Here are some apple gourds in their maturing process, and one finished apple gourd. The first is the green gourd, second, dried gourd, washed gourd, and a finished gourd painted red .

Have a few gourd photos to share. Mary painted a few with Native American Designs.

Just completed my very first large cutting board. I made it for Tony and and Sara. I learned a few things in the process. This had to do with the gluing and planing. But it looks good.They liked it. Just happened to have a picture.

forgot to add that the dimensions of the board are 15 x 7 1/4 inches.  wheee!

Today, Tony 2 and his wife Sara are home for the holidays and so Tony and I decided to work on some ideas for a cutting board made up of several different kinds of wood. We’re using hardwoods: Walnut, Oak, and Cherry. We’re cutting 1″ strips with the gangsaw and then planing them. Gluing comes afterwards, of course, and then replaning and trimming to exact dimensions. I really really love my planer!

The design for the boards that we’re making comes from Cortona, Italy, where Mary and I vacationed earlier this Fall.

this is the skeleton site for www.avantgourds.com. currently awaiting content and design. :)