I am absolutely ecstatic as I write this Spotlight! I recently, finally, and ever so proudly finished my entry for the 2024 Julia M. Usher's Cookie Art Competition™. I won't give any details (since it is all very hush-hush until the competition is complete and winners have been announced), but I can tell you that I enjoyed the process so much that I have already started another entry! The entry I just completed was not without a number of significant struggles and setbacks. But I hung in there and learned a bunch! I had such a great time challenging myself and trying all sorts of new-to-me techniques. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to give the competition a whirl. You can read more about it here.
Additionally, Julia has been hosting a variety of Q&As about the competition in which she's solicited advice from judges and sponsors. (BTW - the sponsors' prizes are incredible!) In case you missed the live sessions, you can access recorded versions of Julia's conversations with Laura Saporiti, Susan Trianos, Mark Smith, Beatriz Muller, and Lara Parodi via the pink links you just glanced past. 😉 For anyone still on the fence, take a listen to one of last year's winners, Susie Jacobs; she explains why cookie competitions are a good thing for all cookiers and how to overcome any first-time jitters!
Okay. I suspect that's enough of my competition nudging. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Well, I certainly appreciate your competition shout-out, Lisa, so I thank you! The more entrants, the merrier! 😀 ~JMU] Let's take a look at this week's hot list*.
#1: My Love to the Sea by Susie Jacobs (This cookie shadow box by the same @Susie Jacobs I just mentioned was an award-winning entry at the recent SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo. It seems Susie has a knack for competing, so, again, I urge you to listen to her tips in her video. 😀 Julia and I were so impressed with the dimension and layering in this piece that we decided to feature it as this week's cover art. Big congratulations all the way around, Susie!)
#2: Mother's Day Cookie by Zeena (In the comments section of this post, @Zeena says she tried something new with this piece - the palette knife work. Just like in competition! 😀 The results look delicious!)
#3: Piano Recital 2024 by Cookies Fantastique (What a creative symphony Carol has created!)
#4: A Mother's Love by Cookies Fantastique (I adore both the cause and creations. Stunning work once again, @Cookies Fantastique.)
#5: Tickled Pink by lulubakes (I am certainly tickled by @lulubakes' take on color and texture!)
#6: Spring Cookies by Evelindecora (What elegant perfection in @Evelindecora's dainty set!)
#7: Happy Mother's Day by SAORI (What mother wouldn't be delighted by these cuties?! Great job, @SAORI.)
#8: Fishing Cookies by Rae Dare-Smith (There's nothing fishy about these delightful treats. Charming work, @Rae Dare-Smith.)
#9: Painting Practice by Cookies Fantastique (This cookie is a wonderful example of someone taking the plunge, trying something new, and enjoying the experience - again, just like in competition! Well done. And also, congratulations to @Cookies Fantastique for three appearances in this week's Spotlight! No easy feat!)
#10: Happy Pills by TAMMY HOLMES (Here's another post where I love both the cookies and the idea behind them. Really wonderful, @TAMMY HOLMES!)
There is so much to appreciate in these cookies, isn't there? All sorts of techniques, mediums, and creative approaches. If you're looking for a fun warm-up before you start a competition entry, why not try Watch-Learn-Create Challenge #57?! @Manu biscotti decorati provides a master class in stenciled royal icing transfers, and offers an in-depth look at a fun and versatile way to up your cookie game!
That's a wrap for me. I hope everyone has a peaceful and creative 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.
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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. 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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