Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The First Wednesday Walk of 2014


Design - "Frosty Friends" (kit)
Designer - Lizzie Kate
Fabric - 27 count R & R Kate's Slate
Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 7 January 2014
Completed - 11 January 2014

This is an older special edition kit from 1999. I don't know why I waited so long to stitch it.  I love the jewel tones of the color pallet - navy, pine, and cranberry.

I don't know why I haven't been out walking yet this year.
It's a bit cold and foggy, but hey, it isn't rain, so let's go see what there is to see...

This time of year the mosses rule the natural world...
I think this is Small Flat Moss (Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans). 

As does running water.  
The Big Creek is full and flowing with enthusiasm.

And lots of different lichens.

Crazy as it may seem, the Osoberry has already set plump buds.  It is the first shrub to leaf out and flower in the earliest days of spring.  

I like this rusty lichen. It may be Xanthoria Elegans Lichen.

Turkey tail Mushrooms (Trametes versicolor).  It is the most common mushroom in North America. 

More Turkey Tails - found anywhere there are dead hardwood logs or stumps.

The vibrant green of Lungwort Lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria). It hangs out on trees in damp forests.  

Our part of the Big Creek - wide, fast, and muddy.

And still more Turkey Tails.

And more Lungwort Lichen.

Back to moss!

Raindrops and Rosehips

Long dangling drapes of Methuselah's Beard Lichen (Usnea longissima).
It prefers open, well ventilated forests.

We'll part company at Dorothy's Creek.
I'm going to stop a moment and listen to the little creek as the water cascades down the hill.  Then I'll head back up to the house.

12 comments:

Vickie said...

Cute, little stitch. Love the Methuselah's Beard Lichen!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Lovely little snowman. I love to see the buds starting to show once again, there's so much promise in them.

Giovanna said...

A very cute snowman indeed, well done. Mosses and lichens make such lovely textures, I always look out for them when I'm in the Alps.

krayolakris said...

Thanks for posting the moss and lichens. They are all beautiful and a reminder to look for and savor the small stuff!

Margaret said...

I love seeing the beautiful spots of color during this long, cold, grey winter.

Carol said...

What a cute little snowman, Beth--I agree, the colors are very nice! I don't think we have much of any color outside right now, but, then again, I haven't ventured out into the woods. Think I'll just sit here in our nice warm house and enjoy your walk :)

Barb said...

What a cute little snowman!!I love the moss and lichen you see this time of year.

Pam in IL said...

Frosty Friends is such a cutie! Thanks for a wonderful walk too. I can't imagine being able to a nice walk leisurely around here in January.

Andrea said...

Love your Frosty Friends snowman. a wonderful walk too.

Melanie said...

Super cute finish!! I like the 'crooked' buttons. :)
If only the kitty button was in orange. How perfect would THAT be?

Maggee said...

Before I read the explanation, I thought 27-count R&R? Kate's Slate? It MUST be old! I KNOW they don't make that color anymore... Love that Turkey Tail you found everywhere!

Catherine said...

Cute stitch! Thanks for taking me on your walk ~ too cold here for me to venture out for long!