Eighteen25

Create A Life You Love.

Today’s Guest: Bee In Our Bonnet

Dec142011 posted by 40 Comments

Hello eighteen25ers!  I’m so happy to be visiting and sharing cookie love with you again!
Tis the season, right?  Cookie swaps and neighbor gifts are in full swing.  I love it!
Today I’m sharing a little cookie kit for you to giveaway, or better yet make one for your own family!
This is like a cheater way of making gingerbread houses.  You don’t have to hold the walls, break the roof, and frost while vertical.  And this is a house that’s made to eat, not look at!  My kids don’t like gingerbread (I don’t know where I went wrong) so they much prefer eating a big sugar cookie at the end of a fun decorating session.
So our little kit consists of 3 things.  Some cookies that are frosted with a base layer of brown royal icing (to imitate the look of gingerbread), some candy, and some white royal icing to adhere the candy.
I’m soooo excited to share this little candy box here, because it was inspired by one of my all time favorite eighteen25 posts.  Remember the teacher gift organized in the craft box?  Well that inspired me to do this project in a craft box, and now my little candy kit is going in one too!
I gathered some candy and sprinkles and portioned it out.  It brought back memories of organizing my Halloween candy in a fishing tackle box as a kid (for real!).  And my re-organizing my caboodle on a weekly basis as a teen.  Man, I just have a passion for divided plastic containers.  Okay, getting side-tracked, but seriously, what kid wouldn’t LOVE this spread?  My kids sure bounced off the walls when I showed them!  It’s way better than the one kind of sugar pearls that come in store bought cookie kits.
I made a little cover for it, eighteen25 style.
(you can download it HERE)
Now that your candy kits are ready, you just need some sugar cookies.  Use your favorite recipe, or refer to my recipe here.  And were you worried that you don’t have a house shaped cookie cutter?  No worries!  A knife is my favorite and most used cookie cutter!  You can cut a template out of paper and simply set it on top of the dough as a guide.  You can decide how big or small your cookies will be!
Now you need to prepare your royal icing.  Refer to this post for the recipe and tips on consistency.  Before you tint most of your frosting brown, fill the bottle(s) of white that you will give with your gift. A medium to thick consistency will do for the white.  You will need a thicker consistency, and a thinner (flooding) consistency of the same brown.
I decided to do my base layer in steps, letting in dry a few minutes between each fill.
This just created a little bit of dimension and character to my plain brown base layer.
You don’t need to be crazy like me.  You can certainly just do one big outline and fill.
But a really important thing is bubble popping while the icing is still wet.
It will dry much smoother if you do this.  Just use a toothpick and pop!  If it leaves a mark, it is too dry.
The lucky recipient of your gift can use the white icing and candy to create simple little gingerbread house cookies.  But my kids didn’t last very long before they stopped decorating and started eating!
In the end, I decided to give one decorated cookie on top and several plain brown cookies underneath.
This is not crazy hard decorating, this is meant for low key, kid enjoyment.  Their candy box will go a long way and probably last for another cookie decorating session.  I have to say, my kids decorate cookies ALL the time and they still get excited about it.  I love the time we share sitting at the table together.  Cookie decorating HAS to be one of the best holiday traditions!
I’m wishing you all a happy cookie (holiday) season!
And thank-you Jamie, Jodie and Jen for having me again!  You guys are the best!
I’m always on pins and needles to see what you girls will post next!
. . . . . . .
Pin this… gingerbread house cookie kit collage 600
Jodie and Jen

Jodie and Jen

I'm Jen Sedillo, one of the bloggers behind Eighteen25. I love creating and crafting, reading good books, visiting new places and being with family!
Jodie and Jen
Jodie and Jen

Latest posts by Jodie and Jen (see all)

Comments

  2. This is such a cute idea! One question though… I haven't worked with royal icing in forever- how long do you have before it might dry out in the bottle? Or will it stay liquid if the cap is on?

    Reply

  4. Love love love this idea. I'm scrapping my original idea and now using this one. Haha! Any chance you could share the cool printed label? Maybe in word? I'd appreciate it. My email is warren _ tara @ yahoo.com w/out the spaces. Thx!

    Reply

  29. I absolutely LOVE this! I think I'm going to make a few of these and give them as gifts this year! …what a wonderful idea, and so much better than those boxed gingerbread house sets they sell!

    Reply

  32. I absolutely love this! Beautiful, delicious, creative! I have shared your link on my own blog, and cannot wait to try this out and give them as gifts this year!!!

    Reply

  36. I love this idea!!! My son and his class are doing gingerbread houses today in class, but to have a kit – awesome idea!! I have this set as a reminder for next Christmas!

    Happy Holidays,
    Jenn

    Reply

  37. I tried to download the label with no luck. Could you please email a new one to me for use? I love this idea and am doing it for a small number of friends.
    Thank you!
    Tracie

    Reply

  38. Hi! I love this fun craft and gift idea. I also tried downloading the label with no luck. Could you email me the label at your convenience? Thank you!

