Gourdess Spiritual Church Chat
Current mood: Empowered

First off I'd like to mention that The Magic Happens on-line magazine's new issue is available. There are many great articles to read from every day folks who live and thrive in the magic of life. Click HERE to check it out.

About once or twice a year, Good Will Spiritualist church asks me to be a guest speaker. Each week you get to listen to someone new. I think it's a neat way to bring together various spiritual beliefs under one roof to share and inspire one another. I learn a lot by staying open to various points of view. I spoke about the changes and trippy things happening in today's world and what we can do. My original blog for today is locked up on my laptop. It's having AC adaptor issues and won't boot up. Thank goodness we have a PC and the laptop is still under warranty!

It can be very scary to see all the turmoil, frustration and changes going on. I believe it's for the better yet change can make us uncomfortable and squirmy. I know I have been squirming!

This feels like the time to take your power back. You are so much more than a body, your job, your roles, your make-up, your fat, your skinny, or whatever it is you identify with. I'm sure if you stop and think about it, there are times in your life when things seemed hopeless and droll. When things seemed as if they couldn't get any worse, somehow they turned around. Perhaps in a big way or it happened in small baby steps. There are examples all over of people becoming aware or waking up to their true potential when they hit the low of lows. It's the ultimate V-8 slap to the head. Hey! I'm not who I thought I was! There's more to this gig called life than what I've been told! This and this are important, not those and that.

There are many names that people use to describe that invisible hand that lifts them back up or guidance they receive. That's part of who you really are. Part of taking my power back is realizing that I am a loving caring, and divine spark of God or Spirit. It resides within and all around us. I've noticed for myself that it's a knowing, a certainty. It's a feeling of peace that washes over me. I know that everything is going to be quite all right no matter the outward appearance. It's the craziest thing and really using any word to describe the feeling seems to limit it.

So here we are, smack dab in the middle of stuff happening all around us that looks very scary. First and foremost, face that fear. What exactly about all this scares you? For me it was the idea of Rex losing his job and our home. First off, my home is not who I am. Secondly, I have plenty of friends and family who would help us out. The solution dropped into my head as I faced the fear and "what ifs". Well, I guess that was something I didn't need to get all worried about any way. I could even recall times when whatever it was I needed would show up. My three-step process to this is first focus on the present. Secondly, find everything to appreciate about where I am now. This makes me feel much better and I'm open to new ideas. Lastly, ask yourself what can I do in this red-hot moment about this situation? If you get an answer great! If you don't get an answer, trust that it will come to you and let the situation go for now. All you have is the present moment and in that moment everything is okay. I've gotten the most surprising solutions when I totally let go of it and focus on something else. It seems to download into my head.

Stay out of the past, the future, and limit the mind chatter. We live in a chatter filled world. You can't hear that knowing or guidance coming through if you don't turn off the brain. Our society is hooked on mental chatter. I don't sit and meditate for so many a minutes a day. For me I take snippets of time to stop what I'm doing and check in to the present. You might be thinking that because I'm home all day it's real easy for me to say and do. Yes, it is and lately hanging clothes on the line seems to be my meditation time. However, I did this when I was working so no excuses. I would go into the bathroom, sit on the commode, take a few deep breaths and quiet my mind. You can take a few moments to notice your feet or your hands. How do they feel? How do you know you have hands and notice any feelings or sensations that come up. This stops the chatter we have become so accustomed to even if for a few seconds. That's how you start and with practice it gets easier.

It amazes me the solutions or ideas that flow when my mind quiets down. That's where the solutions that are perfect for you show up. That's when you become tuned in to your inner guidance or personal GPS (God Positioning System). So where is my GPS guiding me?

It's guiding me to stay fully present and connected. I've been nudged to create a support network of friends and family. I realized that the community I felt was missing in my life is actually right under my nose. I have several friends who are into self-sufficiency, living a simple life, and living in harmony with earth. We've been having discussions of pooling our resources together to grow our own food. I had to let go of my preconceived notion of what community looked like in order to see the potential right in front of my face. Sometimes I get caught up in "how" it's supposed to look and miss it. We are having baking parties and even bartering goods and/or services. We share recipes, tips, ideas, guidance, and reach out to one another for support.

