Monday 27th February

Another lovely surprise to wake up to another TIAS. This time it's from Madhur who says

75. "My dear Jane

Good morning from India

Here are my two aliens. Made a couple of mistakes in the first one variegated. So made the latter in lilac. The threads are size 20, in Red Rose.

This time I missed the fun of tatting along with the others due to my travels. Will go through the day by day posts later.

I dare not miss TIAS after all. I truely enjoy doing it . Better late than never.

Lots of love and hugs."

Exactly right, Madhur.  Better late than never!!!

76.

Sunday 26th February

Another day - another alien and this time it’s from Margaret who says

74.    Hi Jane, 

Finally finished my 'frog turned alien' due to rather sporadic internet access when I was away recently. Please excuse the odd colour scheme, I ran out of green on one shuttle and had accidentally taken different thread with me! 

Thank you for providing so much tatting fun again this year.

75.

Saturday

Another alien has flown in to see me before he set off on another adventure!

72. Nona says

“Hi Jane,

Greetings from Wisconsin, USA. I decided to make a birthday card with my cute purple alien. I think I found this thread at a thrift shop; the label says it’s Manuela, size 20, from Süssen, Germany. Thanks for orchestrating all the fun!

Nona”

That’s a great idea.  Will he be travelling via space ship or flying saucer to his new abode?  Manuela was superb thread and I was so sorry when they stopped producing it.  

73. Kathleen has also arrived with her little alien and she says

“Hello Jane

I have finally finished my Alien.

Hope you like him.

Thank you so much have had a lot of fun and learning new techniques!!

Happy Tatting

Kathleen Hobbs”

74. 

Friday 24th February

Overnight a couple more aliens have strolled into my inbox, I'm pleased to say.

69. This morning I have Susan who says this

"Finally got the head to look something like it was supposed to, even used your method of joining to the first ring with ease (on the third time). My long legged turtle is now an alien. His companion had an unfortunate encounter with Mr. Snippy & is no longer with us.

Thanks for the challenging exercise!

Susan, USA"

Oh, that's so sad about the other alien!  I hope you've told Mr Snippy off and will keep him in the 'naughty corner' for a while!!  

70. Next this morning is Jane and I know where she lives - Canada!!! I've visited with her some years ago. Anyway, here's what she has to say

"Hello Jane

I had a great time with your TIAS this year.

Thanks for a fun adventure.

Jane "

71.    Another alien and this time from Marie who has this to say

“Dear Jane,

It seemed to me that there was an alien story ...

Here is what he says : "Hello, I am dancing among the stars... I thank Jane for creating meand I greet you all !.."

I used Lizbeth thread n°20 color "Grape Splash".

Many thanks Jane for this lovely alien and see you next year for a new TIAS, I hope.

Marie”

I hope to be back next year too, Marie.  Thank you for taking part.

72. 

Thursday and another alien!

I thought today was going to be a ‘no alien day’ but Bernice has proved me wrong - thankfully!

67. Bernice says 

“Hi Jane,

Greetings from Canada, we are in a cold spell so a perfect time to sit and tat. I used a Lizbeth thread Color 130. It is amazing how well this fellow sits up tall without his head falling over. Thanks for another wonderful TIAS. 

Bernice”

Thanks for sending in your alien, Bernice.  I was wondering whether there were going to be any arrivals today!!!!

68.    Another alien has just dropped by. This is from Maria who says

“Hi

I'm sending the picture a little late, but I also made a Tias alien this year 😊

https://solmujenlumoissa.blogspot.com/2023/02/kevainen-kapypitsikoru.html

Marja”

Thank you for sending your alien to me, Marja. I like your blog. I’ll be reading it in future. 

69.

Wednesday 22nd February

It’s seven o’clock in the evening and I thought that I wouldn’t get any aliens in today but happily I have two more arrivals.

64.    First in is from Beverley and she is tatting in Yuma, Arizona. She used Lizbeth #700 and she enjoyed learning the CW join.

65.    Also from Yuma, Arizona is Marion. She used Lizbeth #677. Perfect for an alien. She wore out her computer watching videos of the CW join!

