![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/parties/swparty9.jpg)
This is my take on a summer non-
Christmasy type gingerbread house. We did this also at
Kalla's party. I got the inspiration from this by
Martha's no bake cookie cottages. I figured they would make adorable fairytale type cottages.
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/gingerbreadcot.jpg)
Supplies needed are graham crackers, icing and decorations. I found these cool chocolate 'rocks' and the colorful fruit wedges at
Walmart. The pretty candy flowers I got from
Bake It Pretty.
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/gingerbreadcot2.jpg)
For the icings, you want a royal icing that will harden for building the cottage (I found this bottle of cookie icing at
Walmart on clearance). The cake decorating icings can be used for decorating.
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/parties/swparty11.jpg)
We also used a bunch of miscellaneous bulk candy and sprinkles to decorate. I made the 'grass' by taking a bag of shredded coconut and adding green food coloring and toss with a fork til thoroughly colored.
Here is how I built the cottage:
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/cottage1.jpg)
To make one cottage, you need total 4 rectangle graham crackers. Break 2 in half to make 4 squares. Carefully cut the top half of 2 crackers to make the sides of the roof (I used a serrated knife) and one skinny piece for the very top (I used my broken piece pile to cut my skinny pieces from).
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/cottage2.jpg)
To put together I found it easiest to lay the squares for the sides down and put a line of icing along the top edges and
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/cottage3.jpg)
then press the edges of the tall sides onto them.
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/cottage4.jpg)
Once you've secured the bottom, repeat that idea for the squares for the roof and place them gently on the sloped edges. I always had a gap at the very top so I used the skinny piece to place on top.
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/cottage5.jpg)
Once the whole thing is secure, begin to decorate. It is easiest to put the frosting on the piece you want to place on your cottage.
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/summer%20crafts09/cottage6.jpg)
Then play the candy with the icing 'glue' on them to the cottage where ever you please.
![](http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/deannasdesigns/parties/swparty10.jpg)
We built them on sturdy paper plates to let dry and take home. Other fun ideas to add would be the gumdrop mushrooms shown in this
article.
A few last tips:
If you are doing this for a group project of party like I did, you might want to consider putting the cottage together ahead of time and letting the kids do the decorating (I didn't do this as I ran out of time, but would of gone smoother/quicker on party day). Also it took me several boxes to get enough for 12 cottages as many of the pieces were already broken when I opened it and they are easy to break when trying to cut as well. Be prepared for lots of scraps (I saved mine for afternoon snack times).
1 comment:
From one crafty mom to another, that's a great project! Who would think of gingerbread houses in the summer?? I'm sure the kids loved it.
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