Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweetopia!
Is it silly?
A birthday celebration for a blog?
Probably, but I have to do it anyways.
I can’t believe it’s been 3 years, this February, since I began blogging here. It’s been rewarding beyond measure – a passion which has grown even more with time, and hopefully will continue for many more years to come. I would still blog, even if no one was visiting, because I enjoy the process of making sweets, photographing them as best as I can (and learning more about how to, bit by bit), and then sharing them here. Sweetopia has become a labour of love; creating the confections, showing how I make them, and communicating with you, are all parts of a passion which is sweet in so many more ways than one.
Thank you for visiting me in my little, sweet corner of the world. Your comments, your emails, your tweets and pins, are what make me smile, warm my heart, and make blogging even more fun.
Because the blogging process and life in general don’t leave as much time as I would like to check out your ‘home’ on the internet, I would love if you would share with me today where I can find you, on my facebook page here, in the comment section below, or wherever you like: Whether it be your flickr page, your facebook page, pinterest, instagram, a blog, anything… This February I would love to take some more time to find out where you ‘live’ on the internet, and what you love to do.
The amazing thing about the internet, and I’m feeling this more and more, is that it brings us together, no matter where you are on the planet, we can connect with each other based on mutual interests and a love for similar things.
And as a new blog birthday ritual for me, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite posts to date… Either because you seemed to like them according to the comment section, or just because for some ‘can’t put my finger on’ reason, I especially enjoyed creating the post.
1.
How to Decorate Cookies with Royal Icing – Top 10 Tips
2. {The lighting is really bad in this photo… I tried to fix it a bit}.
3.
How to Decorate Cookies with a Kopykake Projector
4.
Making Mardi Gras Decorated Cookies
5.
6.
Figuring Out Royal Icing Consistency
7.
8.
Green Apple Bridal Shower Cookies
9.
How to Freeze Decorated Cookies
10.
Marbling Royal Icing (First Video)
Thank you for reading me here, I appreciate each and every comment, and love to hear from you!
If you’d like, leave me a comment below, on Facebook, twitter, youtube or instagram, letting me know where you ‘live’ on the internet, and what are your favorite things. Mine, as you can see, are making sweets, especially decorated cookies. Is that yours too, or is it something else?
xo,
Marian
p.s. You can find the vanilla cupcake recipe and buttercream I used for these by clicking here and a video on how to make the cupcake swirl here.
Stephanie says
Happy Third Birthday to your beautiful blog!
I feel the exact same way that you do about blogging. I’d be doing it still no matter if people were reading it or not. Just for the love of making, photographing, and sharing the treats. Here’s to many more years of tasty blogging!
bridget {bake at 350} says
Happy, happy bloggy birthday!!! You have one of these sweetest and loveliest homes on the internets! 😉
Love all of these posts…I was just thinking about your beautiful mardi gras masks this morning!
Lora says
Happy birthday to one of the most gorgeous, informative and inspirational blogs out there! Thanks for all the eye candy and amazing tips you have shared.
Janet says
first, happy blog birthday! second… the ways you have inspired my cookie decorating are too numerous to count. i owe everything i know first to bridget (bake at 350) and then to you, for it is through bridget that i first learned of your beautiful blog and amazing work.
all your success over the years is so richly deserved. again, thank you!
i follow you on twitter, i like you at facebook and when i’m not watching you, i live at my own blog at http://www.thearmymom.com where i attempt to duplicate your/bridget’s cookie decorating skills on occaision. 🙂
sending you always my best wishes for your continued perfect health and happiness. you are truly a gift!
Oly says
Happy B-day to your blog !!!
I really love it ………….best wishes , Oly
Pauline Rogers says
Oh, I can’t wait to see the next video on how to put the frosting on the cupcakes. I made 72 cup cakes this week for my kids Valentines Day parties at school and I have to say, I was not too happy with my cupcake piping abilities:) Looking forward to seeing how you do it!!!
Bakerella says
Happy Blog Birthday! xoxo
SassyCakes says
Happy 3rd Blog Birthday!!! I love everything you do. You are such an inspiration. I’ll keep reading your blog till the last day!
