Day 1 continued!

Before I start today I need to let you know that day 2 will be available at this time tomorrow. Roll on day 2!!!

First into my inbox on this dull winter's day is from Maggie who seems to have a 'wild' button and who says:-

"Hi Jane - I'm Maggie from sunny Southern California. While the rest of the country is freezing we're having unseasonably warm weather so its shorts and flip-flops for the next few days. 

This is my first TIAS. I chose Lizbeth Bright Yellow thread and a brown button. I ran into some trouble with the button - who knew that they could be possessed? I think the lock chain looks like a stalk of some kind so its either an alien or maybe a snail. 

Waiting for the next installment. 

Regards - Maggie (AKA CACatTatter)"

Next in is Miranda who has sent her day 1. Here's her comment:-
"Hi Jane,
On Day 1, I'm guessing it's a unicycle, although I'm sure that will change with the next installment.
My button is closer to 1/2 inch. I hope that won't throw it off by too much!
Miranda"

Lori has sent her picture to the right place, thank you. Here's her day 1 and her comment:-

"Hi jane 

Hope this is where I am suppose to send my picture of today's work. Don't know if you can really see it. It is small 

Thanks"

The final one in this batch is from Cynthia who says:-

"Here is my day 1...This time I have a scanner that works! I put it as a docx and a pdf so hopefully 1 will work. 

I'm using Lizbeth Mountain Breeze 20-134 and a shirt button...I didn't have to chase the wearer it is one that I am harvesting the buttons from. 

Peace, Cyn"

Actually it gives me lots more work as pdf's or doc's, Cyn. It's much easier if you can send a jpg in future.

Back again and this time with Cathy's day 1. She says:-

"Hello Jane 

I don't know why, I image you're in United States !!! Lol ! 

Thank you for explanations I understand all ! I'm so glad ! 

Here the photo of my 1st step, hope all is good 

Have a good week end 

Cathy"

No, Cathy - I'm not in the USA - I live right in the middle of England!!!

Kristen has now dropped in from Russia. She says:-

"Hi Jane!! 

I finally got my fingers unfrozen enough (it's below 0 (F) windchills here!) to get organized, locate my tatting supplies amongst the travel debris, and start on your new TIAS!! I am SUPER excited that you have used the lock chain in the pattern--I have been admiring all your lock chains but hadn't ever taken the time to learn how to do them! :) 

As for a guess about what it will eventually be...hmm. Maybe a whale. Why? Why not. I really have no idea!! :) 

Looking forward to day 2! 

Kristen"

Margaret has arrived now - all the way from Norfolk in England here!!! She says:-

"Dear Jane, we'll I hope this is going to work as it is the first time I've tried sending an email from my tablet! At the rate I'm going you might not even get it today! 

I decided to use up some of the coats thread I inherited from my mother. That started me thinking I'd use her shuttle, (lower left). After that what other shuttle could I use but my grandmother's (top). 

That shuttle is around 100 years old and probably bought when she was in America. The button is new though, and the modern techniques would not have been known to either of them. 

Thank you for another TIAS Jane. Ithink it is going to be a U.F.O. from inner space! 

From Margaret in Norfolk."

Arriving next in my inbox is Sarah who says this:-

"Hello from Vancouver Canada.... Thanks for starting this up again - last year was fun. 

You are right! The lock chain is simple! Thank you for lending me your brain cell #3! 

Currently I think they look like fleas training for their unicycle act -- their part in The Great Canadian Flea Circus with Ring Mistress Sarah. The lock chain is my leash to keep them from running away to join the circus. Some other circus that is, where they would ride a cat or something. "

Sarah now joins us from Sweden and her comment and photo are below:-

"Hello! 

Here is my Day 1 of your TIAS! It's a long time since I've tatted, but now I have energy enough to try again! 

And I like that it's a button involved, I haven't done that before. 

Thank you for doing TIAS! 

Right know it looks like a mosquito or a fly sitting on the button, it's very hard to guess what it's going to be ☺ 

Looking forward to try to finish it. 

Best wishes from Sweden, 

Sara Bergman"

More day 1

Good morning and welcome back. First in at the bottom of my inbox (I take all offerings in strict order of arrival) is Linda who says:-

"Hi Jane, 

I just wanted to say thank you for setting up the TIAS, this is the first one I have taken part in, since I only learned to tat last February. I hope I’ve done it right so far. 

