After a little back-and-forth discussion between my daughters and me, we decided to make a gingerbread pagoda. So here is how I normally get started with my project:

1. Search for idea images, of course, Google Images is where I normally go, see photo 1 for the one we decided on, but to keep it simple, we are going to do just one tier.
2. Then, I use the Procreate App on my iPad to simplify and sketch out the idea. (see Photo 2) and figure out the parts that I needed, in this case: a roof, a pagoda body, a base, and maybe some sort of decorations (see Photo 3)

Typically the floor of the pagoda is square, so I was thinking of creating a tall square box for the pagoda body, I will need to create 4 walls for the body, 4 roof pieces, and maybe a base to hold the pagoda.

Most of the time, I use Silhouette Studio to create my design. Since the body and the base of the pagoda are rectangular boxes, to make it simple, I utilized a box creator app to create the box, so I don't have to draw out all the tabs. 

I go to https://boxdesigner.connectionlab.org/ and enter all the parameters needed for the box, I also click the “Advance Options” to enter the size of the tabs, then click "Design it" (see Photo 1), then the body of the pagoda is done (see Photo 2).

Then I transferred the box SVG to Silhouette Studio and finished up with the cutout for the wall, and the slots on the top of the base, then continued to create the roof and the base and some decorative motifs. See Photo 3 for all the pieces needed. I also utilized the living hinges on the roof pieces, so it would create the curve on the roof.

Export the design to SVG format and ready for cut.

Upload the SVG to XCS, since there are lots of pieces, I separated all the pieces into 4 canvases, Roof, Body, Base, and Lotus Motif,  canvas 5 will be all the pieces (Photos 1 & 2)

In the design files, "Red" is for cutting, “Purple” is for engraving, and “Orange” is for scoring.

This is designed to use 3mm basswood, but after the test, I decided that 1.5mm basswood works better for the roof pieces and the lotus motif.

For the cutting, I use 100/4/1 for both 1.5mm and 3mm.
For the scoring, I use 25/20/1
For engraving, I use 80/80/1

See Photo 3-Photo 8 for the cutout pieces.

Assembly is always an exciting step, this is where you see your design come to life.

1. Roof Base: I first glue the roof support together then attach it to the base plate (Photo 1)
2. Roof: Attached the roof pieces to the slots of the Roof Base, then add the Rooftop Decor (see Photo 2)
3. Pagoda Base: This part is pretty straightforward, just like putting together a box (see Photo 3)
4. Pagoda Body: Attach 4 sides and insert them into the Pagoda Base (see Photo 4)
5. Finish up: add the Roof onto the body. (see Photo 5)

Hope this will inspire and offer some helps you to create your design.