Buttery Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 large egg

3 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 teaspoons vanilla

colored sugar crystal, icing, candies, etc. for decorating

Beat butter until soft and creamy, about 2 minutes on medium speed of electric hand-held mixer. Add sugar gradually, beating well. Add egg and beat in. Combine flour, soda, salt, and cream of tartar; add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in vanilla. Sharpe dough into a ball. Roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on wax paper. Cut into desired shapes and place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheets. Sprinkle dough with sugar crystals before baking, if using sugar crystals. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire racks and decorate if desired. Makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on size.