Inaugural meeting

• 17 attendees, 5 joining TGS and 4 of those also joining AGS
• Several demonstrations of crafted gourds
• Lively discussions were led by President Esther Chambliss and Secretary Cindi Creswell regarding growing, harevsting, storing and crafting gourds.
• Treasurer Robbie Pritchard conducted a raffle of several items that were donated by or obtained by club board members for the raffle. Geraldine Mills, director of the Fielder House Museum, assisted Robbie by drawing the winning tickets.
• After a short social break, Cindi and Esther conducted a “hands-on” technique class, a “Make It and Take It” project session. Members crafted their own lapel pins using gourd pieces and other supplies to create people, animals, and other objects.

• 17 attendees
• Members were told about all the aspects of the TGS 9th Annual Gourd Show and Sell in Austin Texas November 6th. Also discussion about the TGS-sponsored workshops (classes) to be held on November 5th.
• Program: Linda Hughes and B.J. Conrad demonstrated and led a hands-on workshop on Basket Weaving on Gourds

• 16 attendees, 1 couple joining TGS
• Holiday celebration, including a pot-luck luncheon with international theme.
• Centerpieces (made by Esther Chambliss) at tables were presented to winners.
• Discussion of the TGS 9th Annual Gourd Show and Sell at Austin November 4 and 5.
• Show and Tell of gourd jewelry items by Nelma Fannin that won blue ribbon at the judged competition in Austin.
• Program, demonstration, and hands-on workshop on Kumihimo, the Japanese name for the art of cord-making via braiding. B.J. Conrad and LInda Hughes led the workshop.  Instructional materials and additional information were made available at the program. 
• Craft item swap amongst members.

• 11attendees - two new visitors joined TGS at this meeting
• Esther Chambliss led a discussion of the events we plan to participate in thie calendar year; also teh upcoming programs for Patch meetings
• A discussion of the TGS Fall Show and Sell - now a two-day event and at a new location in Austin - was held
• Program: A review and repeat of the September project (Make It and Take IT) and also a review of the November program (Linda Hughes and B.J. Conrad demonstrated and led a hands-on workshop on Japanese weaving of braids that could be used as embellishment on gourd projects)

• 20 attendees, incluing 6 visiitors/potential TGS members
• Business items discussed
• Raffle
• Dave Hodgson presented a talk on planting and growing gourds. Dave lives in Alvord, TX and grows gourds there; he has won competitions with gourds he has grown.
• Cindi Creswell discussed the aspects of container-growing of gourds. 

• Austin, TX
• Business Meeting
• Accepted channges to Constitution and By-Laws
• Elected new officers
• Box lunch
• Demonstrations
• Sue Haberer - safety concerns while working with gourds
• Bob Schuetze - growing tips
• Bev Tomek - "Embossing Metal Images"
• Eve Dewvall and Lelia Sublett - paint marbelizing effects

• 11 attendees
• Business items discussed
• Raffle
• Exhibition of one of the TGS Fall Show Raffle items - "Big Tex" gourd by PatDuncan of Rowlett
• Display of some of the TGS-logo'ed items available at www.cafepress.com and to be available at TGS Fall Show and Sale
• Juanita Munoz demonstrated and discussed Easter holdliay gourd creations by she and her children
• Esther Chambliss demonstrated and discussed making Luffa gourd soap

• 13 attendees
• Business items discussed
• Raffle
• Nelma Fannin demonstrated gourd jewelry and other crafted itema  that she has craeted; she discussed materials and tools she uses and demonstarted some of her techniques
• Hands-on workshop

• 11 attendees
• Business items discussed
• Raffle
• Fort Worth woodcarver Steve Schoolar gave an interesting program about carving wood reliefs and how his career developed from a hobby to a full career with a passion to carve. Steve teaches wood carving at Tarrant County College and also at the Fort Worth Woodcarver Store, as well as throughout the central US. Most of his works are done by commission. He has works in private collections in the United States and overseas.
• Hands-on workshop using carving tools and power tools
• members voted to not meet in June due to commitments and member's travel plans

• 19 attendees - 3 guests, all of whom joined TGS
• Business items discussed - includes plans for state Show and Sell October 15-16, 2005, in Austin, Texas 
• Raffle
• Program presented by Mary Harrington, owner and operator of Artful Bead store in Fort Worth, Texas.  Program on beading on gourds
• Hands-on workshop creating beading for gourds

• 14 members present
• Program led by Cindi Creswell and Esther Chambliss, teaching faux turquoise - a quick and relatively easy process to create striking results on gourds. They are borrowed ideas and concepts from TGS artist Hellen Martin - with her approval. Hellen attended our meeting and provided helpful hints and tips.
• Refreshments.  Raffle Items.  Show-and-tell. 

Our one year anniversary!!

• 10 members attending
• Program: overview and discussion of wood burning, including techniques to transfer your pattern to your gourd or gourd piece. 
• Finalized the Christmas basket for the TGS Fall Show and Sell in Austin. 
• Birthday party!!!  
• Discussion of, nomination of new slate of officers, and election. Terms of office to begin January 2006.
• Refreshments and Show-and-Tell items.

• 10 members attending
• Christmas gift exchange
• Cindi Creswell led discussion of plamd for programs for next years
• Cindy Baird of Paradise Valley Natural Skin Care Products in Arlington gave an informative talk on how she handcrafts the soaps, bath, and skin care products that her family produces. Cindy demonstrated the Luffa gourds that she purchases to use in her skin care baskets, as well as many of the herbal products she uses.
• Cindi Creswell led a discussion and demonstration of wood burners and showed a comparison of wood burner tips. Our Show and Tell this month included lots of photos from the October Show.
• Show-and-tell, including several photos from the TGS State Show and Sell.

• 7 members attending
• Planned dates and subjects of meetings Feb 2006 through June 2006
• Discussion of growing strategies if the drought continues
• Show and Tell of various items
• Raffle and refreshments
• Discussion and workshop on How to Color Your Gourd

This month's meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather. The program (PIne Needle Weave on Gourd Rim) is rescheduled to May 19, 2006.

• 11 members attending
• Program was a talk and discussion of growing strategies led by Don Graves.   Don is a native Texan, a Master Gardener and a composter. He dealt with questions about soil, growing conditions, and soil additives.
• A hands-on painting workshop followed Don's presentation.
• Show-and-Tell.
• Raffle.
• Refreshments.
• Discussion of anything gourd-related.

• 14 members and guests attending
• Discussion of Arlington Gourd Patch's portion of the Texas Gourd Society to be completed by the patches and raffled at the Fall Show in November 2006
• Program - power carving on gourds, using motorized carving tools
• Raffle
• Show-and-Tell
• Refreshments

• 14 members attending
• Program: Pine Needle Weaving on Gourd Rim, led by B.J. Conrad (re-scheduled from February 19th due to inclement weather)
• Show-and-Tell. 
• Raffle.  
• Refreshments. 
• Discussion of anything gourd-related.

• 12 members attending
• Program: Wax Resist method of preparing gourd for decorating
• Show-and-Tell. 
• Raffle.  
• Refreshments. 
• Discussion of anything gourd-related.

• 12 members present
• Workshop on Wood Burning on gourds
• Show-and-Tell
• Raffle
• Refreshments
• Business meeting
• Discussion of plans for TGS Lone Star Gourd Festival (Nov 11 & 12, Waco, Texas)
• Nomination of officers for 2007