The Day it Snowed Plaster for Pine Branches

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When the weatherman doesn’t bring you snow, make some.  At least make a wee bit for a couple of pine branches.

Pine branches with glitter

We get snow here in the mountain of AZ.  For a bit of trivia, we also live in the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine trees in the world!  Learn more here.  

Pine branches

Ponderosa pine trees have those long 8-inch needles.  When snow collects on those long needles it’s magical.  Gathering falling branches to bring inside spreads a bit of magic to our home.  And bugs unless the branches get dipped in soapy water before dragging them inside.

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The mixture is more important than I thought

A year and a half ago, I bought a bucket of plaster!  I didn’t mean to buy such a big bucket, I simply didn’t read the size.  Plaster is so inexpensive and there are tons you can do with it.

Plaster on spoon

Using a medium-size bowl, I added 1 part Mod Podge and 1 part water.  Then mixed until combined.  Then I started sprinkling the plaster by heaping tablespoon fulls, stirring well between spoon fulls.  This continued until I reached the consistency I wanted.  Sorta like pudding.  When I pressed my finger across the spoon, the mixture stayed separated in the spoon.

Pine branches in plaster

Then plop into the plaster goes a branch.

Pine branches dipped in plaster

The spoon helps to cover all the needles.

Now is not the time to figure out what to do with an extremely wet drippy plaster covered pine branch!  Especially, if you’re working inside in a carpeted room.  Wonder if Mike will notice the white dots of plaster. :/

I ended up putting the branch back in the bowl while I grabbed craft paper to lay them on.

Pine branches that worked

Let the snow covered branches dry.  Then use they to tuck into your autumn and winter decor.

Pine branches that did not work

This branch didn’t hold up well.  I think it’s due to the plaster becoming too dry.  Plaster has a short working time.  You can add more water and mix, mix and mix.

Ideas to dip instead of pine branches

  • Pinecones
  • A collection of sticks {dip only one end for a modern farmhouse look}
  • Smooth rocks
  • Leaves
  • Branches

 

Pine branches with fake snow

While the plaster was still wet, I sprinkled glitter in places.  I love this glitter.  It’s super sparkly and chunky.

Snow covered pine branches

The extra large pinecones are not from the Ponderosa Pine.  I bought them.  Our pine trees produce large cones, but not that large!

Does anyone know how to get a wee bit of plaster outta carpet???

 

Love Updated Related Posts

The bucket of plaster is still way over half full.

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2 Comments

  1. Andi Cacciatore says:

    Jeanette,
    We have those long needled pines here in Florida too, but they’re called slash pines. I like the idea of coating them with plaster, and they look almost like a sculpture! I wonder if I could cover my Christmas tree branches that way?! It would be a lot less expensive than the spray paint, (that did NOT cover them very well), as well as non-toxic! Now you’ve got me thinking about things to coat in plaster, hmmm…. an old picnic basket perhaps and fill it with those pine needles and a red cardinal for color or a plaid ribbon around the basket?

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