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.

Final part of the TIAS

 Today is the last day of the TIAS and the link is here.  

When you send in today’s final part could you mention where you come from and the thread you used, please?  It might also be interesting to see how you made the alien - shuttle or needle.  Thanks.

I will also number each person's alien so I can see how many actually finish the little guy and that will give me an idea as to whether to run another game next year.

I will be slowly returning to this blog over the next few weeks as I find things to talk about.

First in this morning is Pam with her day 13 and she says

“Looks "alien" to me. Since the thread is yellow I am guessing a cheezy alien.”

Well I’ve never met a cheesy alien - or even an alien!

Maria is next in with her day 13 and she says

“Dear Jane,

Well now the Thing is catching a flying over alien….

I cannot believe it is almost over ….

Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow 

Love 

Maria”

Thanks, Maria.  I think you know what it is now!!!!

Marla is next with her day 13 and this is what she has to say

“HA!  This last 3 parts really threw me for a loop!  It took me all afternoon of tatting.. untatting… retatting… & untatting… then a good hour to figure out how to make a twisted picot & knot it so it didn’t untwist!  🤦🏼‍♀️ 

But Super Ant Man is almost ready to take on villains everywhere…. He just needs his hero cape! 👍🏻🤣”

But honestly, Marla he’s PERFECT.  You’ve done a good job on him/her.

Wanda is next with her day 13 and she says

“Hello, Jane. Here's my day 13. Today was one of those days my fingers just didn't want to make those Catherine wheel joins. But I persevered and succeeded! Then there were twisted picots, which also argued with me. They finally behaved themselves, leaving this cute character. When I showed it to my husband, he said it looks like a Martian waving "hi". Wanda”

Well as you now know it is an alien but tell your husband I’m not sure which planet he’s from.  Oh, probably Planet Jane!!!!

1.    I had to chuckle at the first person in with day 14!!! It’s Anita who’s hidden her last two rings with a scarf. Obviously her guy comes from a very cold planet!!! She says

“Hi Jane,

I was in a hurry to complete my cute alien, and there were only two rings left!

But don’t you think I managed to make a complete mess of the last ring!

It looked like he had serious throat problems! I didn't want to redo the head, so: it is winter and cold outside, he needed a scarf :-)

Thank you so much for making these games, I do so enjoy them and learn new things every time.

How clever you are to come up with such fun patterns!

I am already looking forward to the next one :-)”

An addition to Anita’s comment which she’s just sent in

“I am sorry that I didn't say so earlier, but I am Swedish and live in a suburb of Stockholm. I used a local brand of thread (sadly discontinued) in size 20. I am shuttle tatting, of course. Using needles is not for me.”

Not sure about the next one, Anita, we’ll see how many Aliens come in this year before I decide.  Maybe the game has become ‘old hat’ now and needs to retire.  

Martha is next with her day 13 and she says simply

“Here's looking at you!”

I’m looking back at YOU, Martha!!

2.    Second in with her day 14 is Jane who says

"Take me to your leader..." A little green man from Mars it definitely is. Thanks very much Jane, great fun. I'm in Zimbabwe, used Milford thread size 20, an Aero shuttle and a silver one. The silver one is a little too heavy to be practical, but I like to use it for the TIAS. I learnt to tat in 1978, from a Coats pamphlet, once my aunt's friend had shown me the flip.”

Thanks for taking part, Jane.  Hope the weather is better in Zimbabwe than it is here at the moment!!!

Wilma is next with her day 13 and she says

“ Il il mio risultato eseguito in notturna 🥰🤗

My result performed at night 🥰🤗“

Thank you, Wilma

3.    Maureen is next in my inbox with her day 14 and she says

“Here is my sweet little alien, next to the Grumpy Cat who hasn’t been pictured during this TIAS. 

My alien is tatted in Lizbeth 20, 695 and 624.

I think he is holding his head because he has a migraine which is what prevented me from completing Part 13 in time.

Thanks Jane, it’s been fun.I will hope for another game in 2024, the year never begins for me until it’s time for the tat it and see!”

I hope there’s another in 2024 too, Maureen. Just need BC3 to come up with a ‘good idea’!!!

4.    Next to arrive is from Alain who is very topical with her comment. She says

“Here is a little alien that jumped from a Chinese balloon over Paris.

I used a shuttle and size 20 thread. I'm new to tatting, so split rings were a challenge.. and I couldn't get the long twisted picots right. But I loved doiing this.

