Sugar and Stitches

Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-12T10:13:00.000-05:00

This collection was created with all of you awesome Cool Mom's in mind. We do do much all the time that it is only fitting that me are seen as Superheros.

I really need to work on her face ... lol.

I hope all of you enjoy your day and celebrate it to the fullest!

This collection was made for a cookie of the month member.

Stay Cool, Kids!

A New Cookie Design Idea

2013-05-09T13:27:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had an idea in your head for the longest time but just never had the time to really put it on a cookie? That has been me for the past few months. I have a MILLION ideas swimming around in my head for different cookies and cakes but they don't always make their way out. Lack of time, orders, family, and just the lack of desire sometimes makes it very hard. Well that is the case with this particular cookie concept.
I've had this idea floating in my head for quite some time. The concept is not new but the execution is.

Ok, enough chatter. Here are the cookies...

The concept of kids artwork on cookies is not a new thing, this is just my take on it. Rather than having me put someone else's creation on a cookie for your next event ... why not let your kids do it. Have them drawn some simple things on some plain printer paper, send me a digital copy, and I will put it on a cookie in any color you want!

So cool right?

I thought so and so did the kids. They were so excited to eat THEIR cookies. I was also told that I did a good job drawing ... lol.

I can also put your babies art work on a cookie. If you are interested ... all that information can be found here and here on my Etsy.

Thanks so much for looking.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Anchors Away! {tutorial}

2013-04-17T15:58:00.000-05:00

Hello there sexy.

Yeah, I am talking to you. ;0)

I was hoping you were going to stop by today. There is something I want to share with you and I think you may like it. Want to see what it is ?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the first time on this blog ... I am posting ...

My FIRST Tutorial!

Ooooohhhhhh Yeah baby! You see it!

A super simple cookie decorating tutorial.

This cookie was made for a pirate set that I will be posting about in a few weeks. I figured I would share this one with you now.

Don't mind the rough lines. In hindsight, I should have
used a bigger tip for thicker lines but it still works.

The crazy thing about this cookies that it was my HUSBAND'S idea. He was the one who looked at the cutter and seen the anchor. I guess he is someone worth keeping around after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On to the point of the post. My tutorial.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cutter I used for this cookie was purchased from Plastics in Print.
They have some great stuff there if you have not yet stopped by you must do so.
You cut, trim, bake and piped the base coat.

Using a size 3 or 4 tip, pipe an open circle at the top of the cookie. Pipe from the base of the circle just before the edge of the of the cookie. The end of the line should line up right in the middle of the two bottom lumps. Next, pipe a line just a pinkie space below the circle and starting and ending the line in the middle of the side bumps.

Continue by adding dots on the end of the line just piped. Starting at the base of the center line, pipe a line with a slight curve following the base of the cookie, up the side, and stopping just in the middle of the point on either side.

At the ends of the two curved lines

add two mini lines or points to either side.

Tada ... you are done.

Simple right?

Although, looking at the post it does seem that I found a way to complicate the explanation in this post.

I would love to know what you all think. Truly. Tips for the first timer would be great. Hope you enjoy.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Autism Awareness Guest Blogging

2013-04-08T10:23:00.002-05:00

Hey Cool Kids

It is Autism Awareness month and my super awesome cookie ninja friend Kim has invited me to be a guest blogger. Go and check me out and a few of my other friends. This is a month long event with a new blogger every day.

click me to see

Click on the image to go to my post and follow her blog to not miss any of the other awesome bloggers coming up.

Stay Cool, Kids!

I LOVE These Cookies!!

2013-04-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

As you know, when I had my MEGA blog giveaway celebrating my blog turning one. Well, some of the prizes I offered where ...COOKIES ...of course. I sent them out and I am now ready to share them with you all.

I've wanted to create these for some time now and finally had an excuse. These are my peacock beauties.

Sweeter by the Dozen

These were the first 3 I made so they look a little crazy.

and

MIGHTY Minis

Ok now ... tell me what you think. Truly. I wold love it.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Is It To Late ...

2013-04-03T19:08:00.000-05:00

I actually made these cookies the first week of March. I forgot to take pictures of them for like 3 weeks. THEN ... I forgot to post them until now. Yeah, I know ... that is pretty bad. lol. In my defense ... ummm... yeah I got nothing.

