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Saturday Spotlight: Watch-Learn-Create Challenge #52 Recap

 

Hi, everyone! Once again, I am taking over the Saturday Spotlight this weekend with the recap of Watch-Learn-Create Challenge #52. It featured guest Evelin Milanesi, also known as @Evelindecora, and her signature Piped Crochet Technique developed in 2016.

A big thank-you to each one of you who participated in the challenge. We have seen cozy sweaters, stockings, and dainty baby sets, but also snakes, sharks, and 3-D cookie scenes. Some of you even applied this technique to contoured cookies (i.e., ornament and hat cookies), incorporating what you learned in both Challenges #51 and #52!

Although the Piped Crochet Technique may look easy when piped by Evelin, to master this technique, you need to take your time, get into a calm mindset, and use a royal icing consistency that is on point. Evelin explained everything in her demo, first on paper, then on acetate, and finally on cookies. Her demo was a true online class, and I can’t thank Evelin enough for sharing her knowledge with us! [EDITOR'S NOTE: Likewise! I watched Evelin's video for the third time last night and was just as impressed as I was the first time. Thank you, Evelin, for such wonderful instruction! ~JMU]

As you know, Evelin has donated one hour of her time to one lucky entrant who will have the chance to connect with her and ask anything cookie-related in a friendly Zoom chat. And the randomly drawn winner is, 🥁🥁🥁 . . .

1139C808-FA90-45E9-A7AE-8E1616B7E45D. . . @MANUELA CANTÙ! Many congrats, Manuela! Evelin will get in contact with you through Cookie Connection to send you the link to the Zoom chat. Thanks again, Evelin!

Below is Manuela’s entry.

A Warm Winter by MANUELA CANTÙ
B78A6A78-068E-42C7-B82C-D2FF56E30CFC
Manuela used the Piped Crochet Technique on jumpers (aka sweaters), gloves, a winter hat, and even on a snowflake. One difficulty encountered by Manuela, and shared in the comments under her entry, was that her stiff icing became creamy. Click on her entry (pink link above) to read the tips shared by Evelin about this issue.

Let's turn now to the top ten challenge entries that have trended the fastest over the last month. (Note: This top ten list is determined automatically by Cookie Connection site-trending algorithms. These algorithms use the rate of change in members' collective likes, comments, and reactions to each entry to determine the rankings shown here.)

#1: Let It Snow! by Elena Di GiacopoCC5EB60C-5D3D-40CE-A29E-208BA3DDEC18
This gorgeous challenge entry was Elena’s first post ever on Cookie Connection. Each and every cookie is so delicate, dainty, and flawless, and the royal icing crochet “stitches” are so tiny! Elena, we were impressed and hope to see more of your posts in future challenges and Cookie Connection clip feeds!

#2: Evelin Stars by Icingsugarkeks92A32934-6D4E-4EE6-9914-DBA2790F4851
Icingsugarkeks, aka Gabi, said in reference to her entry, “After the 19 stars, I soon found the pattern faster than even the dots on the other stars.” Practice makes perfect, and she surely mastered Evelin’s Piped Crochet Technique.

#3: Shark in Crochet Net by Sandy_S03735E49-A139-4B5B-BFA9-F27282F414D9
Welcome to new Cookie Connection member @Sandy_S who stepped right into the challenge with this amazing first post! Sandy is “brand-new to cookie decorating", and this cookie is the first thing that she has ever piped. Well done!

#4: Evelin-Inspired Milk Snake by Stevie JeanC27AEF68-86D0-452C-918E-D13379CA58AC
Who knew that Evelin’s Piped Crochet Technique could work so well as snake scales! What an impressive piping job by Stevie, especially because it's so much harder to pipe this pattern on a curved shape. A great entry showing great imagination!

#5: Warm Garden by Heather Bruce Sosa89CAC2C0-DC1B-4820-9B10-C7AAF729E0B5
Speaking of imagination, aren't Heather’s watering cans covered in crochet the cutest?

#6: Bébé Papillon by Dulcinea “Dool ceē neah”1156CA87-DD73-4429-BE4D-3F957EAC2B27
Piped crochet and textured fondant work so well together in this dainty baby set.

#7: A White Dream by Petra Florean93867E51-A63D-4755-B6E3-6D6F58928C4E
This darling cookie was Petra’s third of four entries. Despite the difficulties she encountered at first with piping straight lines, Petra didn’t give up, and her piped crochet improved entry after entry.

#8: Guille’s Cot by Heather Bruce SosaAB5E7D76-FF69-44A5-8D0D-0DAC99D245BC
Special congrats to Heather on her second featured entry! Look at the three different ways she was inspired to use the Piped Crochet Technique in this gorgeous 3-D cookie scene - for the rug, the blanket, and the girl's pinafore.

