Tatting patterns with the added 'fun' factor

Saturday and ......

2012-01-28T08:45:00.000Z

Here's the link for Day 7.

First in today with her day 6 is Cynthia who says:-
"Hi Jane, Here is thru day 6 that I have gotten done. As to what is it???????? My guess was an owl face but that won't work after day 6....I was thinking the square part was an eye and days 4-5 started the beak but day 6 oops that didn't work...LOL I am clueless but having a great time trying to figure it out. Peace, Cyn"

Friday

2012-01-27T08:45:00.000Z

Tomorrow is Day 7!!

First of all today is JB who says"-
"Here is day 6. I hope it is done correctly. To get it to look like the picture, I had to reverse two of the split rings. If I did it wrong and need to retat it, please let me know. I’m still having lots of fun."

Next I have Gina S with her day 4 and who says:-
"I am doing the continuous thread join thing wrong somehow and my corner looks awful! Any pointers? See attached photo."
It looks fine to me, Gina but if you want to do it again you could do a split chain instead.

Now I have Bernice's day 6 and she says:-
"Here is my day 6 for TIAS. Bernice O"

Next into my inbox is from Mariya who says:-
"Dear Jane,
This is my day 6. I'm later than usually - I'm still having my exams...
Regards,
Mariya"

Now I have days 5 & 6 from Patricia who says:-
"This is fun...but I have NO idea what we are making!
Here are my days 5 & 6."

Next into my inbox is from Monica who can't seem to decide which of these two suggestions she thinks is right!! Here's what she has to say:-
"Hello Jane!
Oh, I am enjoying this guessing game! I send two possible solution sketches today. Will day 7 be tomorrow? will it?
Peace!
Monica"
Yes, Monica - tomorrow's day 7!!

Next I have Martha's day 6 with this comment:-
"Well, I made the special effort to scan this last night and then forgot to send it. The other front leg of the cubist kitten? The back end of a horse?"

Now I have Margaret's day 6 and she says:-
"Hi Jane
I have attached my Day 6, I am still not sure what it might be, it could be 2 tails or 2 legs, look forward to seeing what it might be.
Margaret"

Next in is from Gina who has decided to start again. Here's what she says:-
"I redid the whole thing.. again :) It looks a little better this time..."

Thursday

2012-01-26T08:45:00.000Z

First in today is from Sharren who says:-

"Here’s the picture and a guess: could it be a double-necked guitar that was left out in the rain???
Sharren"

Next in is from Meredith who has this to say along with both her 'thingamajigs':-
"Hello Jane, I have been following your mystery TIAS since last Saturday and it has now compounded my obsession with tatting. As soon as I wake in the morning, I am on the computer to see whether the next step has been posted and yes, day 6 has been and gone. I just finished the shuttle version of Day 6 and it's much tighter than the needle version. Thank you so much for running this as it is so much fun. I am so love love loving this.
Meredith from Canberra, Aust."

Now I have Mary Jo's day 6. Here's her picture and comment:-
"Here is my day 6. My guess is a rooster. The last 2 clues are the comb.
Mary Jo"

Next in is Heather who thinks it's going to be an animal!!! Here is her comment - oh, and her picture:-
"Here is my day 6.... still not a 100 % what it is going to be, I do think is going to be an animal... it looks like we have two legs done. thanks Heather"

Now beware, we have a strange creature next from Sue H. She says:-
"Dear Jane,
Something must have gone horribly wrong....I have come up with a swamp creature!!!
Sue H
Washington state"

Nancy has managed to catch up with us. Welcome to the TIAS 2012, Nancy. Here's her picture and comment:-
"Jane, I knew I could do it! Here is Days 1 through 6! No clue what it is. I was thinking a strange looking cat but then what would we do with the beads? LOL I do just love this. Thank you so much for creating this fun for us in January."

Now the next offering is from Lim (least tracking back I think it's Lim) who sends in days 4, 5 and 6 and says this:-
"Last Monday was Korean New Year's Day and was holiday from last Saturday to Tuesday.
I was busy to visit the house of my husband's head family.
Now, I got a flu. I hope there are no more festive days.
After I made Day 6, I think it is like a dinosaur, triceratops."

Next is from Jeanne who has this to say:-
"Hi Jane,here is my Day 6,
it will take more pieces for me to have any possibility of guessing correctly. You have certainly come up with a puzzler."

Another new idea - this time from Marty who says:-
"It's taken me six tats to see what this is, but I've got it now. :) I don't know what everyone else is making, but I'm making a blue kiwi!"

Nearly at the end of my morning's offerings and next in is from Nima who says:-
"Jane,
Here is my day6...good going...not trying to give any weird guess....i'm enjoying the mystery...
Nima"

Now I have Patsy who has this to add to the mystery!!
"Jane,I've caught up, and here is lessons 4, 5 & 6.
With two beads, my guess is it has to be an animal or else your just joking and we won't use the beads at all.
I still think one bead is an eye and the other bead is the nose.
Patsy A. Goodman"

Finally in this batch is Elizabeth's and she's pleased that the pieces are only 'bite sized'!! Here's her comment and picture:-
"Dear Jane
Attached please find day 6.
I am so relieved (and pleased) that the segments are so manageable in content. Thanks Jane.
regards
Liz"

Good afternoon!! Now I have Sue Anna's day 5 and her comment with this is:-
"Sorry being late but finally here is day 5. I could say ok it's a cat with a square face or a new year dragon. Ok so I have no clue. Sue Anna"

Followed now by Sue Anna's day 6:-
"Really half way done !! Still clueless. I'll bet I will have an ah ha moment when it is done :) Sue Anna"

Now I have Stephanie's picture and comment. She seems to have a lot of theories on this TIAS!!!
" Well, the dog guess is 'out' unless, of course, it's a 2-tailed dog (as my husband said yesterday - a boxer, to account for the 'square' body). My trumpet player looking out the window is looking less and less likely, unless he's got the window OPEN and the curtains are hanging out and blowing in the breeze, Rapunzel is also 'out,' unless maybe she wore her hair in TWO braids when it was still too short to reach from the tower window to the ground. Are there some varieties of crab with sort of 'square' bodies? "
Some sort of weird bearded elf, perhaps? I still don't know, not the faintest clue!
Thanks for all the work you've put into this. What great fun it is!"

Next in is from Fox who doesn't give a comment but as the saying goes 'a picture is worth a thousand words'!!!!

I'm beginning to think that Caroline might be right - I'm losing the plot!!! Here's what she has to say:-
"Jane, I had full confidence that you know what you are doing but after this section I think you have lost it completely. I sure hope you can pull it together and make something of this. :-))))))) It sure keeps us guessing. I have no clue except a crab that others have said may be plausible. It would have to be a fantasy though.
Caroline
Omaha NE USA"

Next in is from Sharon who seems determined to make me blush. Also Sharon is just joining us so welcome aboard!!
"Hi, Jane
Absolutely love your website and all the beautiful things you have made. I discovered TIAS a couple of days ago and here's what I've got so far. I know there are a couple of errors but I just didn't have the "oomph" to undo and correct this time around. I'm guessing a flower with petals?
Looking forward to Day#7
Sharon Cooke
Cary, NC
USA"

Now I have Sandy's comment and picture. She sounds a little disappointed!!!
"Dear Jane, This day nixed the turtle idea... so now I'm thinking it's a box, and these are the first 2 legs of a space alien that's crawling out! Eek!! Sandy S."

Next to drop in is Suzanne who has drawn her idea of what we're all making. Here's her suggestion:-
"Hi Jane,
These are the times when I wish I had taken the trouble to learn to use photoshop... Not exactly a fitting displacement activity for somebody who is supposed to be getting ready to leave on a long trek. Here, sans shopping, is my current guess. You'll just have to imagine the water, pyramids and palm trees...
Suzanne"

Now another hand drawn suggestion but I'm worried about Sandra. Very worried to that I've upset her as all she ever says to me lately is the following:-
"Oink. Just Sayin'"

Next in is from Anita with another picture to show us!! Here's what she says:-
"What can I say, Jane????
"I thot I taw a puddy tat!!!
Apologize for the slight tweaking to get the ear shape And no, whatever it is, Jane, you could never disappoint me!! What fun!"

Now the last one this evening is from Nicole who says:-
"Ok my turtle turned frog is turning into a octopus/spider ... So confused but loving it!!!!"

Wednesday

2012-01-25T08:45:00.000Z

Day 6 is now posted here. This is the halfway point with 6 more to do!!!

First in this morning with her day 5 is Rose Anne who saysL-
"This was easier than the SCRM step. Now I still don't see what this is going to be but I do see the curved tail will probably be joined to one of the two picots on the next corner, that I'm pretty sure."

Denise is next in with her day 4. There's no need to panic, Denise. There's no race on this or competition - well unless it's for the funniest remark or picture!!! Here's Denise's comment:-
"I had to run out of town for small family emergency, but I remembered my shuttles for my down time. I'm a little behind, but trying to catch up.
Denise from Texas but in California"

Well second in today is from Fiona. Now you may wonder where the first one is but I'm waiting for the day 6 picture. Here's what Fiona has to say:-
"Hi Jane,Here is my day 6...In my haste to be in the first few, I swapped the wrong shuttle! Am thinking now it may be a spider or a crab...beads still baffling me!..
All the best...
Fiona T"

Next in is from Frances who says:-
"Good morning Jane,
here is day 6, and yes I was sitting on the computer waiting for you.
Now I can go and make dinner and watch my evening TV shows, while
tatting. as to my guess I don’t know again.
tatting in friendship
Frances"

OK, here is Angel San's day 6. She was actually in first this morning but attached the wrong picture. Anyway, she's here now with her comment and day 6:-
"I had a false start this morning, had to undo 6 ds, and switchshuttles.... Making little parts at a time can be unsettling ;) But I
hope I got it in the end. The pattern is more and more puzzling, I
have no idea what it will be...
hugs,
San"

Now I have a puzzled Wanda who sends in a very pretty picture too. Here's what she says:-
"Good morning, Jane,
Day 6 is done. Hmm, at first glance those might be legs of a spider. But if you are only giving us one leg a day that would be more than six more days to go. Maybe a flower of some sort? Not sure how the beads would fit in. Hmmm, I guess I'll have to wait for day 7.
Wanda"

Back from my morning in the library - sorry about the delay. So, first in this afternoon is from Ginny who says:-
"Here is Day 6!!
Ginny"

Next waiting for me is Carla's days 5 and 6. Thank you, Carla:-
"Hello Jane, Now I send them both, day 5 and day 6.
Thanks for the TIAS, i like it.
Gr. Carla"

I'm delighted to now introduce a new member to this year's fun and games. Please meet Grace who has sent in her days 1 & 2. This is what she has to say:-
"Dear Jane,I've been tatting for a little over a month, I joined InTatters last week, and found your TIAS blog last Saturday. So, I'm somewhat behind, but here are my pictures for Day 1 and Day 2:"

It is always with great excitement that I open Marjan's messages and pictures. We are SO lucky to meet all the family, Marjan. Thank you so much. Here you are folks - this is what you've all been waiting for whether you knew it or not:-
"Hi Jane!
Here she is…. the one everybody is waiting for…. Mitsuki’s mum!
See her walking on her high heels and with her, almost Royal hat, such a charming lady.
Thank heaven Mitsuki got her looks!
lots of greetings from Mitsuki, her father and her mother … and from me!
Marjan Klomp"

Next in is from Valerie who doesn't know which is the right way to look at this!!! Here's what she says:-
"Hi Jane I'm done with Day 6, but I don't know which way to look. LOL So I'm sending you 2 images with different orientations. This looks like the beginning of a giant crab, with only 2 legs for now. OK, it's a wild guess...
Hugs
Valerie"

Next to drop in is from Jane who says:-
"Hi Jane, Hmm, a thingummyjig of some sort."
I think you've got it right, Jane!!!!

