witticisms by Jess Witty

May 13, 2011

Fruit Fusion

Before I was a paper crafter, I was a baker.

I once proclaimed that I wanted to be known as the mom who always had fresh baked cookies in the kitchen.

And then I actually had children :)

Yeah… fresh baked cookies are now a luxury to be had in the home of some other, much more organized mother who, apparently, does not spend a good portion of her every day life resetting every single fort building material couch cushion back upon said couch.

But.
My dream has not died.
In fact, I think it has grown.

Not only do I want to make fresh baked cookies… I really want to make fancy fresh baked cookies.

I’ve been putting it off until a very certain date… that infamous era known as “when I have more time.” In the meantime, I’ve been doing what any good OCD person with a dream does… research.

In the form of blog reading.
And I am now the blog stalker of the cookie greats.

The three I am currently idolizing frequenting are Bee in Our Bonnet, Bake at 350, and The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle.  Let me put it in paper crafting terms for you - as Debbie Olsen is to Copics, these ladies are to cookies.  Comprende?

They. Are. Amazing.

So. When Papertrey Ink’s new Fruit Fusion stamps arrived at my doorstep… I knew it was TIME.
That sweet little strawberry stamp had me at hello.

I took one look and was suddenly swimming in images of matching strawberry cookies. And so, without further ado…




And, of course, the cookies needed some cutie pie packaging...



I’ll give you all the deets on the packaging in just a minute. For those who are interested, I’ll give you a super-fast-totally-not-an-expert-here take on the cookies, all righty?

First off, I used the sugar cookie and royal icing recipes from Bee in Our Bonnet. (<--- This link will take you to their recipes as well as a great tutorial on the basics of decorating with royal icing.)  They promised a soft and yummy cookie with this recipe and I have to say… they totally are soft and yummy.

I mixed up white, pink, and green icings based on her recipe and suggestions as well.

I didn’t find a strawberry cookie cutter at the store that I went to, but I had a back-up plan based on all of my {obsessive} research.

 


I purchased 2 heart cutters (medium and large) and two star cutters to coordinate. The idea is this… take your rolled out cookie dough and cut out a heart shape, then a star shape. Then… and this is the tricky part… cut a partial star out of the TOP of the strawberry. Now just pick up the star shape that you already cut and slide it right there on top of the strawberry. Squish it together a bit and…

Tada! Heart cookie + Star cookie = Super cute strawberry cookie.



I outlined the cookies with white, then flooded the green parts (above) and the pink parts (below).  While the pink icing was still wet, I dropped in the white dots.  Since both icings are still wet, the white dots just sink into the pink and the cookie ends up totally flat... I thought that was so cool!  {Sidenote… I did attempt to make the same pattern as on the strawberry stamp, but apparently my rudimentary cookie skills are not up to that skill yet.  Trust me.}



I let the cookies dry for a full day before wrapping them up like so…



Um… yeah… if I keep up with this cookie thing, I will be going through a LOT of glassine bags.  They are so perfect for the job.  Translucent and beautiful. 

I wanted to keep the embellishments simple to let the cookie show, but I also wanted to keep them cute :)  I stamped the tags with Polka Dot Basics II, then added the sentiments from Fruit Fusion: Strawberry, and layered them over some Parisian Lace tissue doilies.  One stitch across and everything stays put.




I used the same idea to make an “envelope” for the card; again using a glassine bag.  The medium size is *perfect* for slipping a 3 ½ x 5” card into.  The recipient can just rip right below the stitched part to open it up.  I thought that would be fun and sort of like the card is a present, too.



I added a little patterned paper from The Girls' Paperie. The colors were perfect and the flowers reminded me of strawberry plants, so it was a win win.



I added another doily (I cut several layers of white tissue paper at once - maybe 10 layers - and then pull the doilies off in groups of 2 or 3 layers) and stamped the sentiment right on top.  I used an aqua mist layer stamped with little polka dots to help tie everything together.



A quart sized strawberry container filled to the brim with cookies makes the perfect  sweet gift basket.  I just cut the lid off since the giant cookies prevented it from closing anyways.  A little ribbon wrapped around the top and a strawberry tag finish it all off.



Well... what do you think???  Honestly, I was kind of nervous to show this one off!  My cookies are totally a first attempt and far from perfect.  If you're looking for perfect (or just looking for something to make you drool in awe) you'll have to visit the cookie ladies I mentioned above.

