Have you heard of Teresa Layman?
None of my friends or family have, that’s for sure, but to the gingerbread enthusiast, the name is usually familiar.
Who exactly is she?
Only the best gingerbread house author out there! (Kudos to other authors – there’s lots of other gingerbread talent, but Teresa is the queen in my books). I have every gingerbread book out there I can get my hands on, and no one tops her yet. Here’s a small sampling of my book collection:
Oh boy… it’s out… I’m a bit of a cake/cupcake/cookie/gingerbread house book JUNKIE!!!
Ahem.
Back to Teresa… I’ve even written to her and ended up chatting with her on the phone. If you’re interested you can read about that post right here.
Like I said, a bit of a junkie.
This Halloween Gingerbread ‘House’ (actually really is a gingerbread ‘facade’), is the second project I made from her book, and as a newbie ‘sugar crafter’ back in 2002 I was pretty satisfied with the results. (Although it’s not as nice as Teresa’s). I set it near the door for the trick-or-treaters to see when they came for their candy. The kids seemed to love it!
Ms. Layman describes how to make every step of this Halloween gingerbread project in her book, Gingerbread for All Seasons
Oh, this is wonderful! You did a great job!
this is great
I have all her books and many of the same books you have in the pix (plus a few more!) on Gingerbread!:D You are sooo right about Ms. Laymen’s books, they are well worth the effort. Might I also recommend the Gingerbread Book by Stephen Stellingwerf (another fave of mine.) Tis the season!
Michelle and Dina; thanks for your comments! Teresa’s version is better though!
Nutmeg; thank you for the recommendation; I do have The Gingerbread Book
by Steven as well, and I agree with you, it’s quite good. 2nd best to Teresa in my humble opinion. 
I like how he makes gingerbread projects throughout the year – he has some great ideas and meticulous work.
I’d love to see your collection too!
Marian, that house is Amazing !
Love it !
OMG, I’ve never KNOWN a gingerbread house book junkie! That is WILD (and quirky…! I love a good quirk!). I’m a vegan cookbook junkie myself. Can’t get enough of them, so I kind of understand…. Love the house — wow!
lol… I know… definitely different. ;-D Can’t get enough of them though, and in my opinion, there aren’t enough of them out there.
Vegan cookbooks, interesting… I’ll go check out your site!
Wow! You’ve done a wonderful job! Planning on making my first gingerbread house for christmas! I’ll definately have to check out Teresa Layman’s books!
I don’t care if it’s a facade! I want to move it!
You’ve combined three of my favourite things ever…gingerbread, Halloween and haunted houses.
I love it.
Those books sound amazing!
I should attempt one!! Very inspirational!
@ Melanie: that should read..move in!! I want to move in
Wow! You are so talented, Marian! You could definitely win a one of the contests we talked about. How long will that “house” last before drying out? You are inspiring me to try a REALLY simple one for the first time this Christmas.
Marian, the gingerbread house looks totally AWESOME!
You just made me realize that gingerbread season is coming soon. Have you ever thought of joining any competitions?
babskitchen,
Thanks for the reply! I don’t know about winning any contests though!
How long will a ‘house’ last before drying out? I’m guessing 2 days to a week for sure; obviously the earlier the fresher it will taste. If you’d like to keep it on display, I’d suggest maybe wrapping it in cellophane to keep off dust and help somewhat with air exposure.
We don’t usually eat the ones I make so I’m not sure though, sorry.
If you’d like to keep your house for a reallllly long time, my girlfriend kept hers for a year in a sealed plastic box, and it looked fine the 2nd Christmas. Obviously they didn’t eat it though.
Hope that helps!!
Thanks Rylan, your comment got in there while I was writing the last reply. I think I might try a local one we have this year. I’ll keep you posted!
That is so adorable!!
Marissa says that this ic cooooool;)
Marian says thank you!!