Here they are, the latest in the Steal Your Heart Collection. My bunnies, made for Easter, but are here for you now. This Bunny Will Steal Your Heart ... don't you think?

Don't mind the crack around the bunny's neck on the left. He had a bit of an accident.

Stay Cool, Kids!

St. Patrick's Day

2013-03-17T12:54:00.001-05:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you.

Curious List of Cookie Decorating Supplies

2013-03-15T13:23:00.002-05:00

I started baking when I was 10 with my grandmother {don't ask me how long ago that was or I will kick you in the shin}and all you needed then were the ingredients, a mixer, an oven, some cake pans or cookie sheet, maybe some cutters for cookies, some piping tips, couplers and some piping bags. At that point I was only baking cakes, cupcakes and drop cookies.

Fast forward to early 2012. I JUST discovered the awesome world of cookie decorating. At that point you still just needed the same list as of things to bake and create something. However, something changed as 2012 progressed. That list above started to grow. The must haves to make cookies started to expand but started to include things that most people would NEVER think they needed in their kitchen.

Have I peeked your curiosity?

I know I would be curious. Well, if you are, here is the Curious List of Cookie Decorating Supplies below.

The Curious List of Cookie Decorating Supplies

Kopykake Projecter

This is really not an odd tool. It projects pretty much any image on anything helping create more uniform images and letters. This was the ONE must have when I started and that still remains true now.

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Wagner Power Products 503008 HT 1000 1,200-watt Heat Gun

Right.
This little baby is used to melt paint off of walls. That is JUST how hot this thing gets. When the issue of constant craters kept plaguing us someone discovered that THIS melt your skin off tool was the perfect solution. It really does works but you better be VERY careful with it.

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Brand Dental Vibrator

Yes... I am serious. A dental vibrator or "agitator" as many of the cookie ladies are trying to have it called. This, I hear, is a handy tool. It is used to shake the bubbles out of icing to prevent them from getting on the cookies and making them look at stupid and stuff. I have heard of people also placing the actual cookies on there for a bit. That is suppose to help smooth out the icing rather than having to shake it by hand. I have purchased it yet, but it so on my list of things I TOTALLY need.

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Sheer Nylons

I tool you this list was crazy. I believe Lisa of The Bearfoot Baker made this discovery. It is used to strain the icing of lumps to prevent the small tips from clogging while you are piping. Here is her blog post on it.

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Chopsticks

Not to off the wall right? These are simple to explain. They are mostly used to by cookiers to stir the icing in icing bottles. I use mine to get the food coloring out of those stupid tiny jars of Wilton food coloring.

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X-acto Knife

Back to the crazy. This little baby is used to cut dough. When you are making those pain in the ass hand cut cookies, I find that this little beauty makes for a much cleaner edge than a paring knife. They are also great for cutting out homemade stencils for cookie airbrushing. We will get to that tool in a minute.

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Airbrush Machine

I love m machine. I do not have this one but the Duff Goldman one. I am pretty sure they all do the same thing. It really is great to add a different kind of detail to your cookies. It is also helpful when you don't want to color a bunch of icing.

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Paint Brushes

Didn't you know you could paint on cookies? The WONDERFUL Arty McGoo taught me that. There are many others that do it too but she was the first one who taught ME how to "Arty McGoo" a cookie. It is also great to have a paint palette for mixing your colors.

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Turkey Lancers

Most times you find this in the kitchen so these will not look out of place. How are they used? Well, the cookie world uses them to spread out icing or pop icing bubbles.

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Food Dehydrator

I currently do not have one of these but many others do. Everyone raves about them and how they save so much time on drying time.

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Popsicle Molds

Sweet Sugarbelle discovered this last summer. They sell them at Wal-Mart for $1.00 and WE use them to hold our icing bags when making cookies. Some people put a piece of a wet paper towel in the bottom so that the icing will not dry in the tip. Personally, I use pieces of a cut up sponge. That way you can save paper, stay moist longer, and they can be WASHED and REUSED. YES, the sponges are BRAND NEW.

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That is a lot of stuff right? I know. The crazy thing is ... that is NOT the full list. I hope this helps some of the beginners. I also hope it gives non cookiers and insight to just what we do to make pretty stuff for you guys to eat. lol. I may be posting part two of this list. All of the things I have listed can be found in the tab above labeled Our Product Store.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Let's Talk Pricing ...

