Wednesday, July 9, 2014

National Sugar Cookie Day 2014

Nationalsugarcookie14

And the nominees are…

Well not so fast :)  I’m really excited about this year’s group of amazing.  I also love that the ones I would have chosen myself, were the ones that past nominees have chosen.  Yup that’s right, past profilees are the ones who chose this fresh new batch of awesome cookiers.  Just in these past four years, the cookie community has jumped from just a handful to more than I can count.  I mean this year’s CookieCon had over 400 cookie enthusiasts.  I’m loving this community!

So if you don’t remember the past profiled, go check them out here: http://www.trilogyedibles.com/search/label/National%20Sugar%20Cookie%20Day

This year I’m letting our nominees do their intro’s because, to be honest, they reactions to being nominated are better than anything I can say about them!  If you click on their photos it will take you to their Facebook pages.  All pictures are copyrighted to the nominees and I have been given permission to use here.

The Painted Box

thepaintedbox

Thank you for even considering me and thank you for doing this every year. I honestly had no idea there was such a huge cookie community out there until February of this year. Cookie peeps are the best. ♡ –Angela

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thepaintedbox
Instagram: @thepaintedbox
Website(in process): http://www.thepaintedboxbakeshop.com
ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thepaintedboxco

1. When did you start baking?  I don't think I remember a time when baking wasn't a part of my life. My grandmother's father ran a successful bakery in Port Isabel, Texas. It specialized in Mexican styled sweet bread. The bakery still exists today and is run by grandmother's only surviving sibling. Baking was always a part of our lives. I can honestly say baking became a serious part of my life February 2013. I left my job to pursue this "baking thing" full time.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my FB page April of 2013. Only because a friend was going to have a giveaway for her photography business and she forced me to get one started. Thanks, Ily!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? The Painted Box name came from a need to make extra money. I wanted to have a successful cupcake sale for Mother's Day 2010. My first love is art so I decided I would use it to help me sell my cupcake boxes. I painted flowers on the outside of my BRP boxes. I sold 50 boxes and the rest was history. I came up with that name then and kept it top secret till I registered it Feb 2013.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? My favorite desert is anything lemon. I dream about this lemon cheesecake a fellow cake club member makes. I can eat it all day.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment?  My favorite blog right now is by Rebekah from Love at First Bite York. http://loveatfirstbiteyork.blogspot.com/?m=1

I love all things color related and her dedication to breaking down color theory and the magic of mixing color is amazing. Everyone should know about this blog.....it will save your life (okay maybe just keep you from a breakdown)! Thank you Rebekah for your time you dedicate to color.

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? I actually heard of it days before I received your email. Someone mentioned it in a group forum.

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? Geez! That's a tough one with so much talent out there! That being said, I would pick Elizabeth from Güdbytes. I love her work! I love her sense of humor and I could see us getting into some serious cookie trouble if we were in the same room.

You Can Call Me Sweetie

mermaid

HOLY WOW!!!!  I am so flattered!!!! Thank you so much and to those who nominated me!!!!  OK here I goooooooooo :) :) :)

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/youcancallmesweetie    
Instagram @youcancallmesweetie

1. When did you start baking? Hmmm, I really don't remember...I think it was when I was a teenager and I was helping my grandmother one year at Thanksgiving. I decided to make the dinner rolls from scratch and everyone LOVED them. I was so proud to say they were from scratch LOL. But I baked and decorated my very first sugar cookie Oct. 2012 after I went to a local bakery and saw an Elmo cookie decorated with Royal Icing. I was so curious how they got the icing so smooth onto the cookie. The obsession began that very same day :)

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? January 2013 :) My friends and family finally got me to go public with my cookies.  At the time it was just a little hobby I did for them and they encouraged me to open a page to show everyone else :) 

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Oh goodness... this is a funny story. My husband is the coach of my sons' little league baseball teams.  One year, after a game, one of the player's mother approached him very upset that he did not let her son play 2nd base.  My husband very calmly told her "Sweetie, I have to rotate the kids..." Well, she blew a gasket and didn't let him finish his sentence and started yelling "SWEETIE? Don't you dare call me SWEETIE!!!!" So after that whole mess and we were on our way home...we starting exaggerating calling each other "Sweetie" So years later...I don't know why...but I thought of that day and You Can Call Me Sweetie was born LOL

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? Rice pudding aka Arroz con leche. My grandmother used to make it all the time. My family is from Cuba and arroz con leche is a way of life in our culture. LOL My cousins and I would fight over who would get the empty pot and stirring spoon to eat the scraps LOL 

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? So many....so so so many but I tend to visit Jill FCS frequently.  I just love how she airbrushes her cookies to add dimension to her designs. 

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? I think I did see something about it last year. But I was relatively a newbie then .