Now I have Emilia's days 5 and 6. Here is what she has to say:-
"Here are the pictures of my day 5 and 6. I still have no clue what we are making. But I am still enjoying myself. . Emilia"

Now I present Melanie's and I'm sure she's trying to make me jealous with the description of her morning. Dull and dank here in my part of the UK. This is what she says:-
"Good morning Jane-
The sunrise was lovely again today. The fog cleared over us, but stayed in the hills. As the sun crested the Eastern hills, everything lit up! Sigh!! It was loverly to watch as I finished my cuppa.
Then, I finished Day 6. I'm thinking legs of something with a square body. But, there are those two beads rattling around on the shuttle. Don't have any better idea to what I am making with your excellent directions. Such a fun game!"

Just had to share this message from Nancy before I go to the next person in my inbox:-"Jane, I am way far behind on this years TIAS but am so thankful that you are doing this. What a great way to relieve the post holiday blahs! i just love it. I will get caught up. I know I will. "

Next to pop in is from our very own Rhyming Sarah who says:-

"Here’s day #6 I’m getting my kicks.

The pattern’s a mystery, A bit of bewitchery.

Conjured by Jane’s number three cell

To keep all us tatters from going to...

For us, tying knots is a bit of heaven

I’m looking forward to day # seven.

Cheers, Sarah"

Next to pop into my inbox is Barbara who sounds a bit confused!! She says:-
"Hi Jane,
Well here is day 6 and it has not helped me at all with my guessing... hmmmm....I think my guess today is......sigh.....(shoulders shrugging)...I don't know!!!! LOL having fun!!!"

Now I have Miranda's day 6 to share. She says:-
"Good morning, Jane (at least it's still morning here)! On day 6 it could still be a locomotive, if these are trails of smoke we're making. Or it could be a jellyfish, a lady's fancy hat, or possibly a deformed rabbit.
Thank you so much for all the work you've put into this!
Miranda"

Now I have Claudia's day 6 to show you. This is what she says:-
"hello jane!! my day 6 is now here!!! do you remember that in Day 5 i told you it could be a scorpion?? .. now it seems a a kind of crab!!!.. im confused!! lol....
have a good day!!"

Next in is from Gunhild who has this to say:-
"Good evening, Jane,here's my day 6.
Imagine, when I worked on his kite, Pimboli was cross with me, he couldn't play, grrrr...
but now, Pimboli is soo happy, because his "kite" has got"two tails" now ,
and he is very busy to navigate it .... Ciao, I have to leave to support him fighting in the wind...
before the kite switches to a bunny or a cock or ...;-)), see u on day 7,
greeting from Guni /germany"

Now I have Maria's comment and picture. She says:-
"NO NO NO...... ! Please don't tell me this is going to turn into Shelob the spider! I HATE spiders with a passion! I will refuse the thought and turn it around and it will be a funny CHEERFUL Court Jester to make us all laugh ! :)
-- Marla "

Please don't be frightened, Maria. I doubt it will be a spider - but then it might be a friendly one!!!

Next to drop in with a very sad story of her day 6 is Brenda from here in the UK. She says:-
"Can I borrow your No.3 brain cell please?
I was waiting for day 6 so that I could do it before going out.
I finished it, and as I went to get my scanner I knocked
my cup of tea over, of course it went all over my work.
I had to go out after I had cleaned all the mess up. I had to do the whole thing again.
How stupid can you get. Not only did I ruin my TIAS I also
missed out on my cup of tea before I went out.
I am not going to attempt to guess, I am just glad it is done."

Now I have Margaret's day 5 and she has this to say:-
"Hi Jane
I know its a bit late, I have attached day 5, as you know I have on my blog a game with my followers at guessing what it might be, Carol has said its an earring............. I don't think so, we now have what might be a tail!
Thanks for doing the TIAS
Happy tatting
Margaret"

Following this I now have Sue's days 4 and 5 together. This is her comment:-
"Hello Jane,
I always get to the tatting part quickly but doing the scan seems to hold me up. Anyway here it is....must be a sea turtle??!!
Sue H"

Whooopeeee, another new arrival. Welcome, Sunset. Here's Sunset's whole TIAS up to day 6 and her comment:-
"hi Jane,
My name is Sunset, and I’ve been following along and it has been so much fun and I’ve learned some new things. I’ve really enjoyed seeing everybody’s pictures and their pretty shuttles. I don’t know what its is yet but I’m having a blast tatting it. Thanks Jane.
Happy Tatting!"

Next in is from Karen who has a new idea and who says:-
"Here is my Day 6 and can I see a person appearing or is this Jane's version of Spongebob Squarepants?"

Finally on this upload session I have Wendy who is having problems with her beads. I suggest you unwind a couple of yards of thread, move the beads onto the shuttle and then re-wind. They can be a pain. Anyway this is Wendy's comment:-
"I hope we get to use the beads soon, they are driving me up the wall, sliding up and down the thread. They won't stay on the shuttle. What am I doing wrong?"

Back again only five minutes later!!!
This time I have Sonja's comment and such a pretty picture and suggestion too. Here they are:-
"hello Jane
First time I think to know what it will be. A bird.
Sonja from Holland"

Now another five minutes later I'm back with Marco's day 5 & 6. This is what she says:-
"Hello Jane,
Here is my day 5 and 6
I think it i a ostrich haha
Have to look up the name in english .
A well for a first Guess who knows.

Greetings Marco"

I've just seen Sherry's blog and her guess at the TIAS. Here's a link to her post. I think it's a really cool idea.

Next I have another sad story from Geraldine. It wasn't Friday 13th today, was it? Anyway this is what she has to say:-
"Well what a day, had food hygiene training with exam at the end.(hope I passed).
Thought I would relax and do day 6, started ok then on 4th split ring thread split tryed to sort it then big disaster thread broke. Out came new thread and a re-tat was done. If you turn it, it looks like horns of a cow or a goat well that's my guess for today.
Happy thoughts Geraldine. "

Tuesday

2012-01-24T08:36:00.000Z

First of all - tomorrow will be day 6!!!

The first message in my inbox on this horrendously wet morning is from Lyn round the opposite side of the world!! She says this:-
"Here is my day 5. And I have no idea what it is.lol!! I see day 6 will be on Wednesday looking forward to it, I think!!!
Thanks
Lyn from western Aust"

Next in is from Sharren who still hasn't a clue!!! Love the rose shuttle - very pretty. Here's her comment:-
"Still don’t have a clue as to what it is – but I’m having a lot of fun tatting it and guessing!
Sharren"

Now I have Nicole's days 4 and 5. She says:-
"ok im all cought up ... My guess was a turtle but now (since its in green and all) its looking like a frog. I did have to start all over since I messed up on the very first chain though lol but was easy to do."

Oh, look at this glorious Spring picture from Anita. That's just what I needed on this VERY wet morning here in my 'neck of the woods'. This is Anita's comment:-
"Dear Jane,
Well, we're morphing again! Ringo has shrunk! He is now...

.... Snippet the Snail!
I know, I know, the TIAS is not over (at least I hope it's not for several days! --- it's too much fun!) and Snippet looks almost complete, and I don't know where those doggoned beds are going to fit in, but I just don't see anything else at this point?!?! ...maybe Snippet has a large family coming???
I figure a snail is appropriate to tatting, however, as I sometimes feel like I tat at a snail's pace.
Anita..."

Now I have JB's picture and comment - she says this:-
"Hi Jane,
Here is my day 5. So far it looks like it has a tail or a handle—maybe a Cheshire cat sitting on his throne or a Cinderella mirror to tell us we are the fairest of all…
The square design looks great as a pendent on your blog.
JB"

Now I have Michelle's days 4 and 5. She says this:-
"Hi Jane,
Attached are day 4 and 5. I'm sorry to be late with them. I still don't have the foggiest idea of what it is."

Next to give me a chuckle this morning is Gunhild who sends in this cute picture and this remark to go with it:-
"Hallo Jane, here's my day 5! Couldn't show you earlier because, Pimboli thought its his new kite, and off he was.... Hope the wind calms down to be able to tat day 6.
Happy tatting from Guni/germany"

Now I have Melanie's picture with her comment. Do go and visit her blog - it's well worth a look:-
"I've put a post on my blog with a scan of my creation so far.
I'm having fun seeing how this works up. My guess????Well, something with a tail. My kitties vote for a new toy. I don't think I'll gift them this one, even if it is one of their kind.
Looking forward to tomorrow's section.
Melanie"

Next in is from Martha who has 'lost her way' on the days!! This is day 5, Martha with day 6 coming out tomorrow!!! Here's her comment and picture:-
"Dear Jane,
What day is this? I made the mistake of moving the piles on my desk to look for something, now I can't find my printout nor anything else. Anyway, here's my latest. I see the head and front leg of a Cubist kitten, with the beads for the face destined to show up in some unlikely location, ala Picasso."

Now I present not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4 but FIVE from Sweden. I'll let Kerstin explain:-
"Hi Jane,
We are five tatters who meet every fortnight for tatt and chatt and now we are all doing TIAS 2012. Tonight we have finished day 5 after some problems languagewise and technical, SCMR was a first for some as well as Lj, I had forgotten what SLT stood for so just left it out ! One of us doesn't use the Internet so she did days 2 to 5 tonight. Now I'm looking forward to tomorrow and day 6.
Good night from a frosty southern Sweden.
Kerstin from Ängelholm"

Welcome to the gang of tatters from Sweden.

Monday again!!

2012-01-23T08:13:00.001Z

First in this morning is day 4 from Martha. This is what Martha says:-

"Ooh Jane, how sneaky to post Day 5 on a Sunday, or maybe you warned us and I wasn't paying attention. I thought I'd have one more day for Day 4 without being officially behind. Anyhow, here's my part 4."

Now I present Monica's day 5 along with her comment!!
"Good evening! I feel like I have been with you all day, since I woke up to today's pattern part, and started eagerly tatting... I read you comment on my blog just as I was starting, and then refreshed the TIAS blog several times along the day :-) So many fun guesses! I love the sting ray, but that would be complete by now... I also agree with all those who think we tatted an elephant's trunk today, but I still can't figure what the beads are for... So, no, not an elephant. I am truly intrigued! I think I would like to know how many more parts to make better guesses -but, wait, don't tell me - I want to believe this fun will go on and on, I don't want it to end! Oh, I had also thought today's part could be the beak of a hummingbird, but I think that was wishful thinking, because, as I said on day 1, I think my colours would suit a hummingbird!
I have just shown my man, and he thinks maybe it can become a sort of space alien if it get another "leg" on the corner with two picots. But we are really both puzzled indeed!
Anyhow... Thanks for your lovely comment. I agree, La Cossette's shuttles can be properly described in one word: Perfect!
Well, now to wait again. 'Till Wednesday, I guess!"

Yes, Monica - Wednesday will be day 6.

Now I give you 'rhyming Sarah's comment - in rhyme, of course!!

Here is day #5

I really do strive

To come up with guesses

As this work progresses.

But I am stymied, I must confess,

About the outcome of this TIAS.

Jane’s cell number 3 has been playing tricks.

And I must wait for day number six.

