I like A best Patti, I think it looks more finished - if I were to be doing the feathery one, I would want to join it up at the bottom. Also, I dont think it would take you quite so long.
Re varigated thread, I quite like it when I am machining, stippling etc., providing none of it 'disappears' into the background because it is too similar in colour. It just looks strange to me if that happens.
Well done for getting so close now - not much left to do.
(And just because you didn't mention it here, I am going to let everyone know you found your AOTH book) Stirrer, aren't I? LOL.
Edit, sorry, I see that Patti got there first with the same sort of advice, sorry Patti.