Shoebox: Pierced CD's, Patchwork Gourd Art

The second CD featured a photograph of her husband’s grandmother, which she framed with her beautiful stitching. She also added a border outside the CD, but I was unable to determine what materials or technique she used; however it gave a very finished look to the framed picture.

The third CD featured paper tole in the center using images cut from gift wrapping paper. Vera did all of her work on the back of the CD's, so the mirror-like finish served as the background. Vera said that this type of needlework is a very popular craft in the Netherlands.

Velna starts by cleaning the gourd with bleach water and then applies a sealer. When dry, she wood burns the designs into the gourd. Step three is to paint the patchwork shapes; then she goes back to reburn the design lines and add the "stitches"--a series of short lines along the design lines. Finally, she sticks a straight pin into the top, ties a string to it, and then hangs it from a clothes hanger while she sprays on several coats of a high-gloss finish, allowing each coat to dry before adding the final coat. Don’t forget the hanger! They were most unusual and beautifully done.