2013-03-02T18:40:00.000-06:00

Ahhhh yes ... the ever so pleasant topic of ... MONEY. In this day in age, it is even more of a touchy subject for most people ... but ... it is the topic of this post today.

There are SO MANY factors that go into cookie pricing that it is impossible to set a standard price for them. It can also be very difficult to explain to people, who are not in the cookie world, why a single cookie could cost $3-$5. Well, I am not going to try and explain any of that today, rather I am going to tell you about my NEW pricing structure. I am hoping this will keep you as the customer and me as the baker very happy.

As it stands right now, I charge $24.00 for 2 dozen MIGHTY Minis and $30.00 for a dozen Sweeter by the Dozen. Those prices get you get up to 4 colors for your design and anything else is extra. Now, I am in the process of switching to a different pricing system but I want YOUR opinion on it.

The new structure is based on the number of colors you want for your cookies. White, as always, is NOT counted in the color count. Here is the new pricing structure:

MIGHTY Minis: {approx. 1 inch - 2.25 inches ~ 2 dozen minimum}

3 colors $12 per dozen

1 color = $9 per dozen
2 -3 colors = $12 per dozen
4-5 colors = $15 per dozen
6-7 colors = $18 per dozen
8-9 colors = $21 per dozen
10+ colors = $24 per dozen
Edible Images and up to 3 colors = $16 per dozen

Sweeter by the Dozen: {approx. 2.50 inches - 4.75 inches ~ 1 dozen minimum}

6 colors $42 per dozen for ALL 4 turtles

1 color = $24 per dozen
2 -3 colors = $30 per dozen
4-5 colors = $36 per dozen
6-8 colors = $42 per dozen
9+ colors = $48 per dozen
Edible Images and up to 3 colors = $33 per dozen

Edible Images + luster dust
$34.80 for one color

Now as you see in the turtle picture, there are 6 colors but , you don't have to buy them all. You can just get one or two of them if you choose. That would change the price from $42 for each turtle color to $30 for one turtle color.

Oh and the extras stay the same. Want to add sprinkles ... it is .10 cents per cookie per color. Luster Dust and Disco Dust .15 cents per cookie per color. That cost is ON TOP of the already set prices.

MIGHTY Mini 1 color + sprinkles
$10.20 per dozen

What do you think? I personally thinks this is a bit of a better structure because those who are getting very simple cookies are paying simpler prices. Please tell me what you all truly think. I am going to start adding these new prices to the store in the coming days.

Thanks for hanging with me Cool Kids and don't forget about the giveaway that is happening RIGHT NOW!

Stay Cool, Kids!

Mega Milestone Anniversary Celebration and Giveaway

2013-02-25T10:44:00.000-06:00

To the tune of Anniversary by Tony Toni Tone ...

"It's my blogiversary... oh yeah ... made by you and me"

Yup, that is right folks ... it is my one year blog anniversary. Also, my FB page turned one a few weeks ago and I hit 1000 likes. How awesome is that? The journey has been a FANTASTIC one. I've have so much support from you cool kids and I have loved every bit of it. The cookie community has also been and amazing thing to be a part of. I am just truly grateful for everyone and everything that I have gained over this past year.

You all ROCK!

Even with the time I spent away from the blog due to a family illness, you guys were still there. I think the numbers may have even grown. I'm just so happy with all of it and I can't stop saying how happy it has made me.

So on to the good stuff. The REAL reason why you are here ...

The giveaway.

Here are the AWESOME sponsors:

Beans and Rice Designs

and Little ol' Me

Here are the AWESOME prizes:

Grand Prize:

3 month cookie subscription from ME {Sugar and Stitches}

link

Super Box Set from BRP Box Shop

link

5 3301 7” x 4 ½” x 1 ¼” Kraft Cookie Box with window

5 3302 (base)

5 3292 10” x 7” x 1 ¼” White Cookie Box with window

5 3295 (base)

1 3355 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” White Lantern Favor Box

1 3354 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” Kraft Lantern Favor Box

5 3264 4 ¾” x 6 ¾” Glassine Translucent Bag

5 3322 6 ½” x 1” x 8” Pastry/ Cookie Bag, Grease Resistant

5 3323 6 ½” x 2” x 8” Pastry/ Cookie Bag, Grease Resistant

2 3268 4 ¾” x 2 ½” x 9 ½” White/Poly Tin Tie window Bag

2 3265 4 ¾” x 2 ½” x 9 ½” Kraft/Poly Tin Tie window Bag

5 3197 6” x 2 ¼” x 2” Diamond Blue Macaron Box

5 3162 (base)

