Nautical Watercolor Sugar Cookies | Sailboats, Lobsters & Whales

The Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters have been staples of my store for the last four years.  This year when I pulled them out I was in the mood to do a little something different.  I've been following ElisabethandButter and love her watercolor technique.  I thought it would be the perfect artistic take on these favorite shapes.

Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters come packaged in a Cello Gift Bag with my Sugar Cookie Recipe Card  and are tied with a ribbon.  They make a wonderful gift.

It was much easier than expected - though I'm not sure mine are quite as perfect as hers, of course!  I used butter icing - because I can't not use butter icing, though I'm sure royal would create a better surface for painting.  

For the sailboat, I added a bit of blue and black gel food coloring on the plate, then wet my paintbrush and mixed them together, little by little.  I brushed on some light strokes to create dimension (maybe some wind!) on the sail.  For the lobster, I mixed red and orange gel colors, then added black details with a small brush.  It took no time at all - in fact it was much easier than mixing multiple icing colors.  I can't wait to try this method on other shapes and style.  

My Sugar Cookie Recipe

Butter Icing Recipe

Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters

I tried the watercolor technique on the Boat and the Lobster.

The handmade copper cutters are so wonderful by themselves - even if you don't plan to use them.  I have them sitting on the window sill over my baking counter.  The are just beautiful.

The new Navy Blue Wellies Gift Boxes are a great way to package them as a favor or a gift.  I think the lobster would look great in there, too.

This size of cookie fits nicely in a Large Cello Bag, tied with a ribbon.  The Whale fits perfectly in a Medium Sized Cello Bag.

Shop the entire Nantucket Summer Collection, here >

This is how I have decorated the cookies in the past - classic summer!  I still love them : )

Nantucket Summer Collection | Classic Ticking Stripe, Anchors, Bicycles, Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters

Last Summer we made our first summer journey to Nantucket.  Sconset, to be specific.  After years of encouragement from Tessa, we made a last minute plan to escape there at the end of July.  We had visited Nantucket in off-seasons, but had never been there in the thick of summer and had never been to the far end of the island, to the remote cottage village of Sconset.

"I tried to convey the feeling of being there through these photos, but really the scent of the roses and the blooming privet, the light, the salty breeze, and the overwhelming feeling of slowing down and being removed from the rest of the world was hard to capture.  It was breathtakingly beautiful in both a natural and manicured way.  Everything surface was either lushly green, blooming, or weathered wood, stone or shells.  The homes feel comfortable and well worn, removed from time and trends in the most lovely manner.  We loved it and will return soon."

- from my Nantucket Post last summer

It was a vacation completely consumed with natural beauty, old fashioned charm, magical sunsets and our own thoughts.  We were blissfully unaware of the rest of the world, completely surrounded with the perfume of garden roses, salty air and the company of our family.

This collection encapsulates the essence of what I believe to be that perfect, quintessential summer in that seaside village - classic stripes, navy anchors, nautical accents, and charming blue bicycles.

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Our favorite part of our vacation last year was being without a car and riding bikes or setting out on foot everywhere we went.  It was so freeing to be on two wheels with the breeze in your hair - to town for coffee, or the market or to the beach with a basket full of snacks.  Mike and I even found ourselves taking turns to wake up early to ride our bike around a sleeping town to watch the sunrise.   Of course, I don't have many photos of us riding bikes, because it is really hard to take a photo while riding a bike : )

"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, 

I no longer despair for the future of the human race." 

H. G. Wells

Light Blue Bicycle Paper Collection

10 Tags for, $4

Short Tablet, $6

Tall Tablet, $8

Stationery Set, 10, $14

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Of course, behind each charming exterior, I could envision an interior - relaxed, thoughtfully compiled and timeless.  I imagine the interiors to be like the exteriors, removed from time and oblivious to trends.  No one has time for trends or the newest thing when there are seashells to gather, sunset walks and bikes to ride.

Antiques, for sure.  Oatmeal linen that doesn't show wear and never goes out of style.  Oil Paintings of ships in gilt frames.  Blue and white textiles in small prints and classic ticking stripes.

Real stationery and envelops to write to friends and family that have visited in years past.  Collected frames and prints with layers of new and old photos.  Roses from the garden.

Cottage Stripe Pillow Covers

Rectangle, $38 | Medium 20" Square, $42 | Large 22" Square, $46

100% Wrinkle Free Cotton

Navy Anchor Paper Collection

10 Tags for, $4

Short Tablet, $6

Tall Tablet, $8

Stationery Set, 10, $14

Shop >

The kitchen is casual, ready for a help yourself brunch for the entire family or a casual pop-in for happy hour cocktails and snacks.

