Creative Subscription Box

An Australian-based creative subscription box full of supplies, tools, easy-to-follow instructions and all the inspiration you need to produce two beautiful, on-trend projects each month.

[xoxkit]

Only one day left to sign up to receive the November XOXkit!!! You don't want to miss out on this one! Two new creative projects with all the instructions, tools and materials supplied. Subscribe at http://buff.ly/2exuUkt . . . #subscriptionbox #xoxkit #getcreative #creativesubscription #diy #happymail #artsupplies #creatives #madebyhand #australianmade #handmade #designers #creativepreneur #subscriptionboxes #subscriptionboxaustralia #supportlocal #womeninbusiness #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #communityovercompetition #flashesofdelight #ohwowyes #theeverydayproject #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #dowhatyoulove #lastday #australianhandmade #makersvillage #subscribe

[xoxkit]

Three days left to sign up to receive the November XOXkit!!! Subscriptions for this kit close 11:59pm 04 October 2016. Subscribe at http://buff.ly/2eKcFUG . . . #subscriptionbox #xoxkit #getcreative #creativesubscription #diy #happymail #artsupplies #creatives #madebyhand #australianmade #handmade #designers #creativepreneur #subscriptionboxes #subscriptionboxaustralia #supportlocal #womeninbusiness #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #communityovercompetition #flashesofdelight #ohwowyes #theeverydayproject #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #dowhatyoulove #australianhandmade #makersvillage

[xoxkit]

DIY Macrame Key Ring For those of you who received the October XOXkits (0201kit) which included the instructions and materials to make a Macrame Plant Hanger - this DIY is for those of your who don’t have a spare 90 minutes to make a hanger. This project should only take 10 minutes. All items are in the October XOXkit. I’ve used a cotton to make the key ring a little more intricate, but you can use the cord in the kits.

Step One // Cut the cord/string into four 100cm pieces. Then cut two 30cm pieces. Step Two // Hold the 4 pieces of string together and feed through the split ring so it sits in the middle so you now have 8 pieces of string to work with. Step Three // Using one of the 30cm pieces of string, tie a wrap knot (for instructions click here). Step Four // Tie several square knots (for instructions click here) using 4 pieces of string as fillers and two pieces each for the lead cords and follow cords. Step Five // When you are happy with the length of the square knots, wrap some tape around the filler cords (4) so you can feed them through the middle of the wooden bead. Step Six // The lead (2) and follow (2) cords go on the outside of the bead and tie a square knot below the bead to secure it. Step Seven // Use the last 30cm piece of string to tie a wrap knot under the bead and final square knot. Trim the remaining string and you’re done!

Want to receive materials and instructions like this DIY to your door each month? Subscribe to XOXkit: creative subscription box here. Get in quick, you don’t want to miss out on next months kit! Now shipping internationally.

[xoxkit]

Macrame Knot Instructions This is an image of one of the instructions sheets included in the October XOXkits. It shows how to tie a wrap knot and a square knot. The final project from the XOXkit: creative subscription box was a macrame plant hanger and a terrarium.

To receive your own XOXkit, subscribe to the creative subscription box. Now shipping internationally.

[xoxkit]

Loving macrame at the moment? Did you enjoy the macrame project in the most recent XOXkit? Well we’ve compiled a bunch of macrame projects to push your skills even further!

• A simple wall hanging. Make this one your own... • A simple DIY macrame necklace. • A earthly dream catcher. • A macrame lamp cord. We are loving the look of this one! • A mini macrame wall hanger. • A macrame hammock - oh yes. We need one of these in our lives! • A knot bag.

This should keep us all busy until next months XOXkits are out! Don’t forget to show us your creations by using #xoxkit and you could possibly win your next kit for free!