Next in on this dull Monday morning is from Barbara who has sent in a picture of her husband. Whoops, sorry, not her husband although I expect he's just as handsome. Here's her comment:-

Here is day 5!! Edmund just had to be a part of the picture (he is such a ham) so DH complied with him and let him show my day 5 tatting! Edmund thinks it is going to be a turtle but, I think it is a teapot.....having so much fun guessing."

Next is Katie with her four TIAS's!!!! I giggle when I see how many thingamijigs she's going to finish up with!!! Here's what she has to say:-
"My little quartet with Day 5. Love everyone's guesses--any and all seem plausible! Figured I'd practice the "Double Core Single Shuttle Split Ring with two colours" on your technique page to avoid two-colored split rings. A repeat of 4 is great practice. Ultimately, don't know what I achieved as I sure don't know what the heck we're making! Ya big tease, Ms. Jane! tatty hugs,
Katie"

Next arrival in my inbox is from Elizabeth (Liz) with days 3, 4 and 5 and who says:-
"Anyhow, I am now finally up to date - this is my second attempt as the thread was very bare from attempting and reattempting and reattempting the SCMRs (LOL). I have attached day 3 to 5. (Apologies but I could not crop day 5 for some reason).
Kind regards,
Liz"

Next in my inbox is from Nima who says:-
"day5 is finished now...i had some doubt at ss...hope i did it right...
Nima"

The inbox is nearly empty of TIAS's for now and this is Maureen's day 5. She says:-
"I've been turning it upside down and inside out, but I still don't know what it is - and I'm sure that by this point in last year's TIAS, people were beginning to have some idea! I thought it might be a fat crab, but then there are those two beads....just TWO, so maybe it's an animal in profile, with one bead for the eye and one for the nose - DO crabs have noses?"

Finally in this session I have Corina's day 5. She says:-
"Hi Jane, here's a new picture. It's so much fun!
Greetings from Holland, Corina"

Good afternoon!!! I have Marjan's picture and comment next so get ready for a giggle!!! Here they are:-
"Hello Jane,
I would like you to meet my father!
He came over yesterday for a visit (that’s why I did’nt wrote to you yesterday).
Is he not a smashing looking silkworm?
You won’t find another one looking like this!
Lots of greetings from:
Mitsuki the bashful Silkworm…. and her father!"

Now I have Claudia next. She says:-
"HI JANE? how was your weekend? here we had two rainy days, so the weather was a little fresh but now we are reaching again the 30 C! .. have completed my 5th day after coming from a 1 year old birthday , and now , looking at it more seriously , the "tail" looks like an Scorpion Tail!!! .. but the body is too " square"!... so.. just keep on thinking till next round!!!
byeee
clau"

Now I have Jane's day 5 and she says:-
"Hi Jane, here’s day 5. Didn’t realise I was so slow off the mark until I saw lots of day 5s already there! Butterfly with square body? Perhaps not. Happy tats, Jane"

Next in is from Andrea who says:-
"Hiyah Jane,
Day 5 DONE! A challenge to learn new techniques, but it makes you feel soooo good when it is done!!
Onward to Day 6!
Andrea x"

Now I have Caroline's picture and comment for day 5. Here it is:-
"It seems as though our key has developed a tail.
Caroline Hill
Omaha NE USA"

Finally on this upload session is Bernice who still doesn't know what it is either!! She says:-
"TIAS day 5......getting interesting! Bernice O"

Next to drop in is Geraldine who says:-
"Sorry I'm late in with day 5 I do like to do them on the right day.
Well here's day 5. All I do know is I have a strip down a bit of leg, arm, tail, horn or something brain cell3# has come up with. Roll on day 6.
Happy thinking,
Geraldine."

Now I have Tamara's day 5. She says:-
"Hi Jane:
I finally got caught up. Here is mine. I have no idea what it is."

Well she calls herself 'Crazy Mom Tats' and I think this just goes to prove it!!! Here's the link!!!

Last in today (I'm on the way to bed!) is from Darla who has sent in two pictures. She says:-
"Hi Jane!
Here are my day 5 TIAS results :) I still have no clue as to what we are creating, but it will definitely be colorful! This is such wonderful practice for all of the different techniques, thank you so much!!!
Love,
Darla"

Sunday and Day 5

2012-01-22T08:45:00.000Z

Here is the next part of the TIAS 2012. Day 5.

First in today with her day 4 is from Sue Anna who says this:-
"A snowstorm , fall on the sidewalk later I am done with day 4! Still clueless as to it's identity but love the color way!
ps: am ok I had a very fluffy coat on to pad against the sidewalk. More embarrassing than anything. :) Sue Anna"
SOOO pleased you weren't hurt, Sue Anna.

Also in my Sunday inbox with days 3 & 4 is Jeff who says:-
"Hi Jane,
I have my day 3 and 4 progress pics of the TIAS attached. I blogged the day 3 photo, but I guess you missed it (or I missed it on the TIAS blog). At the end of day 4, I have no idea what this could become. I am having fun working on it."

Sorry I think I missed it on your blog, Jeff. Here they both are now!!

Now the next two people in today with day 5 are two who are celebrating the Chinese New Year - the year of the dragon. Both will be away from their computers and both were getting worried they'd miss the next stage of the TIAS. So, to help them I sent them links to day 5 on Saturday so that they wouldn't feel 'left out'.

The first of these two is from Fox who says:-
"Day 5. I am so pleased at how this ??? is turning out. But, I must ask myself - what kind of fiendish mind creates of this kind of pattern and has oodles of willing followers blindly and with gusto deliver themselves to the shuttles, with complete trust? Ah, Tat-land!
I have NO idea whatsoever what this is. But such fun! Thanks.

Fox"

Next in is from Valerie who says:-
"It's getting more intriging by the day. Just want to say I'm so looking forward to the unveiling of the TIAS. Tks, Jane."

Now I have Angel San's day 5 too. This is her comment:-
"Sunday morning.... at least the time difference let me sleep one more hour compared to the UK ;) Here is my day 5. Each little piece of this project is teaching me new possibilities of this precious art of
tatting...."

A quick comment here from Shannon who has just popped in to say:-
"i just saw day 5, and my guess is that we are tatting a horse."

Now I have Sonja's day 5 and she says this:-
"hello Jane
I made it myself a little bit difficult by wanting it all green, but it worked! Here is my day 5
Waiting for day Six
Greetings from a rainy and windy Holland
Sonja"

Last in the inbox in this session is from Frances S who says:-
"here is my day 5. for a guess I will start with a human figure, type to be decided later."

Next in is from Ginny who says:-
"Here is my day 5
Ginny"

Now I have Fiona's day 5. Here is her comment:-
"Hi Jane,

Here is Day 5 from me. They are clever creeping chains! So many ideas and techniques to learn. I am not at all sure what it will become...and reading the first day instructions again, I realise that I should be using a single colour. I am glad, however that I am using 2, as I am sure I would be getting tangled much more with only one colour. Thanks for all the planning and effort that goes into this project, I am loving being a part of it.
Fiona T"

Next in is Brenda from here in the UK who says:-
"Hello Jane,
Here is my day 5. No idea what it is.
Brenda.
UK"

Now the next person to drop into my inbox is Heather who says this:-
"Hi Jane,
Day 5 it is starting to look like a flower... Guess I will just have to wait a little longer ! Thanks Heather"

Next in is from IsDihara who has sent in two pictures and says this:-
"Jane,Days 3 and 4 are done and have looked quite like the handle of a vintage key.
I am intrigued by this project more and more each day. Could it be the center of a heart? Could it be a brooch? A coal bucket? (That last bit is still not ruled out, but looking more sketchy as a guess.) I am also firmly set on not ruling out animals, though no ideas as yet.
IsDihara"

Next I have Sherry's and below you'll find a picture. DO pop over to her blog here to see what her guess is.

Next in is from Mary Jo who says simply:-
"Curiouser and curiouser..."

Next in is from Miranda who seems to think she's worked it out. I wonder!!! Here's her guess for today:-
"Hi Jane,
Here's day 5, and now we're turning back on ourselves. In the book The Amber Spyglass, third in the Golden Compass series, there is a world where animals have a diamond-shaped body instead of a central spine, with a limb at each of three corners and a head at the fourth. That's what we're making isn't it?
Miranda"

Now I have Karen's day 5 along with another guess:-
"Here is my Day 5. As to what it can be I really do not know at the moment but today it looks like a bookworm coming out of a book."

Next is from Maria who had a few problems but 'got there' in the end. She says:-
"Boy oh Boy! I just couldn't get my brain going this morning and it took me 3 tries to get the little chains right! I finally woke up and used a highlighter to mark the stitch counts and WaaLaa! I got it finished...... I'm starting to think this looks like a blue & lavender painted elephant from Shangrila, and the part we just did was it's trunk! ;) Marla "

Now I have another Mariya and she's feeling puzzled too!!! Here is her comment:-
"This is my day 4. Alex (my husband) and I have now some ideas. He thinks that this square looks like a fly eye and the last part of pattern is like it's proboscis. As for me, it reminds me a tentacle, so maybe this is an octopus! Honestly, today's part reminded me Alice: "Curiouser and curiouser!" Anyway we are looking for next days!"

Next I have Stephanie's and she's got lots of ideas!!! Here's her comment:-
"Day 5.....at one point I wondered if I was adding the tail to a dog (it kept moving around when I was doing the lock joins....figured it was 'wagging'), except I can't think of ANY breed of dog with a square body. It's not the 'big dipper' (Ursa Major) because there are more than 2 stars, although it sort of LOOKED like the 'dipper' with a too-short 'handle' when I put it on the scanner today. Instead of a trumpet player, it COULD be Rapunzel hanging her hair out the window, except she's going to have to grow it for a few more years before it's long enough for the handsome prince to be able to climb up to the tower window. Or the trumpet player looking out the window MIGHT be hanging a rope out of the window while playing.... As you can tell, I haven't a clue."

Now I have Jeff's picture and comment. Here they are:-
"Here is my day 5 progress photo. Still don't have any guesses on what it could be. That element we just tatted looks kinda like a leg or arm, though it could be just about anything still."

Next in is from Wendy who says:-
"I would just like to say how useful your technique page has been in reminding me how to tat certain things Wendy"
Thanks, Wendy. I must admit that originally I avoided doing technique pages but I was sort of 'pushed' into doing them. So pleased they helped although there are many others 'out there' on the internet.

Now I've got Wanda's picture and comment to share. This makes me howl with laughter. Why? Because I've been caught out again!!! Adrian spotted my devious mind yesterday. The reason for the naming on the url's is because I always upload all the pages well before the TIAS starts. This enables test tatters to access them and give me feedback. So because of this I have to NOT make them sequential or participants could guess and then download ahead of the game. Thus I sit there and any word that comes into my mind gets used!!! No rhyme or reason, I promise. Anyway, this is what Wanda has to say:-
"Hello, Jane. Day 5 is done and that last bit kind of looks like the start of an ear. That's all the guess I have.
As the days have gone by I've noticed the names of your pdf files: day 1 was tipsy and now day 5 is sober. Did getting this TIAS going drive you to drink but now it's out there you don't need the, um, support? :-"

Next in is from Axa. Hello again, Axa. Her is her comment and picture:-
"Here is my work again. I enjoyed very much the 5th day, this "tail" is very interesting with 2 colours, when the chain is going on the split rings."

Now I present Sandy's picture and comment:-
"Dear Jane, I am probably way off the mark, but this little guy looks like the makings of a turtle! I think we just finished his first flipper. Looking forward to day 6 - Sandy S"
A turtle? Hmmmmm, I wonder!!!

