How to Make Gnome Ornaments With Pine Cones for the Christmas Tree

How cute are these and so easy to make!!

I soak my cones in bleach water, drain after they start to close up, rinse with hot water then usually I let them air dry but in colder weather I will bake them at about 325 degrees until they reopen. I really don't like drying them in the oven because you must keep a good eye out on them so as not to burn, dry them out too much!

If you can't pick your own cones locally you can buy some but I'm not sure on prices or types. I have plenty of choices to pick from in my yard.

This is a dry batch of several types on cones, just one of my buckets filled with cleaned cones.

Now I used Eastern white cones for these gnomes and the reason why is because they are long and thin rather than say Ponderosa cones which are big and fat. The long cone fit the look I wanted for these babies!

I made the felt hats first because I didn't think I was going to paint them but the more I looked at the cones, the more I wanted the cones to be more white and they are also many different sizes. It's not a "one size fits all" cones here, I mean really who started that because "one size fits all" is just plain not right

Use any color you like/want and you could use most any fabric you want to for this part Choices are a good thing!

I took the cone and rolled the felt around, made a very small mark with a push pin for a cutting point. It really does not have to be a perfect fit but close. Now after I made these I realized I could have made the hats after I painted them, it really didn't matter either way would work.

After I cut the felt at an angle I hot glued it together, only the hat I haven't glued the hat onto the cone yet. I also snipped the tip off.

I brush painted them all white with acrylic then used a spray glaze to seal them. You could use a spray paint if you like and I've also seen people dip the cone in paint. Let dry.

While the cones were drying I cut up some nylon string, just a couple of inches long for hanging purposes. I also added the pom-poms to the top of the felt hats with hot glue.

You could also use a hook. Just poke a small hole close to the top of the hat and slip the hook through.

I also added a little bit of stuffing to the hat to help keep it stiff. I have also seen people use wires and toothpicks but I didn't want something to poke out or poke someone. I then put the hat on and hot glued it to the cone under the hat.

I used little wood balls for the noses! I have used pom-poms for noses on gnomes also! Beads or gems could be used too, why not get creative!! I'm pretty sure you can get all of the materials to make these at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Amazon.com and many other places. Embellish the hats however you like, I left mine simple, sometimes less is more!

The first batch is almost gone I've been giving them to neighbors and a few others! Spreading happiness!

A few more close ups!

This is also a great project to do with kids!

Like always love your comments and questions!!