Pinecones and Pinterest

These days many of us have fallen in love with "pinning". It is certainly another vice that keeps me at the computer much longer than I ever plan on. First there was aol, email and instant messaging. Moving forward was google, blogging, facebook (which I steadfastly avoided until earlier this year) and now Pinterest.  A site that people post fun images on their "boards", it is a go-to for ideas on multiple topics. Pinecone decorating was my Pinterest search and yes, I cheat for ideas!

My Pinecone Swag idea began as a collection gathered on many walks and progressed into....what to do with all these beautiful works of art from Mother Nature!

Enter Pinterest, blogger Sweet Paul, a love of burlap and off I went to the craft store. Although I loved the simplicity of Sweet Paul's Pinecone Swag seen below I wanted to make the idea more my own.

Things didn't work out exactly as planned but I compromised to complete my swag before Thanksgiving.

 Eye hooks screwed nicely into the bottom of certain cones and jute tied easily around others.

A multi layered collection of three different cones hanging from natural jute was more the look I was going for.

This is when a compromise occurred. Seems everyone loves burlap ribbon this year and I was not able to find the size I wanted! So I had to make a bow from a larger roll of burlap and secure it with more jute....not too bad so far.

Tying the bow to my bundle of pinecones and finding another smaller roll of burlap ribbon to make the tendrils was the part I am not quite as happy about. But c'est la vie, correct? I also added a bit of color (thinking back to why didn't I just outright copy dear Sweet Paul?) with a purple satin ribbon I had on hand, wrapped around the descending jute bundle.

As you can see I made two of the swags to back each other up on my glass interior front door.

When all was done, we finished preparing for the Thanksgiving feast. The living room became the extension of the dining room, tables and tablecloths were laid out as the first turkey was roasting. T'was the Night Before Thanksgiving and all through the house, Carol was working along with her spouse! (Pappa D)

We had a wonderful day and were so lucky to have friends and family joining us for one of my favorite holidays. Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

P.s. Can I add just one image I found on Pinterest that I fell in love with? The dream to become a proficient watercolorist lives on. I could add many but this one goes along with the theme!