#9: Knit Stockings by EAC0BAC706C-DAA6-4AE4-92EB-F324D52ED9B2
EAC made some adjustments to her icing consistency and reduced her piping tip size to align more with Evelin’s instructions, as she explains in the first comment under her entry. And those adjustments appear to have worked - EAC nailed the Piped Crochet Technique!

#10: Baby Shower Crochet Set by Ira Varinia
2E9F5CF7-1206-499E-A52C-911AB6F02830
Ira said she's never been a big fan of using piping tips, but she learned that using them is not as hard as she thought it would be . . . just look at these perfect stitches!

A special mention to @Zeena and @LisaF who combined the techniques learned in the previous challenge (about shaping and covering 3-D cookies with @Julia M. Usher) with those learned in Evelin’s challenge. They made some gorgeous contoured cookies covered in piped crochet: Crochet Bauble and Hats, Cats, and Scarves! You can also find all of the challenge entries under this link. I encourage you to check out the comments under each entry to find tips and tricks from each entrant about this learning experience. As we learn together, we grow together.

I leave you with a video that captures, from start to finish, the whole Watch-Learn-Create Challenge #52 with Evelin. You’ll see some timelapsed highlights from Evelin’s demo and a slideshow of all of the entries, including some work-in-process pictures posted by our entrants in comments under their photos. What an amazing feast for the eyes. Thanks again to all who participated!

The next challenge is in the works and will be posted very soon - if not by the end of next week, then surely by the end of the month. Stay tuned!

Ciao, Manu

Manuela Pezzopane, affectionately called Manu by her friends and family, is the author of the blog feature Made by Manu, where each month she shares the method behind a magical cookie of her own making. In March 2022, Manu also assumed the role of host of our rebranded and reformatted Cookie Connection Challenges: Watch-Learn-Create Series, which debuted in a virtual video format in July 2022. A fan of everything handmade, Manu professes to have tried every possible hobby. However, it wasn’t until the end of 2014, when an American friend invited her to a Christmas cookie exchange, that she first discovered decorated cookies. In 2015, after watching Julia M. Usher's videos and signing up on Cookie Connection, Manu finally attempted her own designs. Since then, cookie decorating has become Manu’s passion, and her mesmerizing video shorts have earned her a large and loyal following throughout the global cookie community. Manu harks from Rome, Italy, where she currently resides. You can email Manu at manubiscottidecorati@gmail.com, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, or explore her past challenges and large library of Made by Manu tutorials here on Cookie Connection.

Photo credit: Manuela Pezzopane

Attachments

Images (13)
  • Watch-Learn-Create Challenge #52 Recap Banner: Cookies and Photo by Evelindecora; Graphic Design by Elizabeth Cox
  • The Prize - One-Hour Zoom Chat with Evelin: Wafer Paper Art and Logo Courtesy of Evelindecora
  • A Warm Winter: By MANUELA CANTÙ
  • #1 - Let It Snow!: By Elena Di Giacopo
  • #2 - Evelin Stars: By Icingsugarkeks
  • #3 - Shark in Crochet Net: By Sandy _S
  • #4 - Evelin-Inspired Milk Snake: By Stevie Jean
  • #5 - Warm Garden: By Heather Bruce Sosa
  • #6 - Bébé Papillon: By Dulcinea “Dool ceē neah”
  • #7 - A White Dream: By Petra Florean
  • #8 - Guille’s Cot: By Heather Bruce Sosa
  • #9 - Knit Stockings: By EAC
  • #10 - Baby Shower Crochet Set: By Ira Varinia
Videos (1)
Challenge #52 Video Recap

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Comments (35)

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OMG! Such a wonderful surprise and the best birthday gift ever! This goes far beyond my expectations 😍 all entries were just gorgeous! I personally loved experimenting with this technique❤️. Thanks, thanks, thanks @Manu biscotti decorati, @Evelindecora and @Julia M. Usher!

OMG! Such a wonderful surprise and the best birthday gift ever! This goes far beyond my expectations 😍 all entries were just gorgeous! I personally loved experimenting with this technique❤️. Thanks, thanks, thanks @Manu biscotti decorati, @Evelindecora and @Julia M. Usher!

You are most welcome - and happy birthday! You are so lucky to have one-on-one time with the wonderful @Evelindecora!

I'll say it again - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your video recaps, @Manu biscotti decorati. They do such a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of these challenges! And it is so lovely to catch glimpses of you in them!

Many congrats to the winner: @MANUELA CANTÙ, you did a very beautiful job! All entries indeed deserved to win, I’ve been very impressed by your creativity, every single cookie of this challenge  was so full of love and details that warmed my heart.

Thank you all for have joined this challenge and thank you @Julia M. Usher and @Manu biscotti decorati for inviting me!

