Winter Butterflies

Challenge 7 – The Third Dimension – This challenge was extremely complicated for me and for all the wrong reasons.  This challenge was about creating any 3D cookie of any type.  Since I have a decent amount of 3D experience, I decided to go for something I have never tried.  I used the wafer paper butterflies from Julia’s Thank You cookie stencil as inspiration.
I cut the butterfly in half, beveled the edges and attached the wings to a separate rectangle base.

The process itself was quite easy but I had all sorts of problems with icing consistency.  I wasn’t terribly pleased with the end result (pictured above).

So, I decided to make another set.  This time, I mucked around with the wings before the icing was dry and made a mess of things.  Additionally, the airbrushing was all over the place.  The pearl sheen clogged not one but two airbrushes!  I switched to an aerosol spray can of pearl luster and the spray was sporadic, inconsistent and absolute bananas!

  I finally decided to just wrap up the challenge and move on.  I do like the cookie however and would not be opposed to trying it again.  After I finished everything, I was flipping through one of Julia’s cookbooks and noticed a 3D butterfly that was absolutely divine.  I’ll likely review that project before I attempt this in the future!

Hats off to your perseverance, you are awesome and the 🦋 are gorgeous ♥️

I must say, I do appreciate your attention to detail here - i.e., the icing on both sides of the wings and the finishing of the very edges. As you suggested, the icing looks like it was a touch too thick (especially in the first round) given the visible needle marks, but the icing was pretty close to where it needed to be and the construction is well done.

Yeah, those sheens can be trouble with guns, and the canned spray is really only good for broad coverage (as it goes EVERYWHERE)! Do you have the pink-handled Creative Cookier airbrush? It has a larger nozzle opening than most, and is specifically designed to help metallics pass through. It works with most sheens, but isn't without issues depending on the coloring (that's a big variable, as some colorings are way more clumpy than others).

@Julia M. Usher posted:

I must say, I do appreciate your attention to detail here - i.e., the icing on both sides of the wings and the finishing of the very edges. As you suggested, the icing looks like it was a touch too thick (especially in the first round) given the visible needle marks, but the icing was pretty close to where it needed to be and the construction is well done.

Yeah, those sheens can be trouble with guns, and the canned spray is really only good for broad coverage (as it goes EVERYWHERE)! Do you have the pink-handled Creative Cookier airbrush? It has a larger nozzle opening than most, and is specifically designed to help metallics pass through. It works with most sheens, but isn't without issues depending on the coloring (that's a big variable, as some colorings are way more clumpy than others).

I do have the pink handle brush and I believe it is the first one that clogged. I have to delve deeper into all of this, learn how to unclog these airbrushes and get more control over the situation. I’ve kind of just been winging it and I think it’s time for me to move on from that phase.

@Heather Bruce Sosa posted:

Hats off to your perseverance, you are awesome and the 🦋 are gorgeous ♥️

You are so kind Heather. This was indeed a test of perseverance!🤣

Oh Lisa, these butterflys are so awesome!! Love the metallic effect for winter and the wings are decorated on both sides! Great job my dear friend!! ❤️ @LisaF

@Julia M. Usher posted:

I must say, I do appreciate your attention to detail here - i.e., the icing on both sides of the wings and the finishing of the very edges. As you suggested, the icing looks like it was a touch too thick (especially in the first round) given the visible needle marks, but the icing was pretty close to where it needed to be and the construction is well done.

Yeah, those sheens can be trouble with guns, and the canned spray is really only good for broad coverage (as it goes EVERYWHERE)! Do you have the pink-handled Creative Cookier airbrush? It has a larger nozzle opening than most, and is specifically designed to help metallics pass through. It works with most sheens, but isn't without issues depending on the coloring (that's a big variable, as some colorings are way more clumpy than others).

I have to correct myself on the earlier comment about the airbrush.  I do have the pink handled brush but it is not the one that I used.  The pink one was in the box along with some complimentary metalic colors!  It turns out that my husband isn't the only one in the house who doesn't pay attention.

@Icingsugarkeks posted:

Oh Lisa, these butterflys are so awesome!! Love the metallic effect for winter and the wings are decorated on both sides! Great job my dear friend!! ❤️ @LisaF

Thank you so much dear Gabi!😘❤️

Firstly, congrats on embracing the spirit of these challenges; you tried new ideas, experimented, and learned. And then you shared this with us so that we could learn too. I love your butterfly idea. It's a beautiful 3D cookie made from a few simple flat pieces. It's really like taking 2D cookies to a whole new level. Getting the right icing consistency just takes practice, but beyond that, your entry is genius!

@Sweet Prodigy posted:

Firstly, congrats on embracing the spirit of these challenges; you tried new ideas, experimented, and learned. And then you shared this with us so that we could learn too. I love your butterfly idea. It's a beautiful 3D cookie made from a few simple flat pieces. It's really like taking 2D cookies to a whole new level. Getting the right icing consistency just takes practice, but beyond that, your entry is genius!

Thank you Christine.  I did think of you when I decided on the butterfly.  You really motivated me.  I thought, if I do another large floral arrangement Christine's head is going to explode.😂😂

I admire your perseverance. Great job.

@Zeena posted:

I admire your perseverance. Great job.

Thanks Zeena.  I refused to be defeated by butterflies!!😂

Cute and lovely