Next in is from IsDihara who has a very helpful son!! Their comments are as follows:-
"Day 5 is complete. And what fun it has been so far! Whee!
I didn't have a new guess until my (almost 5-year-old) son, The Sprout exclaimed, "It's a sting ray!"

Now I have Tatknot who has this to say:-
"I got behind and misplaced my work, so I just started over. I'm thinking we just tatted an arm or a snout. Is it an anteater?"

An anteater? Interesting and it's something I've often thought of doing!!! Maybe.

Now I've got Jeanne's to show you - beautifully framed too. This is what she says:-
"Hi Jane,here is Day 5
if we had put a bead in or near the center, this would look like an elephant trunk, but since we didn't......."

Next I can present you with Catrin's day 5. What very neat work, Catrin. Here's her comment:-
"Hello Jane,
I wish I'd sent you a photo back when the pattern still included techniques I knew ;-)
No prizes for spotting the two obvious "problem" areas.
Anyway as an isolated novice with a few simple doodles and one split ring project to my name this is certainly a steep learning curve but having the support of a group (on Ravelry.com) and being able to see what other projects look like is a real boon.
No guesses as to the final design, just taking it one day at a time. Thanks you for setting this in motion.
Catrin"

Well I'd like the prize, please. I can't see any 'problem' areas there at all. Looks totally and absolutely fine to me. Well done, Catrin.

Saturday

2012-01-21T08:45:00.000Z

First of all it's day 5 tomorrow - just thought I'd let you know!!!!

First in this morning is from J B who sent in a Christmas tree too which I will show you because it's mentioned in her message!!! Here's what she has to say:-
"Hi Jane,
Here is day 4. It’s more and more interesting.
Also, I made your new tree and have decided it will be the ornament for the ladies this coming Christmas. I love it.
Thanks so much for the TIAS and the tree.
JB"

Bernice has just popped in and appears to still be puzzled too:-
"Day 4 TIAS Still no guess. Bernice"

Now I have Jeanne's comment with which I agree. A lot of people have mentioned that a split chain would've been better than a CTJ but this might have put a lot of people off continuing with the game. Anyway, here's Jeanne's comment:-
"Here is my Day 4. for me, I think I would have preferred to use a split chain for the corner, but the CTJ looks alright too."

Next I have Mary Jo who says:-
"I feel so late! It's lovely soggy Saturday morning in my little corner of the world and I don't have to be anywhere until 4pm. I think I hear some classic movies and fiber calling my name..."

Aha, Adrian is next and he's caught me out!!!

I learnt very early on in this game that I had to 'disguise' the urls I save and upload. It would be much easier to use something like tias2012day1 and tias2012day2 etc but there are so many extremely clever little so and so's (like Adrian) who would be able to 'forecast' what I was up to and would race on to the end!! So, this very clever lad is asking the following question as he's spotted that I can be devious!! In answer to your question, Adrian, Tilly is our cat, I was probably getting 'tipsy' at the time, mellow was when I was thinking about a gin and tonic and purple - well I'd probably got purple thread lying about at the time!!! This is Adrian's comment:-

"Here are my Day Four attempts. The continuous thread join is interesting. Easier that a split chain, but not quite as tidy, I think. (Or at least mine aren't.) Those two split rings are not going anywhere I expected, either.Ready for Day Five now, hopefully finding out more about Tilly, and why she's tipsy, mellow and purple. :)
Adrian"

Next in is from Lorena who says:-
"Hi JaneSo excited for the new TIAS. Thank you for doing another.
Here is my piece."

Friday

2012-01-20T08:32:00.001Z

Good morning world!! I have woken to a lovely full inbox so it may take me a bit longer to get everybody's listed today!! Anyway, I will do my best to get as many done before 'life' gets in the way!!!

First in this morning is from Sharren who says:-
"Here is my Day 4 in a new color! I wasn’t happy with the SCMR on my first attempt – adding thread in progress didn’t help it any – so since I had a shuttle all loaded and ready to go, I pulled some yardage off the ball, added beads, and wound a second shuttle. I haven’t done Day 4 on the other one yet – haven’t decided if I’ll finish it.
Looking forward to Day 5! Haven’t the faintest idea what it is yet – unless it happens to be a square kite with a very, very short tail!!
Sharren"

Now I present Elizabeth's day 4 and she says this:-
"Here is my TIAS. No guess yet. I am still working on how to make my photo come out smaller.
Elizabeth
Mobile, Al."

Now I have Heather's to show you and this is her comment:-
" I started day 4 this morning..... I couldn't get it to lay flat, sooooooooo.... I started over :) Still thinking it looks like a kite.... for now that is!
Thanks Heather"

Next in is from 'rhyming Sarah' who says:-

"Thistatting game is lots of fun.
Withday #4 I am done,

Ilook at it one way then turn it about,
AsI try to discover how it will turn out.

Janehas shown me new techniques,

Asthe answer I do seek.

Thepuzzle’s alive,

Aswe wait for day five.

Bythe way... my dear mom would have scolded me for that' I am done' bit. Her refrain was... "A cake is done, people arefinished". But I just could not make the rhyme fit withfinished. LOL

Sarah"

Now next in this morning is another new starter who has worked hard up to day 4. This is Fox's picture and comment:-
"Well, after 3 years, I am in! And the frustration! OMG! You would think I had never tatted before. I had to begin about four times as I kept getting the directions mucked up. And that last bit - well the photo is self-explanatory. I think it is right , but if it isn't - trouble is brewing! Fox : )"

Don't worry, Fox - I have a contingency plan if the threads are in the wrong place - it's called a 'sneaky SLT'!!!! We'll get to sort any problems out later. Thanks SO much for joining in - SO good to see you here.

Finally in this batch is Rose Anne who has sent in her practice piece and day 4. Thanks, for your comments too, Rose Anne. Here is what she said:-
"OK here is my CTJ practice piece and I can see it being useful IF you use the same colour in both shuttles. I had used two colours as in the instructions and I could see what I was doing. ALSO this is the first time that I was able to tat and hide the ends - WOW I must be getting more comfortable with this stuff.
AND here is my Day 4 and it went well I think. Still no idea of what this will knot up to be!!!

I also noticed that there are a few of us using this aqua green cotton. AND I too am enjoying seeing all the different types of tatting shuttles on the this blog/exercise. Hopefully this Saturday I'll be able to pick up some used shuttles from another tatter and maybe even threads - will see and naturally will blog if I do."

Next in is from Andrea who says this:-
"Hi Jane, here is my attempt at Day 4!! Don't think I quite got the Lock Join, but persevered with the rest and made it! I really look forward to your posts and am still guessing as to what it might be and where the beads will come in ... give us a clue!! Hehehe! ;)"

Next in on this miserable, drizzly morning is a cheerful comment and picture from Patricia who says:-
"Jane,
Thank you for doing the TIAS. Here is mine through Day 4. My guess is the square is the blanket on the back of an elephant!"

Well the day has got wetter and wetter so I'm stopping in this afternoon to play with threads.

Next in is Lyn who is a new starter and who has this to say:-
"Sorry to be late to the party. Just as I finished last year's major project, I dove straight into a vicious head cold, which is still hanging on. Here is my venture, days 1-4. And again, Sorry! I am an inveterate tweaker, and I admit to using a split chain on day 4 instead of your highly creative CTJ. Mia culpa, but that's the way I am. Maybe it's because I'm using a light green thread, but my guess, for now, is a box turtle."

Well here we've got an interesting guess!!! This is from Anita who says:-
"Dear Jane
After much serious thought and contemplation, I have decided that this year's TIAS is a representation of the famous Ringo, the Raccoon!

Ringo is famous for his many disguises, particularly the glasses he chooses to wear.

Stay tuned!"

In true Fox fashion - she's back!!!! I think you're a star, Fox doing it AGAIN. This is what Fox says this time:-
"Hi, Jane!
I may not be the best tatter in the world, but I can un-tat with the best of them!
In true OCD fashion, I had to redo the last two rings so that the 5 ds are on the bottom where I think they are to be, according to your diagram and Miranda's photo!
If not - well, we'll see what happens! This is good fun.
Fox : )"

Now I have Leah who has sent in her day 4 with her comment:-
"Hello Jane,Here is my progress thus far but I'll need to start over. I'm just a bubble-head sometimes, while looking at other projects and reading their comments I noticed the mention of beads and I'm thinking, "beads? What beads?" Ugh!! So short story long I get to do this again and do it correctly after reading the directions completely. Thanks for the challenge of "new to me" techniques, I'm having a blast!!
Leah"

Next in is Marco who is also puzzled!!! She says:-
"Hello,
Here is my day 3 and 4
Still no clue what so ever. Hah"

Now here's a sad, sad story from Caroline - there is a sort of happy ending, though. Here it is:-
"My daughter was standing by me when I finished day 3 and I asked her what she thought it would be and she looked for a while and finally said an old key. I think someone else has said key.
Last night I was looking for it and came in to look in my scanner and found it laying on my computer. Then I went out to my chair and decided I needed to do some things in my sewing room. I finished and went back and sat down. As I was sitting there I heard a noise in the kitchen but ignored it as I knew the two cats were there playing. Well, needless to say as I started to get my pattern organized and went to pick up my tatting it was not there. I went looking thinking maybe I left it in the sewing room and then went to the kitchen thinking maybe I left it on the stove. Well, as I walked to the stove I felt something under my foot and heard a crunch. You guessed it Mercie had taken my tatting and her and Gracie had been playing with it. I keep telling them they don't know how to tat but they just won't listen to me. The shuttle was completely crushed so I had to rewind the thread on another shuttle. After all of that here is day 4.
Caroline"

Next in is a newcomer again. This time it's Stephanie - welcome to you too. Here is what she has to say:-
"Yay for getting my scanner to finally cooperate! :-) Here are my TIAS pictures thus far. Now, don't you go picking on me about the sloppy tatting! This is actually the first time I'm actually making something with shuttles versus just playing around (Apparently, I like to just dive right into things... Who in the world starts shuttle tatting with a TIAS project?).
As you can see, my first attempt with the shuttles went a bit awry, so I started all over again. I'm sure it's pretty obvious, but just in case, the turquoise one is done by shuttle; The pink and brown (seemed like an appropriate thread to use) is done by needle. I stink at SCMRs with the needle and found that easier with the shuttle. The split rings on the shuttles made me want to throw things and led to mucho YouTube video watching and un-tatting, but I did it! I guess diving right in is the best way to tackle new things... Hmm....
Thank you so much for hosting such a wonderful activity! I'm so excited to be part of it this time around!"

The final arrival today is from Geraldine who says this:-
"Don't know what happened I sent e-mail yesterday but have not seen on blog, but this computer plays up some times sending e-mail and it's only a few weeks old.
Any way here's day four yesterday was windy so I thought we could all go fly a kite but not so today as we would need to use it like a brollie.
Happy tatting
Geraldine."

Thursday

2012-01-19T08:45:00.000Z

Here you are - DAY 4.

First in today with her day 3 is Maureen who has this to say:-
"......Day 3; I ALWAYS have trouble with false picots, they invariably turn out far too long. Another technique to be practised! Can't bear the thought of starting all over again, so I shall keep plodding along with the imperfection in place!"

Next in with day 3 is Patsy who has this to say:-
"Hi Jane,Here's day 3.
Patsy A. Goodman, Chula Vista, CA, USA"

Back not half an hour later (I did manage a shower and breakfast in between!) is Maureen with her day 4. First in again, Maureen!!! Here's what she says:-
"Day 4 - this bit was easier than that wretched false picot! It's a very square square, isn't it? - exactly as my father described me in 1958......"

Just after Maureen I have Angel San who has this to say:-
"Today i tried to be one of the firsts, but it looks like this project is a bit more challenging each time, so I want to take time to follow the instructions correctly. After all, it wouldn't be faster if I screw up and have to start back at the beginning !!! ;)I appreciate learning an practicing new techniques though...."

Now I present Frances's day 4 too. Were you all waiting by your computers? Here is what she says:-
"Here is day 4. now you have me totally confused as to what it is. at least this time I managed to tat in peace as the Peanut Gallery (DH & TSx2) were otherwise occupied.
regards Frances"

Just noticed on my following list (I follow LOADS of blogs!!) that Jeff has done his day 3 too. Here's a link to his post.

Back from a quick trip to the shops and I've found more day 4's in my inbox so here we go!!!!

First in this batch is from Jane in South Africa who says:-
"Hi Jane, here’s day 4. Um, I did rather lose track of which shuttle I should be using for the split rings. I don’t suppose it matters all that much now, but perhaps later when the beads are needed? Happy tats, Jane"
Actually, Jane, it doesn't really matter as a quick and sneaky SLT (shoe lace trick) will sort out the problem later - if there is one!!!

Now here is Carla's picture and remark:-
"Here is my day 4 piece. Carla O."

Fiona's day 4 is next. I'm pleased you managed the continuous thread join - saves cutting and tying and it's something I'm quite passionate about is saving that!!!! Here's Fiona's comment:-
"HI Jane!,
Well, my first attempt at the Continuous Thread Join worked! So here is Day 4, tending to look like a kite I think!
Now will have itchy fingers until day 5 appears. :D
Fiona T "

Aaaaaah, had Marjan got the answer? What do you think? Love the picture - so cute! Here's what Marjan says:-
"Hi Jane!
Now look at Mitsuki! (I sure love her new outfit!)
Yesterday she saw Mary Poppins on television and quess what! this morning you gave her a kite!!
I know this girl…… she won’t stop singing now….. oh, dear me…..
Bye bye Jane, see you next time!!
Marjan"

Ginny is still hoping for a train - see her comment here:-
"Here is my day 4! I am still hoping for a train my grandson loves trains
Ginny"

Next in today is from Brenda here in the UK. She says:-
"Good morning Jane,
Day 4 done. It took me a while to figure out the CTM. I hope it is right.
I would like to say that it is a “Kite” but that would be toooooooo easy. I have no idea to be honest.
Brenda. UK"
Actually, Brenda, the CTJ is only a cheating way to save cutting, tying and sewing in pesky ends!!!

Again through 'watching the blogs' I've found Corina's day 4. Love this colour. Here's a link for you all.

Next in is from Lyn who says:-
"First of all is my day 4. And all I can say is thank goodness for your web site where I keep diving into to find out how to do different techniques, thanks for the simple pictures for a simple mind.:) I now realize that the patterns i've been doing weren't very challenging!!"

Good afternoon!!! Here I present Claudia's day 4. This is what she has to say:-

"HI JANE.. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Here is my 4th day and we are getting closer!!!! I have to little problems--- It is the first time I use de CTJ so i dont know if I tatted it the right way because the second colour °appears behind° and the second problem is that i forgot to switch shuttles when i began the split rings!.. must i retat everything? or It doesnt matter?..
i believe that the temperature today..30 C is affecting my tatting neurons!! lol! send me some fresh airrrrrrrrrrrrrr..
greetings
claudia"

Well, Claudia it would probably have been better if you'd done this in just the one colour but don't worry - count it as a practice in case you want to ever make another 'I know what it is but you don't'!!! As it happens you can just do a SLT when we get to the part where the beads are needed. I did that on one of my re-tats and it worked fine - I forgot a SS somewhere too!!!

Next is Barbara who has this to say about the TIAS and her family too:-
"Hi Jane,
Here I am with day 4 finished and no closer to a guess than before!! My son guesses that it will be a heart....Tehehehe I love the T.I.A.S.'s as it gets the whole family involved in my tatting! Have a wonderful day and thanks for the fun!!!!!"

Now this next offering is from Nima and she is what makes the TIAS SO worthwhile for me. She's struggled with it so far but hasn't given up and has progressed from the top picture to the bottom one. I'm just SO proud of her. This is what she said although I didn't give a lot of help, I promise. She's done it through sheer perseverance:-
"Thanks a million for your great support...i was in a total confused state and now i did it with 2 colours of thread. I'm attaching the completed day 4...it was a piece of cake when i used 2 colours...Oh god...it was too confusing with the same colour.
Also attaching the failed attempts...few pieces are from picot missing and couldn't repair the ring error etc....unable to undo and repair the work makes tatting not my comfort zone....i have not done many patterns and so i'm not good at reading patterns...i enjoy tatting along with you, so when i get an error, i can ask you and clear my doubt...thank you for the great support.
No guesses yet...enjoying this mystery..."

Next in is from Margaret who has this to say:-
"Hi Jane,
I attach a copy of my TIAS day three and four.
Thanks for doing the TIAS, still guessing what it might be.
Take care Margaret"

Next I present Jessica's comment and picture of her day 4:-
"Hello Jane!
Here's my progress. It's not beautiful, but that's okay :o) Part of me is hoping that I'll get frustrated with this one and start over so I can use the Pop-A-Bobbin Shuttle that I got in the mail yesterday!! Super Fun!
-Jess!"

Oh dear. Houston we have a problem. Least I have or had but didn't know it. Marla sent in her day 3 to me but it didn't arrive. I'm sorry Marla but thank you for sending it again and telling me too. This is what Marla says:-
"Here is my Day 3 and I have to say that I am really loving this! :) We have a circle in a square! The suspense is building...... I agree that the next move will be to climb out like we did with the practice piece, and where we go from there...... could be any where! :) What Fun!"

Next is Marla's day 4 and she's still puzzled. Here's her comment for today:-
"Here it is! Already day 4 and still no clearer on what it could be...... enjoying the mystery! :)"

Another new person joining in is Marco who hasn't been feeling very well. I'm sorry to hear that, Marco - please get well soon. Here is what she has to say:-
"Here is day 1 and 2 from me.
I am sick right now, but i will try to do something in the next days."

Now back again and very welcome too, is Valerie who says:-
"Good day, Jane! Whew... there was another episode of Blogger showing up a blank screen again! Anyhow, here's my DAY 4. I told you it's curling up... Ah, but see, I think that's a tail showing from the bag! Did someone guess it's a cat?!
Hugs, Valerie"

Oh dear, I think Sherry's imagination is running away from her!!! Here's a link to her blog post - what a hoot!!!

Now I show you Sonja's comment and picture. Sonja has had a good idea which she's tried out. Well done.
"Hello Jane

Here is my day 4. With splitrings you get the 2 sides different. I wanted my rings green, so I used “Double Core single Shuttle Split Ring with two colours” from TattingChic. . I had the SSSR from you also in my archive, but by searching this PDF I found another from TattingChic, so I tried something new. I’m learning and learning..............
Greetings Sonja from Holland"

Now Miranda's just popped in - hi, Miranda. This is what she has to say:-
"Hi Jane,
Here's day 4. No guesses.
Miranda"

Next in is from Monica. She's another person who has spotted my devious way of avoiding the split chain. Now, personally, I love the split chain but realise that many others don't. The CTJ was one of brain cell 3's devices to avoid this. Anyway this is what Monica has to say:-
"Hello Jane!I hope this mail gets you today! I tatted your piece even before breakfast, but then I could not transfer the photo to my computer to mail it!
Oh, well, here it goes now. I think it looks like a kite right now, but I bet you'll have more surprises along the way! It could also be a pair of eyeglasses, but then again, what are the beads for...? And, that would have worked much better in two colours - if you chose only one, there must be a good reason!
As to the tatting today, it was fine. I think the same avoiding to cut and tie could have been achieved with a split chain, couldn't it? I think you are not fond of split chains! :-D"

Now I have Stephanie's day 4 and she says this:-
"Did the last SR without my glasses, I was so excited. No telling WHAT it looks like! (Still not wearing the reading glasses.)
I'm sticking to my 'trumpet player looking out the window' guess....and today's bit is part of the building.... ;-)
This is SUCH fun!"

Next to drop in is Wanda who says:-
"Hello! Day 4 is here. I like that technique to move back over the chain - I don't do split chains very well :-)"

Now I have a message and a picture from Melanie C who says:-
"Hi Jane-
here's my Day 4 (attached). I've already posted on my blog for the day, so this will go up tomorrow.
My guess: mmmmm. something square, with two sides flat and two with picots....and picots at the corners.......I know!! This piece will connnect the pieces yet to come! mmmmmm Could we be tatting the front of a house?
Can't wait for the next section."

Next to pop into my very busy inbox is Mariya who has this to say:-
"Dear Jane,
This is my day 4 pattern. It could be much better if I noticed that last SR is 3/5 instead of 3/3 :) So I used SSSR technique to tat these two nodes but it looks not accurate now. I think that I will start a new one soon.
Regards, Mariya "

Now I have Sandy's comment and picture. She says:-
"Hello Jane! Got a bit flummoxed as I tatted this piece. Wasn't sure which shuttle to use to start the SRs, then noticed that SR14 was facing the wrong way (I cheated and looked at what others had done), not sure how that happened, but I resolutely twisted both SRs so they are now pointing the correct direction (I hope!). If not, I will coax it into submission on Day 5. And - I've no idea where this is going, but I'm enjoying the journey!Sandy S"

The last one in today (I'm off to bed!) is from Karen who says this:-
"Here is my Day 4 and if you look close enough you will see it has changed colour. that is because I made a very silly mistake this morning and have started from scratch but at least I am much happier with this one. As for a guess well I think it could be a ship with the centre ring is a port hole."

Wednesday

2012-01-18T08:41:00.000Z

Before I start listing - just a reminder that tomorrow will be Day 4.

First in today are Adrian's pictures and comments. I'll let him explain:-
"A little late, but I had to re-do the SCMR and the floating ring and I'm still not happy.
So I'm keeping the original as a practice piece and I've started again with two colours. (Plus it allows me to show off a couple more of the pop-a-bobbin shuttles! :) )
Adrian"

Now I have Jeanne L's photo and comment. She says:-
"Hi Jane, here is my Day 3, just in time for Day 4"

Now I have Lourd's day 3 and her comment:-
"Hi Jane, attached you'll see 5 pictures of my partial attempt to Day 3. I noticed i made a mistake on R2 (I did not have a picot, so i dug in and pulled one out. I think thats why my first three rings are curling in on themselves.) I hope that's not a problem. The problem I'm having is that I can not close the second part of the SCMR. The last two pictures are the correct side. I hope the cities can give you a clue as to where I went wrong. Thanks, Lourdes"

Later I found another message from Lourds saying she'd realised how she'd got in a muddle and fixed it. Well done, Lourds.

Next in on this dull Wednesday morning is from Denise who also doesn't like the poor maligned SCMR!!! Here's her comment too:-
"Well I managed to make it through the SCMR. Definitely not my favorite maneuver, but each time it gets easier. Actually this time it made some sense to me so I might have had an SCMR breakthrough!
What I see when I look at this is the eye of an owl. It might be because I was looking at crochet and sewn owls recently. I'm seeing owls in everything now. My husband saw it and had no guess for me. I showed it to my sisters and they all had something to say. So now I'll throw out there it could be a colorful turtle, a tiger, dragon, fancy umbrella (I really got a good laugh at that one), or the top down view of a very fat sheep.
Have a wonderful day!"

