DIY Fall Cinnamon-Scented Pine Cones

There are some things I remember fondly from childhood and some things I don’t. I never cared for scented pine cones. Every winter when they were brought into our house I had a long-term headache. As an adult, I’ve never had them in my home. Not a once. There are even stores I avoid come winter because that cinnamon-y overpowering scent is apparent before you even step foot inside.

DIY Cinnamon-Scented Pine Cones

I’ve purchased pine cones that have no scent and, while pretty, it’s pretty darn boring. And when Rebecca asked me to DIY up some scented pine cones myself I realized, why do they have to be an overpowering cinnamon smell? The answer is they don’t!

Scented pine cones are basically gigantic potpourri. Natural things like leaves and flowers and whatnot take essential oils very well and retain them for some time making them a great vehicle for pretty smells in your home. My original choice was to find something pine-scented because I’m a nut for those kinds of smells when it starts to get chilly out.

But on my way there I noticed that the employee who upon entering the store scared the living daylights out of me and didn’t seem to notice at all, leaving me flustered and confused, I steered clear and went back to grab a citrus cranberry scent which is also quite cool weather seeming to me. And, heck, if you decide you want everyday cinnamon there’s an oil for that, too.

Supplies for Cinnamon-Scented Pine Cones

• Pinecones
• Essential oil
• Liquid gilding
• Fine glitter
• Spray bottle

How to Make Cinnamon-Scented Pine Cones

You can get pine cones anywhere. Normally I enlist the help of my nephews and we visit a cemetery that is rife with them. But I wanted something daintier for this project. Just so happens I found online Cedar Roses!

And look at that! It does look like a rose. How perfect for pine cone potpourri, right?

You’ll also need an essential oil. I purchased mine at the candle section in Walmart.

Before beginning take your pine cones and clear away any bits and pieces that want to fall off and toss them.

Using an old or cheap brush (because after using with gilding it will have to be thrown away) apply gold randomly around the pine cone.

While the gilding is still wet, sprinkle some fine glitter. I used Tulip Fashion Glitter in Jewel Gold. Tap off the excess and allow to dry.

Now, this is where I apparently went stupid. Normally when you want to scent things you put the oil in a cheap spray bottle (ones in the travel section in toiletries work super great). However, I refused to buy one at 99 cents because I knew I already had one at home. And then I couldn’t find the silly thing. Instead, I thought “hey, I’ll use a straw and do that thing with your finger on the end as you do as a kid to tick your parents off and drink soda really slowly”. It worked but I made such a mess.

If you’re going to do this right, and there is no reason why you shouldn’t, really, put that oil in the spray and spray it on.

If you later decide that you don’t have enough scent, layout your pine cones and give them another spray. When storing for next winter, you can keep the spray bottle along within a zipper bag and refresh them as needed in the coming years!

Isn’t that lovely? And it smells great and in a scent that I love and doesn’t cause me terrible headaches! Set in a little glass bowl they’re pretty, with just a touch of sparkle and a room full of pretty scents!

Allison

A crafter since her earliest years, Allison spends a little time every day making something. She crafts, sews, paints, glues things onto other things, and is a firm believer that a life spent creating is a life worth living. Visit Allison’s blog, Dream {a Little} BIGGER.