If you are wondering what I think about it my spare time, then let me give you a clue. Painted acorns. I recently filmed some Mod Podge videos, and outside the studio door were some enormously wonderful acorns. Like a good Mod Podger, instead of thinking about them as squirrel food, I thought about what I could do with them that would be crafty and fun.
Paint them, of course.
I present to you my fall acorn display. I got the color palette from a recent Tuesday Huesday post I did on Paint Me Plaid. I sealed my nuts with Mod Podge. Now stop laughing and read the instructions. This is so easy, you won’t believe it. It’s also budget crafting at its finest.
Gather These Supplies
Acorns – preferably on the large side; otherwise you will be painting for two centuries
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – Calypso Sky, Maple Syrup, Titanium White
Paintbrush
Satin Mod Podge
I’m going to tell you that the basecoating step is up to you, but I chose to paint my acorns white first so that the color would really pop. It took awhile, but it’s a pretty mindless task and perfect for when the kids are napping and you are trying to catch a little boob tube.
A little further in the nut basecoating . . . switched brushes to a larger size for more coverage. Allow to dry.
Time for the blue base! I have to tell you that while I was painting these, a little beastie (worm) crawled out of an acorn to see what I was doing to his house. If you see a hole, there might be a beastie in there. Just keep that in mind.
Time for the brown tops.
Seal these puppies up with a little Mod Podge, then display in a glass container. Aren’t they cool?
The acorn painting task is perfect for misbehaving husbands or children who haven’t gotten good grades so far this year. I have to admit though, I really enjoyed this project and spent $0 on it – I already had all of the supplies. Nature makes the best craft surfaces, don’t you think?
Gina @ MoneywiseMoms says
I can’t believe there’s actually something COOL to do with the 800 acorns my children have brought in from outside.
Fantastic idea!
Heather says
They almost look like candy! Edible little acorns. They are cute!
~amy~ says
cutest things ever…soooo fun!
The Wool Acorn says
Well, can you guess that I’m all about the acorn??? >>>theWoolAcorn? Anyway, your acorns are adorable… I love the color.
The worms are weevils and they are inside the acorn… they burrow their way out. So if you see a hole, the worm has left the premises. That’s better than no hole because no hole means he just hasn’t come out yet. I think you can freeze the acorns to kill the worms but I haven’t tried it.
As you can see on my blog, I only work with the acorn caps. I leave the nuts for the squirrels. We have a deal… they leave the cap, I leave the nut. And if they’re not cooperative, I threaten to get a cat.
xx
Terri
Tess says
Wg=hat a windersul idea. And for the psychedelick minded why not use many different colors. I wish I had thought of this Sat. as we were at a park with many trees abd fallen acorns were everywhere.
SalemMomma says
That is awesome! I’m going acron collecting today, and am going to try this out.
Klasina aka @DeHeldin says
I’m not sure, on one hand i think it’s a bit weird to paint acorns blue of any other bright color. On the other hand, i am so going to do this!
The Creative Chickadee says
so cute. Posted it on my FB page to share!!
KElly
Chica and Jo says
We love these! Jo would have added some glitter to the tops of them but Jo has a problem with wanting to glitter everything. Chica thinks she has spent far too much time on Crafty Chica’s web site.
catnap says
Totally cool! Love the color, love the idea. The worm comment reminded me of when I was a kid and gathered a bag of acorns to play with. Brought the bag into my room that evening and tossed it on the floor for another day. Overnight the worms hiding inside crawled out. Next morning my floor was covered with worms. I’m wondering if popping the acorns in the freezer might kill them off. If you put acorns in the oven, even at a low temp, they dry out and shrink; no fun. I wonder if the MP will simply seal the little guys inside for good? Can’t get over the color – I love it!
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says
Ack! These are AWESOME!!! Absolutely love them.
Jill says
LOVE it! and you’re funny!
i’ve podged alot of things in my days, but never sealed any nuts.
Katie P says
These. are. awesome.
Seriously!
Now I wish I had access to acorns!
e.b. says
Hi there! I just wanted to say a little ‘hello!’ as I am a long time-podger, first time reader.
Love the acorns!
Onward!
e.b.
twelvedaysold says
So cute!
daylily (Queenmothermamaw) says
Woo Wee got grands coming over today. Guess we will podge some acorns. Might leave the tops natural.
QMM
smilemonsters says
I love them!!
Jo
http://smilemonsters.blogspot.com
she wears flowers says
Bring on the acorns–these are gorgeous!
Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says
those are SO cool! I love the blue! Did you mod podge the little beastie inside the acorn? hahaha eeeew!
Amy says
must. find. oak tree. Glitter on the tops would be so amazing!!
Michelle L. says
Ooh! Gorgeous!
Nicole says
What a super idea!! Love them!
Wendy@project-create.blogspot.com says
Who would have thunk it? They are very cool, i am loving the colors you used.
Karly@jellybean junkyard says
In love with your acorns! Where would I find some of these to copy???? Internet it is!
ellie g says
Um, yeah…..those RULE! I love them! You’re a genius. You need a genius club card.
Vicki O'Dell says
Fantastic!! Though they do look a little like Smurf boobs! LOL!
Carmen says
Those are really cute, and I love the way you’ve displayed them. Thanks for stopping by my blog!! =D
Anonymous says
Love the blue color, I’d never think of that, and sure wish the squirrels would leave a few good ones for me rather then trying to dig up the good ones they bury. They aren’t to happy if you do that.
Lori m
Meredith says
what a great idea! If you bake the acorns in the oven on 250 for about an hour it will dry out any moisture inside (may cause mold or mildew) the acorn and kill any beasties ; ) and they will last for years and years and slow the rotting process.
One Creative Queen says
“Beasties”? “BEASTIES”?? Bahahaha I just about died when I read that sentence. It’s like an extra surprise. Ya know, more bang for your buck.
“Beasties”. It’s not even 5:30 yet this morning and I already know this was the best part of my day.
Darling project, BTW! Just get faster and you can maybe get the “beasties” to color-coordinate.xx
Gloria Westerman says
How adorable…..love this idea….I have chestnuts in my yard….wonder what they would look like…..hummm….thank you for sharing…..
Megan Walker says
THOSE. ARE. SO. TOTALLY. COOL!!!!!!!
lisawitt says
love this! wondering what I could do with those and a wreath…hmmm….
Suzonne says
I love that! I want some red ones.
1blessedmama says
This is a great idea! I love the color blue you used….it’s a great accent color. I featured this in my blog today, by the way!
who is ashlee? says
I have a HUGE oak tree in my yard. I am seeing red, yellow, and orange with glitter in my home. They will go great with my fall leaf serving platters!
Michelle@Somedaycrafts says
This is gorgeous! I love the color you chose! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
TheCraftInMe says
These are so cute and colorful!
concretenprimroses says
I love this idea! Love that color too.
Kathy
dana says
Amy. these are AWESOME! cool colors. cool project
- - Sheryl - - says
I did it! I finally painted some – here are mine if you would like to look http://sherylscraftingcorner.blogspot.com/2010/10/acorns-plenty.html
thanks
Cari says
squeal! must. find. acorns.
Eva Marie Harp says
Oh My!! I know why people love it so cute. Thank you
Tammy says
Now who would have ever thought about painting acorns? These are adorable!!!
Sara R says
green and gold for the Green Bay Packers
Love Bug Living says
I just saw a bunch of acorns when I was on a walk the other day and I knew there was something cool I could do with them! Love the colors! These would match my house perfectly. Thanks for the cute idea.
AshMW says
I absolutely love these and went out on a mission to collect my own acorns. Although the tops are holding the color perfectly, I can’t seem to get the paint (FolkArt) to stick to the actual acorn part. Ideas, anyone?
Mod Podge Amy says
Hi AshMW! I’m not sure what the deal is, but I bet spray painting them with white primer will help! Then the color should stick
Liz says
I love this idea!! Liz
jess says
Made some red green yellow and orange. .. Mine didn’t turn out so cute
Marquita Hudson says
Super cute idea! I showed this t my daughter this morning at her busstop. She loved the idea, but wanting them in orange! Then she added pressure asking if I can make it into a lamp!? Will try & figure that out but if not, will a vase do-yes! Can’t wait to get started. Now if I can only find some acorns!
Tina says
If you bake them in the oven for about 20 mins then you dont have to worry about the little ‘worms’ coming out. i baked some last year when i was useing some for a wreath i made for thanksgiving. I am now going to have my son go outside with me and pick some up in the yard to do this.
Anna-Leigh says
Now that is an ambitious project! But they are so cute, and I love the color!
Gretchen says
I love this idea, although, insects/weevils generally live in acorns!!! I’m wondering if they can be boiled or baked in the oven to rid them of these insects…
Amy says
Hi Gretchen! Yes, you can bake the acorns to cook the beasties out.