Nancy Zier

I would say without a doubt that no one in Sun Lakes, or probably in the entire state has a flower created by Carl Cooper as his first endeavor in gourd art. Seems Carl has taken to gourds as a duck takes to water. Great job Carl!

Water and Sea pattern gourds were created at a class on April 5 taught by Bonnie Gibson at the home of Shirley Nesbitt. As always, the gourds were all different when finished with beautifully painted whales, ocean turtles, koi, waves, foam and sea grasses.

On April 13, Shelly Fletcher and Margaret Sullivan hosted a large class on fabulous gourd wall hangings at the Fletcher Farm in Laveen; 24 gourders attended the class and each gourder created her own unique wall hanging – the creative minds at work with colors and carving techniques and a few embellishments.

Our last meeting of the 2014-2015 season will be held on May 21. Many of our gourders are snowbirds and have headed to their homes in other states or countries during the past several weeks not to return until late October or early November. We will miss them, but those of us who stay through the summer will still work on our gourds at the Arts and Crafts Room at Sun Lakes Country Club on Thursday mornings. Join us if you wish!

If you are interested in losing yourself in the art of gourding, do not hesitate to contact Vicki McKenna at 480-802-1632. The Patch meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at the Arts and Crafts Room at Sun Lakes Country club and visitors are welcome.