I get burnt out on birthday cookies.
My lazy little brain wants to just write out 'Happy Birthday!' on each cookie and call it a day.
Lame.
But then I get to thinking about someone opening a box of cookies only to see something they have seen all too often before it.. well... it motivates me to try new things.
Not totally fantastic or brilliant or earth shattering new things... just techniques and designs that are new to me.
These fantastically un-original cookies are just different colored lines.
The only thing I knew about the recipient was that he was turning 30 and his name was Adam.
So. I tried to go for masculine. Hence, the brown, blue, and green.
I'm wildly imaginative you know.
I started out with these for his name. Then I thought it was too busy looking so I made different ones. (above)
I think I ate these. Its all kind of a sugar induced mental blur.
I used my favorite sugar cookie recipe and glaze icing.
On a side note... I just made this handy dandy little cookie/cupcake covered thingy. (former cheese plate)
You can see a tutorial (and see how much I spent!) over at my other blog, i am mommy.
Oh my! Am I the queen of transitions today or what?!?
Speaking of my other blog, I just have to share a little gift I received.
The amazingly talented Renee of Kudos Kitchen made these personalized painted tiles for me.
It matches my header perfectly!!! And it has magnets on the back, so now hangs in a prominent spot on my fridge.
*love it*
And she also sent and extra special treat... a tile for this blog!
She is truly gifted. And she can paint ANYTHING!!!
If you have any questions or want to see more, just email her at [email protected] or stop by her blog.
hoooooow cute!! that was very sweet of her. and i love your cookies as always. i have a giveaway going on right now. don't miss it dear!
Posted by: libby | Jul 12, 2010 at 11:31 PM
I love the stripes- like i said before, you do amazing work! I wish you lived closer to me- Id def order cookies from you for all my kids parties!!
Posted by: shanna | Jul 12, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Love the tiles! :) Super cute. And... as usual... gorgeous cookies. Always makes me want to eat one. :)
Blessings, Kari
Posted by: Kari | Jul 12, 2010 at 11:35 PM
I love it! Thanks for continuously coming up with new creative ideas so sponges like me can try them out! Guess what! I found an amazing little kitchen store in our town--complete with frosting tips and amazing food coloring! It's time to take this cookie decorating to the next level...that's the one right above baggies! :) Awesome cookies! I'm sure ADAM will be thrilled...with the cookies, probably not with turning 30. Silly numbers!
Posted by: Londa | Jul 13, 2010 at 12:04 AM
You have endless ideas in that head of yours! Love these! They are very original, and look great in your newly refashioned cookie dome:) Love the tiles too! Lucky you!
Posted by: Sue | Jul 13, 2010 at 12:10 AM
I love the simple elegance of the stripes! Mind if I copy the idea for my FIL??
Posted by: ElizaBeth | Jul 13, 2010 at 12:25 AM
Cute cookies - though I have to say I liked my polka dots better - but it was quite "manly"
God Bless!
Posted by: janis | Jul 13, 2010 at 12:36 AM
gorgeous cookies..i love those stripes!
Posted by: faithy | Jul 13, 2010 at 01:09 AM
I only wish I could make stripes that straight! SO CUTE!!
Posted by: Lorie | Jul 13, 2010 at 01:38 AM
The way you drew the stripes makes me think you are a ruler!Nice job on doing those cookies, they are so colorful and very yummy to look at.
Posted by: Mark@Alcohol Calorie Counter | Jul 13, 2010 at 03:20 AM
Great masculine cookies!
Those painted tiles are amazing - that is so sweet!
Posted by: Amy | Jul 13, 2010 at 05:25 AM
These are the coolest! I really love them because I love bright colors. So neat!
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet | Jul 13, 2010 at 05:34 AM
Love the striped cookies! The tiles are gorgeous! Have a blessed day!
Posted by: Joy Ellis | Jul 13, 2010 at 06:05 AM
What lovely gifts from Renee! She is very talented.
And YOU may think your cookies are un-original, but they aren't. Perfect for a guy! Your birthday cookies are always a way to start out my day with a smile on my face.
