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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Common Scents for the Season

The crisp, fresh smell of morning air after an overnight snowfall that has blanketed the world in white. The savory sage aroma of a turkey roasting. The sweet, spicy scent of a pumpkin pie baking in the oven or hot mulled cider simmering on the stove.

It is not just the sights and sounds of the season, but the familiar aromas associated with holiday celebrations that evoke warm memories of Christmases past and set the stage for a wonderful Christmas present. Is there anything more Christmasy than the smell of fresh baked gingerbread cookies? (Okay, maybe the aroma of pine trees...)

If you love the seasonal scent of sugar and spice, you'll love these decorative cinnamon-scented pine cone projects!

Jo-Ann Project: Pine Cone Ornaments

Pine Cone Ornaments
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: 45 minutes

Supplies & Tools

Directions

Refer to photo (or view pdf available on Joann.com).

  1. Select pine cones with open areas between each row.
  2. Cut an 8" length of ribbon. Form a loop and glue ends together to create the hanger. Center and glue to top of the pine cone.
  3. Cut fifteen 5" lengths of ribbon. Glue cut ends together. evenly space and glue 5 or 6 loops for the first row at the top of the pine cone. Repeat 2 more times, alternating loops between each row.
  4. Cut the pine picks into 1-1/2" pieces. Glue each piece evenly spaced on pine cone to fill out the top.
  5. Cut the berries into smaller pieces and glue to pine cone to fill.

Jo-Ann Project: Pine Cone Place Cards

Pine Cone Place Cards
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: 1 - 3 hours

Supplies & Tools

  • 1 Krylon® silver leafing pen
  • 1 small block of floral foam
  • 1 pkg Perfect Pearls, silver
  • Low melt glue gun and glue sticks
  • Red or green cardstock
  • 1 large pine cone
  • Small pine sprig
  • 3 Small berry picks
  • 1 mini tin container
  • Small paintbrush
  • Small paper punch
  • Sharp knife
  • Scissors
  • Wire cutters
  • Floss

Directions

  1. Tightly fill silver bucket with foam.
  2. Glue pine cone to center of foam.
  3. Refer to photo (or project pdf available on Joann.com) often when placing all materials.
  4. Using a small paintbrush, apply silver Perfect Pearls to all pine cone petals. Reapply if more color is desired.
  5. Cut three berry picks into individual pieces. Fill around the bottom of pine cone, glue and push into foam along the edge of bucket.
  6. Cut mini pieces of pine sprig and glue in place among the berries.
  7. Cut place card out of cardstock. Punch hole in the end with small paper punch. Write name with Silver Leafing Pen. Attach to handle of bucket with floss.

Jo-Ann Projects: Pine Cone Favor Bag

Pine Cone Favor Bag
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: 1 - 3 hours

Supplies & Tools

Directions

  1. Cut a 50" length of tulle. Fold in half lengthwise, then in half again to approximately 9" x 12".
  2. Pin together.
  3. To create the bag, sew 1/2" seam allowance, starting at the folded edge on both sides. Trim seam allowances close to seam lines.
  4. Refer to photo (or project pdf available on Joann.com) in placing all materials.
  5. Fill bag with three to four cinnamon-scented pine cones.
  6. Cut a 7" length of ribbon and tie tightly around top of bag.
  7. Use a length of ribbon to make a 4-loop bow and wire to the top of bag. Trim ribbon ends at an angle.
  8. Trim excess tulle from the top of bag.
  9. Glue two mini pine cones to the bow.

Jo-Ann Project: Pine Cone Garland

Pine Cone Garland
Skill Level 1: No experience necessary
Crafting Time: 1 - 3 hours

Supplies & Tools

  • 2 bags cinnamon scented pine cones*
  • 3 strands Red glass beads*
  • 2 spools Swiss dot red ribbon, 3/8" wide
  • 1 spool Floral wire
  • Brown floral tape
  • Scissors
  • Wire cutters
  • Tape measure
    *Bags of pine cones and strands of beads create a 5" garland. More may be necessary for longer garland.
Directions

  1. Cut long length of wire. Additional length can be added at any time.
  2. Make a 4" loop on one end of wire. String four beads onto wire and push to loop end.
  3. Add pine cone next to beads, wrap the wire around the widest portion of the pine cone twisting tightly to hold.
  4. String three beads on and push next to Pine cone.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until reaching desired length.
  6. End with four beads. Twist wire to form the end loop.
  7. Use ribbon to create large loops for easy hanging, or a bow. Attach to end loop with wire.

When you're done making your holiday decorations, be sure to share pictures of your creations in our Jo-Ann Fan Gallery on Facebook.

For more ideas on handmade ways to make your Christmas merry, visit Joann.com/projects.

Resources

4 comments:

  1. Please be careful with scents - if you have friends with asthma or allergies, too many scents or too much scent can cause serious reactions. Warn your friends that you use scented products BEFORE they come to your house!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I second this sentiment. I have to avoid Jo-ann' from October through January because these are ALL over my local store. The same goes for my girl friends. It's not just people with asthma or allergies either; If I can't get away from these intense smells, a migraine hits me instantly. So many people have chemical sensitivities now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the comments. I was going to include a note in the post that if the cinnamon scented pine cones are too strong for you, you can always purchase plain pine cones or collect some from the backyard for these projects (just make sure there aren't any "critters" on the cones you bring in).

    Happy Holidays!
    Leigh-Anne at Jo-Ann

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the scented pine cones at JoAnn Fabrics! I can however see how they would be too strong if you are sensitive to smells. As a matter of fact, I am going this weekend to buy a few bags of them. I use them all over my house for bowl fillers, etc. The ornament idea was great! I may have to find time to do some more crafting! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete