I think I already hate cookie decorating. I never thought it was going to be so hard!! 
I was decorating a couple of cookies and I want to cry I need to practice a lot! How you people do it? Do you use icing bags? I don't even know what else to use!!!
Cookies do take some time and requires ALOT of patience. It's also very enjoyable! Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. I use the icing bags but you have to use what you're most comfortable with; parchment cones, wilton bags, disposable bags. What are you having the most trouble with?
there are a few really great threads and articles on cookie decorating... have you had a chance to read them yet?
I use squeeze bottles to ice my cookies. The bags are a little intimidating to me. Give the bottles a try. I got mine from Walmart.
DON'T GIVE UP!
Start out with small details. I made my easter cookies (in album) for the first time of decoratimg cookies. I was hooked after that. (they are a little sad looking) I use parchment cones for details and a paint brush or a spoon to flood. I finally just got my icing to be the right stiffness for the details. It does take alot of practice. If it's to overwhelming for you start little. Have fun and good luck. 
You might also start out with a simple design instead of stressing over little detailed designs. On my website are some pics of what my daughter calls our "wild" design ( http://bannascookies.com/cookies.html#top - see the 16th birthday for an example). These squiggles can't be messed up .... it's part of the design. But it's a good one to practice just smoothing the icing and getting the feel for the icing consistency.
We also ice the backside of the cookie. This is a perfectly smooth and flat surface and helps us go faster when putting the base icing on.
I feel the same way Squirre72! Maybe I'm just not organized.
Should I make all the colors and put them in the bags/bottles and then decorate? Will the icing get thick if I do that? Right now I'm doing one color at a time. I feel like I get nowhere fast. Getting the consistency of the RI is another ordeal too.
Can you guys give me a step by step. I really want to like doing cookies - I think I'm missing something, though.
Thanks again!
we do ours as an assembly line, rather than decorating one cookie at a time. Ice all with a base. Pick the next color and do all cookies with the design for that color. Then a second color .... do all cookies. Then a third color .... do all cookies. This way we don't have royal icing sitting around stiffening up on us, plus it gives each layer of decor a chance to set and dry. This system depends on the design you're doing, of course. It may not work well with some designs.
At first it's a lot of trial and error, but even tho' they take a lot of time, we love making these! Be sure to post all your pics for us!
I use both bags and bottle - I make all my colors first I put stiff RI in the bags for outlining and then flow colors in the bottles. Then I sit down and decorate. The cookie tutorial on this site is the bomb! It is done by Antonia74 and she makes the most beautiful cookies.
here is the link:
http://www.cakecentral.com/article54-How-To-Bake--Decorate-Cookies.html
Good luck and dont give up!!
Yup, that's it. I think most of the problem was my wanting to do too much at one time. So in other words, I do all my bunnies, then ducks, etc., right? I was jumping around too much.
Now can the RI in the bottles sit a little until I outline them? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I'm petrified of the RI going hard.
I can't thank you all enough, I want to really like doing this. I have a bunch of undecorated chocolate NFSC waiting for me to try my new system!
It took a while for me to master cookies too. I decorate mine with royal icing: About 1 egg white per 2 cups of powdered sugar. I do mine in the Kitchen Aid until it gets stiff peaks. Sometimes, lemon extract makes it taste great.
You can use a #3 tip and a piping bag to make the "dam" or border, but I have found just dipping the cookies in the primary color of thin royal icing (add DROPS of water until it is right) coats them well. Then I like to use a piping bag and tip 3 for the decrations with medium to thick consistency. If you want to add glitter or sprinkles, apply when the frosting is wet.
Cookies are VERY time consuming, but it gets easier.
we do ours as an assembly line, rather than decorating one cookie at a time. Ice all with a base. Pick the next color and do all cookies with the design for that color. Then a second color .... do all cookies. Then a third color .... do all cookies. This way we don't have royal icing sitting around stiffening up on us, plus it gives each layer of decor a chance to set and dry. This system depends on the design you're doing, of course. It may not work well with some designs.
At first it's a lot of trial and error, but even tho' they take a lot of time, we love making these! Be sure to post all your pics for us!
I agree! That is how I do it too. However, since V'day I discovered the RBC and have used it and LOVE it. No more flooding for me! The RBC gives such a clean neat edge, plus you can start decorating immediately! Leave it out for 8-10hrs and it is hardened enough to bag.
Those cookies are just beautiful!
I have used pettinice on my cookies - it was easy and looked okay. The only problem was it looked kind of "flat". No shine and just blah. I don't know if that explains it. Is the rolled buttercream like that or shinier?
I thank everyone for their tips.
With my experience, the RBC doesn't really shine, but does allow you to get the 3-D effect, a cleaner edge and saves time. You can always do what I do when I am trying out something....make a "half batch" and see how you like it.
Squirre72, looking forward to seeing your decorated cookies!
I think I've conquered the cookie!
I took everyone's advice and took my time and be more organized - and it worked! I was much more relaxed. I just need to get my RI consistent and I'm going to try RBC this weekend.
I would have given up if not for your encouragement.
Thanks!
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