I did have to chase my son around the house to try and get one of his shirt buttons as all the ones I had were either two-hole or too big. He’s too quick for me though and I ended up cutting one off an old shirt I found. 

I’m really looking forward to the next part and to find out what we are making. 

I have posted to my blog which is http://tanglesandspangles.blogspot.co.uk/ – only recently set up to try and keep my tatting adventures in one place. 

Thanks again for offering the opportunity for some mystery fun! 

Kind regards, 

Linda (aka Cariad837)"

Glad you found the button but hope you weren't too exhausted after the chase!!!

Now I have Jan B's day one with the following comment:-

"Day 1, first try :) From Cedar Rapids IA USA 

I have no idea what it could possibly be this early in the "game". But I certainly want MORE!! Now I just want to keep going!! I hope the next step is a bit longer :) 

(I was tempted to wait a few days and do several steps at a time.) 

Thank you in advance for a cool challenge. 

Jan B."

Yes, Jan, some of the steps will be longer as you all get into the game.

Whoopppeeeee - here's a familiar 'face' back again this year. As usual Sarah's comes with a rhyme.

"Tatting on buttons is new to me 

But with your clear instruction, 

as you can see, 

I managed to complete day one 

And join in the fun. 

Sarah 

Connecticut, USA"

Sonya is next in my inbox with her day 1.  She says:-

"YAY!!!  TIA is finally here!  Thank you, Jane for all your work.

Sonya"

A newcomer to the TIAS is Sharon who is welcome to the group. Here's her comment followed by her picture:-

"Here is my first day. This is very interesting, I have never done a TIAS before. 

I usually work with size 10 thread, and I find that this one seems to twist when I try to close the ring. Do you have any suggestions? 

Thank you so much for all your work. 

Sharon"

Finally in this morning's inbox is Martha Ess who is a well known and much loved designer and who has taken time from her busy, busy life to join in. Thanks, Martha. Here's her comment:-

"Dear Jane, 

If there's anyone capable of overthinking choosing a button and thread, it's me. I've been known to spend hours, if not days at it. So this time, I took myself firmly in hand, pulled out a small box of buttons considered and rejected from an earlier project and told myself to use the first thread I found that would go with one of them. I like the colors, though the tatting looks small next to the button. After a few days, I should be able to tell if I can continue or start over."

It's a good job I check my spam folder before I delete things from it. Why? Well I found Denise's day 1 lurking in there!!! Here it is with her comment:-

" Day 1 done. No idea yet. 

Denise Royal 

www.wickedcrochet.com 

www.tonsofwickedtreasure.com 

Back after teaching computers in a local library about eight miles away (very busy), a big grocery shop and then another computer session in the care home behind where I live. Now time to sort out the TIAS entries.

The first one this afternoon is from Nicole who says:-

"The big advantage of finishing my sailboat so awfully late, is not having to wait that long for the next TIAS! Thank you so much for organising this again. 

I do agree with 'the other Jane', I'd definitely have lost that small button hadn't we used it on Day 1, so I am glad we did! I tatted this last night after an exhausting day, had to use a strong light to be able to see what I was doing. I felt a bit like a surgeon! But I guess tatting is much nicer 'work', with no blood and scary instruments involved! Waited for a new day to take a picture. Didn't help a lot, as it's once again very rainy here in the Netherlands. Well, at least all the messages and pictures make me happy! 

Oh, and Katie V (with the many Day 1's), if I may ask, where did you get those wooden shuttles? I absolutely love them! 

Best wishes, 

Nicole"

Love your little turtle, Nicole.

Jan is back again with this comment and now I'm looking forward to day 2 to see her second TIAS done in green.

"I'm glad for that. I like to jump in with both feet. I learned about 4 years ago, and I guess I am one of the few that "got the flip" on the first try!! I even taught myself split rings the week after I learned rings and chains. 

I didn't like the button I used in the photo I sent you, so I started a second project in Spring Green (Lizbeth #680) with a smaller white button. The first one is done in Lizbeth #628, Salmon Med). 

I haven't done the previous TIAS projects, but maybe I will do one of those to keep me busy in the mean time :) 

Happy Tatting! 

