In a mixing bowl, cream sugar, butter and vanilla until light colored. Beat in eggs.
In a large bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk. Stir the egg mixture and buttermilk mixture into the dry incrementally. The dough should be stiff. Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters and arrange on cookie sheets.
Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
