Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of participating in CookieCon 2015.
Having been to the previous two CookieCon events and enjoying them immensely,
this year's event was just as over-the-top as the others.
There is no other place in the world where so many cookie decorators gather, fellowship, and learn from one another, plus display so many of their brilliantly decorated cookies.
It was quite the extravaganza and highly recommended.
Since I taught some of the hands-on pre-CookieCon classes (this was a new feature this year),
there was MUCH prep work to be done before embarking on the trip.
Being the CRAZIE person that I am,
I volunteered to make 450 small sample cookies for a tasting event during the event.
This was in addition to the 200+ cookies I needed for my classes and for display!
It was pretty tedious to make such a number, but after they were completed, the results were worth it.
Since I decided to enter the sugar show for the very first time,
there were some special cookies to be made for that event.
(Super fun, by the way!)
Here's a photo of all the cookies and edible clay flowers I packed in my suitcases.
They were carefully stowed away in shipping boxes and then placed in the luggage.
And suddenly, it was time to go!
The flights there went very well.....and ALL the cookies arrived intact at CookieCon!
It was time to prep for the pre-CookieCon classes.
I could NOT have done it without these two precious ladies!
Nancy Paine (Seasons of Joy) and Cristin Sohm (Cristin's Cookies) were essential for the success of my classes. I was so honored that they helped me provide quality instruction to my students.
Having been to the previous two CookieCon events and enjoying them immensely,
this year's event was just as over-the-top as the others.
There is no other place in the world where so many cookie decorators gather, fellowship, and learn from one another, plus display so many of their brilliantly decorated cookies.
It was quite the extravaganza and highly recommended.
Since I taught some of the hands-on pre-CookieCon classes (this was a new feature this year),
there was MUCH prep work to be done before embarking on the trip.
Being the CRAZIE person that I am,
I volunteered to make 450 small sample cookies for a tasting event during the event.
This was in addition to the 200+ cookies I needed for my classes and for display!
It was pretty tedious to make such a number, but after they were completed, the results were worth it.
there were some special cookies to be made for that event.
(Super fun, by the way!)
Here's a photo of all the cookies and edible clay flowers I packed in my suitcases.
They were carefully stowed away in shipping boxes and then placed in the luggage.
And suddenly, it was time to go!
The flights there went very well.....and ALL the cookies arrived intact at CookieCon!
It was time to prep for the pre-CookieCon classes.
I could NOT have done it without these two precious ladies!
Nancy Paine (Seasons of Joy) and Cristin Sohm (Cristin's Cookies) were essential for the success of my classes. I was so honored that they helped me provide quality instruction to my students.
[Stay tuned for a full blog post on the pre-CookieCon classes.]
After prepping and executing three-4 hr long classes in 48 hours, it was time for CookieCon to begin.
All three of us were exhausted, but the energy of the event propelled us along.
Mike & Karen Summers opened the event on Thursday evening
and welcomed all 450 cookie enthusiasts.
Oh.....the excitement in that room was electric!
Lisa (The Bearfoot Baker) shared how powerful the cookie was.
And then she read a unique CookieCon exclusive book entitled
"If You Give a Cookie Decorator an Order".
Each page shares Cookie Connie's story, and all of the illustrations are done in COOKIES.
I had the privilege of providing one of the nineteen pages in the book.
[Stay tuned for a full blog post featuring the book and a chance to receive a copy!]
This was a first for me.......contributing to a book, and signing my autograph in said book. ;)
The Sugar Show was out-of-this-world AMAZING.
Here's just a sampling of the many amazing cookies shared in that room.
Here are the two CookieCrazie entries:
On Friday, we had the privilege of hearing from seven awesome instructors.
Jeanette Durham & Laurie Thompson - SugarBliss Cookies
Bridget Edwards • Bake at 350
Mallory Mae Chiavacci • ButterWinks
As you can see from the photos......a fantastic time was had by all. :)
Saturday was open decorating day.......along with lots of other fun activities.
Participants were challenged to decorate a "mystery shape" and enter it in a final sugar show contest.
These cookies were decorated on the "spur of the moment" with only a few hours to enter.
AMAZING!
And the variety of interpretations and styles is incredible.
The event was concluded with a huge banquet and awards ceremony on Saturday evening.
There was a enormous number of prizes given out and awards presented.
And just to delay the goodbyes.....there was a karaoke and PJ party AFTER the banquet.
It was truly an unforgettable time with life time cookie friends.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a special event.
________________________________________________________________
Here's blog posts on the previous CookieCon events:
After prepping and executing three-4 hr long classes in 48 hours, it was time for CookieCon to begin.
All three of us were exhausted, but the energy of the event propelled us along.
Mike & Karen Summers opened the event on Thursday evening
and welcomed all 450 cookie enthusiasts.
Oh.....the excitement in that room was electric!
Lisa (The Bearfoot Baker) shared how powerful the cookie was.
And then she read a unique CookieCon exclusive book entitled
"If You Give a Cookie Decorator an Order".
Each page shares Cookie Connie's story, and all of the illustrations are done in COOKIES.
I had the privilege of providing one of the nineteen pages in the book.
[Stay tuned for a full blog post featuring the book and a chance to receive a copy!]
This was a first for me.......contributing to a book, and signing my autograph in said book. ;)
The Sugar Show was out-of-this-world AMAZING.
Here's just a sampling of the many amazing cookies shared in that room.
Here are the two CookieCrazie entries:
On Friday, we had the privilege of hearing from seven awesome instructors.
Monica Holbert • Cookie Cowgirl
Susan Carberry • The Cake Cottage
Nadia Kalinichenko • My Little Bakery
Dotty Raleigh • Sugar Dot Cookies
Jeanette Durham & Laurie Thompson - SugarBliss Cookies
Bridget Edwards • Bake at 350
Mallory Mae Chiavacci • ButterWinks
As you can see from the photos......a fantastic time was had by all. :)
Saturday was open decorating day.......along with lots of other fun activities.
Participants were challenged to decorate a "mystery shape" and enter it in a final sugar show contest.
These cookies were decorated on the "spur of the moment" with only a few hours to enter.
AMAZING!
And the variety of interpretations and styles is incredible.
The event was concluded with a huge banquet and awards ceremony on Saturday evening.
There was a enormous number of prizes given out and awards presented.
And just to delay the goodbyes.....there was a karaoke and PJ party AFTER the banquet.
It was truly an unforgettable time with life time cookie friends.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a special event.
________________________________________________________________
Here's blog posts on the previous CookieCon events:
2012 CookieCon: The Cookie Event of the Decade
________________________________________________________________
Here's the awesome sponsors of CookieCon 2015!
Visit their sites and let them know we appreciate their support of CookieCon. :)
________________________________________________________________
Here's the awesome sponsors of CookieCon 2015!
Visit their sites and let them know we appreciate their support of CookieCon. :)