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? Definitely Callye (Sweet Sugarbelle) and Liz (Arty McGoo). Callye inspired me and taught me everything there is to know about baking and decorating a sugar cookie.  Liz inspired me to try to paint on a cookie.  I had never ever painted a picture in my life and this experience has taught me that its never too late to try something new. Took me 38 years to find out I could paint artistically LOL 

Thank you again...you have really made my day!!!!

SugarBliss

2wild things

Hi Karen!  Wow!  We are so excited you would ask us to do this!  Thank you!  

Our blog is sugarblisscookies.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SugarBliss-Cookies/120996387990732 
Instagram @sugarblisscookies

1. When did you start baking?

We grew up baking with our mother.  We had the most incredible Valentine's Day tradition in our home.  Our mom would bake GIANT heart shaped sugar cookies and frost them with the most delicious butter cream frosting!  We looked forward to that holiday all year long!  We made cookies for other occasions as well but Valentine's Day was our favorite because first of all... who doesn't love a giant cookie with their name on it :)  and second of all, she took the extra time to create something unique for each one of us.  As we got older, we were more involved with the baking and decorating this is probably where our love for making fancy cookies got started.  Even as adults, we still enjoyed baking and it was something we did as a hobby together.. sister bonding time!  Over the years, we tried a bunch of other baked goodies like cupcakes, caramel apples, chocolate dipped anything, etc...  but we ended up back where we started - with sugar cookies!  In 2009 we decided to adapt our mom's recipes and take the decorating to the next level.   It took us about a year before we felt like we had out feet underneath us and shortly after we turned SugarBliss Cookies into an official business.  Some of you might be wondering who the "we" is that we always talk about.  There are two of us behind SugarBliss Cookies and yes, we are sisters.  Our names are Laurie & Jeanette.  

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? We started blogging right after we started our business.  Our blog was originally intended to be more of a catelog of pictures that we could refer customers to if they wanted to see examples.  We started our FB account shortly after and it has been a great way to meet and contact other cookie artists!  

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Wow... we struggled with a name for quite a while.  We ended up making a list of all the things that came to mind when we thought about cookies.  When we put sugar and bliss together it seemed to fit!

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies?

Jeanette - It is pretty safe to say I love anything lemon.  My absolute favorite would be my husband's homemade lemon cream cheese ice cream!  

Laurie - I like to go with something light like creme brulee ;)

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? There are so many it is hard to pick a favorite!  Jill FCS, Sweet Tweets, Sugarbelle, Arty McGoo, Sweet Ambs, Cookies with Character are always on the top of our list!  They were also some of the artists that helped us get started on our cookie journey with their inspiring designs and life saving tutorials!  Art & Honey is our newest cookie crush!  We love the simplistic sweetness of her designs and have I mentioned how much we love clean lines??  She is amazing!

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? Yes!  Absolutely!  

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be?  Since Cookie Con 2014, we have been painfully aware of our weaknesses. The sugar show was amazing with such a variety of designs, styles and techniques.  Some of our favorites from that show were the hand painted characters created by Cookie Cowgirl and Killer Zebras adorable critters and arm chairs.  We are still trying to wrap our minds around the concept.  The idea of starting with a blank white cookie and a paint brush and ending up with a dozen or so characters from a TV show is the most intimidating thing we can think of!  Unfortunately, neither one of us is skilled with a paint brush but our goal this year is to start learning!  So, while we briefly met at Cookie Con, we would love to spend more time with both of these ladies and learn and thing or two! 

The cookies in the picture were a remake of the set we had at Cookie Con this year.  There were a few things we didn't love about the way the originals turned out so on a slow week, we decided to give them another go!

 

Sweet Bella Bakery

bridal bouquet and silhouettes

FUN, Karen!! Here you go! :)

Amanda - Sweet Bella Bakery
website: http://www.SweetBellaBakery.com  
Facebook: Sweet Bella Bakery
Instagram: @sweetbellabakery
Twitter: @sweetbellabaker

1. When did you start baking? I made my first sugar cookie with royal icing in April 2010. I've always baked, but rarely sweets. I love to bake artisan breads, and haven't had much time to do that since April of 2010...hmmm.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? Within a day of making my first set of cookies, I thought of a name, started the Facebook page, bought a website domain, reserved a Twitter handle, and made business cards. Sounds extreme, but I knew I was on to something. Good thing I didn't know how to make t-shirts!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? My daughter's name is Isabella. At home, we call her "Belle" so my first thought was Sweet Belle Cookies. She said that she really likes to be called "Bella" (that's what her friends call her) and suggested that I call it Sweet Bella Bakery in case I wanted to make more than cookies one day. She's a pretty smart little cookie herself! 

