Day 4 already arriving!

Pam in the UK has had a bit of a disaster - I'll let her explain -

" had a bit of a catastrophe at the start of day 4. The thread at the end of the first lot of beads had got tangled around the end of the safety pin. I tried to sort it out but the thread broke, so I had to start over. This gave me a chance to change my beads and I like these better. I'm really enjoying this challenge and I've discovered how much I like working with beads. Attached is my offering for Day 4. I think it's a praying mantis or it could be the skeleton of a Kangaroo."





















Jenny sent hers in too this evening and said -

"You were right. It was not difficult and it pulled up much better than an ordinary jk."

Tine's day 4 has now arrived. Congratulations, Tine.

Now Teresa's changed her mind but as she's a woman she's allowed to!!! Here's her latest contribution -
" Here is Day 4 ... if it looks a bit different, it's only because it is LOL. I decided I didn't like the colors as there were starting out, so I just retatted it, but exchanged the colors. This one is coming out more to my liking .... at least as far as we've received the clues. As a woman (of course) I reserve the right to change my mind again. ROTFLMAO

Next in is Nita's day 4. She says -

"Have to practice the new jk way.always happy to learn new techniques. This is sooo much fun! I love it::)"

Every time I see Marjan's name in my inbox I start to giggle. I wonder why? OK if I tell you what she said this time you'll understand!!!

"Here is my day 4, Meet my Grazy Grasshopper... You can call her GiGi - and I made a mistake, she is not a drunken grasshopper but a Grazy one - and I love her!"
So, let me introduce everybody to GiGi!!!!

Jane's back too. Here are her comments -

"When you said "I promise you it won't get any harder" I guessed it would be tongue in cheek. I very nearly faltered. Good job we are only doing bite sized chunks. I don't think I would have contemplated tackling this pattern if I had seen it all even this far. The blog is great because I don't feel as though I am on my own and seeing other people's work helps me to stay on track."

Ah, Katie's back with her THREE TIAS's!!! Here are her latest comments too!!!

"Lordy, Jane, what in the heck is this? What garden path are you dragging us down? Or, is it a garden path? Is this a 10-day TIAS, like the first? Or, you conceivably devious sort, will it go and on, ever joining to beads and adding more? And speaking of men in white coats! Still, I'm having fun!"

It's pouring with rain on this Spring Sunday here in my little part of the UK and so it was a lazy start to the day. I launched part 4 and then walked over to the nearest store to get the Sunday papers for Nick. Imagine my surprise (after I'd changed out of my wet clothes - and they were VERY wet) when I found Maureen had already done her day 4!!!! Here it is with her comments.
"Sunday evening here, and I happened to be online! - so here is Day 4. I can see that I should have made that first join to the beaded picot a bit tighter, but I'm hoping it might 'ride up with wear....'"

More Day 3's

Pamela sent in her day 3 with the following -

"I finally caught up last night only to be behind again today.
Here is last nights attempt, I think it looks like the back end of a cockerel, Alan thinks it looks like a harp! Whatever it is it's fab. Maureen's attempt today looks like a person on some sort of skateboard! maybe a windsurfer. Whatever it is it's fab.

The next one is from Jane who said -
"I feel my split rings today have better tension than the previous ones, I hope that means I am improving. I am starting to look at patterns that have beads in them and wondering whether I could manage them. I am really intrigued now, I keep thinking we need to get back to the button some way but I can't see how. We have already used about half the beads but that doesn't necessarily mean we are half way does it!?"
Well, Jane, we are nearlyhalf way!!!

Day 3 - continued

Nearly my bedtime and just as I was about to turn off the computer Bonnie sent her day 3 in. Here's what she had to say - "Here is my TIAS #3 - Day 3. I've been about a day behind each day, which is relatively good for me. :-) Today I was determined to make the time to send you a picture, so here it is. Looking forward to Day 4!"

The next submission to this blog has really moved me. I sit here in my little corner of Tat Land tatting away with no particular thoughts except to see what else I can make using this funny little knot. I'm always surprised when I find out that people actually make a point of visiting my blog/blogs. I consider these blogs as simply a way of 'talking to myself' and keeping track of what I'm doing. Actually, I need these blogs more and more as my brain goes into 'melt down'. I digress.

This next picture comes from Diane in Michigan and she said -

"I've been visiting your website since Christmas but this is the first time I've written. I've very much enjoyed your tatting blog and others in the Ring. When I first began visiting your site you were just finishing your first TIAS and I was very excited to be a part of this one. Attached is my day 3. I'm very much enjoying it!"