Jan"

Shelly has now arrived with her day 1. Her comment follows along with the picture. 

"Morning Jane 

I am using Lizbeth Twirl in Monarch color. My guess will be a butterfly. I liked joining to the button early because now it is captive on the thread. It kept trying to escape and get lost. I also liked using the non-core thread to join. That was new to me. 

Shelly"

Another Day 1 has just arrived from Kat who says:-

"Dear Jane, 

I did it! It didn't take very long at all, either, even though I haven't used buttons yet, split rings in a pattern, or lock chains. Well, I was pretty chuffed when it came out but the nice people on Craftree politely told me I had done it wrong! ha! I guess I got too excited and didn't completely read the directions. (I had joined in the next hole instead of the same hole) So I fixed it this morning. The diagrams and the written patterns are very easy to follow in any case. I'm really excited to do this tat-a-long. :-) 

-Happy-Kat"

Next into my inbox is Caroline who says:-

"Almost missed this year. Every day I checked to see if you received any new ships so saw this year's. Was surprised as last year I think you sent an email to Here-Be-Tatters. 

I found two buttons the right size so am going to make two. I will have to look up and see what thread colors I am using. 

Yesterday was discount day for shopping but it was so cold I decided to wait a day for groceries and a month for my household items. I think I can wait that long. All of the schools were closed as it was below 0 most of the day. Hoping my car will start today. 

Caroline in Omaha Nebraska USA"

That sounds cold, Caroline, VERY cold.

Sonja has just arrived in my inbox and her comment and picture are below:-

"Hello Jane 

Here is my tias 2015. I’m happy that you did it again. 

It is a nice thing to make between my Moje Robotki from Jan Stawasz. 

Terrible rainy weather today, so I’m glad I did not have to go out. 

Sonja from Holland"

Next to arrive is Bernice who says:-

"Travelling through the mountains but always ready and tatting. Day 1 attached 

Berniceb"

Good to see you back, Bernice and to see the wonderful view from your camper window.

I now have a link to Marina's blog where she has started her TIAS. Here's her comment to me along with the link.

"Hello, 

I think the TIAS game is a great idea. That is why I decided to take part in it and report about it in my new German blog. 

I hope it is okay? Do I have to add any special comments or something like that when I post about the project? 

Best wishes, 

Marina"

I use Safari and Google Chrome as my browsers and have added an 'add on' which allows them to translate the page for me if it's another language. A very useful tool which has allowed me to read Marina's blog. I'll be adding hers to the blogs I follow too. 

Next in is Stephanie who says this:-

"Here's my Day 1 TIAS. It's a seal, balancing a ball on his nose. Unfortunately I'm not quite sure if the button is the ball or if it's part of the seal's anatomy. He has his eyes closed, that's why we didn't need beads. ;-) 

Oh, how I love the TIAS. Takes the dark and dreary right out of the winter months! Thanks for putting so much work into it and sharing it with the rest of us! 

p.s. - Wouldn't I be shocked right out of my chair if it turned out to BE a seal balancing a ball on his nose!"

Day 1

Well, here it is. The link for Day 1 of the TIAS 2015.

So, less than an hour after the start I have the first one in. Delayed posting it because I was eating my breakfast - porridge!!!

So, first is from Muskaan who says:-

"Hello Jane :-) 

Good morning. 

Here's my Day 1 .... first time with a button ...snagged the thread a bit while pulling through hole , but persevered . 

Your visuals helped :-) 

Regards 

muskaan"

Muskaan was followed shortly by Fiona T who says:-

"Hi Jane, 

After clearing our garage from a small flash flood, I was pleased to see the first day of TIAS when I came inside. No specific guesses yet...going to be genetic and say "animal". Thanks for running this again! 

Fiona T- one mad tatter, Australia."

Next to arrive is from Sue D who says:-
"My contribution for day 1!! I say ... Elephants Foot Umbrella Stand! Lol
Sue aka Pigmini!! Vbg"

Isabel in Sweden has now arrived with her day 1. She said.

"Here it's my first contribution to TIAS day one 2015. 

Send you my best wishes to you and to all people around the world. 

Big hug. 

Isabel in Sweden."

