Two gingerbread stitchings

I have two new stitchings I am working on. This group of yummy candy:

and this sweet gingerbread house:

Both of these are from the Gingerbread Embroidery Pattern Packet

On both of these, I am using some interesting stitches.  The candy canes are the long and short stitch and the swirly candy is the whipped running stitch.  I am using dmc pearl cotton floss size 5 for this:

On the gingerbread house, I am using the whipped running stitch in minty green and chocolate brown floss. I think it looks like chocolate chip mint frosting!

For the candy decoration on the side of the house I am using the checkered chain stitch in red and white - and I'm sure by now you recognize the whipped running stitch in pink and purple around the door:

On the foundation line of the house I am using the double knot stitch...sort of unevenly - looking at this picture, I'm thinking I may have to go back and restitch the left side as there are too many knots too close together!

Did you notice that I have partially stitched different areas all over this pattern?  I find that I like to jump around and try out different colors and stitches to see how they are working together.   I prefer to do that rather than complete one area and then move on to the next...I wonder if that is the case for most stitchers?
I will be back with more progress pictures later!