Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life
@Sylvianne - You have some very nice entries here, but I have asked @Sweet Prodigy to email you to review challenge posting rules again, and to make some decisions with you about which of the cookies you posted stay in the challenge.
(1) First, as noted in the challenge rules, we do not allow multiple submissions of the same cookies into the challenge, and, across the six photos posted today, I see a number of repeat cookies. So you will have to whittle down your entries to ones that don't repeat.
(2) Challenge entries ALWAYS need to be labelled with "Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #XX" in the caption field and in the tags. (In this case, "XX" is "44".) None of your photos have this caption.
(3) And, NONE of these photos should go in the "Site Submissions" clip set, as that is reserved for designs to be considered for monthly site art, and those photos have to meet certain specs (sizes and crops).
Sweet Prodigy can help you with all of this, but please do pay particular care to post correctly next time, as it takes a lot of time to make these sorts of corrections on our end. Thank you.
Done. I’ve corrected the errors. They weren’t meant as multiple submissions just different views. Site submission was misunderstood on my part. And I think I will stick to just reading and getting the great information from your site. I seem to royally mush up my submission attempts.
Done. I’ve corrected the errors. They weren’t meant as multiple submissions just different views. Site submission was misunderstood on my part. And I think I will stick to just reading and getting the great information from your site. I seem to royally mush up my submission attempts.
Thanks! And my apologies - the intent of my message was not to discourage you from submitting to the challenges. We love seeing your work, and want to encourage it. So I am hoping you will take some time with Sweet Prodigy to clear up any remaining confusion about how to post different views (they get attached to a comment under the main view) and tag/classify things. Keeping alternate views associated with the main entry (under it in a comment) will also help us to figure out what is an entry and what is not.
So, for instance, the five photos that you just deleted would be great to add under this photo in a comment. Just select "Add Attachments" in the lower right corner of the comment box and upload your photos into the comment.
The smaller hearts were made using the bridgework technique which was tidier than I expected. The buildup went well and held the vertical dimension well. Outward extensions of string resemble eyelashes which have other applications for spa cookies, women’s night out cookies, showers, etc.
The rotunda in the back was an attempt to create a circular work with a continually rising elevation not unlike a circular parking lot ascending to the top. At the top I was interested in seeing if that structure could be linked across to another element and so continued the line to another heart- knitting it into another bridgework with side sweeps growing outward. I found the technique ‘easier’ to do than I expected as long as the icing is responsive. No coffee before attempting this handwork.
The one thing I would really Ike help with is knowing how to remove the sponge without demolishing the entire structure which is what happened. Or alternatively how to support the top cookie while piping so the support can be removed gradually and smoothly to make sure of the strength of the strings before total collapse. That would be helpful to know how others have done it.
The one thing I would really Ike help with is knowing how to remove the sponge without demolishing the entire structure which is what happened. Or alternatively how to support the top cookie while piping so the support can be removed gradually and smoothly to make sure of the strength of the strings before total collapse. That would be helpful to know how others have done it.
Thanks for loading all of your photos and explanation - so super informative! ❤️
The one thing I would really Ike help with is knowing how to remove the sponge without demolishing the entire structure which is what happened. Or alternatively how to support the top cookie while piping so the support can be removed gradually and smoothly to make sure of the strength of the strings before total collapse. That would be helpful to know how others have done it.
@Sylvianne Your pink heart cookie looks so elegant - and delicate. I think I might be able to help troubleshoot.
One of the things that's needed to support the top cookie is to have sound, structural stringwork. If you look at the other entries, you will see each has numerous vertical strings that directly connect the top piece to the bottom piece. The more strings (i.e. vertical supports) there are, the stronger the structure will be. You have many strings too, however, the structure is broken by the stringwork loops. So, really, the top cookie is being supported only by the points where the loops connect, which is not enough for such a weighted cookie. (Remember, a structure is only as strong as its weakest point.)
Also, others have used royal icing transfers on top, which are much lighter - and probably easier to work with - than a cookie. My suggestion would be to first try a royal icing transfer as your top piece, and also to connect your strings directly from your top piece to your bottom piece - without the decorative loops. Also, try to use a sponge that is smaller rather than larger - it will be a little easier to remove.
You're on the right track. Don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries, after all, practice bakes perfect!
That white oriental stringwork around the large heart cookie has got to be one of the nicest borders I have ever seen. You did a wonderful job of capturing this delicate technique. I also noticed that you did quite a bit of experimenting (and a lot of learning, I'm sure) with the different piping designs you created. Your contemporary designs show a lot of creativity so I hope you continue to experiment and practice some more. And you are right about the coffee - cookies first, Tim's second!
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