Phew - it's so hard to believe that yet another year on Cookie Connection is drawing to a close. But before we jump headfirst into the hubbub of 2020, I wanted to pause for a moment to recognize all of the cookiers who have so generously contributed to this site in 2019. Cookie Connection is kept alive through the volunteer efforts, creativity, and passion of so many, from our regular "staff" of contributors (aka @SugarDotCookies, @Bakerloo Station, @Aproned Artist, and @Manu biscotti decorati) to the plethora of members who submit site art for our banners and backdrops (all of whom you can find featured here). I am so grateful to each and every one of you - seriously, this site would cease to exist if not for your artistry and hard work. 
Fortunately, 2020 is starting out with an enthusiastic and steady stream of contributors, like this month's site artist, @Kanch J! All bodes well for another banner Cookie Connection-year!
Let's see what Kanch J has in store for us this month, and learn a bit more about her too! And please don't forget to thank her as you peruse the rest of this post. 
First, here's her marbled wet-on-wet extravaganza that will be beautifying our site in January. The patterns look like mini fireworks or even snowflakes, both of which are absolutely on point for ringing in the New Year!
You may already know Kanch J from her many Cookie Connection posts and challenge entries (see her portfolio here), but below is a more complete bio. As Kanch J is also a first-time site artist, I'll be posting an in-depth Cookier Close-up interview with her toward the end of February. Please stay tuned!
Kanchana Jayasundara, aka Kanch or Kanch J to her friends, is a hobbyist cookie decorator originally from Sri Lanka and now living in Malé, Maldives. Formerly employed as a graphic designer but now a stay-at-home mom with two boys (ages 4 and 13), Kanch has a passionate interest in art. In addition to decorating cookies, she engages in all kinds of art, including painting, graphic design, embroidery, cake decorating, paper crafts, and more.
Kanch started her cookie journey in 2017 after making cookies for the first time for her elder son’s tenth birthday. She's now making cookies for all of her friends' and family's special occasions. Kanch quickly improved her skills in various types of cookie decorating techniques, such as 3-D cookies, by watching the YouTube videos of the great cookie queen Julia M. Usher and learning from the Cookie Connection community.
Kanch considers each set of cookies as a new experience with secrets to master. By dedicating herself to mastering each set, she has become a successful cookier. Her husband and boys are her best fans and cookie taste-testers. With their encouragement, love, and support, she does all sorts of experiments and improves her creativity each day.
To learn more about Kanch and her cookie work, please visit her Instagram page and Cookie Connection member profile.
All cookies and photos by Kanchana Jayasundara.
Interested in seeing your name in lights and having your cookies featured on Cookie Connection?! I thought so! I would love to see your cookie art here too! When planning your submissions, please bear in mind that I am seeking art for April 2020 and beyond. I am now well stocked through March 2020.
It's easy to submit! Just read these posts here and here. Remember: Site artists not only get their work featured prominently for a full month, but they also get profiled in a forum post (like this one) and in an in-depth Cookier Close-up interview. All considered, it's a lot of great free PR in exchange for photo sharing!
Thanks in advance for considering a contribution to the site!
