The judges and I are getting SO excited to see all of your cookie creations! But don’t forget: both 2-D and 3-D entries to Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ are due in about one week, on October 15 at 5 pm CDT, to be exact...

Guess what, everyone?! The Bake Fest is back, and so am I! I am beyond excited, because I will be teaching another...

Our site algorithms have spoken again! They've factored in all of our visitors' comments, views, and reactions to come up with the trending rankings that determine our weekly Saturday Spotlight roundup...

You may have caught this awesome news already in my September stencil release post, but, if not, let me break it to you first, here and now...

I'm a sucker for stunning place settings, and particularly ones with an element of surprise. That's why I'm especially excited about this month's release, which will allow you to make a plethora of Thanksgiving place cards! The surprise for guests is that...

Hello, competitors and soon-to-be competitors! In case you missed last week's announcement on my Facebook page, here’s the recording of my final competition live Q&A on Saturday, September 25 with the wonderful Ginny Levack...

I'm back - at least for this weekend, that is . . . my multi-week 3-D cookie course is going well, but it's been nonstop teaching, cleaning up, and resetting for the last two weeks, with a few more weeks yet to go. I am...

Hi, competitors! This week, I introduce you to the illustrious judges of Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ - three out of four of them at least! In the following video, judges Sandie Beltran, Stephanie Kappel, and Laura Saporiti tell you a bit about their competition and judging experience, as well as...

This week, we hear from last year’s first-place winner in the 3-D cookie category and one of this year’s judges, Laura Saporiti! Here, Laura shares with you lessons learned from her many years of competing - specifically what she most values...

Hi, all! Here is a recording of my second Facebook Live Competition Q&A that took place today (Saturday, September 4)! In it, I provide some exciting updates about...

Hi, registered and potential competitors in Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™! I will be stepping out live again on Saturday, September 4 (9 am CT) to alert you to some changes in...

So, for years I've been wondering what to do with the stray cow bones from our farm that my husband "arranged" in this vintage cart on our porch. He so rarely attempts to decorate anything around the house that I didn't want to remove them lest I unintentionally thwart future (and better) home beautification efforts. So they've...

In case you missed the choice tidbit that I slipped into my earlier post this week with Stacy Frank's video, here it is again! Drum roll, please...

Hi, everyone! This week, we’re hearing from Stacy Frank, aka The Frostitute and two-time winner of my 3-D competition category, about her cookie journey and why she thinks...

Hi, gang! It's time again for spotlighting the stand-out cookies on the site! And, boy, do we have some true stand-outs this week, including cookies from first-time (and also two-time) honorees...

Hi, competitors! I hope you are busily planning your entries and have taken the time to register early! The 2021 virtual edition of Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ has great fun and learning in store for you, as well as tremendous prizes - now about $14,000, of which $8,000 is cash! If you...

So, one thing I've been doing, whilst revamping websites and prepping for a big cookie course, is biking! This week, I logged 110 miles, and, just today, I managed 29 - all in prep for what I had hoped would be a fall biking trip to Croatia with my college roomies. But...

In this short video, Thomas Blake Hogan, three-time winner of Julia M. Usher's Cookie Art Competition™, gives SIX great reasons to enter the special 2021 virtual edition. And I give you number SEVEN...

Hi, all. I wanted to alert all competitors to two clarifications made to the 2-D Cookie Definition over the last two days. These changes have been...

As you sit poolside sipping a summer cocktail and basking in the sun, fall may not be calling you just yet. But, I assure you, with the way time flies, it will be soon! So, to get you geared up for that active autumn cookie season, I've got a charming fall-themed stencil design to help make easy work of those upcoming orders. It features...

Hi, everyone! In case you missed today's live competition Q&A on my Facebook page, the recording is below. First, thanks to all who...

Hi, all! Thanks for allowing me a brief reprieve from Spotlights last weekend. I am still deeply under water with my workload, and anticipate being that way through the end of October, so I ask for continued patience. While there was a...

It’s once again Cookier Close-up time! Yay! I just love learning more about our fabulous Cookie Connection members! Today, we’re talking with a member who harks from one of the cities and countries where I’ve most frequently traveled to teach cookie decorating – Buenos Aires, Argentina! I absolutely love...

Mark your calendars, cookiers! If you're interested in registering for my cookie competition, but unsure of some of the rules or what you might get out of the experience, then...