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    Home » DIY » Crafts

    How to Make Pine Cone Zinnias

    By: Jane · Updated: 25 Jun, '18 · This post may contain affiliate links · 47 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    I'm back with a tutorial on how to make your own pine cone zinnias! They are super simple to make with one exception. Pine cones are hard to cut! So as I was saying in my last post, I knew that I was going to try to make some of these pine cone flowers after I saw some last year. But I didn't get around to making them until this past June. One of our granddaughters was visiting us and I thought this would be a good project for us to work on together. Little did I know that they would be so hard to cut but once we figured out how to do it, they were a breeze to make. 

    How to make pinecone zinnias

    How to make your own pine cone zinnias

    Step 1

    To make the flowers, you have to cut off about ⅔ of the pine cone, and you will only be using the BOTTOM of the cone to make the zinnias.  First I tried a really sharp knife to make the cuts. Then I got out a hack saw. I wasn't getting anywhere and was just smushing the cones that I was trying to cut. I realized that I needed something to hold and secure the cone while cutting it. So I asked Leo for a little assistance.

    Cutting pine cones to make zinnia flowers

    Step 2

    Leo has a vise on a stand in his workshop so we clamped a cone into it. And he thought his handheld high-speed grinder would make the cut.

    Making pine cone zinnias
    Using a grinder to cut pine cones

    In this photo, you can see the wheel of the grinder just a bit better but it really did the trick! Of course, if you try this yourself, follow all safety precautions and wear eye protection. We did have to stop from time to time because the air was getting a little smokey since we were cutting wood. So make sure you have good ventilation as well!

    I was thinking that if a person did not have a grinder that a small, hand-held saw like this that I found on Amazon would work as well. 

    This is what a cut pine cone looks like, and it didn't take too long to cut a whole bunch of them!

    Cut pine cone to make zinnia flowers

    Step 3

    The next day I spread the cut pine cones out on newspapers and spray painted them.

    Spray painted pine cone zinnias

    The colors I used were: Afternoon Stroll, Cut Ruby, Tropical Oasis, and the one not pictured was Nautical by Valspar also.

    Spray paint

    Step 4

    All that was left to do once the paint dried was to create some centers of the zinnias by using a little craft paint.  The pine cone zinnias look so pretty gathered in a bowl or on a wreath as I used them.

    Pinecone flowers in a bowl

    Oh, and by the way, Ruby, our granddaughter, learned some new words and names of tools while we did this project!

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    Comments

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    1. Mary Wasley

      December 09, 2020 at 11:49 pm

      I love this idea and will probably tackle it after Christmas. Did you dry the pine cones in the oven first? Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Cristina Peralta

      December 01, 2020 at 10:04 pm

      Que hermoso!!! Amó las piñas gracias por compartir sus conocimientos..

      Reply
    3. Moises Brigham

      November 20, 2019 at 8:05 pm

      The guide is clear and bright, without any added
      worthless details or else. The speech is equally brilliant and vivid, so the more
      I read, the more I do like it!

      Reply
      • Jennifer

        August 08, 2020 at 10:17 pm

        When I put mine outside all of them closed completely and after 2 coats of paint I also sprayed them with a semi-gloss coat. Any comment will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

        Reply
        • Jane Windham

          August 09, 2020 at 9:29 am

          Jennifer, I have never had that to happen when I've spray painted pine cones. The only thing that I can think of is that you may have applied too much paint at one time. I would suggest doing several light coats and letting each coat dry thoroughly before adding another.

          Reply
    4. Trey

      November 19, 2019 at 3:01 am

      You did a fantastic job! This post seem quite nice.

      Reply
    5. AMY JANIK

      January 14, 2019 at 4:02 pm

      Love your pine cone zinnias! Have been wanting to do this for awhile, and have all my cones collected. Question is about how you attach your cones to sticks to make a floral arrangement? Do you just hot glue?
      Thanks for the tutorial!

      Reply
    6. Lee Hernandez

      August 11, 2018 at 1:23 am

      I’m sorry, but I just had to laugh when you said your grand daughter learned some new words while making this project. I so often have to bite my lip when I’m around my grandkids because of a “mistake ‘ with a hot glue gun or a stray hammer. I don’t want them to learn an inappropriate word from me!

      Reply
      • Lora

        November 16, 2019 at 11:02 am

        My thoughts exactly, too funny and human.

        Reply
    7. Patti Liszka

      April 29, 2018 at 1:28 pm

      How did you attach the pinecones to the wreath or to sticks? What type of wreath?

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        April 29, 2018 at 2:50 pm

        Patti, most of the time I hot glue to flowers onto a wreath. But if the wreath is going to hang in the sun, then you can attach the flowers using floral wire.

        Reply
    8. Luanne Gilbert

      April 19, 2018 at 2:41 am

      I am wondering which type of pine cone to use. Can you show me a picture of one before you cut it?

      Reply
    9. Linda

      April 10, 2018 at 11:59 pm

      These are lovely. Can you tell me how you would attach them to a wreath frame, if you've ever done that?
      Thank you for the tutorial.
      Linda

      Reply
    10. Lorraine

      March 16, 2018 at 4:44 pm

      I tried snippers, then a saber saw to no avail! LoL google to the rescue and found your blog. Had a vice grip already on the work bench and hubby used his dremel multi tool thingy with a saw blade on it. Worked perfect!

      Reply
    11. Mary Scheck

      October 03, 2017 at 11:33 pm

      Just saw this on pinterest ,luv it my daughter in law was looking for directions to make pinecone flowers and u popped up. Beautiful zinnias can't wait to get started! Thank you for this greatly appreciated, Mary. From Wisconsin, where pinecones just fall off the trees! ! ! !

      Reply
    12. Ellen

      June 03, 2017 at 5:50 pm

      Wow, I'm doing these with my granddaughter's! Found another way to cut the cones. A branch cutter! Very simple walked around the yard cutting them. Wish I could post a pic...

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        June 03, 2017 at 6:06 pm

        You're right, Ellen. A branch cutter works perfectly! My friend discovered that after we posted this project. Have fun making these with your granddaughters.

        Reply
    13. Mary

      December 04, 2016 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks for sharing your idea. I found that I could "nip off" the pointed end of the pine cone. Then I was left with just the core of the cone which was easily cut off with garden clippers.

      Reply
      • Orly

        September 10, 2019 at 3:50 pm

        Hi please can you tell me how did you nip off the pointed end of the pine cone, I couldn’t and my hand hurts.

        Reply
        • Jane Windham

          September 10, 2019 at 8:32 pm

          We used a grinder but you can also use loppers (long handled branch cutters.)

          Reply
    14. Kathi

      October 04, 2016 at 9:50 am

      I love the look of the "zinnia's" when they are finished. My husband has that vise and saw to cut them I believe so hopefully, I can get some cut. I would like to make a wreath of them using fall colors for the door and then some here in the house as well. Wonderful idea. Can't wait to see more ideas.

      Reply
    15. Judy

      August 27, 2016 at 10:39 pm

      Such a clever and cute idea. They really look just like zinnias! I just finished making some acorns with plastic Easter eggs and pinecones and used mostly the tops because the bottoms were so tight. I didn't throw them out yet as I thought I might figure out a way to use them in another project and now that I've seen your zinnias they'll be perfect for it. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    16. Myra

      August 15, 2016 at 8:28 pm

      Jane,
      I LOVE your Zinnia's. They are so pretty and look so real. I have tried cutting pine cones with a sharp pair of nippers and they just pinched the cones too much. We have the tools your husband used and will try your method. I am trying to make a wreath using fall colors, Oranges, deep red, yellows, etc.. Thank you for posting such a detailed post of how to cut and paint the pinecones.

      Reply
    17. Lisa

      July 27, 2016 at 11:18 am

      I would never have guessed these were pinecones! They are beautiful!

      Reply
    18. Kim Nichols

      July 26, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      Jane, those are so cute! Another great use for pine cones.

      Reply
    19. Carol Roddy

      July 25, 2016 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks for sharing. They really turned out nice. One question I noticed that the paint(s) that you used have different finishes, gloss and satin. Does it make a difference? If you use them on a wreath or somewhere that might get some exposure to elements, would you use a protective finish? Thanks again, love your wonderful ideas!!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 4:45 pm

        Carol, when I first tried painting the pine cones, I used a flat acrylic paint and I didn't like that. So I selected gloss and satin finishes when I was buying my spray paint. I would have painted them all with a gloss paint but some of the colors that I wanted were only available in a stain finish. If your wreath is going to get wet, I would spray the flowers with polyurethane after painting them.

        Reply
    20. Barb

      July 25, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      That is a great idea. We have pine cones each year from our evergreens. Thanks for the tutorial.

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 3:50 pm

        Just think! They are all potential flowers!

        Reply
    21. [email protected] Designs

      July 25, 2016 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks for the tutorial...these are so amazingly beautiful!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 3:50 pm

        Isn't it just amazing how the bottom of the pine cone looks so much like a zinnia flower?

        Reply
    22. Katherines Corner

      July 25, 2016 at 11:17 am

      this is such a clever idea. They look lovely in the bowl and on the wreath. Hugs P.S. pinned!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 3:49 pm

        Thanks so much for pinning!

        Reply
    23. Debrashoppeno5

      July 25, 2016 at 9:54 am

      These are fantastic. I try to grow them but they do not do well in the hot Florida sun. Now I can have beautiful zinnia's all year long.

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 10:07 am

        Zinnias are my favorites, too! I grow them in SC but I have found that they do not like overhead watering. It creates a condition called "Rust" making the leaves all speckled and ugly. So I drag a hose out to water them!

        Reply
    24. Beverly

      July 25, 2016 at 9:48 am

      What a beautiful display! The pine cones look lovely and the colors you chose are great. This is going on my to make list. Thanks for the tips about how to cut them.

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 10:05 am

        Thanks so much, Beverly! I am loving these colors and will continue to use them on the porch this fall!

        Reply
    25. Nancie

      July 25, 2016 at 8:41 am

      Thanks for the tutorial, Jane. I'm excited to make two wreaths for my front doors in fall colors. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 9:01 am

        Please send a photo of your wreaths when you get them made, Nancie!

        Reply
    26. Madonna

      July 25, 2016 at 8:08 am

      I have gathered pine ones and can't wait to start. Your pine zinnias are beautiful.

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 9:02 am

        Thanks a bunch, Madonna! Good luck with your pine cone project!

        Reply
    27. Liz @ Infuse With Liz

      July 25, 2016 at 6:46 am

      What a cute idea Jane! Those are some tough pinecones! Love the colors you chose for them- very cheerful!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 9:04 am

        Liz, I am really loving the red and turquoise combination right now! I have lots more to do on the front porch and will show it all soon!

        Reply
    28. Mary

      July 25, 2016 at 5:25 am

      Your pine cone zinnias are adorable Jane! I pinned some last year but never got around to making them either. Your colors are so vibrant and I love the yellow centers. Thanks for the tip on how to cut them. Hope you're staying cool this summer 🙂

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 9:05 am

        Mary, it has been so darn hot for so long this summer, hasn't it?

        Reply
    29. Dawn

      July 24, 2016 at 8:48 pm

      Jane this is the most brilliant idea ever 🙂 I'm a zinnia girl too and your project just make me happy looking at it.

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 25, 2016 at 9:06 am

        It is just remarkable how much those pine cone bottoms really look like zinnias, don't they?

        Reply

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