Happy creating! xox Sarah & Donna

[xoxkit]

The question we are asked everyday - 'What do we get in an XOXkit subscription box?' Good question! Each month, your kit shows up to your door with two surprise projects - which is part of the fun. But now that 0101kit has gone out and the subscribers have had a chance to play around - we can now show you exactly what was in the kit. It's all on our blog http://buff.ly/2cNwSJm . . . #subscriptionbox #xoxkit #getcreative #creativesubscription #diy #happymail #artsupplies #creatives #madebyhand #australianmade #handmade #designers #creativepreneur #subscriptionboxes #subscriptionboxaustralia #supportlocal #womeninbusiness #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #communityovercompetition #flashesofdelight #ohwowyes #theeverydayproject #calledtobecreative #creativityfound #dowhatyoulove #australianhandmade #makersvillage

[xoxkit]

We stumbled upon this stunning Wall Hanger DIY by No Home Without You. Do yourself a weekend favour and hit this DIY with minimal materials and tools. Show us what you come up with by tagging #xoxkit Happy Creating! xox

[xoxkit]

We are going to fill you in on why subscription boxes are booming in America and the top five reasons why these monthly boxes are perfect for you in the Australian market.

Reason 1 // A little gift to yourself If you’re like me, each birthday you go out and buy yourself a little something special. The only downfall being, it’s not really a surprise and I end up opening it and playing with it weeks before my actual birthday. Your subscription box is your ‘little something special’ BUT it truly is a surprise. With the XOXkit, each month you are delivered a kit with two on-trend creative projects - all the materials and tools and of course instructions. It could be a wood work project, macrame, or maybe sewing or fabric printing, or graffiti stenciling or plaster of paris modelling. It’s all a big surprise!

Reason 2 // Time saver You’ve found projects on pinterest that you have been wanting to do but you have to find the time to go out shopping for all the materials. You then have to buy a 5kg bag of cement when you really only need 500g. Once you’ve finally sourced all the materials and tools, you then have to work out the American unit conversions to Australian units and then pull the information together. You give it a red-hot-go and it’s not quite right. XOXkit supplies the right amount of materials, the correct tools and Australia-ready instructions. On top of all of that - you know all the items in the kit have been tried and tested. You also have access to an online tutorial video which will answer any questions you might have about the project. By the end of that months kit you will have a beautifully finished product you can be very proud of!

Reason 3 // The knowledge Have you ever walked into an art shop and stared at a wall of paints and had no idea which brand to use? Us too! Has there been a creative product you’ve seen and you’ve thought ‘how on earth did they create that?’ Us too! This is the knowledge that XOXkit brings to you each month. We work with Australian creatives to curate projects for the kits. Each month you’ll learn two new skills/techniques. And with that knowledge, your creativity will take-off!

Reason 4 // The quality The quality of products within the box is always tried and tested. It’s a chance for you to try before you buy as a lot of the items are sample size. For example, in XOXkit sample size paint, glue and varnishes are used. The brands are tested and preferred by the creatives and then we provide a supply list of where to buy more of the products within the kits.

Reason 5 // Great Gift If you’re the time-poor, hard working, creative that we know you are - shopping for gifts can unfortunately be at the bottom of your list sometimes. The good news is, a subscription box is a brilliant gift to give your friends and family. There is, of course XOXkit for the creative in your life. Or you can find a number of other subscription boxes online. Many ship from the states and there are a number of amazing Australian subscription boxes popping up.

[xoxkit]

Yes. I’m in my PJs. Yes. I’m on the couch. Isn’t that how everyone does their creative projects?

[xoxkit]

DIY: Wooden Signage Who doesn’t love a good bit of signage? Only graphic designers. Oh well, we’re making a homemade sign today! Simply because every time a courier shows up to deliver a parcel they look confused and bewildered. A sign might help them...

