Pine Cone Wreath Tutorial | Vintage, Paint and more...

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Pine Cone Wreath Tutorial

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I love wreaths for every season of the year but, I especially love a classic winter wreath that can be used throughout several months - no matter the holiday.  I think this classic pine cone wreath falls into that category - can be used from Thanksgiving to Spring quite easily.  And, it falls into that ever trendy category of Farmhouse Decor for sure.

Vintage, Paint and more... a seasonal wreath made with pine cones, faux berries, white spray paint and glitter

For years I have wanted one of these.  I would see them in magazines, on the Internet, on other people's doors, everywhere and I really loved them and wanted one for our door.  The thing -I neither had the time nor the motivation to make one.....That's it - the truth is out about my lack of motivation most of the time.
Vintage, Paint and more... how to make a seasonal wreath with pine cones and faux berries

But this year I could in no way say I did not have the time... I have lots of time - I am retired.  And somehow along with the new found time I also found the motivation to take on this project.

Vintage, Paint and more... diy pine cone wreath made on a budget

The thing of it is - it was so simple I don't know why I waited so long!  How silly.... I had everything I needed - didn't have to purchase a thing.  Our backyard is full of pine cones so Papa and Miss A went out one afternoon and picked up quite a few.  They weren't open yet so I placed them in an oven at 200 degrees and let them bake for about 30 minutes until they did open up.  This took me awhile as we had quite a few to do. ( I read this tip somewhere - but can't remember where- things like this just stick in my mind sometimes.)
Vintage, Paint and more... pine cone wreath made on a budget

I had one of those green wire wreath forms you can buy at Michael's, Walmart or most anyplace they sell craft items.  I just began gluing the pine cones on with hot glue.  This part did take a while as I had to? wait for the glue to dry on each one or they fell off.  But when it was done it looked like the above pic.  ( Sorry I forgot to take pics during the process.)
Note: One of my lovely readers left a great tip on an easy process to put this wreath together.  If I were to make another I would surely try this method out only I think I would use the oven method of drying it out if possible simply because it also takes care of any critters that might be lurking in the cones.  " Here is the secret to NOT using glue on your wreaths. get a five gallon bucket, fill it with steaming hot water and pour as many piney cones into the bucket as you can. They will shrink, (much like they do when it rains). It will take 20-30 mins for them to shrink. This is where nature helps out with the gluing! Take the pine-cones and place them into the three circle wreath wire just like normal. Put as many cones as you can in each section, much like a new York subway during rush hour Monday AM. Once the wire wreath base is full of cones, place it out into the sun OR near a fireplace, heat vent etc etc.  Nature will open the cones and due to the proximity, they will expand and tighten themselves much much more than applying lots of glue! Here is hoping these instructions make sense (my lovely mum, made six of us kids hunt and make pine cone wreaths until us kiddos were dreaming of sap every year at Christmas to sell.)

Vintage, Paint and more... making a seasonal wreath using found pine cones and faux berries

Then I gave it a little dusting of white spray paint- not much - I wanted some of the darkness of the pine cones to show through. And while it was still wet I sprinkled white glitter on it.  It glistens like snow when the light hits it.  After it dried I just hot glued some faux red berries on it.

Vintage, Paint and more... how to make a seasonal wreath using classic pine cones, dollar store faux berries, white spray paint and glitter

I love how it looks on our black door.  I can use this all winter.  Don't know why I waited so long to make it.  It was easy to do, I had all the necessary items to make it, and it turned out so pretty-just the way I wanted it to look.  
Are you like me - put things off forever and then when you finally do them are amazed at how simple they are to complete and don't know why you put it off for so long?  That's me - professional procrastinator.....

What are you making this year for your Christmas decor?  Would love it if you shared it with us in the comments below.  I answer all comments through email.



