Midnight Mass Festival of Trees Grande Prairie 2011

Midnight Mass at the Festival of Trees in Grande Prairie was an incredible gingerbread build.

The Season of Celebration

The smell of gingerbread is in the air!

As with the end of fall the gingerbread season begins.

Since 2006 I have been a regular contributor to the Festival of Trees in Grande Prairie and have been looking forward to this year’s festival. There is nothing better to get one in the Christmas mood then spending a few hours in a magical winter wonderland!

And this year does not disappoint! Being the first big Christmas event of the season, Evergreen Park is decked out in fantastic Christmas splendor! I wish I would have taken my tripod as they have the most amazing new display that needs to be captured.

As the name implies, there are many gorgeous trees at the festival but if I could take one home this year, it would be the tree below. It is part of a very nicely done display from The Grinch. The team that put the display together did an outstanding job!

I love how the top hangs down, like the ornaments are far too heavy for the tree.

The Build

This year’s build was quick and efficient, by far the easier of the houses I have done.

As this year’s “house” was a church I wanted to keep it clean and simple.

I made a few design changes along the way; it was going to be a rock covered structure, but it just did not have the look I was aiming for. I sided a few sections with the rock and after a few hours of looking at it I knew it had to go.

As always, I went with a few of my signatures, the candles in a least one window. Numerous wreaths. And of course, there is always room for at least one Rolo tree. Sometimes disguised as poinsettias. Cute and the perfect size for any gingerbread house setting.

Not a lot needs to be said so I have just chosen an assortment of shots from the piece.

Gingerbread 101 for FBC

However, I will be doing a Gingerbread 101 in the beginning of December on the FBC website! If you have any questions about any of my GBH builds, techniques or anything gingerbread please do drop me an email in the next week so I am sure to cover topics people would be interested in knowing how to do.

With great pride Midnight Mass took 1st place as Judge’s Choice again this year! Which means it will be sold this evening at the live auction! Last year Sugar Plum’s sold for an outstanding $600, would it not be fantastic if we broke that record tonight!

We also took home third place as decorators’ choice!

If you do pop into the festival this weekend, please do vote for the People’s Choice award!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy Midnight Mass.

Construction Grade Gingerbread

Midnight Mass Festival of Trees Grande Prairie 2011

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This is the recipe I use for all my gingerbread construction.

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
2 eggs
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in molasses and eggs.
Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture.
Divide dough into thirds and wrap in plastic wrap.
*To make this non construction grade – add 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt.
A good tip for making gingerbread walls is to use cookie sheets that have no edges.
It makes for much easier removal when you can slide them right off.
I lightly spray my cookie sheets with a non stick spray and roll the dough directly onto the sheets. Roll the dough to a cm thick.
Place the pattern on the dough.
Using a ruler and a sharp knife cut out the walls.
Place the cookie sheets into the refrigerator to chill for 25 minutes.
This helps prevent the walls from spreading.
Bake at 350° for 10-14 minutes or until lightly browned.
When done remove immediately to a cooling rack.
Once your walls are done you can get ready to do the siding.