There is such an appeal to carving.  Did you go off of a plan, or did you design it? 

The talk of blood reminds me when I was a kid, I convinced my dad to buy me a carving set (??or just one) at HF.  I wanted to try my hand at the craft.  The only wood around was a piece of 2x4.  I proceeded to push the tool along the 2x4 and stick the tool into my hand.  Embarrassed, I went it the house to have mom help me stop the bleeding!!  Vague memory, but did learn to not have tools moving toward flesh!!