Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Put a mailbox in your garden

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A garden mailbox might sound a little unexpected at first, but that is exactly why it makes such a charming outdoor decorating idea. We are so used to seeing mailboxes at the front of a house that placing one among flowers, herbs, or vegetables instantly gives the garden a playful, cottage-style feel. It is practical, a little quirky, and just the right amount of “why didn’t I think of that?”

Old mailboxes are brilliant for garden upcycling projects because they already have a sturdy shape, a hinged door, and that lovely hidden-storage element built right in. Tucked beside a potting bench, attached to a fence post, or nestled near a vegetable patch, a mailbox can be used to store garden gloves, seed packets, plant labels, small hand tools, twine, or even a pair of snips. No more wandering back to the shed with muddy shoes because you forgot the string — not that any of us have ever done that, of course.

You can also turn a mailbox into a decorative garden feature. Paint it in cheerful colours, give it a vintage farmhouse finish, stencil on a floral design, or let it rust naturally for that lovely weathered garden look. It can become a fairy garden house, a seed exchange box, a little note station for garden visitors, or a whimsical focal point in a flower bed.

This garden mailbox idea is perfect for anyone who loves upcycled garden décor, creative backyard projects, thrift store garden makeovers, and practical DIY garden storage. Whether you use a brand-new mailbox or rescue an old one from the “might come in handy one day” pile, it is a simple way to add personality and function to your outdoor space without spending a fortune.

Everything stays dry and is conveniently located. Mailboxes are cheaper than other storage solutions for the garden and can often be recycled or upcycled. Mailboxes are a great way to store things for your garden chores, such as garden gloves or other pruning snips. You could use a mailbox for other outdoor items too such as handballs, tennis balls or summer toys for summertime.

You can customize it the way you want and maybe have his and her’s box as well.

Found this on Pinterest, and thought I had to blog it (and implement it for my garden!).

Have you read?

12 Christmas Cross Stitch Patterns for Cat Lovers

A Christmas tree covered in dangling decorations must look like a very generous present to a cat. Shiny things to tap, branches to investigate, a cosy hiding spot underneath—and then the humans have the cheek to say it’s only for looking at.

That little combination of festive sweetness and inevitable mischief makes Christmas cat cross stitch patterns such fun to stitch. Some capture the moment before a bauble hits the floor. Others feature sleepy cats, Santa hats and little faces that would look lovely on a handmade card.

I’ve gathered twelve patterns and pattern sets, including free downloads, smaller gift projects and larger Christmas scenes. There are choices for beginners who prefer whole cross stitches, as well as designs with backstitch, metallic threads or enough detail to keep you happily occupied over several evenings.

If you’re making a gift, start with the cat rather than the Christmas colours. A ginger tabby, a black-and-white kitten or a rather unimpressed grey cat can make a stitched present feel wonderfully personal.

Christmas Cat by Satsuma Street

This is the one I’d choose for someone who loves colourful Christmas decorations with a slightly retro feeling. Satsuma Street’s Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a Siamese cat in a Santa hat beside a mid-century-style tree, with presents gathered underneath. The model’s bright red background gives the design real presence, although the listing also shows alternative fabric ideas. With twenty-six shades, including metallic threads, I’d treat this as a project to enjoy gradually rather than a last-minute gift.

Pattern details: Designer Satsuma Street; paid PDF; 111 stitches wide × 141 high; approximately 7.93 × 10.07 inches on 14-count Aida, or 28-count linen worked over two threads. Uses twenty-six DMC shades, including two metallic threads; a complete stitch-type breakdown is not stated on the listing.

Cat and Christmas Tree by Lola Crow

There’s a very familiar look of concentration in this little orange cat’s interest in the Christmas baubles. Lola Crow’s Cat and Christmas Tree Cross Stitch Pattern captures that moment beautifully in a compact square design. The designer describes it as suitable for beginners, making it an appealing choice for someone comfortable following a counted chart. I particularly like the simple framed finish, which lets the cat’s outstretched paw tell the whole story.

