As if one needlepoint box wasn’t a big enough labor of love, Julia had to make two! For those starting out with needlepoint, simple geometric patterns, like those on the box to the right, are the easiest to do. For
As the title suggests, let’s get a bit closer to Julia’s two needlepoint boxes to better appreciate the precision-piping that’s involved. When doing needlepoint projects, Julia typically pipes 13 to 15 little boxes per inch to create the grid. This
Just as the piping on this purple needlepoint box is precise, so too is its assembly! Julia uses the mitering technique to ensure tight fits at box corners. For more about this technique and needlepoint piping, of course, take a
Every element of this grand garden scene is edible, from the cookie and fondant arbor down to the teeniest royal icing flowers along the garden path. For the complete how-to, see Julia’s arbor assembly video as well as its companion
Yes, they do! These simple rolled modeling chocolate roses are fun, festive, and, perhaps more important, way faster to make than more traditional varieties with individual petals. In cheery springtime pink, they add exciting pops of color and texture to
This charming cookie duo made with Julia’s Summer Picnic Prettier Plaques™ set screams summer with its red checked tablecloths, picnic baskets, and troupe of hungry ants! To learn more or to purchase this stencil set, visit Julia’s stencil partner Confection
A sweet way to welcome a new baby (of any gender) into one’s home, Julia’s Baby Prettier Plaques™ set features charming little birds and flowering trees growing alongside a picket fence. Just swap out colors to tailor this design to
Here’s a clearer view of the two versions of Julia’s Mother’s Day cookie box: one in gold and tan with cookie “feet” and another footless one in silver and pale lavender with a slightly different franken-cookied handle. Either way, this
Mom’s eyes are sure to open especially wide when she realizes that Julia’s Mother’s Day cookie box isn’t just stunning; it’s also functional! Julia lined hers with linen napkins and then tumbled them full of more cookies! For the complete
One of Julia’s earliest stencil designs, the Birthday Wishes Prettier Plaques™ set is nevertheless a classic that’s perfect for just about anyone’s birthday. To learn more or to purchase, visit Julia’s stencil partner Confection Couture Stencils’ site. To see how
Julia loves to incorporate at least one element of surprise into her place settings. For this springtime dinner, she découpaged plain plastic chargers with floral scrapbooking papers and remains of old gardening catalogs. Who else would have dreamt this up?!
Yes, folks, they’re all edible! These vintage vases, loosely inspired by antique Roseville, are all cookie and icing. To understand how Julia worked this magic, check out her YouTube video tutorial.
Another one of Julia’s earliest stencil designs, the Easter Whimsy Prettier Plaques™ set is still a fan favorite for Easter and spring. To learn more or to purchase, visit Julia’s stencil partner Confection Couture Stencils’ site. For a step-by-step tutorial,
If Julia had her druthers, she’d make every embellishment out of modeling chocolate – it’s just that good! But it also has a slick smoothness about it that leads to really lustrous end results. (These modeling chocolate roses were treated
Here’s one of Julia’s modeling chocolate roses up close and personal. Isn’t it stunning?! It’s simple to make too. To learn how to shape roses, leaves, and bows with Julia’s very own modeling chocolate recipes, check out this YouTube video.
Yes, these cookies can be yours too! All you need to do is use Julia’s I’m Yours Prettier Plaques™ stencil set, and you’re sure to end up with gorgeous Valentine’s Day cookies just like these! To learn more or to
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