Believe it or not, as a very tiny independent cookie company, as much as I wanted to acquire a large and prestigious cookie order, the thought of  it actually happening had me crazy scared and mildly hoping that I’d never have to be too concerned, because it will never happen, right?  Wrong!   450 cookies later, Kudos Kookies goes on to prove we’ve got what it takes to complete and compete with the big dogs, one cookie at a time! 

This particular cookie was designed for a contracting company in Chicago for an employee appreciation day.  They found Kudos Kookies doing an internet search for custom cookies in the Chicago area.  After a few phone calls, sample cookie pictures sent via email and cookie tasting samples mailed to the company for their tasting consideration, the order was placed.  After a short bit of celebrating, a long bit of serious amazement at  how I’d get this all done in the 2 weeks allotted, I got right down to the business of baking, icing and painting cookies.  Baking, icing and painting cookies. And if I forgot to mention, baking, icing and painting cookies

Right here is where I had planned on putting a really cool video of me showing the process of hand painting this particular logo on a cookie.  Take my word for it, it was awesome.  The only problem is, the file was too big (over 3 minutes) from start to finish to paint  this particular logo, on this particular cookie. 450 times worth of this particular logo on this particular cookie.  If by chance you’re interested in viewing this awesome video, you can do so by going to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLNa0pnxqJY    Trust me, it is must see TV   Well, on to more pictures then…

 Okay, okay already.  What’s the big deal you ask?  Why such hoopla over one very large cookie order?  Well, to me it’s proof positive that they can be done (with additional orders being filled during the process) and done extremely well.  Now I know I don’t need to fear anymore or question our ability to fill very large orders.  I know our small Kudos Kookies is a quality cookie company that goes above and beyond to make our customers happy.  I couldn’t be more proud and excited for the future.   Bring it!!!

In the early years of Kudos Kookies,  we did a lot of trial and error in regards to packing materials and the delicate nature of decorated cookies.  We went to some pretty crazy extremes in our packaging methods but weren’t always happy with the results. 

Fortunately for us, we weren’t doing a whole lot of shipped orders at that time so we had the luxury of not being under a great deal of pressure regarding cookie safety.  We got to try out many different shipping theories on  family and friends who, needless to say, didn’t care if their cookies arrived broken and were completely happy to have received cookies at all.  Somehow I don’t think a paying customer would have the same reaction to broken cookies arriving at their door (or neither would I)!

It’s been a long time in coming but we now have a totally safe and comfortable way for our Kudos Kookies to travel to your home and arrive in one lovely, decorated piece.  Yay, just in time because our shipping requests have grown significantly and we can all sleep a little easier knowing that Kudos Kookies are safely on their way to you.

We ship via the USPS for the majority of our orders and the magic bullet we found is 1/2″ foam sheeting to nestle our cookies in between.  Kind of like a cookie pillow, if you will.  This foam sheeting not only cushions the cookies, it also acts as a ‘velcro type’ material that keeps the cookies from shifting in their box.   Priceless.

So, if you’ve ever thought about ordering our cookies but the idea of shipping such delicate items has scared you away, fear no longer.  That’s the way the Kudos Kookies crumbles is a thing of the past!!!

I’d love to have the opportunity to answer any questions you may have.  Please feel free to ask away and I’ll get back to you with an answer ASAP.  Thanks!

Sincerely,  Renee

Lucky thing I got my Ellen DeGeneres hand painted flag cookie out  in today’s mail before I saw Ellen’s talk show this afternoon.  Of all things, on today’s show  Ellen announced that she is officially giving up sugar in her diet for the remainder of the season.  Good timing on my part I’d have to say…NOT! 

  Ellen’s  reason for doing this was so she would have more natural energy to accomplish her busy, busy schedule, especially now that she has taken on the job of ‘American Idol’ judge, along with her daily talk show.  Ellen gave a list of potential side effects that totally cutting sugar out of her ’said diet’ would do and let’s just say,  it doesn’t seem at all appealing.  Come on Ellen, everyone needs just a wee bit of sugar every now and then, at least  to stave off those nasty side effects  if nothing else!!  Makes total sense, right?  

Here at Kudos Kookies, let it be known that in good conscience we can, in no way, endorse the total withdrawal of sugar from anyone’s diet.  Consume your sugar wisely and with high quality gourmet cookies only!  Oh yes, I said it.

Luckily for Ellen (Haha,  not really as I don’t actually expect she will even SEE the cookies, let alone TASTE one), I also sent some mini tasting samples, complete with her trademark  ’e for Ellen’ painted on top.  My guess is that there is probably only a scant amount of sugar in one of those tiny tasting samples.  Surley one tiny bite won’t hurt Go for it Ellen!!!

Here is what was sent today to the Warner Brothers Studios at the encouragement of many friends and fans of Kudos Kookies.   I thank you all for your kindness and support of me (i.e. Kudos Kookies) doing something completely wacky and unusual.  You’ll be the first to know if anything of interest comes of this special delivery package (but don’t get your hopes up).  It’s all in good fun.  Something Ellen knows a great deal of

For those of you who don’t know, this is Ellen’s flag in her quest for world domination.  Laugh, dance, conquer…in that order!

KUDOS to you Ellen!  You rock!!!

Fondly yours, Renee of Kudos Kookies

WE HAVE A WINNER!!! The winner is Debbie who entered on January 21st.  Thank you very much for your entry Debbie and I trust you will enjoy your cookies!

THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!  This contest was fun and we will be running similar contests throughout the year.  Keep checking back with my blog to keep in touch with all that is new with Kudos Kookies!

