Poncetastic 2017

[Annwithnoe]

Since there doesn't seem to be a poncetastic thread, and to avoid confusion with thread titles, would I be out of order to start this one?

First order of business, a toast to our dearly missed Fellatio Nelson, wherever she may be and a quote from her original thread:

^
"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".

^

Wrap bars individually in tissue also so when they are taken off the cardboard the packet doesn't rip!

Advice please. The kids have punted and sharpied ready bought white ceramic tree ornaments from Baker Ross. What would be the best clear varnish that would make them shiny?

Also are there any hanging contraptions I can buy or make to hang them up so I can varnish front and back and rim?

Ooooh I need to know the posh salt dough recipe!! Mine never dries and the decorations always end up going mouldy utterly unponcy!!

*painted

Sing if they have a thread on them to hang up, can you suspend them using a stick/pencil/wooden spoon over a jug/mug etc depending on size? What is the varnish people are using for all these rocks all over Facebook?? Whatever that is seems to be very nice and shiny. Or you could use pva glue?

Yacht varnish is quite shiny, I think.

My Christmas cupboard is filling with ingredients quite nicely now. Loads of different nuts, bars of chocolate, chocolate chips, dried fruits etc building up!

Christmas Eve is going to be an all day baking day for me!

My best memories as a child are baking with DM over Christmas. We would make digestive biscuit truffles and ice the Christmas cake- that big pillowy bowl of royal icing, all warm. Happy days. I love to recreate that with my dc, we are making sweets for teachers this year and probably will do a gingerbread house. I don't make a fruit cake as I find the shop bought are much cheaper as no one really eats it, but we ice a plain one.

Yes they have a hole for a ribbon

Mine too, newaverage! DD is 4 and can't wait to 'help' this year!

Perhaps sing you could varnish them with them hanging from one finger on your other hand, then dry them hanging from a wooden spoon over a jug?? (It's all gone a bit blue peter here hasn't it???)

There needs to be more loo rolls, yoghurt pots and sticky back plastic for that! 😂

If it is normal sharpie then varnish may well make them run. I'd test an area first and make sure it is really dry. I'd be tempted to do one with a simple watered down PVA to see how that looks? Why can't I post amazon links? Look up modge podge, it is good.

Cornflour clay. Basically 1 part pva glue to 2 parts cornflour.
I made these Ivy leaves a couple of years ago.
Here

Goods ideas thank you especially wooden sooon and jug. Never thought of that

I have only just discovered you poncetastic people and will now have to read all posts. I am very pleased that I have finally finished my crochet christmas wreath started more than two years ago. My oh hates it he he.

Trumpton that is genius [gasp]

I have some thin red ribbon somewhere.

RaininSummer. That is lush ! The man has zero taste !

Thanks Trumpton

Rain that is amazing! Super envious!

livinginhope I use the Delia Christmas cake recipe, never fails. I make mine at the end of October but you're not too late now.

Thank you to the poster who mentioned the tea light houses in Poundland, have just been to get some. Also bought some gold charger plates there, and a red tablecloth in Argos. Going to have a gold and red theme with some tartan accents. Possibly the odd stag too. Channelling the Highlands I think... I even found some lovely Christmas cards with Highland cattle in the snow reduced to 80p a pack in Oxfam which totally fit that idea.

Have finished my first cross stitch card, it has a Robin on it. Have got another two to make.

I popped into hobbycraft yesterday, to get more wool for the pompom things I'm making, and they had this wreath up - which made me rather excited!
Bought an obscene amount of fluffy, sparkly wool and I'm going to make some in traditional Christmas colours and one in purple and gold for DM (who will only do purple and gold for decs).
Fluffy, sparkly wool sheds all over the blooming house though.

I have just finished making an Advent calendar for DGS! Shamelessly copied your ideas wobblywonderwoman, many thanks for the advice.

Ah that is lovely. Delighted you finished it!

Some reindeer decorations

Thank you for the wreath love - I have found my people! Am now going to read all 550 messages and get truly inspired.