Thank you”

WOW, you did a great job doing this, Alain as a new tatter.  Congratulations

5.    Ruth is next and she has this to say

“Hello Jane,

Thanks so much for this TIAS. It has been a lot of fun. My Alien is attached. Made with Lizbeth #20. I cannot tell you the colour because most of the tatting supplies I have with me are packed in the car as I am travelling again! Now in Tenterfield, NSW with a temperature or 14 °C, a change from the heatwave of Brisbane.

I have included in the pic the necessary tools to complete the Alien: 2 shuttles, a my vsp gauge, (forgot to include the 1/4 inch gauge!), magic loops, a fine crochet hook (passed down from my grandmother), a tapestry needle (used to open vsps when they disappear and finally the pliers to pull the magic loops through (I knot the magic loops so I can use the pliers).

In this project, I have finally perfected cwj's, learnt about twisted picots, how to stabilise a string of split rings and Victorian sets. 

I am pleased with the result and like my 3D head!

Thanks again, 

Ruth in Narrabri, NSW.”

I like your 3D head too, Ruth.  In fact I love your alien.  Well done for sticking with the TIAS while you’ve been ‘on the move’.

6.    Next to arrive is Monica who says

“Ciao Jane,buon San Valentino!Ecco i miei due alieni,quello rosa ha le cornine più alte ma è ovvio è una ragazza,oggi ha una acconciatura speciale!!!😂😂😂❤️

Un abbraccio,Monica

Hi Jane, happy Valentine's Day! Here are my two aliens, the pink one has the highest horns but it's obvious she's a girl, today she has a special hairstyle!!!😂😂😂❤️ Hugs, Monica

Beh, mi chiedo come saranno i loro bambini se diventeranno "amici" intimi, Monica!!!!!!! mi piace il suo taglio di capelli!!!

Well I wonder what their babies will look like if they become close ‘friends’, Monica!!!!!!! I do like her hairstyle!!!”

7.    Jacee is next to arrive and she has this to say

“Good morning Jane,

Here's my little blue alien and you've got us all tricked from the very beginning that it was an animal of some sort. Good job👍

I shuttle tatted this and thread I used is vintage Coats 20, shade 893.

Thanks so much for such great fun again. Anticipating TIAS 2024 now🤭

Hugs,

Jacee, Malaysia”

Pleased you were tricked, Jacee!!!! That makes me happy!!!!  I love the spaceship and flying saucer that your alien arrived in!!!!

8.    Hanneke is the next person in my inbox with her day 14 and she says

“ Hi Jane,I bet you had lots of fun with all guesses. 

My ‘ET’ says Hi, here I am”

Yes it was very amusing at this end of the game, Hanneke. Thank you for taking part.

9.    Carol has just arrived with her alien and she says

“Dear Jane,

I had a lapse of sanity with those twisted picots! Finally sense dawned and my friendly alien is complete. So enjoyed this Tias even with all my bungles. Very enjoyable and fun.

Look forward to seeing how many invaders there will be. Lol

Carol 😃"

Carol has updated her comment with the fact that she lives in Australia and that her thread is Bliss cotton and she uses a shuttle”

Glad it was only a short lapse and that you managed the twisted picots in the end.  I’m looking forward to more alien invaders too, Carol!

10.    This next comment and alien comes from Kerstin who says

“Oh Jane, such a lovely alien 😊 from England!

Thanks a lot for this TIAS, if you start again next year, you can be sure, I’m with you.

I used Lizbeth #40, cream. 

Till then, have a good year and stay healthy.

Yours Kerstin - from Germany, Großbottwar (near to Stuttgart)”

I’m glad you like your alien from England but are you talking about the tatting or ME?!?!?!? Some of my friends would probably say I’m an alien!!!!

11.    Hallie came into my inbox next with her finished alien and she says

“Thank you so much for all the fun, Jane. I hope you'll be inspired to let us all play again next year!

Here he is, done with shuttles and Lizbeth #636, Country Grape Light, in size 20. He is visiting with us here in Madison, Wisconsin (north central USA) where the temperatures are above freezing today, but we expect more snow tomorrow.”

Thanks for joining in, Hallie and I’ll certainly do another if people really want to do a TIAS again.

12.    Now I have a whole group of aliens which is making me think that planet earth is under an alien invasion. HELP! Stephanie says

“Hi Jane! 

Here’s the whole family.   All size 20 unless noted below.

