CookieCon 2014

Last weekend, I went on an amazing cookie adventure. I traveled from my little bakery in PA to Salt Lake City, UT to attend the most amazing cookie event ever - COOKIECON 2014! Everything was amazing...the friends (new and old), the seminars, and of course the SWAG BAG full of goodies from all the sponsors and supporters!! 

I was honored to be a presenter, teaching the basics of cookie decorating.

Here are the other ladies that presented too, from left to right: Me (Anne of Flour Box Bakery), Georganne Bell of LilaLoa, Angela of Oh, Sugar! Events, Liz of Arty McGoo (she was the keynote speaker and was AMAZING), Amber Spiegel of SweetAmbs, Myri of Chapix Cookies, and Susan of The Painted Cookie. 

Friday was dedicated to the vendor show and a few cookie classes. I love to teach, but teaching at a big event is a big challenge, especially since the audience had a wide range of decorating experience. Some had been decorating less the a year and others more than 20 years. I did my best to share my techniques and hoped that each person picked up a new tip or at least thought about how they did things and why!

I included some videos and a few live demos. I had to do my presentation 8 times. I think I can do it in my sleep now! :)

My presentation also included some cookies I made using new cutters (see them on the table - the blue ones?) from Whisked Away Cutters. Tracy (the cookie cutter creator) also made me a cutter called 'The Anne' and gave me a copy a CookieCon. Since I returned home I already used it!!

I LOVE this fancy circle...makes a pretty cookie, no?

Saturday offered a handful of seminars. I really enjoyed the laser-filled presentation from BRP Box Shop. Who knew boxes could be so fun!? They offer great box options and good people are making them.

CookieCon also featured a sugar show - open all weekend. I was not permitted to enter this year since I was a presenter, but I didn't want to show up empty handed. So, I made a fun little project to honor my fellow bakers!

Here's Mrs. Baker and her sweet little bakery!

I made a few mini desserts, like these tiny cookies and cupcakes.

I also made a mini cake and some cute donuts on a cake platters. These were all an inch or so big.

And here is Mrs. Baker...holding her tray ready to share her sweet delights!

I loved making this set!!

But, if you thought my project was cool...you should see these. The level of skill and decorating was beyond what I could imagine. I wish I had photos of each amazing project!! As you scroll through these photos, keep in mind these are made by hand with lots and lots and lots of love!!  Each project in the Sugar Show was number, so I'm sorry I don't know the artist for each of the amazing creations. If one of these belongs to you, please message me at anne@flourboxbakery.com and I'll credit the photo!!

This gazebo was made by Nancy Paine of www.SeasonsOfJoy,Etsy,com. The details!!! Her Etsy shop is amazing, too!

This project was from Monica of the Cookie Cowgirl. My crappy cell phone pic does not even begin to do this project justice. Visit her page for hopefully much better photos!!

As I looked at the rows and rows of cookies, I shook my head in amazement that these were all created from flour and sugar and a whole lotta love and creativity!

Love the lace!

The depth of these designs had me staring and staring and staring! Made by two sisters know as SugarBliss! 

There are COOKIES! So great! Also from the talented sisters of Sugar Bliss!

These are beautiful and that little egg, #81, was made by a wonderful gal (Karen of Sucre Coeur) that traveled all the way from Scotland to attend CookieCon!

The only things sweeter at the show than the cookies...were all the people!!

My airport buddies, in front: Heather from SugarNosh, jean jacket: Amanda of Sweet Bella Bakery, and in back: Kate from Sugardayne (the button enabler).

Dinner with friends Liz and Angela!

I got to spend a good amount of time with this awesome lady - Georgie of LilaLoa. She is just as sweet in person (maybe sweeter) than she is on her blog!

This is the talented Mike from Semi Sweet! I am a huge fan of his cookies! And, this was his entry in the Sugar Show. 

I got to pick one project for a 'presenter award' and little did I know...my favorite was Mike's cookie!!!! It was such a surprise when his name flashed up on the screen! What a fun moment of CookieCon!

Mike and Karen Summers were buzzing throughout the weekend and I was so happy to get a photo with them!!

I finally got to meet the sweet mastermind behind the book Glorious Layer Desserts (and bought a copy too! Get your copy here!), Glory Albin.

I loved chatting with Glory and learning about the process of writing her first book! What an inspiration.

Glory was part of the vendor show, a room filled with all things cookie - cutters, food color, boxes, ribbons, stencils, and more! I picked up several new products that I'm excited to try!

Did I mention the decorating day? Tables and tables and tables of supplies available all day on Saturday to test and learn!! I got to make some sweet little fondant flowers!

Before the weekend came to a close, the awards banquet gave us one last chance to meet and greet and wear our aprons!

This was my favorite...an apron made out of baking wrappers!!

And when it was all over, I was sad to leave my cookie friends, but ready to get home to my lil' crumbs!

I love these t-shirts made by my friend of Krista from Drawn with Character. She will be making these shirts available soon, but in the meantime you can see her art in her Etsy shop!

I hear Mike and Karen have already started to plan the next event! I can't wait! I wouldn't miss it for the world!

For more info about CookieCon 2014...check out their website at www.cookiecon.net!

Have a sweet day,

Anne