Poncetastic Christmas 2014

[HopeAndStories]

(Posting FellatioNelson's OP from previous years )
_

OK, first of all, I know it's still September by we need to start this thread now because as you all know, having a truly Poncetastic Christmas involves precision planning, strategy, bravery, heroics, and frequently martyrdom. A bit like the war in Afghanistan, only with nicer food and sparkly shoes.

So, if you, like me, actually want to make the next twelve weeks of your life a misery by hand-crafting your cards, finding a huge bucket for Nigella's turkey in brine, pickling pears, shrivelling oranges in a low oven for those rustic au naturel decorations, dragging half a holly bush back from the woods, and just generally being a smug annoying jobsworth ponce, join me on this thread.

Feel free to post photos of previous tree-trimming, cake icing or table centrepiece triumphs, discuss this year's bauble colour themes, debate the merits of Delia versus Gordon, road-test a selection of canapes and cocktails, (all in the line of duty) and link to lovely inspirational photos/craft ideas for a truly Poncetastic Christmas.

Warning: If your idea of a good Christmas involves Pizza, ITV, gravy granules or anything with 'Aunt Bessies' on the packet, this is not the thread for you.

Oh wow, Umlauf, they are amazing! Put mine to shame

Not at all hope I love your running stitch - they look much neater.

• woollyback ..... HAHAHA!

It's the only stitch that I know how to do didn't even know what it was called I seriously love yours though. I'd buy some bunting that looked like that!

What, you mean you aren't going to use that lovely wrapping paper, Woolly?!

What have you been browsing on Amazon TheWoolly?

I'm loving the Christmas pudding, robin and Rudolf felt decorations. They look like something I could easily do by hand in the evening for my poncetastic-lite Christmas.

Zing you are putting me to shame! The only sewing I have done since DD's arrival is sewing in some name tapes into DS's clothes.

How Amazon got that as a recommendation from Sarah Raven and Kirstie Allsop and giant jars of Nutella I have no idea.

My DDs don't even own a PA track unless you count a copy of The Little Mermaid.

I just logged on to the mobile site so I can see the pics. All the felt decorations look fab! Love the Christmas puddings.

A couple of years ago I saved a tutorial on needle felting birds like the attached pic, but it was that long ago that I think they have taken it down as it won't load. I've found a tutorial on YouTube and I really want to try it. I have all the wool tops etc as I'm a dab hand at wet felting but would need to buy a felting needle thing. I don't think I'd get round to it this year but maybe next! Would look lovely on my tree or a wreath on the door

Loving the felt decorations. They are lovely.

In an effort to fit in on here I bought a crochet and knitting magazine which has some cute ideas and the wool came with it. It has a cut wreath made of bobbles so I might do that. I think even I can manage that. I'm not overly keen on the colours though.

My fruit is soaking for my xmas cake. Making that tomorrow.

We have blackberries in the garden which I forgot about so I'm going to pick them today I think if I get time. Will see how many I get before I decide what to do with them.

What are you all posting these pictures for??
Now I need felt.
Which means I need to go to Hobbycraft.
Which will mean I will buy All The Things.

The wreath sounds interesting, Cider. What are the bobbles - are they pom poms?

Someone mentioned Kirsty A. up thread, and that reminded me of the pom pom maker thing that she showed on one her programmes. So I bought or on ebay last night.
Well, actually I bought 3 (different sizes).

I can't knit you see, nor crochet. So how else am I do do stuff with wool??

I bought a set of pompom makers. They're brilliant.

Felix, I love the wee robin

I agree thespotted I also feel the need for felt, I looked in the Range yesterday but there was no red how am I supposed to make Christmas decs with no red?! Will also have to go to hobbycraft and buy everything felt.
Have you tried the pompom maker? I've been watching them on eBay for ages and I'm wondering if they're worth it?
I couldn't find a Christmas planner that I liked canafford so I've made my own from a planner notebook and decorated it. It's got 3 dividers, I'm using one for cards, one for food, but I don't know what to use the last one for. I don't want to use it for presents because it's too easy to be peeked at! I prefer to keep that list on my phone. So any suggestions to what I can use it for?

talking about pompom makers i once saw a tutorial for mass producing pons
poms! basically you turn a small table or stool upside-down, wind loots of wool around the legs, tie string round every so often depending on how big you want them and then snip between the ties and fluff!!

www.flaxandtwine.com/2013/03/making-pompoms-in-bulk/

Today I have completed two Christmassy garlands! This crochet one I have been slaving away at for weeks, and the felt Christmas pudding one I started last night having been.. ahem.. inspired by shameless idea nicking of wildflowers and hope

Cheese that is genius!!!!

They are lovely Umlauf

My haul from JL includes a spool of off white satin ribbon to make bows, a stack of Christmas fat quarters to make... umm something.. and a box of tiny candy canes.

The JL Christmas shop was a bit disappointing

I predict that I may spend the next few evenings on Pinterest. Just for the purposes of research, honest

OOOOO you clever people!

Pom-poms! That was the word I was looking for!

Memories of my nana getting us to make them in Dublin colours (blue and paler blue) in the 70s. I think they used to sell them for charity or something.

Umlauf

Your Holy Night bunting is absolutely beautiful! I have never crocheted (sp?!) Before - how easy is it? or could I pay you for one?!

Loving the bunting... and you are not ripping off anyone's ideas, we are sharing!

DH is off this week and we are away with the DC's so plan to have a full on craft fest when they all go back to school/nursery next week!

at lots needing felt now! I want some more in different colours as I'm somewhat limited as to what I can make with only a few colours!

Umlauf, they are both so beautiful. I absolutely love the crocheted one. You are very talented!

My copy of the Christmas GBBO book arrived today. Going to have a look through it later/tomorrow for food inspiration.

Umlauf - been scouring thread for link to your crochet pix. Can't see them...pl could u repost?

Umlauf that is incredible!!

I'm going to make some more crochet flowers like this, maybe in a candystripe pattern and crochet holly and berries.