A continuing compendium of tips and tricks from Home & Garden Television:Historically, hollowed-out gourds have been employed as drinking vessels and utensils in various cultures. In this country, gourds often make their appearance in Thanksgiving-table centerpieces or on doors as an adornment to signify the coming of autumn. Artist Cheri Oshinsky further explores the decorative possibilities of gourds as she embellishes them with her distinct painted-on designs.DryingA gourd must be dried before a design can be added. Good ventilation is the key to even drying. Place gourd in a net bag (the type lettuce comes in) and hang the bag in a well-ventilated area until the gourd begins to mold.MoldingIf your gourds begin to mold, DO NOT throw them away. Molding is a natural process for drying gourds. A gourd is 80 percent water, so as the moisture evaporates through the outer skin, bacteria grow and cause mold. When there is virtually no moisture left in the gourd, the mold will start to die and lie flat against the gourd's surface. At this time, the gourd should weigh very little and the surface should be dry and slightly rough to the touch.CleaningThere are two easy methods for cleaning dried gourds. If you live in an area where you have quite a bit of rain, lay them in the grass during a rainstorm to soften the outer skin. The second method works for drier climates. Fill a large plastic garbage container about a third to half full with water and a little bleach. Cover the top of the container with the lid to keep the moisture inside. Let the gourds soak 20 to 30 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure that all sides are completely wet. Use a copper scrubber to remove the soft outer skin from the gourd, thereby removing all mold and rough surfaces. Be sure to clean the stems as well. When the gourds are clean, rinse them with clean water and let dry.Choosing Designs and Transferring PatternsQuilt-block patterns can be readily found and reduced or enlarged at your local copy store to fit the surface you'll be working on. Trim your pattern, leaving 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch around all edges of the design. Turn the pattern over and hold it up to a window. On the reverse side of the paper, use a soft lead graphite pencil to trace all lines. With the pattern right side up, position it on your gourd and tape in place. Use a ballpoint pen to trace the entire design through the paper and onto the gourd. Remember to lift the edge of your pattern occasionally to make sure the pattern is transferring dark enough.Applying ColorUsing a good-quality acrylic paint and small paintbrushes, paint your design and let dry. After the paint has dried completely, detail your design with a fine-tip permanent marker. Trace the lines between the segments to outline the design. This is a good time to personalize your gourd by adding names, dates or sentiments with your fine-tip marker.FinishingTo finish, seal the gourd with a few sprays of polyurethane sealer on both sides. In the center top of the gourd, insert a very small eye screw. Use a 1/16-inch drill and a 2/16-and-a-half eye screw. You might add a drop of glue when inserting the eye screw to ensure that it will hold. Add a few strands of raffia or ribbon through the opening of the eye screw and make a loop large enough to serve as a hanger for the gourd.Courtesy Carol Duvall show on HGTV(For thousands of other ideas visit www.hgtv.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
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