As I was going along I was figuring out what I'll do different for next time (the icing I used for outlining was too thick, the icing I used for flooding was too thin, etc.), but...

I'm really happy with it. I love getting the chance to think creatively in a different way... it somehow sparks all sorts of ideas for paper crafting.  I have another project from the kitchen for tomorrow's post, too :)

But before you go, be sure to check out the amazingness that the rest of the DT has in store for you...

Nichole Heady
Betsy Veldman
Erin Lincoln
Maile Belles
Lisa Johnson
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Melissa Phillilps
Michelle Wooderson
Danielle Flanders


Later, friends!



{Berry Sweet} berry basket
Stamps – Fruit Fusion: Strawberry, Polka Dot Basics II

CS – Aqua Mist
Ink – Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, VersaMark
Fibers – Aqua Mist Ribbon, Button Twine
Die – Fruit Fusion: Berry, Parisian Lace
Other - glassine bags

63 comments:

Anonymous said...

Less than perfect? Well, then I don't want to see the cookie queens blogs! I love both your cookies and the packaging Jessica! They look amazing!

Cathy Weber said...

I am blown away with this one. Don't know why you were nervous. I could not ever possibly hope to come up with anything remotely as good as this. You set the bar so high with this one. I loved it Jess. Honestly, just the best.

Shobana said...

O.M.G.
You have just blown me away with this! WHAT a super idea with the cookies and perfect icing too! You are one clever chick! :)
LOVE your posts and your humor! :)

Ann said...

ONG! Heart + star = strawberry - BRILLIANT - why didn't I think of that. Love everything about this post - more please! ;o)

Jen Gall said...

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off of the floor... You are one talented lady - amazing cookies and cards. :)

Lauren said...

Wowza!!! Your cookies are gorgeous!!!! You did an awesome job on them! I would have never guessed that you weren't a pastry chef...seriously, they're fantastic!! And the packaging is just adorable! For a second I forgot I was supposed to be checking out the stamps. :)

Laura said...

OMG! This is so over-the-top!! Very, very cute and I want to eat one of those cookies right now. Or go home and try it myself. Can I leave work now?

Sarah Martina said...

I don't comment here all that often, but missy you have hit this one so far outta the ball park, it's not even funny! ;) Totally amazing work! I love the tissue paper doilies, and the hint of baby blue... and the cookies... well, it's a good thing we're not neighbors! Lol... beautiful job! :)

itsallrosi said...

who, those are some awesome looking cookies and treat bags!

well done!

Becs Attwood said...

Wow - those cookies are works of art - they look too good to eat. Great way to combine your paper-crafting & baking skills - whoever gets that basket of goodies is truly blessed!

4Ucards said...

These cookies look perfect to me. You amazed me with the heart and star shaped cookie cutters that you used to make a strawberry.

I see your next career, a cookie baker. Love the packaging. So cute!

Tracey McNeely said...

OK, so I just picked myself off the floor because I passed out when I read your post. Your cookies are absolutely awesome and your strawberry cutter idea is ingenious!!!! I love your cookies, love your card, envelope and packaging. Someberry is very, very lucky! Trying to be 'punny'.

Eveline said...

NOT PERFECT COOKIES? They are home made cookies, of course they are perfect :)
I like how your cookies turned out and I think you're very clever with the heart and star shape.
Eveline.

Chris Simon said...

These are spectacular! I love the Bake at 350 blog, and have made a cookies from her instructions a couple of times. Everyone has been very impressed. Thanks for the links to the other sites - I wasn't familiar with them yet. I adore the heart+star to make a strawberry!

Ginny said...

I am simply blown away with your baking skills!! What a clever way to incorporate a strawberry shaped cookie, thank you so much for sharing, these ideas are AMAZING!!

Cyndie said...

Your project is absolutely adorable! I want one of those cookies so bad!

Cassandra said...

Truly amazing Jess. I will have to stalk this website and drool.

Rachelle said...

don't sell yourself short, these cookies are amazing! Such cute packaging too...too cute to eat I think. ;)

Wendy ten Hove said...

Cool! These cookies are berry berry cool and look berry delicious!! Amazing! And nothing more perfect than these fruit fusion stamps for it!
Hugs, Wendy

Marlena M. said...