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? I really don't like to play favorites and have hurt feelings among desserts, so I will start with giant, chocolatey brownies with nuts, warm and soft chocolate chip cookies (also with nuts), chocolate, mexican chocolate cake (spicy!), and chocolate. I also like chocolate. But just so you don't think I'm a chocolate snob...I love a dessert that my mom made just for me growing up called Strawberry Delight. YUM.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Since I work about 10-12 hours a day, I rarely have time to read blogs. That's why I love social media and depend on it to give me little snippets of what's going on around the web. Thank you Twitter. 

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? Wait. Isn't every day National Sugar Cookie Day?!

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? I want to hang out with the Georgetown Cupcake sisters! (Is that weird? It's not weird.)

There is no way to choose a favorite - almost every set becomes my new favorite. Except for last week when I lost my cookie mojo and said mean things to several cookies. But I'm all better now and I said I'm sorry. So here's a set I did a few weeks ago that I just LOVED.

 

Dolce

dolce

Hi Karen – I am beyond flattered to be asked!!  Thank you so much!! Christy

Christy Di Lello – Dolce

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dolcedessert?ref=br_rs
Instagram – @dolcecookiescanada

1. When did you start baking? I bought my first baking book at a school book fair when I was 8 years old and have been a passionate baker ever since. I didn’t discover decorated cookies or try my hand at them until three years ago, though. I wanted to make cookies for my daughter’s second Birthday and although they weren’t great, I was hooked!

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page?I started my Facebook page about two years ago so that my friends on my personal page didn’t have to be tortured by constant photos of cookies. I kept it very quiet at first, though. It’s really just been a hobby that got out of control.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? It actually took me a long time to come up with my page name. I was trying so hard to come up with something original and catchy but in the end I chose Dolce because it’s simple, much like my cookie style, and was also a bit of a shout out to my husband, who is Italian. He’s been incredibly supportive of my cookie obsession!

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies?  I have a huge sweet tooth and love all things chocolate, but my all time favorite dessert is Coconut Cream Pie. A close second would be Cheesecake. When I was at Cookie Con, in the spring, my cookie friends took me to The Cheesecake Factory for the first time and can I just say, “Wow!”. I think we had Cheesecake three times over that weekend!

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment?  This is such a hard question. I’m inspired by and am a huge fan of so many. I love the beauty of simplicity, but I’m so impressed with those that can go all out with detail. My brain just doesn’t work that way! If I had to choose, I’d say Sugar Cravings. I love her style, her attention to detail, her mad airbrushing skills and the sheer perfection of every set she does.

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? I have heard of National Sugar Cookie Day and am so honored and flattered to be chosen for this blog post! Happy National Sugar Cookie Day!

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be?  I was super fortunate to go to Cookie Con in March. I met a lot of my idols and also finally got to meet most of my online cookie friends in person, but one person I would still love to meet is Christine Shen. She is so talented and incredibly kind as well.

 

Sweet Tweets

IMG_0056

Wow!  Thank you!  What a great honor.............

I’m Vicki from Sweet Tweets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vickisweettweets?ref=hl
Instagram @vickisweetweets

1. When did you start baking? I actually have a home economics degree, but started baking when I had my second child and saw cookie pictures on the internet.  This was back in the day (ha!  about 5 years ago!) of Flickr.  I would press the “control +” buttons on my computer and look at everyone’s cookies up close and try to figure them out.  I remember thinking, “I would NEVER post a cookie picture on the internet”.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I think it was back in 2011.  I started it and posted a couple of local orders I had done.  I did a TON of local giveaways.  Facebook was “kinder and gentler” back then and everyone saw my posts.  My local fan base grew very quickly, but with that growth and publicity, came the all dreaded, “getting turned in” to the health department!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Honestly, you would think I would “Tweet” on Twitter more.  I think I was just thinking of a cute birdie and something that rhymed with Sweet.  I wish I would have thought harder about my name back then!

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? I LOVE a good flan or panna cotta

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment?  I am going to go non-cookie because I have so many cookiers that I love and adore.  I am going to Jen Hatmaker because she’s a mom that is keeping it real.  http://jenhatmaker.com/

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? Yes!  But I have never officially celebrated it!

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? I have had the privilege of meeting many of my cookie friends and idols and have become very close to many of them and talk to them on a daily basis.  If I started naming them here, then I would leave someone out and that would just be wrong – however, there is a special place carved in my heart for Jill, (Jill FCS) Anita (Sweet Hope) and Krista (Cookies with Character).  I enjoy morning coffee with them a few times a week – although it is “cyber coffee”!  As far as someone I have not met yet, but would love to....Lucy from Honeycat.  We do not have similar styles, but I appreciate her artistry and willingness to share.

Color Me Cookie

colormecookie

Thanks so much for including me in your fabulous post. I remember reading it last year and seeing many of my cookie friends on your post. I am honored to answer your questions and send you a pic.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColorMeCookie 
Instagram: @ColorMeCookie_ 
Website:
www.colormecookie.com

1. When did you start baking? I started baking about 3 1/2 years ago when I saw other cookie bakers and their blogs and Facebook pages. I wasn't much of a baker for my family, but when I saw the cookies these artists were posting, I thought, 'I wonder if I can do that.' Guess what? I found I CAN do that!

