Remember these? One of my more recent posts from the past provided a sneak peak for today’s tutorial.
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| ©Linda Nelson 2014 |
To make these little natural decorative treasures, first gather some unopened spiny pine cones. Yes, I do mean the ones that you would normally not choose. The ones that pinch if you grasp them too hard in your hand. In addition, you will need some acrylic craft paint, fine sandpaper, molding paste (I had Golden Artist Colors’ light molding paste on hand, but any brand will do), a small dish and a stirring stick.
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| ©Linda Nelson 2014 |
Begin by pruning off any branch remains from the pine cone. I also like to gently snip off the pointed end of the cone to give it a more blunt shape, though you don’t have to.
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| ©Linda Nelson 2014 |
Gently sand the entire surface of the pine cone until it feels smooth, yet ripply. It is important to not sand it to completely even out the surface; you just want it to feel rather comfortable and pleasing to the touch when grasping it.
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| ©Linda Nelson 2014 |
Next, place about one half teaspoon of molding paste onto a dish, add a tiny drop of paint, then mix them together. (I really do mean tiny; otherwise, the color will be too saturated and your pine cone will look “painted”. That’s what six year olds do. This process is meant to give you a more rustic, yet sophisticated look). Smear this mixture onto the cone with your fingers, working it into all the crevices. Wait about one minute, then buff off all the residual paint/paste with a paper towel or cloth. Buff it thoroughly so that the outer most surface of the pine cone is visible again.
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| ©Linda Nelson 2014 |
And, here is the finished result. A little clutch of rustic, yet sophisticated pine cones. You may elect to further buff them with some paste wax, but that’s up to you. I did that for some, yet it did not make a difference visually. I think they look best simply displayed in a bowl, mason jar, nest or some sort of “nesting” object.
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| ©Linda Nelson 2014 |
I made the ones below using the molding paste and white paint. Very rustic and “beachy”, don’t you think?
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| ©Linda Nelson 2014 |
There you have it. Now, gather those pine cones and get creative.
Thanks so much for sharing at the Twirl & Take a Bow Party! So glad to have you at the party. Have a great week!
Leslie
House on the Way
Love these! I'm going pine cone hunting tomorrow. Great idea. Can't wait to make some for my home. Keep those brilliant ideas coming!
these are beautiful! so inspiring!
Marie @ In Our Happy Place
I was just standing and looking at the pinecones around my house. Now I know what to do with them. I am visiting from the Fantabulous Fall Favorites Blog Hop and pinning this to our board.
Leslie, Laurie, Marie and Tammy,
Hope you ladies have gathered your pine cones and given this decorative craft a try! It's SO easy to do!
Linda
Love these…So beautiful… and they are the ones that get left behind…Not anymore…
I'm so glad you like them You just don't know how thrilled I was with the results after messing around with them. I think many others enjoyed this post, too; I hope they'll follow through and make some.
Davvero una bella idea, semplice da fare e molto decorativa…bravissima e grazie per il tutorial!
Buona serata.
Annarita
I love these Linda! We don't have pine trees right were I live, but there are some about 50 miles away, so will need to try and get some and give it a try!
Gather as many as you can; they look especially pretty as a bowlful. Happy pinecone hunting 🙂