I haven't gotten that newsletter yet....just tried to log on to their website and it wouldn't let me. I guess we'll have to wait until they get the problem fixed before we can look at it. I really like this magazine and it seems they are featuring more garden junk type stuff lately....could it be going mainstream? I wonder.....

I sent them an email telling them their links didn't work. They sent one back telling me not everyone can access things. You have to subscribe to the magazine in order to see everything. I HAVE subscriptions to Backyard Living and Taste of Home magazines...which also has a problem today! Must be the whole Reiman group...and blame it on me why don't ya!!

{{gwi:128695}}

LOL

~Sandy~

That is one of the cutest things ive ever seen!
Got me whishin for a bowling ball.
kat

That is very cute! I was reading the instructions at their site and it seems pretty easy to make. It doesn't cost anything to join (except dealing with their mail in your emailbox). Reiman Publications is only a few miles from where I live. They have a gorgeous garden surrounding their building. If I think of it, I will get a picture of it with their Christmas decorations up.

Ok how do you sign up... I want to know how they made those wings and attached them. That's adorable.

Not sure if everyone can see these instructions, but I'll attach the link. I wasn't able to log-in again, but I was able to see the instructions. Looks like they made the wings with copper wire, hardware cloth and window screen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bumble Bee Instructions

Thank you for the instructions, now to get someone to make me one.....

Sue

Wow, that is so adorable! I think my husbands old bowling ball is somewhere in our basement. Hopefully I didn't get rid of it during one of my "this stuff has to go" times. Thanks for posting that, I just signed up for Country Living magazine. My Grandchildren will love this.

Sandy, Sandy, Sandy !!! Thank YOU ~~~~ "HONEY BEE!!!"
I just can't wait to make this!!!
My DD is so terrified of BEEs but this is going to "B"
my 1st Spring out side to the garden project!!!!
It is just about the cutest thing I have evvvvvver seen!
and I've BEEEEEEEEEEEN around a LOOOONG time!!!!
Thank you to all of YA'LL for the pictures and for the instructions !!!!!
I'm SOOOOOOOO excited.... Haven't BEEEEEEE'n this excited for a long time !!!!
PLEASE....
Have a * * * **HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!! * ** * *
AND A VERY M E R R Y + C H R I S T M A S !!!
GOD BLESS!
susiesunshine

Isn't it just the cutest?!!

Thanks for adding the link to the instructions, Adina!

I was finally able to access them thru the newsletter and printed them for future reference. Gotta have that bee!

~Sandy~

One could also easily make a ladybug - yes???? Wouldn't even have to make the wings - because although LBs DO have wings, we seldom see them. So - make the antennae as you would for the bee - and then using black dots and lines on red - you would have your ladybug!!! Yep - I am going to give that a try come spring.

How adorable is this???? Thanks so much for the idea and instructions...I WILL have a bumblebee in my garden come spring..

I made a big tomato from a BB a couple of years ago. It was a hoot! Painted it...yup...you guessed it...tomato red! Then I cut leaves and a stem from green craft foam and stuck them to the top. Planted it in the garden amongst my tomato plants...to be the world's largest tomato!! LOL

~Sandy~

Thanks adina for the instruction! Great project!

Looks like you could use old badminton rackets for the wings....

I never could access the rest of the instructions :o( can someone post them on here?

What kind of paint do ya'll use that will stick to a bowling ball? Does anyone have a photo of what the face of the bee looks like?

That bee is the cutest bowling ball I've seen. That ladybug idea is fantastic too. Do hope if anyone makes some they will post their photos on here!!!

~ Cat

Bright199, it looks like the ends of the copper tubing are bent together and straight down, with the ends being stuffed into the finger holes of the bowling ball.

Could someone cut and past the rest of the instructions for those of us too poor to subscribe, lol. Would really appreciate it.

Here are the instructions I have:

Bowling Ball

Silicone caulk

101" #6 copper wire. Have it cut at the hardware store at these lengths:

TwoÂ8.5" lengths for antenna
TwoÂ20" lengths for top wing
TwoÂ22" lengths for bottom wing
Window Screen: TwoÂ8.5" squares

Hardware cloth: TwoÂ9.5" squares

TwoÂ1" round wooden beads

Kilz exterior primer

Yellow exterior latex paint

Black exterior latex paint

26 gauge bare copper wire (approx. 60-70" for each wing)

Brush or sponge

Wire cutter

INSTRUCTIONS:

Prime the bowling ball. Let dry. Paint the bowling ball with yellow paint. (They applied two coats).

Bend the 8.5" lengths of wire slightly to make antennae.

Paint the two beads black (They used a thin wash coat of paint).

Squirt a little dab of caulk into each bead hole. Push one bead onto end of antenna. Repeat for the next antenna.

Bend the 20" lengths into an oval shape for the bottom set of wings. Bend down about 1-1/2" at the ends. (This will be inserted into the finger holes on the ball.)

Bend the 22" lengths into an oval shape for the top set of wings. Bend down about 1-1/2" at the ends to place in the fingerholes.

Center 20" wire ovals over the window screen material and "sew" the thin copper wire to the wire to attach screening. Trim around the edges after sewing. They found it was easier "sewing" from the underside of the wing.

Center 22" wire ovals over hardware cloth and "sew" with thin copper wire too attach to the cloth. Trim to 1/4" past the edge and bend hardware cloth edges around copper wire.

Apply painters tape to the ball where desired and paint or sponge black stripes on the ball. Let dry.

Squirt caulk into finger holes to attach antenna and wings. Let dry for 24 hours.

Touch up areas on finger holes.

Good luck!

~Sandy~

Thanks so much Sandy. Got 3 old bb's that have been waiting patiently for me to do something new with them.

Oh gee...only 3?! I'll send you one of mine and you can make a bee out of mine too...and send it back to me!!! LOL

Just kidding! Creating things ourselves from stuff we find is the challenge! Always did love a challenge!! :~)

Please show us pics of your finished bees!

~Sandy~

Hi,
Has anyone seen the bowling ball that looks like a ladybug? I thought I saw it on one of the magizines from I village..... Please let me know.

Thanks,

I have the ladybug bowling ball in the Inspiration Album.
I am thinking I should add this bee, but wouldn't have room to put ALL those instructions unfortunately.

{{gwi:197321}}

hugs, Karen

I was able to get the instructions under the Bee's photo in our album afterall. Yay.

hugs, Karen

Thanks for these pics and instructions too. They are so cute. I just love the face on the ladybug too.

My neighbor just brought me over a black bowling ball she found for 99 cents. This is the 2nd one she's brought me. Wouldn't let me pay her for it, said maybe I could make one for her sometime. Since I now have two black ones, think I should do the ladybug--one for her, one for me. Sure nice having a neighbor who appreciates garden junk. ;o)

Luvs

The ladybug has a cute face, tho I'd have painted in her antennae darker where they would be easily seen.
You are lucky to have that neighbor!!!

hugs, Karen