We have all the materials: • A piece of 4mm wood - size depends on you • D-rings (Pack of 50 from Bunnings) • Hanging wire (From Bunnings) • Ruler • Paint & Brush • Actual size print out of your sign • 6B or 8B pencil (An newsagent, Riot or Artshed) • Ball point pen (yes, has to be ball point)

STEP1 // Make friends with someone with a router to cut your piece of wood into whatever shape you like. Or do it yourself (will you be my friend?). Or, you can get Ponoko to laser cut the wood for you if you can work a design program and don’t mind waiting. STEP2 // Print out the sign you would like to make to actual size. We are doing up an XOXkit sign for our poor, lost courier. STEP3 // Paint down a layer over the wood - colour is your choice. STEP4 // As per the video in the next post colour the back of your print out with the pencil. Just rough. Shouldn’t take longer than 30 seconds. Just make sure it’s well covered. STEP5 // Tape or BullDog Clip your printed sign to your piece of wood, pencil side down. Draw over the lines of your printed artwork with the ball point pen. This will cause the pencil to leave a pencil mark on your pre-painted piece of wood (yes, the white paint really helps you see the pencil marks). STEP6 // Pull your paper off once you have finished tracing it and wa-la - you just need to paint your sign in the pencil lines. Too easy! STEP6 // Once painted and dried. Take your wooden sign, flip it over and screw in your d-rings and attach your wire to hang your sign.

Notes: • Make sure your piece of wood is thicker than your d-ring screw or they will poke a hole through your beautiful sign. • Paint a layer of PVA glue over the top to protect it from the elements. • You might need to use a couple coats of paint - depending on the quality of the paint. We recommend Global Paints from Riot.

Show us your creations at #xoxkit

[xoxkit]

What’s inside XOXkit? This is the big question! Each month your XOXkit arrives on your doorstep as a surprise! But to give you an idea, last months kit was foil and frame. All of the contents is photographed above as well as a soft copy supply list (if you wanted to buy more items yourself and hone your new-found talent), some more artwork to practice on and a 10min instructional video to answer any questions that weren’t answered on the printed instructions in the kit.

All this for only $42.50 plus postage to anywhere in Australia per month (cheaper on 3, 6 and 12 month plans). And you end up with beautiful outcomes to be proud of!

To subscribe, swing by the XOXkit website and sign up to a month-to-month kit before the 4th of the month to receive next months kit!

[xoxkit]

Unboxing of a XOXkit. Creative subscription box, delivered to your door monthly. Materials, tools and instructions to create two on-trend projects each month. #subscriptionbox #subscriptionboxes #subscriptionaddiction #xoxkit #dowhatyoulove #creativityfound #creativeforlife #calledtobecreative #ohwowyes #unboxing #unboxingvideo #creativeproject

[xoxkit]

At XOXkit we source as many local products and supplies as possible. One amazing Australian supplier we’ve been lucky to find is Washi Gang (formerly Rabbit and the Duck). We wont lie - we’re a little bit Washi tape obsessed here at XOX. We thought it was an opportune time to feature one of Washi Gang’s top creatives, Mrs Planner Addict’s DIY Washi Page Marker. All of you 0101kit subscribers will probably have figured out by now that you will be receiving a washi tape in your kit. Save this DIY for your left over tape!! Happy creating! xox

[xoxkit]

Some artworks to use for your fabric banner DIY below!

[xoxkit]

DIY: No sew fabric banner // Make time: 45mins // Skill level: Medium I have been itching to make a banner for my sons room. Our Thursdays are ‘Adventure days’ so I thought this design was perfect. I’ve tried to use materials from last DIY from last week (Clothes hanger). Give it a go...

You will need: • A drill and a 8mm drill bit (2mm and 4mm too if you’re prone to destroying dowel) • 25mm x 450mm of dowel • Black fabric 350mm x 500mm • A4 sheet of white felt • Glue (I used PVA, which worked - but a fabric glue would be better) • 1m length of 8mm rope • Fabric scissors • Printed design onto A4 paper (designs are in the next post) • Bull dog clips to hold felt to paper

Step one // Drill a hole on each end of the dowel 2.5cm in from the end. Remember, start with the 2mm drill bit and work your way up to 8mm (assuming you are using 8mm rope). Make sure the holes are facing the same direction.

