Saturday, May 20, 2017

To Bee or Not To Bee Blog Hop

Hello everyone!! :o)

Welcome to a To Bee Or Not To Bee Blog Hop, special blog hop supporting BEES.

I've invited some of my crafty friends whom I admire greatly to hop along with me, and I have some amazing sponsors and artist lined up with gifts to give away to You! :o)

Aim of the hop is to support beesto raise public awareness of the importance of bees, beekeeping and apicultural products, and to support initiative of the SlovenianBeekeepers’ Association that the May 20th is declared World Bee Day by the United Nations (UN).



Bees (and other pollinators) and beekeeping are very important for ensuring food quality, as well as preserving the entire ecosystem and natural biodiversity.


Bees Species (general classification):


Interesting facts...
  • "Bees pollinate as many as 170,000 species of plants.
  • Without bees, there would not be so many different kinds of fruits and vegetables, or such beautiful colors on the lawn.
  • A bee colony is as big as a small town. There are from 30,000 to 60,000 bees in each colony.
  • The queen bee is the only one that lays eggs. She lays up to 2,000 eggs per day.
  • Out of 20,000 species of bees, only one is widely used for commercial honey production.
  • The Carniolan honey bee, Apis mellifera carnica, is an indigenous Slovenian race of bee and the second most widespread bee race in the world.
  • Honey bees’ wings strike 11,400 times per minute, thus making their distinctive buzz.
  • Honey bees are the only bees that die after they sting. 
  • To make one kilogram of honey, the bees have to visit 4 million flowers and fly four times the distance around the world."


Honey bees provide a wide range of benefits to humans from apicultural products, pollination of food crops and ecological services. Beekeeping is practiced all around the world. Honey and wax are the best known primary products of beekeeping, but there are more products of beekeeping that are very valuable. The main bee products that are used for human consumption are: honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and venom.
Source: http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/discussions/beekeeping

I use most products mentioned above regularly: honey, pollen, propolis. From time to time I use royal jelly, mostly before autumn and winter to get my immune system ready for "flu and other boring stuff" season. :o)  

I use yellow beeswax (Cera flava) for making my own cosmetic creams. My skin is very sensitive and doesn't like creams available on the market, full of chemicals. Since 2013, I use only natural and homemade creams for my skin: face and body creams, sun lotions... In December 2015, I shared my own Face and Body Cream recipe here on my blog. Here is a direct link to the blog post.

The most simple cream I make and I use most is an Almond Cream. If you would like to try it, these are the ingredients for 100 ml:
  • Almond Oil (Amygdalae oleum), 80-85 grams
  • Yellow Beeswax (Cera flava), 16 grams

For other supplies, instructions how to make your own cream and tips, jump to my blog post here. If you need more instructions and help, don't hesitate to contact me. :o)




What can we do to protect bees and other pollinators...
  • "Care for the environment and avoid harming it.
  • Plant a variety of nectar-bearing plants and native species that bloom form spring to autumn to provide food for pollinators.
  • Provide a welcoming environment for solitary bees and other pollinators with a feeder hut/shelter.
  • Mow lawn less often and when bees are not present (i.e. early morning or late afternoon).
  • Seek out local beekeepers and support them by buying bee products.
  • Educate our community about the importance of bees and encourage pollinator-friendly campaigns and events."


Illustrator: Hannah Rosengren Moran



And now a project I created for this hop: Bee Happy Card.



I stamped Henry on a thick watercolor paper and colored him in watercolor technique using Distress Inks. I smudged one antenna while coloring and wasn't able to clean it, so I fussy cut the image, traced edges with black marker, stamped another image on a white cardstock paper and colored it in black. Then I glued colored pieces over "black" image and fussy cut the image again, this time leaving thin white border around Henry.

Next up was a background. I heat embossed in white hexagon pattern from Jane's Doodles 'Geometric Patterns' stamp set (which is discontinued) on a thin watercolor paper panel. I watercolored the background with Distress Inks Mustard Seed ad Fossilized Amber. I added couple layers of color, drying them between. When I was satisfied, I splattered the background with water and Distress Inks mixed with water.

Lastly, I assembled the card. I glued the background panel on a 2 mm foam thick sheet rectangle and glued it on a side folded white card base. I glued 1 mm foam on Henry and glued him on the card. I created a sentiment using black Create a Smile Alphabet Stickers and glued them directly on the background panel. As a finishing touch, using white gel pen I drew white dots on the image and letters. They look like pollen. :o)


At the bottom of this post you can find detailed supply lists and card measurements.



GIVEAWAY

Fantastic companies and artists are supporting the blog hop with incredible generosity.

These are the prizes they have sponsored:


I'm also giving away a prize: Jane’s Doodles ‘Daisies’ stamp set.