66.

Tuesday 21st February

Back to dull weather again today but another alien has arrived which has cheered me up. 

63.    Martha is the first in today and she says

“Here is my alien, as he scratches his head, wondering if he isn't a Purple People Eater after all. This is a delightful pattern, and making was lots of fun, thank you. My thread was Lizbeth 641 Lilac Dk. Martha Ess, Greensboro, NC, USA”

Thanks, Martha. Hope your Purple People Eater doesn’t eat too many humans!!!!

Monday 20th February

The sun is out here in my part of England. What a lovely surprise!!!

58.    Today I start with Karen's completed alien and this is what she has to say.

"Jane,

It will take me a few days to finish my garnet red alien, but here is my completed blue alien. He is tatted with Lizbeth thread, size 20, #707 – Sky Blue Dark. Oh no! I hope I didn’t tat Chief Blue Meanie from Outer Space! All he needs is love, love, love, right?

A garnet red alien will arrive in a day or so. Who knows? There may even be a third. These visitors are too charming.

Thank you for two weeks of creative battery-charging, energy-boosting, doldrums-banishing FUN!

You know that bittersweet feeling when you get to the end of a very good book? The end of T.I.A.S. this year is a bit like that. I have been affected by it; I have learned and conquered; I have loved the camaraderie; I am delighted by the alien I have made, and yes, I am sad it's all over.

I look forward to (Lord willing and the creek don’t rise…) another adventure.

IsDihara/Karen from Virginia, USA"

Glad you enjoyed the TIAS journey, Karen.  

59.    Mary is next in this morning and she says this

"Jane,

Sorry for the late submission l, life got in the way. I am always amazed by your imagination- please keep doing the TIAS. What a delight.

Mary

Tracy, CA USA"

There's no such thing as 'late' in a TIAS, Mary!!!! Anybody's welcome at any time!

60.    The next is a ‘forgotten by me’ alien. Sylvie wrote with an update to her alien and I’ve looked and looked through the arrivals and couldn’t find it. I didn’t realise until now that it had never been uploaded as it was ‘hidden’ at the bottom of the update message. My apologies to Sylvie and here’s what she has to say

“Dear Jane , here is my alien ET , I enjoyed very much made it, I give it to my little son Léon for the wall of his bedroom.Thank you for this TIAS, I hope to play with you next year.

Best regards from Millau in south of France.

Love

Sylvie 

It’s Sylvie again I have forgotten to tell you I’m 73 years old and tate for almost 10 Years. I am in Association française de frivolité.

See you next year😃

Sylvie”

61.    Much later than her usual speed (first in on many days) Jenni has sent in her alien. I missed you in my inbox, lass. Here’s what she says.

“Well......he might have come in peace but this week has been chaos so I didn't get time to play on the last day.

On 2 weeks off now so thought I had better finish the cute little alien.

Thanks for another great TIAS Jane. You really kept us guessing on this one!

Hugs 

Jenni”

62.    Maren has now arrived with her lovey pink alien and she says

“Hi Jane,

Finally done with my little alien! Though I'm not too happy with my antennas, I think it turned out quite nicely. I plan to append a band with a tassel to one of the legs so it can be used as a bookmark. It will make a nice present to my brother-in-law, the book worm.

Thank you so much for all the fun and hope we'll be back with another TIAS next year!

All the best,

Maren.”

63.

Sunday's arrivals

Three arrivals overnight and the first is from Judith.

55.    She says

"Hi, Jane. My extraterrestrial fellow has been AWOL checking out balloons over North America, but he found no-one to ‘phone home’. So he has arrived late.

Thanks for a most enjoyable TIAS, Jane. I used a Coats thread….no name. There were techniques we had to remember, or even learn. And our abilities to read directions were put to the test. We had a great time.

Judith in Australia."

56.    Liz is next with her little chap and her comment too.  She says

"Good evening 

Please see my finished Alien from Area 51 near Las Vegas NV. He was made from Aunt Lydia size 10 ocean thread.  His head is a bit big for his body.  I think I missed something. This has been great fun!!! I hope to do this again next year.    