Cottage Stripe Wrinkle Free Cotton Napkins

A generous Table Runner (108" x 20") to accommodate large gatherings and protect an antique table.

Big pitches of big, mop-head hydrangeas picked from the garden.

A basket of blueberry muffins ready to deliver to a friend with a birthday greeting.

Cottage Stripe Tea Towel, $10

Handmade Copper Cookie Cutters - Heirloom Quality

This year I tried a new watercolor decorating technique.  It felt right for seaside sugar cookies with a relaxed and artistic feel.  I simply piped white icing on, then after it dried I painted on food color I had diluted with water.

Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters : Sailboat, Whale & Lobster

Navy Wellies Gift Boxes, 2 for $8

More layers of summers past with photos, paintings, sketches and prints.

Whale Prints ($3-8) paired with French Cream Photo Mats.

The Nantucket Whale Print with antique scrolling telling the tale.

Comfortable and breezy bedrooms with soft white linens, more antiques, baskets of bedside books and brass lanterns.

Whale Prints, $3-8

Cottage Stripe Pillow Covers, $38-46

Large 22" Pillows, here.

The back garden is private, green and lush.

I still haven't found this but and white hydrangea at home, but I'm keeping my eye out so I can add one to my collection.

Shop the Summer Collection >

Easy Summer Style

Last fall I did a "style" post - I said it then, and I'll say it again - for all of my friends who have real personal style, my apologies : )  My personal style is simple.  So simple that you might not really think I have a personal style - ha!  But, I'm actually very particular about what I wear and what I buy and as I've grown older, I'm comfortable settling into my minimalist uniform.  I am also more careful about what I accumulate.  I hate disposable clothing and if I bring it into my closet, I want to be able to keep it for years and years.  

In the summer, I wear mostly all white, or blue and white.  You can never go wrong with all white - it looks clean, fresh and great with a tan.  I wear very simple minimal jewelry, usually just a thin gold anchor bracelet I found a couple of years ago.  I use wraps in the evening to add pops of color to my otherwise all white outfits.  I almost always wear flat sandals - gold for dressier occasion and leather for casual.  This year I've found lots of well-priced simple dresses that I love and I'm always happy to add those to my closet since it makes getting dressed that much easier.  

I discovered some great finds at J.Crew Factory this year - not always a favorite of mine because sometimes I find quality issues like not washing up great or not fitting nicely, but this year I've noticed a huge improvement.  I also mixed in some regular J.Crew, Nordstrom, Target and Vineyard Vines.  Sometimes I'm in the mood to splurge on items, like the more expensive Jack Rogers (which I've had for years and never go out of style) and other times, I buy $12 sandals from Target (that are so comfy!) that fit the bill for everyday easy outfits.

Top Left : White Dress with Royal Blue Embroidery, J.Crew Factory |  Peony Wrap, $16 (my online  store)  |  Platinum Jack Rogers Sandals, Nordstrom 

Top Middle : Jcrew White T  | Striped Blue & White Skirt, J.Crew Factory  |  Kessie Slide Sandals, Target

Top Right : Gibson Dress, Nordstrom $69  |  Gold Anchor Bracelet - personal find  |  Platinum Jack Rogers Sandals, Nordstrom

Bottom Left : Rayban Sunglasses  |   White Tunic, JCrew  |  Gold Anchor Bracelet - personal find  |  Kessie Slide Sandals, Target

Bottom Middle : Jcrew Factory Seersucker Dress  |  Peony Wrap, $16 (my online store)  |  Platinum Jack Rogers Sandals, Nordstrom

Bottom Left : White Pom Pom Top, JCrew Factory  |  White Jeans  |  Lilac Wrap, $16 (my online store) |  Platinum Jack Rogers Sandals, Nordstrom

Here is a look at what our during the day essentials look like - pool cover ups, Tote Bags, hats & Wraps.  I usually wear a tunic or Oxford shirt for a coverup and am never without a hat in the summer.  I'm actually one of those moms that gets in the water and swims at the pool, so I like to throw on a hat when I get out of the pool.

The Tote Bags, Set of 3, $15 have been restocked and work so great as simple bags to take to the beach or the pool.  Emma and I both have our own.  Hers is filled with googles and pool toys and mine has change of clothes, sunscreen and magazines.

Peony Wrap, $16
Tote Bags, Set of 3, $15