Quilling paper acorns, although totally and completely adorable, aren’t really a new design.
There are a bunch of quilling paper artists designing and selling paper acorn ornaments that are just lovely!
But when I was brainstorming new autumn quilling crafts, it dawned on me….
I could make a quilling paper acorn with real acorn caps!
Think about it!
It’s the perfect way to add a natural element and a little texture to your quilling and (at least for quillers like me, living on the East Coast in a house under a big oak tree), free and available by the dozen right outside my door!
TIP! : When coils get to be on the larger side, take the coil off of your quilling tool and roll by hand. It will be a lot more manageable.
Once you’ve gotten your coil to the right size for the acorn cap, let it sit for a moment to allow the glue to dry,
And now for the fun part!
Using your finger, gently push our from the center of the coil to create a dome. Β You might find that a pencil eraser or some other sort of instrument can be useful to push your paper acorn around too.
UPDATE: I’ve recently purchased a quilling mold and it would be super-helpful for these acorns!
This technique is the basis of 3-dimensional quilling designs and can be used for all types of projects, like these daffodils and flower buds!
For a totally authentic looking acorn, try pushing the very center of your dome out a little further with a quilling tool, or some other thin object.
To keep your acorn dome looking dome-y, apply glue all over the underside, and spread with a brush. Once the glue is dry, the acorn will keep its shape!
You’re almost done!
Squeeze a thin line of glue all around the edge of your paper dome and attach an acorn cap.
And there you go!
Experiment with different colors!
I was totally influenced by the painted blue acornsΒ that Beth from Home Stories A to Z has created.
And the shiny copper acorns are seriously my jam!
I could just sit and roll these quilling paper acorns all day long!
Fill up a bowl for simple autumn decor or spread them along your Thanksgiving table centerpiece!
Update: Check out my DIY Paper Acorn Garland for some inspiration!
What colors are you going to use to for your quilling paper acorns? Leave a comment below and inspire us!
Linking Up With:
Tator Tots and Jello Link Party Palooza
Flamingo Toes Show and Tell Link Party
Intelligent Domestications Merry Monday Link Party
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Very cute! Would make a great addition to a centerpiece, garland or scattered on an autumn-themed dinner table. Visiting from Bloggertunities FB.
Meredith says
Thanks Victoria! I was thinking that I might sprinkle them around my dining room table centerpiece too!
Diana | Dreams Factory says
These could be easily integrated into beautiful vignettes for fall, thanks for sharing!
Meredith says
So glad you think so, Diana! I have so many ideas what I can do with the acorns I’ve made so far!
Sabrina says
Wow these are very cute and I love that you used real acorn caps to create them. Natural elements are honestly my favorite π Thank you for sharing.
Meredith says
Thanks so much! They don’t take long to make either!
Christa Sagmoe says
I absolutely love these. The perfect thing to welcome Autumn! ~ Christa
http://theavidpen.com
Meredith says
Thank you for taking a peek, Christa! It’s my favorite season!
Mary Ann says
That’s really cool! I am not creative at all, so I really had no clue how to make them. But they look great and look really fun to make!
Meredith says
Thanks Mary Ann! I’m sure you could handle this craft!
Vanessa says
These are great and so fun to make. I would love to make these.
Meredith says
Thanks Vanessa! And there are so many ways that I can think of to use these in my fall decor. I hope you give them a go!
Janet Trieschman says
So cute. I thought you had wrapped an acorn (because I had done so with yarn and made necklaces) This way you don’t have to worry about baking the acorns first! Thanks for sharing with us at #CCBG
Old Lady says
I’d like to try this – of course I have to buy the paper!! What paper width?
Meredith says
Great question! Standard quilling paper is 1/8″ in width, but you could also find 1/16″ and 1/4″, as well. I wouldn’t think the width would make too much of a difference, as the size of the quilling really depends on the size of the acorn cap, itself.
Old Lady says
Thanks for answering! Have to look for special acorns/caps this weekend!!
BloggerGirl says
aww love these! <3
Meredith says
Thanks so much! I hope you give them a try!
Summer says
These are so pretty and cute β₯
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
tarahlynn says
So cute! Thank you for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go link party – pinned – you hope to see you tomorrow when the next party starts you’ve been featured!
Meredith says
Awesome!! Thanks so much!
Gin K. says
So beautiful! I think I would make mine traditional brown, tan, orange, gold, bronze and through in a blue few! thanks for the tutorial. I can’t wait to start quilling!
Meredith says
Yay! I’m so glad you’re inspired to make these! Let me know how they turn out!