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".

I've just signed up to do an Advent window for our local Advent Calendar. DD2 is the artist of the family and she wants to do a tissue paper/cellophane stained glass window.

I've finished my first sock and cast on for the second. This pair is for DD2 and I'll also be making a pair for DD1. Learning to knit socks was my version of Lockdown Learning.

Knitting frenzy continues with little hats for the family babies.

Paperwhites are coming along fine.

Congratulations, Restoration! 👶❤️

So much delightful poncing going on! 🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

@lucysmam

They were ones I had in from making origami lucky stars .

Ebay and Etsy sell them . Your girls would probably enjoy making lucky stars .

@lucysmam

I have sent you a pm .

@lucysmam in case you wanted some more ideas for your class Christmas tables, i came across this tutorial and I thought you could probably easily adapt it to work with whatever bits you already have to hand:

Christmas Trees

I’m going to make a couple to go together with little some vintage Danish paper decorations I bought on eBay.

Oh and we made our Christmas cake yesterday!

@TrickyD here are some of the things I made today. These are just cut and I have just put them in the kiln, where they will fuse and soften. These are my first attempt at these designs so it’s up to the kiln fairies how they turn out. If they are any good I will show you tomorrow (fingers crossed).

Thank you! They look terrific and I am looking forward to seeing the final result.

@HollyandIvyandallthingsYule thank you, I quite like the look of those & think I have some christmassy origami squares lurking in a craft box somewhere. I wonder if anyone I know drinks wine with a cork for bases 🤔🤔

@Trumpton I'll have a look now...

@3xWithershinsroundtheyewtree the angel is my favourite. I hope they turn out well!

I've found my people!! My friends thought I was crazy when, half way through making my wreath, I decided something was missing and started to dry out oranges in my oven. It took 2 full days!!

And wanted leopard print decorations but refused to pay crazy prices!!

Welcome 10story

Beautiful wreath and cool baubles.

I’m watching Christmas cooking programmes on food network.

Saw Kirstie’s handmade Christmas last night but was a bit underwhelmed after seeing everyone’s efforts here

Has anyone seen nice Christmas stamps for children to decorate brown wrapping paper. I got some nice ones last year but can't for the life of me find them.

NerosFiddle do you have any Christtmas cookie cutters? They work quite well dipped in poster paint. Lots of places selling them at the moment! We also dip fingers in white paint to add "snow" after as well.

NerosFiddle Home Bargains had a pack of ten little stamps in the Christmas section (labelled as being 12 ) that I picked up for dd2. Or we were going to do potato stamping.

Hello everyone!🎄🎄🎄

10story your wreath is beautiful!

Here’s my poncing for today: got the advent candle holder ready in preparation for lighting the first candle on Sunday. Don’t have any red candles yet so I need to pick some up this week!

Oh I love reading this thread. I wish I could knit, crochet or sew! I can only manage backing and basic paper crafts. I’ve so far done the mincemeat, pudding and cakes food wise. I’ve done the cards too - see attached - new year for h’s side as they don’t do Christmas (different culture) - the children are going to colour scarfs and hats. Tags and banners next.

Oh and as for pottery I’m in awe.

@10storeylovesong
Oh you are a terrible influence ! I can’t sleep ( normal for me ) but I can generally stay in bed ....not tonight ...I had to go and paint a bauble !

Now maybe I will sleep !

@trumpton your baubles look fab. Is that a bit of silver in the spots?!

I love those leopard baubles!

@10storeylovesong
Yes a little bit of silver but I have copper acrylic paint arriving today and might try that .
Thanks for the inspiration!

My pork pies turned out great for a first try. The pastry didn't go as dark as I hoped so going to try adding a little butter on the next batch. The filling was delicious and the jelly turned out perfect. It's given me the courage to try a gala pie at the weekend. In the mean time, today will be spent making pies and ham soup and fresh bread and more fruit loaf. This afternoon will be present wrapping as I've got LOADS l left to wrap but barely any paper. Tree is looking great though!!

What baubles are you painting? Just normal ones? I'll have finished wrapping by tomorrow (apart from bits to do with the girls and a few bits still to be bought) so will have alllll of December to myself. This is the most organised I have ever been!

HotPatootie that sounds like an enjoyable kitchen marathon! Your tree made me smile, it's very colourful like my usual assortment of decs :)

I've been busy making dd2 another decoration (I'm off to town next Friday...I hope I can find them trees!)