I went to the Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate last month, adamant I was only going to buy one specific bee themed item…of course that went out of the window! I ended up with a kit, two patterns and a printed fabric design (which was the only one I was meant to get!)

The kit was a cross-stitch bee sampler. It was the buttons that appealed to me! They also made it a pretty quick stitch. I’m pretty sure the kit was by Trudy Anne designs, but I can’t find it on the internet to put a link in and I think I might have already thrown the pattern out!

I changed one of the threads, instead of black I used DMC4000 which is a charcoal grey and very dark brown, I do find that thread so useful, it’s such a shame it’s not more widely available. I also changed the fabric from aida to an evenweave in a nice soft honey colour. It’s more of a warm honey that the beige it looks in the photo.

This has been my handbag stitching. Someone at Skipton Stitchers on Monday asked how I got so much done, I explained that I had already done 30 minutes stitching in the cafe at 8.30 when I arrived in Skipton, I usually got to work 30 minutes early, so I stitch, I spent several hours with my OH in A&E… the bus was late in the bus station…so I stitched! All those minutes add up!

Anyway, it’s already finished, after a day stitching at Skipton Stitchers I just had a few more stitches to do and the buttons to stitch on. I think I’m going to have to add a dab of glue behind the buttons so they sit straight though.

The next bee is going to be a quick one I think, it’s a pretty embroidery from Anne Brooke.