Cat in the Hat Cookies

I've known Tracy for years, having met when our oldest children were in kindergarten.  Tracy loved kids so much that she worked first as an educational assistant and then she went back to school to become a teacher!  She just finished her first full year as a teacher of a grade 6/7 split class and the passion she has for these kids is incredible.  Months ago she contacted me to arrange end of year cookies for her class.  What was the inspiration for these cookies and the message to her students?  Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"  Each cookie bag was closed with a ribbon and a "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" tag.  I hope your children will one day have a teacher with as much spirit and passion for their profession, and that your children find their life's dream profession too!

Thank You Apple Cookies for Teachers

Another school year has almost come to a close.  Many children are looking forward to a relaxing summer break and have one last day to honour their teachers.  Based on the number of "Thank You" apples and plaques sold in the past week, many Bradford teachers will be thanked with Sweet Handmade cookies this year.  Happy summer!

Sweet Pea Baby Shower Cookies

Little Brezlynn was finally meeting her family in Canada, and her Grandmother Mary-Lynn contacted me to create cookies for the special day.  With a sweet pea/purple and green theme in mind, this is the design we settled on - baby asleep in the pea pod, her name written as a vine across the top with purple flowers hanging down.  Each of the 50 cookies was individually wrapped and tied with a purple ribbon.  I heard that it was a fantastic day!

Simcoe Dance Academy Trophy and Logo Cookies

My girls have been dancing at Simcoe Dance Academy for many years and my reward for driving them to and from lessons each week is the year end recital.  What a spectacular show this incredible dance school puts on each year.  In our small town it is so easy to know so many of the dancers and watching them is just a jaw-dropping experience.

Sandra wanted to say thank you to the owner of the studio as well as the teachers and commissioned me to create cookies for this occasion.  They were a hit!

Spiderman Cookies for End of School Year Celebration

These Spiderman cookies were created to celebrate the end of the school year.  Summer vacation is almost here!  Design inspired by Sweet Sugar Belle.

Bridal Shower Cookies - Diamonds and Pearls

Alison, a recent bride and Sweet Handmade bridal shower cookie recipient, was hosting a bridal shower for one of her best friends, Jill.  She contacted me to create cookies for Jill's special event, knowing how well they were received at her shower.

The theme for her friend's shower was "Diamonds and Pearls" and so these are the cookies I came up with (with a little inspiration from cookie artist Clough'd).  Wishing Jill and her groom a wonderful wedded life!

Thank You Cookies for Obstetrician's Receptionist

Nicole brought some really cute cookies to her Obstetrician at her last appointment with him and she didn't want to neglect the receptionist, Laura.

Thank You Cookies for Obstetrician

The mother of two lovely children, Mya and 6 week old Gavin, Nicole wanted to bring a special thank you cookie set to her Obstetrician at her final appointment.  Her relationship with her doctor was filled with humour, so the cookie set could be too, which explains the "blood splatter" cookies!

Running Shoe Cookies

A group of marathon runners were gathering for some non-running fun and wanted a hit of well earned sugar.  Served to them in the shape of running shoes, some of the inspiration for these delicious designs came from my husband's ever growing running shoe collection.

Flower and Hummingbird Cookies

This tray of beautiful cookies was made for a group of ladies as an appreciation.  I took a little liberty in the design and added the hummingbirds which were a welcome surprise.  I personally love the colours!

Baby Shower Owl Cookies

Hosting a baby shower for her grandson, Christine ordered owl cookies to help celebrate the day.  Super cute!

High Heel Shoe Cookies and a Fashionista

Red purse, red sunglasses, red nail polish.  What is missing from the ultimate fashionista's outfit?  Why red high heel shoe cookies of course!

Prom Cookies

This past Friday was prom night in our town for one of our high schools.  Some of the beautiful young men and women munched on these delicious cookies before heading out for a night of dancing!  Suit design inspired by De Koekenbakkers.

Ball Hockey Tournament Cookies

How can you easily spot a non-Canadian?  They use the term "ice hockey".  In Canada, hockey is played on the ice, we don't need to make that distinction!  Now, if hockey is played on the pavement in the off-season with a ball instead of a puck, you had better describe it as "ball hockey".  And that is what some local hockey players were doing this past weekend now that their regular hockey season is over.  They are great players, but what secret did they have in their back pockets to help them win the tournament played in London, Ontario?  Some Sweet Handmade ball hockey cookies, of course!

