Jul 17, 2011

painted sunflower cookie pops


1997 was a bizarre year for me. I needed a series of major surgeries, so I took the whole year off, moved in with my mom, and spent much of the year in and out of hospitals. But it wasn't all bad. I had this sanctioned year off with no responsibilities, no kids, no job, just TV watching and crafting. When else in life can one do this? I took classes on decorative painting, found old glass jars, and went nuts with my acrylic enamels. Every single time I spot Renee's work, I think of this year of leisure (minus her talent).


These sunflowers are a throwback to  1997. I pulled out my little round brushes, my "palette" (ie egg carton), my "paints" (ie food coloring) and painted the same sunflowers I painted 14 years ago (minus the post-surgery pain killers).


UPDATE: My sister was terribly offended I also failed to mention the other bonus of this year: Traveling with my wonderful and beautiful sister to London and Paris. Yes. Between major surgeries. (She carried my bags.)

To make these, I just used my cookie recipe, chilled, rolled out, cut out squares, inserted sticks, and baked. I mixed up my royal icing, tinted light blue with Americolor soft gel paste, Sky Blue, and flooded the squares with the icing. I let the cookies dry overnight. Then, I poured a few drops of food coloring on a palette (Egg Yellow, Electric Green, Leaf Green and Chocolate Brown), mixed each with a couple drops of white food coloring, and painted away. By the way, Renee happens to have a great cookie painting tutorial HERE at University of Cookie.




My kid also pulled out her camera and took some pictures. I think the first one of the off-center Easter Bunny Pez dispenser is a reflection of existential angst and the feeling of meaningless in the over commercialization of culture.



 
at

10 comments:

  1. The Cozy CornerJuly 17, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    These are so cute.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda McCubbinJuly 17, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Well if that isn't a case of when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. What a great achievement from a year that obviously would have had some trying times. Cute photo's the kids took, my kids setup the funniest shots as well. I guess it's their interpretation of what I do, kinda flattering.

    ReplyDelete
  3. SweetSugarBelleJuly 17, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    These are truly beautiful...im so amazed with Renee myself...I just got a tile myself :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 17, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    I am CONFIDENT, that strong people are given tough challenges because we CAN prevail as those meeker and weak would succumb, I hold on to that during the tough days.......you have had some medical challenges obviously but you have planted more flowers than just those on your cookies...you have planted a lot of joy in many peoples likes (Like mine!) with your cookies, tutorials and easy going and easy to follow posts. It is hard to put into words but I hope you get my point. Also GLAD I can get the email updates! YIPEE!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. LorraineJuly 17, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Wow! I love these. Cannot wait to try them. I think your daughter is very talented. These cookies seem like a positive outlet during a difficult time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownJuly 18, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    I'm honored and thrilled that you made such a major shout out to me Meaghan. Thank you so very much. These painted sunflower cookies are just adorable! I am always in awe of your talents and creativity too. It's funny how life's challenges can sometimes bring the best rewards :) Thanks again and wishing you continued good health!

    ReplyDelete
  7. MisbahJuly 18, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    Thx for shareing your storie with us. beutiful cookies.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pink Little CakeJuly 18, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    These cookies are beautiful. Wow it seems that you have been through a lot with you health, but I am so glad you are over that episode and feeling better.The pictures of your little one are super cute. Do you mind recomending me a camera for my little one? her birthday is in a few weeks and she would love a gift like that since she always wants to play with mine.

    ReplyDelete
  9. the decorated cookieJuly 18, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    We just got her the vtech camera. As you can see, not high end photography at all, but does the job and acts like a real camera. And the price was right: http://amzn.to/oPY9T2

    ReplyDelete
  10. SueJuly 18, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    As a fellow sunflower-lover, I LOVE these cookies! Meaghan, you are one tough (talented) cookie! Love the budding photographer photos:)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments! While I may not be able to respond to every single comment, know that I read, ponder and appreciate each and every one.

If you ask a question in a comment, I will contact you directly if you have an email attached to your ID or if you leave me your email in the comment. Otherwise, I will answer by leaving a comment in the same place you left a question, so be sure to check back. Or, contact me via email.

Due to spam ads for viagra and medicine I don't need, I now moderate comments, so it may take up to a day for your comment to appear, depending on how crazy my day is. (I may suspend this during giveaways.)