Darby Smart To DIY For Subscription Box Review – March 2015

Anna – slightly OT but check out Badge Magic for those badges. My daughter’s Girl Scout sash would be empty without it. No sewing or ironing for those badges/patches.

Thanks for your reviews!

So weird, I got two kits this month, they came on the same day but I had to pick one up at the post office because it came with no postage on it so I had to pay it. Luckily I got two different projects, the needlepoint kit and a Calligraphy kit. I wasn’t thrilled with the needlepoint but, I’m considering it a bonus project because I was thrilled with the Calligraphy. I did contact customer service and they told me to keep both! Plus they are giving me a credit double the cost I had t o pay for shipping.

I didn’t get that craft either. However, plastic canvas is like so 20 years ago, so I guess I should be happy. I guess. To me, it makes Darby Smart a bit unreliable.

I am not a Darby Smart subscriber, but I am an avid needlepoint hobbyist. For me, because of muscle memory (developed via hours of crossstitch and embroidery projects), this kit actually wouldn’t have taken a long time. I realize I’m in the minority here, but for me personally, this would be a 2-hour project. It would go way faster if you had a stretcher (like a embroidery hoop). To me, I think this project is more about introducing people to a type of craft they may not otherwise do, and that you could really zen out with it if it turned out that you like this type of craft.

So I got this box last week and have to say it’s not one of my faves. Guess what was in my mailbox today…wait for it…a second box! I guess I can make eyeglass cases for the whole family lol:)

there’s a cool pair of sunglasses in someones grandmothers case lol, this is what I see when I look at that picture

I actually like needlepoint, though I find other embroidery techniques to give more sophisticated-looking results. Although I am currently in the middle of about month 6 of a cross-stitch project because I rarely have time to work on it, so I probably don’t need to take on anything else at this time.

I think I probably wouldn’t be happy with a project-directed craft sub, though, because I tend to like much more complex projects that can’t be finished in an hour or two (and that require more materials) and that may actually be a series of related things (like matching sets of loom-knitted socks and hats, for example). But it’s nice to know there’s something out therefor every skill/interest/time commitment level.

For me, Darby Smart’s high point was the month they sent out metal stamping kits. I happened to have just been pricing them up, as I wanted to try it out, and the supplies cost over $70.
This was my last kit as I cancelled recently and I can’t say I’ll miss it.
Many people did complain about being sent a very basic, old fashioned kit. That may be so, but I’m sewing a geometric, frameable piece with my supplies. I was inspired by one of the pictures on the card that came with the kit.
It will take quite a long time to make, but it’s something I can do while the telly is on, so it’s not exactly time consuming.

I was more disappointed in the lack of instructions than the actual project. I shouldn’t have to hunt YouTube for videos on how to complete the chevron stitch. I’ll give it one more month.

I canceled last month and I’m not sorry. I never would have take the time to complete this.

This was my second box. I signed up after reading your review of the January kit. When I first opened the box, I was rather disappointed. Needlepointing seems like such an old lady thing to do. Indeed, it’s one of the crafts I had not done with my kids.

My daughter saw it, however, and she was all excited about it so I gave it a try. It turns out that needlepointing is a totally zen activity! So completely relaxing! Plus it gave me an excuse to watch/listen to TV while doing it.

I agree that the instructions were lacking. In particular, I didn’t understand how to avoid making knots, so my whole project is very messy in the inside, full of little knots. But, truth be told, I don’t actually expect to use anything I make. For me it’s having something to do with my kids.

In any case, I cancelled after this month and I’m going to try Darby Girl for one month and see how we like that.

I didn’t like the project. I gave the whole box to my boyfriend’s mom. It was my first month and I promptly canceled. I like Paper Pumpkin much better.

Mine was not this project. I got a wood burning project. Weird that people for different ones this month but I definitely prefer mine.