And back a little later - another from Isabel!!
"Jane sorry again me here :)
I have tatted with an other kind of thread and here it's the first day again :).
Hugs
Isabel"

Next is from Maureen in Australia who says:-

"Here is attempt about 5 or 6...... I can only hope that it will all straighten out when other parts are attached! I'm using Pineapple Parfait because pineapples are in season just now and so delicious - maybe the tatting will be as sweet and smooth. And I am QUITE sure that it is a Rabbit this year.It's definitely time for my rabbit."

I must tell the rest of the readers of this blog that poor Maureen has been wishing for a TIAS rabbit for years now.  Wonder if this is her year?

Diane has just sent her first day in. Diane doesn't much like me as I tend to use lots of split rings but I say it's good for Diane to learn them!!!! I'm cruel. This is what she has to say:-

"Good morning, Jane! 

I imagine you’re getting ready to have a little lunch. I’m sitting here with my first cup of coffee for the day. I didn’t think I’d be able to try today’s pattern segment until school was out for the day, but there is no school today because of the expected severe cold. Whatever will I do with myself? ;-) 

This is my first time joining a button to my tatting, and thanks to your very clear directions, I was able to connect on the third try. I guess I hadn’t had enough caffeine yet, because I was not pulling the correct thread through the hole. 

Split rings terrorize me, but I decided to soldier on as if I knew what I was doing, and guess what? I successfully completed my split ring on the first try. I’m feeling quite pleased with myself right now. 

It’s just after 6 a.m. and I have the whole day ahead of me. I think I’ll go see what mischief I can get up to!

Diane Cademartori 

lacelovinlibrarian.blogspot.com

Julie has now popped in with her day 1 and this comment and picture:-
"Hello Jane!
I am so happy to take part of my second TIAS!!!!!
I have chosen Lizbeth Twilrz, and it's my first work around a button!
Thank you for sharing!
And Happy TIAS everyone ^_^
Here is a link to my blog : les Frivolités de Pandore, dentelle aux navettes.: TIAS 2015, jour 1"

Katie V is back - yippeeeee. Must explain that Katie never ever makes one of the TIAS - she makes many at the same time!!!!  Just look at her shuttles too.
"Hi, Jane,
my grandson guessed that it is a snow man!
So glad the game has begun!!!
Thank you, thank you!!
Katie V in NC"

Next to pop in is my friend Jane who says:-
"Hi Jane, I hope this is the address you’re using for TIAS. I tried to check the link on the introduction, but my computer got a bit carried away, I thought it was going to send you the contents of my computer or something.
Herewith day 1. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to photograph it so closely, but there you go. I’m glad we’ve used the button straight away or I’d have been bound to have mislaid it by the time it was needed! The thread is Cebelia, a lovely pale peach colour that I bought in John Lewis in London.
Happy tats, Jane"

Wow - the next arrival is from Chile and a first time TIASer. Hi, Wendy. Here's her comment and picture:-

"I am using Lizbeth thread in color 633. I had thought to use another lighter color but the button I have seemed to go better with this one. I saw someone guessed “snowman” – mine would be purple from the extreme cold I guess. 

This is my first TIAS. I am joining you from Chile and we are having some pretty warm summer days right now. Can’t wait to see what this turns out to be! 

Enigmom 

(AKA Wendy)

Enigmom here again. I decided to take a guess: a wheel barrow – maybe full of flowers?"

Next in is Fox who is telling me I'm naughty!!!! Well, Fox, have you only just realised that?!?!? Here's her comment which will make you laugh too"-
"For shame, Jane. Already risqué. A chastity belt might not be the most appropriate subject for many decent tatter folk. I am not certain I shall be able to continue..."

Anne has just popped in with her first day too:-
"Let the fun begin :)  Anne"

Next to arrive is Wanda who says:-

"Dear Jane, 

Here is my day 1. Not much to go on so I'm not making a guess yet. Now to go see who has joined so far this year. 

