Gingerbread House Gift Box

Gingerbread House Gift Box by Steph Ackerman

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here.  This  month our team was challenged to create a project inspired by a pin from the Makin's Clay® Polymer Clay Inspiration Projects or Tutorials & Techniques boards.  These gingerbread house ornaments inspired me to recreate a gingerbread house with Makin's Clay®, but my box has the added twist of being a small gift box too!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/501588477234209816/

Supplies:

Makin's Clay® - Brown, White, Green, Red

Makin's® 

• Roller and Cutters set
• Clay Tool set
• Clay Cutters - Oval, Snowman, Angel, Candy Canes
• Push Molds - Christmas Nature, Christmas Decor

Makin's Professional® 

• Ultimate Clay Machine®
• Cutting Mat

Beacon Adhesives - 3-in1 Adhesive
Spellbinders Dies
Wilton Mold 

Because I wanted a somewhat mottled look, I began by mixing white and brown clay together. 

  

Roll out brown and white clay in the Ultimate Clay Machine® beginning on setting #1 and continue rolling increasing one setting at a time until the clay is as thin as you like it.  Look at the fun effect I achieved with the clay.

Place the clay on the cutting mat, and following the ruled lines, use the clay cutter to create straight edges on the clay panel.

I had a chipboard house I planned to use as the base so I wrapped the clay around it and cut it to fit.  Then I used Beacon Adhesives to adhere the clay around the box.

Using the clay tools, I cut left over clay pieces to fit the roof.

I combined all the left over clay bits together and rolled them through the clay machine on setting #1 and continue rolling increasing one setting at a time until the clay is the desired thickness.

I wanted some roof shingles so I used a scalloped Spellbinders border die.  I placed the clay between two layers of wax paper and then die cut the damp clay.  You can wait until the clay dries before die cutting, but, as you know, I don't like to wait.  The wax paper stops the clay from getting stuck in the die. 

 

I added a separate piece of brown clay to the chimney, then used the clay tools to create the bricks in the still damp clay.  An angel was added to the chimney top.

A gingerbread house is full of lots of different candy pieces, so I used assorted clay cutters and different colors of clay to create elements I wanted to use.  I die cut ovals from white clay to use for the door and cut them in half to use as the windows.  I cut candy canes from red clay, then I used push molds to create the other elements I wanted for the house.

 

Finally, I wanted some gumdrops, flowers and candy strips so I used white clay with a Wilton silicone mold.  I used clay tools to smooth the backs of each element before removing them from the mold.

The fun part is always decorating.  So I added all the elements about the house using Beacon Adhesives.  And who doesn't like to see a wreath over their front door this time of year?

 Now for the surprise - fill it with candy and give it as a gift!

It's always fun making gingerbread houses for the holidays, but why not create one from Makin's Clay® this holiday season.

Thanks for stopping by.

- Steph