Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Monday, July 6, 2009

Like quills upon the fearful porpentine

Hamlet Act 1. sc 5.

Sorry, but Shakespeare sneaks in sometimes. I can't help it!

I've been stitching but it's exchange stitching so I can't show photos. I scrapped the gingham piece as the effort to achieve a decent finish was simply infuriating me. Yes, I'm easily angered by inanimate objects...I admit it. Perhaps I'll pull it back out when I've forgotten how much it pissed me off. For now, I've started another design and it is stitching up quickly. It isn't on gingham fabric either. I didn't need to say that, did I?

This change of plans puts me behind schedule. I needed to be starting the traveling pattern so it can actually travel. And Crabby July can't be neglected. Halp! Three deadlines! What'll I do?


Whazzit? Although it looks like a group of black-paint-dipped toothpicks these are actually porcupine quills. Rick and I were on a motorcycle ride and where we stopped to rest was a dead porcupine, hit by a passing car. We couldn't resist taking a sample...as we seldom see these creatures. The quills look solid but they are actually soft and hollow like a bird feather or a drinking straw. Kinda neat, we thought.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awww...poor porcupine!

Neat quills though.

Sweet Sue said...

Dead or alive, you are very brave-yikes!

Laural said...

Good decision! We stitch for enjoyment. No point in wasting your time on a project that pisses you off.

Angela said...

The poor animal.

ArchangelDecker said...

If memory serves, this is what used to be used as writing instruments way back in the day. :)

tkdquintmom said...

Three dealines what to do? I see you being slapped around like that gal on Airplane! where everyone is in line...one with a tire iron...one with a gun...smack smack...get it together man! lol
COOL porcupine quills but the poor little guy! Those things look like they would hurt!

Kathy A. said...

Ahh so that is where the sisterhood has travelled. Someone asked me the other day and I had lost track. Welcome to the sisterhood. It is such a fun stitch. Off to let someone know where the sistehood is now.

Aussie Stitcher said...

I hate dealing with insurance companies, I am glad that you got the damage all sorted, they were nasty hail stones. LOL at you eating the bug, I know a person who found her baby with a spiders leg hanging out of her mouth, EEEEWWWWW!!!!

Ranae said...

Good Luck with the deadlines, you should really take an easy. I think the quills was used to write with, many many years ago.

Carolyn NC said...

This is really strange - I'm feeling really sorry for the porcupines right about now. Road kill seems to be rampant! Check out this blog post - rather funny and eerily similar to yours (well, without the claws firmly entrenched - LOL)
http://evalinamaria.blogspot.com/2009/06/where-is-my-porcupine.html

Lillie said...

Interesting, something not known by me, thank you for sharing.

lenna said...

I once, and only once, cut a piece up I was stitching on into 1" squares and then threw them away. Can you believe it I don't even remember what it was. Now, I try to get over myself and remember I can get happy in those pants, too.
Did the poor porcupine smell? You were indeed brave to get them ~ they sure are cool. I have never seen one before. Don't think I would go up to a live one either. Can you write with them?
Your stitching is very nice I like it too much!
God Bless ~
Lenna

Christine said...

You should never apologise for sneaking in a bit of The Bard.
Poor old porcupine, the quills are fascinating though

Billie said...

I like those quills, but poor animal. Here in Germany people enjoy running over hedgehogs. You see them lying around everywhere. However, I never thought about taking their quills. Will do that next time I see one.

Micki said...

I love those quills...How neat!
Micki

Becky K in OK said...

I don't believe I've ever seen a live porcupine either. Armadillo, now that another story.

Karan said...

Deep breath - you'll catch up, no problem. :0)
Guess the poor porcupine had no use for them any more. ;0)

Anonymous said...

Who pulled them out? I wouldn't be able to look at it,never mind pulling out the quills ((Shudders))

Julie said...

Cool.... learnt something new coming here today.

Annie said...

My first thought was some kind of hand made knitting needles. City girls, you know.

Slow and steady and you'll be fine with your deadlines. Please don't stress over stitching.. it's supposed to be the stress reliever!

mainely stitching said...

Porcupine quills are pretty fascinating, aren't they? :D

Siobhán said...

Awww, poor porcupine! Neat quills, though.

rabbit faerie said...

Poor porcupine...but what a cool pic. I think I saw something like that in Apocolypto at the weekend :)

Pumpkin said...

Oh, can't wait to see what you've been stitching :o)

We see porcupines all the time. Unfortunately it's mostly on the side of the road :o(

Carmen said...

i never see a porcupine, only in pictures.The quills llok amazing.

Olga said...

Good luck with the deadlines. Poor porcupine, its quills are so neat.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, Sharon! Love the quills. I have a small handmade trinket box decorated with porcupine quills that I got in Nova Scotia. I cherish it.