Here's one of the Christmas presents I had been working on I wanted to show you.
These gifts have been in the making since spring of 2006 when we planted our first birdhouse (or bottle) gourds. 2006 was a horrible year for squashes in my garden. The pests attacked early and swiftly. Before I knew it 75% of my plants were lost. Two gourd plants hung ferociously to life though, and made it through the season to produce about a dozen medium sized gourds. We let them dry in our basement for the end of '06 through to fall of 'o7. We then scrubbed them clean, drilled holes for the bird doors, holes in the bottom for drainage and holes at the top for the hanging apparatus. (Which we made out of metal clothes hangers.) I hand painted them, giving each a few good coats and Eric spayed them all with a clear coat of varnish to ensure they will withstand the elements.
We currently have 28 very large gourds drying downstairs. I cannot wait to see what we can come up with for those. I'm envisioning using my woodburning tool and carving designs....turning the large rounded bottom of the gourds into intricate bowls. Eric wants to turn at least one into a water container and freak out his co-workers. Possibilities abound!
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6 comments:
OH! Those are so beautiful! I love them and what a cool gift. I've never been succesful at drying a gourd, they always mold on me. I did manage to make mozzarella last night and will post about it soon. Rubber gloves are a must!
Those are great!!! I love the brightr cvolors you painted them, very differnet from how I usually see them. They will add a lot of color around the yard... I might have to steal your idea!!!
OOOOOO OOOOOOO I love em! I love em! They are super pretty. Do you think my bluebirds would nest in there?
Christy-yes, I should have said "I have 28 very large gourds molding downstairs" that's what they do! As long as they're not getting all mushy they're fine. The mold actually leaves very beautiful markings.
Great! I'm so glad you've had sucess. I think I'll wait to try my hand at it until after I've read your post!! :)
mommymommy-steal away!! :) Glad you liked them.
frugalmom-different birds need different front door sizes. I made the holes 1 1/2 inches in diameter because it had the largest number of possible birdie occupants. I think bluebirds were on the 1 1/2inch diameter list. I'm glad you liked them, I just hope all the recipients did too!! :)
Oh, they are supposed to mold? That makes it all clearer. I think there is a place I can still get some. You drill holes in the bottom and hang them to let them dry?
christy-don't drill holes in the gourd while it's drying. That will definitely cause rotting and shriveling. Buy a few good sized, non-damaged gourds and set them somewhere cool and out of the way. Mine are molding away downstairs on the table. Don't put them somewhere where they will freeze. You can try wiping them daily to dry off the moisture as it sweats from the gourds, but in my experience they'll still mold anyway. Come summer, they'll start feeling light as a feather and you may be able to hear the seeds rattling around inside. When the mold disappears and they're hollow and shakable, they're ready for use.
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