HELP!
I've ventured out of my cake-comfort zone and discovered the cookie gallery! Now my mind is reeling and I need to try it!

You all are amazing, these cookies are gorgeous! I've seen decorated cookies and always just kinda glanced over them and moved on (please don't hate me!). I have since seen the error of my ways. I was up til almost 4am browsing the gallery and this forum,now I'm going to be late for work!

I have GOT to try them! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm gathering that the NFSC and Antonia74's recipes are the way to go? Outline or not outline? Flood or paint? So many different ideas and ways of doing things, I'm overwhelmed and fascinated.

I see many unique cookie shapes, are you all making your own cutters or templates? Are there any pro's and con's to the type of cutter (metal outlines vs. the plastic ones with the patterns already stamped on, etc)?

OK, so I'm a little punchy! Lack of sleep and a mental sugar-buzz!

I had the same problem last night!! I was going through the gallery and was so amazed that i lost track of time till my husband called down that it was 2 A.M. and am i coming to bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my gosh, this is soooo funny !
Just yesterday I was looking thru the cookie gallery, my DH came in and looked over my shoulder. I said "look how amazing this is...I mean, just look at those details". I think it was a grape cluster, sorry don't remember the creator. At any rate I said, "I'm not getting into this avenue of decorating, I'm not going to even try, I can't even imagine the patience"...as my DH left the room, under his breath he said "Oh Noooo!"

I feel ya, kjt and luv2bake6. My mind is spinning with ideas and I'm in awe of the pretty bouquets. I'm headed out to work (yes, on a Sunday!) and hoping the day is slow enough to make it through more of the gallery. I think I made it to page 85 before I went to bed. So many new things to learn (and cutters to buy!!)!

I did this same thing around Valentine's day. I wanted to make cookies for my son's class and got so carried away. I was surprised at how easy it was. Now, I love making cookies. I used NFSC and Antonia74's RI and they were both so great!! The NFSC kept it's shape after I baked it. The RI was easy to make and tasted great. Everyone that ate the cookies said that they were very good!

Having only made cookies one time, there is only one tip that I can share with you. I was trying to flood the cookies with a pastry bag (it's all I had). I read somewhere on here (afterwards, of course!) that most people use a squeeze bottle. Wilton has squeeze bottles that have one size hole in the tip, but I found that there are other bottles where you can interchange tips.

HTH and good luck!

Before i came upon this forum i was more into chocolates and edible images. Then i saw all the wonderful things that can be done with cookies and my mind is spinning as well.
Have to put some money aside to purchase all those wonderful cutters, etc!!

I actually use Michele's fondant on my cookies. I absolutely love it. Its so easy to make, and use. Then decorate with RI. Just so much fun.
Enjoy you guys

can you please give me the link to that recipe? i've not had good experiences with making my own fondants

http://cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-3663-37-Michele-Fosters-Delicious-Fondant.html
here you go!

Thanks so much for this quick reply.
G-D, there just isnt enough time in the day, is there? There's so much i want to do.

I am also amazed at these cookies! I've been trying my hand at them (not all too sucessful, other than the taste) and I have learned a lot from people on here. The grape cluster you're talking about is probably the one from TracyLH...her cookies are some of the most awesome ones on here!

I haven't tried NFSC yet - I use Peggy Porschen's butter cookie recipe that can be changed into lemon or orange just by adding different juice/zest. it can also be made into an absolutely delicious chocolate roll-out cookie.

A tip that I have learned - Antonia's RI recipe is awesome, but as written there is no flavoring added. Her meringue powder that she uses is vanilla flavored already. So if your powder is not flavored, you need to add some vanilla!

yeah, no kidding!

I also like to add butter flavoring to my RI for a nice buttery taste and not to mention a great buttery smell!

I got a great response from lemon flavoring in the Antonia's RI.

So do you all have a preference between flooding with RI or covering with fondant? Or does each just kind of serve it's own purpose?

I was only into cake until I saw what you could do with a cookie! Who knew? As for what type icing to use, I would recommend experimenting until you find what you personally like best. I've been sorely tempted to try the fondant, but I'm a creature of habit and stick with a slight variation of Toba's Glace. I'll be teaching a class on making my 3D cookies in the fall, and am going to have to experiment a bit before then!

I use Rolled Buttercream and then royal to add detail. This gives me the best looking cookie with 1/2 the work.

Hey chilz822!
Come on over to the Westside anytime and we can play "cookie" creators! Maybe a trip together sometime to see Cookies By Design (on the southside) Ive been dying to go over there!
Yes- its very addicting!! Yummy - fun - and satisfying!
Have Fun!
Gaye

Don't forget to get a few cake cooling racks, similiar to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00030CGKY/?tag=cakecentral-20

Mine are great quality (not Wilton), but the folding legs are important to me. I can stack them 6 high to dry cookies! Without them, my counters were a mess! These made my life so much easier... good luck on the cookie adventure.

OK all, I'm going to take the plunge this weekend I think! Lots of good advice and I surely appreciate it!

GayeG, I may just take you up on your offer if I decide I'm hooked after experimenting! I work on the southside, there's a Cookies by Design on Belfort, within 1/4 mile of where I work!Today I may just pop in!

Anytime! O you little rascal! I am soooo jealous!! Please sneak a pic while your there!! And post!! I really wanna go too!
And let us know how it goes this week-end! Looking forward to hearing how you liked it!

I supervise a team of 12-15 people in a callcenter. Every month I give 3 prizes for meeting and exceeding goals. This month, maybe they'll get cookie bouquets!

Excellent idea!!! Take pics!! I do alot of Bouquets for Winn-Dixie Headquarters for the exact same thing - The girls/guys are ALWAYS so happy - cookies make everyone smile!!