Simple shapes - The Possibilities! -

Hello again everyone,

I must apologise. I know I said on Friday I would be back "tomorrow" (Being Saturday) and today is now Monday, but if you lived in Tasmania (I think a lot of you may do) then you know why I wasn't sitting at my computer completely lost in YouTube Videos and 30 Blogs Deep on Saturday morning - It was Hot! For those of you who are in The US or anywhere outside of Australia, for that matter, Tasmania doesn't get hot.. Often. So when it does, thousands of lily-white arms and legs appear to soak up some much awaited (and very necessary) Vitamin D. It was in fact, still warm (ish) on Sunday morning, so I even got some gardening done (and by gardening I mean whipper-snipping my shin-high lawn so I could then run over it with a lawn mower without ripping it from the ground) before the rain came and ruined our fun, and instead spending my night last night lost in Youtube videos and 30 blogs deep to bring you today's post. Can you forgive me? Jolly Good. :)

So. After pouring through all kinds of blogs,sites and youtubers, I think I have found the most informative few to show you the versatility of a shape. Some ideas you may have thought of, others, you (like me) will think "Duh! Why didn't i think of that!!"

While trawling through blogs a while back, I came across an incredibly talented lady by the name of Callye Alvarado, the wonderful creator of all things delicious from The sweet adventures of sugarbelle. She had a post recently that follows on this theme - Why buy thousands of cutters if you don't have too? (Now I feel I should point out, she does in fact own hundreds if not thousands of cutters, but when you make as many cookies as she does, you can understand why. For you and I, its just not necessary to own that many cutters. As much as I wish I did. :p) This is the link - Twenty cutters every cookie decorator should own and it is well worth a look, (As is the rest of her blog. If you haven't caught the cookie bug, you soon will!) She uses some seriously basic cutters to create amazing designs, and can inspire anyone of any skill level to have a go and be proud of what you created.

I also cant recommend Apps like Instagram, and Twitter enough. Choosing people to follow is easy and you can come out with free online lessons, links to tutorials and a never ending source of inspiration, that is on trend and up to date!
Another great source of inspiration is Pintrest. If you aren't already a member, become one! Its great because you can save everything that catches your eye (saves searching for it three months down the track when you want to use it!) to a personalised list, you can share it with friends, and it is so simple to use!
And Lastly, YouTube! If you aren't sure where to start with regards to searching, You can look me up (My username is Element80) and check out who I'm subscribed too. Montreal Confections and SweetAmbs are great places to start for cookies - Craftsy and Global Sugar Art are great for cakes and fondant techniques.

Now I have to admit, I'm a firm believer in the "I can do that!" mentality. I see pictures and think "Gee, That would make an amazing cookie" or "That would look great on a wedding cake" obviously, I'm a beginner, and sometimes I bite off more than I can chew, but I am also a firm believer in "Giving enough rope to hang yourself" . It means that you can take on a big project, let it swamp you and give up, or take it on, keep trying until you get what you are after. Admittedly, sometimes a job is just too big. Don't give up! Sometimes it can be a design that is just to complex for your skill level. Don't scrap the idea altogether, but try to simplify things to suit you! Practise is key (and to any family members who may be reading this - Expect cookies for every event you have from now on. :)) Use any excuse to practise, Christmas is coming? Gingerbread men! Your sisters birthday? Make her a cake! Stuck for a gift idea for a friend's sons birthday? Why not whip up some cupcakes with cut out fondant toppers to match the theme? Oh you heard that your cousins nephews uncles mothers cat is having kittens? Better make some ball of wool cookies to celebrate :) Find recipe's that work for you in your climate, experiment with colours and have fun! you are only ever as limited as your imagination and determination lets you be.

You can also follow me on Twitter - Always_Cakes,
Or on Instagram - always_cakes, And let me know you came from my Blog!

Thats all from me today - I'm off to do some baking myself! :)
As always, thanks for reading!
The Beginner Baker.