Poncetastic 2020

[VivaJen]

I came on looking for the annual thread but can't find it so here is the start (courtesy of Fellatio - wherever you are)

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".

This thread makes me so happy. It's reminded me to get my Nigel Slater book out of the Christmas box. We are also having a frugal Christmas. I need to keep reminding myself that I don't need to spend. The most joy comes from the little things like flowering bulbs, home cooking, handmade gifts and new traditions and surprises.

@lucysmam

I've just bought myself the Your Home Christmas magazine & am looking forward to browsing it in peace. I actually went to the shop for eggs - usually get 30 farm eggs every couple of weeks & these pale in comparison :(

I did want to get a head start on pastry for mince pies but will wait until my friend gets back to me about eggs.

I'm going to stitch my cushion covers together once I've baked & buy another couple of the girls' presents online.

I have masses of fresh ivy growing in a tangle at the very neglected end of my garden. Any ideas how to use it poncetastically would be great!

I always use ivy as a trailing element in my mantelpiece arrangements 😊

It lasts pretty much until Boxing Day from first weekend in December, but if it starts looking a bit crap, it's easy to pull out and replace.

Thank you for the advice and for the welcome.

Collected more pinecones today. We'll be using silver spray paint to decorate them, the Poundland stuff is very decent. Need to finish general knitting so I can get started on the Christmas stuff.

Interested to see what you'll do with the Ivy!

Stocking snowman is adorable.

@LetsBounce I'm interested to see what I do with it too

Right, I've started up my PC for the first time in ages just to be able to post a photo of my pots so far, I've given up on the app.

Here they are (hopefully), currently drying out, some of the lids fit better than others, but once they've been glazed they should be ok. Now I just have to make a load of other stuff to fill the kiln, any ideas? Bearing in mind I am banned from making any more cups and bowls as DH doesn't think the cupboards can hold any more weight.

And yes, they do look like boobs.

@SistemaAddict would spray adhesive over the top of it work? Only a thought. May sort of seal it in with a of bit extra sticking power. You can get it on amazon/ebay 😊

Does anybody have a good method for finishing off cross stitches? I've done some baubles but when I cut one out to sew to backing fabric the aida has frayed and the stitches are all unraveling

Forrest I haven’t cross stitched for years but I used to cheat and before cutting out I would iron on interfacing on the back. Kept everything neat!

Two sets of these arrived today! They are better than I thought they would be. Planning to start the advent calendar boxes next weekend.

 

@LaChatte they look amazing you clever thing.

@LaChatte I’m so envious. Pottery is a skill I’d love to learn

Thank you! It's a ridiculously expensive hobby, I do so much overtime to be able to afford, but it is 100% worth it. I am getting better, but have yet to master making sets of things as you can see by the slight variation in size and shape of my sugar pots

Christmas cake is now in the oven, the kids had their traditional stir and wish. We have photos from every year, starting from when DS was a babe in arms (couldn't hold a spoon and was more interested in my boobs).

Plus I have ordered a new trifle dish as my mum smashed our last one by accident when washing up.

Loving the pottery @LaChatte, what great presents!

@LaChatte could you make trinket boxes in a similar style maybe? Or pen pots?

@Forresttheout could you stitch them to the backing fabric first, then cut out? Or leave a little more excess then trim again once they're on the backing?

I've almost finished two of my cushion covers; baking (supervising) with dd2 took rather longer than planned today as she kept stopping for a chat .

I finished my cushion covers today; I'd post a pic but it turns out my battered, feather, ones in the living room are too plump for them 🤷‍♀️ Dd2 has claimed them for the kitchen chairs instead so now I might have to buy some to fit the living room cushions and some cushion pads for these ones

I've given up on my hunt for bows and ordered ribbon, it was cheaper at £1.99 for 25 yards. I'm just not convinced I'll manage all the same size but plenty of time for practise!

Tomorrow morning I think I'll make gingerbread dough to freeze for a house. Does anyone have a template they'd recommend?

@lucysmam if you look on YouTube and Pinterest there are tutorials for bow making - using stands with pegs to standardise the folds. There are also tutorials for making the stands - I've seen one that uses thin dowels pushed into a foam block (I think oasis or polystyrene blocks would also work)

Ooh, that's a really good idea! I have a small oasis block lurking upstairs...and skewers I could use instead of dowels! I'll hunt for a tutorial using a stand & hope my ribbon arrives soon.

I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year

My Sarah Raven Paperwhite Narcissi are on their way !

My ribbon arrived today, and I've acquired a crochet hook...I'm going to knock on at my friend's tomorrow & pinch a ball of wool to attempt the snowflakes while I wait for the purple I ordered (impatiently!!).

I've made gingerbread dough to freeze earlier on, booze to soak the cake fruit arrived on my shop, and some sausagemeat for stuffing. I'm on a roll

Thank you to whoever recommended the Merry Midwinter book. My copy arrived today and I'm really enjoying it

Turns out crochet still baffles me

I've ended up with quite the tangle . Think I'll try again after tea!

Hyacinth experts...can I force these? The packet says they are indoor variety and will flower in January.

Those bulbs look ready chilled /pre prepared .
I would start them now in a cool dark place until about 3inches high then mimic spring by bringing them into a warm light room .
They might bloom by Christmas if you keep them warm .
Caveat ,,,I only know Paperwhite narcissi .

THIS LOOKS A GOOD ARTICLE

@TheWoollybacksWife I'm confused by the double crochet - if I use every second loop round my ring, I haven't got enough loops for five pointy bits Or do I use the same to start and end the points? I've watched a few tutorials but they all seem to differ slightly (and one was American which just confused me even more with their different terms!). Any advice? :)