Spring is definitely trying to hop on in. I should clarify. Warmer weather is certainly making an appearance in my area, but my sister out west is dealing with two feet of new snow. I'm not sure what the temperature is like in your particular neck of the woods, but, on this site, everyone seems eager to celebrate a new season. We've got all sorts of bunnies, bees, and beautiful blossoms to enjoy. Before we get to this week's hot list*, however, I want to draw attention to several of the awesome happenings on Cookie Connection . . .
There are still two weeks left to participate in Watch-Learn-Create Challenge #56. As a kickoff to the challenge, the amazing video tutorial featuring Noriko Forster's ruffle borders is available for only five dollars! Even if your schedule prevents you from participating in the challenge at this time, you can still watch the video at your convenience. Find out how to view it in the link above or on its page on Julia's site.
Julia's 2024 cookie art competition is happily underway! Though registration doesn't officially open until March 30, and entries aren't due until June 30, the theme and all of the rules have been posted (see the previous link). That said, it's safe to start planning and making your entries now. Speaking from my past experience in this competition, I can assure you it offers a wonderful opportunity to challenge yourself, polish your skills, and get your creative juices flowing. Plus, there are all sorts of prizes! Stay tuned, because Julia tells me she's posting the latest prize tally to social media on Sunday. It's already a big number even at this early stage of the competition!
Last but not least, let's not forget to celebrate our cookie heroes! Nominations for the American Cake Awards are now open, meaning it's time to submit your picks for best cookie artist, sugar hero, and many other awards. Recognizing those who have inspired and shaped us is always a lovely way to give back; plus, in my humble opinion, it's high time cookiers get the notice they deserve in these cake awards programs! Submit your nominations here, but, remember, these awards only recognize those residing in North America, which includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (BTW, congrats to Julia who recently learned she is one of four finalists worldwide for International Cake Show Australia's Global Sugar Hero Award. The winner will be announced in April at the show. Julia is up against some huge cake talent, but I, for one, am rooting for our resident cookier!)
That wraps up my spring cleaning for this week. Now let's get on with this week's hot list*.
#1: Bees by Montserrat Esquivel (These cuties have been making quite the buzz this week! 
)
#2: Wedding Dress Collection by Donna Allen (@Donna Allen used several wonderful techniques quite seamlessly in this elegant bridal set.)
#3: Pink Flowers by Yazz Ross (@Yazz Ross's beautiful Challenge #56 entry has earned a Spotlight position for the second week in a row. Her impeccable painting and ruffle borders explain why!)
#4: Easter is Almost Here! by Alison Friedli (Seeing as Easter is just around the corner and this set is so delightful, Julia and I decided to feature it as this week's cover art. Congratulations, @Alison Friedli!)
#5: Conejitos by Cookie's Studio by Elena (Kudos, Elena, for these darling bunnies and what I believe is your first Spotlight!)
#6: Peter in the Garden by Zeena (@Zeena kindly shared many of her construction and decorating details for this enchanting post. Be sure to check out her comments under it!)
#7: Bunny Smile by Montserrat Esquivel (Here's something to smile about . . . this creative cookie is @Montserrat Esquivel's second appearance in this week's Spotlight. Big congrats!)
#8: Women's Day by Cláudia Dmytriw Pichek (What a gorgeous reminder of this all-important day, @Cláudia Dmytriw Pichek!)
#9: Sweet Sixteen Birthday Cookies by Jankay (Such terrific texture and bold colors in @Jankay's birthday set!)
#10: Seashells and Succulents by Treatfairy (This set is only @Treatfairy's second post to Cookie Connection, yet both it and her first have appeared in Spotlights! What an uncommon feat!)
There we have it! Quite the celebration of the new season! Whatever weather may be out your window, I hope this Spotlight gave you a warm and wonderful glimpse of Spring. Here's to a safe, healthy, and productive week!
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 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. 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.
Comments (6)