When I was little I would get all A’s on my report card.
Everything perfect.
Everything amazing.
Until.
Until you got down to the bottom of the report.
You know.
The worst part of the report card. The CONDUCT grade.
Yikes.
I would get a smattering of S’s (satisfactory) and more than my share of U’s (unsatisfactory). And no matter if I was in first grade or second grade or even fifth grade. Each teacher would write the exact same thing.
“KariAnne is such a good student. She’s smart and finishes her homework. But she over-participates in class and she simply talks WAY TOO MUCH.”
I can’t help it. I’m an overtalker. I’m an overdoer. I’m an overachiever (except when it came to paying attention in class). I do everything to the zillionth degree. I literally have 1,785 projects going on in my brain at one time. I go to Pinterest or flip through a magazine or read a book or just walk down the aisle at the craft store and a project pops into my head.
Like when I saw these acorns and these tiny pinecones.
I just had to make THIS.
These DIY wood acorn and pinecone branches.
Good thing they are SO SIMPLE (and almost free to make).
Raise your hand if you understand the whole over-talking and over-projecting situation.
Raise your hand if you’ve been there.
Raise your hand if your brain looks like mine.
If you’re like me, I have a solution for us. A project so cute, so easy, so simple, so doable that you’ll be finished before another project comes knocking.
And all you will need is 10-minutes to make these branches.
Here are the instructions to get started.
supplies:
branches
hot glue
Step 1: find your branches
I actually found this branch in the yard. It’s the perfect time of year for finding branches because the leaves are falling and the branches are too. I chose one big oversized branch, but you could also create this craft with several smaller branches, too.
Step 2: find your mini pinecones
This step is actually much harder than it looks. I have the toughest time finding mini pinecones. We don’t really have pinecones here in Texas so you can’t get them from the yard. I also searched high and low at several craft stores and they are super hard to find there, too.
Then I found this set on Amazon.
Under $7.00 for 120 of them and you could use them to make this pinecone snowflake as well.
I also found these mini white acorns on Amazon, too.
These are perfect for this project, but you could also use them to make a pinecone wreath (see what I mean about the whole over-projecting thing).
Now you have all your supplies, you’re ready to put it all together.
Step 3: Glue the pinecones and acorns
Now, all that’s left is to glue the pinecones and acorns to the branches.
Yep.
That’s it.
I added them to the tips of the branches and where branches joined together. Sometimes you have to hold them in place for about 20 seconds until the glue sets up because they are a little heavy for some of the branches.
Keep adding the acorns and pinecones until you have the look of the branches you want.
Now they are ready to decorate with.
Here are a few branch decorating ideas.
Branch decorating idea Number 1:
Here I just laid a branch on the table.
This works really well with one big branch. I actually didn’t even come up with this idea–the branch just decorated itself.
I was going to place it in a glass vase but when I laid it on the tabletop it just looked so pretty.
Almost like a piece of sculpture.
I love fall crafts that decorate themselves.
Branch decorating idea Number 2:
Place branches in a glass vase.
This is where I started with my original decorating idea.
Here’s a similar glass vase to the one that I use all the time.
The glass vase is so modern and makes the branches look so high end.
Branch decorating idea Number 3:
Add the branches to a hanging basket with a strap.
Tuck the pinecone branches inside a basket and hang on a door or wall.
Let the branches drape over the sides of the basket.
All those report cards.
All those “U’s.”
And here I am.
Still talking. 🙂
PS I have TONS of fall and Christmas projects planned for the upcoming months.
And that?
Deserves an A+. 🙂
disclosure: affiliate links are used in the post.
Yes - my brain is always on overdrive too. Love this DIY craft. It’s the perfect idea for people with busy schedules!
I needed to see this am and knew I would smile or laugh or something when i read the email. Thanks for the post! I still talk waaaaay too much . But in this “ quiet age “ of txt etc … I need to get my words out more than eve
My husband asks me “ can’t you take a battery out for a while?
My brain talks too much. Sometimes I wish I could put it in another too so I could go to sleep! I love this idea! I will obsess over it until I do it! You always make me smile!
I love these KariAnne!
