Insect and Spider Identification: Looks like a praying mantis egg sack but......., 1 by Zacote

Zacote wrote:
I just pulled something off of a "pine tree" type tree here in Northern Virginia. At a glance, I thought it was a praying mantis egg sack. My daughter and I have been talking about hatching one out in our yard for years. After getting it inside and inspecting it more closely, I see that it doesn't seem to have that solidified "foam" coating of a praying mantis egg sack. It has a hard, brown "brain like" surface. It does still appear to be an egg sack.....just not not sure from what creature. It doesn't appear to be growing from the branch itself either. Any ideas? Thanks in advanced for your help.