Pink and purple guy is Lizbeth….but neither had a label. The pink was probably one of the ‘azalea’ shades, but I’m not sure.

Next guy is ….I think….’juicy watermelon’ – also Lizbeth. Again, label is long gone.

Solid pink alien is the same ‘azalea’ as the inside of the first guy.

Green is also Lizbeth, one more with no label. I think it was one of the ‘lime’ shades. When the balls get to a certain size, the label comes off….and when they get really small, the label tends to slip out of the little bag while I’m using it. I didn’t realize I had so many little balls of thread with no labels. Usually I stuff the label into the core when it falls off, but eventually they do seem to ‘escape’ somehow.

Next to the green is a pinkish-purple (also no label) Altin Basak 50. For me, this thread seems to be about a size 30 (compared to DMC).

The little salmon/green/purple guy is Lizbeth 40, no label left, but the color – if I remember correctly – is ‘Lollipop.’

And last, but the first guy who got tatted, is my Purple People Eater, who was done in Lizbeth again, and alas, his label was also missing.

Everybody was shuttle tatted. All of us are in western North Carolina, USA, near enough to the Appalachian Mountains to be considered ‘foothills.’ 

Great fun, Jane. Thank you so VERY much for doing this again this year. 

Big hug to you!

Stephanie”

I’m never sure if you ever sleep, Stephanie and feel you must tat in your sleep when/if you do!!!!  Thanks for taking part.

 

13.    Phyllis is next to arrive and she has this to say.

“Here is my entry:

Take me to your leader. Well, I believe this little fella has as we needed to follow the leader to finish him. Thanks Jane for this year’s TIAS and look forward for next year! Phyllis from Georgia USA”

Oh, Phyllis I don’t want to be a leader so I’ll follow your alien instead.

14.    Debra has arrived with her alien and she has this to say

“Happy Valentines day! What fun this was, and such a wonderful winter treat, I really looked forward to opening up the next link. Thank you for all of the work you put into designing, and posting all of our pics and comments, you made my 14 days!

Hi from Whitaker Creek Oregon!

Shuttle tatted with size 20 Lizbeth thread color 184”

I’m glad you enjoyed the trip, Debra. It’s certainly kept me out of mischief!!!

15.    Now this next message REALLY threw me. I had to check and re-check as both aliens appear to be made from the same thread!!! What a coincidence that they should follow each other into my inbox. This one is from Lynn who says

“Well it looks like I have been wrong with all my guesses. Looks like a waving alien to me. I made a mistake on day 12 so i had to start over with day 11. I’m not very good with twisted picots so I got some practice on this.

I’m from Ohio, but wintering in Florida. I used Lizbeth thread size 20 color 184.”

Thanks for taking part, Lynn.

16.    Wanda is next to arrive and she has this to add to the blog. 

“Greetings, fellow TIAS-cians!

Our great leader, Jane, has requested that we leave our shuttles and unite! I, Tattrldy (Wanda Salmans), have journeyed from Kansas, USA, in my Magenta Medium, size 20, Lizbeth #617 suit, to the enlightening blog, Tat It And See, to join the gathering! I've enjoyed the challenges of Victorian sets, Catherine Wheel joins, and really long, twisted picots. Our leader, Jane, has stimulated our brains, keeping us guessing along the way. She is amazing! We must now go forth and share the joy of finishing this most entertaining adventure. We thank her for the fun this year, and encourage her to dream of the challenge for next year - after a nice, relaxing break, of course!

Thank you, Jane! Love your alien!”

That’s a great comment, Wanda. What a hoot!!!

17.    Kathryn has now arrived with her alien. He’s definitively got a cheeky look to him. Love him, Kathryn. She says

“Dear Jane,

Here is my finished alien I used Coats 40 thread in ecru I did a few extra stitches to make his head rounder. He is a bit dull so now I will make another in a bright colour. I live in Hampshire UK it is a beautiful day the sky is clear enough to see a UFO if there was one!

Thank you so much for the pattern I will send one to my Grandson.

Kathryn”

I thought little boys would like an alien. There aren’t many ‘boy’ tatting patterns and that was part of the reason for making him. Up here in Stratford it’s been sunny today too. 

18.    Lou is next with a great drawing for her aliens!!! Love it, Lou. She says

“Hi Jane! These guys wanted me to send them to my leader so I’m sending them to you. Not my first tias. They were shuttle tatted of course Pun intended! Lizbeth thread lime green, English rose dark and hand dyed Stonehill wine. I’m from Renton Washington, USA. Thank you so much for sharing your tatting talents with us. Looking forward to the next TIAS. Happy tatting Lou”

OWCH that’s a dreadful pun, Lou!!!!  LOVE it.  