Farmers' Market Season

I am in my final prep for the Bradford Farmers' Market which starts tomorrow.  I am one of the organizers, so if something goes wrong, you know who to blame - but I won't take responsibility for the cool weather or the wind!  I hope to see many familiar faces and even more new ones.

Flowers, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds & the Liberal Party

A spin on my Mother's Day cookie platter, this set was destined for a Liberal fundraiser picnic, featuring Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and the traditional Liberal Logo red maple leaf.

Scale and Tool Cookies

A group of mechanics held a weight loss challenge and the impending winner contacted me for cookies to celebrate.  (I know, nothing like celebrating weight loss with weight-gaining cookies!)  I have to tell you, I think scales in cookie form are my favourite kind of scales!

Amsterdam Holland Happy Birthday Cookies

These cookies with the Dutch flag and a rounded Amsterdam flag were perfect for my brother celebrating his birthday.

Masculine 18th Birthday Cookies

Celebrating the big 1-8 with these masculine cookies.

First Communion Cookies

Ava was celebrating her First Communion and her mom contacted me to create cookies for all the family and friends who were going to share this special day with her.  Each cookie was packaged in a cellophane bag and closed with a pink ribbon.

This lovely email followed:

"Thank you so much!  Ava is thrilled with the cookies - they are so beautiful!!  Our whole family is so impressed with your work!  Thank you for helping to make Ava's First Communion Day so special!"  Of course, it was my absolute pleasure.

Baby Shower Cookies - Boy or Girl?

These cookies were created for a baby shower where no one knew whether the unborn baby was a boy or girl, so we covered all the bases with these unisex cookies!

The day after the shower the mom gave birth to a healthy little boy!

Bradford Bulldog Hockey Jersey Cookies

Well, spring has finally sprung and for the most part, the hockey season is over in these parts (not including the NHL, which will keep going for a while yet).  These are some of the cookies I created for a Bradford Bulldogs hockey party last month.

So while tournaments, tryouts, three-on-three and shooting a ball in the driveway will keep these boys' hockey dreams alive, they will be counting the days until their regular hockey season starts again!

Happy Honeymoon Cookies in Egypt

Our friends Marcio and Amanda waited 8 months to go on their honeymoon and less than 48 hours before leaving, Marcio asked if I could make some "Happy Honeymoon" cookies for them to take on the trip.  Well, it was a tight deadline, but since he wanted to surprise his beautiful bride I just couldn't say no!  Knowing the cookies wouldn't be able to compete with the beautiful sights they would be seeing in Amsterdam and Egypt, I kept it simple.

Yesterday, Marcio and Amanda posted this picture on Facebook, with the caption "Sweet Handmade all the way in Egypt.  TOP THAT BAKERS!  Which one of you can say your sweets have made it to the other side of the world, and in front of one of the seven Wonders of the World!"  I love it!!

Sweet Handmade cookies are a perfect addition to the sweet couple`s special trip and I love that they took this picture!!  We miss you guys!

Logo Cookies - Rogers and Ananda Hot Yoga

After participating in a reality show about yoga, filmed at Ananda Hot Yogo by Rogers Television out of Newmarket, these logo cookies were commissioned by one of the participants as a thank you to the people involved in the show.

Baby Shower Cookies

My lovely niece gave birth to a beautiful little girl in February and  I made this set of cookies for her.  It reminds me of the embroidered baby announcements I had hanging up in my room when I was a little girl, announcing the date and time of my birth, as well as my length and my weight.  This set was inspired by a baby announcement I found at invitesbaby.com.  Now we know all those secrets about Imogen Lily!  Welcome to the world, little sweetie!

Real Estate Thank You Gift Cookies

It's a long while since I've moved, but I remember the stress of the home sale process.  As a real estate agent, Jenn helps to ease her clients' stress and fear with her knowledge and calm demeanor. After a lengthy selling process, she recently closed the deal on a home for a gentleman who loves fishing.  As a thank you for his patience, she brought him this special tray of cookies!

