Something new to me that I want to share with you.

But first, let's just start with me admitting that I am obsessive about certain things...OK a lot of things. After I decorated my first sugar cookies, I just had to photograph them. And, well, I wasn't happy with the outcome. I wanted a more exciting background than my kitchen counter or a white plate.

So yesterday I decided to look for inspiration at my local Hobby Lobby. I found 12 x 12 inch scrapbooking pages on sale for 50% off the regular price of 50 cents each. I chose 47 different ones to cover holidays and special occasions, as well as some basic patterns.

Then I realized that cookies can be greasy. I wanted to be able to reuse the sheets so I needed something that could be placed on top but be invisible to the camera - some sort of non-glare material that was washable and would protect the sheets. Hmmm...I thought about it as I headed for the fabric department.

I picked up two fabric remnants thinking that sometimes I may need a nice, larger backdrop and remnants are cheaper than tablecloths. I bought remnants in black and off-white in heavier fabrics that should lay well. Then, a serendipitous event occurred! Right across from the remnant rack were the quilting accessories. And just what I was looking for - large sheets of heavy, clear plastic sheets used for making templates! They have a matte finish. I placed a sheet directly over one of the scrapbook sheets and it was invisible! Perfect! And it cost less than $4!

So, after my husband left for work this morning and the kids left for a birthday party, I got out my new goodies, my camera, and a bright clamp-on light and got to work experimenting. I still need to improve my light source, but I was very happy with how it all worked out. One of the advantages is that once you get your cookies arranged, you can slip different backgrounds under the plastic without disturbing your cookies. That is what I did for the two flip flop cookie images. One is on a sheet that looks like real grass and the other is a sheet with bright color blocks and summer-related quotes.

If you have any questions, please ask, or share your additional suggestions.

Fabulous idea for scrapbook paper. They have so many themes, and since you put clear plastic over it you can still re-use the paper.
And I just love all the scrapbooking "toys"; and I don't even do scrapbooks.

I like how all of them look, but the flip flops in the grass is just too cool! Looks real! Great idea!

wow - great cookies and great idea!!
Thanks for posting!!

GREAT idea!!!! They are too cute!! The grass one is my favorite though Thanks so much for sharing!!

This is a GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing!

FABULOUS IDEA!!!!
I love the look of all the cookies!!
Very clever!

You are too funny! I'm a photo nut with everything else, but my CC stuff is only half as much care. But I too think it's important. Especially if you have a business. Just don't let your background overtake your subject.

and the sheets of scrapbooking paper always goes on sale at JoAnn's Fabrics for 20 cents each. Watch for those. If I'm making a cake for someone else (other than us) I use scrapbook paper. On top of the paper, I cut a shape of plastic liner (sold on bolts) that is used for tableclothes (also at JoAnns). That way the paper is not ruined.

brilliant!

Great idea...love the flip flops on the grass! I have tons of scrapbooking papers.......I love both cookie/cake decorating as much as I love to scrapbook......guess all I need is one of those clear plastic boards from the quilting department! Brillant...thank you for sharing your new discovery.

Great, great, great idea, tahnks for sharing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the flip flops in the grass. I've seen them taken in a real life set up. I've got to break out of my white "box" too.

Your cookies are wonderful! My favorite pic is the flip flop on the grass paper--that is perfect!
Also wanted to say Hi! to a neighbor--we just moved to Lafayette.
See you in Hobby Lobby!!

The cookies are beautiful and love the background. What a great idea, thank you for sharing.

Thanks, everybody. I was so excited with this, that I couldn't resist sharing. I agree that I need to make sure the background doesn't compete with the cookies. I did pick up some more subtle designs that will probably be best for more detailed cookies.

Well, I'm off to pick figs...Hmmm...I think a see a fig cake in the near future!

Have a great day!

Thanks for the post. I scrapbook also. I can't wait for camp to be over to get back to my life of baking. I have more paper than I know what to do with.

I have finally gotten around to learning how to shrink photos. I will be posting soon. I learned how to shrink my avatar.

I am trying to get away today to go cookie/cake shopping with out my crew today.



Have a great summer!!

I love the flip-flops in the grass!

I was using scrapbook paper as my background and found it to be competing with my cookies. I also didn't always have the right paper, so now I'm just using a black background (a lot of times it's a cookie sheet! Ha!). I might have to look into this again. They are so cute!

Wow!! Wonderful and creative idea!
What do you think about laminating these sheets after fitting to serving plates.

Example...I am making 4th of July cookies for this weekend, I was keeping it simple with stars of red white and blue since I don't have alot of time. My serving tray is just white, if I laminated a scrapbooking sheet (haven't looked yet, just feeding off the creativity) and used it to lay my cookies on for serving purposes, would that look ok?

I have a laminator already because I do computer crafts.

As I said, just feeding off Kim_in_CajunCountry's great creativity!

P.S. The flip flop grass one is so awesome!

That's a great idea! You could take any flat bottomed tray, cut paper to fit and laminate and Voila! Presto chango! A tray for all seasons!

I had thought of laminating my pages with clear Contac Paper but there were just too many. But a few seasonal tray inserts wouldn't be a big deal.

those are awesome. i love the grass one too, and the cuppie one. thanks for sharing!

I love it! I use scrapbooking paper all the time to make the labels for the top of the bags that I put my cookies in.

Also, I am an avid quilter. I use my quilting rulers and rotary cutters all the time for my cakes and cookies. They are so handy. Actually, I have two sets, one for cakes/cookies, and one for quilting.

You would be amazed with all the quilting stuff you can use for cakes/cookies.

Thanks for the idea.

I have a small quilting ruler that I use for cutting fondant. Love it!

oh, i really like the flip flops in the grass!

i *love* going to hobby lobby to buy the scrapbooking paper to photograph my cookies...they've got the best selection! and it seems they're always on sale : )

i found the cutest design a couple weeks ago for my sugardough strawberry shortcake doll.

You are such an artist! I love the cookies and I love the idea you have for the background. I just hope that I will be as good as you are. (as I stare longingly at your photos)

Kim -

Thank you for sharing this great idea with us.

Theresa

Wow, thanks for the great idea. Your cookies look amazing. I love how this website encourages the sharing of great ideas. We are always looking outside the box for alternative uses for everyday things. Great light bulb moment you had!!!

Brilliant! Now get ready for a laugh...I have been doing the same thing of putting my cookies on scrapbook paper to photograph them, but hadn't thought of the acetate idea. Instead I spend entirely too much time cutting out wax paper in the exact shape of the cookie to protect the paper underneath from butter staining so I could move it around as needed. As you can guess, very time intensive! Thanks for passing on your great idea!

Great idea!!!
Than k you for sharing!

Aren't you just the clever one? If you have a Xyron machine, you could run the papers through and laminate it on both sides. It would have to be cut down some to fit the machine. Great idea for pictures.