For many years I have used pine cones from my yard to decorate. Most of the time when I go out to find cones to use, they are damp or cold and closed. I know the pine cones will open if given sufficient time in the warm and dry yard.
However, I want pine cones now, not in months. So, I just force them open.
Turn the oven to its lowest setting and put the closed and damp pine cones in a metal pan, any kind. I have never timed how long it takes for a pine cone to open. Just keep peeking until They are fully open. Sometimes, ones that are partly open could benefit from a little time in the oven.
Don't leave these alone. I have never had a pine cone burst into flames, but who knows?
One year, I used fake wreaths, gold-sprayed pine cones, and berries from the yard. I added ribbon bought on sale the year before and had very nice wreaths for my door and for friend's door. I did give everyone a bunch of fake red berries for the next year with instructions to remove the real berries before storing the wreaths.
This is not a how-to for decorating the cones or with them. It is just a post about how to open all those closed pine cones in time to decorate.
When I was a child and teen, I liked my pine cones silver, but I dipped them into silver paint.
Your turn
Do have pine cones in your yard for free decorations? Do your spray your pine cones, put glitter on them, or use them as is?
I have a basket full of pine cones that I keep in my living room. My grandchildren gathered them for me a few years ago when we all spent a weekend at a cabin by a lake. They remind me of what a nice time I had with my family.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great memory. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes, pine cones don't need a bit of decoration to be pleasing.
DeleteWe have a big pine tree on an empty lot across the street that rains down a lot of pine cones. Neighbors come by and pick them up by the armful to make wreaths, etc.
ReplyDeleteI like a basket of pinecones with some fake greens tucked in. My sister has about a dozen from very large about 12' tall to small ones about 3" tall. Her husband cut off the bottoms so they would stand up, she has them on her mantel with autumn leaves for Nov, little plastic reindeer for Dec and one of those sparkly silver/white snowflake wired garlands for Jan. Looks nice and she's had them for years.
Bellen,
DeleteYou live where the pine cones can be huge.
She gets many months and years of decorations from those arrangements. That is a very good idea. I will keep that in mind. thanks.