Mother's Day Cookies

How do you create a perfect Mother's Day?  Let me help you out with some suggestions: many moms like breakfast in bed (if she doesn't mind crumbs between the sheets).   Others just want to put their feet up, forget about chores and be loved with hugs and kisses.  Dinner out is always a good choice.  But the best one of all is flowers, and edible ones are even better!  That's where I come in.

This beautiful platter of spring time blossoms with hummingbirds is $34.  The set includes 12 cookies of varying sizes and comes beautifully boxed with a ribbon.  Perfect for mom to share or for her to tuck away and savour, one cookie per day.

I personally love this set of a lavender bouquet with plaque cookie.  This set of two (large) cookies is $12, comes boxed with a beautiful ribbon and the message can be customized for your special mom.

As always, space is limited.  Place  your order as soon as possible.  "Hint" emails can be sent to your loved ones if you are the mother who wishes to receive these special cookies, just send me the information!

Communion Cross Cookies

Frank-Anthony had been looking forward to his Communion for a long time.  Actually, he told me he was looking forward to the party!  At this special party, each one of his 100+ guests was given one of these beautiful crosses, wrapped in a cellophane bag and closed with a chocolate brown ribbon.  A thoughtful and delicious gift that I am sure everyone enjoyed.  Congratulations Frank-Anthony!

Wedding Shower Cookies

Alison and Tyler's upcoming wedding has a yellow and grey colour scheme, so for Alison's bridal shower, we used those colours.  Each guest went home with a beautifully delicious cookie packaged in a cellophane bag and a closure tag reading "Thank you for coming".  Wishing Alison and Tyler a happy wedded life.

Each guest went home with a beautifully delicious cookie packaged in a cellophane bag and a closure tag reading "Thank you for coming".  Wishing Alison and Tyler a happy wedded life.

Tinker Bell Cookies

To celebrate her birthday with her friends, Jasmine wanted Tinker Bell cookies.  In Tink's traditional colours and with lots of pixie dust, these cookies fit the bill!

Bradford Bulldog Hockey Logo Cookies

As many of you know, I only have daughters and they have never played hockey.  Hockey has become a big part of my life however, in the form of cookies.

These cookies have our local team's logo - the bulldog.  Each player received a bulldog and a personalized cookie with their name and number and traveled to Lake Placid for the team's final tournament of the season!

Moustache Cookies In Action

Back in Movember (November), I created a lot of moustache cookie sets.

One set went to Bradford's Midget Local League #1/Constable Well Drilling team and I was recently sent this picture of the team playing with their cookies before eating them!

I love this picture!  Thanks for sharing it with me.

Sock Monkey Cookies and Cookie Cutter Improvisation

For these sock monkey cookies I had to think outside the box.  I didn't have a sock monkey cutter, so I improvised!

Using three cutters, including a monkey head cutter, a medium circle cutter (the white cutter is a smooth circle on one side, scalloped on the other) and a small circle cutter, I made the sock monkey shape.

Placing the three different pieces tight together is all it takes for them to bake together.

A little bit of icing transforms them into these cute sock monkeys!!  (I was inspired by Sweet Sugar Belle to use this icing swirl technique.)

Real Estate Sign Cookies

I met Marie through one of those "it's a small world" kind of things.  I had connected with her in a local facebook group but had never met her in person.  We had both volunteered to run the Salvation Army kettle at the LCBO (liquor store) before Christmas, one week apart.  On my volunteer shift, one of my Triathlon Club teammates was in the store making a purchase and we said hello to one another.  He mentioned his wife had run the kettle the week before ... "Is your wife Marie?" I asked.  Small world!

Marie is a local real estate agent and is know for her hugs, and her incredible ability to sell!  This tray of cookies could actually be a photograph of a local neighbourhood.  Her signs everywhere - sold!

 

Get Better Soon Bouquet Cookies

Teresa's mom separated her shoulder (ouch!) and Teresa thought some delicious cookies would cheer her up.  An edible bouquet, if you will, complete with butterflies and a little reminder why she has to take it easy for the next little while, which we all know is so hard to do!

