My gourds made the front page of our local newspaper last week, very exciting. If you would like to read the article here is the link: http://www.carmitimes.com/articles/2008/06/26/news/news1.txt.

I just finished two pieces and have a few more in the works. I have several ideas but just tryting to get motivated is very hard. But I need to get in gear with festivals just a few months away. I have a really cool idea for a pumpkin. Keep checking back.

I decided since I am the gourdlady that it would be apprropriate to have a gourd name plack on my house. Here is the finished project. The first one is always a work in progress and can be improved on. But I thought it turned out pretty good.

To make it I cut a bottle gourd in half long ways, cleaned the interior. I then burnt the name into the gourd using a font that I found to be easy to read and visually appealing. I then sealed it with numerous coats. A small hole was drilled on either side of the top of the gourd and crafting wire was used to make the hanger and finally rafia was used to make the bow. I think The Allens would have been better though. House numbers would work also. I didn't stain the gourd, but that could also be done if you prefer a darker color.