Next is another picture from Fiona of her day 3. She says this:-
"Hi Jane,Well, I didn't let the SCMR mock me anymore! I have done it and it looks great...also faux picots YAY. So here is a picture of my day 3, now not a tangled mess :D
Fiona"

Just had breakfast and now I'm back to add Lyn's day 3 to the list. Here's what Lyn has to say:-
"Hi Jane,
Well it's done had me stumped for awhile as I haven't done the mock picot and scmr befor, and as i still suffer from chemo brain it took me 2 or 3 tries and then it dawned on me to think in 2 colours and it worked straight away!!hoorah!!
Thanks again
Lyn Clements"
WELL DONE, Lyn and I'm very sorry to hear about the chemo.

Good news - another new person who has joined us. Welcome, Carla. Here are Carla's days 1 and 2 followed by day 3:-
"Hello Jane,Here are 2 foto's from Holland.
Day 1 and 2 together because I could not start earlier with this TIAS. It is a pleasier to do the 2012 TIAS. Thank you for it.
Day 3 is also finished en now I am wating for day 4.
Till the next foto.
Gr. Carla Oosterbroek"

Now in with her day 3 is Axa who says:-
"Hello Jane
Here is the photo from my 3th day of TIAS. It was very interesting to create the inner ring!
thank you
Axa"

Another new person to join in today is Stephanie with her practice piece and her day 3 and she has this to say:-
"Practice bit - which, by the way, was much easier than I feared it would be.... and TIAS Day 3. I've decided it's a window.....and the circle in the center is a trumpet player....playing while facing STRAIGHT out the window. Now all we need to do is tat the REST of the building. ;-) That's my sort of final answer....a trumpet player looking out the window.
I just love the TIAS....look forward to it all year....this is SO much fun! ;-)"

Yet another new person to join - wonder how many are taking part now? I'll do a count at the end when I've got everybody's in. This time it's Nicole with days 1, 2 and 3. Here's what she says:-
"Here is my progress... I love it so far... except I need to work on my FP's lol... on and I think its a fish.... one bead for the eye and one for the mouth lol"

Tuesday and more 'offerings'!

2012-01-17T08:27:00.002Z

Good morning, world.

First in today is from Michelle. I think it must have popped in last night after I went to bed. Anyway this is what Michelle has to say:-
"Here's day 3. That strange yellow glow by the TIAS is the sun! We haven't been seeing much of that strange orb so it's glorious to have especially for the picture.
One of the bonuses of the TIAS is seeing the lovely shuttles everyone uses. So much variety!
Thanks,
Michelle"

Now I have Wanda's day 3 and she says this:-
"Hello, Jane, here's my day 3. It's a square ;-) Now I can go check out what every body else has done."

Ah, we now have some clipart from Anita who has this to say:-
"Hello Jane!
Well, Jack and Jill are a figment of yesterday's imagination....today we're on a rocket ride! And you and friend Bernice are going along!
Thanks for the fun! We'll see where we head with the next installment!"

What WILL you come up with next, Anita? My mind is boggling!!!!

Next I have Phyllis who has also learnt something new. Thanks for letting me know, Phyllis. Here's what she says:-
"Here my day 3 piece. I am so excited as I have learned false picots and SCMR's!! No quess as to what it is but am very glad to be playing along. Phyllis in GA"

WOW, what do I see on JB's picture? Is it a Lady Shuttlemaker's silver shuttle? If it is, JB I'll pop in a link later so others can see them. Anyway, this is JB's comment today:-
"Attached is Day 3. Could it be another one of your beautiful pendant designs? I love the suspense."

Next is from Heather who is letting work get in the way!!! She says:-
"I just got day 3 done... I had to wait till I got home from work, I didn't have enough time to get it done this morning. I think it would make a cute kite, just needs a tail....
Thanks Heather"

I can now present Lynne's day 3 with the following comment:-
"Somehow that little picot on ring 8 disappeared ??? A little "kind of"wound pink thingy....
Lynne"

Back now with her day 3 is Martha Ess who says:-
"Here is my Day 3. Perhaps it will be a cubist style animal of some sort."

Next in is from Angel San. She's managed her SCMR really well and I think the piece looks fine. Here's what she says:-
"today I'm a bit late in posting : Yesterday was Grandmas day. I had to drive all day to visit both my grandmas in Belgium from North of France, and when I got home I went to bed very early !!!! I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to dive into SCMRs (I think I've done only one or two in my life) in a very tired state ! So I made part 3 this morning, while sipping coffee and the SCMR didn't seem so difficult to do ! I only wonder why my piece is already so curled already when the other people's pieces are so flat !!!! :(
have a good day,"

Now I'm very proud of Rose Anne who had problems with her SCMR but persisted and got there in the end. Congratulations. Here's her story and two pictures of the 'before' and 'after':-
"OHHHH BOY that SCRM!!! Guess it's my own fault for not "reading up on it" - NOOOO I just thought I knew and got myself in this mess.
Then after some very very careful "pickings" I loosened the last two DSs of the closed ring (after realizing I was wrong) I managed to open up the ring and then untatting until I was at the beginning of the SCRM again. Then I found my NSAN beginner binder and READ up on that step. I then proceeded OK to the send part where I mixed up my shuttles and the close was not possible. So back to untatting again but at least it was simpler and this time I GOT IT RIGHT!!! YEAH, now will I remember this for next time????
Hope the rest goes easy Jane!!!"

Next in is Lim with both her day 2 and day 3. This is her comment:-
"Hello, this is Lim. I was so glad to your welcome.
These are my Day 2 & 3.
I think it will be an animal, but now I don't know how it will change."

Nearly my lunchtime and I've just had Monica pop in. She says:-
"Here is my day 3! So, whomever said it would be an "outside-in" piece was right! I was quite surprised to see the SCMR there - and I must say, SCMR and myself are not good friends. It really makes me wonder who gave that name to the technique? I see the "mock ring" part, yes, but "self closing"? I would call it "devilishly hard to close", LOL. Maybe I should place some sort of place keeper at the start, so I have room to do the lock join to close it. Or maybe I should not be lazy and watch and read a few tutorials, to see if it is something else I am missing!
Anyway... I have no new bets as to what this will be. I agree with someone who guessed the next part will have the climbing back part, though :D So... when is the next part due...?
I hope you have a great day! I am off to have dinner now...
Peace!
Monica"

A little piece of history on the SCMR as far as I remember it!! It was brought back to life by the wonderful Houtz brothers some years ago but they say it was done before them. Here's a link to their web site.

Next part will be on Thursday, Monica.

Next in is a very happy Marjan and I'm hoping she'll tell Mitsuki that I DO feel very honoured! She says:-
"O, I am so sorry, I know I am to late but.. here I am!!
With a very grateful Mitsuki! She asked me to take a picture of her new blanket!
You should know that it is a honour to be invited in the home of this bashful girl!
But look at her… she is over the moon!
greetings from sunny but cold Belgium!"

Now we meet Caroline again - this time with her day 3. She says:-
"If this is an animal it sure has a narrow neck - Ohhhhh maybe a giraffe but where are his eye.
Caroline Hill"

Next is a new joiner with her days 1, 2 and 3. Welcome aboard, Emilia. This is what Emilia has to say:-
"Thank you for inspiring me again. Today I spent some time in catching up with the tias 2012. Hereby the photo’s from the first three days. I like the challenge very much so far, but I have no idée what it will become. With kind regards Emilia, the Netherlands"

Now I present Valerie's day 3. Please look at the cute little hedgehog on the shuttle she's using. Don't the prickles hurt your fingers, Valerie? Here's her comment:-
"Sorry I'm slower by a day. Blogger turned up blank screens at some blogs yesterday. :(
Here's DAY 3 but the motif is a little curly, perhaps a sign of protest at the hiccup. Can't wait for DAY 4! Bring it on sooner?
Hugs, Val"

Another update of this post!!! Now I have Sue Anna's day 3. It seems that several people are having the same problem - maybe it'll flatten in time but meanwhile don't worry about it. I'm sure it'll all be fine. Anyway, here's what Sue Anna has to say:-
"Here she be! Is it suppose to lay flat because mine doesn't . This such fun! I am clueless! Sue Anna"

Now I present Bernice's. Poor soul has had a problem but it looks fine to me now, Bernice. This is her comment:-
"Finally my day 3 TIAS. As I was working on day 3 I discovered I had left off part of day 2....Took 2 more tries before I finally did it right....I think. Bernice"

Next in is from Brenda here in the UK. This is her comment followed by her picture of day 3:-
"Here is my day 3. I am not going to torture my brain with a guess at this moment in time, It’s been tortured enough these last two days looking after sick family.
Now my day 3 is done I am going to sit and relax. Maybe have a nap."

Now I've found Sue's day 3 in the inbox! Here's what she has to say:-
"Good morning Jane...the SCMR exercise was a lot for my brain and fingers to figure out, but here it is! Thanks for the challenge!
Sue H
Washington state US"

Ah, just found that Sherry has done her day 3 too. She's a busy lady so to save her the bother I'm listing a link to her blog here.

Monday and it's Day 3

2012-01-16T08:45:00.000Z

Yes, it's here - Day 3!! There's still plenty of time for anybody to start and easily catch up.

First in my inbox this morning is from Michelle who says this:-
"Here's day 2. I'm very pleased with how it looks and I'm liking the thread now too. There must be something going on with that corner with the 2 picots but I'm still hard-pressed to guess.
Thanks again- this is so fun!
Michelle"

Now I have Martha again who sends in her day 2 with this comment:-
"Here is Day 2. I find myself hoping for a kitten."

I have just 'harvested' Jeff's days 1 and 2 off his blog (with permission). I only knew about it cause I follow him!!! Anyway, this is what he says:-

"I did sit down last night and worked through the first two days of Jane's TIAS 2012. Here is the first day:I used Lizbeth size 20 colour #658 Light Ocean Turquoise. I have no guesses as to what it could be. We'll see what the next part shall bring. Oh, and Jane, feel free to copy my photos. I'm sure I'll forget to email them to you."

FIRST IN today with her day 3 is Geraldine from here in the UK. Below is her comment and her picture:-
"A frosty morning to you Jane
Well what have we done, are we looking through the square window to- day ?? if so tell us a story Jackanory. Bringing back memory's of my childhood.
Happy tatting
Geraldine."

Next in is from Frances who says:-
"hi Jane attached is day 3, I predict that we will be using the practice piece technique next to close the chain and climb out. this is probably the belly of one of your great figure designs.
Bed time, talk to you soon."

Now I've got Fiona T's picture and her comments. It looks OK to me but I can't see which colours are where!!!
"Was so excited to be in the first batch to see this that I got my shuttles mixed up in my SCMR...arrrgh a bit of a tangled mess. It is 9pm here, and very hot still. Am giving up for tonight, but will redo all three days tomorrow when I don't have to do any work! Oh, and I forgot to add I have a feeling it could be an owl...not sure about the beads. Will send another pic when I get it right...."

Now I have Ginny's day 3 and things are looking good. Love the thread, Ginny.
"Here is my day three i think it will be a train!"

Now I present Kerstin's day 3 from Sweden. She says:-
"Dear Jane, Here comes Day 3 from southern Sweden, wich thankfully is mild and without snow. As allways I enjoy Your tatting and love Your TIAS.
Keep knotting.
Kerstin Karlsson"

Next in is from South Africa and t'other Jane!!! Before I go on I must give you the link to Jane's new blog which is here. This is what she says about day 3:-
"Hi Jane, well, I don’t know what it’s going to finish up as, but the outside-in structure is very clever!"