Marjan's just sent in day 2 and day 3 and she's sure she knows what it's going to be!
"Here's my day 3 (and day 2 which I forgot the last time) ........

and I think that I know what it's going to be"

Karen's just popped in again with her day 3 - " Here is my latest on this TIAS. I agree with Teresa, I have no idea where we are going, but I am enjoying the trip! This one will be lots of fun!"

The next one is from Liz who says -

"Well Jane, here is Day 3 in all it's glory, one Boo Boo, and it is going to stay that way. I guess I have been doing too much knitting and started to read the directions wrong, no coma's between the stitches and I tried to make the stitches the way I was reading them and ran them together; shame on me! But it looks okay anyway."
I can't see the boo boo, Liz!

This morning the following arrived from Teresa who also says -
"I have no idea where you are taking us but I'm having a good time ... just wish we could get clues a bit quicker. But if wishes were horses ..."

Day 3

Now Nita's got an idea about what this is going to be. Here's her guess!

"Can't tell yet, but some kind of critter."

Wonder how many other people think it's a critter?

Next person to send in Day 3 is Katie Verna. I've offered to send the 'men in white coats' to sort her out!! I'm really worried about Katie's addiction!! She's now got THREE TIAS's started!!!

Well I barely had time to turn round and Winnie van Vegchel sent her version of day 3 in!!! She said -
"Day 3! I have really no idea what it is going to be."

Day 2 - more arrived

I found this message particularly interesting and it's something I'd not thought of. Through doing this TIAS people are learning other skills - not just tatting ones. This is a picture from Nell Westerlaken in The Netherlands. She sent it to Riet who then sent it on to me with the following comments - worth reading. Thanks both of you.
"Here is a picture from Nel Westerlaken a member of the dutch guild. She really likes it and she learns a lot not only tatting, but scan her work and mail the picture, first it didn't work. so she would ask a boy that lives next to her, but he wasn't at home so she tried again and it worked.
You know I think we must learn al those world leaders to tat, there wouldn't be a war anymore, don't you think so?"
Yes, I agree, Riet.

Day 2 - a few more!

Pam in the UK has just sent her scan in with the following remarks!!! Ooooh, I love being the only one who knows the answer!!!!

"Attached is my 1st & 2nd day. Sorry, forgot to scan the first day. If you remember, I am a bit of a newby, and this is the first time I have used beads. It took me a while to fathom out how to get them on to the thread, but once I did I was away. Went out today and bought 2 more needle threaders, just in case. Now the question is, what are we tatting? I haven't got a clue, but those beads have to be attached to something other than safety pins. Hmmm I wonder what."

Oh dear, I really, really worry about some of my tatting friends. Particularly Katie Verna. Perhaps tatting could be a cure for insomnia!!
This is her message that has just arrived!!

"Brother, look what you've got me into now, or, how to play during insomnia. Just had to start a second TIAS. Too lazy to wind shuttles, so left the hand-dyed thread (from Sherry Pence) on the yarn holders that finally have a use since I stopped knitting 10 years ago.
Besides, what we're tatting a plant, not a critter?"
Katie - do you think that the more you tat the more enlightened you're going to be? Wrong, lass, wrong!!!!

Becky sent her contribution in this morning. This is her comment -
"This is looking really neat so far. I have a feeling you're going to keep us guessing until the end with this one! I did day's 1 & 2 on the same day since I got a little behind working on my daughter's wedding dress this weekend. "

Next Karen sent in her day 1 and day 2 pictures as she got a bit behind. She said -
"I got a late start, but I am up to speed now!

Attached are day 1 and day 2 pictures."

Day 2 - more progress!

First this morning (now I'm almost awake!) is from Jane Bawn. This is another 'hippo lurker' who has taken the plunge!!!!
"Well I am still with you as you can see. I reckon we are about half way through the pile of beads and I haven’t a clue what it could be but I am having great fun playing. Like Karen I lurked all the way through the hippo TIAS but taking part is soooo much more interesting."

Fannie has sent in day 2 - "The shuttles (who knows why) tend to occupy all the space available LOL." I think shuttles have minds of their own, Fannie!!!!

Teresa Woods sent in her progress. Do I spot a Sue Hanson shuttle there?!?!? Nope, apparently it's a Hope Bates one. VERY pretty. This is what Teresa said -
"Just got home from the office and finished Day 2's Instructions. This is so kewl!!"

Omar in Oz pops up next in my inbox. Here's her contribution!!! "Here’s Day 2 I love Ginny’s description of ‘Ant carrying his button’…very apt.I only have one question….Do I have to buy shares in a safety pin factory??? Sun still shining, sorry about your weather"
Thanks, Omar, we have sun but it's still not very warm!!!

