Bumble Bees

The more I look at the words 'bumble bee' and say it to myself, the funnier it looks and sounds.  I wonder how a bumble bee got it's name.  Because it's so big and awkward, it 'bumbles' around?

Actually, one of the definitions of 'bumble' is to make a humming or droning sound; to buzz.  There is certainly no mistaking when a bumble bee is in the vicinity.

Bumble bees are large, hairy bees that are usually black and yellow with clear wings with black veins. The hind legs of female bumble bees have a wide, cupped area for collecting pollen.

Bumble bees do not have a barbed sting — so they can sting several times if threatened. Yet, not all bumble bees have a stinger. Male bumble bees, called drones, have no stinger at all. 
Bees see in ultraviolet light, so they are attracted to different hues. For example, many studies have shown that the bumble bee is strongly attracted to violet and blue flowers, but they will visit other colored blossoms.

Bumble bee hives are usually found underground in abandoned rodent burrows and are lined with the bees’ secreted wax.

Bumble bees are active in all kinds of weather and are often the first bee out in early spring and last in the fall. They can visit 10 to 18 flowers in a minute.

They are not big honey producers, but create just enough honey to allow the colony to survive through times of food shortage. Their colonies are seasonal and die out when winter comes, with only the queens surviving to spring.

Bumble bees have quite the appeal to artists and crafters alike.  Here is a Scissor's Keeper that I made for Early Bird Christmas Crafting. 

I found the pattern in the book Sew Necessary by Art to Heart

This book is filled with many clever ideas for making your sewing experience more fun!

I admit that I had difficulty following the directions,

but was always delighted with my finished products!