Happy Sunday everyone

♥️🌸♥️

OMG! Such a wonderful surprise and the best birthday gift ever! This goes far beyond my expectations 😍 all entries were just gorgeous! I personally loved experimenting with this technique❤️. Thanks, thanks, thanks @Manu biscotti decorati, @Evelindecora and @Julia M. Usher!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY @MANUELA CANTÙ! So glad you won the challenge just today as birthday gift! Congrats ♥️♥️♥️

Many congrats to the winner: @MANUELA CANTÙ, you did a very beautiful job! All entries indeed deserved to win, I’ve been very impressed by your creativity, every single cookie of this challenge  was so full of love and details that warmed my heart.

Thank you all for have joined this challenge and thank you @Julia M. Usher and @Manu biscotti decorati for inviting me!

Happy Sunday everyone

♥️🌸♥️

So wonderful to have you as our first "real" guest! Thank you so very much for the love and time you put into this!

OMG! Such a wonderful surprise and the best birthday gift ever! This goes far beyond my expectations 😍 all entries were just gorgeous! I personally loved experimenting with this technique❤️. Thanks, thanks, thanks @Manu biscotti decorati, @Evelindecora and @Julia M. Usher!

Congrats on your Birthday Manuela, what a lucky coincidence! Thank YOU so much for being a consistent participant to the Cookie Connection challenges for many years.

I'll say it again - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your video recaps, @Manu biscotti decorati. They do such a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of these challenges! And it is so lovely to catch glimpses of you in them!

Thank you Julia, I am so glad you liked the recaps. It was my way to say thank you to the featured guests (you earlier and Evelin now) and to all participants.

Last edited by Manu biscotti decorati

Many congrats to the winner: @MANUELA CANTÙ, you did a very beautiful job! All entries indeed deserved to win, I’ve been very impressed by your creativity, every single cookie of this challenge  was so full of love and details that warmed my heart.

Thank you all for have joined this challenge and thank you @Julia M. Usher and @Manu biscotti decorati for inviting me!

Happy Sunday everyone

♥️🌸♥️

Thank YOU, Evelin for your time and for showing us your cool technique. What a great experience watching you piping and decorating in person!

Thank you ladies for another awesome challenge,for opportunity to watch-learn and create ,thank you @Julia M. Usher,thank you @Manu also for wonderful Recaps video,just love it and dear Evelina @Evelindecora your tutorial is just great now only to train again and again.Thank you ladies for huge effort to give also to us cookiers your Knowledge,Tips and the Love for cookies❤️❤️❤️I am so grateful for all this!!

Congratulations dear @MANUELA CANTÙ and Happy Birthday dear,well deserved!!😘

Last edited by Petra Florean

Thank you ladies for another awesome challenge,for opportunity to watch-learn and create ,thank you @Julia M. Usher,thank you @Manu also for wonderful Recaps video,just love it and dear Evelina @Evelindecora your tutorial is just great now only to train again and again.Thank you ladies for huge effort to give also to us cookiers your Knowledge,Tips and the Love for cookies❤️❤️❤️I am so grateful for all this!!

Congratulations dear @MANUELA CANTÙ and Happy Birthday dear,well deserved!!😘

Thank you so much Petra❤️

Congrats on your Birthday Manuela, what a lucky coincidence! Thank YOU so much for being a consistent participant to the Cookie Connection challenges for many years.

Thank you so much Manu, for the birthday wishes and all your contributions here... Such a great source of inspiration.. Thanks again for this wonderful challenge with Evelin as guest ❤️

What a surprise this morning 😍, I'm so happy!!!!
Thank you @Evelindecora with all my heart for your willingness and the time dedicated to us, you know, I do love this amazing technique that somehow reminds me of another passion of mine 😉
Many thanks to @Julia M. Usher and @Manuela Pezzopane for all the big opportunities given to learn and improve our skillness through tutorials and creative inspiration and many many thanks to all the members 💖who left a like on my post or wrote a comment.
Many many congratulations to @MANUELA CANTÙ for being the winner of the challenge and Happy Birthday my dear 🥰

Congratulations to everyone featured. This was such a fun challenge. Thank you so much to Evelin, Manu and Julia for challenging, teaching and encouraging us in so many ways. From start to finish this has been a delight.

I would like to echo Petra's words. It's exactly what I think too.
Thanks for this wonderful Challenge dear Manu, Evelin und Julia @Manu biscotti decorati  @Evelindecora  @Julia M. Usher ❤️❤️❤️
And Manuela - Happy Birthday and Congratulations to you dear cookie friend!! @MANUELA CANTÙ

I would like to echo Petra's words. It's exactly what I think too.
Thanks for this wonderful Challenge dear Manu, Evelin und Julia @Manu biscotti decorati  @Evelindecora  @Julia M. Usher ❤️❤️❤️
And Manuela - Happy Birthday and Congratulations to you dear cookie friend!! @MANUELA CANTÙ

Thank you so much, Gabi ❤️

Thank you ladies for another awesome challenge,for opportunity to watch-learn and create ,thank you @Julia M. Usher,thank you @Manu also for wonderful Recaps video,just love it and dear Evelina @Evelindecora your tutorial is just great now only to train again and again.Thank you ladies for huge effort to give also to us cookiers your Knowledge,Tips and the Love for cookies❤️❤️❤️I am so grateful for all this!!

