Posted by Linda on December 06, 1999 at 12:25:24:
In Reply to: Pine Cone Wreaths posted by Petunia on December 02, 1999 at 20:56:02:
Greetings!
My sister made me a pine cone wreath - and I saw her make part of it and
I am trying to make one myself. Here are the basics that I got from her
and my/our modifications.
The basic things you will need:
Empty egg cartoon
Hot glue gun
Wire Floral Pins **
Straw Wreath **
Gold Paint ( if only making 1 - use a small bottle of craft paint; if
making more than 1 I suggest a can of gold spray paint)
Decorative items of choice - (Walnuts, Filberts, Christmas picks,
Plastic berries, etc.)
Ribbon or Raffia
Matte Finish Acrylic Spray Paint - Clear
** Found these items were cheaper at Wal-Mart
First thing is to paint the wreath with the gold paint and set aside to
dry. - either spray paint or pour a dab of gold paint on the wreath and
then use a paper towel to dab it around on the front part of the
wreath. (The paint is to cover the wreath so that in the event you see
part of the straw wreath it is more decorative. And I see no need to
paint the back - but that is your choice)
Then grab a comfy spot and start gluing on the floral pins. Place a dab
of glue on the bottom of the pine cone and then place the pin in the
glue and hold the pin until the glue sets enough to hold the pin. (I
found the easiest way was to take 3 or 4 pine cones and put a dab of
glue on each and place in the egg carton. Once I finished putting the
glue on the 4th one I put the pins in the glue. This way the glue had
already started to set and I didn't have to hold the pin so long.) Once
I had 12 done (placed where the eggs are in the carton) I transferred
them to the lid - to give them a little extra time to completely set.
Move the cones from the lid to a box or other holding place - move the
freshly glued to the lid and start all over again.
Once the pine cones have pins - you are ready to start. Pick a starting
point and start placing the pine cones on the wreath. The closer you
get them the better. Once that is done, my sister placed Walnuts and
Filberts in the 'holes' and well as some small plastic berries. You can
decorate the 'holes' any way you wish - and would depend on any 'theme'
you have decided on. ( She used walnuts and Filberts as that is what was
available at moms house - I bought some Christmas Holly Picks and other
Christmas type items and used them as well as walnuts - mom gave me a
gunny sack full of walnuts and that's to much work and baking for my
blood!)
To finish it off - I used a matte finish spray acrylic and sprayed the
pine cones. I thought that it might help the pine cones hold their
color and not fade - not to mention helping to keep it a bit more
'waterproof'.
The one that my sister made - she used a floral pin (pushed into the
straw wreath and then glued ) for the hanger. We have since talked and
suggested maybe using satin ribbon or what ever ribbon you make the bow
out of to make the hanger. Cut 2 feet or so and wrap part of it around
the wreath before you start adding the pine cones. Wrap from both ends
so you have a loop to hang it from. Temporary paper clip it together (
or something like that) and by pushing the pinned pine cones through the
ribbon - it should hold it secure. Or you may want to use the floral
pin idea to hang it from, but could also place a floral pin on both of
the sides vs one on the top - to more evenly distribute the weight.
At the top of the wreath she made a Raffia bow and to secure it, she
just stuck a christmas pick directly through the raffia. I have used
the same basic idea - using a 'Christmas' looking ribbon to make the bow
and then stuck the pick through it - and for my peace of mind - I lifted
the bow and glued the pick wire to the wreath.
We both used a 14" straw wreath but any size could be used. If you use
the 14" wreath and pine cones the inside of the wreath will handle a 6
inch 3 wick candle and could be used as a centerpiece.
Hope this helps. Once you have the basics - you can use your imagination
and complete it any way you wish. The pine cone theme will also make a
nice fall wreath or centerpiece.
Good luck and have fun!!