Step two // Feed through your rope and play around with how long you want the banner to hang. I used 1m of rope and frayed the ends. If your rope is thinner than your drilled holes, tie knots in the ends.

Step three // Lay the A4 paper with the design on it on top of your sheet of white felt. Bull dog clip them together and cut through the felt and paper, slowly cutting out the letters. This is time consuming to get comfy - make a cuppa tea and put the telly on.

Step four // Cut the point on the end of your black fabric by folding the corners in and cutting along the fold (see photo). Once you’ve cut the point, wrap your black banner over the dowel and work out how long you want it to hang. Once you have it sitting right, put a little bit of glue on the back of the banner just under the dowel to hold the banner on.

Step five // Lay the banner down flat and place the letters on the banner. Once you are happy with the layout, glue each letter onto the banner. Leave to dry for an hour and wa la! Fancy new banner!

Step six // Instagram your banners - I’m dying to see them! #xoxkit

[xoxkit]

At XOXkit we believe in growth and development. Becoming a better person everyday - learning, listening and growing. So this week we thought we’d hit the topic of Balance. It’s there - in the back of our minds - ‘I haven’t eaten a vegetable in 3 days... oops. When was the last time I called Nana... When was the last time I did absolutely nothing?’

I was told not too long ago that you shouldn’t look at what your child has eaten today and think ‘oh no... he’s had all fruit and no veg or protein’. You should stand back, and look at what they’ve eaten this week. It balances out. Oh yeh, remember that day he only ate sausages? I believe life is balanced in the same way. Mind you, a few of you will be laughing as you’ve no doubt received emails and rambling messages from me saying how unbalanced I am. It’s true. You know why? It’s the pressure we put on ourselves. Has anyone actually said to you ‘when was the last time you blew bubbles with your child? Two weeks? Really? Oh you’re such a bad parent...’ ‘When was the last time you hit the gym? You don’t know? You slack tart!’ ‘Did you get that proof through on time? You did? A day early? That’s good - because I was going to tell you how unreliable you are.’

No. No one says that. I promise you, no one thinks that. Except you! Stop it. Be kind to yourself. That’s it. Be kind to yourself... be balanced. Be happy.

xox

If you’re feeling that your creative and development balance is out and you need some inspiration delivered to your door, jump on and sign up to XOXkit: creative subscription box.

[xoxkit]

DIY: Clothes Hanger // Make time: 45mins // Skill level: Low One big problem in our hour is space. We have a small home and everything has a place - except for my partners clothes which seem to be speed bumps on the way to the bathroom at 2am in the morning. So here is a DIY clothes hanger to get those clothes up off the floor.

You will need: • A drill and a drill bits (8mm, 6mm and 4mm) • 8mm thick cotton cord - I used 2.5m • Scissors • Protective gel dots if you want to protect your wall • A hook (if you are renting, a 3M hook might be best) • 1.2m long 25mm thick wooden dowel cut into two • Ruler or tape measure • Pencil

Mark 5cm in from each end of the dowel and drill a hole through with the smallest drill bit (4mm). Then drill a bigger hole with the 6mm and then with the 8mm. Once all your holes have been drilled you might want to run some sand paper over them if you’re feeling a little OCD. Take the rope which should have some tape on one end if it’s a new roll. If it’s not - wrap some tape around the end so it’s easier to feed through the holes. Feed the rope through all the holes and tie a knot at the end (leaving a little room for some tassels if you like). I suggest hanging your dowel and rope on the hook in your room and adjusting the rope to make sure your hanger sits evenly and doesn’t hang too low (read: low enough for the toddler to swing on). Once you are happy with the length, cut the rope and tie off the other end. Make tassels on the ends by unraveling the rope. If you want to protect your walls, add some protective sticky gels to the wall side of the dowel. And wa-la... a space saving clothes hanger!

xox