How To Make Pine Cone Flowers

((Download this tutorial in PDF format here.))

In light of the fall season and upcoming holidays, I have come up with this tutorial on a fun and easy craft you can do with all those pine cones lying around outside. These flowers made of pine cone chips are simple to make and extremely versatile in what you can do with them.

(CLICK ON ANY OF THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE) 

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Pine cones. Obviously, you are going to need a pine cone for this craft. Any pine cone will do, just keep in mind that different pine cones will make different looking flowers.
• Scissors. You'll need these on hand for a couple of different reasons. Read on to find out more.
• Glue. Most any glue will do. Here I am using wood glue, but I bet super glue would make a fine, fast-bonding, fast-drying alternative. I love super glue!
• Card stock or poster board. You'll need this to make a base for your flower.
• Paper plate or bowl to work over. Pine cones can get messy!

STEP ONE: Using a small circular object as a template, trace a circle onto your poster board or card stock. The size of your circle will depend on the size you want your flower to be. As you read on, you will be able to figure out how to judge the size of circle you will need for the flower you want.

STEP TWO: Carefully cut out your circle and set the rest of the poster board aside. Also set aside your circle somewhere you won't misplace it.

STEP THREE: Next, take your pine cone. Starting at the bottom, begin to pick away the individual chips of the pine cone. You will probably lose many chips in the process, as they are very brittle and may break easily. That's okay, there are plenty to work with!

STEP FOUR: Work over a paper plate or bowl of some sort to help contain the mess. You may wish to use shears to help get under the chips of the pine cone, picking them off more easily. For some, this may only make the breakage worse. Do what is best for you.

STEP FIVE: Halfway there! You may even choose to stop here and use this remaining chunk of pine cone as a giant flower base. This can be an easy pine cone flower craft for kids as they can glue leaves to the "stem" of the pine cone and base of the intact chips for petals.

STEP SIX: Leave the very last chips intact and twist them off. You can save this end piece as a flower bud for a large pine cone flower display or you can use it as a center piece for your flower later.

STEP SEVEN: Now, take your poster board or card stock circle and apply a little bit of glue to the outer edge.

STEP EIGHT: Carefully begin to glue individual pine cone chips to the outer edge of the card stock. These will make up the outer and bottom most layer of "petals" for your flower. The image below will show you the layers of petals I added to this particular flower. You may layer your flower however you like, based on what look you are going for.

Continue to add layers, as shown above.

STEP NINE: Finish your flower off with a bloom center. For this tutorial, I have used the saved pine cone end from Step Six. You may use anything from nature, such as seeds, weeping grass, whatever you like.

You can make a much smaller flower with a single layer as well. Be creative! When you finish your flower, you can do anything you want with it! Below are some decorating ideas with pine cone flowers. Have fun!

Attach to a ribbon and tie around something (ie. a candle holder, a vase, a lamp, etc.).

Glue onto a homemade card for a unique holiday gift.

Attach to the lid of a box or jar to add a festive touch to your decor.