I bought some of the canteen gourds from the Kentucky Gourd Show.  Since then I have been working on a gourd purse.  With tips from Betty and Kasin, here is the finished gourd piece. The pattern was adapted from the Weekend Crafter (Woodburning) which had been shown on a wooden frame.  The straps were from a purse picked up for a quarter from a thrift store, along with the wooden button on the front. The picture has dissipated the color a little I think.  The actual color to my eye is more of a golden brown. --Serita