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Hi everyone,

I had to wait a little while for my materials to get started on my first proper cross stitching project, AWL puppies. I charted the logo and words and used a cute little chart of puppies that I got from "Picture your pet in cross stitch" by Claire Crompton.

The Animal Welfare League in my area has had a massive run of bad luck lately (1 op-shop burnt down, they ran out of food and the warehouse that housed $1mil worth of food, pet beds and other donations also burnt down). I am making some larger dog coats out of some fabric that I managed to get the local fabric store to donate. It doesn't get too cold here, but with the concrete floors and short hair, some of them feel a little chilly at night. I also began cross stitching recently and decided to make them this and frame it so it can be used in a raffle, auction or something else to either get them some money or even if they use it as a piece of artwork at the shelter.

This is what it is going to look something like...



I am using 14 count Aida, DMC floss and a birch spring tension hoop (my new best friend!).

I got my parcel in the post when I came home yesterday and this is what I have done in two evenings...



Aren't they sad looking puppies! I started with the puppies because they are the hardest part of the project for me as a newbie. The logo and text will be very simple.

I hope you like my project and I'll update you with pictures until it is finished.

On another note, I ordered the floss for project number 2 which is a chart I got and then mirrored. It is called "Day Lily". And will end up looking something like this (I mirrored the original and will stitch them on the one piece of fabric then frame them with mat board separating them):



Have a great day

looks great!! and puppys are very cute!!!

Awww... cute puppies! Lovely Lily too! Great projects!

socialsue

Very very nice designs!! Love the puppies and you are making great progress on them!!

I think the AWL project will be GREAT!!
nice progress and can't wait to see it come to life.

Just something I learned reccently as a newbie. The jiffy project that I am working on has weird backstitching. instead of them being directly in line with the AIDA they would land in the middle of the square ETC. then when I read more in depth it said to do them as straight stitches but not more than like 5 stitches at a time. if that makes any sense? here is a link from before I read the instructions asking if would be okay to do straight stitches...
http://crossstitchforum.com/viewtopic.p ... er#p220762" target="_blank
i noticed that some of your puppies appear to have so irregular backstitch. that is why I am sharing please pardon the intrusion

Very cute puppies! Your stitching looks great!

Jen I have removed the first picture that has the pattern. The reason I did this is because you said in your post that it was a Colaire Crompton chart. That would mean it has a copyright attached to it. The way you have posted it anyone with just a bit of knowledge could take it and use it with out to much trouble. So I had to take it done to keep the site clear of problems. I am sorry because this is a very cute idea you have come up with.

I love the lillies

What gorgeous puppies and beautifully stitched. It will be a nice surprise now to see how this design grows.

I love the puppies! Can't wait to see future progress photos.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

maemae thanks for the suggestion. You're not intruding, I am open to advice, I am learning everything by myself. I wasn't too happy with it myself so I had a look back at the chart and most of them fall directly on the aida holes and the ones that don't I did a longer stitch. It is the first time I have done any backstitching, so it could just be that I am not as neat as I could be. I will use your advice and for the next puppy I will do longer stitches all the way around and see how it looks. I might end up unpicking these two and re-doing them in the same fashion. The little puppy on the right is meant to look a bit scruffy though (I think), most of the backstitching is for example (left to right) one across _ one diagonal / one across _ .

Great, lovely projects, Jen! Love them!

Lovely puppies, and the lilies are going to look great together!

Great projects

Great project and for such a good cause!!

The puppies are so cute and the lilies are lovely.

great projects Jen

Lovely project Jen, the pups are a little sad looking but very cute.

Your second project is lovely too, can't wait to see it stitched

So I haven't had much time lately, but I managed to get the other 4 puppies done.



I'm not convinced I'm happy with my AWL chart though. I did it with just the 3 colours ( purple, yellow and white) and I am worried that against the shading of the puppies it will just look silly. The same with my words up the top. If anyone can help me with suggestions I would really appreciate it. Should I add some depth with a deeper shade?

This is the chart again that I am talking about: