I keep saying this is the last bee and then I make another one!

I found this kit whilst I was sorting through my patterns for the Declutter Challenge. I’d completely forgotten I had it, which is a bit frustrating as I now have to decide how to use it!

It’s another kit by Andrea from Raggedy Ruff Designs, She helpfully provided two sizes and the smaller one fits within the page size if the top flower is a little shorter.

This one was fairly quick to do as it’s on a plain background. The shapes are traced onto freezer paper which allows for easy cutting out of fiddly shapes. I was particularly pleased with the left hand tulip, the batik Andrea provided was gorgeous mix of yellow and purples, I managed to do some fussy cutting and I love the vein effect of that central petal.

I tend to use tiny dabs of fabric glue to hold the pieces in place whilst I then stitch all the way round with some mid brown thread. Then I stitch all the way round a second time, I used to miss this part of the instructions out but actually I think you do get a better effect. Any bit you wobbled on or missed, you can catch it second time round.

Then comes the fun part, adding the machine embroidery! I’ve done quite a few of these now so I am getting more confident – I don’t have to remember to breathe anymore! I also know it doesn’t have to be neat or perfect – the eye is very good at picking out the correct line!

So here is my finished bee. The only bit I’m not sure about is the orange edge to the top tulip, I’m tempted to go over it with a purple pen, maybe I’ll try a bit with a purple frixion pen first!

I haven’t decide yet where this is going to go. My first idea was to put it on the front cover, it would look good there, but I’m not sure if it will look right with the bee hive on the spine. I think I’ll make the book cover, add the hive, then I can see what it looks like. The alternative is to put it on the inside cover opposite the title page. Colour-wise I actually think they look OK together so it is an option.

No more bees…promise!