Hi, everyone! Here I am with the recap of Watch-Learn-Create Challenge #56 featuring Noriko Forster, aka @mintlemonade (cookie crumbs). In her kickoff video, Noriko showcased how to create three types of royal icing ruffle borders, and then Noriko and I challenged you to create a set of three cookies featuring two of Noriko’s borders and one of your own design. We really enjoyed seeing your pretty entries and your personal takes on ruffle borders. I can't thank you enough for purchasing the video and entering the challenge. Your color choices were so interesting, as they were either vibrant colors or monochrome white, but, in both scenarios, the borders surely stole the scene! To those who purchased Noriko's demo and didn't have the chance to participate: remember, even though the challenge is now closed, we'd love to see your creations! Keep practicing, and don't forget to mention where you learned these border techniques!
I am so grateful to Noriko for sharing her expertise with us, and for showing us how to elevate our cookies with elegant, classy, and timeless borders. It was really a pleasure to watch her decorating her cookies and to learn how she arranges her delicate royal icing transfers on them.
Noriko's generosity went even further, as she offered her digital workbook entitled "Embroidery-like Piping" (in English) to one randomly drawn entrant. I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for the grand winner reveal, so let's get to it!
And the winner of Noriko's prize is 🥁🥁🥁. . .
🥁🥁🥁. . . @Heather Bruce Sosa! Many congrats, Heather! Noriko and I can’t wait to see the cookies you decorate with Noriko's embroidery techniques. Please be sure to check your email where Cookie Connection founder @Julia M. Usher will put you in touch with Noriko so you can redeem this terrific prize.
And, to the rest of you: In case you missed Heather's gorgeous entry, here it is . . .
Valentines Forever ❤️ by @Heather Bruce Sosa
Don't stop holding your breath just yet! We have another prize to award, and it is one free past challenge demo of the winner's choice, selected from the past five videos pictured below. (Note: Julia's demo comes in two parts.) As with Noriko's video, each demo is truly an online master class taught by one of the cookie business' best. BTW, all past and current videos are available for sale on juliausher.com under the “Guest Series” area.
And the winner is . . . 🥁🥁🥁
🥁🥁🥁. . . @Yazz Ross! Many congrats, Yazz! Keep an eye on your inbox for an email from Julia that will let you know how to gain access to your video pick. Yazz participated with three entries, and this entry was the one that was randomly drawn to earn this prize:
Olive Collection by @Yazz Ross
Let’s now have a look at the rest of the spotlighted entries, listed in order of submission date.
Hearts by @Zeena
@Zeena's vibrant color combination warms the heart, but, even so, the piped borders draw all of the attention!
Pink Flowers by @Yazz Ross
Each border in this dainty set of cookies frames a stunning watercolor floral, all handpainted by Yazz. So impressive!
Cushion Cookies by @Zeena
Another beautiful entry by Zeena! When Zeena looked at Noriko's cookies for the very first time, she immediately saw pillows, so that's what she made here! Textured fondant was used to make the center of each pillow, but everything else is piped royal icing. I especially like the smock stitch-effect on the green cookie (top right) and its pleated border piped with a basketweave tip.
Beautiful White by @Yazz Ross
Though all white with small gold accents, this set is still highly rich and textural, thanks to Yazz's very clean and precise piping! At first glance, these cookies made Noriko and me think of brooches - perhaps because of the concentric piped patterns and gold bits. Whatever they are intended to be, they are absolutely lovely - especially that ruffle border on the top right!
Easter ❤️ by @Heather Bruce Sosa
What a clever idea to add ruffle borders to crosses! Each design in this second entry by Heather is a beautiful way to celebrate Easter!
White Ruffle by @KUMIKO KISHI
Another monochrome set where wonderful texture is the focal point! As Julia said, "I especially appreciate that you [KUMIKO KISHI] took the challenge techniques and extended them beyond simple geometrics to other cookie shapes!" Elegance at its best - that's how I sum up this set!
Little Spring by @Ira V. Taylor
Ira remarked that she had second thoughts about entering the challenge, but, at the last minute, she finished her cookies and took the leap! And aren't we all so glad that she did?! Otherwise, we would have missed Ira's wonderful cookies - and her very original spin of pairing refined borders with the rustic crackle effect! Julia and I love this juxtaposition of styles and textures!
Well done, entrants!
I now leave you with the usual video recap that captures the entire experience with Noriko. You’ll see some timelapsed highlights from Noriko's demo and a slideshow of all of the entries.
Again, thanks so much to featured guest Noriko Forster, aka @mintlemonade (cookie crumbs), and to @Julia M. Usher for connecting us through this wonderful website Cookie Connection. Also, thanks to each one of you for supporting Cookie Connection's challenges by purchasing Noriko’s demo, and for finding the time to participate. Our next challenge will be out by the end of April or early May, and will feature a special guest who is quite close to Cookie Connection. (And that's the only hint I'll give you, so don't even try to fish for more! 
)
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
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