5 3353 6count clear macaron tray insert

1 2297 4 3/8” x 4 3/8” x 1” Kraft with Shamrock Window

1 3123 4 3/8” x 4 3/8” x 1” White with Round Window

3 3357 8” x 8” x 2 ½” Chocolate Brown with window Timesaver Box

6 Cookie Cutters from Plastics in Print
pictures belong to Plastics in Print {one cutter not pictured}

Four rolls of Washi tape from BahanaSplitsBoutique {$15.00 value}

pictures courtesy of BahanaSplitsBoutique

Prize pack two:

Julia M. Usher DVD set

link

$42 gift card for Sugar and Stitches

$20 gift card for Tonyarose
pictures courtesy of Tonyarose

Prize pack three:

$32 gift card for Sugar and Stitches

$12 gift card for Spa Girls Soaps
pictures courtesy of Spa Girls Soaps

All the prizes are So COOL right?

I am totally grateful to all my sponsors for helping me celebrate! I figured since the giveaway is so awesome and the celebration is so big ... you should have to put in a little work to enter ...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UPDATE: Since people keep asking the question about international contest entries. I will say this ... I will honor your entries since my sponsors ship over seas. You, the winner, will be responsible for any cost not covered by the gift card. HOWEVER, I will NOT be able to honor the prizes from me. I can not ship the cookies over seas. So if you win and you don't live in the USA you forfeit the prizes from Sugar and Stitches (monthly subscription) If you win a gift card from me, it can ONLY be used to buy a NON-Edible item.

Good luck everyone and Thanks for everything!

ps ... make sure you read the fine print of the giveaway rules

Why You NEED White Color To Make Your "White" White

2013-02-21T14:00:00.000-06:00

~ The Way I Do It Thursday ~

Yup, that's right you need white food coloring to make your "white" white. I didn't believe it when I first learned about white food coloring either. I probably thought the same things you are now.

BUT ... I promise you ... you do. I believe it even more now that I went a few weeks without thinking "Hey, I will be ok. It was just something I wanted to use. It wan't really a need". Oh lord, how wrong I was.

It really does make a HUGE difference in the way your icing takes color but it changes the way your ... WHITE looks. As you can see below this is what glaze dries like WITHOUT the white color being added.

This is especially important for GLAZE users. I've found that without the white my cookie glaze dries with this clear/slightly opaque finish. If you layer it on top of another color, the color shows through and if you use it as a base coat on your cookies you get the finished pictured above.

Here is the white base coat WITH the white color added. See the difference? It is basically night and day when you compare the two.

Now, for you RI users, white color is something you need too. I don't think RI needs it for the same reasons as the glaze but it does need it. I am not an avid RI user, I mostly use it for accents, trim writing and flowers. I use the white color in my RI to make it REALLY white. Without it I have found that it dries to an off white color rather than white. To my understanding, it is due the vanilla. If you use the clear artificial stuff this can be avoided but I tend to use the real stuff more often than not. If any of my regular RI using friends know differently, please feel free to correct me.

Ok. so I've made my point. I think you get it right? Now run out and go buy some WHITE color. Or ... just sit there and buy it. Whatever strikes your fancy.

Stay Cool, Kids!

OH ... I should also tell you that NOT all white is created equal. I have heard that the Wilton White is really not worth the money. I have never tried it myself but many of those I trust have. So, I would recommend using Americolor Bright White and get the big bottle. the .75 oz will be gone in a SECOND.

Baby Shower Favors {from last year}

2013-02-18T11:50:00.001-06:00

I mentioned before that I have a BUNCH of pictures from last year that I never got to show you guys and this post today is showing you some of that work. I made some mini cookies for my cousin's baby shower based on the party theme she found at Party City. Here is what the collection looks like ...well the plate at least.

Here is my version of the collection in cookie form.

I made four dozen of these cuties and I must say I LOVE THEM! They are some of my FAVES!!! I planned to make them in pink as well I just never got around to it. I hope to do it when I get back from Cali next week.

I am also using these as one of my entries in the Lilaloa challenge for this month. She wants everyone to sketch out their cookie designs BEFORE they start decorating This is something I do every time I make a cookie ... well unless it is a no brainier. I also made another cutie I will share with you tomorrow. Until then my dears.

the sketch

Stay Cool, Kids!

