PINE CONES-A VERSATILE CRAFT RESOURCE

Fall is a great time to gather natural craft supplies for those winter and Christmas projects. Pine cones! A great resource for wreaths, corsages and any idea that comes to mind. I have 3 large bags in the garage waiting to be turned into viable crafts. If not used, they are great in a natural fireplace helping to get a roaring fire started. Children love making crafts from them. In Ontario with our variety of pine trees, well there are a variety of pine cones to be found and used. How about you- do you like to use them in your holiday and craft ideas?

THE PINE CONE

Wherever there are coniferous trees, there are pine cones of different sizes and varieties. For some gardeners they are a nuisance. For the crafter, they are an endless source of material for a abundance of craft ideas. Many Christmas wreaths contain pine cones with colourful accessories
or they are the accessory. Plain, painted or tied with a bow- pine cones become not only
a Christmas but a winter ornament. They can be used as the base for a name card on your holiday table. A basket containing pine cones makes a simple and quick decoration. Any craft store or craft sale will have a bag of pine cones to buy at an inflated price. Folks in older times used all these pine cones creating their festive environment. The real pleasure is the joy of collecting them. A walk by a small woodlot with trees will provide enough pine cones for many projects. Small children love to touch, feel and play with them learning about nature in a simple and experiential way. During the summer months, collected and stored until ideas blossom of what to do with all the pine cones! The potential is endless. If the supply is greater than the demand, pine cones burning in your winter fireplace are equally as pleasuable. Many family memories have pine cones in the picture. Do you use these natural elements in your home? Holidays? Do you have memories with pine cones and happy moments?

THE CHRISTMAS WREATH

As we begin to enter the Christmas season with shopping, wrapping, card writing, partying and tree decorating, my official Christmas season starts with placing the wreath on the door, followed by Christmas lights. Of course, gifts are purchased throughout the year as they are found.

What do you put on your door? Did you make a wreath or buy one? Mine is homemade with local pine cones collected in warmer days.