I'm also letting my friends know that if it's ever needed, they have refuge in my home. I live in a huge house that can accommodate quite a few people. I felt it was important to communicate this directly to them instead of assuming it was "understood". I've been stocking up not out of a sense of fear but because it felt like something I was supposed to do. This inspired action hit me earlier in the year and I've been running with it. My version of "feeling rich" is seeing my cupboards full of food. One of Rex's co-workers wanted to know how much I would charge for a jar of salsa. I don't want to sell the salsa. First off, I make it for Rex because he loves it. Secondly, I'd rather have a jar of salsa in my cupboard than a piece of paper I can't eat. One of my friends suggested doing a trade and that feels much better to me.

I've become a conscious consumer. There are dozens of items that I've come to believe I can't live without or that they are time savers. Yes, I can live without them which frees up money to flow elsewhere and they don't save me any more time than doing it the old fashion way. Our society is based on big appetite consumption. Things are made to be short-lived and thrown away so that we buy the newest, the latest, the greatest. It's made us dependent upon others instead of our own resourcefulness. Being resourceful is opening up to your creativity. Creativity and new ideas change the world.

I've decided to turn off the T.V. I was getting into a habit of turning on Bloomberg to see what the market was up to. No more of that! It left me feeling hopeless and powerless. I am not powerless. I have the resources of God, Source, The Universe (use whatever description suits you best) at my disposal just like everyone else. It's time we remembered it, get out of the victim mentality and listen to that which will always guide us out of harms way.

It's important to remember that those who may wish to do harm have lost their way. They come from the same stuff as I do. For whatever reason they have forgotten that they are so much more than a mere physical body walking about on planet earth. They have forgotten the magic that lives on inside of them. The best thing we can do to help is to walk our truth, speak our truth when asked, and be a beacon of hope. I am grateful for those who have been my beacon and I fully intend to pay it forward by being a beacon to others.

Well there you have it, one very long musing from a Domestic Gourdess. May you have a Wonder-Filled day filled with nudges and niggles from your GPS!

1:21 PM - 7 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Gourd Cracker Shampoo
Current mood: Gourdy

Rex doesn't comprehend my fixation with home made stuffs. The time it takes to prepare doesn't relay into money savings to him. I know that I won't receive Good Find Appreciation awards when I mention my latest greatest "home made" find. He asked me once that if money were no object, would I still do all this home made stuff. When I gave him an enthusiastic YES, he rolled his eyes. If he keeps that up, they are going to get stuck there.

Here are a few items on my "to try" list.

Mayonnaise. I'm waiting for eggs from the chickens. The hens aren't laying much due to their age and their yearly molt. It's been interesting planning the baking around my chickens laying schedule. Sure I could buy some from the store but there is nothing better tasting then one fresh from a hen. I won't see duck eggs until Spring so it would be useless (although entertaining) to harass the ducks.

Ranch Dressing - I have three bottles in the cupboard and just haven't had a reason to make some yet.

Crackers - I whipped up a batch earlier this week. Oh my goodness those were delicious! The particular recipe I used (click here called to keep the dough in the fridge overnight. The flavor was too intense for the kids so I will chill it next time. Darn, that means I have to eat them all. Darn. My Mom tried a cheddar recipe (click here) that came out really well. That's next on the cracker list. I'm also on the hunt for a saltine recipe.

Shampoo - There are some interesting natural shampoo recipes out there! I found some at this site http://www.pioneerthinking.com/hair.html.

Another item I haven't made in a while is pita bread. Oh my goodness there is nothing tastier than home made fresh pita bread! My friend Bernita told me that you can take pita bread, cut it into triangles, place a bit of olive oil and salt on them then bake it in the oven for a delicious crunchy chip. I just purchased a container of Tastefully Simple's Howling Horseradish seasoning mix and will whip up a dip for the toasted pita triangles. Of course my next evil plan is to figure out exactly what is in that Howling Horseradish mix and make my own. Mwhahahahahahahaha!

The benefits for me on making home made items is; I know what's in it and most ingredients I already have on hand. It allows me to flow money in other directions besides over-rated expensive cleaners, beauty products and preservative filled foods. It makes me a conscious consumer. And just as important is the warm fuzzies. You know I'm all about feeling the warm fuzzies.

And what about gourds?

I'm working on an Inspiration Gourd that's headed for England! I'm really excited about this because we are personalizing it for her sister. Talk about a real one-of-a-kind gift! I'll post pictures of the progress in my next blog post.

