Decorating 

Learning to craft with gourds is fun. Try an entire range of possibilities in great finished projects. Available in all sizes and shapes, gurds are wonderful blank surfaces for decorating. You can even grow and harvest your own.

The tools and materials you need are easily available and can be found in stores everywhere. Every technique is presented in the form of a question you would likely ask yourself and is mastered with hands-on project work. Start with the basics: cutting open, then cleaning the inside of a gourd to create a rustic bowl. Next you're ready to add color with spray paint, which is fast and easy since the paint dries almost immediately. The result? Absolutely charming decorative apples!

On to more advanced projects. Cover the outside of a gourd with printed tissue paper and decoupage medium to produce a classic-looking Victorian home accent. You've already made a bowl - now stitch pine needles onto the rim with waxed linen as a pretty embellishment. Attaching gourds together is another fabulous variation. Stack one gourd on top of another and finish with a painted face, buttons, twig arms, and top with a tiny straw hat. Now you have a whimsical snowman.

Try trimming a wreath with mini gourds - you can personalize them for any occasion. In the spring, for example, paint the gourds with pastel colors and attach ribbons. If you wan a festive touch, add sparkle with glitter glue. Here's another idea for a celebration like an outdoor evening party or barbecue: luminaries. A simple cactus pattern sets a fiesta atmosphere, while a lacy motif is ideal for a romantic celebration. Other projects include a mask, piggy bank, and jewelry.

You're no longer a beginner, and you have a host of stunning designs to show for it!