Liz"

57.    Finally this morning I have Coretta who has sent in day 13 as well. She says

"Hello,

My alien comes from Florida, USA.

I shuttle tatted it in Lizbeth size 20 color 114 SeaShells. Thanks so much for the fun to move us through January.

He was delayed because I was having a brain block on the folded join. So close, but had to put it away because it was too far past bedtime and then was delayed days. But he landed! "

So pleased to see him safely on the ground, Coretta!!!

Saturday.

Saturday - early evening and no sign of an alien ALL DAY!!!! 

There must be an intergalactic transport strike!!!  The chief alien (mine!) has arrived to see if he can find out what the problem is.  Are they striking for more pay or better working conditions in their flying saucers/spaceships?

54. Almost bedtime and an alien arrived from Wilma. She says

“Ecco il mio umanoide, grazie Jane per aver ideato questo bellissimo e interessante progetto che con l' aiuto di Imparare con Alicja sono riuscita a realizzare con grande soddisfazione. Un grazie di cuore e un caro saluto. 

Here is my humanoid, thank you Jane for having created this beautiful and interesting project that with the help of Learning with Alicja I was able to carry out with great satisfaction. A big thank you and a warm greeting

Sono così felice che ti sia piaciuto il TIAS e spero di incontrarti di nuovo in futuro, Wilma

I'm so glad you've enjoyed the TIAS and I hope to meet you again in the future, Wilma

55

Friday and more aliens!

Another gloomy grey day here in England but first in to cheer me up is Anne-Marie with her alien. She says

50. "Good evening Jane,

The TIAS this year was really funny and remained mysterious for a long time...

I was “dropped” on day 10, because of children and grandchildren at home during school holidays ... But I just did the last steps and I find it very funny this alien ......... And he made us languish.

Thank you again for brightening up our winter!

Kind regards

Anne_Marie (France)

Made of Altin Basak 50 color 315 yarn"

Thanks for taking part, Anne-Marie and I hope you enjoyed the children and grandchildren too. What a lovely time you must have had.

51. Next in is Mary Ann who says this

"Hi Jane. Finished today and love him. I used Lizbeth size 20, #691, mocha brown med.

I live in Warren, Michigan but spend the winters in Yuma, Arizona where I learned to shuttle tat and continue to tat with a small group of women. Catherine wheel joins and twisted picots we’re both new to me and the group. I’m very happy that we made enough CW joins to say that I have learned the technique!

Thanks again Jane for entertaining us with this TIAS. My curiosity has been satisfied by coming to the end of the project, but now I’m missing the anticipation of waiting for the next step! So I’ll have to be content waiting and hoping for the next one. Mary Ann"

I think a lot of people want the TIAS to 'never end', Mary Ann!!!  I miss my full inbox in the mornings and the lovely chats I have with people too.  

52.    Carol is next arrival on this ‘almost’ sunny afternoon. She says

“Dear Jane: I have attached the 2023 Alien!

I used Lizbeth Size 20, Color 651.

Enjoyed the tatting game! Thx for hosting

Always, Carol in NW Indiana, USA

blogging as Lelia at Stitches of Life II.https://lelia-stitchesoflife.blogspot.com/-”

Thanks, Carol.  I’m glad you enjoyed the journey into space!!!!

53.    Mary Jane follows next with her alien and she says

“Hello Jane

Sad to have our tias over. Thank you so much for all your hard work 

I reworked the head to match the same color of body like it better

I used daffodil color sorry no number Lizbeth thread # 20 from Handy Hands

I am a shuttle tatter started in 2001. 

Hoping for another pattern next January. 

Have a great weekend. 

Mary Jane. Jasper Indiana USA”

Thanks for taking part, Mary Jane.  It keeps me out of mischief during the dull winter months!!!

Now I have something different for you to read. This was sent in by Katie who has already got aliens on the blog (yesterday and number 48). I’ll let her tell you all about it.

“Hi, Jane, 

hubby feels that it is seriously inappropriate to write limericks for you who lives in Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare's city. So he wrote you a sonnet, inspired by Shakespeare's Sonnet XVIII.

