60 lbs of sugar

by Susan Rogers
(O'Fallon, IL )


"60 lbs of Sugar" Gingerbread Contest Winner

I entered this house in the 2003 Belleville Illinois Gingerbread Walk. It is almost 4 feet tall. I was moving to Texas, so I knew it would be my last entry and I wanted it to make a statement.

The house is a replica of one of David Winter's cottages (I'm a big fan of his!). All of the bricks on the house are Pez. I used tweezers to put each one on. It was a tedious project, but I loved every minute of it!

The house was EXTREMELY heavy! My husband and I barely got it to the contest in one piece. When we finally arrived at the check-in desk, the woman asked the name of my project. I had been so busy creating it, I hadn't thought of a name! The first thing that came to mind was "60 lbs of sugar"!

The house was awarded best of show.

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Jun 09, 2013
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Structural support answer
by: Susan Rogers

With large pieces you have to add some sort of structural support...even if you have zero humidity! I use a 1/2" plywood base (this house sits on a 2' x 2' base. I glue down an extra styrofoam (spelling?) base to where the house will sit. I stick dowel rods into the styrofoam where I need extra support. This house is actually a series of small gingerbread boxes, so it didn't require a lot of support, believe it or not! :) Each little room is it's own unit. The 7 lbs of pez really protected it from humidity.

Jun 07, 2013
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Puzzled
by: Anonymous

Is there a wooden frame inside the gingerbread pieces? Or are they all free standing pieces of gingerbread cookies glued together? I want to make a large piece but i am not sure if I should a structural fram inside. Tnx for any help.

Nov 23, 2012
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Why stop now?
by: Ami Hazell

Not only do I think this is one of the best, if not best houses made of gingerbread that I have ever seen, I am very impressed at the details in your house. I think you should enter the National Contest..I think you'd win! I've been doing Gb for a while now, and I am very impressed!

Nov 18, 2012
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Inspired
by: Ellie

Hi

I read all you comments and instructions - you have inspired me and I hope to make something similar... If it turns out a 10th of yours Ill be happy.

Congratulations - and 4 years later is still not only inspirational but one of the most amazingly beautiful houses that I have seen.

You must and should be extremely proud.



Oct 30, 2012
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House Pattern - Answer
by: Susan

Unfortunately the pattern is long gone :) It can be duplicated. The house is modeled after David Winter's Quindine manor. It's one of his bigger projects! I drew out all 4 sides of the house, then took my drawings to Kinkos and enlarged them enough to fit on a 2' x 2' base board. I cut out the pieces and traced them onto foam core board. I first put the entire house together using foam core and stick pins. Once I knew I had all the pieces (and they were labeled!), I took it down and started baking. You can do this with any house. The trick is to see the house as a series of boxes stacked one on top of the other. Not only is it more manageable to bake, it makes the house stronger. None of the pieces I used were over a foot high.

This house is around 3 1/2' to 4' tall...I don't know if you'd want to duplicate it :)

Oct 28, 2012
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pattern
by: Anonymous

Congratulations, it is the most eautiful gingerbread house I have ever seen.
Do you sell the pattern? I so, I would like to get it.
I am not sure how would you answer to me, maybe you would need my e-mail.

Oct 16, 2012
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How long it took me
by: Anonymous

This house was based off of David Winter's Quindine Manor (spelling?). So I had the design. It took about a month working an average of 2 to 3 hours a day to draw out the house and make a foam core model (have to make sure everything fits!). I'm not sure how long the baking and decorating took! It's all a blur! I started taking down the model and tracing out the gingerbread in late Sept/early October. The contest was in mid-November. The last few nights before the contest I didn't sleep! :)

Oct 15, 2012
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Wonderful !
by: Anonymous

a beautiful work of art! How long did it take you to make this?

Oct 15, 2012
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Wonderful !
by: Anonymous

a beautiful work of art! How long did it take you to make this?

Oct 15, 2012
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Breathtaking
by: Anonymous

Wish I'd seen it in person to take in all that detail!!!!

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