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".

@thundernlightning

I am thinking about decorating the transom window with a stained glass-y drawing (happily up quite high so forgiving for people like me who don’t draw much.) I was thinking about using DS’s washable markers but I’m worried they’re not so washable as all that. Has anyone else tried that sort of thing?

I haven’t tried.

I expect they would be washable but I’m not convinced they’d stay on the glass! I guess you could try it in an inconspicuous spot.

Another idea is to use black card and a frame, then glue different coloured tissue papers onto that, then make patterns, shapes or pictures in black card to create silhouettes in the style of stained glass. The light shines through the tissue paper and makes a very good effect. I was thinking I might do that for a small section of the two small panes in our window - Mary and Joseph with the Christ child on one side, and angels or the wise men on the other side.

Congratulations 🥳 Restoration Enjoy those baby snuggles!

Thundernlightening I have been looking at some of the advent windows in the living advent calendars. Pictures like this are done by sticking tissue paper onto acetate but I wonder if you could draw onto acetate and then stick it onto the window?

Picture would help!

Our snowflakes are going surprisingly well - we're just having a break (dd2 talks an awful lot & I need a minute's peace) then glue and glitter are coming out

I'm auditioning new food for Christmas and just had a corona test so am stuck in until the results.

Sooooo I've just had my first bash at hot water pastry and hand raised pies. I'm pretty competent in the kitchen so just followed the recipe for the pastry and made up my own filling. I've done sausage meat in the bottom, smoked streaky in the middle and finely diced apple and pork shoulder mince on the top. Just popped them in the oven and will be topping them up with jelly later. I'm excited! Depending on how this goes I will either use this pastry recipe to make a gala pie or try a different one.

I'm loving some of the crafts on the thread from the last few days. That fancy paper punch is great. Also love the snowflakes. My daughter is having a crafternoon and has done some portraits of her dad and I. Now she's making Christmas hats. I've also got done at doing clay so that's a great idea for tea light holders!!

Lucysmam, they are lovely, but I am not surprised, as you are such a committed and talented Poncer.

TrickyD I'm really enjoying this thread this year! Usually I stumble across it quite late, having forgotten all about it in between Christmases. I think this is a happy place to be

Dd2 has added glitter to them. You can't see it well on the photo though :( We're going to save some more tubes I think.

@lucysmam

TrickyD I'm really enjoying this thread this year! Usually I stumble across it quite late, having forgotten all about it in between Christmases. I think this is a happy place to be

Dd2 has added glitter to them. You can't see it well on the photo though :( We're going to save some more tubes I think.

Those are beautiful @lucysmam. So delicate.

We’ve just been for a walk in the woods and foraged a few bits. DS has had a try at his first wreath. We couldn’t find any willow so made do with an obedient twig!

You ladies have upped your game, well done it's looking amazing. So far I've made (and eaten) sausage rolls, and ordered the paper strips to make 3D stars. Love looking at what you've all made and whilst it may not be this year I truly hope I become a crafty soon.

@RestorationInsanity how marvelous, many congratulations!

These snowflakes are glorious. Well done!

I should have been making bunting for the sun room/ Christmas lunch room but....
I was give some very sweet fabric and needed to make a Lottie doll dress !
All is well . Tomorrow is not touched yet !

Oh and two stars in two hours ...they were tricky !
I might have got a bit frustrated !

A thread baby! Congratulations @RestorationInsanity

@Trumpton

Oh and two stars in two hours ...they were tricky ! I might have got a bit frustrated !

They look great!

If you haven’t tried the tutorial I posted a while back, definitely do give it a go as it’s very easy and straightforward and much less tricky than some methods.

window painting chalk pens (the kind of things you write pub menus with) are brilliant for this and wipe off easily, though glass is really tough so I wouldn't worry about damaging it.

kids' tables when you said hexagonal I immediately thought giant snowflakes. If you had some coloured tape or ribbon they would be easy to mark out

Oh yes those pens would work brilliantly!

@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule

Yes indeedy ! I did start on that video but got confused . Then I tried another and now I understand the twists and turns your version is much neater and easier .
Must.get.dressed.and.stop.crafting !

I have finally made some glass hearts for my own tree! I have already made a load to give to my little street, only 30 houses and a close military community. I have also been knitting more Chocolate Orange covers for the little hampers I am making for family as gifts.

3xWithershins they're lovely! They'll be pretty with tree lights shining through them.

Trumpton did you cut strips for the stars, or buy them?

I've done nothing much today - we did make the last few stars from loo roll tubes ready to glitter at some point this week.

3xWithershinsroundtheyewtree, however did you make the hearts? They are beautiful.

@TrickyD

3xWithershinsroundtheyewtree, however did you make the hearts? They are beautiful.

I am a glass fuser, so these are coloured glass cut and shaped and then fired in a kiln to 795c. I make lots of different decorations at Christmas, and decorative things like candle shades etc all year round.

@3xWithershinsroundtheyewtree they are beautiful. What a wonderful talent you have.

Please show us some of your other decorations. No doubt they will be fantastic.

Our Christmas cake is done! It’s the first one I’ve ever baked.