Two shows ago, the Hooey Bird sold and was I tickled purple! The gentleman who bought it loves gourds. We talked for a gourd (get it? I couldn't resist!) 15 minutes or so about the wonder of them. His wife happened to walk by and showed her the Hooey Bird. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. I got the impression that gourds were not her cup of tea! I had to laugh because as I mentioned earlier I too am the recipient of eye rolling 101. When he came back to purchase the Hooey Bird, I was told it will sit right next to the giant hummingbird gourd he has at home. I was beside myself with joy. I was a blabbering idiot and trying hard not to cry. Honestly I get that way sometimes when a gourd finds it's home. I'm so silly sometimes. Ask my kids, they'll tell you.

Speaking of silly and thoroughly delightful, through a newsletter I receive from Bonnie Gibson (Gourd Artisan Extraordinaire), I discovered the coolest band EVER. All their instruments are made from (can you guess?) GOURDS! The name of the group is Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra. You can have a listen HERE. This song is called Kundalini Calabash from their Refuge in a Gourd CD. I fully intend to become a groupie! It could happen.

Have a Wonder-Filled day! I'm off grooving with gourds.

Currently listening : Gourd Shack By The Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra

7:04 PM - 7 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

The Gourdess Blues
Current mood: Bluesy (really more purpley)

Has it really REALLY been a month and a day since my last post?  Holy cow where does the time go? In a nut shell, September has been one busy month!  It started off with my nephew's wedding (I had so much fun!) and a whole bunch of situations cropping up between then and now.

So to re-cap a smidge of what's been happening in the life and times of one Domestic Gourdess, I wrote a little something for ya.  Wanna hear it?  Hear it go:

My dog refused to eat, not even a juicy treat.
So's I took her to the vet.  The news, wasn't expect'n it.
Her heart was too big for sure and there ain't no cure.
Now she's on a permanent pill. That was one heck of a vet bill!

It's the gourdess blues and I've got 'em it's true.

Travelled near an hour or more to sell my wares and gourd decor.
My nose ran and the eyes itched.  Gosh I wish I had a spare to switch.
I was dog bone tired.  Back in my bed is what I desired.
Oh sure the weather was nice.  Those customers were scarce as mice.

It's the gourdess blues and I got 'em it's true.

My van acted up.  The engine running rough.
The garage man said there's a valve stuck on the head.
I've got big trouble under the hood. The engine is kaput and no good.
We're talking big bucks galore. Now my van is no more.

It's the gourdess blues and I've got 'em it's true.

My tooth decided to ache and it was pain I couldn't shake.
The dentist drilled with zest.  Oh she tried her very best.
My poor tooth she staved.  It couldn't be saved.
Now there's a big hole.  A place for my tongue to stroll.

It's the gourdess blues and I've got 'em it's true.

The next morning was bright. I went up the staircase flight
Oh no oh no the dog, HE didn't.  He peed right where he shouldn't.
The mattress had to be washed.  My bright day was squashed.
Now my bed smells like a salad. It prompted this silly ballad.

It's the gourdess blues and I've got 'em it's true.

It was the icing on the cake. No more I could take.
I knew there was a cure.  There had to be one, I'm sure.
There is a bigger objective.  Time to adjust the perspective.
I found the situation funny.  I'm feeling better, rather sunny.

It's the goudess blues and they're leaving it's true.

You get to pick.  That's the trick.
You can go with the flow or allow life to be a foe.
Let your emotions play just don't let them stay.
Soon you'll find that have a new state of mind.

Yeah I had the gourdess blues and now they're gone it's true!

Now that September is drawing to a close, I'll be back on-line more.  Okay, at least until I get some apples and start canning apple sauce and canning them!

I love fall!

Have a Wonder-Filled day and go ahead, sing some blues.  You'll feel so much better!

12:17 AM - 9 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Fat Feet
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Eco-Friendy Carbon Unit Life

Check out this video at The Story of Stuff. It's about twenty minutes long.

After watching it, I decided to take a fresh look at my eco-footprint. Yikes, what fat feet I have!