Pattern details: Designer Lola Crow Cross Stitch; paid PDF; 54 × 53 stitches; approximately 3.9 × 3.8 inches on 14-count Aida; seventeen DMC colours. Additional stitch types are not specified on the product page.

Free Christmas Calico Cat

A limited thread palette is always welcome when the Christmas craft budget already has several demands on it. Ruth Cartwright’s Christmas Calico Cat Cross Stitch Pattern uses four colours and whole cross stitches, with no backstitch required. The sitting cat and Santa hat make a cheerful little framed decoration, especially for someone with a calico cat of their own. This is a good starting point for beginners who would prefer to concentrate on counting and keeping their crosses consistent.

Pattern details: Designer Ruth Cartwright, Craft with Cartwright; free PDF; 51 stitches wide × 64 high; approximately 3.64 × 4.57 inches on 14-count Aida, calculated from the chart dimensions; four DMC colours; whole cross stitches only.

Christmas Cat Cards by Lucie Heaton

Handmade cards are a lovely way to give someone a small piece of stitching without needing to find room for another framed picture. Lucie Heaton’s Christmas Cat Cards Cross Stitch Patterns includes four festive black-and-white cats. Whole cross stitches and backstitch give these little characters their detail, so I’d recommend them to stitchers happy to spend time on the finishing touches. The included aperture-card tutorial is particularly useful if mounting the stitching is the part you’re less confident about.

Pattern details: Designer Lucie Heaton; paid PDF set; each design approximately 60 × 60 stitches, or 4.3 × 4.3 inches on 14-count fabric. The listing specifies sixteen colours, whole cross stitch and backstitch.

Christmas Cats Decorating Together

Apparently, putting six cats in charge of the Christmas decorations produces a rather entertaining result. Climbing Goat Designs’ Christmas Cats Cross Stitch Pattern brings together festive cats around a “Have a Purrfect Christmas” greeting. The designer rates it suitable for beginners, with only a tiny amount of backstitch for the whiskers, although the overall size makes this a longer commitment. I’d choose it for someone who enjoys stitching a larger design in manageable sections.

Pattern details: Designer Climbing Goat Designs; paid PDF; 140 × 140 stitches within the intended hoop area, approximately 10 × 10 inches on 14-count Aida. The optional stitched outer circle increases the chart to 142 × 142 stitches; twenty-four DMC colours; full cross stitches and a small amount of backstitch.

Small Christmas Kitties

If you prefer choosing from several little characters, FloReenStudio’s Small Christmas Cats Cross Stitch Patterns offers a collection of festive kitty designs. Their smaller format makes them appealing for individual gifts or a coordinated display. I’d suggest them for stitchers comfortable changing colours, since a small chart can still contain plenty of detail. Check the dimensions of your chosen cat before buying a frame, as the listing gives approximate measurements for the collection.

Pattern details: Designer FloReenStudio; paid PDF; approximately 40 stitches wide × 50 high per cat. Those dimensions work out to about 2.86 × 3.57 inches on 14-count Aida, although individual designs vary; eighteen DMC colours listed for the collection. Additional stitch types are not specified.

A Cat Dressed as the Christmas Tree

This grey cat has the expression of someone who did not approve the decorating plan. AuthorEmbroideDesign’s Funny Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a cat covered in lights and ornaments, with a star on top. The seller describes it as suitable for beginners, and the nine-colour palette keeps the supplies fairly manageable. It would make a funny gift for the cat owner who insists their pet has a very strong opinion about everything.

Pattern details: Designer AuthorEmbroideDesign; paid PDF; 59 × 61 stitches; approximately 4.21 × 4.36 inches on 14-count white Aida; nine DMC colours. The files include chart views with and without the backstitch layer; the listing does not provide a complete inventory of other stitch types.

Upside-Down Christmas Cat

Some Christmas cat patterns are sweet. This one is the moment just before somebody shouts from the other room. Stitch Jam Studio’s Upside-Down Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a white cat hanging from a branch and clutching a red bauble, using only three colours and full crosses. It’s approachable in technique, but the chart is considerably larger than an ornament, so allow enough time for those filled areas.