Girlfriend, get Thee to East Texas for pinecones of every size! Abundance! I lived there for 24 years and I could walk most anywhere and find them! And they are in Houston! We have pine trees here, too!
I'm ordering the small pinecones now - luckily I can find acorns in our neck of the woods. I hope Amazon gives you credit for your suggestions! Thanks once again for the cute ideas. 😘
Yup, totally get all of this! Super cute idea. I'm adding it to my 1, 749 ideas to do!
Love, love these sweet acorn/pinecone branches. They really are so easy too! Just one warning (from personal experience) if someone wants to use real acorns for any project...put them in the oven on a 200 degree+ heat for up to an hour. Sorry, but here's the gross part...acorns have little tiny living things...I'll save the details...in them and if you don't heat and kill them, you will find them ALL over the branches is just days! I guess faux acorns are the way to go!
Love the branches and pine cones idea, No trees so I'll check out friends who have them. AND keep talking! Your posts are a joy for me to read, so many great ideas. Blessings,
My mother kept all the old report cards. After she passed away, my sisters and I found those report cards as we were packing up her room. My older sisters and my younger sister got rave reviews. My report card had good grades but almost every year it said,” She talks too much in class.” Yep, I was a member of the chatterbox group.
Kari Anne! Are you sure you’re old enough to play with those acorns? I pulled them up on Amazon and in the description it says keep away from kids under 40! Had to laugh!! Love the look💕 Lifelike simulated shape and nice touch, Keep it away from kids under 40.
From one chatterbox to another…keep talking and bring more cute crafts on. Especially those involving pinecones!! My daughter laughs at me & says I’m like a little boy who thinks every rock is great & can’t walk for picking them up except my thing is pinecones! Love decorating with them this time of year. Great fillers in arrangements…& free…unless you want itty bitty pc’s which are hard to find!!! Happy crafting!!!
🤗 I’am raising both hands. My report cards said the same thing!!!! My mind runs wild with ideas for project's. Thank you for sharing this sweet idea! Remember to take time for YOU!
Beautiful idea, thank you!
Oh, I know about “talks too much”! Report cards—- all A’s and C’s and D’s in conduct. But in high school, I joined the Drama Club and I could act on stage and people clapped when I talked! HA!
I love this KariAnne! We get those tiny pine cones in our yard from the neighbors tree. I’m going to look for a branch and make one of these. Thanks for the inspiration! XO- MaryJo
I live in the Lost Pines area of Bastrop, Texas. We have lots and lots of pinecones. Not too many of the tiny ones. By the time they are on the ground and I'm trying to avoid stepping on them, they are big. I would share. Haha. My truck is normally covered in pine needles. Bastrop is not too far from McQueeney . I love reading your stories. Your enthusiasm is over the top!!!
So sweet!
Love your project! Please do not stop talking! We are listening!!
Karianne, these are so easy, great decor and aren’t those acorn “so stinking cute”? Thanks for your “so easy” DIY. 🤩
You are so funny. I admit I only got one "talks too much" comment--can we still be friends? Here's the thing .... my kid's teachers have always told me that my kids don't talk enough in class. I don't think there's a "perfect" amount of talking. Anyway .... cute branches, especially in the basket!
Thank you Kariane for getting my email fixed. You are the best I missed you so much. Hugs, Sue
Some folks are meant to talk… but the balance is in having someone willing to listen… I’m listening… your blog is a joy to come to each day… Thank you for using your gifts!
I LOVE the vase you use all the time. It's just the right size and clear and the shape is perfect. What in the world is the matter with Target???? Something so popular and desired by so many. Why did they stop making it?!?!?! I could just spit I'm so aggravated!!!
I look forward to your daily posts. I can’t wait to see what you have coming for seasonal designs.
My best friend is an over talker, her words not mine, of course. I love her for it. She's friendly to everyone and so much fun to be around. I can tell, you would be a bestie if I lived in TX. The pinecone branches are perfect. I've ordered the pinecones and plan on tracking down some branches today. Thanks for the always good ideas and the fun posts. Karen B.
Love these adorable pinecones!!! A+++ xoxo