Hi, all, I'm not sure if you've had an opportunity to catch @Dolce Sentire - Aixa Zunino's recent tutorial (here), but I encourage you to do so for at least a couple of reasons.
First, it's a great tutorial, as always. But, second (and this is where the "bitter" part of "bittersweet" comes in), she reveals in it that she'll be leaving her position of site contributor, effective immediately. 
The "sweet" part is: she's got lots of other great cookie opportunities awaiting her! 
While I'm super sad to see such a talented cookier leave the Cookie Connection fold, I'm thrilled to see Aixa boldly stepping over the threshold of newly opened doors. I am sure her next endeavors will be as successful as her Get Inspired series was here! A huge thank you to Aixa for so generously sharing her talents with us. What a special treat it was for me to work with her for nearly two years!
Now, before the rest of you go running for the Kleenex to blot your teary eyes, I've got some other news that should lift your spirits. You know how @Manu biscotti decorati has been doing guest posts these last few months? Well, if you didn't, she has! And, what's more, she's graciously agreed to join our team of contributors. Starting next month, she'll issue her first "official" tutorial under the moniker of "Made by Manu", a new blog category that she'll be filling each month with a sure-to-be-splendid treat. To read more about Manu and her column, please check out her bio below or visit our "Contributors" page by clicking here.
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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. 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. Since then, cookie decorating has become Manu’s passion – one that she continues to develop by actively participating in the challenges hosted by fellow Cookie Connection contributor Bakerloo Station. You can follow Manu on Facebook and Instagram, email her at manubiscottidecorati@gmail.com, or catch her past Cookie Connection posts here.
Photo credit: Manuela Pezzopane