Preliminary Sketch for the 2006 White House Gingerbread House

This preliminary sketch by White House Calligrapher Debra Brown shows a design idea for the 2006 White House Gingerbread House. The "Red and White" Gingerbread House was designed to complement the holiday theme selected by First Lady Laura Welch Bush. Former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, who retired in 2004, returned at Mrs. Bush's request to oversee the creation of the gingerbread house. Mesnier and his team decorated the gingerbread White House with more than 850 snowflakes and red bows made from royal icing.