All the tatty best!

Katie Verna

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet XVIII

Shall I keep tatting through this winter’s day?

Curiosity in me does not abate,

and I am bound, alas, to tat away,

knowing full well that Jane has laid her bait.

TIAS is light; it glows; it shines!

For every shape it gives is neatly trimmed,

but with the current one my poor heart pines.

What is it? Every hope has slowly dimmed.

Hold! Lo! At last, my hope has ceased to fade,

and all my thoughts are rising, that were lowest.

I can now see a Martian’s what I’ve made,

albeit recognition was the slowest.

Right dreadful every tatter’s life would be,

but for TIAS and BC3!

By Carmine Verna”

54. This time it’s Monica who’s arrived in my inbox and she says

“ Ciao Jane,mi è piaciuto tantissimo partecipare al TIAS anche quest’anno,grazie per questi momenti così piacevoli e divertenti!!Anche la mia dolce coppietta di alieni ti saluta!!Ho usato un cotone da uncinetto n.12 e le navette

Un abbraccio Monica. 

Hi Jane, I really enjoyed participating in TIAS again this year, thanks for these pleasant and fun moments!! Even my sweet couple of aliens greets you!! I used a crochet cotton n.12 and the shuttles Hugs Monica”

It was lovey to see you back In the TIAS again, Monica.  Thanks for taking part.  

55.    Next in is Joanne who has sent in her finished alien. She says

“Hi Jane, greetings from Joanne from Santa 🎅 Claus, IN, USA.  I used size 20 Lizbeth thread. No color listed. I have been tatting about 10 years.

My Alien was a few days late because he was feeding Santa's reindeer. 

You kept me guessing most of the time. I thought it might be an underwater sea creature. You are very clever.

Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I enjoyed it so much. I really appreciate all you do for us tatters.

Joanne”

Thanks , Joanne.  I’m glad it kept you guessing.  I must admit I was wondering what it was going to turn into!!!  I’d almost forgotten it was going to be an alien!!!

56.    Now a welcome to Andrea with her little alien chap! She says

“ Hi Jane, another alien visitor has arrived! Thank you so much for this really fun challenge and a couple of new techniques. Always makes me smile to see what everyone else is doing and all the guesswork 😍. It seems to be over far too soon 🥲 Andrea from Lancashire U.K. I used Lizbeth 20 x”

Thank you for taking part, Andrea.  Hopefully another next year.

57. 

Thursday’s arrivals

Another day, another batch (hopefully) of ‘aliens.

45.    First in is Mimi who says 

“Hello Jane,

Thanks for the TIAS this year! The antennae picots were an interesting challenge, and very appropriate for the design.

Mimi Dillman

Snohomish, WA USA

Size 20 hand dyed by Karey Solomon (too long ago to have a colorway name)

Tatted with Shuttles

Bye for now

Mimi”

46.    The next person to arrive this morning is Annna who says

“Jane buongiorno, mi vergogno ad inviarti il mio Robot, ci sono tanti errori ma sono riuscita a finirlo. Mi sono divertita ed ho imparato nozioni nuove. Grazie mille e spero che la prossima volta andrà meglio. Un abbraccio

Jane good morning, I am ashamed to send you my Robot, there are so many mistakes but I managed to finish it. I had fun and learned new concepts. Thank you so much and I hope next time will be better. A hug

Beh, Annna, ho visto molto da vicino il tuo alieno e mi sembra MOLTO buono. Non vedo errori e ti ammiro molto per averlo fatto quando non avevi una foto di quello che stavi facendo

Well, Annna I've had a very close look at your alien and he looks VERY good to me. I see no mistakes and admire you greatly for making him when you didn't have a picture of what you were making. 

47.    Betty is next to arrive and this is what she has to say

“Dear Jane

It was great fun to follow the tias and until the last day I thought it was a swimmer or a monkey. I made the alien with shuttles and thread nr 20 lizbeth. I live in the netherlands and I send you the photo of it. 

Many thanks and regards

Betty Vos- den Blanken”

Thank you for taking part, Betty - I’m glad you enjoyed it. 

