At McGoo U, there are so many amazing and talented students!  I thought it would be fun to feature some of our fellow classmates and hear their cookie journey.  Each “Star Student” is a star for a different reason.  Some are the cookiers who complete all of their homework, or they play nicely with others, or show an incredible amount of improvement when it comes to cookie skills. Sandra Ryder is this month’s Star Student. This month is her 3 year Cookie-versary! So I asked Sandra to write a “report” about her adventures. And because she’s such a great student, she turned it in on time and everything!

My cookie adventure started in December 2013 when I decided I could decorate Christmas cookies without any previous experience.  Big Mistake! Like most people, I never realized the details needed to produce a beautifully decorated cookie.  After my first attempt, I didn’t decorate cookies again until the next holiday, only to realize I’d forgotten everything I’d learned about consistency and piping.  Feeling a little discouraged, I packed up my baking supplies because we were in the process of selling our home and moving to Colorado.  This is where my story takes me to a whole new cookie level.

In 2015, after settling in Colorado, I discovered Periscope and found Andrea Walters of Andy Kay’s Cookies.  After watching for a few weeks and hearing her talk about McGoo U and all the great things they offered, I decided to check it out.  I didn’t know it would change my cookie life.  Elizabeth Adams (aka Arty McGoo) became my online cookie guru.  Watching her videos and creating cookies along with her makes you feel like you’re decorating with your best friend.  The videos provide step-by-step instructions and each month you learn various decorating techniques.  Liz now has me creating hand painted cookies and using lots of other techniques that she has taught me.

My confidence level has gone up because of McGoo U to the point that my daughter, Kimberly Ellinger, and I have decided to start selling our cookies!  Check out our Facebook page Cookie Deaux Creations and follow us along this new adventure.  Thank you, Liz, for opening this new world to me and many other cookiers!