The Way I Do It Thursdays

2013-02-14T10:50:00.000-06:00

I am not sure this will be a regular thing so don't get to comfortable with the idea of me offering tips. I still feel like I'm learning so who am I to teach.

Anywho.

You all know what these are right?

Well, those of you who use a piping bag ... you know what they are. I've wanted to get some for a while now and have for some reason or another it just never happened. I have been using just plan ol' rubber bands. They work fine they are just cumbersome to move down the page you use the icing.Then while working on my HUGE Valentine's cookie work load ... I ran out of rubber bands. I was using so many bags that they were all being used.

That is when I thought of the bag ties and that I was going to send the hubby to Wal-mat to go buy me some at 10 pm. However, I could not convince him that it was an EPIC NEED so I had to come up with something else.

THESE ...

The something else was bolas. Well , that is what we call them ... you may know them as twin bead ponytailers or hair bobbles. EITHER way ... they work like a charm. They are super simple and super cheap. You can find them anywhere in a million different price ranges. I got 10 of them for $1.00 at Target. You can't beat that with a stick! So, have at it Cool Kids. Tie your bags without fear or breaking the bank.

Oh and don't they just look so cute all dressed up?

Stay Cool, Kids!

Leaping Leprechauns! {Well not really "leaping"}

2013-02-13T12:47:00.000-06:00

Hey there folks.

I sure you are ALL still chattering and worrying about Valentine's day, right? Some are still baking, some are still, shopping and some are still in just pure denial about the holiday in general. Either way ... it is on your mind.

For me ... not so much.

Last week was VERY crazy busy for me. Getting all of my Valentine's Day orders completed to be shipped out by last Saturday so they could all arrive THIS WEEK before the big day. I baked 400 cookies for that darn day. Mostly ninjas and a few pirates and princesses from the Steal Your Heart Collection. I also, had a customer request these...

This NINJAGO will Steal Your Heart

Aren't they cute? They are the newest little ones to join the collection. I call this version of my ninjas ...This NINJAGO Will Steal Your Heart. I like the pops of color they add to the ninja collection.I was TRYING to move away from talking about Valentine's day but I guess it is unavoidable this time of year.

But I digress.

Let's move on to the leprechauns. You know the ones that I mentioned were leaping but really are not. They are really kinda just sitting there. Well maybe laying but who is really being that particular?

Let me introduce Build a Leprechaun Cookie.

Build a Leprechaun cookie

He is one of favorites of the few different leprechauns I've made. I have made a few other that I will be showing you over the next few days. I would show you now but that requires there to be pictures ans with all the rain and lack of sunshine it has been VERY difficult getting decent pictures (as you can see above and in the last post I wrote.

That's all I have for you now folks.

Stay Cool, Kids

A New Cookie Collection

2013-02-11T21:14:00.000-06:00

I'm please to introduce to you my latest cookie collection creation ...

Shimmer Shine Sugar Cookies!

They are my traditional tasty vanilla sugar cookies with some color and major cookie bling {aka sprinkles}. So far we have a few styles...

Simple Shimmer Shine Clovers

Irish Pride Shimmer Shine Cloves

Shimmer Shine Jelly Beans

Shimmer Shine Easter Eggs

I have big ideas for this collection and there are so many more to come. They are so quick and easy to make that I can't help but try and add more. The thing I love most about these is that they fit more people's budget.

Yup ... that's right ...they are cheap. I hate that word but that is pretty much it. Shimmer Shine cookies are $13 a dozen. At a time when the cost of goods keep going up but pay checks are not, I thought it was prudent to have something that reflected that in my store. I hope that guys like them.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Happy Accidents make Happy Bakers!

2013-01-29T12:08:00.002-06:00

While making a batch of cookies that I have made a MILLION times. I made a huge mistake. I put the WRONG flavor in the the mix and did not even notice. I went about my business of cleaning while baking and kept wondering ..."why in the HELL do I smell bananas?"

...THEN IT DAWNED ON ME...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I had put it in the dough. The cookie dough that I had made a million times that I was now making for someone. SERIOUSLY!?! How could I be so brain dead not to tell the difference? I honestly think it has to do with the fact that I HAVE made the same cookie a million times.

