Rag Tag Box Subscription Box Review + Coupon – June 2016
Rag Tag Box is a monthly paper crafts and cross stitch subscription from Spot Colors. Each box includes a mini cross stitch kit with a movie, sci fi, funny, or scary theme, as well as paper goods, handmade items, and more.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Rag Tag Box
The Cost: $15 (US); $20 (Canada); or, choose downloadable patterns only for $4/month
COUPON: For a limited time, save 10% off your first box with code STITCHLOVE
The Products: One exclusive mini cross stitch kit including everything (except scissors) you will need to complete the design, plus a selection of handmade goods, paper goods, jewelry, hair ties, stickers, and more.
Ships to: US, Canada
Check out all of our Rag Tag Box reviews and the Craft Subscription Box Directory for more great craft and DIY subscriptions!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
The box lid had an information card taped to it with a list of items in the box.
There were also a few random papers with a discount code, more information on the box, and social media information.
Exclusive Cross Stitch Kit
This month’s theme is “Don’t Go into the Woods” (all the themes are fantasy, sci-fi, or horror, generally speaking). You get your choice of two patterns, one of which is more horror-oriented (see the blood, eyes in the tents, spiders, etc., on the left) than the other. The included floss can be used to complete either. You also get a piece of fabric, a hoop, and a needle, as well as some instructions if you are new to stitching.
Assorted Stationery and Paper Craft Items
I didn’t try to determine values for these. The cards are custom designed for the box and the paper clips and pencil and stickers seem a bit random. But the cards, especially, are nice little extras and add a bit of value to the box.
I haven’t had a lot of free time this week. So, I didn’t get very far with the project yet. I went ahead and took a photo of the tiny amount I did finish rather than actually trying to finish and not getting the review done until like August or something! I opted to do the non-bloody version of the pattern (personal preference) but it’s a bit hard to tell at this point, I know. And I just realized I totally forgot all about using the hoop. Oops.
Verdict: I did not try to calculate a value for this month’s Rag Tag Box. Some of their past kits are retailing online for $18, and this one seems a bit larger than the others, so you are getting your money’s worth with the kit and the rest is just extra.
I thought this box was quirky and fun. The projects are small and you should be able to easily complete them in a month. I think this subscription could definitely appeal to younger stitchers, as well (though I notice there is a little bit of salty language in some of the patterns in the Spot Colors Shop, so proceed with caution).
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Written by Ragan Buckley
search on Amazon for ‘magnifier craft lamp’ and you get some great floor, desk, and clamp-on lamps with optional magnification. Ottlite and Mighty Bright are the craft store pricier ones, but here is an interesting head lamp…I have some headlamps I got in the 13deals boxes, so I am going to try those for crafting! https://www.amazon.com/FiveJoy-Handsfree-Magnifier-Detachable-FJHEM-101/dp/B00VL22OEG/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1466541612&sr=8-16&keywords=magnifier+craft+lamp
I wish this month was still available! I love the creepy version. Definitely not something I expected from a cross-stitch sub.
Does anyone reading this review have a good suggestion for a magnifier/light to be used with stitching? I’m working on something for my StitchyBox review, but it applies to this box as well. I have to look over my glasses (can’t stitch with my contacts in because I can’t focus on small things then) and I give myself an awful headache. Also I have to bend my neck way over.
I’m open to stuff in any price range (well, probably not more than $150, but if there is a $12 item that works just as well, I’d love to hear about it).
Here’s what I’d get (it’s surprisingly bright):
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OAMFOF0/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1466517960&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=booklight&dpPl=1&dpID=41H%2BeaL%2B7UL&ref=plSrch
If it were me though, I’d also get some additional glasses to use just for close-in work. Maybe there’s a prescription that you could wear over your contacts that would work? I’d tell my optometrist my problem and see what she suggests. Or maybe you could get just one contact lens for close-in work, and have the other be regular (I can do cross stitch even if I’m wearing only one lens).
I have the same problem with my contacts. I found using my husbands reading glasses allows me to see. Just those you buy off the rack…non prescription.
For lighting, I love my Ott Lite. It gives great natural light so you don’t have the glare and you can clearly see the colors you are working with. The lightbulbs last a long time too. Luckily I don’t need a magnifier yet, but I have friends who use this around the neck magnifier and love it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0108UBKYG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687742&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B007HJPG74&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=3FB1FVZYRYPYKQNVM27F
I’m loving this sub! I signed up based on last month’s review, LOL! I’m going to do the bloody version. 🙂 I haven’t started yet because I used my 15% off coupon to buy a few past kits, including the face hugger from last month which I couldn’t resist diving into!
I signed up for this after seeing last month’s and received this one. So far I’m generally happy. I too opted to do the non-bloody pattern and I’m halfway done. The pattern is too large, IMO, to be worked inside the hoop (just not enough wiggle room near the hoop for tying off) so I’m working it outside of the hoop, and then will frame it inside the hoop at the very end for hanging / displaying purposes. I have no idea what the black shape at the very bottom of this design is that looks kind of like a kettlebell. One thing that bugs me is that the pattern for the picnic table is not symmetrical – there is one extra stitch on the bottom of the seat on the right side, which I didn’t notice until after finishing that part – it looks like I just made a mistake, even though that’s what the pattern shows. Over all though, I’d say that the value is there for this sub, and that so far I would recommend it.
Just noticed that extra stitch is not on the “bloody” pattern, just the non-bloody one, so it IS a mistake in the pattern itself.
I would guess the kettle bell is a water canteen.
This seems fun! I’ve used stamped cross stitch patterns off an on for years but never tried the counted versions. Might give this box a try to see if I can do it.
This looks like cool box. I’m gonna keep an eye on it for sure.