It’s my mum’s birthday tomorrow, I took her to a quilt show last month as an early birthday present, we had a great time looking at all the beautiful quilts on display and mooching around the stalls. This was our favourite quilt, it was one of a series by Brazillian quilter Monika Wutzl…
I realised at the weekend that she will have forgotten about the trip almost immediately so I decided to make her a little something to open on the day, it’s so difficult to think of presents for someone in a carehome. I decided to make a little cross-stitch small which could sit in her room. Talk about last minute, I started it on Sunday afternoon!
I found a gorgeous cross-stitch pattern of a bumble bee on Etsy, by Robyn’s Nest . We used to keep bees when I was a child so I hoped it might jog her memory a little. Luckily the design was quick to stitch, I finished it on Monday evening! I used a scrap of a pale gold linen which I think works perfectly.
By chance I’d bought (on impulse as usual!) two lengths of bee themed fabric at the weekend too. It arrived on Wednesday so I just had time to finish it before I visited today. I seem to have acquired a little collection of bee fabrics…
I fussy cut two bee fabrics for the front, adding a length of narrow ricrac and some bee cotton tape – it’s amazing what I find in my trimmings box , I really must have a sort out!! To finish the edge I found some little pearl beads which were slightly tinged with yellow. After fiddling for a while trying to stitch them on evenly I remembered a simple trick I read about years ago. I made two dots on my thumb as markers for where to stitch the beads. It worked a treat!
I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out, I love the bee, in fact I’m tempted to stitch one for myself! Most importantly, my mum loved it too.
thecraftycreek 
What a delightful gift for your mum.
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Oh that turned out pretty. And also such a lovely thought to make something for your mom
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Happy Birthday to your mom!🎂
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What a gorgeous treasure for your Mom! How beautiful…love all your bee treasures…
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How wonderful. So thoughtful, too.
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I love also your Golden quilt and orderd the bee to. i’ve Always have Goldens, happy birthday for your mom keep loving here
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BEE-autifil! This is such a thoughtful gift❤️❤️. I have seen that tip floating around the internet. I’m glad to hear it works!
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What a gorgeous little gift – perfect for Mothers’ Day too, although I know you’ve already given it to her.
That quilt with the golden retriever makes me awed and envious in equal measure.
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Your favourite quilt could be your Rosie in the sunshine. Really lovely Bee and such a useful tip with the dots. Happy Birthday to your Mum
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So creative and it looks be(e)autiful.
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Oh, that’s wonderful!! And so thoughtful in every detail!
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What a cute idea, I might need one for myself too! The dots on the thumb is brilliant!!
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Wow that quilt is amazing and your bee is perfect. I love seeing how you pair your cross stitch with trims and fabrics to make these perfect projects. A belated happy birthday to your Mum x
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that’s a gorgeous little cushion! and the dog quilt is amazing . . . what a talented lady Monika Wutzl is!
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That’s charming!
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Really cute – and I love the little tip of using a thumb ruler.
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Lovely little gift for your mom. She will feel the love even if she doesn’t remember the events. There are bee keepers in my husband’s family
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The gift looks gorgeous and hopefully put a smile on your mum’s face. Great work! Such a handy tip – the pen on thumb.
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What a pretty gift. I am sure that mom loved it.
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Beautiful, especially with the memories of bee keeping years ago.
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Lovely little bee piece! Your knack of combining fabric, notions and your cross stitch pieces is really so creative, inspiring! I bet your Mum loved this present.
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Your mum’s little bee gift is gorgeous. The cross stitch is fabulous and with the addition of those fabrics….just perfect. That’s a neat trick putting dots on your thumb to indicate where to stitch the beads. Love the quilt of that adorable dog!
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Oh, that is wonderful! You are thoughtful of your mother and her needs. It’s a difficult thing you are going through, but that little pincushion would lift anyone’s heart. Thanks for sharing that, and the thumb marking tip. I never heard that, and it will be helpful in CQ!
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