I am feeling incredibly inspired these days. One reason is that I have been doing a deep dive into the many resources available here on Cookie Connection. Two tutorials have been posted recently - "Valentine's Lattice Heart Cookie" by @Manu biscotti decorati and "Bamboo Cookie" by @Aproned Artist. Their topics couldn't be more different, but both are equally amazing, rich with stunning photos and detailed instructions regarding techniques and assembly. Spurred by their latest work, I went back to their respective tutorial collections on the blog for a retrospective look. (Did you know that all past Made by Manu and Every Little Detail with Aproned Artist tutorials can be accessed at any time?! Just click on the previous two pink links, or go to "Blog", click "Collections" in the dropdown menu, and then scroll down to find them.) Long story short, I have been doing all sorts of revisiting and rediscovering. It's impossible for me to pick a favorite tutorial, but I have succeeded in adding a number of things to my try-to-do list! Practice bakes perfect, as we like to say here, and this year I am committed to upping my cookie game. At least I am going to try! 
Another way I plan to advance my skills is by taking greater advantage of our Watch-Learn-Create challenges and associated resources. As many of you already know, each of these challenges launches with what's effectively a master class in cookie decorating, hosted by @Manu biscotti decorati and featuring a renowned guest. The guest for the current Challenge #56 is Noriko Forster of @mintlemonade (cookie crumbs), and her kickoff tutorial focuses on unique ruffle borders. The video and downloadable materials are currently available for just $5! Even if you don't participate in the challenge, you can still view the the master class again, again, and again. For just five bucks! (I downloaded it yesterday and can't wait to dig in!)
I'm not prone to hyperbole, so please trust me when I say inspiration is everywhere on Cookie Connection. If you've been following these Spotlights, you know that the clips our members share are another boundless source. Just look below and see . . . this week's hot list* is popping with color and creativity. And it's leaving me longing for spring to start!
#1: Striped Heart for Valentine's Day by Cookies Fantastique (As is her modus operandi, @Cookies Fantastique has given us yet another kaleidoscope of texture with so many techniques to appreciate.)
#2: Happy Easter! by Heather Bruce Sosa (This set is so adorable. Each cookie is a delight, @Heather Bruce Sosa, and, while each is also very detailed, they all work very cohesively together as a set.)
#3: Hearts by Zeena (The vibrance of these cookies - the first entry in Watch- Learn-Create Challenge #56 - stopped me and Julia mid-scroll, but, more important, we are incredibly impressed with the zeal that @Zeena brings to each challenge. Her quest for continual learning inspires us every time we see her posts, which is why we selected this lovely challenge entry as our cover art this week.)
#4: Valentines Platter by Kimberlie (This cheery set is so creatively put together, thanks to @Mike @ SemiSweet's clever heart cutter and Kimberlie's masterful use of Julia's "Mother Wishes" background stencil. Well done, @Kimberlie.)
#5: "Mother Wishes" Airbrushing Practice Cookie by EAC (This beauty is a result of @EAC - by her own admission - trying a few techniques she had been putting off. Seeing how expertly she applied Julia's stencils with just a little practice is nothing short of inspirational! Coincidentally, this stencil set is the same one used by Kimberlie directly above.) [EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, it was indeed a thrill to see this cookie emerge from my Zoom class last weekend. Congrats, EAC! It was such a joy to have you in class! ~JMU]
#6: Queen of Hearts by Maggy Morales (Need I say more . . . this cutie is pure artistry! Bravo, @Maggy Morales.)
#7: Handpainted Birds of Prey by Donna Allen (Congratulations on being spotlighted for your first post, @Donna Allen. That's no easy feat, but your uncommon and incredibly well-executed subject matter clearly got people's attention!)
#8: Paisley Flower by Art & Honey (This gorgeous creation was first posted over 10 years ago and is trending once again with over 31,000 views. Very impressive, @Art & Honey!)
#9: Silent Night, Holy Night by Gulnaz (Another oldie but goodie that is hitting our Spotlight years after it first posted. I love how the site's trending algorithms often resurface great cookies, allowing us to remember and reflect on their beauty! @Gulnaz's winter wonderland is full of gorgeous texture! And since piped borders are the focus of our current challenge, I must point out the incredible one on this cookie!)
#10: Lavender Flowers by Cláudia Dmytriw Pichek (These beautiful shades are making me long for spring all the more! Enchanting, @Cláudia Dmytriw Pichek.)
How's that for helping to jumpstart your inspiration?! This list has certainly given me quite the charge. I have all sorts of ideas swirling around in my head and I can't wait to get started. Here's to a week of peace, happiness, and inspiration for all!
So that no one has an unfair advantage in making it onto a hot list, the algorithm is secret even to site administrators. Only our platform developers know the code, which has been exhaustively tested by those developers and Cookie Connection staff.
All photos shown here are the courtesy (and copyright) of the designers listed.
To check out our other hot lists, at any time of day, visit our Hot Spot, also found in the site's main navigation line.
Lisa Foss is a hobbyist cookie decorator. After careers in corporate communications and freelance writing, she focused her attention on the nonprofit sector. She spent more than a decade at various soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and prison reentry programs throughout New York City. Lisa’s cookie journey began in 2011 when she started making gingerbread houses. This brought her to Cookie Connection, which has provided her with an incredible community to learn from and grow with. Though she enjoys making cookies for family and friends, Lisa’s main focus is cookies for charity.
For more information about Lisa and her work, please check out her Facebook and Instagram pages.
Byline photo credit: Shutterstock
Note: Saturday Spotlight is a weekly Cookie Connection blog feature written alternately by Lisa Foss and Julia M. Usher. Its primary intent is to cast a spotlight on the week's top-trending cookie posts, as determined automatically by the site algorithms described above. This article expresses the views of the author, and not necessarily those of this site, its owners, its administrators, or its employees. To see all of Cookie Connection's past Saturday Spotlights, click here.
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