I saw a gorgeous pine cone topiary from Ballard Designs… but as with most things from that amazing store, the price tag was less-than awesome! Lucky for me, this was a piece of decor I knew I could recreate for a whole lot less. Here is how!
I enlisted the help of my mom who graciously gathered pine cones from her backyard in Washington and brought them with her to Texas where we were all having Thanksgiving. I had to let them dry out a bit before I could use them so they would open up, but they are seriously so pretty!
Even though this project was really easy to do, it was definitely time consuming! It took two nights to finish, but I just worked on it while I watched TV with my husband. It also took way more pine cones than I thought, so I ended up only making one. Here is how to do it:
Pine Cone Topiary Tutorial
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- 6″ Styrofoam ball
- black garbage bag & twisty tie
- scissors
- pine cones
- hot glue
- white spray paint
- planter – I got mine at Hobby Lobby. It was $7.99 but on sale for half off!
(Sorry about the dark images. These were taken indoors at night.)
DIRECTIONS:
- Wrap a black garbage sack around your Styrofoam ball, twist the bag tight and tie it off with a twisty tie. Cut off the extra plastic from bag. This will keep the white from peeking through and help the pine cones adhere better.
- Drench the tied end of the bag in hot glue to keep it from coming undone.
- Grab the middle of the pine cone, and twist the bottom to create a “smaller” pine cone. Get rid of the bottom, you’ll only use the top. Make sure all your tops are about the same size to get a symmetrical ball.
- Hot glue your pine cones onto the covered ball, starting at the top and working your way down until the whole ball is covered, then lightly spray paint with white spray paint.
I love this project because I can keep it up all winter!
Isn’t it pretty???
I live in oly now as well. I ha e just discovered pinecones and all the different types . Some small some giant. Some like regular pinecones and some with the rose looking top. Wish I could send pictures. I have a few varieties now. And I’m going to gather more this afternoon as a matter of fact.
That sounds like so much fun!
Lovely topiary! Why do your pinecones all look symmetrical like open roses? The top portion of my pine cones are dissimilar and not like roses at all. Am I missing something?
Your pine cone topiaries are stunning.. you are very talented! I hope it’s okay, I’ve featured your pretty topiaries in a pine cone crafts and decor round-up I just finished. You can see it here:
Also, thank you so much for sharing this tutorial. I am going to give it a go but I’m not sure mine will come out as nice as yours 🙂
I’m not sure! These were just gathered in the yard (close to Olympia, Washington.) I’m not sure if different regions drop different looking pinecones, or if the age of the tree matters etc.
wow..what a great idea….
Love this, been saving it for a while 😉 I've featured you on Craft Gossip here
If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here!
TEKM, I kept mine indoors, when the pinecones get wet, they swell shut. If you collect yours after your snow melts, a good way to dry them out so they open up is to put them on cookie sheet covered with foil and stick them in the oven on warm until they open!
Beautiful idea! But I agree with Megan. They DO swell up when wet, so are we still able to take put them outside without having to have to bring them in??
I am bookmarking this for sure!! As soon as the snow melts enough for me to find the pine cones I will be gathering some for this project. Did you display yours indoors or outdoors?
what a pretty topiary! I love it, and my kids love collecting pine cones. Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's!
Wow!! Really looks fabulous!
Wow!!! So easy and so pretty!
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
-April
It's linky party time again! I hope to have you come link up and enter my $50 american Express giveaway! Happy holidays!
-Dana, Saturday Mornings
http://danajeanward.blogspot.com/2010/12/50-american-express-giveaway-ends.html
that is BEAUTIFUL! and could be used through january! hmmm…maybe i'll ask mom to bring some over for Christmas…
That is so cute! Makes me wish I had pine trees around too!
Love love love this!!! I have a ton of pine cones just waiting for a project…I think I found it!!! Thanks for sharing!
LaKeta
1luckeegirl.blogspot.com
Another GREAT idea! Love Crazy Domestic so much. I am I'm awarding you the Stylish Blogger Award – for more info about it go to http://eyespydiy.blogspot.com/2010/12/stylish-blogger-award.html
Before tossing those bottoms of the pinecones away, look closely for some that may be fairly flat. Choose as many as possible and spray with spring colors and paint the little hole in the middle yellow and add a red dot in the middle – voila! You now have a beautiful “zinnia” to make a spring/summer topiary! Google “pinecone zinnias” for pics and ideas.
That sounds amazing! Thanks for the tip Terri! 🙂
I love this idea… so easy and Beautiful… Will have to do this for next year for sure!! Thanks! :O)
Beautiful, they turned out great! I want to make one!
Gorgeous! What a beautiful idea!