?
I have always enjoyed baking, but when we became empty-nesters I found myself with more time to try new things. I started with simple cakes and then I found this whole, fantastic underground cookie world ... and I have been hooked since!

2. When did you start blogging?
I don’t blog, but I am so glad that others do!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?
My Facebook cookie page name is just a silly little play on my email address — I kept the “Jill” part and “fcs” morphed into “Funky Cookie Studio.”

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
Easy-peasy ... ooey-gooey brownies.

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
That’s like asking if I have a favorite child! There are so many incredible bloggers who selflessly share their ideas and talent; each one with their own unique style and process — that there is no way I could name a favorite.

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
What?!?!?! Awesome!

Haniela’s

Haniela’s was one of the first blogs I stocked.  Not only does she rock the sugar cookie but she makes the most amazing cakes and savory dishes.  Her easy going manner makes her blog a delightful place to spend an hour or two.

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1. When did you start baking?
Baking unfolded at very early age for me, my grandmother Anna introduced me to yeast dough, she gave me sweet bread dough and I made my first rolls when I was 5 years old or around that age. When it comes to actual baking when you put stuff in the oven and such,  I baked( meaning I was alone in the kitchen) my first Kolache in the Summer, I was probably under 8, I remember it was harvest time and everybody was outside and my grandmother told me to stay in the kitchen and keep putting baking sheets with the Kolache into the oven and take them  out  once they got light brown on the top. I remember I was watching the kitchen clock like a hawk.

2.  When did you start blogging?
2010

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? 
I chose Haniela, Haniela's because that is what my grandfather Jan called me. Both my grandfathers were one of a kind.

4. What is your favourite dessert other than cookies?
Hm, this is hard, my favorite desserts change as frequently as  the weather but  there are few staples in my book. I love fruit desserts. Right now I'm into crepes again. Crepes filled with sweetened farmer's cheese, or cinnamon sugar, or raspberry jam.

5. What is your favourite blog at the moment?
There are many talented bloggers out there and the truth is  I don't really have a favorite, it is impossible to have a favorite because  I have so many interests but since we are talking cookies there are few that I visit quite frequently.

and there are many more

6. Have you ever heard of National Sugar Cookie Day?
I think I read about it last year.

 

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So now you’ve met some amazing cookiers who are true inspirations and also the sweetest (pun intended) ladies ever.

Coming up in November is the first ever CookieCon in Salt Lake City and I’m so excited because I’m going to finally meet several of these amazing ladies.  I CAN’T WAIT!!!!

16 comments:

  1. What a fun way to get to know other cookiers — thanks for including me!

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  2. WOW. Those are some TALENTED ladies!! It's so fun to read all about them. I am so glad that you started this fun tradition!!

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  3. Karen......you're the best-est. I love this tradition too....and enjoyed reading a little more about so many of my favorite decorators. Thanks for selflessly sharing about others all the time. :) ♥

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  4. Happy National Sugar Cookie Day, Ladies!!! Love this post with so many talented friends!! Hani, thanks for the mentionand love!

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  5. Oh my goodness, those cookies are all amazing! Happy National Sugar Cookie Day! I wish I'd known, I would have made some for my FIL, he LOVES sugar cookies. :)

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  6. What a fun post??? Thank you so much for including me!!!! :) Have an amazing day with Paula!!!

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  7. LOVED reading these - I admire all of these women, as well as last year's group and you, of course! What a fabulous tradition you've started!! Thanks for sharing!

    ~laurie (Cookie Bliss)

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  8. Wow! What a fabulous array of extremely talented Cookiers! Some I knew of and already follow but thanks to you and this fabulous post I now have some new idols (Cookiers) to add to my list :)

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  9. Thanks for sharing the talent of these amazing ladies, I never hear of some of them before so I am on my way to their site.
    Happy cookie day!!

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  10. There is only ONE thing I love more than Sugar Cookies and that is COOKIERS! LOVE LOVE LOVE all of these gorgeous cookies and amazingly talented COOKIERS! Happy Sugar Cookie Day to you!

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  11. Thanks so much for sharing the stories of these amazing cookiers. I am so lucky to have met (in person) some of the cookiers you've featured in the past. I've decided that cookiers are some of the "sweetest" people in the world :)

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  12. Wow! What a fun collection of cookiers and a great way to get to know them better! Thanks for doing this Karen. I even found one that I didn't know about before your post. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. So many CUTE cookies in one spot! Great post!

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  14. This is the best tradition ever started!! You are so awesome for allowing us to get to know our cookie heroes better. I can't begin to tell you what an honor it was to participate. You are super talented and so are all your guests! Thank you so much for including me!!

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  15. This is the best tradition EVER! It is such a great way to get to know our heroes a little better! I can't begin to tell you what an honor it was to participate in this. You are so talented and so are all of your guests. Thank you so much for including me! It is awesome!

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  16. This is the best tradition EVER! This is such a great way to get to know our heroes a little better! I can't begin to tell you what an honor it was to participate in this. You are so talented and so are all of your guests. Thank you so much for including me! It is awesome!

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