Yes, it’s that time again! School’s out for Summer and so it’s time for our annual competition.
This year we are excited to introduce Nancy and Drew the Honey Bees for the 2021 #edsanimals photography competition: #edssummerbees
"Save the Bees..."
This summer Kerry Lord is setting you the challenge of making one (or two!) honey bees. Then, snap a photo of them with your favourite flower and share it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #edssummerbees. Tag in @toft_uk for the chance to win an amazing bundle of TOFT goodies worth over £250. Our aim: to fill our social media feeds with mood-lifting blooms all summer long as well as raising awareness to save the Bees!
With the introduction of three hives (and counting) at TOFT HQ, we’ll be bringing you updates and information about honey bees throughout the Summer. The TOFT team have all been learning about what we can do to help save the bees.
Once you’ve picked your favourite TOFT colours to combine, all you need to do is order your kit, make your bee and take a photo of her with some flowers.
If you are based in the UK you can also opt to receive some FREE wild seed balls to plant!
The Save the Bees kit contains two 25g natural colours to combine for your body and a third 25g for the wings, a bee info card and two sets of safety eyes to add the finishing touch to your bees. All you’ll need to get started is a 3mm crochet hook toy stuffing, and a sewing up needle.
If you're having trouble with any of the techniques used in making Nancy then watch Kerry Lord’s latest video HERE.
To be in with a chance of winning this year's Summer Competition, make sure that you share your photo of Nancy on Instagram and/or Facebook before midnight, Sunday 5th September 2021 using the #edssummerbees and tag in @toft_uk.
Complementing our 2021 summer competition this year we have three fantastic products.
The crocheted honeycomb blanket will keep your hook busy until the seasons change. This modern crochet project is part of our fashion-led collection of easy-to-follow crochet patterns from TOFT’s interiors collection.
Favourites of the bees, French Lavender is currently one of the most popular small garden shrubs in the UK and Heather being such an important wild shrub for our wildlife today in the UK has inspired Kerry Lord to design two limited edition versions of these beautiful flowers, TOFT style, as part of our 'Cro your Own' collection.
We have a limited edition TOFT yarn ‘Heather' released for Summer 2021 to compliment our Save the Bees Summer Competition. It is a pure British wool made from a blend of the fleeces of 50% Wensleydale, 20%, Blue Faced Leicester and 30% alpaca and spun to be lighter weight than a standard Toft DK to create a yarn perfect for working light petal adornments onto the design. And a perfect colour as purple is the one that bees can see the best in your garden.
Both limited edition versions of these flower monsters come inside a hessian bag that includes lengths of Black and Cream yarn for the eyes with an option of a .pdf or postcard pattern.
Once these limited edition versions of Lavender and Heather are gone….that is it!! So be quick and get yours whilst you can!
With there only being one honey bee species in the UK we feel now more than ever, that it’s so important to do all we can to ‘Save the Bees!’ So if you are lucky enough to live in the UK and choose to have our seed bombs included in your bee project, this is what you’ll be getting…
Your seeds balls are a mixture of native wildflowers that bees will just love! This carefully selected mix is designed specifically to attract solitary bees, honey bees and bumblebees. Place them 10cm apart to get the best coverage and growth. Each seed ball contains approximately 30 seeds from a mix of Birdsfoot Trefoil, Foxglove, Red Clover, Viper’s Bugloss and Wild Marjoram.
Planting this range of flowers in your garden, on your balconies and windowsills will ensure the bees have access to nectar from March to October.
How do I use my Seedballs?
Throw onto soil or compost in a garden bed or planter in Spring or Autumn, leaving at least 10cm between each ball. Your Seedball has everything it needs to grow and, once the ball becomes moist and the temperature is right, your seeds will germinate!
What is in Seedball?
A ball made from seeds, clay, peat-free compost and chilli powder.
What area will my Seedballs cover?
We would usually advise 20 seed balls per square metre, or 3-5 seed balls for a 35cm container.
TOFT also have a fabulous range of purple blooms and bees favourites in the flower monster collection. Have a look at our favourites and add them to your crochet bee garden this summer. With no watering required, this heather is the perfect addition to your crochet garden - they’ll always be in bloom!
Competition Ts&Cs
- The TOFT Photo Competition is open to all - apart from anyone associated with the competition including employees (and their partners and family).
- Entries must be made via public accounts on Instagram or Facebook. There is no age or residency restriction on this competition - worldwide entries are welcome.
- This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram or Facebook
- All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them
- To ensure the competition entries are judged on a level playing field and accessible for all, please do not digitally enhance or edit your photographs. Entries that have used special effects or techniques will not be considered.
- There is no limit to the number of entries per person. Each photograph will count as one entry.
- Closing date for entry will be midnight on 05/09/21. After this date, no further entries to the competition will be accepted, although please feel free to continue to share your photos!
- TOFT will notify the winner on or before 13/09/21.
- The Judge’s decision is final
- One entrant shall win a surprise bundle of TOFT products worth over £250
- Entrants must not do anything illegal and/or dangerous and/or that would put themselves or others at any risk.
References for bee seedballs
https://seedball.co.uk/product/bee-mix/
