I can't find a pre made kit small enough to fit on an 8" cake.  Anyone have any bright, easy ideas to make one otherwise?  I really hate carving cake, so I'd like to avoid that. 

Do you think I could make one out of fondant if I hardened it with tylose and then glued the shapes together like gingerbread?

I just saw a cookie cutter set at Michael's for a little house that may fit on your cake.

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=03F002ED-1E0B-C910-EAF44BEAE06A5087

The descripion from GSA has the dimensions, definitely will fit.

http://www.globalsugarart.com/product.php?id=26907&name=Gingerbread%20House%20Cutter%20Set%20by%20Wilton&gdftrk=gdfV25706_a_7c2149_a_7c8856_a_7c26907&gclid=CPj_14Wh7rMCFUZgMgod-l8AcQ

Check the Wilton patterns online 

http://www.wilton.com/decorating/patterns/patternlocator.cfm and search for house

The house patterns can be printed out at different scales in "print preview" and then you automatically have the  larger or smaller scale.