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my Facebook page about 3 years ago, making cookies for friends and family. After being inspected by the PA Dept of Agriculture, I quickly turned my hobby into my full time business. I have a Facebook page and a website right now. There is a blog feature on my website, but I haven't gotten around to putting up any blog posts just yet. I've got ideas swirling around in my head, but just don't have the time to put it all together online.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Trying to come up with a name for my page was a fun challenge. My kids tried to help with names, but my page name just popped into my head one day, and I've loved it from the start.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? My favorite dessert has to be tiramisu, although I've never attempted to make it. Any time I can get it in a restaurant, I order it.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? One of my all time favorite blogs, and one that I started reading three years ago when I started this cookie adventure, is Callye's Sweet Adventures of Sugar Belle. She has taught me so much about cookies. Sometimes I feel like she should get my cookie credit!

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? I had heard about National Sugar Cookie Day from reading your blog post last year. I loved reading about all of your profiled bakers. 

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? I have had the pleasure of meeting about 20 of my cookie idols when we got together in State College last year. The one cookier that I didn't get to meet yet, that I would LOVE to meet in person is Georganne from LilaLoa. She is probably one of the most creative cookie gals I know. She amazes me every time she posts or blogs about cookies and her life. She has a great sense of humor, and I can't wait to meet her....someday! 

I've attached a photo of a set that I just did this week, and that I'm very proud of! If it's too large, let me know. 

Thanks again for including me!
Adrianne

Yankee Girl Yummies

flower quilt 5

Hey Karen!  Yeah! Are you sure it is me that someone asked to know more about?! ;)

Kari Arroyo from Yankee Girl Yummies. I feel like I'm everywhere...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YankeeGirlYummies
Instagram: @yankeegirlyummiescookies
Website at www.yankeegirlyummies.com 
Pinterest as Yankee Girl Yummies
Google+ but inactive due to lack of time!

1. When did you start baking? 3 years ago I had never baked anything that didn't come out of a box. I started with cake pops and then started playing around with cookies. Once I started making cookies, I just couldn't stop. That's how I knew that I had found my 'thing'! 

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? Within a year of making cookies, I started my FB page and blog. I never maintained it or used it to interacted with any other bakers until January 2013. One day I wrote on LilaLoa's page as Yankee Girl Yummies and realized this whole baking community existed! Mind blown!

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? The name Yankee Girl came from me relocating from central New York to the mid-south (Memphis and now NE Arkansas). I am not technically a 'Yankee' as I grew up in the military but I used to get referred to as one so I embraced it! 

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? Chocolate cake. And I rarely make it because I would eat it all. All.By.Myself.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? That's a tough one. You can usually find me hanging out over at the Cookie Connection. I do also faithfully read blog posts from Sugarbelle, LilaLoa, Make Me Cake Me and Melissa Joy Fanciful. 

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? Of course!! Hasn't everyone?! 

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? That's another tough one! I did get to meet a ton of cookiers at Cookie Con this year. There are numerous people who were there and I did not get to meet as well... If I had to pick ONE - Butterwinks, I want her to sketch out a baking themed tattoo for me! 

Thanks for including me Karen! I can't wait to read it! Kari 

The Cookie Architect

Feather 1 FB

Rebecca Weld- The Cookie Architect 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheCookieArchitect 
Instagram: @thecookiearchitect 
Pinterest: The Cookie Architect

1. When did you start baking? I started baking a gingerbread house every fall five years ago.  When I had my second baby I switched to cookie decorating- probably a year and a half ago now.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started by Facebook page on March 4th, 2013.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Well, I'm an architect.  Haha! But I also wanted something that referenced my gingerbread work, and my real work.  As the owner of my own business, everything I do kind has to remind people that when it is time to get your house designed, I'm your gal!

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? Pralines.  I went to school in New Orleans, so I know of what I speak.  Butter, cream, brown sugar, pecans.  Done!  Hmmm, I should develop a praline sugar cookie recipe.  Or maybe I shouldn't....

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Oh Dear..I joke that I have a lot of favorites, but it is totally true!  So with the caveat that I could make a list as long as your blog post, I will say that someone who I feel like is rocking her game right now is Fernwood Cookie.  The set she just did with the little hedge hog and the face carved out of "rock" was masterful!

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? I had, thanks to your blog posts! I remember finding the second one when I was first starting out and poring over it and finding the other one, and nominating people last year.  I am super honored to be here right now!

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? Thank goodness for Cookie Con, or this list would be impossible too!  I have already met so many of my idols there and had such a good time.  But I have made some really good cookie friends online that I have not met.  The one that springs to mind is Lucy from Honeycat Cookies.  She is all the way over in England, so to meet her one of us is going to have to get on a plane.   If my wish came true, it would be me- so I could see the sights in England, and peer inside her cookie brain too!

