Time is flying by at an amazing pace this year - August is just a day away, and we're already swapping in the new site art! I wish I could slow down the clock, but onward we go!
This month, we have bright, bold florals in our banner and backdrop, which shouted "summer" so loudly to Site Art Stylist Gabi (aka @Icingsugarkeks) that she couldn't pass them up. As you may have guessed, these cookies were made by @Zeena, who is well known on this site for parlaying her cake floral skills into cookie decorating. Though Zeena's roots are in cake, as you'll read below, she has been an incredibly active member of Cookie Connection since 2016. We are overjoyed every time we see one of her cookie creations - often with flowers - in the home page photo feeds or in a Practice Bakes Perfect challenge. Gabi used Zeena's original flower wreath cookie from August 2020 and tweaked it a touch to create the actual banner and backdrop that you now see gracing the site, and also below. So . . . thanks to both Zeena and Gabi for making this month's stunning site art possible!
As always, I'll be doing an in-depth Cookier Close-up interview with Zeena, but, due to an insane work schedule through end of September, I won't be able to start the interview process until that time, which means Zeena's Close-up will probably post in October. I know you'll be waiting with bated breath for it - as am I. I am so looking forward to learning more about the very talented Zeena. In the meantime, please check out her brief bio and Cookie Connection portfolio, link below.
Zeena Mohammad, aka @Zeena, was born and raised in Sri Lanka before she migrated to New Zealand. She now resides in Los Angeles, USA. She works at a library and is an avid cake decorator who fell in love with cookie decorating after watching Julia’s videos. Zeena has been married for 35 years and is mom to two boys (ages 19 and 22 years). Her sons have been her biggest fans, and also critics. The support she receives from her husband and boys has paved the way for her to become better at decorating. Zeena took various classes in Sri Lanka and even entered a cake competition where she earned first place. Her love for cake decorating began in her early teens, and now she regularly bakes cakes for family and friends in addition to taking orders. She also loves cooking, baking, vegetable and fruit carving, and cross-stitch.
During the pandemic, Zeena entered the Cookie Connection challenges and learned more about cookie decorating. Zeena thrives on learning new techniques and constantly improving her skills. She finds decorating cakes and cookies quite therapeutic as well. Zeena has been a member of Cookie Connection since July 2016. You can follow her cookie pursuits here in her Cookie Connection portfolio.
All cookies and photos above by Zeena.
Last but not least, for those of you who are wondering how to get featured, it's easy! Simply 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 and in an in-depth Cookier Close-up interview. All considered, it's a lot of great free PR in exchange for photo sharing! When preparing your site art, please bear in mind that I already have artwork through January 2022, so I am specifically looking for art for February 2022 and beyond. Please also remember that @Icingsugarkeks, our Site Art Stylist, is available to help you get your photos in the right format, so do not hesitate to contact her if you need assistance! You can send her a PM right here on Cookie Connection by clicking on her name (in pink) above.
Thanks in advance for considering a contribution to the site!
. This is wonderful site art for August. It's nice to learn a little bit about you, 
