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.



Experiment with Color


 Antique - ing


 Lacing with Beads


Ombre' Stripe

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Ghoulish Gourd Gang

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Even Jewelry


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

Gourd-o-lantern Babies by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 005_zpsa1f97c03.jpg

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

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28 comments:

  1. AngieOuellette-TowerOctober 25, 2013 at 4:12 PM

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

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    1. Stone Cottage AdventuresOctober 26, 2013 at 6:34 PM

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

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  2. Natalie @ NorthShore DaysOctober 26, 2013 at 5:41 AM

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

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  3. Danni@SiloHillFarmOctober 27, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    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. Stone Cottage AdventuresOctober 27, 2013 at 9:33 AM

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

      Delete
  4. UnknownOctober 27, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    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. lorraines resources and rewardsOctober 27, 2013 at 2:55 PM

    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. Stone Cottage AdventuresOctober 28, 2013 at 5:37 AM

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

      Delete
  6. Lanaya | Raising ReaganOctober 27, 2013 at 7:20 PM

    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. Mel@Mellywood's MansionOctober 27, 2013 at 11:49 PM

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

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    Replies
    1. Stone Cottage AdventuresOctober 28, 2013 at 5:38 AM

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

      Delete
  8. mail4roseyOctober 29, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    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. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeOctober 29, 2013 at 3:58 PM

    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. MariaOctober 30, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    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. Lisa LynnOctober 31, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    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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    Replies
    1. Stone Cottage AdventuresNovember 1, 2013 at 5:15 AM

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

      Delete
  12. Turnips 2 TangerinesOctober 31, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    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. Stone Cottage AdventuresNovember 1, 2013 at 5:16 AM

      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

      Delete
  13. DomesblissityNovember 1, 2013 at 5:03 AM

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

    Anne @ Domesblissity

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    Replies
    1. Stone Cottage AdventuresNovember 2, 2013 at 6:12 AM

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

      Delete
  14. Feminist Baby BoomerNovember 5, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    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. BenNovember 15, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete

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