Dickens Pine Cone Carolers

Hello sweet friends, welcome to the Deck The Halls Blog Hop hosted by KariAnne of Thistlewood Farms. Today’s craft, Dickens Pine Cone Carolers, is perfect for both adults and kids. 

If you are coming over from Peacock Ridge Farm may I say, “Welcome!” Wasn’t Renae’s tablescape gorgeous?

Dickens Pine Cone Carolers

I have always loved the pine cone elves that I inherited from my Grandma Mary. They’re so creepy cute! 

Recently, I was going through my stack of vintage craft books and found a pinecone fairy elf in a Pack O Fun book. It was perfect for this year’s holiday theme, A Swinging 60’s Christmas, here at Storybook Cottage. 

Let’s get crafting!

Supplies

• One pine cone. I used a 3″ white glitter faux cone from Hobby Lobby. But real cones can also be used. 
• A small wooden spool. If you are not a sewist they can also be found in the wood section at most craft stores. 
• Felt square or scrap felt pieces. 
• Head: you can use a wooden bead or spun cotton head. I found mine HERE. 
• Body: two traditional (not craft) pipe cleaners. Can be found at the pipe, cigar, and smoke shops.
• Hair: yarn or poly-fil. (I spray painted the poly-fil.)
• Optional: ribbon, gimp, or other trim

Tools

• Scissors
• Wire cutters
• Hot or craft glue. 

Instructions

Step 1

Clip off the stem from the decorative pinecone. 

Step 2

Glue the wooden spool to the top of the pinecone. I had spray-painted the spool white to blend in with the white pine cone. 

Step 3

Take one pipe cleaner and bend it in half. Insert it into the head with a dab of glue. 

Step 4

Insert the pipe cleaner into the spool. The neck should rest about 1/2 to 3/4″ above the spool. Trim the pipe cleaner if necessary. Add a dab of glue to secure.

Step 5

Take a second pipe cleaner and bend it in half.

Then bend in the center of each half to create “elbows”

Curl up the ends to form hands. 

Step 6

Glue the arms to the back of the neck where it meets the spool.

Step 7

Create the doll’s clothing. 

You can find a good pattern for the doll’s clothing HERE. 

If you do not have a printer you can cut a leaf shape for the bonnet and use little dessert plates and saucers for the cape and skirt. 

For the bonnet cut two snips on the bottom corner of the bonnet and fold them in. Secure with a dab of craft or hot glue. 

Decorate your bonnet, cape, and skirt with ribbon or trim if desired. 

Dress your doll by securing the cape and skirt at the center back with a dab of glue. Then position the fabric at the front and close it with a bit of glue. 

Step 8

The doll’s hair.

I simply sprayed some poly-fil a few colors. You can also use yarn, etc. 

Put the bonnet on the doll adding glue to hold. 

Then add a small piece of poly-fil to the front underneath the bonnet. 

I also added a small “bun” to the back. 

Final Step

Have your carolers hold mini-musical instruments or carry songbooks. I’ve created two versions of a holiday songbook for you to download and print at home. Left-click on the image to download. I printed the “wallet” sized version on an 8 1/2″ by 11″ size of paper to create the appropriate size. 

For the traditionalist.

Sing Fa La La

The Fashionista wanted aqua hair for her caroler and I kind of love it!

Ditto for the blue and grey-haired gals!

You can customize this craft to suit your decor. 

I used vintage gimp trim I had found at estate sales. 

Sweet silver sopranos.

Delightful Dickensian divas.

I hope this craft has put a song in your heart!

Giving Ornaments

There are still Giving Ornaments available in the Decor To Adore shop. This year the ornaments benefit Toys For Tots and Wreaths Across America. 

Up next is Cindy of Cloches & Lavender. You will love her tree toppers!

See you Friday!

Laura