Finally and before I go shower and have my breakfast, here's Unarae's WIP. " Here is my work in progress and I am having so much fun with this!! It does look like some 4 legged critter with a big head. but am sure it is something else!!"

Day 2 - first ones in!!!!

It isn't compulsory to submit progress but I love seeing how people are getting on!! I'm very nosy!!!
Ellen has finished already and here's a link to her blog to see what she says!!
Ginny says this after day 2
"Here is my Ant carrying his button!"
Sometimes I wonder about your imagination, Ginny!!!

Katie 'the irrepressible' Verna is next -
"what fun! Beads, beads, beads!
Thank you, thank you. It doesn't look much like a mosquito now. Gonna be a beady critter whatever it is."
You could be dissapointed, Katie!!!!

Nita sent hers in and said -
"Looks like a centipede to me ha ha. So much fun love it!!"

Next is Liz's day 2 and she said - "Okay Jane, here is day 2 finished and I need to get this off quick before the power goes off again; very bad t'storms here today. Thank you for this TIAS, I am loving it."

Winnie van Vegchel (the Netherlands) sent in hers too -
"Day 2! This was easy, after day 1, Bye"

The next submission is particularly interesting and this had never occurred to me until Karen wrote. She's following the TIAS although she hasn't the time to take part.

"I regret to confess that I'm a sad little lurker on your latest (and totally awesome) TIAS project. I am enthralled with the progress, so thank you many times over for posting photos of other people's progress. This way I get to guess what the outcome will be. Hee, hee.

Day 1 - part 7 and onwards!

The first one this morning is from Marian van de Zanden. Thank's Riet for pointing out that I got muddled up with my words. I DO wish I could speak Dutch half as well as you speak English. You are amazing, lass.

The next is from Teresa Woods. I just HAVE to show her picture of the threads and beads before she started. It's a work of art in itself. The colours - yummmmyyyy. "The royal blue is Hakelgarn and the complimentary color (orange) is a Flora as is the "natural" I chose, a medium to light value gray. The beads are some hanks that I had gotten YEARS ago on a trip to the Cary-Raleigh NC."

Fannie sent hers in next and had this to say - "Here's mine picture for the TIAS 2. I use DMC cotton perle size 8, it's almost the same as the size 20, in red, pink and pale yellow."

Martha Ess sent hers in too. This is what she had to say - "I've finally come to a satisfactory set of threads and beads for the TIAS. It promises to be fun. That's a good trick Gina has for the split ring. If your tail isn't quite long enough to come around to the pinch, you can put it across the working area and wrap it around your pinkie finger a few times to hold it in place."

Marty sent in this pretty WIP next. "I've tatted this much so far. I don't see much of anything -- well, not anything I could mention in polite company. It will turn out to be something I CAN mention in polite company, I'm certain." Don't worry, Marty. You'll certainly be able to mention it!!!!!

Omar sent hers in too - "Here is my contribution to the Day 1 family album. I must admit I had to read those instructions more than thrice before I felt ready to begin . LJL Also the camera lies here …I’m not using Blue….I’m using Purple!!! So you’ll have to use your imagination."

Day 1 - part 6 etc!!!

Angie sent in her day 1 progress and said the following -

"Here is my attempt at the new TAIS. I used a very small crochet hook to add my beads to the long picot. Other than that I have not had a problem yet. I hope my file isn't too big. I really enjoy working on these samples. They are lots of fun."

I think Ginny's been spending too much time with SueH!! This is what she said!!

"here is my mosiquito sitting on a button!"

Hmmm, it does look a bit like that!!!!

The next contribution is from Marjan Groenveld-Klomp

"Remember me? Dutch 'girl' living in Belgium?

And I do have a question for you.

Do you realise that your Tias-ses are an addictive drug?

I don't know if there is a cure... we will have to learn to live with this

addiction I'm afraid!

I think its wonderful that you have started another TIAS.

It is so much fun to tatt without knowing what it is going to be!

Lots of greetings from Belgium"

Next is Winnie's and she said - "Can’t resist joining in your TIAS again! I’ve never tucked away ends like that – only did split rings for the first time on that hippo, and have never used beads. This is the result of an evening’s work, some bad words, and throwing away of pieces….wondering what it will finally be!"

Now here is Mette's first day's work. She said -
"How exciting - this is my first TIAS. I also enjoy the look of all the beautiful shuttles, I don`t think that we can buy tem in Denmark. Looking forwards to the next step."
Mette in Denmark

Day 1 - part 3, 4, 5 & 6

Now this is from Liz in the USA!