I believe with all my heart and to depths of my bones that I live on a wonderful and abundant planet. HOWEVER, the winds of change are a-blowing (couldn't help myself with the cliche'). People are re-discovering what's important in life which isn't stuff and more stuff. How our mass media dictates we should live has left many people unhappy and unfulfilled. We are taught to jump on that hamster wheel and not to get off. Jumping off the wheel is easy and requires only a shift in thinking and a change in perspective.

Back to my fat footprint... Here's a few things I'm doing that easily fit into my current lifestyle:

• Recycling more items (toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, junk mail, cereal boxes, etc.)

• No more burning trash (bad Gourdess... bad, bad Gourdess)

• Reducing paper towel usage)

• More shopping at second-hand stores (I got more bang for my buck school clothes shopping this year!)

• Switching to cloth napkins (You won't find one paper napkin at my friend Annette's house. If she can do it then so can I!)

• Switching to eco-friendly paints and sealers for gourds (I'm morphing into the Green Domestic Gourdess)

• Investigating eco-friendly kitty litter alternatives (This will warrant a future blog I'm sure!)

• Changing over ALL the light bulbs to (We're already halfway there!))

• Weaning myself off the paper plates (I've done it before. I can do it again.))

• Utilizing re-usable plastic containers in lunches instead of plastic bags.)

• Washing and re-using plastic sandwich or freezer bags whenever possible.)

• Using the clothes line more than I have been.

You have to find the happy medium that works for your lifestyle and baby step your way there. Trust me, I like to go gun-ho and to the extreme when I'm passionate about something. If I don't take the small steps to get there, I usually end up burnt out, disgusted and fed up. The point where I'm at now is due to taking baby steps over the years. Now they've become fully integrated. For example, if I run out of laundry soap, it takes the same amount of time to run to the store as it does for me to whip up another batch. It costs a lot less and it's eco-friendly.

And you won't catch me giving up my automatic dishwasher. There are many great modern day time savers and inventions that are a blessing and eco-friendly. My dishwasher soap is an equal mixture of washing soda and borax. I found out that contrary to my thinking, a good dishwasher uses less energy than washing by hand. I don't use the dry cycle. I open the door, let that steam out (which is great during the dry winter months) and let the dishes air dry.

Mostly, it's about moderation. We don't have to super-size everything. I'll let you in on a little secret. The bigger it is and the more bells and whistles it has, the more it seems prone to breaking and/or I have to spend more time cleaning and caring for it. Personally, I'd rather be playing with my gourds, B. Bunny and T. Bear or the fur babies.

Would you look at that. I've my footprint has changed into toeprints. Have a Wonder-Filled day!

Tracy
The Domestic Gourdess

11:00 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Personalized Gourds
Current mood: Tastes Like Tomato!
Category: Tastes Like Tomato! Art and Photography

Well onto news of a gourdish nature. I purchased a program called Coyote Stencil Shop that allows you to take a picture and change it into a stencil.

I took this picture of Dude (our new pup)

And changed it to this:

The next step is to print it off on pyrography paper and burn it into a gourd. This will open a whole new realm of personalized gourd creations! Once I have this done, I'll post more information on how you can order your personalized gourd.

AND

I have a show coming up in Brooklyn, Michigan on August 30th at the Walker Frontier Festival. I will be demonstrating pyroengraving and dyeing on gourds. If you are in the area come on by and say hello. Last year I was serenaded by a gourd banjo! In addition to a myriad of vendors selling wonderful fare, there will be:

"Lost Arts" demonstrations
Musical jam sessions
Food vendors
Old time games
Contests of skill

Walker Tavern was a stagecoach stop on the Old Chicago Road. It's located at the intersection of M-50 and US 12 next to MIS in scenic Irish Hills and is one of 10 historic sites operated by the Michigan Historical Museum and the Department of History Arts and Libraries.

Have a Wonder-Filled day! I'm off to the garden to pick some more green beans and tomatoes.

1:33 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Tracy’s Tuesday’s Treats
Current mood: In a Dog-gone Good One!
Category: In a Dog-gone Good One! Fashion, Style, Shopping

I have to say that this is one gal who has discovered a great niche market!

This week's Treat is Crystal McCoy creator of Jakey BB Uniquely Handcrafted Doggie Beds!

And what better for man's best friend than a custom designed bed and/or toy box that's hand-made? You would be hard pressed to find a bed for your pooch that's made with such love and attention to detail at a big box store!

And she's green!

