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".

If you've got any plain fabric to use as a backing (red, green or cream) would you have enough to make 4 placemats? Sandwich some wadding between the fabric layers to make them heatproof.

I do this all the time - think "Oh I'll just make X to use up this half ball of yarn" and then end up buying stuffing, safety eyes and embroidery thread to finish it off 😂

I have slightly more cream polycotton; not sure whether the patterned is big enough for placemats once seam allowance is accounted for. I'll measure & see...

That is very good bunting, Lucysmam. Excellent sharp points.

Thanks TrickyD; I think they could have been a bit sharper than they are but I'm pleased with it :)

Hope this counts as poncetastic but I've just finished crocheting this scarf as part of my mam's Christmas present. It's a very simple stitch but it's the second thing I've ever crocheted (the first was a practice scarf which was very wonky and I kept for myself because it wasn't fit for anyone else) and I'm pretty pleased with it!

She will be thrilled with that. I would be. Really nice fringe.
Definitely poncetastic.

I'd be chuffed with that TheCrow, I love a snuggly scarf!

I've just finished a pair of wristwarmers this afternoon. The second one is missing a stitch on the bottom edge somehow 🤷‍♀️ & they're a little bit wonky but I'm pleased with myself.

It's dangerous making mince pies. It's compulsory to eat some!

Lovely bunting, lucysmam.

I love the scarf, TheCrow. You'd never think you'd not done much crocheting before!

Thank you all! There was a lot of swearing and undoing rows and rewinding of YouTube tutorials! Definitely got the bug now 🙂 @lucysmam would love to see photos of your wrist warmers if you have any?

@TheCrow pic attached. The bottom one's the first one; slightly bigger than the other but will do me nicely for the playground when we go back to school :)

Ooh they're beautiful!

Yes, beautiful and very useful. I love the pattern.,

Have any of you made your Christmas cards for this year yet? I only really need two; one for Nanna & Grandad, and one for my Dad but can't decide what to make. Nothing on Pinterest's jumping out at me this morning.

I've mow got a dozen mincepies in the freezer made with leftover pastry. Trying to resist cooking them before December!

I also had a go at drying my own orange slices and have got a big bag of craft cinnamon sticks coming so should be ready for wreath making when the time comes.

Now I just need to finish the jumper I'm knitting so I can start some Santa hats.

Oh and I'm going to use the stamps I bought to make cards. Should be nice and simple I hope

Made frangipani mice pies to day

Carriemac has still not divulged her supplier. Local pet shop?

mice are my worst nightmare! ! I have a terrible aversion to rodents you lot have now put me off my lovely MINCRmeat pies

Oh FFS. MINCEmeat

Oooh, I've been scrolling papercutting templates. Most seem to be SVG files but some are pdf. I might have a go at that for cards. I need the printer out anyway to print some of dd's school work from this week.

Carriemac you reminded my of our local butcher who has a blackboard outside advertising his specials.
His chalk writing tends to get letters rubbed out:

Recently shot peasants
Fresh lean mice

And my favourite:
Wild local rabbis

I've been making cards today @lucysmam. I haven't sent Christmas cards for years but as this year I might not see people in person so much I feel like I want to send lots. Planning to deliver local ones on my bike, then maybe a dozen to post.

The stamp has seen some action...

I've almost given up on the paper cutting idea - I'm struggling to find templates. That could be because dd2 has been stuck to me like a limpet while doing home school & dd1 has just spent the best part of an hour chatting about her day. I'm going to try again later on!

If not, would crochet snowflakes or stars with some sparkly beads on tassles at the bottom be nice I wonder? (It probably won't be stars, despite numerous attempts, I can't get the hang of the simple one my friend linked for me . I have some sparkly silver thread from Peridot1 that's itching to be used but I don't want to mess it up.

@lucysmam what about something like this stitched card using your sparkly thread. The pattern uses beads but I reckon it would be equally nice in just thread.

I've made cards from this website before and I uses a rectangle of card, print off the pattern, lay it over the top and poke through the holes with a sharp thick needle. Sew the design and then mount the rectangle on a folded card using sticky pads.

Superb cards RhinestoneCowgirl.
Stitched cards look good, and very good tip about making the holes.

My work have decided this year it would be a good idea to do a home made gift instead of the usual secret santa. I'm the least creative person ever, so help!!