48.    Now I have a ‘troop’ of aliens who have arrived all together on one spaceship or flying saucer!!! Katie has sent them and she says

“Dear Jane and fellow tatters,

Hasn't TIAS been the best fun! Here's a limerick in honor of our Jane and TIAS (hubby edits my limericks as I have a meterless ear!)

A big “thank you” to Jane’s BC3 --

Kept us guessing on what was to be.

While we worked on our skills,

As we tatted our drills,

Found an alien and then set him free.

Threads used for the aliens: the purple is Lizbeth 20; blue, red and yellow are Häkelgarn 20; and the green is Omega 30.

Thank you again, dear Jane and fellow tatters! You are all so clever!! 

Katie V in North Carolina, USA”

Thank you to YOU too, Katie for bringing so many aliens to life and for the limerick too.  Say thanks to your husband too, please. 

49. Lindy has just arrived with her little alien and she has this to say.

“Hello Jane,

Day 14, the last part. I really enjoyed the TIAS this year with a friendly waiving Alien as a result. Also learned some new techniques in a playful manner. I used Lizbeth 20, pastel petals nr 186.

About 10 years ago I saw some tatting on the internet and wanted to know how it was made. Bought a shuttle in February 2014, found a short explanation in an old craft book from my mom and gave it a try. After struggling a few hours, I got the "flip" and like to tat since then.

Many thanks for your funny ideas, your clear explanations and all your efforts to keep us busy in a pleasant way!

Greetings from the south of The Netherlands, 

Lindy”

Thank you, Lindy.  It keeps me busy too which all my friends and neighbours are pleased about as they hardly see me for six weeks while it’s all going on!!!!

50. 

More aliens arriving

Before I start on today’s aliens I’d like to share a few facts with you.

Rose Anne guessed an alien on Day 7 (26th January) and Hallie and Kerstin guessed on day 12 (10th February). Well done to these three ladies - specially Rose Anne. I’m very impressed with your ability to read my BC3!!!!

23.    First of the day 14's to arrive is Bev who has given hers a flying saucer and some stars!!! Here's what she says

"Hi Jane

Bitter sweet, happy sad. Glad to know what we were making and sad that the adventure is over. Thank you and congratulations for bringing tatters from all over the world together for fun and learning, and for all your hard work. As usual, you slipped some challenges into the mix.

Here is my little extra-terrestrial, saying hi to everyone.

All the threads I used are Lizbeth size 20. The brown variegated background is #150, the green is #687, the metallic stars are #313, and I’ve lost the label for the metallic mauve.

I live in Adelaide, Australia, and I am lucky to be a member of the Lace Guild of South Australia.

Bev"

I love the flying saucer and stars. Your alien will feel at home here on planet earth!

24.    Now I find Marla next in this morning's inbox and she says

"Super Ant Man superhero at your service!!!

Ready to defend the Universe from all Enemies & Evil Villains!!!

My mom came across one of those little “crafting” (workbasket type) booklets back in 1982-83 & between the 2 of us we figured out how to tat from that… --

Marla Nikirk"

I love the cape and bow, Maria!!!  How cute is that.

25.    You're going to LOVE Heidi's glamorous alien!!! Here she is with her pearls on too!!!

"Morning Jane,

A slightly changed story...Let me introduce you to Edith the ET from the Planet of Knots in the Thread galaxy. Waving hello and showing off her pearls.

Heidi from Fresno, California. Shuttle tatter using Lizabeth size 20 Periwinkle #659. I made a few mistakes along the way, but just left them in. Took some artistic license and changed CW to Lj followed by a 2nd half stitch. Thank you Jane for the fun and giggles.

Heidi"

Now that's a good trick for avoiding the CWj. I must try that as I'm no lover of that technique.

26. Julie is next with her visitor from outer space and she says

"Of course it is an alien . Your patterns are out of this world. So why didn't I guess it sooner? It is waving a nice welcome. So friendly, just like you. Or it could be saying, I salute you, for a job well done, keeping us guessing till the end. Thoroughly enjoyed the game. I shuttle tatted using lizbeth size 20 #613 golden yellow medium. I am from Forsyth, Missouri. I have been tatting since about 2005. Thank you again for all your hard work on this game. I really hope you will do it again next year. Hope you have a great Valentines day.

