Lauren, from Essex, sent in this great pinecone letters idea. Let’s take a look at it…
What did you do?
My 3-year-old loves a pinecone and has been collecting them on our walks during lockdown…I always find them in the base of the buggy that my 8-month-old is sleeping in! Mr 3-year-old told me he wanted a C for his name, so I decided to have a go. I placed the cones in the shape I wanted, then glued them together using a glue gun. Once I had finished one layer, I added a few to the top to make it more 3D-like and to hide some of the bigger glue globs or bigger gaps. He then requested that I do a J for my 8-month-old, so I did that too!
Placing the pinecones in the shape was of help, I had plenty of spare pinecones if the shape didn’t quite work (some slightly bigger, some slightly smaller, some more open & round, some more closed and cone-like) Once finished, I turned it around and added a few additional glue globs to strengthen it. Finally, I have a clear plastikote spray that I will use to coat it. I plan to hang them in the boys’ rooms.
Do you have any other projects planned?
I plan to use the bigger pinecones that my son has collected to make a star shape that stands up in preparation for Christmas or a heart shape that can be hung up in the house – I hope to spray these in a colour rather than leave bare.
Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…
I’m Lauren, mother of 2 sons (boy human 1, aged 3 1/2 going on 13 & boy human 2, aged 8 months). Usually, I am a teacher, but I’m currently on maternity leave in lockdown. I haven’t used a glue gun since preparing invitations for my wedding 7 years ago, but I love being creative when I find the time.
How are you finding being housebound so far?
Being housebound with 2 youngsters has been hard, mainly because my husband has been working long hours throughout. We have managed each day & some days have been better, more exciting, more creative and more fun than others.
Do you have any tips for other parents?
Have zero expectations. If you achieve anything, you should celebrate it. Don’t expect to craft for hours with little children, sometimes I’m lucky if my boy wants to do anything more than the same puzzle over & over!
Has being part of our community helped you?
It has given me ideas that I may try in the future when my boys are a little older. It has been a fantastic form of support amongst others in the same situation. It has made me realise that you can’t do everything, even if you want to. It has filled me with pride in the mothers, fathers and carers of children in these difficult times. I hope that it continues x