14 prizes will be given away to 14 winnersFor your chance to win, all you have to do is hop along blogs of the participating designers and leave comment on each blog hop stop. You can enter the giveaway until Saturday, May 27th (12 AM, CEST +2 UTC).
I will announce winners here on my blog on Wednesday, May 31st. Winners have to confirm prizes within a week. Unconfirmed prizes will be redrawn.

Now I'm sending you off to hop. Thanks to all the amazing Ladies who have joined me in this hop and created GORGEOUS projects, as well for all help and support to organize this hop. It's first one I organized. :o)


I hope you'll enjoy the hop. Link to this post will be in a right sidebar (Featured Post), until the Blog Hop ends. :o)

Bee Happy!!! :o)

Milka


List of supplies:
  • C.C. Designs, Roberto's Rascals 'Bee Henry' clear stamp
  • Jane's Doodles 'Geometric Patterns' stamp set; stamp set is discontinued
  • white cardstock paper
  • thin white watercolor paper
  • Koh-i-noor pop Aquarel Watercolor Paper, 250 gms
  • Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
  • Tsukineko VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad
  • WOW! Embossing Powder (Opaque Bright White, Regular, WL01R)
  • Tim's Holtz Distress Inks:
    • Mustard Seed
    • Fossilized Amber 
    • Tea Dye
    • Vintage Photo
    • Walnut Stain
    • Hickory Smoke
    • Black Soot
    • Uniball Signo White
    • Stabilo Fine Tip Pen (marker), Black 68/46
    • Create a Smile Alphabet Stickers: Black
    • foam sheet 2 mm thick
    • foam sheet scraps 1 mm thick
    • acrylic block (102 mm x 102 mm)
    • Fiskars High Precision Personal Paper Trimmer
    • bone folder
    • Marabu rounded fine paint brush no. #0
    • Marabu flat fine paint brush no. #6
    • Ranger Heat It Tool
    • scissors
    • paper towels
    • water
    • powder bag

    Card measurements: 96 mm x 133 mm (3 3/4" x 5 1/4")

    54 comments:

    1. Such interesting information on bees! Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of this fabulous hop.
      Your card is sooooo SWEET. Your coloring is amazing and love the background!

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    2. Your card is beautiful. This is such an important issue. Thanks for organising this and to all the sponsors for supporting our buzzy friends. Hugz

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    3. Loved reading the info about bees ,so many interesting facts :) Your cards is so adorable :)

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    4. Milka, your card is sooo lovely!!! perfect coloring! Thank you sooo much for having that great idea and organizing that! And for having me :-)

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    5. I do this every year, they send me seeds and I plant them all!Love your card!

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    6. Amazing idea and blog hop.Thank you so much for inviting me!! You card is adorable!!

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    7. Very informative info on Bees! Your cards are beautiful.

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    8. This is so super cute!!! I have a huge lavender bush. Glad to see I am doing my part. I also have a bee hive in my old stucco fence. It's been there for years. Right next to the Orange tree they love.

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    9. Thank you for having organized this fantastic hop, Milka! I'm so glad I was chosen to join and found the time to play along. Your card is so cute and happy. Totally love this creation. Thanks too for the almond cream recipie - sounds great!

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    10. Your card is so
      cute and love the
      design.
      Carla from Utah

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    11. Such an adorable card. Love your info packed post too. The whole idea of this blog hop is super cool! Totally enjoyed being part of it.

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    12. What fascinating facts about bees! My husband is interested in becoming a bee keeper, so we have been gathering information on bees. I printed one of the articles on types of honeybees for him. I have also started making some of my own face creams. I'll have to try the almond cream. I started taking bee pollen to help with my allergies and also eat a little honey every day. I'm not sure how much it is helping, but I have had less sinus infections. Your card is adorable! I'd never know you had to fix the antenna.

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    13. your project for the bees is awesome!!
      and your card too��
      Danie

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    14. Very interesting blog hop. Thanks for the information on bees. I didn't know half the things in it. I am sharing it with my daughter. And I love your card. It is just too cute.

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    15. Beautiful card :) the watercoloring looks great. Thanks for organizing the hop on such an important issue.
      hugs
      preeti

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    16. Wow.. awesome cause and gorgeous card..hope the Bees are happy too.. I'll surely do my little bit in making this world a better place for the Bees

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    17. What a wonderful and informative post about Bees and LOVING this hop. Your card is a happy delight and THANK YOU so much for organising and inviting me to be part of this wonderful event. Hugs Bev x

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    18. Milka, this is a great cause to support!! BIG CONGRATS for your first Hop, this is awesome! And how many informations on the bees you give us!! Wow!
      Man is destroying Nature and himself... There are too many chimical things used for agricolture,and pollinator are very important! Thanks for sharing and for this awesome hop!
      Your card is really a true delight!!! LOVE it!!! Such wonderful design! Amazing patterned background and Bee Henry is soooo cute!! :D Fab colouring and sentiment!
      Hugs

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    19. bees are so cute!
      love your card!
      its bee-utiful!
      hugs

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    20. Fabulous cause!! And awesome card! Love the background!!

