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:

  1. Awww...poor porcupine!

    Neat quills though.

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  2. Dead or alive, you are very brave-yikes!

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

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

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  5. 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!

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  6. 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.

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  7. 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!!!!

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

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  9. 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

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

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  11. 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

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

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  13. 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.

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  14. I love those quills...How neat!
    Micki

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

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

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

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

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  19. 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!

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

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  21. Awww, poor porcupine! Neat quills, though.

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

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  23. 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(

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

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

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  26. 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.

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