Monday, 29 December 2025

Welcome To Wisteria Cottage!

Here is  my latest cross stitch project. A kit which came with Cross Stitcher magazine, and I found it in a CS. I thought it could be a FlatGift to go to Kirsten with one of my TwoByTwo patches. However, it was just the threads, felt and evenweave fabric - no stitching chart. I thought "This isn't fair - I can't send her half a kit" I managed to track down the pattern online. And concluded it would be nicer to make it up for her as a Christmas gift.
I tweaked the pattern - adding some coloured beads [lilacs for the wisteria, and other beads to the flowers on the shrubs and in the tubs - and a black bead doorknob. I added a button on the top. On one side there are two tubs, on the other a pink bench and a tub - and lots of wisteria, and bits of brickwork.[and signed it AA2025]

It's about 8cm in diameter, and 12cm high. The base and removable roof are felt - I lined the inside with cotton fabric- I didn't want the back of my stitching showing!
"What can I put in this?" I asked Bob. It is a bit too small for chocolates, perhaps some haberdashery notions? He suggested I should select an assortment of my vintage buttons. So that's what I did. The buttons date between 1930 and 2000, and range in size from 8mm to 25mm, and are different colours, and some interesting shapes.
It was an interesting  and enjoyable project to make, and now I have the chart, I may make another one for someone else.
I wonder how many of these little magazine kits get put away and never made up? Now I have realised you can find the charts online, I may look for some more in CS. I wonder if K will keep the buttons in it, or use it for something else...



22 comments:

  1. What a wonderful make and such a thoughtful gift for your stitching friend. Also well done on saving it from landfill. Catriona

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  2. What a super project! The cottage is very sweet. One of our local CS has a well stocked craft section too.

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    1. It is satisfying when the CS makes an effort to sort craft stuff and doesnt just dump it all in one basket. On the other hand, rumnaging through can reveal treasures like this....

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  3. It's so sweet. I'll certainly be keeping the buttons in it!

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  4. What a lovely gift. Kirsten will love it. Clever you x

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  5. That is such a charming gift, old buttons are lovely. I have always had a button tin. My Gran started me off and my foster Mum cultivated my interest further. We have one CS that has a wonderful designated craft area and I have found many treasures. Lots of unfinished projects which are always satisfying to rehome and finish off if possible. Regards Sue H

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  6. How lovely! Ages ago when I did a lot of cross stitch, I collected the little giveaway patterns from magazines. I had so many! I did manage to sew some but ohers were given as flat gifts to sewing friends.

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    1. They make lovely flat gifts to tuck inside an envelope

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  7. That is a cute project! And not only is it cute and useful, but it also has so much thought and planning in it, which makes it special.

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    1. I was thrilled to find the chart online so easily - they are included in the magazine, but not in the packet.

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  8. It's a delightful project. I bet she loved it!

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  9. That is really sweet and the lining finishes it off nicely as a useful container. It was kind of you to make it rather than just send the kit and instructions!

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  10. What a beautiful little cottage! Good idea to line it with a cotton fabric.

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  11. It's a lovely design and you made a wonderful job of it. So cute! JanF

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