Learn how to prepare pine cones for fall and winter crafts. There is one simple step to get beautiful pine cones that are ready to use in all of your crafts this season. Preparing pine cones for crafts and projects is super simple with this one tip.
Today I am going to show you how to prepare pine cones for crafts and projects this fall. I am so thankful for fall this year! Well, probably every year, but this year it is especially wonderful. Like I mentioned in my post last week I recently found out I was pregnant. And for some reason I feel the best when I am outside.
My daughters and I love being in nature and taking walks. One of the things we like to do on our walks is collect fall treasures: pine-cones, acorns, cool foliage, or shiny rocks that catch our eye. So today I wanted to show you how to prepare pine cones for all of those fall and winter crafts in one easy step.
There are so many cute ways to use pine cones in wreaths fall and winter decor, especially around Christmas time. And even though this process was super simple if you have never done it, it’s still helpful to have a guide.
Last year when I was first working on preparing pine cones for crafts I looked up several sources. I wasn’t sure the best guide to follow so I considered just skipping it. And you may be asking yourself do you really need to do anything to prepare pine cones for crafts? And I will say absolutely! You don’t want to skip this step because if you do you could be welcoming very strange bugs, creatures, mold and mildew into your home. Creatures that blend in and resemble pine cones are the worst!
And plus the truth is preparing pine cones for crafts just takes very little effort and is very simple. So let’s get started so you can add pine cone crafts to your to-do list this holiday season!
Here’s the supplies you need to prepare pine cones for crafts:
- Oven
- Baking Sheet
- Pine cones
Here’s how you prepare pine cones to use in crafts:
Step 1: Collect your pine cones to use with your crafts.
Go on an adventure with your spouse or kiddos, my daughters love this, and collect pine cones. Different pine trees have different types of cones. You may want to investigate a little bit to see what type of trees you have in your area.
I try to pay attention to all the trees in my neighborhood now and have a good idea of where to find what type of cones. If you aren’t sure about your area start by looking at local parks, or even around your own yard if you have pine trees. Finding a variety of cones adds to the fun! You can even have your kiddos match the pine cones with the different types of trees.
Step 2: Bake your pine cones in the oven to prepare for your crafts.
Place your pine cones flat on an old baking sheet. You don’t want to layer your pine cones but keep them flat and bake at 200 degrees for 2-3 hours. You want to kill all the moths, bugs, mildew and any other creatures living in your pine cones. Believe me some of them are scary and you don’t want to bring them inside! Ask me how I know!
Step 3: Let the pine cones cool down and begin using them.
Now your pine cones are ready to use. Once they cool down you can use them for a bunch of beautiful holiday crafts.
Here’s a few ideas of how to use your pine cones for crafts:
Mini Pine Cone Wreath
Simple 30 Minutes Pine Cone Wreath
I hope to be doing a series of different projects using pine cones and other DIY Christmas decor and gifts. So go out and get some pine cones this fall. Here’s an easy 30 minute pine cone wreath you can make for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
No time to craft now? No, worries! Just pin this post for later!
Stay tuned,
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was
super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote
and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole
thing. Do you have any tips and hints for first-time blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
Sure! Feel free to email me. 🙂 Elizabeth
Thank you for your tip! I’m European, when you say 200 degrees, do you mean 200 degrees Celcius or Fahrenheit? We use Celcius, but I reckon a couple of hours on 200 degrees Celsius will burn the pine cones black, wouldn’t it?
Hi Ingrid, yes definitely Fahrenheit! Sorry for any confusion. Elizabeth
Thank you for this info ,, I’m glad I found this out before putting them into my home 😳👍😀
Tracy Wales /uk
Yes! Some of the critters are scary! (eeeek!!) 🙂 Elizabeth
I sure hope this works. I’m worried they won’t open. I guess time will tell.
Hi Kathleen, this works well. Have done it many time. Elizabeth
I sure hope this works. I’m worried they won’t open. I guess time will tell.
Do you have a wash pine cones after baking them.
No, all you have to do is bake them. If there is obvious dirt or debris on them I would clean them before baking them. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for stopping by. Elizabeth
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me.
Thank you!
Why are they scary? Also, could you put cinnamon oil on them for the smell before baking?
Great tip for cleaning up pine cones for crafts!
Thank you!
Thanks Jackie! I am glad it helps. Thanks for stopping by! I would love to see if you use pine cones in any of your crafts this year.
Where are you, and how do I share with you?
Hi Linda, you can email me at elizabeth@awellpurposedwoman.com.
Good info!! Thank You barb.1@sbcglobal.net
Hi Barb, thanks so much for stopping by. Hope the info was helpful. Let me know if you end up preparing some for fun crafts you do! Elizabeth
Thank you for informing me that you need to bake pinecones. I am not experienced enough with doing crafts to have realized about bugs, that I can not see being maybe inside . I am learning. Thank you!
Hi Pamela, thanks for stopping by! Yes, there can be bugs that look almost identical to the pine cones. They are a bit scary! But super easy to get rid of just by baking them. 🙂