YOTA - August

Today is the first Saturday of the month and time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) UFO SAL update hosted by Pull the Other Thread.  Universal Unity is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit that I started in 1998.

I missed July since I was on vacation, but here is the before pic from the June YOTA post:

Universal Unity (before)

I started filling in the stripes of the zebra.  You'd think they were only white, but there are actually 5 different symbols and some of them are tweeded (blended) colors of different strands of floss!

Universal Unity update #19

My goal is to finish the zebra and the grass around him and the backstitching for the next YOTA update!

YOTA update - June

Today is the first Saturday of the month and time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) UFO SAL update hosted by Pull the Other Thread.  Universal Unity is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit that I started in 1998.

Here is the before pic from the May YOTA post:

Universal Unity (before)

Almost everyone voted that I stitch the zebra next.  The black stripes are done but there is so much more to stitch!

Universal Unity update #18

I hope to have a full zebra next time!

YOTA Update - May

Yesterday was the first Saturday of the month and time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) UFO SAL update hosted by Pull the Other Thread.  Universal Unity is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit that I started in 1998.

Here is the before pic from the April YOTA post:

Universal Unity (before)

I stitched more grass under the tiger.  There are many different symbols for the grass with 3 strands of floss, blending 2 of one color and 1 of another color. I love the effect!

Universal Unity update #16

Which animal should I stitch next, the zebra or the ram?

YOTA update - April

The first Saturday of the month is time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) UFO SAL update hosted by Pull the Other Thread.  Universal Unity is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit that I started in 1998.

Here is the before pic from the March YOTA post:

Universal Unity (before)

I finished the fox and stitched more on the raccoon.

Universal Unity update #15

I should work on all the grass under the tiger next time.  Happy Stitching, everyone!

YOTA UFO update and TUSAL - February

It's the first Saturday of the month again and time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) UFO SAL update hosted by Pull the Other Thread.  Universal Unity is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit that I started in 1998.

Here is the before pic from the January YOTA post:

Universal Unity (before)

I finished stitching the Earth and started the fox!

Universal Unity update #14

It's also time for the Totally Useless Stitch-Along (TUSAL).  My ORT jar is starting to fill up!  There are bits of yarn in there too from the Stained Glass Nativity needlepoint. Check in on Daffycat's blog with a link to your TUSAL blog post, too!

TUSAL 2014 #3

Crazy January start #3 and January YOTA update

Day #3 of the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge is Life's a Stitch by Lizzie*Kate, which is a traveling pattern.  I won it from Annette, California Stitcher.  It has been from Canada to South Africa to France, back to Canada, and then to California.  I'd love to send this traveling chart on its way as soon as I finish.  Please mention in the comment if you'd like a chance to stitch it next and then pass it on to another lucky stitcher.  I will draw the winning name on Sunday, January 19.

The fabric is 14 ct Rustico Aida by Zweigart and the color is Desert Rose.  I'm using Dragonflylotus Designs Handspun Mulberry Silk thread in Aurora Borealis.  It will be about 4" x 4".

Life's a Stitch

Since I started a new Lizzie*Kate design, I also stitched a little more on another Lizzie*Kate chart, Very Scary.  I haven't stitched on this since last November. Now I started the border on the right side.

Very Scary update #9

It's also the first Saturday of the month and time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) UFO SAL update on Universal Unity.  Here is how I left it in September (the last time I stitched on it).

(before)

I stitched more blue on the Earth this time.  The pattern calls for 3 blended threads in different colors in half-stitches for the Earth.

Universal Unity update #12

My cross stitching plans for 2014

Cross stitching plans are more fun to make than New Year's Resolutions (which I never do).  Tomorrow is a new start for a new year of stitching!  How exciting! Which stitching challenges and SALs (stitch-alongs) have you signed up for in 2014?  Here is my list:

The buttons in my side bar are linked to the sign-up pages.

Grow Your Blog 2014:  This blog party is hosted by Vicki of 2 Bags Full blog and I missed it last year.  Deadline to sign up is January 15.  On January 25, everyone will post on their blogs and visit the other blogs and find new blogs to follow and gain more followers, too!

Turtle Trot SAL 2014:  This SAL is hosted by Claudette of BAP Attack blog.  Choose 10 UFOs/WIPs to work on and post progress photos on your blog by the 10th of each month.  Leave a link to your blog post on the BAP Attack blog.

WIPocalypse 2014:  This SAL is hosted by Measi of Measi's Musings blog.  This started in 2012 when we made a list of all of our WIPs to finish before the apocalypse that was predicted for December 21, 2012 (this didn't happen so the end of the world has been extended indefinitely).  Post progress photos on your blog on the Full Moon of each month.  Leave a link to your blog post on Measi's Musings blog.

