Hi - Do a google search, under IMAGES, for "apple gourds" and up will pop lots of pics of apple gourds and quite a few that are painted. When I painted an apple gourd I just used "apple red" and then overlayed that with a couple of other shades of red. For the leaves - you can just paint them on, make out of clay and attach, or even use silk leaves. I have seen apple gourds done all three ways.

Wish I had a tutorial to share with you but I don't. I just muddled along and mine turned out wonderfully!

I forgot to take a photo of the one I did! I made it into a bird house and painted a green worm on it! I have one right now that I plan to cut the top of and make a hinged lid and fill it with candy for my granddaughter to give to her teacher for Christmas.

Do share a photo when you get yours done and tell us how you did it - colors used etc.

Rita in Michigan

Thanks Rita, I will do that. Thanks for the idea on how to get pics. Right now I just painted it one coat of 'Real Red' by Apple Barrel paint. My mom suggested that I take a few of the leaves off some of her silk flowers that she usually throws out after a year or so and use them for the apple leaves. As they are on wire they will be easy to attach to the stem.

Sounds good to me!

Love the idea of recycling those leaves too - and you might want to grab some of the flowers she tosses out - you never know when they will come in handy - esp if you make one gourd into a panorama - divvy up those flowers into different colors and you are ready for whatever comes along! I am heading down to the basement to snag some gourds to work on - I will be checking out the apples and will let you know what happens with different colors! Wish I had some of those leaves ... I guess a trip to the craft store is in order.

Send a pic when you get all finished.
Rita in Michiga
magickiwi1@yahoo.com