Sleighbell Elf by Mark Roberts, an addition to his Christmas Collectibles is a delightfully whimsical creature that is ready to be placed on your Christmas tree or mantle. It can be posed however you wish, and becomes quite lifelike in appearance. Beautiful fabrics and rich detail add to his appeal.[/caption]
Ellen Morris, founder of The Gingerbread Lady, LLC, started making gingerbread houses at the age of fifteen, under the tutelage of her mother. She continued making houses, and over the years they became more and more elaborate, adding churches, barns, castles, merry-go-rounds, trains, mansions, etc. In 1992, she started donating houses to raise money for charity and their popularity increased. At that time, she formally started her business.
For 56 years she has continued making gingerbread houses and now additionally makes house replicas on 32″by 60″ wood boards. These house replicas can weigh 250 pounds. Clients start ordering holiday houses in June for the coming December holiday season.
The Young and The Restless set designer contacted Ellen to make two houses for the Christmas set, as well as two candy Topiaries for one of their Christmas sets.
Absolutely Alabama, Fox6 in Birmingham has now filmed two specials about her work. She has also appeared with Dave Baird and Pam Huff on Focus on ABC33/40, and The Morning Show, on the local CBS station on several occasions demonstrating gingerbread house building.
In addition, she was asked to participate in the fundraiser to renovate the Governor’s Mansion, which was funded entirely by private donations, and made a gingerbread reproduction of the Governor’s Mansion, as well as setting up a booth of her gift shop items.
Most recently, last year, she was commissioned to make the gingerbread replica of The White House at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. Normally a White House chef does the replica, but he had recently retired. After an extensive search of famous gingerbread house makers, they found The Gingerbread Lady, and asked Ellen to create one for their open house.
Some of her past and present clients include: Riverview Hospital, Dean Sausage Company, Amacore, Senator Roy Smith, Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley, Governor Fob James, Doctors and staff at Brookwood Hospital, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama.
Ellen has been featured in The Birmingham News, The Gadsden Times, Highway 280 Living, Southern Living at Home, Over The Mountain Journal, and other publications.
She embraces the fairy tale story of Hansel and Gretel, with her houses with crooked chimneys, gingerbread people everywhere and of course, Santa in the chimney while his reindeer prance on the roof. Each house is a one of a kind masterpiece; no houses are decorated the same. All patterns are created by Ellen, and she hand crafts each house the old fashioned way, with Gold Medal Flour, molasses, brown sugar, margarine, eggs and spices. Each of her regular sized houses takes 12 hours to craft and the turn around is usually three days. While she is making the houses, she also is running her gift shop:
The Gingerbread Lady, 5510 US Hwy 280, Suite 110, Birmingham, Alabama,35242 or by phone: 205-960-7040.
Her gift shop is a whimsical blend of fabulous gifts, already wrapped for gift giving. Ellen tries very hard to seek the unusual and eye catching presents and then carefully makes hand made bows to compliment your gifts.
Come by The Gingerbread Lady and sample a cup of Raven’s Brew Alaskan Coffee while browsing through hundreds of gift items.
Shop the Gingerbread Lady, where “You Expect The Unexpected.”