I am in AWE. In AWE I tell you! Those are the coolest cookies I have ever laid eyes on. Wow. They are too pretty to eat, seriously.

Lisa Elton said...

Beyond cute...scrumptious! Who knew a star and a heart could become a strawberry!!!

Unknown said...

Wow!!! Those cookies look outtasight! Love them and love your creative bags to go with. Your work is beautiful, Jessica. I maybe need some OCDness so I can make my work look as professional:)

Daniela Dobson said...

OK, those cookies are awesome!!!! Love the cute packages too!!!

Ardyth said...

WOW! Stunning, gorgeous, professional looking cookies. Pretty good for a mom who's too busy to bake!

Carolyn Ruiz said...

I, too, have a love affair with baking as well!!!! I checked out the bees blog and it is great to head me in the right direction. I love that you made the cookies with hearts and stars!!!! they look perfect to me. Great tags u made with the Strawberry Fusion stamp

Kathleen said...

These cookies look amazing, not to mention the adorable packaging.

Diane Jaquay said...

Your cookies look AMAZING, Jessica! I love this whole presentation, really spectacular!!

Joan B said...

wow. first your packaging. adorable. the cookies amazing that they are a first attempt.

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Wow....your cookie are DARLING!!! I LOVE the star for the stem...how cute is that?!? Love.

(And that you so much for the sweet shout-out!)

Kari D said...

SUH-WEEEEET! Love these cookies, love the packaging, love the cards. YOU.SO.ROCK.

Judi said...

In my eyes, these are TOTAL perfection! And using a star shape for the hull -- pure genius!!!!

Helen L said...

WOW!!! You are over the top!! (And if this isn't perfect and is your first attempt, you better stop right now, cause they're beautiful, and I want to come over right now and eat some of those delights!!!) You did an A++++ job: thanks for the wonderful inspiration!!!

Sheryl in NM said...

Such beautiful cookies! And how genius to use the heart and star cutters. I love to bake and that was something I never thought of! Thank you so much!

Unknown said...

Holy Crud-oli! You are a cookie expert on your first try! What an adorable success these strawberries are! But even more than that, I love the packaging. I can appreciate paper crafts just as well, and it is as if cookies and paper have come together to make the cutest thing I've ever seen! I can predict that you are headed for a cookie making addiction! And I am at the start of an addiction to your cute blog.

Being noted as a source of inspiration is so nice. I'm so glad the recipes turned out for you! I can't wait to see more!

SusanB said...

I am with you totally! I love baking and have been making baked gifts and cards or packaging for years. I am focusing on cookies and cupcakes right now. The minute I saw the new Fruit Fusion sets, I fell for them hook, line and sinker. This is my idea of heaven - paper crafting & baking are a great combo. Glad you have found it!!

mandalj said...

I can't see anything less than perfect about your biscuits - they're absolutely stunning. I'd love to know how long it took you to make them and how many you made. The card is beautiful too!

Susan said...

OMG, not sure how you were nervous to post this. Your cookies and packaging are so completely adorable! Great job!

Holly Barrett said...

SOOOOOO cute! What a beautiful presentation for what look to be wonderful tasting cookies!

Carmen said...

All I can say is WOW!!!! When I grow up, I want to be like you! :) Great job with the cookies and your beautiful card!

Rachel P said...

HOLY COW, Jessica...I'm always laughing at your posts because they're so funny and self-effacing and I can certainly relate to the motherhood and busyness comments...but then...you put up a post like this with these fabulously gorgeous cookies and packaging and stamping and...I do NOT believe anymore that you are what you say you are...you, my dear, are a fraud...you are not the frazzled mother you claim to be, but rather you really are one of these Martha Stewart types who is INCREDIBLY (and incomprehensibly) gifted at EVERYTHING she does and though thou doth protest too much about the time factor, you have managed to find the time to create these absolutely GORGEOUS works of edible art!! ;) Amazing, on all levels! Gah! :)

Karey said...

Spectacular post!

Gina said...

Uh...you did NOT just turn me on to three new foodie blogs did you?! I'm sure you did! Like you, I love to bake and love to paper craft. I'm barely "passing" at either. I think your strawberry cookies are *stunning* and the packaging is off the charts. I'm so impressed. Super-di-dooper, I so want to be your BFF in real life!!! :) Yeah, mainly because I want me some of them cookies - okay, not really. I just so admire all that you do and the talent with which you have been blessed - I'd love for some of it to rub off on me!!! Girl, you have more talent and organization in your pinky finger than I have in my whole life!!! :)

Debi said...