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your cookies! This one is my favorite because it was my most "creative" process to date, and because I stopped myself from adding the million details I had planned and went with the simplicity of these colors.  I just knew it was "done".

Thanks again Karen- can't wait to read this year's installment!

Flourish

flourish

Hello,

My name is Lacey Brown & I operate a home based bakery, Flourish. I produce a variety of baked goods for multiple occasions; however, my focus is creating custom cookies. The majority of my business is conducted through my Etsy store. Flourish is both a hobby & a passion of mine, therefore the "work" aspect is nothing but enjoyable. Let's get started shall we,

Instagram is: @Flourishcakes 
Facebook page is: Www.facebook.com/flourishcakes

1. When did you start baking? I became interested in baking at a very young age. One of my favorite childhood memories is rolling out cookie dough on my kitchen table to make Christmas cookies with my mother and sister. I began baking more steadily when my children entered grade school.  I was the mom sending in way too many desserts for the class parties.  I only recently started decorating cookies "properly" last winter.  I had always attempted royal icing cookies, but never could quite get it right.  After reading up on a few blogs, watching Youtube tutorials, and voila - I now feel like I know what I'm doing.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started my facebook page as a spinoff of my personal page. It has steadily grown in popularity, but most of my social media interaction is performed on Instagram. I have never blogged but my newly developing website has the option to attach a blog, something I can not wait to try out in the future.  www.flourishcakes.com

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?  I chose the name "Flourish" because of the core word "flour". The word has a smooth flow and an artistic connotation. 

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies?  My favorite dessert has to be ice cream in any way shape or form. I would eat it morning, noon, and night if the universe blessed me with a small frame. 

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment?  My favorite blog at the moment is Semi-Sweet Mike. I really admire how Mike thinks outside the box and has an artist's eye for detail. I'd like to think he would be Jerry Seinfeld to my George had we lived closer. (I, of course, would be George)

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today?  Before Tiffany emailed me, I had never heard of National Sugar Cookie Day. I live a sheltered life I guess, but I am truly honored to be a part of it!

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be?  This is such a tough question because there are so many talented decorators out there.  If I had to chose just one, it would be Liz, the fabulous Arty McGoo.  I mean, what's not to love?  She is fun, beautiful, brilliant, and insanely talented.  Ya, I like her just a little. <Insert girl-ish squeal here>

 

Palestine Painted Cookie

!cid_DB3635F3-EBDF-473C-AE12-C4BDFDFF4E5F

Hi my name is Natalie Byrd of the Palestine Painted Cookie.  I can be found at:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/natalieppc 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palestine-Painted-Cookie/117050834995523?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark

1. When did you start baking? I started baking decorated cookies January of 2006.   I used be a restaurant manager and I had about 60 kids (employees) they always called me mom and I always did something special for each birthday but it seemed to add $$ up and I wanted to do something that would be personalized to each one, so I thought why not cookies? I can do that!  Welllllll, I originally made 10 motorcycle cookies for this employee but  only three made it to the basket, I could not just put three cookies in the basket!  Agh! so at 3 am I hastily made some peanut butter drop cookies to add to my three decorated cookies  that survived.  When I brought those cookies to her for her birthday she just cried and cried, she said, I've never had a boss who put so much thought and care into the staff birthdays.  So I knew I just had to keep practicing and making more cookies,  I had 59 other kids to make cookies for!  Then one day my brother came to visit and he said you really need to market your cookies I just shrugged and said yes maybe someday... then a few weeks later my brother surprised me with business cards and a website! That's how Palestine Painted Cookie {PPC} was born, I knew he worked hard to create these for me and I really did enjoy making them, even when they did not all survive!  So I kept kept truckin, cringing when my phone would ring,  unsure if I was ready to accept money for something I wasn't sure I was really any good at, but prayers and perseverance and I started to feel more confident!  So anyone out there that loves cookieing, keep truckin!  In the end you'll be amazed at what you can do!

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page?      2010

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Originally I was named by my brother, he told me that since I used a paint brush to flood cookies, he thought Painted Cookie would make a great name! Shortly after I met Susan Schmitt, of The Painted Cookie and made a quick decision to add Palestine to Painted Cookie. And yes, you read that right,  I used a paint brush to flood cookies! I know, crazy times!

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? Pretty much anything chocolate and peanut butter

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment?  I don't think I could possibly decide! There are so many talented cookie artist and sugar artists that I admire.

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today?  Yes I sure have! Thank you for the opportunity to be included in this years celebration!

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be?  I could name about 100 cookiers that I would like to meet! I've met so many cookie artist and built wonderful online friendships through Facebook and Instagram,  I've not yet had an opportunity to go to Cookie Con and meet any of them in person. I do hope that I'll be able to next year!

