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 .  .  .

a pine cone acorn ornament .  .  .

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!

Across the Blvd

Purple Hues & Me

Southern Sunflowers

Chas' Crazy Creations

Cookies, Coffee, & Crafts

Comfort Spring

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