Since We are on the Subject...

There are just some things that a KopyKake can't help you with.  I thought about this ALL day yesterday. 

Generally, I try never to make character cookies if I can help it.  They are REALLY stressful.  But when family asks...well *sigh* it's hard to say no.

Most characters aren't too too bad, but those Disney characters...well they are a doozie!

I have been stressing about these for over a week and have been very vocal about it.  Actually, if I had kept my big mouth closed, I might have just let this set fade into history...

But since I didn't, and all my pals have been asking me about them, here they are...

 
Not AWFUL, but not as good as I wanted them to be.  I guess there is a reason Disney animators make the big bucks.  Your everyday average Josephine cannot do Disney {that would be me}.

When I was finished, they looked a little flat to me, and after a little trouble shooting session with a cookie friend, I added one little line that really made a lot of difference.

*For the record, in MOST cases, that's a TERRIBLE idea.  Generally, when it comes to recreating characters as cookies, it's good to learn when to let things go...the more you mess with them, they more likely you are to goof up!*

Take Rapunzel, for example. Her nose...it was fine.  But as always, I could not leave it alone. I kept adding and adding, and as I did, the worse it got. So I just stopped, before I really messed up. Those noses are something else!


In the end, the important thing is that I tried, and that Jayda liked them.  I always call it a success if a child instantly recognizes who the cookie is supposed to be.

I am just glad they are done and I can breathe a sigh of relief and re-take my monthly VOW to NEVER agree to another set of Disney cookies, NO MATTER how cute my itty bitty cousin is!


PS-I only make this type of cookie for family and close friends. I have heard Disney gets kind of mad if you sell their licenced characters, so reserve these for fun family projects.



· character cookies, kopykake projector, Tangled

KopyKake, ShmopyKake!

And now, for the rest of the story.  Back to talking about KopyKake projectors.  If you are making tons of cookies, get one NOW, if not, take notes.  

It's actually very easy make perfect cookies with a minimal investment.

I made both of the following cookie collections without the aid of a projector.



To make perfect cookies like these, all you need are your computer, a printer, and a few supplies that are easily found at most craft supply stores or good ol' Walmart.


{This is the tool you were asking me about, Loren}

AND


Oh yes, and don't forget the Wilton Food Color Markers!



As some of you know, I recently traveled to New Orleans to visit my friend Gina.  While I was there, I had the privilege of recording my first video tutorial with a professional cinematographer.

The funny thing is, I didn't even know I'd struck gold until after I arrived.  When I planned the trip I knew I was going to make cookies, and that her hubby, who recorded weddings was going to help me film a tutorial that I had planned on posting.

What I didn't know was that I was getting more than just a camera man. 

When she said wedding videos, I imagined the guy who records two hours worth of wedding video that no one ever watches again. {No offense, Kevin!} 

How very WRONG I WAS!!!  Kevin is an ARTIST!  He does not record wedding videos, HE MAKES MOVIES.

The best way I can explain it, is that he takes the best moments from a wedding and puts them together to make a short but impactful wedding highlight movie that people actually WANT to watch!  I was beyond impressed, and highly recommend taking the time to check out his work at Terrington Films.  My favorite so far is When Rachel Married Joshua *WATCH IT*

It was an awesome experience, and  I hope to have the opportunity to work with him again VERY soon!

So, enjoy this video tutorial of how to make KopyKake quality cookies without a KopyKake, courtesy of Terrington Films.  

*Sorry, Stanley!* 


Obviously, this goes way beyond peace signs.  With a little patience {and maybe a little stencil paper instead of printer paper}you can make just about any stencil you put your mind to.

Hope this helps those of you torn over whether or not to purchase a KopyKake.

To keep from being biased, I have included another resource for  those of you who absolutely without a doubt want or need one. Marian at Sweetopia has the BEST KopyKake tutorial on the net.

I'd like to wrap this up with a list of pros and cons of KK Projectors. I can't really lean in one direction or the other...

And since I have been a little behind, from here on out, I am going to get with the program and move onto Valentine's day projects.  Lots of fun stuff coming up!

Good luck, and happy decorating!


J

· decorating, kopykake projector

To KopyKake, or not to KopyKake, that is the Question!

"Do you have a KopyKake?"

That is is probably the number one question I get.  The answer, yes.  I ordered mine last April or May after an all-nighter  that produced a less than mediocre set of Princess Tianas.  {There might have been tears involved}

When it first arrived, I immediately put it together.  I was so excited!  However, the excitement soon turned to disappointment.  It wasn't exactly what I thought.  It did project, but since a cookie is already tiny, the tiny projection was almost minuscule and VERY hard to see.  Also, I had to be very careful of what direction I approached the cookie from.  If I put my hand in the wrong place, it blocked the image.

Worst of all, it couldn't do what I bought it for in the first place, help me with character cookies.  There was no way for me to project an image and still make a cookie that wasn't gigantic!

So into the closet it went.  Bern Dogg was not impressed with me because they are a little pricey, but I didn't know what else to do with it. 

Finally a few months later, I decided to give it another shot, however, this time I approached it in a different manner.  Instead of expecting it to be a tracing machine, I learned to use it as a guide.  This is when my KopyKake and I became friends.

*Before I get started, I should tell you this...if you are making 30+ dozen cookies a week like I used to, don't even read this post. GO BUY ONE NOW!!!  Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just do it.  You will thank me.*

However if you are just a weekend cookier, don't waste your dough...there are other ways to get the same effect, as I will show later this week...


I say this because truthfully, 95% of the time, this is exactly how you will find my KK.

{Actually that isn't an entirely accurate photo. Its ALWAYS a dumping ground, but usually it's shoved back between my plant stand and china cabinet so I don't trip on it}

...and now you know my other dirty secret, I hang curtians straight out of the package without ironing them!

Bottom line, even though I don't use it much anymore, when I need it, I NEED IT!!!

My #1 most favorite thing about my KK is that it makes a 2 hr job into a 30 minute job. 

Pre-KK, I would have to literally draw my design onto EVERY single cookie.

My KK eliminates that.  Now, I just draw it once, and it's a piece of cake {or cookie on this blog} from there on out.  You might recognize some of my scratchy sketches that turned into cookies...


Not too shabby, eh?


For those of you interested in a KK, take some of time to consider before you commit.  I love mine, but now that I am a hobbyist only, it's almost just an ugly lamp. 

Still, in our heyday, we had a beautiful thing ♥♥♥

So, to those of you who asked, I say this.  After we got to know each other I decided a KopyKake could be a wonderful thing,  *His name is Stanley, BTW*

Keep in mind, it's not a magic machine.  If you cannot pipe a straight line, or progressively design a cookie, it's scrap metal.

Also, it isn't made to help if you want to write tiny.  Been there done that.  Save yourself the stress.  It just doesn't work...

If you are on the fence, stay tuned.  Tomorrow I will show you two ways to get the same effect without a projector.  Then you can decide whether or not to invest in a KopyKake of your own =)



· decorating, kopykake projector

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