A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

What do you do with gourds?

I decided that my hanging baskets weren't so pretty right now, so this morning I dumped the flowers out and put some pumpkins and gourds in them. I love gourds. I carve them out, so they can hold water...then fill with flowers. I even do that with the gourds with a long neck. I cut a little slice off the bottom, so it will balance.
I have dried gourds for a year...cut a round hole in them, and then emptied the contents. Usually there isn't much left....just some powdery matter and seeds. I sand them well....they look terrible at this point.Then I paint them with acrylic paint..I like to decorate them with painted flowers etc. Varnish them and use as a bird house. I have a very interesting one down on my work table right now. I'm going to make a birdhouse out of it this winter. I will probably show it here this winter.
I have used the tiny pumpkins for placecards at a luncheon.
My Grandson Collin, baked sweet potatoes in the little pumkins one year.
There are so many fun things that can be done with them. It's funny....the oranges and yellows are not my favorite color in the garden in the early part of the year....but right now they are perfect.
Balisha

12 comments:

Judy said...

I just love that poem. I am going to copy it and keep it. Your baskets look so pretty. I have some hanging baskets that look yucky right now, too. What a great idea.

OhioMom said...

I love the little gourds as a centerpiece on the table this time of the year, would love to see your painted gourds.

Balisha said...

Hello you two,
I don't have any painted ones right now. I will paint the big one downstairs and show it later on this winter. The birdhouses were sold at my Garden Club sale. I didn't even keep one for myself.
Judy...the good thing about the gourds in a basket is that you don't have to water it.I get really tired of watering hanging plants...maybe that's why they look so tired.

Anonymous said...

What a great way to repurpose a hanging basket for the fall & winter Balisha. Look forward to seeing your painted gourd when it's complete.

Balisha said...

Let me tell you about the gourd on my work table...it's been there for quite a while. It was supposed to be hanging in my garden this summer. Posting about this and some of you wanting to see the finished product, is what I need to "kick me in the pants"...so to speak, and get it done. I have an adirondack chair that needs sanding and painting too. Maybe someone will say they would like to see that when it's finished. :)

OhioMom said...

Oh now see the adirondack chair will be a perfect winter project, can't wait to see it finished ... so what color/stain are you thinking ?

Should I duck and run :)

Roses and Lilacs said...

I meant to plant some of the bird house gourds this spring. What with the bad spring weather, the seed packet never got planted.

You have some good tips for decorating.
Marnie

Balisha said...

Marnie,
I have never planted them, but I could buy them from a pumpkin farm near us. Thanks for the comments.

Ohiomom,
I came back here to see if anyone would "bug" me about that chair. I painted it once before, but it weathered so badly. I needed a different varnish on it. So now... to do it again. I will paint it with a floral and bird design of some kind...to go with the front porch next year. Oh, boy...my winter projects are accumulating........

OhioMom said...

Oh I can't wait till spring to see you chair now ... :)

Balisha said...

Ohiomom,
Are you going to remind me all winter? :)

Mr.Anonymous said...

nice poem i like it

Balisha said...

Thankyou Mr. Wall,
You are quite a busy guy...keeping up all your blogs. I have a hard time keeping up with this one sometimes. Actually it can be somewhat addictive...and I have to make myself leave and fix supper. :)