Basic Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven to 375 °F (190°C). Cream together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture. Cover and chill for 2 hours. Roll out chilled dough on floured surface to about 1/8-inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets and bake for 6 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on the sheets about 1 minute before moving to racks. Decorate as desired.