Getting crafty with pinecones

We have a lot of pine trees in the backyard.

That bear lots of pine cones.

And every year I say I'm going to do something.

So this year I did.

I have a TON of supplies 

and I know that surprises you - so I dug out a variety

because I wasn't sure which way I'd roll.

 I started with paint.

And some glitter.

I must say that the deck looks lovely in glitter.

As did my hands, pants and hair.

 And the paint made a happy little pine cone and I love that color blue.

Or Turquoise or blue green.

I have lots of blue, turquoise pine cones.

 Next I broke out the stickles and it looked very pretty.

However squeezing it out bit by bit was annoying and time consuming.

So...I dumped the entire bottle out and commenced to painting it on.

 Painting worked out well for both Stickles and Liquid Pearl.

 I did make a variety until I ran out of something.

I used up a lot of supplies that had been sitting in the drawer

for a long, long, long time.

 The Stickles made it blingy.

 And the glitter made it sugary.

I really love both looks.

I also kept some of the pinecones pure.

Love that rustic look.

I used jute as the hanger and made it extra long.

And used hot glue.

Hot glue is like eating French Onion Soup.

And it ain't pretty.

I'm still pulling strings off of things.

 The beautiful bows were from ribbon from grandson Lou's shower.

I still have some left if you're interested.

However, its down to the colors yellow and blue.

So this is the case of about 40 pine cones all done up....

ready for our Christmas party that all my pals

can pick and choose whichever ones they like.

I did keep some for my trees and they look amazing as you can see above.

Anyway I used about 20 bottles of stickles

and 3 bottles of glitter.

I still have paint remaining

 (big bottles).

And you thought I was slacking off.

My darling sweet eldest son surprised me

for no particular reason and bought me a Sigma 30mm f/s 1.4 fixed lens. Totally blew me away and I'm beyond thrilled. Its his favorite lens and he thought I might need one as well. And I've had the best time playing around with it. I have to tell you I.Love.It. However, I'm used to a zoom/telephoto so I'm shocked when I have to actually get closer to the subject.

 I had a great time practicing. I haven't taken it off since I got it. And I need to practice WAY more. I collected these pine cones from my back yard and they're still hanging out though it may lean a bit toward Christmas. Well okay totally Christmas however, pine cones never go bad.

Love the lighting and how fun is this dancing daisy - all run by sun power. As long as the sun is shining and hitting the solar panel these babies dance all.day.long.

And how close I can get - more light and shadows. This poor foliage has been doing well despite my best efforts to kill it through neglect and high hopes.

Here is a Christmas cactus that will hopefully make it through neglect and high hopes because it doesn't need as much attention as the rest of the needy plants do. Like water on a daily basis.

Check out this new pineapple coming up. Its about our 8th in this season. Can't wait till it ripens. We have the best tasting pineapples ever. All organic. 

And fun flowers in front of the house. I can't remember what these are called. Love yellow.

And weeds. Who knew they could be so much pretty. And I love the depth of field.