Festive Pine Cones

 

  

Have you ever wondered what you could do with all the leftover wax after you've burned votive candles and melted tarts.  For some reason I have always saved those little pieces.  It's not like they could be used again or even had any scent left, but I always felt like I was wasting the wax by throwing it away. One day I happened to mention this to my mother who then miraculously proceeded to pull out a zip lock bag full of candle pieces that she had been saving as well!  Crazy!

 

So what should we do with all this candle wax? How about melting it all down in one big pot and dipping pine cones!  A friend of mine was telling me that she and her girlfriend were going to be dipping pine cones to use as fire starters.  I loved this idea but since I don't have a fireplace or wood stove they could not be of any use to me.  But then I thought - why not just make them into pretty ornaments for Christmas.  So that's what I did. 

 

Start by separating your colors.  I did two batches - one red and one white. 

Put the wax pieces in a large coffee (or tomato) can. 

Use a double boiler to melt the wax. I used boiling water in my electric frying pan, but I saw online people put the cans right into boiling water on the stove.  *BE VERY CAREFUL* THE CAN WILL GET HOT!*

 

 

♥ To make your ornaments smell pretty you can add a few drops essential oil or cinnamon to the melted wax ♥

For pine cones I used this bag of craft pine cones that came from Michael's. 

Using tongs, dip each pine cone in the wax.  Put on a cookie sheet lined with foil to harden.  Once the wax has hardened, dip again.  Repeat the process a few times until you are happy with how they look.

*tip - dry them standing upright so all the wax doesn't run out *

 

After the last "dipping" sprinkle with glitter while the wax is still wet.  I dipped mine three times and could have probably done more but I was running out of wax.  I went heavy on the glitter though, so they look extra sparkly : )

 



 

 

 

The wax looks like snow on each layer of the pine cone.  I think they are so festive for the holiday season!
 

 

 

 

After they harden completely there are a number of things you can do with them.  I kept some as is and put them around my house.  This grouping is on a shelf in my entry way.  Hello...

 

 

 

 

With a hot glue gun and some ribbon you can make cute ornaments.  I took three little ones and made a cluster to hang. 

 

 

 

 

For the bigger ones I added a gift tag.  This would be darling to use on a package or just to hang on the tree.  They could even be used as a table place setting.  How cute would that be?

 



 

 

 

You can make a garland by hot gluing a line of them on a ribbon.

 

 

 

 

Or my favorite idea, just put them in a simple basket.  If you want to be extra fancy add a string of white lights and a big bow!

 

 

 

So that's how I decorate with pine cones.  The best part is that these guys can stay around all winter, not just for Christmas : )

The season has begun!  This Thursday is our American Thanksgiving.  I'm very excited because it's my favorite holiday. I'm making pies (apple & pumpkin) for desert.  I can hardly wait for turkey and stuffing! This day is all about Family, Friends, and Food! My three favorite things in the world! It also marks the kick-off of the Christmas season. This weekend we'll put up our tree and decorate the house.  My son is over the moon because he's getting his own little tree for his room this year ♥

Things are about to get busy and hectic, but I look forward to it every year! xo


PS This week I'm linking up with My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday....come and join us!