Pattern details: Designer Stitch Jam Studio; paid PDF; 90 × 121 stitches; approximately 6.43 × 8.64 inches on 14-count Aida; three DMC colours. Full cross stitches only, with no backstitch, fractional stitches or French knots.

Cozy Christmas Cat for Book Lovers

A cat, a book, a blanket and a hot drink sounds like a fairly sensible way to spend a December evening. Stitch Jam Studio’s Cozy Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern turns that combination into a colourful festive scene. The pattern uses full crosses without backstitch, but every square is stitched, which makes it a more substantial project than its size might suggest. I’d choose it for a patient beginner or an experienced stitcher making a gift for a book-loving friend.

Pattern details: Designer Stitch Jam Studio; paid PDF; 91 × 91 stitches; approximately 6.5 × 6.5 inches on 14-count Aida; eleven DMC colours. Full coverage with 8,281 full cross stitches; no backstitch or fractional stitches.

Christmas with Cats

For a larger decorative project, Infinity Bear Designs’ Christmas with Cats Cross Stitch Pattern celebrates the combination of cats and Christmas-tree activity. Its square format would suit a framed picture or a carefully planned cushion finish. The download includes several chart styles, which is helpful if you have a strong preference for colour symbols or a simpler black-and-white layout. I’d approach this as a leisurely seasonal make, with the fabric and finishing chosen before the stitching begins.

Pattern details: Designer Infinity Bear Designs; paid PDF; 100 × 100 stitches; approximately 7.1 × 7.1 inches on 14-count Aida; thirteen DMC colours. The public listing does not specify additional stitch types.

Free Cat with Christmas Baubles

DMC’s Cat with Christmas Baubles Cross Stitch Pattern is another lovely choice for anyone whose cat finds dangling ornaments irresistible. The free design is labelled easy, and DMC suggests using Light Effects thread to give the baubles some sparkle. I’d choose this for a stitcher interested in trying a festive thread effect, checking the downloadable chart before deciding on the fabric and finish. Keep your finishing plans flexible until you’ve confirmed the design dimensions.

Pattern details: Designer/publisher DMC; free pattern, reference PAT2156. Stitch count, finished size, colour total and a complete stitch-type list are not displayed in the accessible product description; consult the download before cutting fabric.

A Tiny Free Christmas Cat for Cards

When you want a genuinely small stitching area, Rhona Norrie’s Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern is a useful little find. Originally published in The World of Cross Stitching, this festive kitten measures just twenty-two stitches square. It includes backstitch and French knots, so it would suit someone who already knows the basics or wants to practise those details on a small project. I’d mount it on a card with a scrap of Christmas paper, leaving plenty of space around the kitten.

Pattern details: Designer Rhona Norrie; free PDF; 22 × 22 stitches; approximately 1.57 × 1.57 inches on 14-count Aida, or 28-count evenweave worked over two threads. Nine thread colours; cross stitch, backstitch and French knots.

Which Christmas Cat Pattern Should You Start With?

For a project with a short supply list, the free calico cat uses four colours and avoids backstitch. The upside-down cat also has a limited palette, but its larger filled areas mean it needs more stitching time.

If you’re making cards, compare the design dimensions with the actual opening in your card blank. Lucie Heaton’s cats are substantially larger than Rhona Norrie’s tiny kitten, so they need quite different mounts.

The Satsuma Street scene and Climbing Goat collection are lovely choices when you want something to bring out every Christmas. Give yourself time to enjoy them instead of turning the whole thing into a December deadline.

For more small feline projects throughout the year, our Mini Cat Cross Stitch Patterns feature is worth keeping handy.

Make Your Stitched Gift Feel Personal

A frame that suits the recipient’s home, backing fabric in their favourite colour or a handwritten note can make a stitched gift feel particularly thoughtful. You don’t need elaborate packaging when you’ve already put time into making something by hand.

If you want to adjust a cat’s colouring to resemble someone’s pet, plan the changes before starting. Keep enough contrast between neighbouring shades for the face, paws and markings to remain clear.

And leave the final mounting until you’ve checked for stray pet hair. Christmas cross stitch for cat lovers has a funny way of collecting a little contribution from the real thing.