Make a Pine Cone Center Piece

The Christmas holidays can get lost in all the modern hustle and bustle but taking the time to make your own old-fashioned pine cone center piece will bring back some of the traditional holiday fun.

Steps

 * 1)  Select a silver plater that is at least 6-inches long.
 * 2)  Collect some pine cones. You will need a minimum of 4 pine cones but you can use more to make this project. You can use the extra pine cones to decorate your home, if desired.
 * 3)  Purchase paints in the following colors:  midnight blue, plum purple or cocoa gold spray, depending on your wall color.
 * 4) Purchase some glitter at the craft store.
 * 5) Purchase some string in the following colors: white, red, green, peach.
 * 6) Purchase ribbon to in coordinating colors.
 * 7) Sort the pine cones into rough ones and soft ones.
 * 8) Dip the rough pine cones in cold water with a dash of salt.It will keep them rough and well preserved.
 * 9) Dip the soft pine cones in bleach, or for the pioneer alternative, dip the pine cones in sugar, salt, water and ginger.
 * 10) When using either method, remove the pine cones after letting them soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
 * 11)  Place the pine cones on a soft cloth to dry. You may find a bit of dust falling out of the pine cones but that's okay.
 * 12)  Spray all your pine cones using your choice of paint color. Be sure to do this in a well ventilated area such as the outdoors.
 * 13)  Place the painted pine cones on a plate.
 * 14)  Wrap the string around the base of the pine cones. Make it look voluminous.
 * 15)  Tie the ribbons around the pine cones in a decorative manner. Use the ribbons to decorate the silver plate too, if desired.
 * 16)  Sprinkle the glitter over everything. Make it look natural. Put some glitter on a cloth,and wipe your table down with it if you're not using a table cloth. Then,put some more glitter on another cloth, and dry your table with it. When finished your table will look like an old-fashioned Christmas center piece.

Tips

 * For a nice and easy look,decorate the floor with some old-looking rugs such as your grandmother's rugs. Or take a rug and put it to clean in a vat or bucket of bleach.Take it out and paint some old-timey designs on it when it's dried off.
 * Serve yummy and old time food. Serve old-fashioned foods such as salt pork, ham, rice, potatoes, homemade brown bread, butter or chowder.
 * Decorate the house with lots of outdoor Christmas lights.

Warnings

 * Use care when using bleach. Use bleach in a well ventilated area.
 * Use extreme caution when using spray paint. Be sure to paint in a well ventilated area. Wear a safety mask designed for spray paints. Check the package to determine if the mask is designed for painting or ask a store clerk to confirm.

Things You'll Need

 * A silver plate. You can also use a gold plate.
 * Spray paint in selected colors.
 * Pine cones.
 * String
 * Glitter
 * Rugs

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Tie a Clover Flower Chain
 * How to Make a Shell Frame
 * How to Make an Earth Friendly Centerpiece
 * How to Make Char Cloth