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Ailsa's Cross Stitch
Designs in counted cross stitch from a Tasmanian country garden.

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I've always loved pandas (I think most people do). Until recently I didn't realize the giant panda is under severe threat of extinction with fewer than 1000 left in their natural habitat. This is the Sichuan province of south west China. The region is roughly 550 square kilometres and the remaining giant pandas live fairly solitary lives scattered across this vast mountainous tree covered area. It's now extremely unusual for anyone to catch a glimpse of the habitually shy giant panda in its natural habitat. Conservationists are trying to protect them by creating "bamboo corridors" so they can travel to find a mate. Bamboo makes up 98% of a mature pandas diet and they generally live to 12-14 years of age although some giant pandas live until the age of 26. This mother and cub are absolutely gorgeous, aren't they? The cub is about four months old and, at this stage, enjoys rolling on the ground and climbing onto its mother's back.

Isolda the German Shepherd is ten years old. Les bought her when she was only six weeks old and maintains she chose him rather than him choosing her. Isolda has a kind, gentle and obedient personality and is a dream to have around especially as she is so quiet. She loves going for walks, being with us in the garden, playing with her friend Charlie and crunching on a big bone once or twice a week. This cross stitch design is of Isolda in her prime. When we were living in Sydney we came home one day to find her sitting on a garden chair on the deck. She looked so elegant, serene and dignified I felt I just had to capture that moment. This design will appeal to German Shepherd lovers as well as all dog lovers.

Handle With Care This is our cross terrier named Charlie. I rescued him from the Pound in 1995 and believe he is approximately eleven years old. We can't quite work out what Charlie is but think he may be a cross Pomeranium and Maltese Terrier. His coat is white and ginger and he has a very fluffy swept up tail. When we go on excursions in the car Charlie travels "business class" in a blue box on the back seat while Issy and Julia travel in the back behind him. He loves it as he is close to us and can see where we are going and he's in front of "the girls". On this particular day I had taken Charlie to the Harvest Festival at a charming country town called Longford. He'd had an exciting day meeting lots of other dogs and even entered a pet judging competition. Charlie was very tired but happy so he snuggled down into his blanket in his blue box and slept on the way home.

Canine Christmas Dreams model beautifully stitched by Ingrid. This is my Christmas design for 1998 and is aimed at all dog lovers. I have transposed the heads of our beloved dogs onto teddy bear bodies to reinforce their cuteness and cuddliness. Isolda (named after the German opera "Tristin and Isolda") is the German Shepherd on the left. Her companion is Charlie, the terrier cross on the right who does look like a teddy bear. Isolda, or Issy as we call her, is now ten years old but still behaves like a young girl. We don't know how old Charlie is as he is a "pound" dog we rescued four years ago but we think he may be eight or nine years old. Issy is quiet, dignified, affectionate and obedient while Charlie is noisy, mischievous, naughty and adorable. I think they are such good friends because they are the complete antithesis of one another. We love to spoil them at Christmas time and give them lots of treats. However, I believe all dogs think big meaty bones with lots of marrow is the ultimate Christmas gift so that is why they are both dreaming of one.

Find more of Ailsa's Designs here
Birds Scenes Flowers Animals Custom

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