This weekend, the boys and I made our own Valentine Gingerbread house using graham crackers – we like to call ours The Love Shack! 🙂
I could not get the B-52’s “Love Shack” out of my head the whole time we were making them. “The Love Shack is a little old place where we can get together….” I even sang it to the boys. They were not impressed…
For the houses, I just used some store bought icing, mixed in some cream of tartar to help it stick a bit better {add about 1/2 tsp cream of tartar to 1 cup of icing}, and about 8 drops of red food coloring for that Valentine’s look! If you really want to make your own icing you can find a recipe here.
To form the house, you need 7 graham cracker squares. Cut one of the squares diagonally with a serrogated knife for the front and back of the roof. {hint: place your Graham cracker in the microwave for about 20 seconds before cutting it so it doesn’t crumble} After your have assembled your house, let it sit for about 20-30 minutes to allow time for the icing to set a bit. Surprisingly, we had no troubles with our houses collapsing {Gingerbread house disasters of Christmas’s past were floating around in my head!}.
I put some of the icing in a Ziploc baggie and cut off the corner to pipe the icing around the house. Matthew added some sprinkes to his {and as many candies as possible that would fit onto the front of his house!}
“Love shack, baby! Love shack, that’s where it’s at!”
I think the boys ate more candy than they actually put on their houses but apparently they had fun! {And yes, they are total goofs!}
I think the boys ate more candy than they actually put on their houses but apparently they had fun! {And yes, they are total goofs!}
So grab a few graham crackers, lots of candy and head on down to the
LOVE SHACK!
“Bang, bang, bang on the door baby!”
This would be a fun activity to do for a Valentine’s Day party too!
CUTE CUTE!!! Love them and the B-52’s!!!! Awwww…my college days!! 😉
LOVE IT!
And now …. I will be singing LOVE SHACK all day long!
(gee, thanks!:)~
Bec 🙂
I’m new to your site so this question might be dumb, but are your boys twins? They are so cute! Anyways, glad to see they didn’t mind working with pink candy and icing!
We’ve had many gingerbread house disasters in the past too! Maybe going small is the answer … definitely going to try this! Great idea!
So funny, I would totally sing the song, and my kid would walk away. But if there was candy, he might hang out a bit.
So cute! We make decorated graham cracker houses at Christmas time but I didn’t think of doing it at valentines day. We are going to have to do some soon! I was totally singing Love Shack! 🙂
I’ve never made any candy houses (love shack, gingerbread house).. I should try it someday. I’m sure my girls would love it 🙂
Hi Jenn, What a darling idea & what cute boys. It reminds me of my own not that long ago. It goes fast, so enjoy this time when they want to do stuff with you! BTW, thanks so much for popping by my blog & leaving a sweet comment. It was great hearing from you.
Warmly, Michelle
Such an adorable idea !
this is so fun I hope you’ll link this up at my What We Wore and Made Party over at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/search/label/WWWMW
Found you on Skip to My Lou. Could you please share this with our readers for Fun Stuff Fridays? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/01/fun-stuff-fridays-8.html
Have you seen the Veggie Tales movie, “The Wizard of Ha’s”? When they find the Tin Man, Jr. says,”Tiiiiiin Man…..rusted”. I was the only one laughing. The kids thought I was nuts.
Great spin on Gingerbread houses!!
Great spin on Gingerbread houses!!
Oh my word, this is SUCH a cute idea!! I want to do this with Little Man for sure. Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy, Jen!
Such a cute idea! I would love for you to share it at my Valentines Party @ http://www.cheapcraftymama.com!
I found you on Tip Junkie. Would you please share this with my readers for our Fun Stuff Fridays Valentine’s Linky Party? I think it would be a great fit. http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/14-days-of-valentines-fun-stuff-fridays.html
This is so cute, my kids would love this! I hope you stop over and share at my new party: Mix it up Monday:
http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/02/mix-it-up-monday.html
I hope to see you soon 🙂
Just spent the last few hours downloading from your site. First it was House Hold Organizing, then a Christmas sled craft, Then the Sugar Shack, then a couple of Valentine Print Art. I can’t look any more or will find too much else to read or do.
Really love your site and have just read your book. so much fun. But have to work now at doing.
Linda
Why is the “doing” part always so much harder? lol! I’m so glad you like the site and thank-you so much for reading my book! xo