Knockout in Round 3

You decide.  Is this a KO in round 3?
  I went with a darker fabric--very old scrap--and lighter thread to see what I was doing better.  Not perfect, but I did figure out a couple of things that work for me.  This one is only 8 inches square.
  This technique requires lots of thread and stitching to make the plumes look good.  Lots of thread and who notices the bobbles anyway?
  I got tired of outlining and reverted to a few swirls and curls to keep me interested. Outlining is like coloring within the lines and I was never good at that.
  My stitching lines are not as close as the tutorial suggested.  But this is the distance between stitching rows that I am comfortable with.  I can live with it.
  And finally, the feather police should not be allowed anywhere on the planet earth and will be "stitched"  to smithereens on sight!

  Recap:

Round 1 was drawing and trying to follow the drawn pattern.
Round 2 was gaining control and movement.

Round 3 was understanding what I was doing and finding my way to doing this technique.



  I had lots of comments about my tries yesterday.....and lots of encouragement.  Thank you all.  I also realize that this tutorial is scaring a few as well as frustrating many of us.  So that is why I am sharing my 3 rounds with this---the good, the bad, and the ugly--(I used to have a Clint Eastwood poster on my wall).   Remember this challenge is about improving our skills and that only comes from trying.  If I didn't quit, neither should you.   I plan on at least one more round, using better fabric, before I call this done.
Happy stitching.