Like, you know when you are driving home from work and you are lost in your thoughts only to come to and realize that you are home but don't remember "really" driving there. WHAT? Don't act like I am the ONLY one who has ever done that.

Anywho.

Well, that was me in the kitchen the other day. Rather than toss it out like my first reaction said, I decided to see it through and I am so glad I did. They are a huge hit and I call them ...

Banana Chocolate Chip

These accidents lead to ALSO make ...

White Chocolate Cheese Cake

and

CREAM CHEESE Chocolate Chip

These things are the softest best tasting things I have EVER had. I ate 8 yesterday and I don't like chocolate.

I must say, I love the Cream Cheese chocolate chips so much that I am considering totally replacing my other chocolate chip recipe with it.

All of these lovelies can be found in my Etsy store. Along with many others.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Home of the FANCY PANTS Cookies

2013-01-25T19:57:00.000-06:00

That's right Cool Kids ... Sugar and Stitches is home of the FANCY PANTS cookies?

What the WHAT am I talking about you may ask?

Well, let me SHOW you...

Are they the Bee's knees. They are my BEST EVER Chocolate Chip cookie dressed up to P-A-R-T-Y!

I mean ... let's be real here ... Why should the sugar cookie and the gingerbread have ALL the fun?

They are available in my Etsy store and are currently only listed in Valentine colors. However, you may ask for something other than what is listed and you KNOW I will do my best to make it for you.

Thanks for looking.

Stay Cool, Kids!

My FIRST crochet pattern!

2013-01-22T11:04:00.000-06:00

I am pleased to introduce to you ... La Belle {The Lovely One}!

Well that I have released anyway. You can find the pattern on Ravelry or on Etsy. Really don't have much to say about this one. So I will just leave you with another picture.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Just in Time for Valentine's Day!

2013-01-17T18:29:00.000-06:00

***There is STILL a giveaway happening on my Facebook page right now.***

You could win 2 dozen of ANY of the cookies below and others.

As you know ... well at least I hope you know, because if you know that means that you have been reading my blog and my FB page. Which I know just realized turned ONE THIS MONTH! OMG! How did that slip my mind? I will have to do something big for that. What ... I am not sure yet but I will think of something.

Ok ... I lost you right. Sorry. I have a tendency to run off on RANDOM tangents like that a lot. Ask my hubby, we that to each other all the time. Even in the mind of heated arguments, we could start talking about something like the kids or dinner and then get right back to fighting.

CRAP.

I did it again.

Ok ... on to the point.

As you know, I made MIGHTY MINI cookies last year for my son's class valentine. I called them, 'This Ninja Will Steal Your Heart'. They have been a BIG hit ever since.

This Ninja Will Steal Your Heart

So this year I have expanded on that idea and started a collection called Steal Your Heart. I did so by creating a princess./ little girl and a pirate.

This Pirate Will Steal Your Heart

This Princess/Little Girl Will Steal Your Heart

I know ... to cute right?

I drew them in Illustrator ALL BY MYSELF. I do still think they need a little tweaking but I love them just the same. I also must say that I am getting PRETTY BAD ASS with Illustrator. I am not going to be selling my work or anything any time soon but I can do enough to satisfy my person needs.

These two little cuties and the ninja are all available in my Etsy store or by filling out the order form above. Which leads to tell you that I am working on/considering adding some by now buttons to this site. It will be for simple things but that will be in another post.

Let know what you think of my Steal your Heart Collection. I would love your feedback.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Here are the STITCHES of Sugar and Stitches

2013-01-13T15:59:00.001-06:00

I know there have been a few questions in regards to my name. What is the "point" of the Stitches? What does it represent? Well, now is the time for the answer.

As some may know, I love knitting, sewing, and crocheting. BEFORE I discovered the AWESOMENESS that is cookie decorating I was SUPERIOR Creations. That was the name I did all of my stitch work under. I did not want to have to choose which direction I took my business so I thought a combination of both would be the best bet for me. I knew I needed a name that Incorporated both and that was how Sugar and Stitches was born.

So here it is ... the Stitches!

My first 2 "PUBLISHED" patterns. I stress the published part because I have written dozen of patterns for my own personal use. Yet, these two I am sharing with you all. Here they are...

Hiver Capot {Winter Cowl}

rêve de chocolat {Chocolate Dream}

I love them very much. They both can be found in my Etsty Store. For those who on Ravelry, they can also be found there. I have a few more coming up very soon with 2 of them being Crochet patterns. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Thanks for looking and Stay Cool, Kids!

Want to WIN some FREE cookies and just in time for Valentine's Day?

2013-01-12T13:44:00.003-06:00

I know you do ...

I am currently HOSTING a thank you giveaway on my Facebook page because I hit 900 LIKES! Yup that is right. 900 Cool Kids like my page and what I do! Now I have to admit, like this blog I have sorta neglected it. Things have been CRAZY in my world so other things kinds "fell through the cracks". I am however trying to fix that. So you "should be" seeing more or me. Now. . . back to the reason you came to read this post.

THE GIVEAWAY!

Here is the deal. Pop over to my Facebook page ... via THIS LINK and enter to win ...

2 DOZEN

Mighty Minis and Custom Cookie Labels

There are 2 options: You can get the cookie I created for my son LAST YEAR ...

or you can choose your own. It is really up to you. There are also 3 flavor options to choose from Vanilla, Chocolate or Chocolate Chip.

Wicked right? Yeah .. I know ... ;0)

Ok so pop on over and check it out.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Baby Shower Cookies

2012-10-29T17:39:00.000-05:00

I ♥ ninjas.

I am sure you all know this based on the number of ninja cookies I have made. However, my newest ninja creations have really taken my ninja love to a new level.

Meet my Baby Ninja MINIS!

Too cute for words right?

Then we have the baby ninja with a bottle that you have seen before.

This set was created for a boy baby shower eons ago but I love how they turned out. Even the mini packaging makes me smile.

Like I said before ... I ♥ ninjas!

Stay Cool, Kids!

Where have YOU been?

2012-10-24T11:53:00.000-05:00

The questions I have gotten asked quite a bit these past few months is where have I been? Why no post or cookie pictures?

Well, I am here to tell everyone what happened to me and why I fell off the face of the earth.

There have been a few major things that happened in the last few months that first threw me off of my posting then stopped me from making cookies. Lets's start with the posts and pictures. Those fell off simply because I got busy and fell behind. I refuse to post pictures until they have been edited and watermarked. I don't have the best camera and my pictures often need help looking decent after they are taken. Sometimes that still does not help but I digress. I got so far behind that some of the pictures in this post are from JUNE! Seriously. I told you I fell behind. It did not help that in July I was baking and planning for my youngest child's first birthday party and prep for the oldest two kids to back to school.

cookie favors for a customers wedding

Okay, so here is why I fell off with the cookie baking. First, there was a "hurricane/ tropical storm" at the end of August (give or take). It was very first one so of course I was FREAKED THE F**K OUT! Like no joke I want to get on a plane and go home to Cali FREAKED. We had the power out for 3 days, and a but load of rain and it ended up not being so bad. However, in the MIDDLE of that actual storm, I found out that my dad had stomach cancer. I can now say with certainty that ...HE IS CANCER FREE! Thank God!
Due to that development, I flew straight to Cali, 2 days after the storm to be their with my family and help out with the family day care while my mother took care of my dad. I was suppose to be there for 3 weeks but had to cut my trip short by 6 days.

A little cutie I made oh so long ago. I planned to make some minis to go with it just never had the time.

Which leads me into the next reason baking has not really happened in this house in months. I had to leave Cali early because while I was there my kids school was just simply acting CRAZY! My son had been in kindergarten for about two months and his class had had 5 teachers! Yes, that is right ... F-I-V-E! Two of them were certified and the rest were subs. We never got any notices about anything that was happening. Not to mention they were teaching him to spell his name wrong. I mean ... really? I was ALREADY very unhappy with the schools in my district but this just took the cake! On top of it all, we had a similar issue with the teacher situation when my oldest was in second grade and that did not go well at all. When I contacted the principal about it and why were were NEVER informed I was told ..."We are not required to tell you ANYTHING until a permanent teacher is available and it is NOT my place to know the inner workings of the school system". o.O

Needless to say ... that did not go over very well with me and they were VERY lucky I was all the way in California when he said that!

Just a simple chocolate version of my Ninja will steal your heart cookies

So, once I got home, I pulled both kids out of school and have been homeschooling them since the 21st of September. That last statement should really explain it all. lol. Homeschooling is very time consuming but I am getting a handle on it which is now starting to free up some time for baking again. Although I have not been baking much, I have got some knitting done which you will see soon.

So there you have it Cool Kids. That is what I have been doing with a few pictures of some old stuff I have done but was to busy to post. I would love to here your thoughts because I MISS YOU GUYS!

Stay Cool, kids!

Oh, and even if I am not posting on FB and on here I am ALWAYS posting on instagram. If you want to follow me there you can @ Sugar and Stitches

Have YOU ever done this?

2012-08-07T13:06:00.000-05:00

Traded services that is? I have, and I must say it is a GREAT thing to do. I have traded massages for car repair. YUP, I am a massage therapist. I have traded hair styling for hair products, YUP, I am a cosmetologist too. I know, I know, I am VERY talented. lol

Anywho, back to my point.

I bring this up because I have traded COOKIE services with an AWESOME bow making friend of mine named Chalissa from CC'c Accessories. She makes the cutest bows. I have made some in the past (YUP, another thing I can do lol ... kinda) but mine do NOT compare. I really love her work.

Okay, back to the point at had.

Swapping Services. IT is a great way to get certain this you want or need without really having to pay for them. Say you need your computer repaired and don't have the funds. Find a repair person who is WILLING to fix for you for ... well ... cookies. So if they charge $50 for the repair bake them $50 worth of cookies. Got it? Simple as pie and you probably already new this but just in case you didn't or needed a refresher. . . that was for you.

Well, my awesome bow making friend need 25 Razorback themed cookies. She sent me the link to these created by Cookies, ETC. They were the bases for my inspiration of the ones I made below.

I am proud of how they came out. I think they work nicely don't you?

In exchange for the cookies ... I got ... all of these!!!

awesome right?!

my super faves!

Aren't they just BEAUTIFUL!!! I can't wait to put them in my girl's hair. My little chicas were excited too.

So to sum up. I LOVE SWAPPING services. If you are interested and have something COOL to offer ... I am open to it. It NEVER hurts to ask right.

OKAY OKAY OKAY... The AWESOME Chalissa has offered to GIVEAWAY a bow of her choice to one of you Cool Kids! How awesome is that?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck guys and may there be SWAPPING in your future.

Stay Cool, Kids!

Cookies For Ipads Bake Sale

2012-07-25T16:30:00.002-05:00

I love to help. I am a big in believer in giving back, donating when I can, and being there for those who just need a little help. So when I was asked by Melissa from Cookies for Ipads to help them out with a bake sale I jumped on board. The bake sale is to help them purchase Ipads which have programs that help autistic children in many different ways. Now, I must be honest, I am not sure of all the details of the program ... BUT ... I do know it helps children who need it and that was enough for me. Not to mention the fact the AWESOME Kim of The Cookie Puzzle endorsed it. So there was really not much that I needed to know except for where to send my box.

So, because these cookies had to appeal to many different people I decided to make a few different designs. There have been SEVERAL different designs that I wanted to get done recently and I took this opportunity to do so. However, that also lead to me to baking and decorating 55 darn cookies.

Wanna see them?

I know you do ...

So here they are ...

My Cutie Pie Ninja Turtles

I really love these things. How could you not ... look at their cute little faces!

Polka Dot Popsicle and Summer Stripes

These babies were created after a very cute scrap-booking image I seen in the web. I found it here.

Rainbow Swirl Butterflies and Mighty Bright Minis

These were just random. I needed to practice with my airbrush and with my flourish piping ... so I did. I did however have an issue with the STUPID pink. For some odd reason it kept coming out all sploshy. I really don't know why but I like everything else.

Random - a -Sarus

These little things ... oh these little things! I ♥ them. The scribble -a- saurs, the spotty dot -a-saurs, the chevron ronny ron -a- saurs, the strip stripe -a- saurs, and the plain -a- saurs. Love it lovey love. ALL ME baby ... yep ... ALL me.

So there you have it. All the cookies I made for the bake sale. As you can see there are no puzzle pieces. I figured everyone would be doing that in some way and I wanted to go a different direction. I think it worked.

...NOW ... on to the packaging. If you know ANYTHING about me .. you know I LOVE packaging. I did try to keep it simple with these but ... well ... here you go.

Pop UP printed labels

Printed Custom Tags

Printed Custom Labels

STACKED Custom Cookie Tags

Ok ... I am done now. I hope these do well.

Stay Cool, kids.