May Flight of the Bumblebee ATCs

As always, it's an absolute joy to host this swap. There are some very talented ladies out there and I very much appreciate them taking the time to make these little cards every month. Of course, it's completely voluntary so I hope that they also enjoy making the cards, but still, they've chosen to participate in my little monthly challenge which I'm very grateful for because it means that I have an incentive to keep making little pieces as well. 

These cards are the May, Flight of the Bumblebee cards and I love the diversity here. The bees sure are getting round to many places, all kinds of flower meadow, vegetable patch and green field. Some have fantastic woven hives (although I'm now debating whether it looks more like a hive or a skep?) and one even has the texture of the inside of the hive which is really clever. 

There's also a really interesting variety of techniques in creating the bees. Some of them are distinctly fluffy, like they have been made using stitched loops/tufting stitch which have then been cut? Others are satin stitches, some are collaged fabrics, some have little organza ribbon wings!

I always try and take the same kind of photos for the blog posts, with close ups of each card, so have a scroll down below and see how you think the bees have been created. 

This one is very fine and delicate, with simple lines - although there is still a range of stitches used that I can pick out; running stitch, stem stitch, back stitch, detached chain stitch and straight stitch. Plus the variegated machine stitched edge really sets the card off nicely. It's one of the ways I know immediately that this card was made by Jacquie, because she always does such beautifully neat, machine edges to her cards. 

Sharon's beautiful card has such a variety of stitches too. The dandelion clocks look to be fly stitches, with stem stitch stems. French knots have been added to enhance the flowers in the print, then the bees have the most beautiful little organza wings. 

Another Jacky (different spelling - currently there are three of them, each with a different spelling!) and I love the textures here with the fabric collaged pumpkins! Beautiful woven wheel flowers and lazy daisy (detached chain stitch) flowers, bullion knots, french knots and straight/satin stitch flowers and then the kind of rough satin stitch bees just helping themselves to all of the nectar there. 

And Pam's bigger bees are definitely fluffy, made with some kind of tufting stitch. I think my favourite part about her card might be the hive/skep though which is so beautifully stitched!! And look at those tiny little french knot flowers and barely-there bee wings. 

Michelle has used a base of Aida for her bee I think, again somehow making him with a fluffy back, then cut him out and embroidered around him with lovely french knot and lazy daisy flowers, in keeping perfectly with her background fabric. I am completely guessing here about how the cards have been made by the way, if anyone else has any other suggestions please do shout. 

Liz is another participant who I can recognise straight away, partly because she does such beautiful cross stitch/petit point work. The number of colours in this bee is amazing! There's real motion there, you can almost see the wings vibrating. 

This is the third Jackie, who is new to the group, this was her first card!! I really enjoy the running stitch flight trail being left behind, and the fence is just so cute! An ideal way to edge that raw fabric line and so in keeping with the sweetness of the card. 

Abi is another participant I can recognise the style of before I turn the card over to check. She is brilliant at using lots of fabrics cut into small shapes to collage her pieces and embellish with stitch. She also uses lots of different types of fabrics, quite a few jersey type knitted ones if I recall, and her lines are always so clean with bold designs. 

This card from Veronica I think is so clever. The more you look at the card the more detail you see - for example, as well as the variegated whole thread (the thicker one) which makes up the majority of the honeycomb sections, she's also used a stranded thread in a few of the holes in various colours which kind of catch you out with another texture. The bold back stitch lines really make it and pull it all together. 

This is a fantastic collection of work, so many different stitches used here and lots of different colours too! It's been really brilliant to see this little photoshoot come together and, of course, now they have all (except one) flown off to their new gardens.