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    21. Stunning card! I just love thw bee color comb. I always have its so clean and fresh! Reminds me of spring.

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    22. Such a fantastic Idea for a Hop I love Bee's. Your colouring is awesome thanks for sharing this and all those wonderful facts about them hugs Nikki

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    23. What a wonderful blog hop!! Your card is darling and appreciate the very cool facts!

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    24. I loved reading about the bee facts. Your card is also lovely

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    25. Thank you for the great info on the bees. I have lots of flowering trees and plants around my yard as I love having the birds and bees visit! Your card is simply adorable, beautiful coloring!

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    26. Love this blog hop theme! I'm a big fan of honey, and I appreciate bees and all that they do. Your card is so adorable!

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    27. Awesome info on bees! Very interesting! And great blog hop, amazing prizes. Great way to put something fun and useful in one ;)
      And your card is lovely!

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    28. OOOOhhh what a wonderfull card with that lovely bee-image on it.


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    29. This little guy is so darling! I love all the little white spots on the image and the lettering it really made all the difference!

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    30. WOW! This a wonderful thing you are doing! And your card is real adorable.
      natgodfrey4@gmail.com

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    31. What a fun and different blog hop, I love the idea, well done! The card you made is really cute, I smiled when I saw it :) Thanks for organising such a great and fun hop for this good cause!

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    32. Thank you for letting us know the importance of Bee �� into our day to day life. And what a wonderful card you have made �� The background is so awesome ��Would love to hop the great bee awareness blog hop !!!

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    33. Gr8 information and such interesting facts about bees! Your coloring is so beautiful, super cute! Thanks for organizing this fantastic hop with such good cause!

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    34. What a fun hop! I love bees, partly because my favourite colour is yellow. I love honey as well :)

      I'm looking forward to seeing all the cards in this hop! Thanks for the cool info about beeeeeeeeeeees!

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    35. What a great way to use our craft to bring awareness to such an important and overlooked insect in the food chain. Thanks for the cool bee facts. Love your adorable card and the great background you created.

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    36. Very interesting information on bees and your card is wonderful.
      Thanks for the hop.
      Valerija xx

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    37. Wow! I've always loved bees and their amazing work! it's like a magic!!!
      Beautiful hop, Milka! I loved so much all the interesting informations about bees!
      Your card... Awww!!! Absolutely cute!!! <3

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    38. Enjoyed all the info about bees. This is a good cause to support, the word needs to get out to everyone. Thanks also for this wonderful blog hop and the opportunity to possibly win something also. Looking forward to seeing what everyone posted.

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    39. Oo, zelo pridna, da prirejaš takšen blog hop. Te popolnoma podpiram, tudi doma smo se začeli ukvarjati s čebelarstvom, ker porabimo veliko medu.

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    40. Finally had the time to finished your blog hop Milka.
      It was great fun with all those wonderfull cards, thank you organizing

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    41. Such a great idea vor a blog hop! Bees are so important! And your card is adoorable!!

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    42. Hi!

      Was für eine schöne Karte und was für ein wichtiges Thema! Ohne Bienen kann die ganze Welt nicht existieren, daher muß man sie einfach schützen.
      Ein toller BlogHop, auf dem ich viele neue Blogs kennen lerne - das macht Spaß!

      Liebe Grüße
      KleinerVampir

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    43. Milka,
      I love the card. The little guy is cute!

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    44. Hi, Milka. First I want to say thank you for all the information about sweet little creatures and for all the support to help save the bees. They are something unique. And my grandad always said that bees are speacial because they are the only animals that don't peris but they die. You did really amazing job to gather together all these lovely ladies that are made such a stunning work and also some wonderful sponsors. Love your so sweet and adorable cards. Little bee is so cute and the background that you is just fabulous. Hugs from me ♥

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    45. Thank you for all the information about Bees I have always loved Bees and I love your Bee card
      Carol x

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    46. Sorry, i´ve missed to join the blog hop in time. I just came from my DT buddy Kathy. Anyway - your card is very sweet and i like the super matching background !

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    47. this is such a great cause, I'm buzzing to hop along and check out all the cute cards!

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    48. Save the bees. Love that card. The background is so cool and that CC stamp is adorable. Love this. Hugz

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    49. Milka..if the bees knew what you are doing in your little way... they'd always leave some honey at your doorsteps. What a lovely card this too is. I am surely going to plant the plants your shared..I had no idea these helped!

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    50. awww isn't this the sweetest of cards - love the little bee-boy!!

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    51. Thrilled to see that protecting bees has become a world-wide endeavour and how wonderful that you are bringing it to our attention with your blog hop. Thank you for sharing fascinating information about bees; I'll be adding a variety of the 'recommended' perennials and annuals to my brand new flower gardens in the days to come! As for your card: oh my stars! Bee-utiful!
      ~carol

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    52. A very bee-autiful card Milka! I love it

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