"...We believe in recycling and many of the fabrics used to construct the outer covers are made from vintage clothing- beautiful woolens, cottons, silks, cords and unusual designer fabrics that we've found. We figure if you once enjoyed that lovely wool jacket, so will Fido! This outer cushion cover is zippered and can be removed for easy cleaning. Absolutely machine washable! (All the fabrics have been pre-laundered- washed and dried.) Feel free to machine wash and dry the outer cushion cover as needed.

To insure superior napping, the plush inner cushion is made from 100% cluster fibers made from recycled soda bottles for the softest seat in the house.

Each bed is then hand painted to coordinate with the custom cushion. No two will ever be identical. We've used acrylic paints and then sealed the final product with several coats of water-based polyacrylic for protection."

Here are my favorites:

Dragon Fly

Italian Gate

Italian Gate Toy Box which matches the bed above!

Extra Large Luxury Dog Beds for our large fully furred companions.

If your in need of a bed for your furry companion check out Crystal McCoy's site at http://www.jakeybb.etsy.com/

Stayed tuned for more adventures from the Domestic Gourdess and have a Wonder-Filled day!

12:37 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Of Peas & Worms
Current mood: Wormy
Category: Wormy Life

First of all, I promised my friend Nancy Sasse that I would let everyone know about her upcoming EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) class. I met Nancy earlier this year and have really enjoyed getting to know her. She has such a great vibe about her!

Here is the information on her EFT Class

Date: August 12, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: 210 S. Reynolds Road, Toledo, OH
Cost: $25.00

For more information, you can visit her website at: http://members.toast.net/nancysasse

Gourdacious News

Richard received his Anniversary Gourd and this is what he had to say, "It's Beautiful! Thank-you very much."

He'll present it to his parents in a couple of weeks. Woo hoo!

Here's a picture of the Peace Sign Pendant:

And here's a picture of Chris's girlfriend wearing it:

Thank you Chris for sending pictures!

If You Grow It, Something Will Surely Eat It

I was watering the garden and noticed my tomato plants were missing leaves. No! It's attack of the Tomato Worms! Where did they come from? How dare they show their ugly mugs! One would think they learned their lesson last year. On top of this, my tomatoes are suffering from blossom end rot. They need calcium and the lack of rain isn't helping matters.

Tomato Worms (Manduca sexta) are really caterpillars and will eventually turn into large Hawk moths. The moths help pollinate night blooming flowers. As important as pollinators are, I can't have their overgrown babies eating my tomato plants! I learned that they are nocturnal and if I want to hand-pick them off the plant, early morning or in the evening is the time to do it.

3:50 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Thursday Thrills
Category: Art and Photography

Tuesday's Treats have turned into Thursday's Thrills this week!

Today's featured artist is Denise Clenney.

She has created artwork ever since she could hold a crayon. She loves working with stained glass, painting, and drawing. And canvas isn't the only thing she paints on! She will do furniture and glass too!

You can find my favorites here:

Custom Painted Portraits
Three Ladies on Vintage Window
Custom Stained Glass

She will also do custom artwork and graphic design!

I love her creativity with furniture. Look what she did with this Three Tiered Table.

Denise's on-line shops are:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5523554

http://www.changingdesigns.com/

Check out her blog at:
changingdesigns.blogspot.com

Stay tuned for my next blog post. You'll taste the thrill of the first peas from the garden or was it? You'll tremble as this Gourdess hunts and stalks the giant tomato worm who took up residence in the garden. What's his fate when she finds him? Mwhahahahahahahahahaha!

Have a Wonder-Filled day!

11:32 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Teenage Mutant Party Ducks
Current mood: Party On Wayne!
Category: Party On Wayne! Pets and Animals

Move over turtles.  They are bad, sort of green (just their heads) and they like to quack 'n party 'til dawn.  It's the TMPD!  There's been some funny business going on in the Duck House!

Teenage
I thought it was an innocent game of King o' the Pool.  I wrong!  One of the drakes will chase out all the other ducks except one female.  Then I noticed the male grabbing onto the female's neck.  Yup, I caught them red-beaked in a game of hanky-panky in the pool.  I'm sure the roosters have been offering advice and tips through the fence.  I've also noticed the drakes nod their heads up and down or sway them around at the females.  This duck mating ritual is rather funny to watch.  I'm sure the human propensity to mash lips is rather odd from a duck's perspective. 