TUSAL 2014:  This SAL is hosted by Daffycat.  For this Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long, save all your ORTs (old ratty threads) in a jar and post a picture on your blog on the New Moon of each month.  Leave a link to your blog post on Daffycat's blog.

Ultimate Crazy January Challenge:  Start a new project each day for the first 15 days in January or all 31 days (for the Ultimate version) and try to complete them during the year.  You can sign up on the Crazy January Challenge Yahoo Group or the CrosstitchCrazy2014 Facebook group but it's not required.  Just start something new every day and have fun!

2014 Smalls SAL:  This SAL is hosted by Heather of Stitching Lotus blog.  Stitch a small project (ornament, bookmark, pincushion, etc.) each month.  Post a picture on your blog on the last Wednesday of the month.  Leave a link to your blog post on the Stitching Lotus blog.

Theme-a-licious 2014:  This SAL is hosted by Heather of It's Geek to Me blog.  There is a different theme to stitch each month.  Post on the first day of the month to celebrate the past month's successes and share plans for the coming month.  Leave a link to your blog post on the It's Geek to Me blog.

Stitch From Stash 2014:  This group is hosted by Mel of Epic Stitching blog.  This is a challenge to spend less than $25 per month on stitching supplies and try to stitch from your stash instead.  Post about your spending or lack thereof by the 28th of each month and send an email to Mel.  There will be monthly prizes and an end of the year giveaway.  Sign up by January 2, 2014.

YOTA SAL 2014:  This is the UFO SAL (Year of the Acronym) hosted by Pull the Other Thread.  Pick a UFO (Unfinished Object) to stitch on during the month and post before & after progress photos on the first Saturday of the month.  Leave a link to your blog post on the Pull the Other Thread blog.  My UFO will be Universal Unity (my oldest cross stitch project started in 1997).

Fall Welcome SAL:  This is a Saturday SAL with Linda and Kaye of the Fall Welcome chart by Diane Arthurs.  It should be finished in plenty of time for fall decorating!

Santa's 12 Days of Christmas SAL:  This is a Sunday SAL with Linda and Kaye of the Prairie Schooler designs for Santa's 12 Days of Christmas.  There are 3 booklets for Days 1-4, Days 5-8, and Days 9-12.  The plan is to stitch on them every Sunday. I finished 4 of the 12 days and am stitching them all together on one piece of fabric.

Bothy Threads Cut Thru' SAL:  This is a Monday SAL hosted by Linda and me with over 30 stitchers working on different Cut Thru' charts.  There is also a Bothy Threads Cut Thru Designs Monday SAL Facebook group.  Please join us if you're stitching a Cut Thru' chart!

Happy Stitchy New Year, everyone!

YOTA UFO update - September

It's the first Saturday of the month again and time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) UFO SAL update hosted by Pull the Other Thread.  Universal Unity is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit that I started in 1998.

Here is the before pic from the August YOTA post:

(before)

I stitched more grass and started the raccoon.

Universal Unity update #11

I joined two new Facebook groups, the 24 hour stitch-a-thon and Cross Stitch Friendly Circle.  They both had stitching challenges, so that is how I got so much done on this piece!

I'm also a new member of Needlecraft Haven, a Yuku forum.  The stitchy ladies there are very nice and you probably know them from blogland.  Clare-Aimetu is the forum owner and she asked me to invite my blogging friends to come join us!

YOTA UFO update - August

It's the first Saturday of the month again and time for the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) SAL update!  I skipped the July post, since I didn't have any progress to show. Universal Unity is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit that I started in 1998.

Here is the before pic from the June YOTA post:

(before)

Now I have stitched the tiger's other front leg and started a little on the next animal, but I need to stitch a lot of grass under the tiger and not leave all that until the end.

Universal Unity update #10

Last week I stitched more water under the Igloo.  I love using this Anchor multicolored floss in blue, yellow, and green.  It changes colors often.

Cut Thru' Igloo update #17

You can see everyone's progress in the Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Monday SAL page.

YOTA UFO Update - June

I'm in the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) SAL, where we post a picture on the first Saturday of the month of one of our UFO cross stitch projects.  I started Universal Unity in 1998 and am finally making progress this year!  It is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit.

Here is the before pic from the May YOTA post:

(before)

I finished the tiger's neck and started one of his front legs.

Universal Unity update #9

What a nice surprise I got from Lija and Joanne!  They both told me that I was featured as "Blogger of the Month" in the newest issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine (issue 204, page 57).  I had no idea!  Thank you both so much for sending me pics of the page!

YOTA UFO Update - May

I'm in the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) SAL, where we post a picture on the first Saturday of the month of one of our UFO cross stitch projects.  I started Universal Unity in 1998 and am finally making progress this year!  It is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit.

Here is the before pic from the April YOTA post:

(before)

Now by the first Saturday in May, I have finished the tiger's nose, mouth, ear, and the other side of his face.  He is still waiting patiently for his front paws.

Universal Unity update #8

YOTA UFO update - April

I'm in the YOTA (Year of the Acronym) SAL, where we post a picture on the first Saturday of the month of one of our UFO cross stitch projects.  I started Universal Unity in 1998 and am finally giving it some attention this year!  It is a Dimensions Gold Collection kit.

Here is the before pic from the March YOTA post:

(before)

And here it is today!  The tiger has eyes now!

Universal Unity update #6

Universal Unity update #6

The next update will be on April 13, since this is also in my Turtle Trot SAL. The tiger should be done by then!

My first YOTA post and lots of non-stitchy photos!

I just joined a new stitch-along, YOTA (Year of the Acronym), which is a UFO SAL on the Pull the Other Thread blog.  We will post update pics on a UFO on the first Saturday of each month.  I have chosen my oldest cross stitch UFO, Universal Unity, to use for this challenge.  It's also in my Turtle Trot SAL so I'll post update pics on this one twice a month.  I started this in 1998 and then it sat for 15 years!  I finally stitched the squirrel and some grass and started the tiger.

Here is the before pic from last month:

(before)

And here is my first photo for the YOTA blog post:

Universal Unity update #4

I got about half of the green roof on the left side done on Halloween House, my Friday SAL.

Halloween House update #26

Last Friday the 22nd, I didn't stitch on anything at all because my son came to visit.  He lives far away in a different state.  My son, daughter, and I went to Los Angeles (an hour away) and saw the Space Shuttle Endeavour, then we saw costumes from the movies at FIDM (the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising), and then we went to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), then out to eat at a nice Mexican restaurant.  What a great non-stitchy day!

I really do enjoy seeing non-stitchy pics on other blogs too, just to see what you do for fun where you live.  I hope you like these photos!

DD Christina, DS Christopher, and me!

The California Science Center is a great science museum to visit and see the Space Shuttle and best of all, it's FREE!

Space Shuttle Endeavour

We saw a great 3D IMAX movie about the Hubble Space Telescope and I highly recommend it!

Model of the Hubble Space Telescope

I took my kids to JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) in 1996 where we saw them building the Cassini space probe, which was sent to Saturn in 1997.  It's still orbiting Saturn today.

Model of the Cassini spacecraft

They had some of the actual space capsules to look at.  Oh boy, talk about a tight squeeze!

Mercury space capsule (the real thing!)

Gemini space capsule (the real thing!)

What a great idea to use the space shuttle over and over again, instead of the one-time use space capsules above.  The Endeavour flew 25 missions into space.  The 26th mission was to move it from the airport in Los Angeles to its new home at the museum.  Here is a photo of it going down the street.  You can see the Hollywood sign in the distance.

I took a video with my camera of the museum video of the actual trip of the space shuttle through the neighborhoods on the city streets.  You can see it here on YouTube.

Then we went to FIDM (the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising).  My daughter graduated from this college.  It was a beautiful February day in Los Angeles in the 70s, but today it's in the 80s!  There is a grassy park area behind the college, and the only wildlife you'll see are these statues! Haha!

There was a great view of some of the buildings nearby.

The FIDM museum displays the costumes from the movies every year.  This is also FREE admission!  We saw the costumes from the movies Argo, Lincoln, Les Miserables, Django Unchained, Anna Karenina, The Hunger Games, and many more!

These are the costumes from the silent movie, The Artist, which won the Academy Award for best picture last year.  My daughter said we were lucky to be able to see the actual clothes in color, since the movie was in black & white! This was the poster outside the museum, since we couldn't take any photos inside.

Then we went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to see the Stanley Kubrick exhibition. He has directed lots of movies like The Shining, Lolita, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket, etc.  They had props and costumes from the movies and scripts all over the walls.  Here is the typewriter from The Shining, where Jack Nicholson typed "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

Then we went into another building with a Pablo Picasso exhibit.  I took this picture of "Weeping Woman with Handkerchief" from 1937.

"Weeping Woman with Handkerchief" - Pablo Picasso

Other buildings had modern art, but I just don't understand why they devote one big room to something like this!

This outdoor exhibit of a bunch of light posts was a big hit.  Don't ask my why!

Now it's time to get back to cross stitching!  I hope you enjoyed seeing what I did on my day off!