Julie "

Thanks, Julie and I'm glad you and  your alien enjoyed the journey.  Bit of bad timing over the balloons being spotted over North America etc but that's life!!!!  Unless, of course, they belonged to our alien's family and they'd come looking for them!!!

27.    Next is Rose Anne who has this to say along with two pictures of her alien.

"So today, which started off very mild, was the end of 2023 TIAS "Our Alien", which was one of my guesses back on Day 7. And he definitely looks "alien" to me in my Lizbeth size 20, colour 167 variegated Jungle Greens, I used shuttles. BUTTTT this day ends with unexpected blizzard like conditions, especially to me! I've participated in various TIASs of Jane's and usually enjoy them! Some steps stump me more than I like, my dragon was just finished recently!!! AND I have one "the frog" still not finished, once I locate him in one of my tatting bags, I'll finish him off!

Thank you Jane for all your talent, expertise and generosity to prepare these TIASs for us to enjoy!

Rose Anne"

Always good to meet at TIAS time, Rose Anne and I must admit I thought you'd lead others into thinking it was an alien too but they didn't so the mystery continued!!!  Such fun.

28.    Cheryl is next to pop into my inbox and she has this to say

“Here's my little ET. He's so cute. I had trouble attaching that last picot. So I did a split ring. 

I haven't been tatting anything but this little guy and thoroughly enjoy it. I am waiting on a 

phone call from a plastic surgeon to get an appointment about my sore fingers. I might need

cortisone shots to relieve my finger issues. I'm sure missing doing any kind of needle work.

This little guy was shuttle tatted with # 20 Aunt Lydia's thread. 

I live near Olds, Alberta, Canada and I sure hope you'll continue creating these adorable TIAS'S.

Happy Valentine's Day. 💝”

Sorry you had trouble with that last picot but I’m glad you resolved the issue.  I hope your poor finger problem is resolved soon.  It must be awful not to be able to fulfil your need to craft.  I can’t imagine anything worse.

29.    Julie has sent in her alien and this is what she has to say

“Well, I did wonder about an alien at some point, but never mentioned it. Happy Extraterrestrial Culture Day. How appropriate to end it today.”

Well it was pure coincidence, Julie - promise.

30.    Richard has popped in next with his alien. This is what he has to say

“Greetings Jane!

Here is my little space-alien-monkey! I used Lizbeth Elderberry Jam in size 20 to tat my whatsit with two clover shuttles. I hope you will create a game for next year.

Happy Tatting 

Richard

Virginia”

31.    Lyn has now arrived with her alien and she says

“Good evening Jane,Here is my Purple people eater ! Who just needs his ends hidden. 

Thanks again for TIAS’23

Lyn”

You’re very welcome, Lyn.  I’ve enjoyed it too.

32. Antonietta is next into the inbox and she says

“ Salve Jane, 

Ecco il mio "omino" terminato!

Con qualche difettuccio, però simpatico 😉

Grazie per questo progetto, e...alla prossima!😘

Hi Jane, Here is my finished "little man"! With some flaws, but nice 😉 Thanks for this project, and...see you next time!😘”

He looks fine to me, Antonietta.

  

33.    Maria is next to arrive and she says

“hoi Jane,

I took part in the tias with great pleasure, thank you!!!”

I am so pleased you joined us and I hope to see you next year too.

34.    Antonia has now arrived and she says

“Hi Jane

Thank you so much in doing TIAS 2023. It is great to bring people all over the world doing the same thing. I did my homework and handed in each time and checked out what others were doing. I enjoyed this game and felt a sense of achievement. I used Lizbeth no 20 col 122 to tat my alien.

I live in Darwin Australia. Previously I lived in Brisbane Australia where I learned tatting through Embroidery Guild Queensland and Queensland tatters. 

Here is my alien hanging on the fridge.