Georganne (LilaLoa)li says
I can’t believe its only been 3 years! Its like I can’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t been able to enjoy your blog! You are such an inspiration to the world of sweet.
Sandi says
Happy 3rd Birthday to a wonderful blog! I was a baking novice (ok, disaster) and you taught me how to work with royal icing. Thanks for sharing your gift and for sparing my neighbors the ugly cookies I used to hand out at holidays!
Tatyana says
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday Dear Sweetopia!
Happy Birthday to you!
And I love everything you do! 😉
Kimmie says
Okay, well when do I not have something to say? To my dearest, best friend in the world, Happy 3rd Birthday. My wish for you is many, many more to come of course. Love you! Love Kimmie…..you know I could say so much more but I would run out of room.
Rowaida Flayhan says
Happy blog Anninversary Marian wishing always great success. Love love your site and amazing work xoxo
Jennifer says
Happy Birthday Sweetopia!!! I would love for you to check out my blog. http://www.cakeblocked.blogspot.com
Michaela says
Happy blog bday, I look forward to reading your posts everyday…thanks for sharing all of your baking adventures!!
Shelley says
Awww. Yay! Happy Happy Birthday to one of my “sweetest” friends (pun intended). 😉 Congratulations on 3 successful years. Time to get a published cookbook. Just sayin’…
Barbara says
Happy birthday! I started following you on Pinerest because of your beautiful cookies! I’ve just started this “hobby” of cookie decorating. I did some baby feet for my daughter’s baby shower in December and just made some Valentine cookies. I’m having so much fun and send the “results” to my girls in NC and FL. I’m in FL so have to ship them. They love them! Thanks again for all your sharing.
Melissa says
Happy Blog Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;0) Here’s to many more years of sweet blogging!
Elsa says
Happy Birthday Sweetopia!!! I enjoy following your blog.
Lydia- The Party Wagon says
Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing your beautiful sweets with us!
Tammy Downs says
Your designs are incredible! Thank you for sharing!
Kalexda says
Happy Birthday!!!
We are from El Salvador and you can find us here: http://www.facebook.com/kalexdacatering
Everythimg you make is beautiful, Best of luck!!!
Bea @ CancunCOOKIES says
Happy Birthday, Sweetopia!
Martha Eager says
Happy Birthday !!! and thank you so much I love all what you do. I Try
you´re recipe for royal icing and decorate cookies for Valentine´s and they look great. Muchas Felicidades !!!
Michelle G says
Marian! Happy 3rd Birthday to your blog!! You have inspired me in so many ways and have helped me more than you know, particularly with my cookie creations. I just made some beautiful Valentine’s Day cookies and I could not believe how great they turned out. I would not have been able to do it without your help! I wish I could show you a picture but I don’t have a blog or website (yet! – maybe some day). I have watched so many of your tutorials and videos – you have helped and inspired me in so many ways. Wishing you lots more happy blog birthdays!! xo
Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth says
Happy 3rd Blog Birthday! Congratulations!
Cupookie says
Happy Happy Birthday Sweetopia ♥ I have learned so much from your blog. Sweetopia is one of the first websites I discovered before getting into the cookie craze. Thank you for all your amazing tips & tutorials. I love the way you share & inspire us ALL.
Erin R says
congrats on hitting the 3 year mark! that’s amazing!
CantStopBaking says
Wow, feels like yesterday that you posted your second bday cake! Happy Birthday! Come visit me @ http://www.cantstopbaking.blogspot.com.
gladys says
Congratulation ,…you have a nice blog..continue in this way; and thanks for share this beautiful idea.
Bronya says
Happy Blog Birthday!!!
teresa says
Keep up the good work, I enjoy your teaching and artistic creations.
Mindy says
Happy Birthday! Thanks for all you do to share with us!
Panagiota says
Happy Birthday!!! I hope you keep up your FABULOUS work.You have been such an inspiration.
