How to make awesome decorated sugar cookies.

I have been asked by a few people how I achieved my lovely sugar cookies and as I don't have a lot of time right now here are a bunch of links to things I read so I worked it out myself

My gingerbread recipe

http://sweetopia.net/2010/11/gingerbread-cookie-recipe/

or if you want plain sugar cookies, this Nigella one:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/cut-out-cookies-recipe/index.html

Both recipes hold their shape when baked and most importantly are delicious!

Next you make up the royal icing, which is very easy:

http://cakejournal.com/archives/how-to-make-royal-icing

Then you colour it and thin it to the right constancy and once you decide on your design you start piping and flooding:

http://cakejournal.com/archives/how-to-flood-cookies-with-royal-icing

This is an example of the marbling effect, it also shows a royal icing recipe, but it uses powdered egg whites. It's just easier to use fresh ones as they are easier to get.

http://sweetopia.net/2009/06/cookie-decorating-tutorial-general-tips-butterfly-cookies/

This is an awesome website to get some of the equipment you need, ut I got most of mine from my local Kitchen Warehouse and then Home Providore's bake shop in Freo.

http://bakingpleasures.com.au/

At the very least you need:
piping bag (disposable ones are best)
piping tips (from size 1.5-3) for piping lines
piping tips (from 4-5) for flooding. You can use smaller ones, it just takes longer
Gel food colouring, the colours are far better and much more true than supermarket ones
Couplers, these are the plastic thingos that keep the tip in place, you need one set os couplers for each bag and tip you use.
Cookie cutters. If you just have round ones at home already you can do a lot with them, but fancy ones only cost a few $ each.
Tooth picks to help spread icing
damp cloth to wipe nozzles as you pipe.

Fun things to get:
Pearl dust
food flavourings to make the icing less plain tasting
Edible glitter, sprinkles, balls etc
Edible pens to draw on fine details
And about a million other things if you want to get carried away

I hope that's a start, ask me anything I've missed in the comments.

Happy baking