Now I have Sonja's day 3 and she says:-
"Here is my day 3. I was supprised to see how you did the middle-ring. Unusual, but why not. It works. Still no idea what it will be.
Sonja from Holland"

This next submission is from Andrea who contacted me earlier with problems with understanding the pattern. I must admit this gives me the best motivation for doing the TIAS's. People who are just out of their 'comfort zone' trying things they've never done before AND persisting until they've done it. Well done, Andrea - I'm SO proud of you. Here is what she says:-
"Here it is!!! Thanks to your help, I finally did it! Another learning curve for me, but I am loving this design. Can't wait for the next instalment. Thanks so much for all your help"

Next in is day 3 from Claudia in Argentina. She says:-
"hi jane... just finished my 3rd part of this TIAS .. the more i tat it the more it intrigue me!...let the challenge go on!!!
greetings!
claudia meza"
I then asked Claudia if it was a surprise to find a SCMR just there in the pattern and she then said:-
"yes .. it was a surprised..and make me doubt for a moment... but then my tatting neurons wake up.. and shuttles start to walk!!! (you can add it to the post blog if you want! lol..)"

Oh, Gunhild you're SO funny. I love your drawing and your story of your rings!!!! I guess I'll have to share this with everybody now I've stopped laughing. Here's Gunhild's story:-
"The naughty little Ring1:
Do you know what happens to me ? All the way tatting Day3 this little naughty Ring 1 (look at is kidding face in the picture) was always jumping into my tatting, wishing to be important and a part of what I was doing ! I really was in troubble to push him away all the time...Then suddenly he felt into love with Miss Pinky Ring 11, took her by hand and wanted to marry her! Oh no, I found it out just in time and I sad : No way! I had to separate them, ...and placed her aunt, Miss Ring 12, in between them... I hope that will work, not to have troubbling ds there in...and not the crying all the night....
I wonder if some of you have the same story to tell :-))
See you tomorrow, greetings from Guni / Germany, getting frosty here today, finally winter is coming??"

Now I have our 'master of rhyme' - Katie. She says:-"Theol’ git views the world all askew,

and(amazing!) she tats that way too.

Andso, where to begin?

Why,from the outside in!

What’sthe next trick we’ll have to work through?!

So, who says you have the most fun?!!
Lovin' every minute, sweet Jane,
tatty hugs,
Katie"

Now I present another of my Palmetto friends - Sharren who says:-
"Howdy! Adding to your inbox...
I’m thinking of choosing two more colors and starting another one – the more, the merrier, right??"

Aaaaah, we've got another Shakespeare wannabe!!! Here's Sarah too in rhyme!!!
"Jane,

Here’sday #3

Couldit be an exotic tree,

ora creature found in the deep dark sea?

Ineed to tat more

sobring on day four.

CanI keep up this rhyming

youask me

Wewill have to wait and see

Itadds to my fun

Totry to keep rhyming

tillthis game is done. : )

Sarah"

Now we've got Melanie who has this to say - I'm off to read your blog post too now
"Good morning-
It's a brand new week with lots to do, but first I wanted to show you my Day 3 progress on TIAS 2012. I thought it would be a square something! But, still have no idea past that; although....those picots....hmmmmmm.
Over 60 participants?? And who said Tatting is a lost art?? Time to change that tune!!
Which reminds me, visit my blog to read about the organ concert I went to yesterday. It was so fun!" Here's the link to Melanie's blog.

Next in is from Gina S who has had a problem. Sorry to hear that, Gina but pleased, very pleased you decided to start from scratch and stay with us. Here's Gina's story:-
"Here it is, my newest version of TIAS! Redid the whole thing from scratch this morning after I thoroughly messed up the SCMR on my other piece.
Gina"

Next I present Mary's day 3 and her comments. I wish I lived in America - they seem to have so many holidays over there!!!
"It's a holiday here in the states so I could start first thing. I had a growth opportunity with the SCMR :), I have a new skill now! Mj"

Now another dear friend of mine from the USA. Here's Suzanne's comment and picture. Hope your bad health run is over now, Suzanne.
"I apologize for not giving sign of life before: the TIAS has been my sole ray of sunshine in a year that started with a cracker of a chest cold, and I simply did not have the energy to go through the rigamarole of upload on dial-up. We are slowly on the mend now. What is it? "Mirror, mirror, on the wall...." is all that comes to mind, and I don't see where Snow White and the dwarves fit in; nor, for that matter, the two beads."

Next is Sandy who has sent her picture and comment as follows:-
"Hi Jane! Yup, it's a square and could be a lovely pillow for a miniature doll house... what's really confusing is that only a single thread color will be used... no additional colors required - which rules out an apron on a pretty lady, or a blanket on an elephant. Hmmm. I'm waiting for day 4 for enlightenment! - Sandy S"

Now I have Tattabug who pops in to say:-
"Hi Jane,
Day 3 done!!! Hmmm......no real guess yet! This is so much fun! I am looking forward to day 4!
Hugs, tattabugg"

Next in on this cold winter's evening in the UK is Miranda who is still thinking 'train' but is now changing her thoughts towards a square thingy!!! Here's what she says:-
"Hi Jane,
Here's my day 3. I'm going to go out on a limb and say I'm pretty sure this is an object that has a square segment. How's that for a guess that can't go wrong? It could still be a locomotive, with this as the smokestack, as someone else illustrated on day 2. Or it could be the window of a house, with someone looking out of it. Or, it could be a slice of Spam! I haven't committed myself to any one guess yet. I am also intrigued by the extra picot on the first corner.
Miranda"

New in and hot off the press - just had this from Wendy who sends in day 2 with this message:-
"I've started !!"

Next into the inbox is from Sandra who has this to say. Oh, be careful when looking at the picture - dragons breathe fire!!!"Guess du jour - a dragon!
(I should be an artist, doncha think?)"

Now another new 'SCMR' person. This is SO pleasing to see that people are tackling new techniques and succeeding. Here's Cheryl's achievement:-
"WHEW! Well, there it is. The purple is some of my first efforts at SCMR. The one in the finished product is sort of loose, not tight, like the sample. And there’s my first ever mock ring. It’s very loose. Not sure what I did wrong. But, I am pleased that I’ve made it this far.
Cheryl"

Now along comes Sue who has just completed her day 2. Don't worry, Sue, there's no rush on this at all. Somebody once took a year to finish theirs!!! Here's what Sue says:-
"My goodness you have some fast tatters in this group! Here is my Day 2 and I'm beginning work on Day 3, which a lot of tatters have finished!!
No guesses yet, I thought I saw teddy bear ears, but they have disappeared for now.
Sue H
Washington USA"

Next this evening and shortly before I head for bed is Wendy who says:-
"I'm on a roll !! No idea what it is, though.
Wendy"

Perhaps the last before I go to bed is Karen who says:-
"Better late than never today and another tatting first for me and that is the inside out SCMR, I am sure only you could dream that one up Jane. Sorry brain to tired to guess tonight".

Not quite the last!! Here's Mariya's and she says:-
"And... Here it is - my day 3 part! Neither my husband nor I have any idea about whole pattern, but we have so much fun with it! For me TIAS is also a great opportunity to learn! Thank you, Jane! Looking forward for day 4! Regards,
Mariya "

Sunday.

2012-01-15T08:51:00.003Z

First of all the good news is that Day 3 will be out tomorrow at 08:45 GMT.

Now I'd seriously like to ask here who is having the most fun? Is it you or is it me? Personally I think it's me!!!

First in this morning is from Jeanne L. Actually it must have come in just after I went to bed looking at the time. This is what Jeanne has to say:-
"I am spending friday, saturday and sunday babysitting 3 of our grandkids, so didn't get day 2 done until this afternoon."

Now I present Lynne H's picture and comment. She says:-
"Jumping in on day 2, great fun to see some of the very creative minds atwork here. What fun!
Lynne in snowy Western Washington, USA"

Welcome to the TIAS Lynne.

Next in is Caroline who's been having computer problems. This is her comment:-
"Could be a kitty but his ears would not be uniform. HA!"

Now I present Sue Anna's day 2 with her comment:-
"I like Sherry Pence's guess and yes you are a "wise old owl". lol. Sue Anna"

Finally this morning (before shower and breakfast!) I present anther newcomer - L C who says this along with day 1 and day 2:-
"Last year I followed along by simply observing. I was way to intimidated to try. This year, I decided to attempt the TIAS. I was actually intimidated of adding the beads to the second shuttle, but am glad i plunged ahead, instead of giving up. I wasn't too happy with my first attempt of day one, so I cut it off and tried again. I'm way to over critical of my work and I keep wanting to criticize my work. The second attempt of day one was better, and I'm actually excited that I'm keeping up! Yay for me!
I'm going to guess that we are going to make a crocodile and we are currently working on the mouth! Lol!
My piece looks more like a triangle, than a square. Any suggestions?"

Next into my inbox is from IsDihara who has this to say:-
"After completing the solid color sample, I imagined it being one end of a vintage key. Then tatted a second sample for extra fun!"

Hoooraaayyyy, another new person joining and welcome to Axa. This is what she says:-
"Here are the photos of my TIAS 2012. day 1 & 2. I enjoy the challange, and waiting for the next day
thank you
Axa from Hungary"

Nearly lunchtime and next in is Margaret with days 1 and 2 and who says:-
"I have attached the first two days of the tias, I am looking forward to seeing what it is."

Next with day 2 is Nima who says:-
"This is my day 2...i'm really enjoying this mystery...
Nima"

Saturday - all day!!!

2012-01-14T08:51:00.000Z

First in this frosty morning is from Sue who has sent in her practice piece and her day 1. I'm delighted that people are still joining in - the 'staggered start' is no problem at all to me. In fact it makes it even more interesting.

Anyway here's what Sue has to say:-

"I did the practice piece (attached) and then the Day 1, (attached) but I have been remiss about sending them on to you! I hope this doesn't cause you any extra work.
I am from rainy and cold Pacific Northwest area of the US...Washington state, to be exact. The TIAS is very much appreciated as it brightens my day in the middle of all this cloudy weather!
Sue H"

Anita is next - watch this space for more guessing fun!!! I've split her remarks up between the pictures so here goes:-
"And the fun continues...I thought we had the start of a bird on day one ...remember my tatter's intuition? Well, with today's tatting, that idea flew out the window...at least I haven't seen any square birds lately. So, I had to put my thinking cap on again, and came up with....
A Jack in the Box!!!

But then I got to thinking, there has to be a lot more to the pattern, cause we've got several days of pattern left, so....
Perhaps we'll have Jack and Jill?

Who knows, it could even lead to little Jackettes? After all our Rooster found a hen and chicks, huh?
Thanks for adding amusement to my day, Jane! Eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Anita

Next in is Fiona who also thinks it's an animal!!! Here's her comment and picture:-
"Have just done this while having breakfast. Not too sure what this will be just yet..could be the head of an animal??"

Welcome to another 'starter' today. Gina S has now caught up with us and has sent in her day 1 and day 2 combined. This is her comment too:-
"Here is my day one and two combined, since I didn't get myself together until today! I don't have a guess as to what it is yet..."

Now we have JB next who says:-
"Here is day 2. I’ll try to be on my best behavior so hopefully I can stay out of spam. I love your new tree."
Thanks, J B.

Now I'm between a shower and breakfast and still more overnight participants to add. This time I have Frances who says:-
"here is my day 2 tat. I live in sunny Queensland on the Darling Downs in Warwick, this time Last year we were in the middle of the floods, this year we have had 37degC all week and not a spot of rain so I after waiting all day for the next piece, I have no idea yet. Looking forward to the next one."

