Friday, October 25, 2013

GLORIOUS GOURDS!


Hello to everyone at Inspiration Café!  I love being a monthly contributor!  My name is Marci and I blog at Stone Cottage Adventures.

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 Today, let's talk about gourds!  First of all, I have to send a special thank you to Linda Ashmore my mentor in gourd decorating!  Thanks, Linda!  ;-)

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There are so many sizes and shapes. 

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With all the different varieties, gourds can be grown just about anywhere.  They do need something sturdy to climb.  We use cattle panels attached to T-posts.


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They are truly beautiful plants!  I usually purchase my seeds thru Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

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Once the gourds are grown and harvested, just toss them in a spot where they can dry.  We have an old milk barn on our property and we just pile them on a box in the corner.  The better the gourds are ventilated, the quicker they will dry.  Once dry, give them a good scrub and it's time to be creative!

The possibilities are absolutely endless!  Below are some of my projects.  Just click on the link to see the entire DIY post.










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Check out these Gourd-o-Lanterns by Angie at God's Growing Garden!

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Fun stuff, huh?

 As you plan your gardens for next year, find a spot for gourds!  In the meantime, come over to my Stone Cottage!  I have plenty.  We can make all kinds of crazy things! 

;-)  -Marci

28 comments:

  1. Thank you Marci for mentioning my "gourd-o-lanterns"!
    Angie
    godsgrowinggarden.com

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    1. Thank you for letting me use them, Angie! You are such an inspiration! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  2. Such great ideas and uses Marci! I love your creations - you're so talented!!!!

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  3. I love this post Marci! I think growing gourds is almost as much fun as decorating them! We always grew ours on fence panels too. My favorites are the Lunch Lady Gourds. Not much for decorating but always very surprising!

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    1. I'm not familiar with Lunch Lady Gourds! 'Gotta check them out! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  4. I have never grown gourds but I have always wanted to decorate them. I really want to make one into a bird house. Next Fall this will be on my to do list! Very lovely post. Stopping by from Bouquets of Talent to follow.

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  5. I would love to decorate gourds so cool wonder if we can do one for thanksgiving thanks for sharing visiting from back to basics hop I'm lorraine at http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com

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    1. There are so many ways to decorate one for Autumn! I bet you could get it done! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  6. Gourds are too cool. So many things you can do with them! Great post Marci.

    Thank you for linking to the Raising Imperfection link party.
    We feature our favorites on Friday so please come back to see if you were featured :)

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    http://raising-reagan.com

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  7. Marci they are just so cute, I want to paint a few gourds :)

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    1. Come over!! We will have a ball! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  8. That first one is so nice it doesn't even look like a gourd at all! I like the idea of decorating them for Halloween.

    Thank you for linking to Super Sunday Sync.

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  9. This is so much harder that you would think. I love your, they looks fabulous. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  10. So beautiful!
    Glad to have found your blog. I love it and I am addicted to the name:)

    Maria
    www.musicteachingandparenting.com

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  11. Love the gourds! Thanks for sharing on The Creative Home & Garden Hop!

    I'd love to have you share this on The HomeAcre Harvest Hop!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/10/the-homeacre-harvest-hop-2.html

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    1. Hi, Lisa! Thank you for the invitation to join your party! I'll head that way! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  12. This is wonderful Marci! I have seen bird houses made out of gourds but had no idea there were so many other wonderful things to do with gourds!Thanks for Sharing at Four Seasons Blog Hop~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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    1. You're right, Lynn! There are just gobs of things you can do with gourds! Do you know I have never made a birdhouse with one? ;-) What's up with that? -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  13. Thanks for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays from here too Marci. What a great round up.

    Anne @ Domesblissity

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    1. Thank you, Anne! See you on Thursday! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  14. Love the ideas!! I have some gourds that are just now dried out on the vine. How do I prepare them for crafts? Should I bring the gourds inside or allow them to dry on the vine outside? What other preparation is necessary?

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  15. This is a lot of fun. My Dad brought a bunch of guards for the gran kids to decorate at a family reunion. We all had a blast!

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