1. You recently started the collaboration, #CookieYourCake, where you
transform baker's cakes into cookies! What made you think of this
collaboration between the cookie and cake creators?
Since I have joined Instagram, I have met and formed friendships with
many amazing cake artists. They have been very kind and supportive to
me and my cookie journey. Last year, the amazing Sheri Wilson got her
account hacked and deleted. To show our support, we collaborated to
make cakes (or cookies in my case) that were inspired by her designs.
I felt the best way to pay tribute to her cakes were to make mini
cookie versions. These were the first 4 cake cookies I made and used
the hashtag #cookieyourcake. I had so much fun making them and they
were well received that I continued to make cookie versions of cakes I
loved and posting them under the hashtag. I also started to host
monthly collaborations because I think they encourage creativity and
community. I really wanted to do the #cookieyoucakecollab and was
waiting for a month that seemed more open for bakers, so I chose
January. I made the collab a month long and anyone can participate. I
am so pleased to see so many amazing posts already and can't wait for
more!

2. I love all of the cakes you turned into cookies in this
collaboration! Would you ever dabble further down the cake decorating
path?
I do decorate cakes now and then and really enjoy it. Only for
friends, family, and charities though as I definitely have a lot more
to learn. I enjoy the flavors, ease of frosting vs. icing, and the
larger canvases. I so admire cake artists and the pressure that
accompanies making one large dessert vs. multiple cookies. With
cookies I always have back ups, but with a cake you get one shot!

3. #TravelingCookie is another fun idea on your Instagram. I love
seeing all of your cookies shown in a unique location (like Disney
Land!). Where was your favorite place you took one of your cookies?
While it isn't always easy traveling with fragile cookies and I look
like a crazy tourist trying to get the perfect shot,  I just love
those traveling cookie photos! Of course Disneyland has to be my
favorite place for cookies because the cookie magic and perfect photo
opportunities are endless! I also have loved taking cookies to some
more local spots where I went as a kid like Oakland's Fairyland and
the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Francisco.

4. How in the world do you balance being a mom, having a 9-5
(elementary school teacher!) AND cookie creating?
I don't! I am a total mess when it comes to trying to do it all and
honestly, I have taken a step back from cookie decorating to make sure
my family stays my number one priority. Luckily, since I teach, I am
able to do cookies as more of a hobby. I take very few orders and have
the flexibility to make cookies when it works for my schedule. I
really admire those who are able to find that happy work life balance,
but for me it is always a work in progress!

5.  Your cookies feature a lot of unique shades of colors. How do you
get the right colored frosting for your cookie?

Coloring can be tricky! I use Chefmaster and Americolor gel food
coloring in my royal icing. Chefmaster has a great color wheel guide
for mixing to achieve less common colors and shades. It is rare that I
need an exact color match, so I often just play around and hope for
the best. My number one tip is to use as little coloring as possible
to start, because a little goes a long way. I also love to paint my
cookies. I will decorate with white icing and then paint with edible
art paint or gel colors.

6.  Finally, it's a new year! Do you have any baking resolutions or goals?

New Year! New Cookie goals!I do have some baking goals this year. One
is to host my first pop up shop! My second goal is to experiment more
with recipes an flavors. I would love to refine my recipes so I am
more confident in their flavor and texture.