Introducing Our Busy Bee Collection

Good morning and welcome back to day two of our Spring 2025 release introductions! Our new release will be available at Noon EDT on Saturday (3/29), but in the meantime, I will be going live on Instagram tonight at 8pm to answer your questions about all of today's introductions. Let's get to it!

Our first new die in today's lineup is the Busy Bee Die (retails for $26).

Our gardens thrive from the attention of our industrious little pollinator friends. Without them, we wouldn’t have the flowers we all love so much. Celebrate their contributions with the Busy Bee Die! This die includes three sizes of bees, perfect for any project your heart desires.

We are also going to stock these Double-ended Stamens ($2 for a pack of 20 stamens) to make it a snap to add antennae to all of your insect buddies.

Next, we have the Humming Hive Die (retails for $44).

This sweet little hive die features segments that you can build together to create an inviting abode for all of your little bee friends. Use patterned fabric or paper instead of felt to add character and charm.

In addition to the Humming Hive Die, we are also releasing the Humming Hive: Spring Floral Details Die (retails for $18 - coordinates with the Humming Hive Die which retails separately for $44).

Dress up your Humming Hive projects with this delightful addition. The Spring Floral Details Die adds a dainty blossom and leafy branches to your hive projects. The looped line can be a vine or a little bee trail depending on your preference.

Please Note: This die coordinates with the Humming Hive Die. It does not cut the bee hive shape, just the segment lines and floral details.

Now that we've gotten through all of the basic information, let's take a look at what the Guest Creators have to share with you today!

I can't say enough about Chari's truly adorable wreath! She included so many incredible details and I just love her cheerful color palette. Make sure to visit her blog to read all about it!

How cute are the heart details that Mary added to her ornaments? Such a great way to add unique elements using dies from her collection! Check out her Instagram post to read all about them.

Give it up for Chari and Mary! Make sure to pop in and visit them to see everything they have to share!

I have a few projects of my own to show you today. Let's start with a sweet "Bee Kind" banner that I created with the largest bee from the Busy Bee die and the Humming Hive.

I began by making the bee using Glacier, Marigold, and Inkwell felt. I used pearl-ended stamens to create the antennae and added a little sparkle to the wings with the Hopscotch Color Story embellishment kit.

Next, I used the Statement Alphabet letters to spell out "KIND" using Vintage Glass felt. I used some sequins to zhush these letters up, too (I used the Cookie Party Color Story).

I finished the banner with a hive made using Daffodil, Marigold, and Inkwell felt. I added some sparkle with the new Hello, Sunshine Color Story embellishment kit.

I think this is so fun and it's a silly pun that kids as young as Tilly can understand.

Next up, I have a needle book that I made for myself using the middle-sized bee from the Busy Bee Die.

I used the Hopscotch Color Story for this and I absolutely love it! I created the cover with Glacier felt and the monogram from the new Geranium felt. The bee is Sunlight, Inkwell, and Tundra. I freehand stitched the antennae and attached little black beads at the ends to dress it up a bit.

I used the holes in the bee as a guide for stitching the bee into place. I also added some special stitches on the wings to dress them up a bit and add some sparkle. I used a single strand of thread on these wing details. Also, I'm sure that some people might hesitate to use beads or other embellishments on the cover of a needle book, but I've never really had too much trouble with them, so I went for it.

On the inside, I used Geranium for the front and back pockets. The front pocket is embellished with a Paloma and Pistachio flower and a little Sunlight bee (this is the smallest bee in the Busy Bee Die). I freehand stitched the trail to add some whimsy to the pocket.

I added another bee and trail to the back pocket. I just think this adds so much charm and it took no time at all! I used white cotton twill ribbon to create a tie, simply sandwiching it between the layers of the cover as I sewed up the perimeter. I love the needle book I made back in August of 2023 (it has held up great!), but I thought it would be nice to have an additional one handy for travel. This will be perfect!

Lastly today, I have a pair of bee hive ornaments that I created with the Humming Hive and the Humming Hive: Spring Floral Details Dies. I also used the smallest bee from the Busy Bee Die on each one.

This first ornament features the Spring Floral Details. I really wanted to create a botanical pattern that had a more rounded, almost eucalyptus style leaf. These leaves give that vibe for me.

I began by die cutting the hive from Ochre and then cut a second time using the Spring Floral Details Die. That adds all of the floral elements and segment lines to the basic hive shape. I started the stitching by sewing on the segment lines first. I followed up by sewing on the leafy branches (I used Agave for the leaves).

Then I sewed on the bee trail (it can also be a vine if you'd prefer not to use it as a bee trail) and finished with the Satin Slipper flower, Tundra door, and beading.

The back of this ornament reads My Sweet. I achieved this by using a combination of Monogram Alphabet letters and a Chocolate Box Messages greeting. The "MY" was cut from Daffodil and all of the stitching is done with DMC #726. This could easily be used either in Spring or as a charming bee-themed Valentine.

My second ornament stays with the love theme.

I used the Humming Hive and Busy Bees on this one in addition to the Taffy heart from the Love Potion Details Die. I just went ahead and sewed that right to the Furrow door of my Sunflower hive.

I added the bees (all of the antennae on the bees were freehanded with one strand of thread, by the way) and some embellishments for a touch of interest and sparkle (these sequins came from the Hayride Color Story).

The back of this one reads "For Ever My Love" which is another Franken-sentiment that I created with the Chocolate Box Messages Die. I love the sweet simplicity of this ornament in particular.