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32 comments:

  1. Oh Cathy - that is absolutely amazing! I am so totally blown away by the talent in blogland, seriously you could get an inferiority complex lol!!!
    Big hugs,
    Suzan

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  2. Suzan - thanks so much for stopping by and such sweet words - thank you.....Speaking of talent - I think you have the department pretty well covered....

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  3. So pretty! Great job! Thanks for linking up! :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much I really love it and thank you for stopping by.

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  4. Cathy, your wreath is gorgeous! I think I may have to make one for January! :) Love that you spray painted it white and added the red berries.

    Thanks for coming and linking up at "A Homemade Christmas" linky party!

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  5. Thank you. I think you will enjoy making it...thank you for stopping by and hosting such a great party...

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  6. This is beautiful! I just love the white. And thanks for the tip on opening the pine cones, I didn't know that! Merry Christmas,
    Cheers, Andrea

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  7. Thank you - and the tip was just something I read somewher - glad I could pass it on.... Thanks for stopping by....

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  8. This is lovely! Thank you for sharing your project. I found you at Debbie Doo's and I've pinned this wreath.
    Jessica at A Humble Creation

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for pinning it and thank you for stopping by...

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  9. Gorgeous!
    I love it!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  10. What a gorgeous wreath! I found you through Pinterest and pinned to my Holiday board. Writing a post about inspiring Christmas Projects and would love to feature your wreath with a link back. Let me know if that's not okay with you. PS....I'm a total procrastinator, too!

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  11. Your wreath looks great! I love that it's different and definitely loving the colors.

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  12. This looks so elegant! I love it!

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  13. I love this so much that I am featuring you today at the Get Your DIY On Challenge! Hop by to grab your button if you have a chance, and we would love you to share any ornament projects with us too!
    -Krista

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  14. Your wreath is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!

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  15. That's beautiful Cathy! And it looks easy enough for even a non-crafty person like me to tackle.

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  16. I absolutely adore your wreath, Cathy!!! Those colors would look so good on my new blue door, so I might just be making one of those for myself! (Coming from a fellow procrastinator...)

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  17. Cathy,
    This is amazing. You are so talented adding your touches of glitter and berries, simple yet elegant. Cant wait to try myself, will make soon to practice for next year, will look great on our barn red door. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

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  18. I am looking at pinterest for a front door ideas (red) and saw this gorgeous wreath - just what I am looking for the holidays. Do you know where I could purchase one or who would make one for me just like this? I am not able to make this - wish I could. Thank you! Great job. Christy from ALbany, NY area

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  19. what kind of green wire, what does it look like

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    Replies
    1. This is just the basic wire wreath form found in any craft store or garden center to make wreaths with. For some companies it may be black. I googled "wire wreath form" and there are pictures of it and places to purchase it on line.

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  20. This is a beautiful wreath and thanks so much for sharing!! I can't wait to relax tonight and give making this wreath a try. I've been looking for nature inspired fall crafts to make and this wreath really caught my eye.

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  21. how did u get the first row of pine cones to stay on the wire wreath did u use flower wire

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  22. I love this wreath thanks for sharing

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  23. It is stunning! OK here is the secret to NOT using glue on your wreaths. get a five gallon bucket, fill it with steaming hot water and pour as many piney cones into the bucket as you can. They will shrink, (much like they do when it rains). It will take 20-30 mins for them to shrink. This is where nature helps out with the gluing! Take the pine-cones and place them into the three circle wreath wire just like normal. Put as many cones as you can in each section, much like a new York subway during rush hour Monday AM. Once the wire wreath base is full of cones, place it out into the sun OR near a fireplace, heat vent etc etc. Nature will open the cones and due to the proximity, they will expand and tighten themselves much much more than applying lots of glue! Here is hoping these instructions make sense (my lovely mum, made six of us kids hunt and make pine cone wreaths until us kiddos were dreaming of sap every year at Christmas to sell.) I am coveting your wreath with great admiration and know it is simply delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi I'd love to give this a try I have the wire but I'm unsure how to get it started. How did you put the first layer of pine cones on to get it started ? Thanks

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