It is close to midnight here. Good night 😴 

Cheers 

Antonia”

Thank you so much for taking part, Antonia.  It is a lot of work but it gives me great pleasure to tease you all for a few weeks each year!!!  Yes, I am a wicked old lady!!!

35.    My humblest apologies next to Jackie who I seem to have missed out earlier today. I think my BC3 must’ve had a wipeout. Here she is now

“ Morning Jane

Well here's my alien which l've named AWOL.

No sooner had l finished making him, then he did a little wave and dissappeared without trace. Maybe he was visiting relatives! Maybe he's just camera shy!

Anyway, he reappeared some time later. But where did he go?? Spooky!!

I really like my little alien which l've made in Lizbeth Twirlz thread.

Thank you for the fun! I really enjoyed it! 

But will he stick around for long or go AWOL again visiting his home planet? 

Love Jackie (from Plymouth)”

Obviously your AWOL tried to avoid me too.  I’m so sorry about that, Jackie.

36.    Pam has just arrived with her little gang of aliens and it looks as if she’s provided them with a flying saucer and a leader!!! She says

“They are done, and ready to leave for home. 

Left to right:

Blip was made with DMC Blanc No 30. I assume that is the thread size, but I’m not sure. 

Bloop was made with Lizbeth Cotton thread, size 40. Caribbean. 

Bleep was also made with Lizbeth size 40. Autumn Spice. 

I am a YouTube taught tatter. I started in October of 2021. 

Jane, getting to know you through emails is fun and so helpful. You always know the answers. 

Thanks for the TIAT; it was challenging. Whew!”

Well you’ve done REALLY well and were a fantastically fast learner.  Upwards and onwards, eh?

37.    Now I have Jolimama who has enjoyed the TIAS and says

“Kedves Jane! Küldöm én is az én Alienemet. Sajnos nem olyan szép, mint ahogy szerettem volna, de az ujjaim nehezen dolgoztak. Mindenképpen nagyon örülök, hogy el tudtam készíteni. Nagyon jó volt megint várni napról-napra az új mintát. Köszönöm a sok munkát, amit értünk végeztél. A világ minden tájáról összehoztál bennünket, öröm volt látni, ahogy alakultak a munkák.

Magyarországon, egy kis városban élek, az erdő közelében. Ha csak tehetem kimegyek sétálni.

Szeretettel ölellek, és az új szivecskédet tervezem elkészíteni.: Jolimama

Dear Jane! I'm also sending my Alien. Unfortunately, it's not as pretty as I would have liked, but my fingers worked hard.In any case, I am very glad that I was able to make it. It was great to wait for the new pattern every day again. Thank you for all the work you have done for us. You brought us together from all over the world, it was a pleasure to see how the works developed. I live in Hungary, in a small town, near the forest. I go out for a walk if I can. I hug you with love and I plan to make your new heart.: Jolimama“

"A fonal formálja a szemet, a kötés összekovácsolja a barátságot, a kézimunka pedig összeköti a nemzedékeket. Karen Alfke

Ezt az idézetet szerettem volna még beírni, most pótolom. ❤

"Yarn shapes the eye, knitting forges friendship, and needlework connects generations. Karen Alfke I wanted to add this quote, I'll replace it now. ❤

Milyen szép idézet, Jolimama. Nagyon igaz. Cérnába kötünk, barátságban csomót kötünk.

What a lovely quote, Jolimama.  Very true.  We tie knots in thread and knots in friendship.  

38.    Janet is next to arrive in the inbox and she says

“Dear Jane

My latest “thingy” tias. Don’t know what’s gone wrong with his head gear. Hopefully friends will join him shortly. 

All the best, Janet ”

Thanks, Janet.  Good to see you on Zoom the other day.  

39. Melanie is next and she has this to say

“Good morning-

The weekend caught me by surprise. I ended up sorting details in preparation for Mardi Gras and Lent. I thought about the TIAS and wondered if day 11 was a mask for revelers. After finishing all the tatting, I like my little alien. He will live with all the other bits of tatting that aren't traditional. A very fine neighborhood!

