Hart 2 Heart

Spring is in the cookies!

I guess I've been pretty busy making cookies lately. Springtime brings bugs, baby showers, First Communions and flowers, not to mention birthday parties, which seem to occur all year. I'm going in several different directions these days, and it has my head spinning a bit. Fighting a head cold doesn't help, but you need not hear the details of that! Quick question, (if you're still reading, not just looking at the pictures) we've been experimenting with backgrounds for photos. Which do you prefer, the white background, or the dark/wood table background? Now, look at the pictures again and report back. I'm going to go make myself a hot toddy. 

Happy Monday!

How YOU doin?

Easter goodness all around

It has been a most wonderful Easter season around here. It started with two very fun cookie decorating classes. Which of course included a signature cocktail. I chose a Midori Sour, with a little festive garnish. I was quite excited to find green bunny 'peeps' to coordinate! Once my classes were done, I was on to Easter cookie orders, and there were a lot! I'm so grateful to my customers, friends, family and assistant elves who give me all the support I need to make it happen. It gets more fun all the time, and I wouldn't want to do anything else! Except maybe relax, celebrate the season, and take the night off. Happy Easter to all!

 

A lot of this, and a little of that.

Every day I think, "I should REALLY post on my blog". Then I get REALLY busy doing something else. Like making these super cute vintage pillowcase blouses. There are a bunch of them over in my ETSY shop.

Then I drove to Newport Beach and set up my little shop at the Lido Village Artisan Market. I'll be there again on April 7th, if you're in the neighborhood.

I made a few cookies. These were really fun. They were for a group of lady friends who were going on a trip to wine country, the Redwoods, the ocean, whale watching. 

And then there was St. Patrick's Day. I had more orders than usual this year, which was nice. I'm now making a gluten free version by special order. They taste very good! Different, but good.

And of course there was a little relaxing to do . . . at least for Lanky. . .

. . . and the kitties. I had more sewing to do, cookies to make, classes to teach. I promise to be back sooner to tell you more. For now, I'm in the thick of Easter cookie making! Oh, I love my life! Really! I'm not kidding. 

Let's make cookies!

One of the latest ventures in my cookie business has been teaching cookie decorating classes. For Valentine's Day, I hosted two classes at my home, and I have to say it was the highlight of my month! After the Friday night class of 12 filled up rapidly, I added a Saturday afternoon class. With the help of my dear girls, Haley, Monique and Cheryl, we prepared for two days, baking cookies, making royal icing and filling pastry bags. We added two leaves to my dining room table, decorated with lots of hearts, and prepared delicious raspberry mimosas. All of my students were so excited and eager to learn. The classes included former students from my days as a Jr. High music teacher, valued customers, mothers, daughters and granddaughters, old and new friends. It was so. much. fun. So much so, that we're going to do it again! I'll be having two more classes before Easter, March 15th and 16th. If you're interested in joining the fun, "Like" my Kelley Hart Custom Cookie page on Facebook for updates, or email me. In the mein time, I'll be thinking up a refreshing cocktail to serve!

 

 

 

Valentine cookie love to all!

Well, what can I say. I've had a very busy Valentine cookie season. I've so enjoyed talking to all of my customers and spreading some sweet cookie love. But now, I'm just a bit exhausted, so I'm going to take the night off, order a pizza, and eat some chocolate. xo to all.

Cookie catch up.

 

Memorial cookies.

Sweet cookie favors for a first time mom's baby shower.

My customer took her clients to a Clippers game and gave these favors too!

Yet another tugboat company cookie order. These went up to San Francisco.

A lovely platter of wedding cookies.

One of the greatest gifts for me as a cookie maker is the wonderful customers I work with. I tout that my cookies are "delightful and delicious, for all occasions", but for the first time, I had to make cookies for a very sad occasion.

A good friend of mine called last week, after thinking long and hard about what to do for a family, whose son had been killed by a drunk driver. The young man was a senior in high school, very responsible and well liked. He was run down as he was getting out of his car, by a 55 year old, drunk man, who lost control of his car. As the mother of a 16 year old boy, I am just horrified at such a tragic loss. Our kids are lectured constantly about responsibility, drinking and driving, doing the right thing. There is no explanation. Just sadness. And cookies. 

It has been a strange month. I made cookies for many life altering occasions. Though I'm told the cookies for Sean Joseph were very much appreciated, I wish I hadn't had to make them.

 

The holidays begin!

I am a little overwhelmed, a little tired, but oh so happy. I had to take time away from my never ending cookie orders to share the wonderful things that have been going on in my world. Thanks to my mom and dad, we were able to fly to Nebraska to meet up with a whole flock of the Iowa Harts for a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend. My cousin Allen, his wife Jill, and kids Isaac and Kate were the MOST generous hosts. They not only housed the three of us, but my parents and brother who drove over from Wyoming, as well. The weather was perfect and we spent all of Wednesday making pies! Kate pictured above, turned out to be an amazing baker. She promises to come to LA to be my assistant one day.

The pies and the company and the mountains of food were all delicious. Can you tell that I really bonded with my young cousin? The skirt I brought her fit perfectly. . . such a cute and sweet young lady.

We literally drove over the river and through the woods to Villisca, Iowa, where my grandparents lived, and my dad grew up. I have such fond memories of visiting them on the farm, and eating the marvelous pies made by my Grandma Hart; obviously the root of my pie obsession. 

A highlight of the trip was a very fruitful jaunt to the best antique flea market that I've EVER seen! I found lots of beautiful linens and table cloths (to be revealed at a later date), as well as a plethora of cookie cutters that just had to come home with me. My favorites are the little ones at the bottom of the photo, which are exactly like the ones I used as a kid, making cookies with my parents. I've been wanting to find those again, and hadn't even thought to look at a flea market, but THERE THEY WERE, thanks to my eagle eyed cousins!

After the most wonderful, and relaxing vacation, it was time for my traveling companions and I to return to reality, L.A., work. . . 

Lanky was very pleased to see us. Evidently he got a little dehydrated at the kennel.

Cookies anyone?

The cookie marathon is on! After a fabulous weekend at Unique LA, it's now time to focus on holiday cookie orders. Most of these are on the way to Sweet Gourmet in Sayville, New York. But you can order your own HERE! I'll also be selling my cookies at a special holiday boutique at my friend's spa, Organically At Your Best in Redondo Beach, on Sunday, Dec. 9th, from 1 to 4. I've got a lot of cookies to make. . . better get off the computer.

 

This and that. . .

This was my set up at Patchwork on Sunday. It was a great show, with wonderful vendors and enthusiastic shoppers! I sold out of lots of goods, so I've been busy this week sewing like mad. After the Halloween cookie rush, I'm glad to be back in my sewing studio playing with fabric. I have another sale this weekend in Pacific Palisades. The Home tour and Holiday Boutique is a fundraiser sponsored by the Pacific Palisades Women's Club.

Here are some cookies I've done over the last few weeks, in between the spooky ones.

These were for some dear friends' children's fish themed birthday party.

Disney theme for a school principal's birthday.

More special order birthday cookies.

Something special for someone's special parents.

And owls for a baby shower. Owls are still so popular. Do you think this trend will ever end? Cuz I'm still crocheting owl hats. What do you think is the next big thing in design?