Wanda in cold and windy Kansas, USA"

Tally Tatty has just arrived in my inbox with this comment and picture:-
"Hello, Jane,
It is so good to start the year again with a TIAS. I had sort of forgotten it, this morning, I have too much on my head! When I remembered, I pushed all my files aside , and googled a cm /inch converting table. Thus,the button should be 0.95250cm, if my calculations are correct.
Well, that is an average button, .. I could have guessed that as well. Look at my old Aero shuttle: the hook is long enough to go all the way through the button. Comes in handy!
Best wishes, Tally"

Next to pop into my inbox is Hélène who offers this comment. Happy New Year to you, too.
"First, let me wish you a very Happy and Peaceful 2015 and again thank you for this TIAS. I really enjoy tatting with people all around the world.
Secondly, the hardest part of your TIAS, is choosing the thread, as we do not know what it is we are tatting! So I chose the button first, and found this lonely one. Don't know where it came from and it was not going anywhere because it was the only one of it's kind. I went through my thread stash and found this Lizbeth (Seascape). Now the button and the thread go together, but are they appropriate to what we are tatting, ????, just don't know.
So, day 1 is tatted, cannot wait til day 2.
Hélène from Québec, Canada."

The next person to arrive is Firanghish who says:-
"Hi Jane,

Thank you. This is my first opportunity of using a button. Attached is the picture of today's work.

- Firanghish"

Patricia seems to have a very good imagination. I love this comment:-

"Jane- 

Thank you so much for doing this again! I know it is hard work! My first guess is that it is a lovely little lighthouse, standing guard over all the little boats from last years TIAS! Hello from Muskogee, OK, USA--Where it is COLD (25* F) today! Mine is done in Lizbeth # 643 -- Med. Grape. Jane--It is your choice whether to publish my drawing! 

Patricia Lyn Cobb 

http://tattingtreasures.blogspot.com/"

Next to arrive is from SheTats who says:-

"Here is my Day1 tatting hope it is ok and the color is ok for what we tat."

Judy is the next person into my inbox and she says:-

"So I had since time waiting for a test in the Dr's office to view the first tias. I had my shuttle and button in a tin in my purse. When I moved my purse it rattled and the lady next to me stared. 

After the test while waiting for my husband to meet me for lunch I did this in the parking lot."

Nearly bedtime but time for a few more to pop onto the blog here. This is from Teresa who is working with her shuttles and VERY well, I might add:-

"I had tried using a shuttle a long time ago( around 2008) and found your site very helpful and your patterns were very inspiring, especially the doll fairies and 3 dimensional patterns you have designed. I had hoped over the years that I would improve but never found the time. Back in 2008, the only YouTube videos that came up when searching for tatting were either tattoo ones or very few at all-haha. I have nobody around to teach me but have many helpful books that I have read through numerous times.

Anyway, I discovered the intatters forum last year and joined and now am a member of Craftree. I love seeing all the beautiful items and have found it helpful enough where I am now confident enough to needle tat pretty well. I have not given up on shuttles and decided to actually try your fun approach to tatting. I have never used two shuttles; I have never used a button and have never split tatted using two shuttles. I am going to do the best that I can.

-Teresa P aka Teretats on Craftree."

Now Jenn has arrived in my inbox with her day 1:-

"Hi Jane, 

It is colder than I'd like it to be outside. Great day to stay in and learn a new tatting technique! This is my very first split ring. I would have practiced it before I started TIAS day 1 but I had already wound my shuttles and I only have the two... Oh well, worked out great. Nothing like learning on the fly :) 

Thanks so much for putting this together. 

Jenn - LoveMeKnot"

Just LOVE this comment from Shirley. Made me chuckle.
"My first TIAS. I think it is Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings)
Gandalf: They are one; the ring and the Dark Lord. Frodo, he must never find it.
Frodo: [gets up to hide the ring]. All right. We will put it away. We'll keep it hidden, we'll never speak of it again. No one knows it's here, do they?
[Gandalf doesn't answer.]
Frodo: Do they, Gandalf?"

January 2nd

Well, well, just in time before the next TIAS starts and Adrian arrives with his sailing boat!!!

104 "Just before the next TIAS is due to start, I've managed to finish the last one (well, apart from sorting out the ends!).
Judging by the mess I made just on the hull and mast today, I'm not sure if my brain isn't too foggy to try the TIAS this year, but I'll give it a go.
Adrian"

I really hope to see you next week, Adrian.  I think you made an excellent job of the boat.

Thursday December 17th

Another new TIAS has arrived from this year's game. Never too late. 

