So... I have this thing where I fall in love with every cookie cutter I see and I can't help but want to take them home and squish them and love them and tell them they are pretty every day of their lives. And sometimes, when I'm putting them gently into their plastic tote box of dreams, I think about how we'll grow old making cookies together and someday...when we're both quite past our cookie decorating prime, we'll move to the coast and live out the rest of our days on a front porch filled with sunshine as we watch small families enjoying a relaxing afternoon of sand throwing and tantrums at the beach. It's actually quite common. But sometimes... I also have this thing called "logic" and "reality" that stops me from buying every cutter on the planet. And that makes me sad....

Six questions to ask yourself before choosing and buying a rolling pin for decorated sugar cookies. I can't say it enough -- there are infinite RIGHT ways to decorate cookies. If it works for you -- it's the right way. If it doesn't - try something else! The same holds true for decorating tools. Some people swear by icing bottles. Some people use disposable piping bags without any tips at all. Maybe you think plastic cutters are the best...or maybe you only use copper cutters. When it comes to choosing the right tools - BUY ALL THE THINGS seems like the most common approach. But unless you want a cabinet overflowing with rolling pins...I've got six questions you need to ask yourself before you buy a new rolling pin.

Don't have the cutter you need? You can always hand cut your sugar cookie shapes! Use these tips and tricks to make hand cutting as easy as possible. I own a lot of cookie cutters. Like... A LOT. Like.... someone cover my husband's eyes ... probably around 800 cookie cutters. And I love to re-purpose a cookie cutter and use it for something entirely different from it's intended shape. (You know...like turning a candle cutter into a gnome .) But for all my planning (ha) and preparation (ha ha ha ha ha)... sometimes I just need a certain shape that I don't have. And when that happens, I'm faced with two possible solutions -- I can make my own cookie cutter or I can hand cut the shape.

Use this tutorial to learn how to make decorated sugar cookies that look like graduation tassels! You know how I'm always like, " Ohhh...don't judge me...I've done something absolutely ridiculous but it's okay because people are people and let's forget I'm weird because...COOKIES!! " Well, I'm going to give you a pass on this one and say - "Go ahead and judge friends." Because this one is a little bit past ridiculous. (And that's saying something coming from the girl who wore a 3 foot wide sombrero to the last CookieCon .)

Use this cookie decorating tutorial to learn how to make decorated jean pocket and fireworks sugar cookies! I bet you guys thought something happened to me. It's been forever! ( And by forever, I mean 27 days...not that I'm counting. ) The truth is -- something did happen. It's called SUMMER. Maybe you've heard of it. Basically, once a year my kids love me again. We hang out together and there's no rushing around to get them to school and sports and appointments or trying to force them into actually learning and finishing homework and reading entire books. We just LIVE OUR LIVES. (What?! Who does that?!)

With all the tools and supplies available - how do you know which ones to get first? EIGHT expert decorators tell you what one tool they can't live without!!   When I first started decorating cookies, I lived in South Korea. THANK GOODNESS or I would have bought ALL THE THINGS. There are just so many cutters and stencils and tools and fun things to have! I've bought more than my share of them, I'm sure. I've also regretted quite a few of those purchases. How are you supposed to know what is worth buying now - and what can wait?

Use this cookie decorating tutorial to learn how to make decorated sugar cookies that look like poppies! I grew up in an era of Trapper Keepers, Garbage Pail Kids (Although totally taboo and a little bit naughty...EVERYONE I know had at least three collectible stickers), children running generally amok while wearing cut-off jean shorts and t-shirt rings , (who knew you could still BUY those?!) Jellies, E.T. and "improving yourself".

I edited these photos while sitting at the counter in my kitchen (because that's WHAT I DO, okay? Seriously, I'm considering adding a chaise lounge and some potted palms to my kitchen because I basically live my entire life within an arm's reach of the kitchen sink. Just walking my kids to school each morning seems like a jaunt to the French Riviera some days.) My very-practically-a-grown-up-because-she-only-has-17-days-left-of-kindergarten daughter decided that she was going to make herself a toast.

This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. I kind of love my CHOCOLATE COOKIE RECIPE . And judging by the number of emails and messages I get about it every week -- you guys do too! The two questions I get asked most often are: 1) How can you tell when chocolate sugar cookies are done baking? (Find the answer HERE .) 2) How do I make it gluten free? 

It's Friday again!!! Celebrate by entering to win a Sweet Sugarbelle Stencil Snap!! Just click that EASY ENTRY button below before midnight tonight!