19.    Now I wonder how this little alien knew it was Valentine’s Day? Perhaps Maria can tell us

“Dear Jane,

I am happy to see this little alien but I am sad that the game is over...

Thank you again for doing this!

Tias are not only fun but also very helpful in learning or dusting off different technics. Now I am very proficient at doing the CWs...and for the first time I did a twisted picot... lots of fun

I hope you will have a good responses and an army of little aliens, but be assured that those numbers are little in comparison to the real number of people enjoying your Tias through a tatter.

I have a group of 7-8 ladies that enjoyed making guesses when I showed them the progress of this pattern..

I have to report that none guessed right... but they wanted to name it Valentino, in honor of the today holiday and for the fact that I am Italian...

If a tatter just showed to one person the Tias you have a big number...

I used Lizbeth 20 #691 mocha and I tatted with clover shuttles.

This little alien found its heart in El Paso Texas, it choose well the location because we are close to Roswell New Mexico that is renowned for an alleged 1947 UFO crash... In any case its a good story, maybe one day I will visit the Roswell's UFO museum with Valentino and I will report to you...

Happy Valentine's Day to you and all the Tias tatters

with love 

Maria”

Ooooh, I remember hearing about that alleged UFO crash as I grew up.  I was born in 1943.  Always fascinated me.  I don’t think my little alien has ever been to Roswell.  Love the little heart too.  

20.    Kaylyn is next with her alien and she says

“I love my little alien!!! Though he seems upset at something since they are facepalming, lol!

I used a shuttle with Lizbeth 20 in Black (604) and Kelly Green (713). I'm definitely looking forward to next year!

Thanks,

Kaylyn

Missouri, USA”

Oh dear - perhaps he just doesn’t to look at us!!!  Maybe he thinks WE’RE aliens!!!

21.    Pam has just arrived with her little troop of aliens. She says

“Here is my completed "cheezy alien".
My Grandmother taught me to tat left handed because she couldn't teach me to crochet. So I tatting old timey Reigo rings and chains only, cut and tie and using all the size 80 thread on my one metal shuttle before starting something else. I met the Palmetto Tatters in 2002 and learned so many things my Grandmother would have loved to do. I also learned to tat right handed just to teach others very slowly. Thanks Jane for this exercise in following instructions and different techniques. You're the best!
BTW I have been in SC almost 50 years but born in Virginia and also lived in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and even Missippi...28 moves in total.”

Thanks, Pam. That is really interesting that your grandmother couldn’t teach you to crochet. I was 13 when I learned to tat but in my early 30’s before I attempted to crochet!!!

22.    Aonghas and Kay Lynn are next with their great picture and comment. They say

“Dearest Jane, 

We had great fun with this TIAS. This is my third TIAS (and I was a very young pup for the first one, so I didn't quite know what was going on); now I'm thoroughly enjoying each TIAS and hope for one in 2024. My name is Aonghas, origins of my breed are Scotland, and I'm a show dog (with three major wins toward my US Championship). My official name is Bear Valley's Tanana Aureus Amicus, TKI. Bear Valley was where I was born (Oceanside, California), Tanana is the valley where I now reside, and Aureus Amicus is Latin for Golden Friend. 

My "servant" and human mom, Kay Lynn loves to tat. She's been tatting for over 40 years with a shuttle. She used Ocean Teal Medium #664 Lizbeth in size 20 and Ocean Sunset #155 size 20 for the head. We both live in Tok, Alaska which is a very cold and snowy place as we have snow which accumulates from Sept. (or sometimes Aug.) to April or May. We can get to -50 degrees F. each winter (and sometimes as much as -70 degrees F.), but I like it when it's -20 or warmer as we get to go romp in the snow on those days. 

You'll see that I decided to be polite and an ambassador for our new guests that are arriving in your mailbox. I even dressed in my tuxedo and top hat, and welcomed them with a rose since it's Valentine's Day. We love to see all of the aliens that are visiting the TIAS blog, and hope that there are many that come in over the next few days. 

Love,

Aonghas and his "servant", Kay Lynn”

It was good to see you both again this year.  Hopefully there’ll be another TIAS next January and I’ll start thinking about it soon.  I must say, Aonghas, that your hat and  tuxedo really suit you.  Love the flying saucers too.