The Cookie Platter (Halloween 2012)

My idea of a cookie platter (before I discovered cookie decorating) consisted of a batch of one kind of cookie displayed nicely on a serving tray.  Not until I began following Sweet Sugar Belle's blog did I realize how much potential a platter of cookies might have.  When she creates platters, they really are more like works of art.  I'm not being dramatic-just look at these: "Decorated Cow Cookies", "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas", and "Shark Cookies."

Aside from her incredibly talented artistry and cookie-decorating skills, she has mastered the ability to highlight each of her designs, balancing complicated and simple images with coordinating colors and interesting textures to make a remarkably interesting, but not visually overwhelming assortment.
Have I mentioned how much I admire this woman?!

While my first attempt at a cookie platter pales in comparison, it was definitely a challenge putting together such a compilation.  With Halloween in mind, I had some inspiration from my 4th of July firework cookies and these spider webs from another favorite blog, Sweetopia.

The purple and green ended up coordinating well with the orange pumpkins, making the final platter come together.

The eyeballs (thanks to Sweet Sugar Belle for the inspiration) added a new dimension to the platter.  Not only did they add an element of visual interest with the difference in size, but they were the biggest hits at the party, since guests were much more likely to pop a few bite-sized eye cookies than commit to a giant pumpkin cookie.  (Good to remember for the future.)
 

The more I look at the creation of a cookie platter, the more I realize how much this is really right up my alley.  I am all about themes (throwing a party, giving a gift, even dressing the kids at times).  Call me cheesy, but my mind starts racing once I get a good theme going.  I can't always turn my brain off, and some of my best ideas are when I'm falling asleep, driving home from work, or in the shower.  I like when things all seem to fit together an fall into place, even if they're corny.  I loved our coordinated Wizard of Oz Halloween costumes and the "When I'm 64" Beatles party for my mom's, yes, 64th birthday.  (Bet you can't wait to read about all those cheesy party details.)

The platter, then, is really just an expression of the "cookie theme," and therefore, I know this one trial is only the beginning.