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In honor of Valentine’s Day 2010, Kudos Kookies wants to “show you the love”. If you’ve ever wondered if our cookies taste as good as they look, now is your chance to find out.  I truly trust you will not be disappointed and that you will fall in love with our gourmet taste and our fun and unique designs.

From now until Sunday evening, February 7th you can enter to win 1 dozen of our delicious, gourmet, hand decorated custom cookies totally FREE.  Each large cookie will be in the shape of a heart to commemorate Valentine’s day but the design and decoration will be kept close to my heart until the winner is divulged and the contest is officially closed.  

In order to win, all you need to do is leave a simple comment below this post for me regarding this contest, along with the words “For the love of Kudos Kookies” and you will be automatically entered to win.  The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on Sunday evening, February 7th and the lucky winner will be notified on Monday morning, February 8th.    The 1 dozen free Kudos Kookies heart cookies will ship *USPS  as soon as the shipping destination is determined by the winner (one location, please) and should arrive in plenty of time for Valentine’ Day gift giving.  

*Please note that this particular contest is only open to US residents.

Well, good luck and “Kudos to you” for entering, you deserve some cookies!!! 

Love, Renee of Kudos Kookies

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In this post, I’ll take you through my painting process, step by step, with few words in-between.  Just a note of caution when painting your own cookies with gel food color: Make sure you add enough water to the gel color to make it more like a water color paint consistency and less like the original gel consistency.  If you don’t do this step, it will take FOREVER for your color to dry (if ever) and you will never be able to bag them without ruining your work.  Believe me, been there, done that!  Plus, the coverage will work much better with the addition of the water and you’ll use less gel color.  Touchdown!!!

So there you have it, a step by step visual of the process of making “Big Game” cookies.   I don’t know if this blog post will have taught you anything or not.  I’d love to answer any questions you may have in regards to this post, so please leave them for me and I’ll be happy to get back with you.  In the near future, I plan on adding more tutorial video type blogs that will better document the processes involved in my Kudos Kookies baking and decorating processes.  Until then, I hope this post scored big points with you.

Eating your own words has never been sweeter or more fun.   What would you like your cookie to say?  I’m thinking outside of the ‘envelope’ on this one because receiving a delicious, gourmet  Kudos Kookies cookie card will be such a unique & sweet surprise for whoever receives them.  I mean come on, Hallmark gets the job done, but at the end of the day it still tastes like paper

Now it’s time to really think outside the ‘envelope’…Think how cute these would be for a baby announcements?  What about about party invitations that really get noticed?  The possibilities are endless plus,  it’s like a gift within a gift that truly shows how much you care.

Kudos Kookies cookie cards – When you care enough to send the very best

We had every intention of getting a sign made at a reputable sign company this past weekend. The only problem was that we didn’t have a high enough resolution image to work with for the size sign we wanted and it would have cost big bucks and been too much of a hassle to rework the image. 

When I announced that I wanted to paint the sign instead, I’m pretty sure most people thought I’d gone off the deep end.  I’m quite happy with how our sign turned out and it was only a small fraction of the cost that that large sign company was asking for and I’ve been having fun doing it.  Can’t ask for more then that.

 I still need to add a few more details and give some areas two coats of paint before it’s totally complete, but in my mind I don’t think my idea was so “half baked” after all

 Now here’s your chance to tell me your opinion as a consumer.  Do you feel this sign works for the window of our new facility or should we have one professionally done?  I would be totally willing to spend the money on a professional sign if that is the better choice.  Don’t be afraid to speak up.  Your opinions are very important to me.  Thanks in advance for taking the time to let me know your thoughts.

Well, it’s official ~ At long last, Kudos Kookies has moved our bakery location and we’re totally unpacked and ready to crank up the ovens. Here is a behind the scenes look at our small but mighty bakery space.

 There are still things that need to be seen to with regards to this new undertaking, but in order to grow this tiny cookie company into something wildly successful, small but steady baby steps are being taken that will lead us in the right direction. 

It feels like forever since we’ve be able to bake and decorate our delicious cookies for you, but the time away has re-energized and refocused our vision and now we’re ready to wow you once again.  You’ll love our new and exciting design ideas and the special decorating techniques we’ve been dreaming up to serve you even better.   So, thanks so much for coming along on this journey.  Without your wonderful support, this wouldn’t have been at all possible.  So I guess the only thing left to say is …

Kudos to you! You deserve some cookies!!!

Seems like I’ve been waiting and planning for this for a very, very long time and yet it’s hard to believe that the time is actually here.  Kudos Kookies will now be calling a new location home and I can’t be more excited or more nervous.  Everything is packed and ready to move into our new digs.

I know it looks like a lot, but I’m sure there are still things that I am forgetting.  There are so many small details that I never really thought about before, but I sure have now.  I know I’ll rest much easier when there is a place for everything and everything in it’s place.  Then and only then can I dust it all with flour and call it home    I can’t think of a better way to start a new year and a new decade.  Change is growth and Kudos Kookies is ready for both!   Let’s just call this “the icing on top”.

Happy and hopeful new year to you all! 

Fondly Yours, Renee

This season, a client had requested some dog and cat cookies with a Christmas theme.  This is what I came up with so I thought it would be fun to show you my process from “concept-to-cookie”.

I’m not sure why I do, but I like to draw all my designs on manila file folders.   I always need to make sure the cookies will be the right size to fit the cellophane bags so I measure, draw and erase until the design is something I feel will look decent as a cookie.  The eraser is the most important tool to me at this point as it usually takes me many, many tries to come up with a design I am happy with.   As you’ll see, these are the finished cookies and the templates they started from.  These cookies are approximately 4″ x 4″

Thanks for visiting and have a sweet day!

Sincerely, 

Renee of Kudos Kookies