I'm one of THOSE girls.  YOU know the ones...I'm one of  the gals that HATES to get flowers. 

It actually pains me {unless they are wildflowers or borrowed from my neighbor's rosebush}.  Otherwise, if my husband is going to spend $100 on me, I want something that will still be alive {or useful} after a week...

For example, cookie cutters!!!

Anywho, I made these for one of the most inspiring ladies in my little world. Most of you have probably heard of Bakerella, right? She's the cake pop lady.


Lately, she hasn't been feeling very well, so I decided to send her some flowers to cheer her up.  Of course, since I don't believe in flowers, {and also because stolen borrowed roses don't ship very well}, I made her a different set, SweetSugarBelle style.

The best thing about these is that at least if they disappear it will be into a tummy, AND they will be remembered for a long time.
*my booty proves this theory* 


For each cookie you will need:
  • bamboo forks trimmed to 2 inches
  • terracotta and green piping icing
  • black flood icing
  • black sanding sugar
  • 3 1.5 inch cookie
  • 2 inch cookie ring
  • #3 and #67 Wilton tips
  • mini-flower cookie
  • shelf-stacker rack {similar to this one}

First, I baked the cookies.  The cutters I used are shown below. To elaborate on the list above,  every finished cookie requires three 1.5 inch rounds, and one 2 inch round with the middle removed, which technically makes it a ring, so we'll call it that.  They also require one mini-flower cookie, no larger than 1.5 inches.  If you don't have a mini-flower, you can make a round work.

I will let you do the math since I never much cared for that subject. 

Tint the dough you will be using for the pot whatever color you choose, I used a mix of orange, tulip red, and warm brown.  For more help on mixing colors, see my color chart {HERE}.

THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT!  Immediately after baking, insert a trimmed bamboo stick into a 1.5 inch cookie for each pot you plan to make.

Let those cool and then it's time to begin putting the cookie together.  First use the terracotta icing to make a ring around the "stick cookie".

*A little FYI...the cookie in the bottom left corner is how NOT to do it.  Refer to the middle one.


 Drop the ring onto the icing to "glue" the pieces together.

Next, fill the empty area with black flood icing.  Not only does this make the cookie look more realistic, it also helps to hold the stick firmly in place.


While the black icing is still wet, sprinkle it with black sanding sugar to look like dirt.  Let it dry completely, preferably overnight.


The same day, put together the base.  The best method is pictured below.  This keeps the cookie level and makes a nicer finished product.


Also, have several mini-flower cookies decorated and ready to go.  A good technique for decorating these would be my 20-second icing.  It would be a good idea to decorate them the same day you complete the steps above so they will all be dry and ready to go on day two.


Now to add the flower.  This is where the shelf-stacker comes into play.  If you don't know what these are, they are little shelves that you slip inside your cupboards to add a shelf where there isn't one.

  It just happens that the cookies fit perfectly into the slots so that they will lay flat.  I got this one at Walmart, and have only used it specifically for this purpose.


If for some reason they are loose, try the trick below to level them.


Use a #3 tip to add green royal icing for the "stem" as pictured below, then stick the finished mini-flowers onto the top of the stem.


 Let them dry well.  About 2-3 hours I'd estimate...


Then it is time to connect the two cookie parts as pictured below.


ALMOST FINISHED...


Use a #67 Wilton leaf tip to add leaves,


And finally, you have FLOWERS in POTS!


I made daisies


and tulips =)


They sure made me happy, and I hope they lift Angie's spirits too!


As cute as these are, at the suggestion of my friend Kim, I think they might be EVEN cuter with little ladybug accents, similar to these cookies...


In any case, I hope you will make these for someone you know that might need a little pick me up.

And to Bakerella, thank you for using your amazing creativity to inspire others!

Feel better SOON!



The first time I "met" Glory it was over a cookie she'd made with fondant. I came across it on Flickr, and I was in the middle of telling her how pretty I thought it was, when I read her caption pointing out that her elegant embossed fondant cookie in fact, looked like an egg. 

From that day on, I remembered her.  Before then, she was only an online stranger that created these beautiful treats.  However, that day in my eyes she became a  real person.  A REAL, funny person that made beautiful things but still wasn't afraid to laugh at herself, which REALLY appealed to me.

Over the last two years I've had the pleasure of getting to know her much better, and my respect and admiration for her have only grown.  I gave her the nickname Glory-bee because it just suits her.  It's positive and happy and bright, and since she lives in sunny California, it only makes sense.

As much as I admire her, you can only imagine how excited I was when my amazing friend asked me if I would consider making cookies for her daughter Joy's fourth birthday.

*Um, HECK YEAH*

I wasn't just happy, I was completely flattered and more inspired than I had been in AGES.

I always tease Glory and call her Mini-Martha, {only nicer} because everything she touches she transforms into beautiful. 

Once again, she did not dissapoint.  When she sent me the photos from Joy's party, I was floored.  She put together the most AMAZING party and I got to contribute. 

I have a few of the gorgeous photos here, but they don't even begin to tell the whole story, so be sure to read about all of the fun details on her blog, Glorious Treats.




*party photos by Gene Chutka


Seeing pictures of the party left me so excited that I pretty much got ladybug fever.  My mind was going a million miles an hour thinking of all of the fun ladybug-themed cookies I could do.  Especially with Valentine's Day coming so soon.

Lucky for me, I knew just who to ask for help.  When I mentioned to my crafty friend Mique from Thirty Handmade Days that I wanted to do ladybug-themed Valentine's she got right to work and designed this adorable printable.  The best thing is, you can get it too, just click on the picture below.




Aren't they CUTE!!!



I filled mine with these three heart ladybug cookies, but there are so many options, really...



You could do lots of itty bitty heart shaped ladies,



Cute little ladybug themed "Love" cookies,


Double heart ladies,



Or even ladybug cuppies {which I will show you how to make tomorrow}


Really the possibilities are endless!

I really had a good time with this.  I was so excited to have had the chance to work with a friend.  It was inspiring and fun.  But the best part of it was the reason I love making cookie most... 

Do you know what that is?



This!!!  It's the smile on precious little faces like this one that make me LOVE what I do!

Happy birthday, JOY!!!



It has been an eventful year, and I can remember each day by the cookies that I made. Some of you have been with me from day one and PATIENTLY waited as I totally erased and SLOWLY reposted my blog.-

You have also watched me get knocked flat on my butt, and cheered me on as I dusted myself off and got back up.  I am grateful to each and every one of you that took the time to encourage me and keep me moving, even on the days when I wonder why the heck I continue with this crazy hobby!  And I especially appreciate those of you who took the time to email me, and give me the little push I needed to get back into blogging gear...I TEND to procrastinate!  I appreciate it more than you will ever know, and hope I can give something back.

Here is my year in cookies. These are my favorites...some of them I've reposted, some never made it back onto the blog, so I am catching up now.  My goal for next year is to improve my skills, produce MORE original designs, and teach others to make gorgeous cookies also! Happy New Year!