Please don't get bored with doing them! :(
Posted by: Barbara | Jul 13, 2010 at 07:07 AM
I HAVE to comment on your cookies! I've not seen anything done like it before! Those are amazing Amanda and such a huge amount of detail and work! You have such an original design spirit. I LOVE it!
I'm so happy you like your tiles and are using them. You know I enjoyed making them for you and I'm thrilled you have been enjoying them! Thanks for the shout out too Amanda! I appreciate it!
Posted by: Renee | Jul 13, 2010 at 07:58 AM
The stripes are striking, and very masculine, well done :) Great painted tiles from Renee! She has a great name by the way :)
Posted by: Renee | Jul 13, 2010 at 08:10 AM
These are such great cookies! Perfect for a guy...I'm always stumped making cookies for men. "Hey, how do you like sanding sugar?!?"
Anyway....the way you put the letters and stripes on there was brilliant! And the trivets are darling! Renee is so talented. Maybe someday Bake at 350 will have one *cough*. ;)
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Jul 13, 2010 at 08:38 AM
I just wanted to clarify my comment....I can never come up with clever masculine cookies. I always feel like I'm offering something girlie like sanding sugar or sprinkles. I wasn't saying YOU should use sanding sugar!!! Hope it didn't come across that way!
You cookies are masculine perfection! I am inspired!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Jul 13, 2010 at 08:59 AM
I think you are amazing!!
Posted by: Kelli | Jul 13, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Your creativity is just amazing! I love the idea of the stripes but I don't think I have the patience ~ :-)
The tiles are adorable! Renee is quite talented.
Have a blessed week ~
xoxo
Pat
Posted by: Pat | Jul 13, 2010 at 10:08 AM
You know, I absolutely love these! I think for guys, simple is PERFECT because I don't know any that would even appreciate the effort anyway! ha!
Posted by: April | Jul 13, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Love the idea you used for your cookies!
Posted by: Lyns | Jul 13, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Those are so cool, and yes, very masculine!!!! How did he like them???
Posted by: Alicia | Jul 13, 2010 at 01:12 PM
I don't know where you get your creative inspiration from Amanda but these are just perfect for a guy! Well done and so much work involved. I'm sure Adam appreciated every little icing stripe that went on these cookies.
Posted by: Paula | Jul 13, 2010 at 03:38 PM
Hey Amanda
those cookies are beautiful, I love how you did the stripes and the letters....I am just happy most days to get anything I bake out of the oven on time!
Thanks for sharing and all your hard work
Dennis
Posted by: Chef Dennis | Jul 14, 2010 at 02:46 PM
So cute! I love all those stripes. I can't imagine being able to see straight after being done with all that detail!
So...do you keep dough or cookies in the freezer or do you make them fresh every time?
I used your inspiration and made a fourth of July flag cake. It was so fun (not near as cute as yours!) and can't wait to try it again next year. Thanks for sharing the idea!
Posted by: abby | Jul 14, 2010 at 03:32 PM
okay, so maybe they're not WILDLY imaginative, but who's to say wild designs are best? they're perfectly-done and pretty (and delicious, no doubt)--that's all that matters!
Posted by: grace | Jul 14, 2010 at 04:48 PM
these birthday cookies are just the cutest things ever! i absolutely LOVE them! you are incredible with what you create, i swear!
Posted by: Kimber | Jul 16, 2010 at 01:22 PM
Oh my gosh! I love stripes. Now I can't stop thinking about how good your cookies are and how fun it would be to eat a striped cookie. I wish you lived closer or I would ask you to do the cookies for my sister's miracle baby shower (the baby is the miracle not the shower). But I'm afraid they would melt in transit or I would eat them all like I did last time and not have any dessert for the shower. So I think I will just dream about your cookies while I run 3 miles...
Posted by: Anne | Jul 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM
I LOVE these cookies! So creative!
Posted by: shelly (cookies and cups) | Jul 18, 2010 at 01:54 PM
I've probably been baking for 62 years (I'm now 66) and still cannot put a straight line on a cookie. Do you just do it freehand or use some kind of guide? Any advice would be appreciated, though I realize artistic ability is critical. I think I was absent the day God handed out artistic ability. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Jean | Oct 14, 2011 at 10:44 PM