Last month I contacted Cotton and Twine Boxes on Instagram to find out whether I could buy a pattern from one of their previous subscription boxes; a flamingo tapestry kit which had really caught my eye. It’s been years since I did any tapestry. Unfortunately they didn’t have any of the subscription boxes left as the flamingo design proved to be very popular, so it sold out immediately. But jammy me was offered a free subscription box to review!

I was really pleased to find out that April’s box was also going to be a tapestry. Apparently most subscription boxes contain cross stitch projects, which would’ve been fine too, but trying tapestry again appealed. I used to enjoy it and have a pile of tapestry cushions that I made in my twenties.

If you want to see really professionally stitched tapestries then click on the tapestry tag at the bottom of this post. Kaffe Fassett’s exhibition at The American Musuem in Bath, in 2014, was fabulous, you’ll see this even with my dodgy photography.

Subscription boxes are often an event in themselves. Part of getting any treat in the post is the anticipation as you open it. I have received some boxes in the past where the items have seemingly just been plonked in without much thought, but as you can see this was certainly not the case.

The box includes all the threads and fabrics needed to complete the project together with a sweet gift, artisan tea bag and naughty treat. The zesty tropical coloured wool is Anchor tapestry wool.

The project is well designed, instructions are clear and the chart is a good size, no squinting required. There are fabrics and trimmings to match. The pom pom trim is adorable! The extra gift and sweet treat are really a nice touch as well. This arrived the week I had meant to buy some blank cards, so the little pack of cactus notelets were very gratefully received. I passed on the little bar of chocolate to Someone for a fishing treat. That wasn’t as heroic as it seems; because I had an absolute stack of Easter chocolate at the time. Now I’ve eaten it all I slightly regret that…

I haven’t completed the tapestry yet, because as you know any craft I do has to be during short and sweet sessions, but I’ve really enjoyed this stitching. It’s such a pretty design. Actually since I got this little kit I keep seeing cactus designs everywhere; on cushions, notelets, and clothing, cross stitch kits, on mugs etc etc. It’s this years’ craze replacing the owl/bird/fox/flamingo.

If you’re interested in trying a box they are £20 per month plus P&P. They ship worldwide. According to Suzanne there are a limited number of new subscription places every month and these are usually taken up very quickly. The stitching projects are mainly designed in-house at Historical Sampler Company (the parent company of Cotton and Twine) but they have started to include some guest designers.

A one-off box was offered to me for my review. All opinions are mine and completely honest. I have no affiliation with the company.