This is from Axa who says:-

103. "I have created the sailing boat :) No, not now, I tatted it with you all, and then did not upload the pics. It is better later than never, is not it? :) I send you the pic of the boat and I upload the pics about the work. You can see it on my blog:http://csipke-csoda.blogspot.hu/2014/12/tias-2014.html

Thank you for the game, and I am waiting for the nex one! 

Axa from Hungary"

28th November

What a great surprise.  Just as I've almost finished the preparation for next year's TIAS a new sailing boat arrives in the harbour!!!  It looks from the picture as if it has hit some really bad weather - just look at those waves!!!

This is from Nicole in The Netherlands.

102  Dear Jane,

The Dutch saying ‘Ik weet niet wat er in me is gevaren’ (literally ‘I don’t know what sailed in me’, I have no idea why I’m acting like this) is quite appropriate in this case! I just didn’t finish my boat. And then eventually I did finish it, but I forgot to send it to you! So this is a very, very belated thank you for your TIAS: thank you so much!

Best wishes,

Nicole

Wednesday 1st October

Lovely surprise today to get another sailing boat.  Thank you so much to Linda who says:-

101  "Hi Jane.  

I finally found the sail boat.  I finished it on time and then it sailed somewhere.  I hope it had a good time. Today I found it coming home.  somewhere in the stitching room. lol.  But I had to send it to you."

The magic number!!!

Well yesterday's regular blog post seems to have 'done the trick' and has woken Carol up to send in her sailing boat!!! Here's her comment.

100.  "Hi Jane, 

Seeing the sailboats this morning reminded me that I never sent you a picture of my sailboat. So here it is. 

I don’t get much time to tat anymore. A little here and there. Still busy working 2 jobs, so I’m tired by the time I get home. 

I always look forward to you TIAS though. Thank you, they are always fun to do. 

Hope you are well. 

Carol Lawecki"

Well these two sailing boats arrived while I was out of the country so I couldn't easily access the blog. Here they are now, though from Frances and Alison in Australia and here's what Frances says:-

98 and 99

"Hi Jane, 

well Alison and I have been taking a leisurely sail around the world from Australia and have finally made our way to England. (That is, I have just found the photo I took of the two boats, my son had borrowed my camera). We really enjoyed tatting this boat and are looking forward to next years. 

regards 

Frances and Alison 

Warwick Queensland 

Australia"

Wonder if we'll now get the magic 100?

Tuesday August 12th

Another wonderful surprise - another sailing boat arrived this morning. This time from Claire who says:-

97. "I just recently found my completed sailboat "buried" on this desk.  A friend in Kennewick, WA also completed it, but never scanned it to send it to you.  I live in Richland, WA.  It is always fun to do your TIAS each year. Thank you for taking the time to entertain us each year."

Thank you for finding this 'missing boat', Claire.  We may well hit 100 this year!!!!

July 29th

Another sailing boat has arrived - this time from a new tatter named Maria.

96. "I'm a new tatter since I just started in March. 

I admire your work very much. 

Thank you for your tutorials and your patterns, they helped me a lot to learn and challenge myself. 

I had fun with this year TIAS and I want to show you my work. 

I've never did the SCMR before, I had fun with the first one( beginner luck), but I paid my dues with the second one since I didn't switch the shuttles... I've learned my lesson... 

Hoping that you are doing another one in 2015, thank you again."

Yes, Maria - there will be another TIAS in January 2015.

Tuesday 8th July

What a lovely surprise. Here's another sailing boat which has just arrived from Coretta who said:-

95. "I just realized I never sent in my completed sailboats. Better late than never? Thanks again for running these. 

-Coretta

A month has gone by!

A whole month has gone by and another sailing boat has now arrived!! This has come from LadyTats with a sad story about her hand. SO pleased it's better now, LadyTats.

94. "Hi Jane, 

I have finally finished my TIAS Sailboat. I did almost no tatting all winter as there was something wrong in the back of my left hand and it ached most of the time. But it is better now and I am back to doing some tatting. 

It is starting to be spring around here, about a month late, we have had our April showers now this past 3 days, over 2" of rain. So it is a good thing I was able to finish this sailboat, we might need it if the river floods he he 

Anyway, you will notice I did an extra ring on the top of the mast, I needed a good way to hide the ends, so did a SSSR 

The threads are both size 20 Lizbeth Rainbow Taffy and DMC Babylo 

Thanks for a very fun pattern."