Chapix Cookies

Hi Karen!

I thank you sooooo much for considering me to participate in this year's National Sugar Cookie day, I am so excited!!

My name is Myriam Sánchez owner of Chapix Cookies. 

My principal social media outlets are:

 1. When did you start baking?  As a cookier, I started baking and decorating in the middle of 2008 and I was hooked. Before that I baked with friends to raise some money and for fun. I never thought someday I would do it full time.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started posting my work in Flickr back in June 2009 almost 1 year after my start. There, I met some great cookiers and thanks to some of their support, I opened my FB page back in 2010. I have a blog, but there is just 1 post in it (I still need to learn how to blog, and find the time to do some posts :P)

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Chapix is the nick name of my oldest daughter, it's the diminutive of our spanish word "Chaparrita" (my daughter seemed very tiny to my husband and I when she was born). We mexicans use this word to call with affection to someone that is short, the correct way to write the diminutive is "Chapis", but when my husband proposed to use her nickname to call my page, I changed the "s" for an "x". As I bake cookies we got the name really quick "Chapix Cookies"

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies?  I like many desserts, impossible to chose just one! I like the taste of a soft brownie, (I love when they are chewy). The bittersweet taste of a lemon pie or the amazingness of a tartlet full of fruit, love fruit.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? I don't read blogs often, but I admire many FB pages, it’s hard to chose a favorite, I wouldn't want to leave someone out because I think there is a lot of talent out there, and I mean it, my list would never end!

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? Yes, I  have US friends since I started, so I've heard about it because of them and also because of you last year :)

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be?  I've had the chance to meet many of my talented cookie friends and idols in person thanks to one Cookie Camp and two Cookie Cons, all of them are awesome and I feel very lucky to have had the chance to meet them in person and share some time with them. But there is one more cookie lady, Jill from Jill FCS, she is one of the cookie artists that I would like to meet someday.

Killer Zebras

Practice bakes perfect- ocean theme

Thank you for the email Karen, I can hardly believe someone nominated me considering all of the awesome cookiers out there! It is so hard to decide on a favorite set of cookies... I really want to send the ones I'm working on right now but I can't share them yet! So here's my recent ocean one instead... I do love that one, and it definitely seems to be my most popular so far!

Thanks again!

Melanie

Facebook: http://Www.facebook.com/killerzebras 
Instagram: Www.instagram.com/killerzebras 
Website: Www.killerzebras.com

1. When did you start baking?  As soon as my mom would let me. Except as a kid I hated sugar cookies... not because I didn't like to eat them but because it made me crazy to make the dough and then have to just let it sit in the fridge for an hour! No patience for that.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I started about 3 years ago but it's been irregular, especially with my blog! I never know what to post because I feel like there are so many cookie blogs out there that have just about everything covered! So I focus more on Facebook and Instagram, but I'd like to get back in to blogging.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I get asked this question more than anything! What, like 'Killer Zebras' is unusual or something? But seriously the answer is fairly simple - it came from a book. One of my favorite authors is Robin McKinley (mostly fairytale type of stuff, pick up "the Hero and the Crown" and thank me later!), and in one of her books there is a baker named Sunshine who is known for making these amazing cookies called Killer Zebras. I had just finished reading the book and that name had gotten stuck in my head! I will say this about it, few people forget it!

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? That is so hard! I have a major sweet tooth... but if I had to choose, maybe cheesecake? I'm also a big cake person. And ice cream. Ok, I have no idea what my favorite is.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? This is another hard one, but a favorite of mine will always be Sweetapolita! Her photos are just so dreamy. And the recipes I've tried of hers are always delicious!

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? I hadn't - but if there can be a National Talk Like A Pirate Day (typically celebrated in my family) then there should absolutely be a day for cookies! (Actually every day should be for cookies.)

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? Just a few months ago this would have been a long list! But after attending my first Cookiecon, it's hard to say! I think maybe Elisa Strauss of Confetti Cakes. I played around with cakes in high school but it wasn't until about 5 or 6 years ago that I picked up her book and started really baking again. That book is what ultimately led me to make cookies... well before I knew anything about the online community!

Cookievonster

cookievonster

Thanks so much for the invite and kind opportunity. It truly is an honour. 

1. When did you start baking?  I’m not a professional baker, but I started baking when I was really young. My mum loved to bake and I loved to help and she baked all the time.  When I bake I find that I get lost into my own little happy world, and I get to (force) feed all my friends and family. I’m actually known as' the friend who always bakes'… like, ALL the time LOL! 

