I made my first bread warmer and covered the inside with pieces of brown paper bags, and also the cover, then brushed on varnish to seal. Lillie, here we go again, I, too, made the rice bag and then made a square to cover the bag and inside. The outside I did in ivy and cut around the ivy BUT I noticed I got offline and there was a gap between the bottom and top so I used polymer clay and made ivy to cover the gap and continued the ivy up and onto the top where I used 4 pieces of the ivy pieces for the handle and then painted the ivy pieces. I then painted ivy on the square inside so that it matched. I used a bandana from Michaels for all the pieces; cut into fourths gave me enough for the bag and square. As we mentioned before, I've got the Harbor Freight tools, too. I also have a proxxon which I use for my cutting. I do love having the drill and the mini sander for a lot of my smaller stuff like jewelry. It's well worth the $25.00 for all three pieces. Sandra

Kiwi-Most any pattern or picture can be used on gourds.I get some of my inspiration(and patterns) from greeting cards,pictures in magazines,etc.Just find the one you want and trace it off on tracing paper.You can also google whatever it is you want,(for instance Penguin pictures or pictures of baby penguins),and you will find a lot of pictures that can be printed from your computer.Just trace them from the print and the color print will give you a picture to look at as you paint.I find a lot of stuff in the craft stores.Patterns that are used for embroidery and such will work also.I have even used coloring books.Hope this helps......Lillie

When my #2 was attending school at University of Kentucky, we made a trip to Berea, KY, one day and I bought (very expensive) a bowl of wooden carved apples, painted and they look just like apples. They were in yellow, red and green. I got most red but 2 yellow and 1 green. They look as good today as they did 10 years ago. For those who do not know, Berea's collgeis an arts school and students often support themselves in their studies with their trade by selling in the village boutiques there. Back then (don't know about now), Boone Tavern which was a favorite. It was upscale in flavor and food, and reasonably priced. "Berea College students play a big part in Boone Tavern by providing our guests with friendly and courteous service in the hotel and dining room. Boone Tavern is one of 130 different work areas and departments staffed by Berea College students. In addition to carrying full academic loads, Berea students are required to work at least ten hours per week, earning money for room, board, and books as they study at this remarkable college that is top-ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report." It is only about a half-hour drive from Lexington so if you are ever in the area, don't pass up this arts & crafts capital of Kentucky.

i'm considering 2" plantation blinds in faux wood, thou their time has already peaked in design here in orlando. i need something consistent across the front of my house and these would be o.k. in all the rooms. have to do faux wood w/ our humidity, any warping w/ wood would send me to the moon, i'd spot that across the street LOL. not looking forward to the dusting but atleast w/ plantation i don't have to deal with cords. ~ liz