From David Howard to Sherry Banks
David sent this clue:
Where once received with admiration
This time, travels is a reverse migration.
Whether displayed, hooked or strung
One holly, one tree; two jolly men for fun.
The warm holiday wishes are the same
An important part of this exchange.
His went to Sherry Banks who said:
Boy, I too got the greatest box in the mail today from Dave in Iowa. It is a good thing that Dave and I like each others work, since I got him in the last exchange and he got me in this one. OK, the box held four of the cutest little egg gourd ornaments in it I have ever seen. Dave must have been paying attention to the comments about colored pencils too as he said that he did these in colored pencils. One was a really cute kind of abstract Christmas tree, one had holly on it and two were little Santa faces. One of the interesting thing about these other than the fine workmanship was the hangers. Dave used a very tiny eye screwed in the top. Perfect to put either ribbon or gold rope or something for hanging. Thank you soooooo much Dave. You did a wonderful job and I will certainly enjoy them for years to come.
From Diane Swenson to Valerie Smith
Diane sent this clue:
Your gourd is on its way. He's headed East will end up West. He's leaving from the land of swamps, gators and gumbo to the land of coal, timber and mountains. He's a jolly old elf and is bringing with him early wishes for a happy holiday season. Now don't get too excited over these clues and jump into the "pan". You may not be able to "handle" it.
Her gourd went to Valerie Smith.
Valerie sends her warmest thanks for the gorgeous Santa. This guy is
painted on a large Zucca gourd and painted to perfection, a beautiful
face. He's carrying a teddy bear, candy cane, wreath of holly topped
with a plaid ribbon bow, a ball and a package to put under the tree. The
fur trim is stippled and looks like you could almost run your fingers
through it's softness. Diane painted a sprig of holly in the fur trim on
his hat. He stands on a circle of wood painted black.
Valerie said:
This is the most gorgeous Santa I've ever seen. He'll have a prominent
spot beside the fireplace right out where he'll be the first thing
people see. Diane, I can't thank you enough for this generous gift. Is
it too early to display him in my office? Can't wait to get the
Halloween decorations out and display him there until time to decorate
my home. I want the whole world to see him. I was hoping for a Santa and
this is the best I could hope for. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Valerie
From Gay Wright To June Walton
Gay Wright sent this clue:
The birds are flying south,
Some are flying north,
Others going east or west
circling in the big sky at best.
"Oh, dear", said the feathered one,
Where is my new winter home?
This state is so big and wide
Looking at the view from up here," she cried.
Better honk, for the answer, listen
Hark, it's coming from down there
for the egg-actly spot to land in lumber
and bring Xmas cheer to the middle of the year.
Kinda, sorta, maybe, almost, but not quite, poem.
But, the box is off and flying.
Her gourd went to June Walton who said:
I was so happy when I returned home from Grandparent's Day at the school and found my package waiting for me. I just love the gourd as it is so different from any thing I do. I can't thank you enough for it and the soaps and the little egg ornament. (I need to find out how you did that.) It was a little like Christmas and Easter rolled into one as I kept pulling out these great gifts nestled inside with the potpourri like Easter eggs hidden in the grass. I feel honored that the first gourd in my collection (other than mine) came from one so talented. I hope to see you in Austin. I will bring it to display with the other exchanges...Thanks again. I was so excited today when I got my first ever gourd exchange and first ever gourd that I didn't make. I am going to bring it to the Texas gourd show so everyone can enjoy it. Gay used a Indonesian Bottle (Swan ) gourd to make a most unique bird. The gourd is in its natural light tan color to which eyes and mouth have been added. There is an opening cut our of the back of the bird and was filled with potpourri. Inside nestled among the potpourri was four other great gifts. One is a small egg gourd that looks like marble in blue, green and pink tones, also a bar of Luffa Sponge Soap , a bar of Jurassic Jojaba Soap , and a package of Swan Gourd Seeds. I hope the seed are the same kind as the big gourd. There is a beautiful silver ribbon with holly leaves and berries wired on around the opening. I am going to use it at Christmas as a candy dish and the rest of the year for potpourri. I feel very lucky that talented Gay Wright got my name. Thanks a million, Gay.
From Iris Eby to Tommy Arnold
Iris sent this clue:
'Twas the month of October when all thru gourd-landHer gourd went to Tommy Arnold who said:
Today I learned what the word fragile means. I found it written on a box --- a strange box --- which waited patiently by my front door when I returned home. I learned --- FRAGILE on the outside means treasure on the inside. I deducted this when I finally retrieved a really beautiful gourd from all that packing, plastic bag, and 2 full rolls of scotch tape applied. ( g ) Are you listening, SP ???? You can now finalize your guess. LOL Tommy's gourd is carved somewhat like a cornucopia except the entire top is open. The rim of this vessel is lined with holly leaves actually carved into the gourd's exterior and the opening is carved to the pattern of the leaves. Where the leaf stems show, there are clusters of red rhinstones which mock the the very berries on our holly trees in our yard and pasture each winter. From each cluster of berries, painted pine needles are pulled down towards the bottom onto a white ( snowy ) background. The interior is painted christmas green and it looks as if it was sprayed inside and out with a matt finish. Nestled in the cavity there is a bouquet of mistletoe tied with a red ribbon. A bounty of miniature pine cones, like those on our scotch pines, fill the remainder of the vessel. Iris, you did yourself proud. This work of art is so exquisite that I won't even tear it apart to see if there might be a pot of gold in there somewhere. Try as I might, it seems I have somehow managed to fail at bringing the grandeur of this work to light. I would like to display it so the entire patch could view it in person. Thank you, Iris, so very much. God bless, Tommy Arnold The Gourdchuck
Iris also won the contest for the most creative clue!
Congratulations Iris!!
