Tutorial - How to use Kopykake Projector to Decorate Cookies

I'm often asked about my KK - Kopykake projector.  I love my KK.  Mostly I just use it for message cookies, but it's invaluable to me!  Marian asked if I would show how I use my KK for piping messages. So here you go!

First, type out and print the text.  Print it approximately the size it will be on the cookies.  The KK can enlarge and reduce your image slightly.

I like to print a box around the text.  Those lines help me to make sure the words are straight on the cookie.

Cut them out.

I've seen that people situate their KK in different positions.  I set mine up so that the pole is on my left.  That means that I place the text inside the box, right side-up.

I like to slant it slightly.  Then my cookie is at a slant while I'm piping.  That feels more natural and makes it easier to write.

Turn that baby on.  Focus.  Reduce or enlarge.  Line it up straight.

Time to pipe.  Using the KK takes a little getting used to.  The shadow from your hand can get in the way, blocking the image being projected.  Practice helps!

Add a border and whatever else you'd like, after you're finished with the message.

So there are the basics.  There are many fabulous tutorials out there showing how to use a Kopykake and which one to buy.

Great intro to the KK by Sweetopia here.

Here are two great videos by Sweetopia showing Princess Jasmine and Daisies.

Sugarbelle recently wrote up a post here. She has a great intro to the KK.  Her thoughts on the KK and alternatives here.  How to find great fonts for using the KK.

And because you just can't watch enough videos showing how to use the KK, here's one from Cristin's Cookies.

There you have it!

Spring 2013 Cookie Class

It was great fun! Twelve fabulous students!

These were the samples that I made before class.

Here they are listening to me talk about all things cookies - icing, dough, wet-on-wet, royal icing transfers.  

Then it was time to make the royal icing....

and color it!

Time to pipe! (Yes, I do look surprised, huh?  I had just finished doing a little happy dance, then noticed the camera!  Thankfully she missed the dance!)

Working hard.  They loved doing Sugarbelle's wet-on-wet flowers and the flip flop transfers.  They were pros!

My next cookie class in Frederick, MD will be May 30th, 2013.  Click right here to sign up.  (Coming Soon - details on the cookie designs we'll be doing!)

First Communion Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

In celebration of a little boy's First Communion.

His grandmother made a tie for him to wear on his special day.  I simplified the pattern on the fabric she used.

Crosses, daisies, ties, and a big ol' message.

I love blue and orange together!

Summer Fruit Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

I love fruit cookies. Here's a collection.  Perfect for summer.

Polka dot strawberries and minis.  Pairs of cherries and minis.

I tried the citrus two different ways.  The ones with the lines are Sugarbelle's design.  The others are Sweetopia's. 

I can't decide which design I prefer.  They're both pretty darn cute!

Team Spirit Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

I made these cookies to put into the local bakery.

Middletown Knights jerseys and pennants.

The jersey cookies sold pretty quickly.  Not so much with the pennants.  Next time: jerseys only.

Tip Tuesday - Non Slip Cookie Pans

I have a little tip for you today.

Where do you leave your cookies to dry? This is what I do . . . .

These are dollar store cookie sheets.  They're quite small.  They're too flimsy for baking but they're perfect for decorating.  I place the cookies along the perimeter so there isn't much reaching across.

I also leave my cookies on them to dry overnight.  I stack them all up as you see in the photo above.

The problem?  These sheets are slippery.  One false move and one or more trays can easily fall right onto the cookies below.  It's a disaster waiting to happen.

One day I decided to run a line of hot glue along the rims to see if that would keep the trays from slipping.  It worked but the hot glue didn't last long.  It all peeled right off.

My next attempt - Plasti Dip.  You can find it at the hardware store.  It's a liquid plastic. 

The picture on the can shows yellow, but it's actually black plastic in this can.

Outside, or in a well ventilated area, give it a stir, then like the cookie decorator that you are, make a parchment cone.  Fill it with Plasti Dip and pipe it along the rims of the cookie sheets.  I'm sure you could use a paintbrush but that seemed messier and more time consuming to me.

It's the consistency of really loose flood icing.  It's messy.  Let your first coat dry then add another line on top of the first.

It may be ugly but these pans aren't going anywhere!  The grip is amazing.  There's absolutely no risk of the pile of cookie sheets coming down!

Do you fear your cookie sheet mountain falling like a house of cards?  Give it a try!

Street Sign Cookies

Sesame Street loving twins celebrate their birthday.  What date would that be?  Why it's 3/28.

I hand cut the dough for these - long rectangles then inserted circles.

The KK was there for me as always.  That's what BFFs are for, right?