Silver Rattle Baby Shower

I love a shower...particularly a baby shower.

There is just something so warm and happy about welcoming a new little one.  Even, or maybe especially, for second or third (or fourth) babies.  When you have one or more blessings at home, sometimes the anticipation and excitement of preparing for a new baby can sort of get lost in the hustle of daily life.  It's easy to focus on the blessings already in hand and overlook the wonderful months leading up to a new baby joining the family.  A shower gives time for friends and family to gather in honor of the new baby and time for Mom to get a little special treatment, too.

When my {almost unfairly} beautiful and talented friend Gretchen shared the news that Baby No. 2 was on his or her way, the first words out of my mouth were to offer to host a get-together in her honor.  She kindly indulged my enthusiasm and we set a date for a breakfast shower.

The next order of business was to contact the equally {almost unfairly} lovely and talented Louisa of Weehah! Greeting Cards & Invitations.  For nearly 10 years now, I have had a constant stash of Weehah! treasures at the ready for whatever occasion comes up.  I was so in love with the birth announcements Louisa hand-crafted when my youngest was born, that I asked her to use a similar design for Gretchen's shower invitations.  I started with the theme of a silver rattle and Louisa went to town from there.  When they arrived I literally squealed with delight as I took them out of the tissue.  Sadly, I don't have a photo straight on of the invitations, but you can catch a glimpse here.

Finally, I set the menu.  When you cook for a culinary genius {did I mention Gretchen is a Gluten-Free Registered Dietitian, the author of the awe-inspiring Kumquat blog & author of Fast and Simple Gluten-Free:  30 Minutes or Less to Fresh and Classic Favorites?} it could be daunting...fortunately, Gretchen is also kind and modest and most appreciative of any efforts made on her behalf!  It was a simple breakfast of Southwestern Breakfast Casserole, Potatoes, Gluten-Free Cream Biscuits and fruit.  Unfortunately, the most exciting part of the menu, and the only item not gluten-free, was the party-favor rattle cookie. At least Baby Kiddo No. 1 got to enjoy one!

It was a treat to spend the morning with Gretchen and some of her lovely friends, to celebrate Baby No. 2's pending arrival and of course, to bake!

Blueprint for Success - Daily Progress Article

About a month ago, I did some fun cookies for a program at The University of Virginia called the Super Temp Program.  They wanted a festive cookie to reflect the UVA colors and their Super Temp logo.  Here's what we came up with...

Custom Cookies for the UVA Super Temps Program

Luckily for me, there was a reporter for the Daily Progress at the party where the cookies were served and he became interested in tracking down the story behind these locally-made treats.  Nate Delesline contacted me and asked if he could come chat and take a picture or two.  Imagine my surprise and delight when the article ended up being a wonderful half-page article with a full-color picture!  The online version of the article can be found here.  Here is the photo Nate took for the article...

Credit: The Daily Progress/Nate Delesline

"Eloise"

In the month of March, signs of Spring start to pop up everywhere in Charlottesville.  Small shoots reach forth from the compacted mulch in my "garden" (that small strip that hasn't been taken over by the pounding of small feet and the constant pounding of a variety of sports equipment and balls), tentative buds appear on forsythia, geese fly over my home every morning and even today's thunderstorm signals a resurgence, a renewal, a new season of light and hope.

 Inspired by the flowers starting to show up in Charlottesville and a sweet, spunky girl named Eloise, the Special of the Month is the "Eloise". 
Read on for more about Eloise and how to order your cookies...

Nearly two years ago, just as Spring came fully to Charlottesville, my friend Annie lost her daughter Eloise to childhood cancer.  I did not have the privilege of knowing Eloise, but I know many who did.  I heard friends relay stories full of Eloise's particular brand of humor, courage and sparkle.  They also spoke in awe of Annie, and Eloise's father Alex and sister Annabelle.  Last year, to honor Eloise and support those who are in the depths of childhood cancer treatments, Annie and her family worked to organize a walk to benefit CureSearch.  Their commitment to CureSearch and the walk provides a sure sign of light and hope for families in the midst of a childhood cancer diagnosis.  

Hear from Annie, in her own words, in this short video...

When Annie went to her first CureSearch walk in Deleware, just a few months after losing Eloise, she asked me to design some cookies that she could take to the walk to thank all of the people who had worked to raise money in memory of Eloise.  These cookies became knows as the "Eloise" cookies.  The design is based on a painting that Eloise created and which is also on the "Eloise" bag by Olive Designer Totes.

These bright Eloise cookies are a delicious sign of Spring and a great way to support CureSearch.