Thank you, xoxo
Brooke says
I started following you around the time those Snowmen with green and white scarves appeared and have enjoyed this blog ever since! Keep up the great work.
susie says
Happy Birthday and many more!
Nikki says
Hi Marian! Happy 3rd Birthday to Sweetopia! You continue to be one of my very favorite bloggers. Thank you always for your inspiration, tips and generosity.
Nikki from Switzerland xx
(who is writing from an amazing Holiday vacation in Bali! 😉
Etty Barus says
Happy Birthday…your blog is beautiful and very informative, you are kind Marian, coz you want to share your knowledge in making all these baking or decorating to us. I’m from Indonesia, and live in Jakarta city. I like your blog.
Thanks again, and success always with you…
Warm regards
ETTY BARUS
Sugar Daze/Cat says
Sending you happy blogiversary wishes from Paris! I have been following you for a couple of years & am always inspired by your beautiful designs!
Alisa Taylor says
Happy Birthday! I have learned so much from following you. You can find me on Facebook, Texas Cookie Garden/Alisa Taylor.
Keep on blogging!
Kim says
Happy Bloggy Bday!!! I think you should celebrate! you have been such an inspiration to so many of us! Keep up the great work!
hugs! Kim @ Party Frosting!
Suzi says
Love your blog & your super cute B-day cuppies! Looking forward to your video!
P.S. – The close up photo of the round sprinkles is adorable:)
Leah says
Happy Birthday Sweetopia! Your Blog has helped inspire my love of cookie decorating. My fb page is Nan’s Cookies:)
Nura Noor says
HI Marian, it seems like I know you already just by reading every post of your blog. 🙂
I am located in Singapore and I love teeny weeny desserts! My goal is to make any dessert I came across a bite size if possible.
I recently tried you cookie trick for Valentine’s day and it was a BiG hit!
Thank you and Happy 3rd Birthday Sweetopia!
via says
Happy 3rd birthday Sweetopia!
Thx a lot for all the posts Marian.
There is a question that popped in my mind when I saw really nice white color of your buttercream. How to make it? Coz mine is always yellowish in color. What kind/brand of butter do you use to make buttercream? Did you mix with shortening? Coz I already tried to mix the butter with shortening to create whiter color, but it tasted not as good as if I used pure butter.
Thanks for your help
marian says
HI @ via: I use white, Americolor, gel food coloring! =)
Everyone, I am SO thrilled that you took the time to drop me a line! I LOVE YOU GUYS! Thank you! I will be dropping by your blogs to say hello. xo
candace says
Every month I am entranced by your cookie art. They truly are true eye candy!
Learning so much after all these years following your blog and finally taking the plunge into cookie decorating with royal icing. Even tried your gingerbread house recipe/instructions at Christmas…they were a blast for me and my kids. Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge of all things cookie. Happy Birthday Sweetopia! 🙂
Shay says
Happy (a little bit late) Birthday ;)! I just wanted to take a second to tell you how much I LOVE your blog and how very thankful I am for it. I’ve always loved baking and decorating, but I never knew that I could make it my ‘dream job’… until I found Sweetopia about 2 years ago. I had lost my job and had just had my first child. I was making and selling cakes and cupcakes just to pass the time (and for grocery money lol)!! I spent HOURS on this site and learned so much from you! After some practice with the cookies, I made some for my father-in-law to take to work. They were such a big hit that I got 4 orders that day. I’ve not had a slow weekend since :)!
Thanks in VERY large part to you and your site, I have been able to stay at home with my now 2 year old son and 9 month daughter while still making a business of this whole ‘cookie and cake thing.’ My husband and I are now opening our first cakery and bake shop and I felt that I owed you a very big thank you! So THANK YOU!!! I’m proud to be one of your ‘cookie nerds’ ;)!
marian says
Thank you so much @ candace! I’m glad you guys had fun with the gingerbread houses and am happy you’re visiting me here!
Oh my goodness @ Shay! Way to make me tear up! I am so very happy that I had a tiny part to play in helping you find something you like to do, and staying home with your children. Seriously, thank you so much for your sweet and heartfelt comment – I will cherish it! xo