I live in Monterey Bay area just south of San Francisco, CA USA. I used shuttle; although with the CWJ and other techniques, I think needle would work better for some parts! The thread is Mercer cotton. 

Thank you, Jane, for giving us a fun way to connect with tatters all over the world. I have tried to imagine a TIAS. Getting the sample set wasn't the problem. Getting the pattern broken up was what didn't fall into place. I vow to try again!!

Melanie”

Well if you ever want to do a TIAS I can always give you access to this blog to run it on.  It’s a lot of work but it’s SUCH fun meeting everybody.  It’s a lot easier nowadays as technology has progressed as very few images need to be formatted.  Let me know if you decide to run one.  Thank you for taking part in the 2023 game.

40.    Theresa is next to pop into my inbox and she has this to say.

“Jane,

Attached are my three aliens. I decided when Day 11 was posted that I would wait and do that day along with the rest of the releases in one fell swoop! I could tell that you were creating some kind of face with the first piece to be eyes, glasses, or goggles. At any rate, this is my small set of an alien crew. All of the aliens have the same white Size 20 thread for my version of the goggles. For the pink colorway and the solid brown, I opted to create the helmet piece in the same color as their space suits. 

All size 20 but as I mentioned earlier, the working diameters really become evident when considering the damage to the substrate of the cotton that occurs for darker colors. I didn't adjust my tension according for the goggles on the brown-suited alien. None have been blocked other than just my fingers to put them into my sample book. I do look forward to doing another one or two in a single sitting as I think my overall tension would be more even.

I am a shuttle tatter with nearly 60 years experience. One of the items that I really noticed when doing the last several days. Since the white is from a cone of size 20 (used primarily by those who hand-dye/paint threads) is not mercerized, it has a softer feel and doesn't really have the same ability to tension during tatting. It was really a bit of a puzzle to figure what needed to be done when mixing thread colors. I wasn't all that successful but figure what I might could do next time.

Thanks so much for this game every year! It is really nice here in cold and sunny Montana. We've had more "winter" this year than the previous three put together. It does bode well for the fisherman but the prospect every few days of a new puzzle piece is always fun!”

Thanks for the interesting comments on threads and for taking part yet again in another TIAS!!!

41.    Arlene is next with her gorgeous alien and she says

“Hi Jane

Such a cute alien. I still need to block & hide ends but I couldn't wait to share. 

Arlene M”

Well I’m glad you didn’t wait, Arlene.  He (or she) is adorable.

42.    Sue is the last person in my inbox for now and she has this to say

“Here is my Little Green Man From Mars, done up in Lizbeth 675.

I am not sure where he was trying to go, but the winds today blew him into Southwest Michigan!

This is my fourth TIAS and it was great fun, as usual. Thank you for keeping us entertained!

Sue Mc”

You’re very welcome, Sue and I’m so glad you enjoyed it.  I hope there’ll be another next year.

43.    Alicja is the next to arrive and she has this to say

“Dear Jane, this my Rob 🤩 thank you for your wonderful Tias, for your explanations and for your patience. As you know I worked in a small group with my ladies, we really enjoyed working together and we learn new things. Thank you from all of us 🥰 In a few days I will send you all our aliens.

Love

Alicja ”

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the game and I look forward to seeing all the other aliens too, Alicja. 

44. Another arrival of another alien and this time it’s from Teresa who has this to say

“Hi Jane, 

Thank you for another fun TIAS, the game really lightens up these winter days! I also enjoy the opportunity to learn a new tatting technique - this year the CWJ stands out, although I love the way we made the antennae.

I’m Teresa, from Bend, Oregon. My alien was tatted with Graceful Arts hand painted cordonnet, size 20, colorway “Sunrise, Sunset 2”. I’m not a newbie tatter, but I mostly make snowflakes, so I love the tatting diversity you provide! I started out as a needle tatter but now I only use shuttles.

Looking forward to next year’s TIAS already!

Thanks,

Teresa”

Thank you for joining in, Teresa.  Graceful Arts threads (by Karey Solomon) are just to die for.  Or dye!!!  I love the subtle way they change colour.  

45.