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".

Thanks @thelegohooverer it's a decent size, the heart is just a bit wider than my palm. I thought it would be perfect size for on a card as well as on wrapping paper.

Is that hand embroidered 3x? It's beautiful!

@HintOfVintagePink they are beautiful. Can I ask where the frames where from?

[quote Grrrpredictivetex]@HintOfVintagePink they are beautiful. Can I ask where the frames where from? [/quote]
Thank you. The boxes were from The Works; usually £15 each I think but we got them in a 75% sale.

I’m pleased we left the edges natural. DH suggested silver but I’d already drawn the line after he’d requested pink and blue .

The embroidery on the napkins is beautiful. I would be so touched to be given one of those.

Has anyone had any joy in finding a patterned rolling pin they would recommend? I’ve heard mixed reviews about the ones from eBay.

I have been lurking as our kitchen is still not finished and so the entire house is in dusty chaos and not poncy at all.

But as I’m not allowed to work at the moment (bridal alterations so a close contact service) I decided to start maternity leave very, very early which gives me a lot more time so I have started sewing together this fabric advent calendar kit.

It’s lovely to sew something for myself/my family for a change!

Brandaris your advent calendar looks lovely, don't forget to share pics when you're finished!

I need some help with search terms; if you were looking to while away some time looking for Christmas cake decoration with no icing involved, what would you look for?

HintOfVintagePink I'm sure I recall someone on here mentioning they weren't very impressed with one they had. May have been elsewhere though 🤷‍♀️

I've decided I'm going to sew some mini bunting this week, using the scraps from the cushion covers and the plain cream for the backs. Not sure where it will go yet - or even if it will this year - but nothing in my stash jumped out at me, to make the stars in Woolly's link upthread. Zoom lessons are only half an hour each so I figure I'll do a bit at a time, in the kitchen, so I'm available but not waiting about to be needed (or not). Just need to check I do have the red binding/ribbon I think I have or that will have to go on my to buy list.

"HintOfVintagePink I'm sure I recall someone on here mentioning they weren't very impressed with one they had. May have been elsewhere though"

Yes, Lucysmam, I remember seeing that too, somewhere here.

Patterned rolling pins are a bit hit and miss, I use them for pottery and some of the really cheap ones are better than my more expensive ones. I haven't bought any online though. I suppose it might also depend on the recipe you're using as you want something that doesn't rise too much or you'll lose all the details.

I have finally managed to get the Christmas puddings on. I've made a small one for this year as it's looking like we wont be able to have a normal Christmas, and a normal one for next when we will hopefully be with family. They are happily steaming away (the puddings, not the family).

LaChatte you may have said before but what pudding recipe do you use?

I vaguely use Delia's recipe www.deliaonline.com/recipes/international/european/british/traditional-christmas-pudding here, I substitute the lard with butter, barley wine with something along the lines of prosecco or just more stout. I use a random variety of raisins and cranberries. And Brazil nuts instead or almonds if I happen to have any. Sometimes I use a different spirit than rum (whiskey, amaretto, cognac etc.)

I usually make 2 of equal size every other year and feed them whenever I remember once a month.

Suet even !

I’ve remembered that I did a bit of Nigella but with almonds or Delia but with some prunes so a mash up. As long as it’s about right and cooked long enough it’s going to be delicious eh?

Have realised that I don’t use currants as didn’t like them in my Nan’s bake stones (Welsh cakes) as a child. Now I’m thinking I should as they must add to flavour and colour.

Think I will brave currants this year...

@RhinestoneCowgirl I've just spent £50 on stamps on noolibird that I am holding you personally responsible for!

They are absolutely gorgeous though. Looking forward to some terrifically poncy eco wrapping paper.

I don't particularly like raisins, but i wouldn't make Christmas pudding without them as they really do make the colour right.

@GoGoGones Supporting a small business innit?

I'm organising a virtual Xmas pud stir up at the end of November. Me and some friends are all going to make puddings on stir up Sunday with a live zoom link up. There's been lots of good recipe swapping already...

Haha! Practically my civic duty!

Looks like I might be making my own cards as well now- have to justify it after all 😂

@tentative3 yes, the pear has been the easiest and quickest so far. I should add I have a neuromuscular disease, so I may be slower than others x

Our poncing has begun in the Slay House.

I have small children, so style and taste is nowhere to be seen. I hope you don't mind me sharing our first Homemade Decorations of 2020.

I love that @ChristmasSlayRide, my daughter and I made these today, some came out straighter than others but she was very happy with each one 😂

Loving the kids Christmas poncing!

Are those paper drinking straws @RedRedRobinBobbin? Those are lovely, will have to give them a go.

Yes paper, you can get different colours.

@ChristmasSlayRide I did those with my Rainbows last year, added a thread at the top, and then stuck them to a card with glue dots (might have been the year before actually, thinking about it), they were well received by parents :)

Am i too late for paper white forcing? I've just bought some bulbs and deciding whether to try to use them myself it git them then to my mother for next year?
Love everyone's beautiful creations here 😍