Prom Proposal (Promposal) Cookies

It is that time of year, prom preparations are well under way.  Dresses are being bought, matching shoes are being selected, hair appointments are being scheduled and waiting to be asked by the dream date has begun.  The "promposal" is an important part of  the event and the question is - how will he do it?  One creative (dare I say romantic) young man had these cookies to help him win her over!  The suit cookie was inspired by De Koekenbakkers.

P.S.  She said yes!

Yoga Pose Cookies

My teenage daughter and I have been taking a yogalates class at my local gym each week.  Yogalates is a "fusion of yoga and pilates" and I find it provides a perfect weekly balance with my spinning and swimming classes, while my stretchy daughter finds this to be a great class to get her stretch on!

So here is our yogalates class in cookie form.  The bent back elbow stand, downward dog and lotus positions!  Just to clear things up, only my daughter can do the first one!

WWE Cookies

Cameron is a great young man that I primarily know through his babysitter.  Nice, polite, kind to his sister, super sweet parents, I figured he was a quiet, peace-loving kid.  Then, I was asked to create WWE cookies for him and the research brought me to a whole new world - a world that he must be familiar with.  What a shock!  I almost fell off my chair!  This is a world I have never entered.  Yes, I had heard of "The Rock" but that is pretty much where it ends.  With two daughters and a peace loving spouse, the WWE is not spoken of in my house.  Until this week!

I still don't really understand much about the WWE, but these logos are now very familiar to me.  I actually like the D Generation logo very much and loved creating Cameron's name in my version of the WWE font.  Happy birthday Cameron, if you grow up to be a wrestler, I will never know anything about it!

Autism Awareness Cookies

April is Autism Awareness month and in honour, I made these cookies for some of my favourite families.

Awareness of this complex developmental disability is something to consider every month of the year, because awareness leads to understanding.

Hockey Jersey Cookies

The end of the hockey season brings a lot of hockey jersey orders.  Enjoy some of my latest orders:

Tracy's hockey team was heading into the finals and were hoping for a win.  Custom cookies for every lady on the team, including the coach, were ordered.  Alas, Tracy's team did not take the championship. I had hoped my cookies would bring the team luck, and perhaps if the team had eaten their cookies before the game instead of after, who knows!  Nevertheless, the cookies were a great way to celebrate the end of a fun season.

My friend Tanya was celebrating a birthday.  I made up these cookies for her to share with her family, one for every member of the family.

These Pittsburgh Penquin hockey jersey cookies were created for a little boy's 7th birthday.  He couldn't decide between Pittburgh or the Leafs (click here to see the Toronto Maple Leaf hockey jersey cookies), so he settled on... both!

The hockey season isn't quite over yet, at least not for me.  More hockey parties mean more hockey cookies in the next few weeks, fun! 

Dutch Themed Cookies

In the country of my birth, there is no confusion.  The country is Nederland, the people are Nederlanders and the language is Nederlands.  In the English translations however, confusion abounds.   The words Holland, Netherlands and Dutch are tossed around at random.  The country is referred to as Holland, which is not technically correct, but understood to mean the country of the Netherlands; the language and people are referred to as Dutch, which isn't technically correct either, as it is Netherlands in both cases.

Nevertheless, people generally understand the country of the Netherlands.  It has a great reputation as a country with kind and tidy people, charming towns and a long standing history of liberal attitudes.  They also know their food, especially desserts.  Their pastries and cookies are top notch.

So when I was asked to make "Dutch" cookies, it was specified that they didn't want "real Dutch cookies", but my cookies in a Dutch theme!  These cookies traveled to Florida, meant as a hostess gift.  The Netherlands flag, Delft Blue tiles and tulips made for a colourful tray of cookies.

Bingo Cookie Set

I created this cookie set for my husband's grandmother's birthday.  She is a wonderful lady; funny, sassy and fiercely independent, still living on her own at 86 years old.  A mother of 3, grandmother of 8 and a great-grandmother of 3, she still drives, loves to travel and get together with friends, but if you were to ask my girls about her, they would tell you about her love of bingo.  Therefore, I thought this would be a great cookie set for her!

Not quite the traditional game, with letters in the columns instead of numbers, but after we called out the game and she placed all the cookie markers, the leftover letters spelled a special message.  Happy birthday Gramma Mary, we love you!