OMG, I too have been wanting to decorate beautiful cookies. I have the supplies to start, now I just need to, uh, well....start! Love what you did and thank you for the inspiration!

BeverlyBL said...

The cookies look perfect to me. Only thing is I'd want to save them forever because they are too pretty to eat. Loved the packaging.

Glenda J said...

Oh my gosh... these are amazing! So amazing! I'm not a baker, let alone a fancy baker so I am envious. You are absolutely brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Jessica

Everything is just perfect! We will be expecting more of your baking successes too.

Mary

Gabby said...

Years ago, stemmed from my love of baking, I had a successful "sweets" catering business. I give your cookies a definite A+! Your packaging is very nice, as well. The card and paper choice is perfect! And ... I love that glassine bag envelope, which carries over to/from your cookie packaging! GREAT projet! :)

angel said...

Ależ smakowite te truskaweczki:)

Charlene Austin said...

OMG Jess.....I cannot believe how perfect your cookies are! I am addicted to the cookie decorating blogs. I swear I spend more time on DIY and food blogs than my own hobby blogs. I am dieing to try cookie decorating and I've been buying every cookie cutter I find at garage sales. It's either called hopeful thinking or hoarding. Not sure yet.

I was going to send you the Sugarbelle link but you know it already! Here's another I love. http://snargblog.blogspot.com/

Some serious talent with these ladies! Loved seeing your creation. I might aim to hit my goal in 2013 to make cookies. Maybe.

Jessie said...

AWESOME!!!!! These are great! What a great idea to put the frosting in a bottle! Love the matching cards with the cookie!

Bev Gerard said...

Oh
My
Goodness!
I'm fascinated, practically speechless, and mumbling "Wow"!!

(((hugs)))

Heather Vogan said...

I am blown away! Awesome job!!!!

Pamela said...

Jess-What's not to love?? The cookies, the packages, the card, please girl you are amazing. The only thing, they are way to pretty to eat. I'm not a baker(just takes way to much time, but love the end results) so I'm amazed that you didn't start w/ready made cookie dough, love your combination of cookie cutters, you are one smart cookie (pardon the pun). PS. thanks for the link for the cookies, I may have to breakdown and give in, but it will have to wait until I'm done stamping... it may be awhile.

Holly Saveur said...

Those cokies are truly amazing!
never heard of the cookies blogs but its so amazing too what they make.

Ruth Shanahan Allmart said...

Wow! These are truly amazing Jessica. Someday I will give them a go :)

jen said...

Not really sure how these could be any cuter- but I do get the hyper-self-criticizing- suffice it to say- these are AMAZING!!! (and so is the cutie-pie packaging!)

see mary stamp said...

So - I'm a day behind in reading blog posts, so saw your inspired seedling pot post first, now these adorable strawberry cookies. Totally love these - so at my garden-themed party - we'll be having seedling plants and strawberry cookies. Thanks for the heads up on the baking blogs too. Hope that "when I have more time" day gets here soon.

Smitha said...

Those cookies are A-Awesome!!!! Just wanted to stop in and say how much I love your blog, and how each and every post of yours makes me smile.. Its that sense of humor of yours :)

Kathy Mc said...

OMG, these cookies look simply divine, and no doubt are also very delicious. Very clever using a heart and a star to make a strawberry shape. Also love the way you packaged the cookies, singly and collectively ~ awesome gifts to those who would appreciate all your hard work and the time it took to complete. WOW!

Lauren said...

Much like you, your cookies rock! I'm both impressed and inspired!

Jocelyn Olson said...

Holy macaroni! First, the cookies are fabulous, and second, how on earth did you make them without your kids snitching/drooling on/"helping" you? I am super impressed!

Bee's Zen Garden said...

Hmm, so, not perfect cookies, right??... I am wondering what you call perfect and secretely labelling you as a perfectionist... LOL Those are super awesome! What a wonderful gift! Yummy! :-D

Tigriswillreign said...

I'm checking out this post after Amber's reference... So adorable!! Yum!
Would it be possible for you to add an email subscription to your blog? I'm much better at checking blogs regularly if they come to me... ;)
Thx!