25 Gifts & Ornaments #3 - TH Suede Pinecones

Several people have e-mailed asking if I've ever made any and/or have any hints for making the pine cones from the Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Pine cone Die because they have such a time making them.

The answer to both is yes..... Today I will show you how to make different sizes from 1/2" to 1 1/2"  pine cones and a nifty base for your pine cones that will open up a variety of uses for them.  I will share an extra idea on how to really kick your pine cones up 2-3 notches!!  I can't wait...it's so cool!

So here you go ~

25 Gifts & Ornaments

#3 Suede Pine cones

Supplies:

Suede or Cardstock, Grunge board/paper, Pattern Paper, etc.
Sizzix Pine cone Die
Coffee Stirrer
Double Stick Tape
Glue Dot
(Optional) Wire, Bead, Ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut desired number of pine cones from whatever material you'd like to use.  I am using a bit of suede dh got for me. 

2. Remember those coffee stirrers I told you about on Monday...they're back!  Wrap one end of the stirrer about 1"-2" up (depending on what size you want to make) with double stick tape.  Be sure to remove the line as you wind your way up the stirrer.

!! - By doing this you won't have to fight with the various layers of your pine cone trying to make them stay in place.  Simply wrap them and go.  Makes the whole process soooo much easier!

3. Start wrapping the pine cone with the outside end by pinching it around the very bottom of the stirrer.  You'll want the tip to extend a bit from the end of the stirrer as shown.

4. Now comes the various sizes...  Depending on how closely you wrap each layer and how many layers you add to the stirrer you can vary your pine cone from anywhere from 1/2" to 1 1/2" long!   For this particular pine cone I wrapped just a few layers for a tiny "new" cone.

5. Cut the remainder of the material from the wound pine cone and snip off the stirrer leaving about 1/4" extra for the stem.

Here are a few different sizes.  The center cone is the one shown above, the top cone was made with the remainder of that cone and the bottom is a full sized cone in the process of being wrapped.

6. Once you reach the very last layer of the pine cone you can use a glue-dot to secure the final petal.

7. If you've wrapped too much double stick tape you can now unwind it and snip it off as shown below.

8. (optional) If you'd like to add a bit of sparkle you can add Stickles or glitter to the edges of each layer. 

9. (Optional) Since we used the coffee stirrer for the base of the pine cone I have an nifty way to create a bunch of pine cones that could be used as an ornament for a tree, package, garland, etc. 

You need to first cut a 3-4" length of wire and put a little knot in one end. 

Thread on a bead....I'm using a vintage "faux" pearl for this example.

Thread the wire though the stirrer. 

Do so for each pine cone you'd like to add to your bunch. 

You can cut the wire to various lengths if you're making larger bunches.

Gather all of your pine cones for the bunch and twist the wires together.

Next, snip one of the evergreen sprigs (cut from the same die using felt) in half.

Attach one to each side of the pine cone bunch using a glue dot.



Add a ribbon and you're set to go!!

Now, these are so much fun to make and use I thought it would be a nice idea to share the makin's for a few of your own pine cones!

If you'd like a chance to win this assortment of pine cone makin's simple post a comment telling us how you'd use the pine cones you can make with this little kit.

You have until 12-9-11 to post your comment!