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? I tried blogging years back but I’m not very good with words, so I jumped on over to Facebook instead in 2009 because I can just quietly share photos. I’m also very much an ‘online and tech-hermit’. In fact, I just started to learn how to use Instagram, come visit and join me on IG, I’m under “cookievonster cookies”.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? Well, I have to give credit to Dave my partner for coming up with Cookievonster. My name is Evon. Get it? Get it? CookiEVONster? :)

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? Ssshhh…. I’m not much of a dessert fan, I’m just addicted to baking and decorating cookies. BUT, I love anything and everything chocolate, you throw anything chocolate at me, I’ll eat it! 

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Oh gosh! Really? My favourite? ALL of them! I love ‘em ALL! I do!   I’m a Libran, I can’t settle on just one, or 5 or 10… or 100!  Sometimes I am too afraid to go online, or click the FB “Home” button because I get stuck for hours, days, just visiting blogs, and Facebook pages, and now… Instagram too!   I have my cookie and cake heroes, but they know who they are. Hello idols!!! :)   Ok so I’m copping out, so I don’t offend anyone incase I list them and I missed some, and it’ll probably take me a whole day to list them all. But I will say, I am very fortunate to call many of my idols ‘friends’. Love the cookie world.

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? Yes I have, but never really knew what day it was on. 

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? Ah ha! Trick question! You’re tryin to get me to name my favourites! Ok, when I first started FB, I was/am obsessed with Liz from Arty McGoo. I was proud to be her biggest stalker too AND… I got to meet her last year. I was so thrilled, and so lost for words when I met her, and tried very hard not to look like a total geek but failed miserable!!! Liz and her family are the sweetest loveliest most magical people in the world, which made it extra special.  Jill… from Jill FCS… I will say is on the very top of my ‘wish to meet’ list, because I love her, her artistry and her spirit. 

Whip It Good Cookies

whipitgood

Hi everyone! I'm Erin, from Whip It Good Cookies. I'm all over the place but spend most of my time on Instagram (my happy place). You can also find me hanging around at:

1. When did you start baking? I started baking when I was on maternity leave with my youngest son who is now four.  I became addicted to baking and party blogs and saw a picture of a decorated cookie and thought to myself, "I can do that." My first cookie was an ice cream cone. It wasn't amazing but I kept trying and and here I am four years later.

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page? After I posted a few of my first cookies/dessert creations on my personal Facebook page, my friends began asking me to make them for their kids' birthday parties and other events.  I started my Facebook page and blog about 6 months after I made my first cookie. I wish I had more time to devote to my blog but sadly it's been neglected due to my long cookie hours.

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name? I just remember thinking that Whip It Good Cookies would be catchy and folks might remember it.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? I LOVE to make cupcakes and small cakes as well when I have the chance.     

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? It would be too hard to narrow it down to one. I find a lot of inspiration from (or currently stalk) Sugarbelle's blog as well as Semi Sweet Designs, Sweet Temptations by Nicole, Seahorse Sweets, Dolce, Sugared Hearts Bakery and Sweet Treats by Casey

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today?  Yes, I have loved reading about my favorite cookiers in years past.  I feel honored to have been asked to participate this year.  National Sugar Cookie Day should be every day.

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be?  I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of my cookie heroes at CookieCon 2013, however I would LOVE to meet Callye from Sweet Sugarbelle, Marian from Sweetopia and Jill from Funky Cookie Studio. I have learned so much from all of them over the years and admire their work. I'd also like to meet and thank Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie.  It was a picture of her cookies that I saw four years ago that got me interested in decorating cookies.

Sweet Face Cookie Boutique

Vintage Circus

Hi my name is Amy Hayes of Sweet Face Cookie Boutique.  And oh wow...nominated?? THAT just made my day!!  Thank you SO much!!

Website: sweetfacecookies.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SweetFace-Cookie-Boutique/196892507065096

1. When did you start baking?  I started baking back in 2004.  Our first son, Rylee, passed away at 13 months from a rare form of infant brain cancer that January and I needed to find an outlet while I learned how to live with my "new normal".  I had painted just about every wood shaped plaque and every size of canvas from Michael's craft store and my crazy plan to make 250 sheriff badge cookies for our church's VBS was somewhat of a success. (long story there!  I actually hand dipped each cookie in a bowl of royal icing soup.  The genius idea to actually pipe the base coat on did not come until after I had completed them!  It was sad. So. Very. Sad.)  But I got an actual order out of those sad little cookies, so cookies just seemed to fall into the next category of a canvas for me.  Then much to my surprise and comical amusement, another order and then another order came in.  So I became the Cookie Lady at church and then it just honestly snowballed from there.  This certainly was not what I went to college to do...but God had a completely different plan and I am SO glad He did!!

