I saw someone added to the cake contest the gingerbread carousel and i think it is beautiful first of all. my question is this, how do you get the house to stay together? i made one yesterday and the whole thing just crashed down. what do i do? am i making the cookies to thick? i am making them 1/4" thick someone please help me my kids were so excited i told them they could decorate it and then it was just a pile of cookies. good tasting cookies might i add....

I use some what stiff royal icing: here are some links if would like help or patterns

http://www.gingerbreadlane.com/

http://frankysattic.home.comcast.net/children.htm

Thank you so much these sites are great!!! i am going to read up and start over. thanks again

I haven't had time to check out those sites yet but I just use soup cans to prop up the walls of the house and don't put the roof on until the walls of the house are set thoroughly. I then use taller soup cans to allow the overhanging eaves of the roof to rest on while the roof sets. If you're doing a sizeable house (walls 8" x 8" or so), I think it's important (at least from what I've learned ) to let the walls set before attempting the roof.

Good luck!