As promised...the Mitten Bakers Cookie Gathering!

Last Saturday was the Mitten Bakers Cookie Gathering.

The Mitten Bakers is an online group I belong to, made up of bakers from mostly Michigan, but also northern Ohio, northern Indiana, and a few from Canada.  The administrators of our group planned and put together this gathering within just a few short months and let me tell you...it was FABULOUS!  A full day of classes, contests, raffles, prizes, swag bags, food, and friendship!  The swag bags were FILLED with amazing baking items from awesome sponsors!  It was so awesome spending the day with others who share my love of all things sugar!  We had six classes/demos...everything from airbrushing, stenciling, royal icing transfers, hand-painting on cookies, stamping on cookies, and cake pops.  You can read my FULL post about the day on my baking blog:
Sweet Ivy Confections.

The flower cookie above was from our airbrushing class. 

 This super mom cookie was from our stenciling class.

 This cookie was my first attempt at painting on cookies.

Clearly, this isn't my strong point...yet.

Unfortunately my airbrushed cookie didn't make it home in one piece.

All of our airbrushed flowers.

We had a Super Hero themed contest & my friend entered this cookie w/ my photo as a little private joke between us.

This was my entry in the contest! Super Cookier!

 It was an amazing day learning new things and hanging out with some of the most talented women in the state and surrounding areas who share my love of sugar!  We all made so many new friends!  Don't forget to read the full post on my baking blog!

Below are a few things I've been working on since the gathering...practice makes perfect!

Thanks for reading!

TTFN!

Easter and beyond...

 We had a good Easter.

It doesn't matter how old we get...we always dye eggs.

It's just one of those holiday traditions that I don't think you need to "grow out of".

Kind of like carving jack-o-lanterns...everyone should do it...no matter your age.

 We did "glitter eggs" this year.  I had bought this kit on clearance last year after Easter.

It was a good concept, except the glitter didn't really adhere that well.

What did, was pretty.

 The boys didn't want their pictures taken...

And they were acting all goofy.

I promised I wouldn't post them on Facebook...

But...

 I didn't promise I wouldn't post them on the blog.

It's ok boys, no one major reads my blog anyway.

 So ham it up...

We went to church and out to Logan's for dinner on Easter.

It was a good day...and thankfully, no snow. :)

Kitty is doing well.

Making her usual blog appearance.

The other day, for the first time in the six months we've owned her, she discovered the washing machine..go figure.  She was completely intrigued.  Crazy girl.

In other news...

-I passed my science exam/class!  YAY!  I've finished my first whole year at WGU and am moving right along swiftly.  I am now 40% done with my degree.  Only a couple more general education classes and then I'll be moving on to all education classes, yes!

-Saturday I'm going to my cookie gathering/convention.  It will be a day filled with some of the most amazing bakers.  Fun, food, laughter, classes, raffles, prizes, contests, swag bags, and more.  I can't wait!

-It's finally getting warmer out.  I need to make some time to go out and weed the flower beds/landscape.  Pretty soon it will be time to plant the annuals!

I think that wraps things up for now.

Will be sure to give an update after the cookie gathering Saturday!

Hope you all are having a great spring!

MJ