2.  When did you start blogging/FB page?  I started my official Facebook page SweetFace Cookie Boutique in 2011.  I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook...but it works to keep me connected!  And it allows me to share my cookie pictures and get all squealy and giddy when my cookie idols like one of them....or "gasp" comment or share one!!  TOTAL day maker.  I do have a blog...(if you can still call it a blog even if you never remember to blog) at SweetFace Cookies.  I am horribly horrible at blogging but I honestly do have a plan somewhere in my head to make time for it and become AT LEAST a monthly blogger.  I am amazed by all of the cookie bloggers and want to be just like them when I grow up. ;)

3. Why did you choose your blog or Facebook Fan page name?

I chose SweetFace because it was one of the little nicknames that I called both of my sons as babies...there faces were just so squishy and sweet. It was only fitting that the name of my business be in honor of who I was most passionate about and "Hot Stuff Cookies", after my hubby, just did not sound quite as good, so SweetFace Cookies was born!  I eventually added Boutique to it because I plan (there's that funny word again, "plan") on adding other baked yummies at some point in time....plus, Boutique is just a fun word to say.  It makes me feel all Parisian and sophisticated....of which my yoga pants, ponytail, and hot pink slippers (aka work shoes) will tell you I am not.

4. What is your favorite dessert other than cookies? My husband is an AMAZING chef and his Creme Brulee is honestly Heaven in a bowl. That's the only food I have ever been willing to actually lick the bowl clean in front of people without care of judgement.  It is seriously THAT good.

5. What is your favorite blog/FB page at the moment? Oh my gracious...that's an unending answer.  There are SO many amazing written words out there...I wish I had just one day a week to sit and read blogs.  I love reading how other minds think!!  And pictures!!  I LOVE to look at cookie pictures!!  With cookie pages and blogs....I love to see Jill FCS's page...she blows muh' mind on a daily basis.  Oh Sugar Events...insane level of greatness right there.  Sugar High, Inc...not only is she ridiculously talented but she shares so many others' work that it's like walking through a sugar museum!  Love it!!  LilaLoa...Cookies by Missy Sue...and how could anyone NOT want to seriously stalk Callye at SugarBelle's?  Non-Cookie would be the Momastery.com blog.....it makes me feel connected and normal as a perfectly imperfect wife and mom (since I have somehow managed to misplace the rainbows, unicorns, and fairytales that were supposed to come when I planned out my life) It's just always a great read that helps keep me grounded and forgiving of my imperfections as a momma and a wife.

6. Had you heard of National Sugar Cookie Day before today? I have!  I just never get to actually celebrate it because I am usually working...on cookies no doubt! 

7. If you could meet any of cookier/baker, who would it be? I dream of going to CookieCon so I can actually meet people!!   There are SO many I would love to meet in person, but I would Love to sit down and have coffee with Jill at FCS....she just has that fun, funky style of cookie that just makes you want to smile....so I can only imagine her personality matches that!!  Anita from Sweet Hope Cookies...I just want to hug her on a daily basis.  I only know her though her cookies on Facebook but she just seems so warm and amazingly sweet....and her love for why she does what she does just warms my heart.  Liz from Arty McGoo...world rocker right there.  Georganne  of Lilaloa....Nicole from Salsa Sweets....Mike from Semi-Sweet (I think he and my hubby could be great friends...Chef meets Cookier)  And not only because she is so wickedly talented that it makes my head spin, but also because she is a Texas gal from my neck of the woods, I would love to raid Hobby Lobby with Callye from Sweet SugarBelle.  I think we could do some serious damage together in there.  Then we would sit down and I would pick her creative cookie brain.  In all seriousness, this list could go on and on!!!  If you make a cookie I want to know you!! 

Don’t forget to attach a picture of your cookies! These were cookies I did for a little girls birthday...I actually got to make cookies for her momma when the little girl was born and have made cookies for her birthday every year since!!  These cookies made me want to go back a "few" years, put my hair in piggy tails again and go to this party!!  These just always make me smile no matter how many times I look at them.

**************************************

So there you have the batch of awesomeness for 2014!  I’d like to thank all past and present profiled cookiers for their time!  I’ve learned so much, as well as been introduced to some amazingly talented women.  I so enjoy doing these posts, especially since I just text edit the post ;)

If you are looking for me, plain old me.  You can find me at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trilogyedibles 
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/trilogy_edibles 
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/trilogyedibles 
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/trilogyedibles/ 
Website: http://www.trilogyedibles.com

Thanks all for looking!

Karen

9 comments:

  1. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE getting up close and personal with these awesome cookie artists!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So fun!!! I love all of these artists and it was fun getting to know them a little better!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great group of Nominees- I love all these bakers, and loved reading all about them!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an incredible lineup of talent! Wow! I feel like I just chatted with all of them and got to know each of them better. Thank you Karen for shining the spotlight on these super inspiring cookiers and congratulations to them!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an incredible lineup of super talented cookie artists and beautiful cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awesome group of cookie artists.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great Read.. Love that my cookie idols have cookie idols too :D Fantastic group of cookiers!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. "Wow" says it all. These are incredible designs.

    ReplyDelete