    Reply

  39. Hi! I love this fun craft and gift idea! I also tried downloading the printable with no luck. Could you email me the printable at your convenience?

    Thanks!
    Joni

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Today’s Guest: Bee In Our Bonnet

Nov162011 posted by 16 Comments

i’m sure you all remember the super cute jack-o-lantern cookies that Bee In Our Bonnet first shared here. well we are so excited to have ashleigh back and i’m sure you’ll love these fantastic cookies just as much.
. . . . .
Hey there!  We are so happy to be visiting here at eighteen25 again!  Only, I have a problem…
I’ve been so obsessed with staying on top of my Christmas game, that frankly I’m more prepared for that than Thanksgiving.  Which is next week!  My menu isn’t even solidified!  The shame is horrible.  
I do love to cook.  But I might love planning out the table decor just as much.  And a fabulous place card/holder can really make your table look really special.  You know I can’t get enough of sugar cookies, so this year, the cookies are going to take center stage as the place cards themselves.  
They are the star of the table!
Everyone that arrives is going to feel pretty flattered that you made the extra effort!
I stated with my tried and true recipes for sugar cookies and royal icing.  Then I reached for one of my favorite cookies cutter sets, my scalloped squares.  If you are going to invest in sets.  I love this one and the scalloped circle one too.  
This post will tell you all about different consistencies of royal icing.  I use americolor gel paste colors to tint and then prepare them in different squeezies.  I use a toothpick on top to keep them from drying out.  
There is a lot to talk about with consistencies and techniques.  But for this cookie, decide your base color and make 2 thicknesses.  You will need a thick (20/25 second) royal icing and a thin (6/7 second) royal icing to fill it. 
Make an outline with the thicker icing.  Then fill from the outside in with the thinner one.  If you fill right away you can make that outline disappear.  If you let the outline dry, it will show a little.  Then you need to pop those pesky air bubbles with a toothpick until you have a smooth surface.  You only have about a minute to do this before it starts to dry and leave marks.  Try to shake the cookie horizontally if that happens, you may still have a chance of them flattening out.  Let your base layer dry for 12-24 hours.  
For the turkey feathers, I used what’s called a “brush embroidery” technique.  I talked about it in these vintage cookies.  You will use fairly stiff (20 secondish) royal icing for this part.  You can use a #2 or #3 tip. You will need a new paint brush that you can dedicate to your frostings, not paintings.  Start with a scalloped line, then while it’s wet, brush inward.  Wipe your brush on a damp paper towel every few strokes so you won’t get too much build up.
Don’t you love how it gives it texture!?  And it’s strangely fun and addicting.  You’ve been warned.  Let each layer dry for at least an hour before you do another one.  This is one of those things you do a little, then run some laundry and errands, then you come back to it… 
After your feathers are dry, you are going to make a little pear shaped body with a medium (10 second) brown icing.  Start with an outline and fill.
After that dries, make a little triangle beak.  I make a small dot and with a toothpick, drag the corners out.  Then you have to do the little gobbler with that same red.  And the finishing touch on your turkey is eyes and legs.  I used an edible ink pen, but you could certainly use royal icing.
For the names, I switched out my #2 tip for a #1 tip.  I like fine point pens!  
Now these beauties need to be loved and adored because they took 278 steps, right?
So I put them in these simple little display stands (which will pretty much always be cookie stands) that I found at JoAnns.  They have many versions of mini table easels at any craft store.  
I like it right on top of the plate, but you can scoot it back and still enjoy it when you have the actual turkey on  your plate.  
My husband would much prefer his to say “head chef” than Dad.  He takes pride in his meal.  But this little joke got me thinking that if you weren’t hosting, you could give them as a hostess gift.  
Even if you don’t have the stands, they make a really pretty statement at your Thanksgiving table.  If you wrap it, they can take it home and save it for later.  So you basically just made a party favor too.  Aww yeah, place cards and favors.  Two for one!  I love a good deal!  
As much as I hate to go, I must get going on that menu! 
You are all welcome to our Thanksgiving table blog anytime.
My sister and I will be here, at bee in our bonnet with more cookies and craziness if you need us.
Thanks Jamie, Jodie and Jen!

