More Progress on the Reindeer mat

I was able to stitch all the pennies on today without incident, adding a few more for a better layout.  I use freezer paper templates, but tend to cut them out free hand and not on the line to make them prim and wonky.  I'm using a variegated white perle cotton for the thread.  I'm working on the tongues this afternoon and have a red wooly flannel by Moda for the backing, a flannel that looks like wool but isn't and lots cheaper.