"Morning Jane,

It was only one failed attempt to make this, is it what it is supposed to be?"
Well, she's spot on too!!! Well done, Liz.

Next in was from Nita and here's what she had to say -
"I am mostly a visual person, and not always too good at interpeting a pattern.

Thanks for your help,, I love this idea, and learn a lot each time.

Nita"

I must add that Nita's only problem was with printing out the pattern so I sent it to her in a Word document. Well done, Nita.

The next one is from Riet and she says -
"OK the biggest thing of the TIAS is the fun we have all together, thank you for that."
Poor Riet did say that she nearly threw the computer and mouse out of the window when she was doing the blog for the guild in The Netherlands!!! So many pictures and so many words to translate. Sorry Riet.

SueH has just sent her WIP and remarks after day 1. Good to see you here, me old mucker.

"I was too busy preparing for me trip to join in with the hippo fun. But here I am this time
Day 1 Me posh Peter Coa shuttles wound wil Manuella #20, #11 seed beads loaded + spares and 1/2" MofP button finally chosen!
Tails left uncut for two reasons:
1. Prefer to trim mine after the adjacent tatting is completed
2. For newbies to see that they come out at the back of the work
OK it's a tadpole sucking on a button?"
By the way, Sue, you're wrong - it's not a tadpole!!!!

Day 1 - part 2

The following has just arrived from Jane in the UK. No, not me, another Jane!!! Below is what she says and her WIP.

"Well I'm amazed that I have managed to get this far. I have only done a split ring once and as mentioned before I have never used beads. I was able to thread the initial 6 beads on to the yarn relatively easily but when it came to attaching the 9 beads to the long picot I was stumped. I got over it by threading the beads on to a threaded beading needle and then transferring it to the long picot from that. I have attached a picture of what I have done and unlike Katie Verna I still have my balls of yarn attached should I cut them off?"

I can't believe that somebody is brave enough to start in on this with no experience of adding beads AND after only doing one SR before. I zoomed in on Jane's work and it's SO neat too I am very, very proud of her and already the weeks of planning have made it worth while. Thank you, Jane.

Day 1

Here is Katie Verna's challenge and work in progress!!
"Here we go, fellow tatters! Tools collected, favorite shuttles loaded, and first day's assignment tatted. Here's my version. Would love to see how yours looks too."

Oooooh, couldn't you just die for those shuttles?
I'm very happy to add other people's WIP to this blog too.

Today's the day - start of TIAS 3

OK, then here we go!!! The day has dawned and the the link for day 1 is on this page.

There are only two elements to work on day 1 as there are several new ideas which might not have been seen before. Techniques (throughout) will only be suggestions as to how to work the design. Use whatever ways suit you best!!! I intend this one to be a tutorial for those who are relatively new to tatting and fun (with an added something) for those who are 'old hands'!!!

Don't forget that when you have completed your piece and have sent me a scan or photo there will be a bonus!!! It'll be worth having and in keeping with this TIAS.

Please check back with this page for people's progress and don't be afraid to ask for help if you get 'stuck'.

Share a Tat!

I'm moving this idea over to the TIAS blog as I feel that it will be more appropriate here!! It seems to have got itself 'lost' on my other tatting blog!!!

This is my original post from 'over there' but please read to the end as there is something new to see.

Nowadays it's becoming more and more difficult to come up with original ideas and sometimes it's nice just to do something simple.

So the sequins I've been re-visiting after several years are really simple. I think this may be a good time to introduce a 'Share a Tat' game!!!!
What I intend to do is to post the way I've found of enclosing the sequin and perhaps one or two of the patterns I've done - just to give some idea of stitch count etc.
I'm NOT going to add any copyright notice to these as I don't feel that they're 'important' enough and it will allow everybody to play the game.
I will then invite all and sundry (especially new tatters) to join me to discover as many ways as possible of making this into a motif, mobile, etc. Note, I haven't added any beads or used techniques other than rings, chains and split rings so there's room for plenty more ideas!!
I am more than happy to 'host' any patterns derived from this on a new 'guest' section of my pattern pages, or add links to other pages on other sites. I would only ask that if you write your patterns a different way to the way I do that you alter the original accordingly and add any new abbreviations. This will make it clearer for those wanting to tat them. My way of writing patterns is not necessarily everybody's 'cup of tea'!!
It would be very interesting to see how many different ideas can stem from one sequin. Not as many as there were hippos!!!!
The Share a Tat basic pattern is here.

There is another idea (but no pattern to go with it) at the side of the blog!!!
Today I have had the first and fantastic addition to the game sent in. It has come from Tine Vedder in Ede in The Netherlands and I've added it to the guest section of my web site if you'd like to go and see.