Valentine Candy Cones ~ A Fancy Embellishment Tutorial

Create an eye-catching Valentine candy cone to gift to someone sweet! Inspired by old fashioned candy boxes, ours feature a mix of velvet, fabric and paper flowers, velvet leaves, Dresden trims, scrap images, a pretty heart sticker and narrow velvet ribbons on glossy foil cones.  The crepe cuff makes for an impressive presentation -- simply fill with small treats, gather, and tie to close.  Take inspiration from one of our variations or customize completely with your favorite embellishments. Finished cones are about 6-1/2" to the top of the tied crepe, not counting handles.

Supplies:

Foil Cones 

Die-cut Scraps (we used S7166, S7257)

Floral Heart Stickers (STK-C227)

Dresden Trims (DF8006, DF360, DFW850, DF7601)

Dresden Borders (DF7203, DFW278, DFW214)

Velvet Flowers, Velvet or Foil Leaves, Paper Flowers, Fabric Flowers

1/8" Velvet Ribbons

Clear-Drying Craft Glue (Alleene's Tacky Glue)

Scissors

Cotton Swabs

To make your candy cone double as an ornament, simply add a hanger.  Cut a 10" piece of 1/8" velvet ribbon.  Glue each end to sides of cone at the mid-way point.  Line up the ends of the ribbon with the crepe border for a clean and balanced look.  Let dry. 

Step 2: Embellish Top Edge of Cone  

It takes about 6-1/2" of trim to go around the cone with a little overlap. Glue Dresden trim around the top edge of the cone over the crepe.  The lower edge of the Dresden trim will hang away from the cone.  Let dry.

Glue a narrow Dresden border down the center of the first border.  Let dry.

Step 3: Embellish Front of Cone

Step 3a: Add Scraps, Dresdens or Sticker

-- Stick a heart sticker in place.  Embellish further by gently bending a Dresden border to curve along the heart's edge.  Glue in place, let dry.

-- Create a stack of Dresden medallions in graduated sizes, top with a miniature scrap.  Glue in place, let dry.

-- To further embellish with just a couple of leaves and flowers, determine placement, trim stems, glue in place, let dry.

Step 3b: Add Flowers and Leaves

-- Arrange a bouquet of petite flowers and leaves.  Twist a wire stem tightly around the stem cluster just below the lowest flower.  Trim excess stems to desired length.  Determine placement, then glue bouquet onto cone by adding drops of glue to the twisted, wire stem and holding in place until secure on cone.  Then add 1-2 drops of glue behind a strategic leaf or flower petal and press into place to further secure flower cluster to cone.

-- If adding a bow, glue bow directly under the stem ends.  Let dry.  No bow? Use a leaf to cover the twisted stems.  Determine placement, glue, and let dry.

Step 4: Ribbon Tie Closure

Fill your cone with candies or other small treats. Gather crepe and tie with an 11" piece of narrow velvet ribbon or other trim.

Tips and Notes:

-- The set of Dresden borders we used is a mixed sampling of beautiful symmetrical designs, but they are too wide to lay flat against the cone when encircling the top.  We applied glue along the upper edge only and let the bottom edge hang away from the cones slightly.  The look is dimensional and interesting and gives the cone tops a fancy "cuff."

-- Take care to keep glue off foil of cones -- it will be visible.  Any excess can be swiped up with a damp cotton swab.

-- Crepe is not colorfast and will easily transfer color if moistened.  Keep completed cones out of direct sunlight to avoid fading.

Variations:

Here are supply details for the variations we created:

Below left: Cone in all red + Dresden borders DF7203 in gold + DFW278 in red + heart scrap from sheet S7166 + 1/8" velvet ribbons in Cardinal Red and Medium Blue

Below right: Cone in silver/pink + Dresden borders DF7203 in gold + DFW278 in red + heart sticker from sheet STK-C227 + 1/8" velvet ribbon in Cardinal Red + Dusty Purple