Congratulations dear @MANUELA CANTÙ and Happy Birthday dear,well deserved!!😘

Thank YOU, Petra for always being an active participant to the challenges and with multiple entries.

What a surprise this morning 😍, I'm so happy!!!!
Thank you @Evelindecora with all my heart for your willingness and the time dedicated to us, you know, I do love this amazing technique that somehow reminds me of another passion of mine 😉
Many thanks to @Julia M. Usher and @Manuela Pezzopane for all the big opportunities given to learn and improve our skillness through tutorials and creative inspiration and many many thanks to all the members 💖who left a like on my post or wrote a comment.
Many many congratulations to @MANUELA CANTÙ for being the winner of the challenge and Happy Birthday my dear 🥰

Thank you Elena for participating. And again, keep up the amazing work, we can’t wait to see more of your stunning creations.

@LisaF posted:

Congratulations to everyone featured. This was such a fun challenge. Thank you so much to Evelin, Manu and Julia for challenging, teaching and encouraging us in so many ways. From start to finish this has been a delight.

Thank you, Lisa, I am glad you had fun, that’s the spirit: create and have fun along the way. I think we are so lucky to have @Julia M. Usher that provides this forum on Cookie Connection and @Evelindecora as a featured guest for this challenge. It is such a great learning experience for myself as well.

I would like to echo Petra's words. It's exactly what I think too.
Thanks for this wonderful Challenge dear Manu, Evelin und Julia @Manu biscotti decorati  @Evelindecora  @Julia M. Usher ❤️❤️❤️
And Manuela - Happy Birthday and Congratulations to you dear cookie friend!! @MANUELA CANTÙ

Thank you Gabi! I was so glad  to see you back with your entries!

@Zeena posted:

Congratulations and happy birthday to Manuela @MANUELA CANTÙ. Congratulations to all featured here. Thank you Julia @Julia M. Usher, Manu @Manu biscotti decorati and to Evelin @Evelindecora for a wonderful teaching experience.

Thank YOU Zeena, for watching, learning and creating an amazing entry!

What a surprise this morning 😍, I'm so happy!!!!
Thank you @Evelindecora with all my heart for your willingness and the time dedicated to us, you know, I do love this amazing technique that somehow reminds me of another passion of mine 😉
Many thanks to @Julia M. Usher and @Manuela Pezzopane for all the big opportunities given to learn and improve our skillness through tutorials and creative inspiration and many many thanks to all the members 💖who left a like on my post or wrote a comment.
Many many congratulations to @MANUELA CANTÙ for being the winner of the challenge and Happy Birthday my dear 🥰

Dear Elena, you did an amazing job, jaw dropping, absolutely! Many congrats in your first place and thank you so much for joining this challenge 😘

@LisaF posted:

Congratulations to everyone featured. This was such a fun challenge. Thank you so much to Evelin, Manu and Julia for challenging, teaching and encouraging us in so many ways. From start to finish this has been a delight.

Lisa💘💘💘

Thank you ladies for another awesome challenge,for opportunity to watch-learn and create ,thank you @Julia M. Usher,thank you @Manu also for wonderful Recaps video,just love it and dear Evelina @Evelindecora your tutorial is just great now only to train again and again.Thank you ladies for huge effort to give also to us cookiers your Knowledge,Tips and the Love for cookies❤️❤️❤️I am so grateful for all this!!

Congratulations dear @MANUELA CANTÙ and Happy Birthday dear,well deserved!!😘

Thank you very much dear Petra♥️💘♥️

Dear Elena, you did an amazing job, jaw dropping, absolutely! Many congrats in your first place and thank you so much for joining this challenge 😘

Thank you Evelin, I'm so happy you liked it. The pleasure to joining the challenge was all mine... It was the first time that I participated to something so special, so excited to see that my set of cookies had a good response. All cookiers were so kind ❤️ You do know that I love the way you teach, I love your way of decorating cookies with royal icing 'cause every creation is really extremely delicate and elegant. Thank you... for everything!

Thank you Elena for participating. And again, keep up the amazing work, we can’t wait to see more of your stunning creations.

Thank you @Manu biscotti decorati.. I love your creativity, fantasy, imagination. Your creations are so amazing. I follow your tutorials, so detailed and inspirational. I'll try to do my best to create some other cookies  

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