I've spent a couple of months reading cookie posts and viewing images for inspiration, reading library books, and surfing cookie business' websites, and yesterday I baked my first batch of sugar cookies.

I used the NFSC recipe. I placed the cookies too close together on my first batch, but my second batch was perfect! The first batch were still good practice cookies.

I decided on a color palette and mixed up a batch of antonia74 royal icing. I think I'll use a smaller tip for outlining next time around. And I had problem with air bubbles, but I think this can be avoided by letting the icing sit a little before flooding.

You can click on this link to see my cookies. http://flickr.com/photos/kim_thibodeaux/sets/72157605627233203/ I know they are quite amateurish, but I'm proud of my first try!

I don't think I would have ever attempted any of this if it wasn't for Cake Central. You have provided me with the best free education I could ever ask for - first in cakes and now in cookies. Thank you for your willingness to share. I hope I can return the favor.

amateurish?? you don't know what you're talking about. those are amazing! awesome job!

They look great! If these are your firsts I can't wait to see what you continue to do as you become more experienced! This site is the BEST!

You did a great job! They definitely don't look like firsts! Keep up the great work and enjoy!

Beautfiul cookies!!! they turned out great!

Awesome job. Now my question, where do you all get these fancy cookie cutters? example bee, bee-hive, flip flops?

Those are awesome! I hope my firsts turn out half as good!!

those are just fantastic!! first time?!?! lol-i just love the little bees and the hive is so cute!!

keep it up, they are great

Go on with you, woman! They are LOVELY!!! Very fun and imaginative!! Keep keepin' on....you have the knack!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Thank you all. I'm actually blushing as I sit at my computer. I just got off the phone with MIL who was equally as impressed! And if you knew her, you would know how much of a compliment that is.

Champa, I think the beehive and bees came from the Sur La Table store I visited in Baton Rouge recently. I think they had HOFTB stock numbers.

The flip flop came from www.wineandcake.com, HOFTB1712.

I just checked Off the Beaten Path for them. Their website is www.cookiecutter.com.They definitely have the beehive and the flip flop. They have a bumblebee that is slightly different from mine.

I stopped at Michael's Arts & Crafts today and saw some cute little decorations that were prepainted and assembled wooden cutouts. They reminded me of cookies, so I bought several and I will use them to create cookie templates. It's funny how I look at everything through "cookie eyes" now!

Thanks again, for all the compliments. I can't wait to make more!

Wowza!! You have definitely got a gift for cookie decorating! I really look forward to seeing what you make next, these are truly beautiful.

May I also add a HUGE kudos to you for being so thoughtful as to add the baker's/photographer's name to your inspiration photos on your Blog. That's really refreshing to see! Not many people take the time or effort to do that.

Champa, just googled "bee cookie cutter" and found the one I have at www.grammascutters.com and www.cookiecuttershop.com. I haven't purchased from either one, so I can't vouch.

Thanks again.

Thanks, antonia74. I am so inspired by the work of you and others and certainly want to give credit where credit is due.

At first I was saving inspirational images on my home computer, which meant I could only tell my fellow cake decorators about what I saw online. Insted of emailing images, I wanted to create an online collection of all the wonderful works I found, so I started a blog. Now my inspirations are organized and I can refer my friends to the blog.

By the way, I use free screen capture software from www.faststone.org. I like it because you can select more than just the image, such as descriptions, etc. Also, you can have the software prompt you to enter a caption, which is where I enter the website I found the image on and any other useful information. The text I enter is saved as part of the image file.

OH MY WORD - your cookies are outstanding
You definitely have the talent for this line of work - keep it up!

BTW - I'm in cajun country, too! I'm right down the road in Lafayette!

Awesome cookies. I have that cuttter and now I will try it out.