During the month of March, profits from the sale of Eloise cookies will be donated to CureSearch. 
**Sets of 8 cookies are $36 and can be shipped anywhere in the US for just $6.** 

Cookies can be ordered by emailing Kelly or in the One Creative Cookie Etsy shop.

For more information on the CureSearch Walk please click here.

Many thanks to Jen Fariello for photographing the Eloise cookies.

It's A....Big Reveal, Part 2!

In case you missed Part 1, some friends who are expecting their second baby asked me to be a part of the Big Reveal of their baby's gender.  The couple planned to have dinner with both sides of their family and wanted to share the Big Reveal moment with grandparents, aunts & uncles.  So, they entrusted me with the envelope containing that one special word and I set to work on some cookies...I dropped the cookies off at Dad's work on Friday.  Here's my version of the the Big Reveal & a photo of the expectant Parents and Big-Brother-To-Be

It's A Boy!

Congratulations to Mom & Dad, & Big Brother P!

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Happy New Year!  

2012 is the Year of the Dragon and I recently had a request for cookies for a dinner party celebrating the Chinese New Year.

At first we talked about a dragon...

 However, this guy is 1) huge!  (5" wide x 4" tall) and 

2) a bit fairy-tale for an adult dinner party.

So, to match the invitation and decor we settled on this...

The Chinese character for Dragon!

Years of the dragon are

1904 * 1916 * 1928 * 1940 * 1952 * 1964 * 1976 * 1988 * 2000

 

Were you born under the sign of the dragon?

Some terms to describe those born under the sign of the dragon are: Innovative, Enterprising, Flexible, Self-assured, Brave & Passionate (along with Conceited, Tactless, Scrutinizing, Unanticipated & Quick tempered).

Wishing you a Peaceful and Prosperous 2012!

It's a....BIG REVEAL!

I have had the honor of being a part of many of life's special events through my business, but this one may be the most unique and exciting to date...

Last Friday, I got a call from a great couple who is expecting their second child.  They had just had their "big" ultrasound and had elected not to find out the gender of the baby at the appointment.  Instead, they had their doctor write down the baby's gender and seal it in an envelope so that they could share the moment of excitement with their families at a dinner a few weeks later.  However, instead of simply opening the envelope at dinner, they have asked me to create cookies for them to celebrate the Big Reveal!  So, next Friday, I will deliver a gender-neutral package filled with onsie cookies...

pink or blue!

I picked up the envelope this morning from the proud father-to-be and I can't wait to get started on their cookies...I have to wait to bake, but I couldn't wait to open the envelope!

So, Pink...

Or Blue...?

What, you thought I was going to give it away?!?!?

The Big Reveal is Saturday, January 28th so I'll post an update (hopefully with a photo from the happy expectant Mom & Dad!) on Monday, January 30th!

Mistletoe Market 2011

On Sunday, Laura Futty, my good friend and the very talented creative mind and hands behind Sweet Tea for Kids joined me at my booth at the Junior League of Charlottesville's 2011 Mistletoe Market.  Aside from generally having a good time hanging out with Laura and my sister, Kristen, the Market was a great opportunity to share One Creative Cookie with friends - old & new!  It was inspirational to rub elbows with some of Charlottesville's most creative and energetic people including Kate Bennis of Redbud Gifts, Jennifer Carroll of Jennifer Carroll Designs, and Stephanie Garcia of The Fete Blog.

Sadly, I didn't have my good camera with me, so these iPhone snapshots will have to do.  I hope they give you a little preview of what's coming for the holidays!

New this year are the reindeer (and reindeer food, seen in the tubes to the right!), the penguin, the candy cane and the red & white star.  I added silver bells to the white and blue winter themed cookie plate this year.  Traditional shapes like trees and snowmen were mixed with modern lightbulbs and adorable hats and mittens.  Did you see the galvanized bucket with winter themed cookies?  It's my new holiday favorite!

The Thanksgiving line-up included the ever-popular turkey gift basket and DIY Turkey Cookie Kits (these sold out in less than 90 minutes!).  As a sweet treat for hostesses and other special folks, a mason jar filled with cookies in seasonal colors and adorned with coordinating ribbon were new and popular.  Of course, Tom Turkey got lots of oohs & ahhs with his bright feathers - Tom comes individually bagged or "planted" in a terra cotta pot and wrapped as a great place card or party favor.

And, if you've got little ones, both boys and girls will love a Christmas tree DIY kit to make cookies for Santa and sprinkling a little Reindeer food on the lawn before donning super cute and comfy Sweet Tea PJs and settling in for the night!  

If you aren't part of our mailing list, please follow this link to join our list - there will be a great holiday special coming out Monday, December 5th!