Victorian Postcard Christmas Cookies

Looking for a new holiday cookie favorite that will wow your family and friends? Then discover the magic of wafer paper. Simple to use and absolutely stunning. Featured today are the Victorian Postcards designs from http://www.fancyflours.com/; one of my favorite websites.

Make quick, easy, and creative cookie and cake decorations with these edible, sugar free printed wafer paper designs. Wafer Paper is an edible starch based confection, made of potato starch, water and vegetable oil. It is printed with food safe ink. Wafer paper is fragile, so handle it carefully. It can be placed on top of any frosting: butter cream, royal icing, or fondant.

Directions for use: To decorate cookies, cut out the postcard images with craft scissors. You can either apply the image directly to the cookie or you can apply the image to a frosted cookie. Firm icing works best--royal icing or fondant. If applying the design to royal icing, the icing must be completely dry for best results. Simply spread a thin layer of light corn syrup to the back of your wafer paper image and then apply the image, picture side up to the cookie. To ensure a smooth finish, turn the cookie over, wafer paper side down, on a piece of parchment paper for approximately 30 minutes. To completely dry, turn the cookie design side up for 12 hours.

You can add a 3 dimensional effect by adding small sugar pearls, dragees, sugar decorations or edible glitter.

Tis' the season, enjoy!

Vintage Raggedy Ann & Andy: The Tradition

Several decades ago a tradition was born. Little did my mom know it at the time, but she was setting the party stage for generations to come. My middle sister had a Raggedy Ann & Andy 1st birthday theme in the 70’s. When she had her first daughter she had the perfect theme already in mind for that 1st birthday. Raggedy Ann & Andy! Well here we are the year 2010; and once again my sister held onto her tradition of the Raggedy Ann & Andy 1st Birthday theme for her youngest daughter.

My mom and sister did an amazing job pulling together a vintage themed birthday party. Some of the décor pieces are vintage from my sister’s room growing up as a child. It is not easy to find Raggedy Ann & Andy party supplies these days. With a little imagination and a lot of creativity from my mom, they were able to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Everything was made by hand and customized for the special occasion. My mom is my muse and inspiration. There is nothing she can’t do or make by hand. So much love goes into her work.

Here are the 1st birthday girls from far right to left: My sister, her oldest daughter, and her youngest daughter. They are all complete with their own hand-sewn Raggedy Ann & Andy dresses. Tradition is a beautiful thing!

Favor Friday: NACE & Guitars Edition

I am very excited to report that I will be attending the NACE Experience! Conference next week. This year’s event is sure to hit a high note as big as Texas in the eclectic capital city of Austin, TX. I am looking forward to networking with catering and event professionals from around the country, bonding with my fellow Alamo Chapter members, and experiencing the sights, sounds, tastes, and feel of the city limits.

In honor of Favor Friday and my excitement for the NACE conference, I want to spotlight custom iced cookie favors from The Flour Pot. These little gems of sugary goodness are sure to dazzle the crowd at your next big Rock Star inspired event. Let the good times roll with these sweet guitar shaped cookies. Finish the look with a clear cellophane bag and a music note gift tag.

Credits: http://www.flourpotcookies.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FAV-PURPLEGUITARS