Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Bleeding Hearts and Mossy Walks

I'm kinda' embarrassed to post this stitch...

Design - "February" (Wool Whimsy kit)
Designer - Heart in Hand
Fabric - 32 count Natural Belfast linen
Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 4 February 2013
Completed - 5 February 2013

I've never had a project 'bleed' before, but this one did as I ironed out the creases with a steam iron.  I think I can touch it up using a Q-Tip and improve it.  I also noticed that this large scan shows just how pathetic my attempts at the blanket stitch are.  I'll just call it rustic and primitive, and let it be.


It's Wednesday and time for a walk.

Today I've decided we should explore a new section of Dorothy's Creek.

To get there we will follow the clearly marked...

...and muddy deer path.

Most of the walk is shaded so mosses...

...and mushrooms abound.

Aren't these guys cool?

Here's our botany lesson for today. 
Two young trees.
On the left a Hemlock with one row of flat needles.
Behind it on the right a Douglas Fir with multiple rows of needles.

Two kinds of moss growing side-by-side.

Watch out!  We've found Dorothy's Creek - but our vantage point is up on a steep bank above the water.
We've close to this tree - I wonder just how many kinds of mosses and lichens adorn its bark.

Dorothy's Creek is much wider and deeper as it approaches the Big Creek.  I think I heard a fish jump one of the little falls.  Did you see it?  I didn't, but I'm standing by my story. 

13 comments:

dixiesamplar said...

It isn't noticeable until you point it out, LOL! It is a lovely piece regardless.

Excellently refreshing walk this morning.

Mary said...

:(....sew it into a pillow and put it with other Valentine pillows...no one will notice....if they do say " oh my goodness how did that happen ? ". Like what I use to do with a pair of stocking I knew had a run...when other would notice I would say" oh my goodness how did that happen?" hahaha

Anna van Schurman said...

Not sure how this would work now that you have the wool piece on there, but I have had success with soaking the piece in cold water--cold cold cold, like I put the stitched piece in a bowl of water in the fridge! Change the water twice a day and eventually the piece is as good as new. But I do like Mary's suggestion. I might use that!

cucki said...

I think it is a lovely piece too...
Lovely walk x

Mindi said...

I love the piece, and didn't even notice the bleeding until you said something about it. I think it just adds to the primitive look. If it bothers you, maybe just try to "age" the whole thing by sprinkling on some coffee?

Giovanna said...

It's a very pretty finish - the bleeding isn't too obnoxious, you can hardly see it.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I think we all notice the imperfections in the work we do ourselves - much more so than in other stitcher's work. It's still a pretty little stitch Beth.

Astrids dragon said...

Looks good to me, I thought it was supposed to look that way!

Beautiful pics, as always.

Pam in IL said...

I really didn't notice the bleeding. I also didn't thing the blanket stitches looked bad. Like you said - rustic and primitive! :)

Loved the walk and the bits of green. Scary looking down from above the creek.

Barb said...

I agree, just let it go and call it primitive!! What a lovely walk. that's really a pretty little creek!

Carol said...

I honestly wouldn't have noticed the bleeding if you hadn't pointed it out, Beth--I think it is a very cute piece :)

Enjoyed today's walk very much!

Nicola said...

I didn't notice the bleed at all until I read about it. I though the whole stitch was very pretty including the blanket stitch.

Melanie said...

Honestly, I wouldn't have noticed it either until you pointed it out. You could always embrace it and 'antique' the whole piece, but that look isn't for everyone. (I like it but I can also see why deliberately marking up your handwork would give some the vapors. :))