I can’t take credit for this idea, which is probably obvious to you once you see how clever, beautiful, and well-done this decoration is! Vickie sent in this idea with fabulous instructions and pictures. Bless you, Vickie!
I’m super impressed that this entire craft decoration (worth $20) only cost Vickie 50¢. Amazing!
Here’s Vicki:
This gift has about a $20 value and I made it for 50 cents out of stuff I already had.
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12 pinecones (selling for 50 cents each at the local store or harvest them from your backyard for free)
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2-3 ft of ribbon ($4-6 or use repurposed ribbon for free)
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basket ($5-10 or again, repurpose one for free. You can also shop 2nd hand stores for baskets.)
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craft paint ($1 per bottle) I used 1/2 bottle of yellow and a smidge of white. You can also use any old leftover paint.
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glue
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optional picture hanger and felt pads (cost ?, I found these in my tool drawer so for me they were free)
Wash and paint your basket to the desired color. Dry brush the tips of the pinecones with white paint. You may want to wear gloves if you have sappy pinecones like I did. Let everything dry well. Arrange the pinecones in a decorative manner in the basket, remove carefully trying to remember your pattern, then apply glue to the back/bottom of cones and replace in basket. You don’t want the glue to show when finished. Wrap with a festive ribbon and you are done! If you want to hang your basket you may need a picture hanger of some sort. Mine had a smooth wood back so I screwed and hot-glued the hanger to the back. I also added some felt pads to protect any surface it may hang/sit on.
This took me one full day with dry time. The basket, painted yellow and white, makes a nice seasonal decoration that can be hung on a door/wall or just set on it’s side.
This is such a lovely idea. I think my boys might even enjoy collecting and painting pinecones for this. Vickie: Thank you! Keep the ideas coming, Dear Readers. I love your brilliance and creativity!
What about adding a few drops of cinnamon oil to the pinecones? I love how the ones in the craft store smell so good when you walk in the door!
I was thinking the exact same thing, buy the cinnamon scented pine cones.
This is such a great Christmas crafting idea! I love the price tag too! :)
To remove sap (and any hitch hiking critters) from pinecones, bake them in a 220 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.
http://bluefield5.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuesdays-sappy-tip.html