Monday, August 10, 2020

Pine Cone Flowers Shadow Box


I picked up a box shape frame sometime ago from Goodwill. I'm sure I paid a dollar or two but can't remember for sure. It's quite plain and I think I was attracted to it because of the color - a faded lavender - although it doesn't look like it in this picture. 
But I know I immediately thought of the possibility of making it a shadow box, too. It was deep enough that you can add just about anything you like in it to  display.   

Pine cones have always been quite popular in crafts, especially since you can find them almost anywhere outside. I have them literally in my backyard on  evergreens that are part of the community landscaping. 

I love using pine cones in my craft projects. I've bleached them
made napkin rings .  .  .
pine cone birds .  .  .
and would you believe a handcrafted turkey with a pine cone body?
I even made a pine cone flower tree
But the pine cone flowers were in their natural color for that project. Now, coloring and painting pine cones have become quite popular and trendy. And what better way to display some, but in a shadow box! 

You'll only need a few things to get started for this project:
  1. Pine Cones
  2. Tool to remove the pine cone scales (petals)
  3. Cardboard/scissors/glue
  4. Acrylic Paints
  5. Floral stem wires/twine/wire cutters
  6. Card stock
  7. Box Frame (thrift store)
Begin by removing the scales (petals) from the pine cones. The easiest way for me was to start at the base of the pine cone where the first few rows .  .  .


can be easily removed with your fingers. 
Once you've gotten these off, it's time to remove the larger ones.
I used a flat edge exacto knife to wedge the tip under the scale to twist and lift it off. The scale should pop right off. It takes practice to get the hang of removing them this way but it's a lot better than cutting the scales off which may cause them to split and become useless.
To create the flower, cut a quarter size circle out of cardboard. Then glue on the scales closely together around the circle .  .  . 
until it is completely filled in creating a flower-like look. Smaller scales can be added to the center to add dimension to the flower, if you like.
Next, paint the flowers in complementary decorative colors .  .  .
adding a dash of sunlight to the centers with a cool vibrant yellow.
Next, take the box frame apart to paint it a lovely dark plum and use the interior cardboard backing to make a new template on cardstock to use .  .  .
to place the pine cone flowers on. Create stems using floral wire wrapped in twine and painted green.  Then arrange it all in an adorable bouquet design.

And then adding a bow to complete the look!
Re-assemble the freshly painted box frame and admire the new shadow box showcasing adorable handmade pine cone flowers.
Just in time for our 
Monthly Challenge Blog Hop!

Each month, a group of craft, home decor, and recipe bloggers co-host a themed blog hop on the 2nd Monday of each month. The theme for August is Thrift Store Find Makeover Challenge. I do hope you've enjoyed how I made over a thrift store box frame into a shadow box showcasing handmade pine cone flowers for this challenge!


Now meet the other participants in this month's challenge. Be sure to stop by and check out their thrift store makeovers, too!


And don't forget to come back next month (September) for our ever popular 
Dollar Store Craft theme!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

15 comments:

  1. I love your creativity - so many ways to decorate with pine cones - I think this particular use is my favorite. The color of the frame is quite appealing to me and the flowers from pine cones are sweet. Good job!

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    1. Thanks, Carol! Yes, there are lots of ways to use pine cones in decor - that's probably why they're so popular.

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  2. How pretty, Gail. The pine cones look great turned into flower petals. That turkey you made is one of my favorites, too!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Beverly! I think I amazed myself making that turkey! Lol!

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  3. What a great creation Gail! Love all of the pine cone decor and that shadowbox is so cute. Thanks for sharing and wonderful creating with you.

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    1. Thanks so much Chas! I discovered you can do a lot with pine cones!

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  4. I love how your pine cone flowers turned out! Pinned. The bow adds a nice touch to the final look. I popped over to your turkey and the cone tree, pinned both. The turkey is amazing!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for checking out my other pine cone projects too, Allyson! Like I said before, I amazed myself with that turkey! Lol!

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  5. All the shades of purple look great together. Now that is a good thrift store find for that shadow box. I'm impressed by all of your pine cone crafts, so creative and cute.

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  6. You always come up with such novel ideas Gail, and this one is no exception. The only thing I've ever used pine cones for is to make a roof for our fairy homes. Now I'll be seeing pretty flowers every time we pick them up :D

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  7. The flowers look so pretty! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's.

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  8. Your shadow box of flowers is so fun! I love the three dimensional look. I will try to make one for myself. Wish me luck!!

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  9. So pretty! The purples are giving me Fall vibes, and I just love it.

    Alexandra
    EyeLoveKnots.com
    OnRockwoodLane.com

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