MATERIALS:
- Polymer oven bake clay in terra-cotta
- Cornstarch
- Rolling pin
- Craft knife
- X-acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Puffy paint in white and other decorative colors
- Clay for details on house like trees, roof and candy
- Cardboard for the base
- Battery powered tea lights
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Work the clay with your hands for a bit to soften it.
2. Roll the clay out on a work-surface covered with parchment paper. Use the rolling pin to get the clay flattened to about a ¼” slab. If the clay isn’t rolling out, use some cornstarch to help loosen the clay.
3. Now it’s time to cut out the pieces for your house. Print a template for the gingerbread house from the internet and use your craft knife to cut the walls and roof out of clay. The doors and windows of the house are where the light will show through so the bigger the openings, the more light will come through.
4. Use cookie cutters to make any décor pieces you want like trees.
5. Place the cut shapes onto a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Bake according to the instructions on package.
6. Decorate your house with puffy paint, add white for frosting details and use any other colors desired to add candy details. You can do this before you assemble and allow it to dry before assembling if that is easier for you.
7. Hot glue the house together.
8. Make sure to fill in the crest of the roof with puffy paint so that it looks like icing and attach any clay details you created.
9. Cut a base out of cardboard that is slightly larger than the footprint of the house. If the door isn’t big enough to fit a tea light in, cut a hole in the center of the base.
10. Attach the house to the base.
11. Place the house, turn the tea light on and enjoy!
