Some slow stitching.

Well I've been called lightening needle in my time, but it was slow for me.

After the Altrusa sale on Sunday I settled into my armchair and worked on the bumblebee cross stitch that I had picked up in the morning. It came to me with grid lines stitched all over it, they were held in place with green painters tape.

My first task was to remove those and give the fabric a good press.

Then I got onto google and looked for design information, as it came with a colour chart and I prefer black and white if I can have it. I soon found out this bee is designed and sold by an Etsy seller.

CrystalFeathers sells PDF downloads so I was able to get a B&W pattern almost instantly. I could have chanced my arm and asked for a freebie but opted to pay, I don't mind supporting good designers and I wanted to get going, I'm excited by this piece.

Chart at the ready I set about popping the bee into my hoop and got busy. I sewed all of Sunday afternoon, made some time to do a little more yesterday and have spent quite a few hours today sewing some more.

Today I completed the right side of the bee, there was a little wing, some flowers and one side of his head left to stitch on that page of the chart. Then I went on to make a start on the other page.

It is a delight to stitch and the black and white chart is much easier to follow than a coloured chart.. 

While I was out getting groceries and a few other bits and pieces yesterday I spotted some cute toiletry bags in the pharmacy. I know of a perfect use for one of those.

It's just the right size to hold my charts, threads, hoop and fabric. My bee might not have a hive, but he does have a cosy nest. There are even wee zipper pockets inside that I can tuck my scissors and a pen into.

And it was at a special price too.

I'm off to make a cuppa, then stitch some more.