Challenge Ideas? Let's Hear Them!

This challenge has been so wonderful! I'm AMAZED at what everyone has done. I think it would be fun to do just one shape, something odd and inexplicable that would serve as a bit of a Rorschach test. You are rocking your new role! Thank you!

I thought of some ideas for challenges 1)There are several mediums we can use to create a beautiful cookie; fondant, RI, glaze and embellishments ( like pearls and sprinkles etc) and maybe others I don't know of. Why not do the a challenge with only using one of those mediums. For instance, this month using only embellishments make a set of 3 cookies( that will clear out allot of those sprinkles in everyone's closet!). or Another idea, 2) Do the technique of the month. Best of painting on a cookie, Best of marbling on a cookie, Best use on RI , Best use of fondant , etc You can chose or theme or let us. Allot of people are now painting on cookies and it is hard to compare an artist painting on cookie with the use of plain RI . Am I making sense? Just ideas to help you out! 

One idea that I had would be that we create an inspiration board collaboratively- maybe week one is everyone contributing thoughts starting with a seed image, and then at the end of the week I give everyone an assignment to cookie based on that board.  We could build the board here in a forum thread and I could also post on pinterest/make a collage.  Anyone think that is interesting- or is it too complicated?

Lauren- I too am pretty blown away- not so much at the talent I already knew everyone had, but how diligently you guys are applying it to these challenges!!! It's a blast for sure.  Glad you like the ride so far- hopefully we are just beginning!

I love the idea of one shape.  I also love the "set" idea that's being done...like maybe Preschool ABC or 123 or circle, square, triangle, or maybe a monthly theme of 1-3 cutters related to that month's holiday.  There are so many ways to go and have fun!!!  So exciting!!!!

This is kind of poaching off Lucy Samuel's book club cookies, but I actually thought about it prior to seeing any of hers.  I was thinking about a challenge that is inspired by a book, song, poem ....  Could get the creative juices flowing.

But I also like your idea of the collaborative inspiration board.

I like this idea, too: cookies inspired by a favorite book or poem. <3 !

Loving these challenges and seeing how everyone thinks and ticks - stretching the imagination for sure.. 

I've been thinking architecture - I have a set of cookie cutters I've been itching to use [roll eyes] And seriously, straight lines and perspectives are always a challenge. (And right up your alley to set and judge I am sure )

Yes, I think médiums, frames, 3D, tips for piping.   I am surprised with this challenge #2, there are so many sets with so many  talented people so creative. 

I like the idea of a do over challenge.... Everyone has that set (or sets) of cookies that they cringe over...a do over challenge would let you do just that...do them over. You could post a pic collage of the old cookies and the do over ones. As for other ideas I would just like to be challenged in general so pick a technique and a theme and challenge us. Cutter challenges like this months are always fun. 

I love the ideas mentioned so far! I like the idea of giving limitations--limiting us to either shapes, techniques, a specific medium, tools...  I would also like to see a KopyKake-prohibited challenge.

A no KK one would be good- but I don't have one, so I don't think of that as much of a limitation . 

Perhaps I'm wrong; but I think a Kopykake is cheating in non-commercial applications. O maybe I'm jealous because I don't have one.

Lol!  Making cookies is my form of meditation, so I don't want one...yet. Definitely not a limitation for all, I agree, but it's a very useful "tool" for many. Another idea for a challenge would be to use the "other" frosting--use glaze if you're a RI user and vice versa. I tried Anita's Frankenfrosting yesterday--let's just say I felt like I was frosting cookies, NOT creating works of art!  Then again, that might be too painful.  

I have a kk and since I am not a natural artist I need it.  I wish I could understand more of how some people do their decorating, especially the painting.  

While I love this site and all the cookies I do feel intimidated. My skill level is no where near the quality I see in most of the cookies.  It keeps me from posting.  I'm sure I'm not alone.

Econlady,

Believe it or not, I understand your hesitation! I still have a set of Star Wars cookies undecorated in my freezer because the week I was going to do them Arty McGoo and Sugar Rush both did Star Wars sets!  That said, please do post something if you have an idea! This is not a contest of skill- each person should challenge themselves. And I think you will find that the spotlight won't be shining on the ten "best" cookies each month.  And the prizes are done at random so anyone has a chance to WIN!  Everyone has to start where they start.  Lilaloa's challenge series really helped push me to build my skills when I was starting out! PLEASE COOKIE FOR ME

Do your decorated cookies freeze well? I've always been frightened to try!

Lauren,

These cookies were frozen undecorated, but I've frozen a lot of my cookies before. I just seal them up well, and let them thaw still in the unopened container on the counter. Bake at 350 did a post about it once and I do what she did.  No problems for me.

Some cookies freeze better than others.  I just did bears with sanding sugar and they didn't freeze.  My jeeps froze well.  I put them in individual bags and used a bag sealer.  I then carefully layered them in a ziplock bag. Because the windows had a gel, the bags had to be opened, cookies defrosted and re-baged.

If I wanted to do a challenge where people collaborated with each other...would that work? If you didn't have a cookie friend to collaborate with- would you be open to me matchmaking?  Trying to figure out a way to do a collaboration challenge!