. . . . .

now those are just too fun ashleigh!!
it’s a place card…
it’s a yummy favor…
and it’s a super cute decoration…
it’s perfect!!
you just continue to WOW us. thanks so much for being our guest today. 🙂
this post is sponsored by:
Jamie

Jamie

Jamie

Latest posts by Jamie (see all)

Comments

  12. These are adorable. While I love cookies I think I will stick to decorating cakes and paper. The last thing i need is another obsession! lol Love starting my morning with eighteen25! 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Today’s Guest: Bee In Our Bonnet

Sep162011 posted by 41 Comments

Hello there!  My name is Ashleigh, and I blog with my sister over at Bee In Our Bonnet!  I’m super excited to be here at eighteen25 today!  I’m a huge fan of theirs, and in my dreams all of us sisters are BFFs and we craft together 24/7!
But lets talk about the project I want to share with you!  It’s a little cookie project/gift just in time for Halloween.  I’m gonna call it: JACK-O-LANTERN IN A JAR!

I’d like to thank my inspiration for this project: Mr. Potato Head and his bucket of parts.
It’s kind of like an edible, Halloween version of it all.
Just look at the cookie goodness that is happening when you open up this jar!
Although our blog is about all sorts of projects, I find myself baking and making cookies on an out of control level.  So, I have lots of cookie tutorials.  But to make a long story short, you can find my cookie and frosting recipes and lots of directions on
 THIS POST.
Or, you can use any basic sugar cookie recipe.
I don’t have any specific cookie cutters for these.  I just used a good old knife.  Hey, if we can carve out a super thick pumpkin, we can certainly carve out some sugar cookie dough the same way!
I like to put my royal icing in squeezie bottles.  You can use bags and tips, but I find these a little easier and super kid-friendly, by the way.  So once I mix up some Halloween-ish colors and I’m ready to go.
As I mentioned, this is so easy for kids!  I don’t know what the kids will love more: making these, or playing with them later?!  But with a little instruction, kids can easily ice with a solid color.
If you get involved though, the jack-o-lantern parts may get a little bit more detailed!  🙂
Let these pumpkin parts dry for at least 12 hours.  Then grab some orange paper plates (dessert size) and encourage your kids to PLAY WITH THEIR FOOD!   They can make all sorts of pumpkin and monster faces.  Then when they’re bored with that, they can eat their little snack!
I thought it was cute to add a few patterned paper scraps to my paper plates for the “stem.”
So now you have a simple, yummy and darling treat!
You can make a traditional jack-o-lantern and cut each piece out, custom deluxe.
You can also add in a few basic shape cookie cutters like circles and ovals.
These eyes were made with a heart cookie cutter, cut in half before baking.
You can make these for your own kids to eat, but I thought it would make a really fun gift when packaged up in a jar!  Make sure they have dried for a full 24 hours before you pile them in a jar.
I spray painted the lid of the jar orange, and added a tag and ribbon.  It would be really nice if you gave them a little stack of paper plates too.  You can enjoy the fun of making it, and then let someone else enjoy the fun of creating their own little jack-o-lantern snack!  Wouldn’t it be fun to “spook” someone and leave this as an anonymous gift on their porch?  Yep, I’m doin’ it!
Thanks again to Jamie, Jodie and Jen for having me as a guest on the fabulous, eighteen25!
I love it here!  Are you sure you don’t want to adopt 2 more sisters?  (just checking)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
We always have room for more sisters!!
(Especially ones that make beautiful cookies)
These are an absolute MUST this Halloween. I love all of your extra details.
And that Jack – O – Lantern in a jar would make the perfect neighbor gift.
Thanks so much for participating with us this year Ashleigh!!
Make sure you swing by Bee In Our Bonnet and check out all of the other yummy goodness that Ashleigh and her sister Kathryn have put together!!
jack-o-lantern in a jar cookies
Jamie

Jamie

Jamie

Latest posts by Jamie (see all)

Comments

  6. This is fabulous! So creative! Perfecting sugar cookies and icing is on my things I wish I could do list.
    Will have to try these when my boys are a bit older (2 and 4 mo now)
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  10. What a wonderful idea! Our grandson is in Spain (his dad was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship) and he's going to miss Halloween with Mimi! This is a perfect gift to send…although, I don't know how many Jack O-Lanterns will get made because he's quite the Cookie Monster. Thank you for the creative idea! Susan

    Reply

  20. AAAAAHHHHH! I love this! I have been looking for something to send to my 1 year old nephew for Halloween that my kids could help me with and I have found it. It is too cute!

    Reply

  26. I should clarify that last comment. The huge white teeth, ya know, the ones that look like piano keys. I love 'em! Howdya get the white to not meld together?

    Reply

  28. I love this idea- so creative! Although I don't know if I have the energy to make all of these adorable little cookie pieces and parts! I wish that you sold these!

    I just subscribed to follow Bee In Our Bonnet now too!

    I plan to feature a picture and a link to this post on my Sunday 9/18 Links to Love post over at http://www.momof6.com!

    Thanks as always for sharing such great ideas here!

    Reply

  31. Love, love, LOVE this idea—I love to bake and think the Jack O'Lantern in a jar is the cutest idea ever! I definitely want to make them for Halloween this year…just need to make time!! Adorable!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy Policy

stay updated on latest
posts on Facebook