Mutant
The drakes are getting green heads!  They were looking rather messy with the green feathers growing in.  Some looked as if they had green beards!  Oack, the largest drake (who tells everyone he is really a goose) is catching up to the rest of the boys.  T. Bear informed me he's got a bit of green stuff around his eyes.  Funny how the largest of them all is the last to get his green feathers.

Party Ducks
The ducks will stay out of their house until someone tells them (or herds them) into bed.  I've been out as late as 10:45 and they are still having a pool party.  

Usually between 5:00 and 5:30 AM I let them out.  They don't hesitate like the chickens.  Oh, no, not the party ducks!  They run out of that duck house yelling "Party on Duck!"

However, do to all this excess partying and playing I catch them napping off and on during the day.  Yes, the duck is a true party fowl.

Garden News
I picked the first batch of peas and one zucchini yesterday!  I even munched a few blackberries while I was out by the garden.  I've got to get the green beans picked later today.

My friend Deliese sent me a rice cooker/steamer and I had to try it out with the fresh zucchini.  Oh my YUMMY!  I added some onion and let her rip.  Well, I mean I let the steamer rip.  I don't have that sort of problem with onions.  I'm going to try the green beans in it next.

And I'm almost (almost) embarrassed to admit this.  My first batch of rice out with this new appliance was a big globby sticky mess.  Why?  I didn't read the directions all the way through and added far too much water.  Who knew rice could soak up that much moisture?

I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of red tomatoes.  If all those green ones out there are any indication, I'll have a bumper crop.  I tried my hand at growing basil and cilantro.  Those are due for a picking too before it goes to seed on me.

Blue For Me!
And last, however far from least, is my book "Blue For Me!"  I do believe I am finally finished editing!  I'm waiting for my proof to arrive before I give it my blessing.  I changed the cover up a bit so as long as that looks great when printed I'm golden.  It took me about 2 to 2 ½ hours yesterday trying to get it just right.

I'm am very happy with www.lulu.com as a self-publishing option.  It's the least expensive way to get a book published.  They offer marketing packages and distribution packages.  I purchased a distribution package so "Blue for Me!" will be available at Amazon.com, etc.  YES!

That's all to report from my humble abode for now.  Next Tuesday I'll have another treat for you.  Have a Wonder-Filled day and enjoy the journey.

Tracy
The Domestic Gourdess

2:55 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Anniversary Gourd & Peace Pendant
Current mood: Gourdalicious!
Category: Gourdalicious! Art and Photography

Richard from Nottingham, Great Britain contacted me about making a gourd for his parent's 50th anniversary.

I was going to send him an e-mail with lots of questions such as what color scheme, what they may like on it, etc. I had the e-mail all typed up and didn't send it off right that moment. I'm glad I didn't! It hit me like a flash later on, two people sitting on a bench in silhouette.

Richard informed me that I was spot on. His parent's have an iron park bench in their yard. I love it when I can tune in like that!

I submitted a prototype, he made a few changes and together we came up with the perfect design.

It's on its way across the ocean and I'm eager to hear his reaction once he sees the gourd "in the flesh" so to speak.

My current project is a peace sign pendant for one of Rex's co-workers. He wanted a peace sign necklace for his girlfriend and couldn't find what he wanted. He took a peek around my site and figured I could make it!

I carved the pendant out of a spare piece of gourd to create a 3-D peace sign. This piece has allowed me to try two new things. The first is to make a pendant no larger than a half dollar. That's my smallest one to date! The second is to try a white wash underneath alcohol inks in hopes the color would stay true.

The gourd skin will change the color of watercolors and inks. For example, when I use Dr. Ph Martin's Payne's Gray on a gourd, it turns to a lovely deep green and when I used Adirondack Alcohol Ink in Wild Plum, it turns into a lovely shade of burgundy. It's simply something one must be aware of when using gourd skin for your canvas.

I'm happy to report my experiment worked and I'm excited to try it on some larger pieces!

It's Craft Show season! I may be MIB (Missing in Blogging) as I need to be in The Lair crafting and creating fun things. These items will be for sale on-line also so keep your eyes out for them.

If you are looking for a unique hand made gift or have an idea in mind that you haven't found anywhere else, please contact me. I'd love to help!

Have a Wonder-Filled day and enjoy the journey!

9:31 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment