How To: Scented Wax Dipped Pine Cones

Christmas may be over, but winter certainly is not. I found a bunch of pine cones outside our apartment. Pine cones are so pretty in the snow! They reminded me of a project I learned way back in 4th grade.

These scented wax dipped pine cones are gorgeous and keep the living room smelling wonderful!

You will need: 

Small pine cones

large white candle (scented or unscented)

scented oil of choice

thin twine or string

pan of water to boil

scissors

wax paper

metal coffee tin or large soup can, emptied and washed

wooden/Popsicle stick to stir

Cutting board

sharp knife (I used a pocket knife)

1.  Cut small chunks off your candle. I used a peppermint scented candle.

 2. Create a double boiler by boiling water in a saucepan on the stove (about 1/3 full), and adding your tin can to the water. Once the water boils, turn the heat down to medium. Gradually add chunks of wax. Stir the wax with a Popsicle stick as it melts. Wax will be clear when melted.

 3. Mix in a few drops of scented oil to create a stronger aroma. I added vanilla to make my pine cones vanilla peppermint scent.

 4. Tie a 7-8 inch string to the very tip of each pine cone.

 5. Once you have enough melted wax to complete submerge your pine cones, dip a pine cone into the wax while holding onto the string.

 6. Make sure your pine cone is completely covered with wax, but take it out of the wax quickly. Allow it to drip over the can, then transfer the pine cone to wax paper.

7. Repeat with each pine cone. Below my pine cones are pictured after one dip in the wax.

 8. Allow the pine cones a few moments to dry, and dip again. Remember, to dip quickly, otherwise the previous layer will melt off. I dipped my cones 7 times to create a nice white layer of wax.

 9.  Allow your pine cones to dry thoroughly. There will be excess waxed that dripped to the bottom. Peel this off. Also, remove your strings. This is tricky, I had to snip mine off. If there is a bald spot where the string was tied, carefully dip your pine cone again tip first into the wax.

 10. Once your pine cones are dried, you will have sweet smelling, frosty, taste of winter for your home.

How long do you keep up your Christmas decor?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! We are soaking up family time in beautiful, quiet, Oak City.

My First Wreath!

This past weekend, some friends and I got together to make Christmas wreaths. I've never made a wreath before. I was a little nervous that it would be a complicated mess, but it was so fun! I'm pretty happy with my first creation. :)

 

 

Crafting is so much better with friends!

Homemade Graham Crackers

There's nothing like a nice blanket of snow to get you in the holiday mood. It makes a beautiful view from the window. But, eventually, you have to go out and that pretty white stuff is cold. and wet.


The moments of scraping off the car, getting stuck in traffic, and sliding around on the all-of-the-sudden-much-longer trek from the car to the house, make me think of warmer days.....

when we were dry....

and cooked smores outside at the park....

Then, I decided that hot chocolate, marshmallows and homemade graham crackers inside I days like this are just as appealing.

Homemade Graham Crackers

Inspired by this recipe

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

3 tbls honey

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Make a well in the center and pour in honey, oil, and vanilla. Mix until everything is combined.
• Slowly add in milk and mix until just combined. (Preferably with paddle attachment of a stand mixer.)
• With floured hands, form dough into a ball.
• Roll out dough on a sheet of parchment paper using a floured rolling pin to form a rectangle about 1/8 in thick.The first time, I tried to roll out the dough, then transfer it to parchment paper for baking...Bad news! So much easier to just place the whole thing on a pan!
• Using a knife, slice into smaller rectangles. Do not separate! Then, slice horizontally, separating the rectangles in half. 
• Using a fork, poke holes down each rectangle. 
• Bake for 7-9 minutes. 

 Enjoy, and stay cozy!

Today I'm linking up with...

 

 

Well...there goes the grass.

The snow held out on us for a while, but yesterday it came. It came down like crazy ALL day! Kind of as if it was making up for lost time :)

I had been making FALL cards, but it looks like those days are behind us..

Winter is here!