Three DIY projects with pinecones

How to make pinecone succulents

You will need:

• Resene testpots in your choice of colours; Fleur used Resene Laurel, Resene Spring Rain, Resene Rivergum and Resene Merlot
• 3-4 small pinecones
• Small craft paintbrush
• 3 plant pots
• Potting mix

Instructions:

Step 1:  Using a small craft paintbrush, paint each pinecone a different grey-green colour. Fleur used Resene Laurel, Resene Spring Rain and Resene Rivergum.

Step 2:  Paint a contrasting colour on the ends of some of the ‘leaves’ of the pinecones. Fleur painted Resene Merlot ends onto the pinecones she had painted Resene Rivergum. Allow the paint to dry.

Fill a plant pot with potting mix and push a pinecone into each pot. No need to water!

Top tip: Use a Christmas themed colour palette using Resene testpots to create easy Christmas tree decorations.

How to make pinecone flowers

You will need:

• Resene testpots in your choice of colours – Fleur used Resene Jalapeno, Resene Boogie Wonderland, Resene Salsa, Resene Weathered Orange, Resene Festival, Resene Smitten, Resene Alaska or Resene Kaitoke Green
• 7 small pinecones
• 7 bamboo skewers
• Small craft paintbrush
• Electric drill and PVA glue

Instructions:

Step 1:  Using an electric drill and a drill bit that is the same diameter as the bamboo skewers, drill a hole about 1.5cm deep into the base of each of the pinecones. Squirt some PVA glue into each hole and insert a skewer.

Step 2:  Once the glue is dry, use a small craft paintbrush to paint each of the pinecones a different colour. Fleur used Resene Jalapeno, Resene Boogie Wonderland, Resene Salsa, Resene Weathered Orange, Resene Festival, Resene Smitten and Resene Alaska.

Step 3:  After the paint has dried, paint the skewer with Resene Kaitoke Green.

Step 4:  You can finish off by painting the very top of the pinecones with your choice of yellow Resene paint. Fleur used Resene Festival.

Top tip: Adjust your Resene colour palette to suit the season… think pastel colours for spring and woodsy, orange and weathered greens for autumn.

How to make a pinecone wreath

You will need:

• Resene testpots in your choice of colours; Fleur used Resene Vintage, Resene Rouge, Resene Alaska, Resene Zephyr, Resene Submerge and Resene Grey Area
• Lots of pinecones - Fleur used about 70, but you may need more or less, depending on the size of your wreath frame/ring
• Wreath frame/ring – Fleur’s frame was 28cm diameter to the outside edge.
• Medium sized craft paintbrush
• Hot glue gun

Instructions:

Step 1: Using a medium sized craft paintbrush, paint the sides of the pinecones using your chosen Resene testpot colours by brushing from the base up towards the top of the pinecone. Fleur used Resene Vintage, Resene Rouge, Resene Alaska, Resene Zephyr, Resene Submerge and Resene Grey Area.

Step 2:  Once the paint is dry, use a hot glue gun to glue the pinecones to your wreath frame.

Step 3:  Use a short length of string to hang your wreath.

Styling and images by Fleur Thorpe, 2019.