on the front page of the blog. Don't forget to enlarge the pictures, it's easier to see them better.
Two years ago I was fortunate enough to be shown how to carve gourds, courtesy of the Government trying to establish the old crafts again in the villages. We had a little sharp tool and you really had to use force to carve into the skin of the dried gourds which were provided. Friends kindly scoured and begged around for gourds for us, so as we could get started. A big thank you to them. Now we have grown our own gourds last year, fairly successfully. Some shrivelled up, others were pecked at by birds and some the carob rats from fields around , we think had a good old gnaw at some, but we managed to harvest a good amount. These were then hung up to dry, cleaned, skins scraped out, dried off again, seeds removed where wanted, a very dusty job that that took a lot of time and effort. And then we were starting to learn how to carve them and decorate them our way. Traditional patterns you see around, and we wanted something different! Klaus has taken over the carving for me as it was too much of a strain on the hands. We are having fun with coming up with quirky patterns and ideas, like birdhouses and fancy flower pot holders, like the picture above, others for pot-purri and some just for something unusual to stand on a coffee table. It's a new learning experience and challenge and we are enjoying it.
I now have a nice selection down at 'That Nice Shop' in Polis where I help out.
Back now to art this week.
As you can see I have started getting a base colour in for the fur ,how it is going to turn out we shall have to wait and see!! Also a little more work on the straw hat. Hopefully this coming week I will make a little more headway!
Do join me next week .
Don't forget to check out Klaus's two new tried and tested chicken recipes which he added this week.
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