I had so many problems with these dipped pinecones – which were supposed to be bleached pinecones when I started – but in the end, I’m pleased with the results.
It started because I have a pine tree in my backyard that is pissed at me for pruning off branches. He’s showing his protest by making sure to drip sap everywhere and by dropping more pinecones than ever before.
That tree is on my last nerve I tell you. My poor Lacey gets pine sap in her fur and I’ve raked up 3 times already!
Given the abundance of “droppings”, I decided I’d take some of the pinecones and bleach them to get that pretty blonde look I’ve seen online.
I picked up several dozen and baked them in the oven at 200° for 30 minutes (on tinfoil) to kill any little bugs that might be lurking inside, to open the branches, and to melt some of the sap off.
It worked, there was pine sap all over the tin foil, but it wasn’t enough (time or heat) to remove all the sap. Fortunately, after baking, the sap looks less white and gunky and more shiny, like a bit of varnish.
I then took all of my pinecones and submerged them in bleach; one part bleach to four parts water, and then left them for 24 hours.
Moisture makes the pinecones close back up, and makes the sap go from shiny back to white and gunky again so I set them outside to dry in the sun.
One looks kinda bleached right?
Nope.
Only the centres changed colours, and only slightly.
I put my “bleached” pinecones back in the oven, on tin foil again, to see if drying them out completely would show more of a bleached effect. Twenty-five minutes at 250°.
UGH!
Still not blonde! (But the white gunk has gone shiny again)
Okay, now I’ve put a fair amount of time into these pinecones, and I had hoped to gift a few to friends – so as a last resort I decided to dip them in white paint.
I wrapped a bit of floral wire around the stem, watered down my paint and then dipped each one.
I let them hang to dry overnight and I FINALLY had the white pinecones I was hoping for.
I tried sprinkling on glitter while they were still wet, but the glitter absorbed the paint and didn’t look as pretty as I’d hoped.
I didn’t want to attempt spray adhesive for fear of getting the cones sticky everywhere – so white dipped pinecones it is/was.
I packaged up a dozen in each cellophane bag to deliver as little Holiday decor treats to some friends.
Then I put a few out for us to enjoy as well.
These dipped pinecones are the perfect neutral filler for vases, bowls or to sprinkle here and there as part of your Holiday decor.
I probably could have made them a lot faster (and easier) if I’d skipped the whole bleaching process, but on the other hand, these things are completely sterile now. lol
A simple little neighbour gift with a bow and tag – non-denominational, fits with any colour scheme:
and a touch of nature to your own Holiday decor – using a bit of tinfoil, some leftover paint and string or floral wire. (almost free)
I went with gold, but these dipped pinecones would look equally as pretty with a few pine twigs and some red berries intermingled.
Give it a try – and if you’re looking for pinecones, I still have hundreds from that f&$ing lovely tree out back.
Have a great one!
Linked to:
Spray paint works wonders!
Spray paint it is! (for round 2 of project “Get all of the pinecones off of my lawn and into my neighbours’ homes”) lol
Gold and silver for Xmas decs, looks gorgeous. Happy spraying. I also spray paint small rocks and greenery to set around the decor.
Lol Oh gracious. I really feel for you! Went through most ridiculous time doing exact same thing with a ton of pinecones . . . except yours look fabulous in the clear bag with fancy gift tag! Think I’ll try that part. Mine have just been sitting on table in big basket for few weeks because I was exhausted and so were they lol!