Now I present Rose Anne's days 1 and 2. I'll let her explain:-
"Now I just about totally forgot about this after the initial announcement - too much happening and my brain elsewhere!!!
So here’s my Day 1 attempt and I’ve used Lizbeth #688 in size 20 with the CTM method and 2 shuttles as I’m still too clumsy if I have to do anything with the ball besides letting it sit in the cup!!! This time around it looks like it's something "square" but it has two beads - one small and one larger - HMMMM totally no guess."

"And here is my Day 2 progress. Sorry Jane, I still have no clue what this will be when it grows up! I just LOVE these TIAS - not only are they a learning experience, they are just downrightFUN and it's awesome seeing everyones' pictures too on Jane's blog."

Note from me - here's a link to Rose Anne's blog too.

Next in is from Liz who has no idea yet - like most people!!! Here's her comment and picture:-
"Hi Jane, here is part two of the TIAS. I think this would make a lovely butterfly wing but am assuming it is way too early to have an accurate guess."

Next is from Lyn who says:-
"Hi Jane,
Thank-you for this TIAS, it is my first and have no idea what it could be!!
I did day 1 and then added day 2 in which I did a mistake, tried to cut it out mucked it up completely, so started again and used your directions for starting a ring and chain and hiding the ends so I have at least learnt something already!:) and your directions are written clear [even though i made a mistake!haha!]
Thanks again
Lyn"

I've just had this quick message from Marco who says:-

"Hello Jane,
Count me in!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe not every day, but i try to catch up with you all.
Greetings Marco

Next to arrive is from Andrea who says:-
"Here is my Day 2 attempt! I really enjoyed it, though am very intrigued as to what it might be. It's so lovely to see everyone's work on here - all the different colours are fantastic. Looking forward to the next episode.
Many thanks again. Andrea"

On a sunny afternoon (although still cold) I have another day 2 from Argentina and Monica. She says:-
"Hello Jane!
Here is my day 2 - tatted again at the bank, LOL! I have to go back on Tuesday, I wonder if I'll have the next instalment by then!
So far, I can't see any figure developing. It is so symmetric, if I didn't know you I would guess it is the centre of a doily! Of course, there would be no use for the beads in that case - plus, it is not your style, but, you could be wanting to surprise us in a different way this time...
However, I showed it to my darling, and he had a guess I would put a bet on. Can it be a computer or TV, and we are looking at two corners of the screen? The beads could be the controls in that case...
It is super fun to see all the guesses. I will be looking forwards to the next part!
Have a nice weekend!"

Yes, Monica - day 3 will be on Monday!!!

Back from my afternoon walk and I find Adrian in my inbox. Here's what he has to say:-
"Here's my day two.
This is looking suspiciously like it's forming a square motif.
But that extra picot on the first corner is intriguing me!"

Early evening and a few more have come in. The first is from Claudia in Argentina who says:-
"GOOD MORNING JANE! here is my day 2! no idea what it could be.. but it is funny tatting it! hope the colours would help to the final result!! lol...
happy tatting!!"

Now back into my inbox is Sandy who has this to say:-
"Dear Jane, I'm guessing this is a future square, but am having trouble 'squaring' the square with a future critter.

Did think of a Jack in the Box (loved the pictures sent in by a like minded tatter), and it could be a car, the square being the window (not sure how the beads would fit in...) - but, I admit I have no idea where this little guy is headed! May day 3 bring some light to our musings! Sandy S"

Now I'm welcoming Gunhild to the TIAS with both her day 1 and day 2 pictures. Here is what she says:-
"Hallo Jane, I am in too, and its my first TIAS to take part. Its sooo exciting and soo much fun. Can't wait next day. Thank you very much. And happy tatting to you all from Guni / germany"

Here's one of my good friends from South Carolina with both her day 1 and day 2 pictures. Sharren says:-
"Thanks for doing a TIAS for us – a new game for a new year! Here are my Day 1 and Day 2 – I wonder if I picked good colors for whatever-it-is??
I’m looking forward to Day 3!!"

Aha - another good friend popping in. Hi, Katie. Now what is it about the TIAS that brings out the Shakespeare in you guys? Is it because I live in his town? Anyway this is Katie (and her husband's) offering for today!!!
"Hi,Jane (and tatting friends), well,here they are--four near-squares in search of missing pieces. DH thought our Day 2 looks like the open mouth of a shark, hmmm----

SquarishTat went in search of a shape

“Ahhh,”he thought with his mouth all agape,

“Ifit’s shark that I be,

ThenI’ll swim cross the sea

andask Jane: make me into an ape!”

or,more to the point*:

Oh,this mystery test! What a mess!
What on earth can it be? I can'tguess.

It'sa bird. . . no, a plane . . .

Thatshape drives me insane!

Well,to find out, I'll TIAS.

KatieV in NC

*DHwrote the second limerick--took the words from my mouth, so to speak."

So a little later in the evening and after another conversation with Katie I received this message from her!!!!

"OurJane has it down to an art

andfaster than fast does her part.

Whilewe think and we tat,

sheknows just where it’s at.

Mustbe nice to be, oh, so darn smart!

Youfunny girl--or ol' git!"

Now I KNOW why I do these TIAS's - it's because I have all the FUN!!!

Day 2 now available

2012-01-13T08:45:00.000Z

Yes, time for day 2 which you can find here.

So pleased to see so many people taking part and I must point out that it's never too late to join in. Just start with the introduction, then day 1 and you can work at your own pace.

First few in today are some more day 1's.

The first is from IsDihara who says this:-

"My Day 1 snapshot was tough to photograph using Lizbeth 20 Charcoal #606. All stitch definition is blurred by the sooty colour.

Crossing fingers for some dark, menacing (or mysterious) creature...maybe from murky waters like the Black Lagoon?

Or a coal bucket! Nobody would expect that, hee hee.

Thank you so much for taking on another TIAS! These tat-alongs are anticipated more than Santa at Christmas and really kick off the New Year on a high note."

Now I've got Heather M's day 1 to show you. This is what she says:-
"Hi Jane, here is my day one.... I have no guesses as to what it could be.... can't wait to see what it is :)
Thanks Heather"

Now I'm THRILLED to show you probably the first tatter I've met from South Korea. A big welcome to Lim who says this:-

"Hello, Jane. My name is Lim JiHyun from Seoul, South Korea.

This is my first work of 2012 TIAS, and happy to join with you.

I live in Korea, and tatting is not familiar here. But It is exciting to meet many tatters in other country via internet.

So, I can join your new TIAS. Thank you."

We're OFF on Day 2 and first in in less than half an hour after posting it I've got Maureen's offering. Now, Maureen, you should be on the way towards bedtime down there in Australia, shouldn't you? Here's Maureen's picture and her comment:-
"Here is Day 2, Jane - and it is going to be a square, I think - and since we have beads, it probably means a big square animal.......my cat, Clarissa, was big and square - or there is my grandson's favourite, SpongeBob Squarepants."
Sorry. update on Maureen's status - not bedtime she tells me but it's 'gin time'. Good for you, Maureen!

Second in with day 2 is Karen S who lives 'down the road' here in the UK and should really have been getting ready for work!!!! She says:-
"Here is Day 2 Jane you are going to get me into trouble as I had to do this before I set off to work. Forgot to say on Day 1 that I am using Lizbeth 20 colour is 154 Wildflower Garden. As for a guess is it a squareamajig?"

Now this is Geraldine's contribution and message this frosty morning:-
"Well what have we here, Jane are you sending us round the bend or should I say bend's. Never seen an animal with a square'ish bit to them so you have got me there. Bring on day three."

Next on my list is hoovering but that can wait until I've put Sonja's on the blog. This is what she says:-
"Here is day 2 of the TIAS. It looks great. No idea, what it will be. Looking for next day."

Now here is Ginny's day 2 and she says:-

"Here is day 2. And I was hoping it was a cat but I dont think so now but not sure yet what it is!"

Now this one is FUNNY. Marjan has decorated her day 2!! Here's her idea of what the TIAS is going to be:-
"Oh, yes it is Mitsuki!! Who else can it be? Just look at her…… she is so beautiful!
See you next time with much more of Mitsuki!"

Next in is from Jane Mc who has this to say:-
"Hi Jane, here’s day 2. I see I didn’t finish day 1 properly. Oops. Dock points for that! The thread is Cebelia which I have dyed. My favourite Aero shuttles. Happy tats, Jane"
I can't see what you've done 'wrong' on day 1, Jane. Looks fine to me.

Now the next day 2 is from Mariya who says this:-
"This is my day 2 result. It looks like we'll have square part of pattern and somehow it seems to me that our beads will be inside it (eye and nose, maybe...). Anyway, these asymmetric chains in corners look very intriguingly :)"

This next piece is from Angel San who has this to say:-
"here is my day 2 piece. Do you have a specific time when you post thepattern ? I was waiting impatiently at breakfast time, but then I went
to do other things and bam ! I missed the spot, and loads of people
seem to be finished already ! ;)
Anyway, my piece seems to look like the others, so I guess I'm on the
right track :)"
In answer to your question - yes I do have a specific time. It's 08.45 GMT. Hope that helps you to be first next time!!!

Now we have Corina's two pictures - firstly day 1 and secondly day 2. Welcome, Corina. Here is what she has to say:-
"Here is my picture of day 1 and 2. Thank you so much for this exciting project! I write about it on my blog.
Greetings from Holland"

Denise isn't brave enough to wake her husband up to take a guess!!! Here's her message and picture:-
"Here is my Tias Day 2. I'm not sure what to make about the square. My husband is still asleep, so I can't get a guess from him. I'll send in another guess on the next part."

Phewww, what a day!!! Just back from the sorting office of Royal Fail - more hassles!!! Now, what were we talking about - ah, TIAS 2012!!!
Now I have Valerie's piece along with her comment:-
"Here's my DAY 2. I like the squarish look of this part. No guess today. End of work week, brain's quite dead now. Looking forward to DAY 3.
Hope Fri 13th brings you pleasant surprises."

Next is Heather who has this to say:-
"Here is day 2 .... I still have no guess, but my daughter thinks it is a cat! Guess we will have to wait and see. thanks Heather"

Sarah is now back with her day two and another rhyme. Will you be able to keep up the rhyme's Sarah? So clever. Here it is, folks:-

"Withday #2

I am through.

Thoughwhat it will be

I still can't see!

Soonto day three."

Next in is Barbara or tattabug who has snow in NY. Send a bit to me, please! This is what she has to say:-

We have snow today here in NY!!! Only a few inches expected but, it is still pretty! I have day 2 done and you have me totally befuddled. (of course that doesn't take much with me LOL) I really have no guess except that it looks as though it will be something with a square. I am still going to stick with a butterfly no matter what it turns out to be ;P"

Now back again is Maria (how DID she get the diagram onto that background and on it's own, I ask myself) who says this:-

"Well well well, it seems things are getting squared up, but where to go from here? Maybe it's a Jack-in-the-Box! At least that's my guess for now but I'm sure it will change many many times before it gets finished! :)"

Oh this next one is funny too!!! Well done, Sherry!!!! This is Sherry's latest guess, two pictures and comment!!:-
"Hi Jane, Attached is my contribution for day 2. Could it be an owl? I'm having fun with this one."

Now it's time to show Miranda's day 2. She has tis to say:-
"Here's Day 2 completed. I still haven't ruled out a locomotive. Or it could be an inside-out bookmark, like your inside-out bell."

Next person to send in their day 2 is Brenda who says:-
"Hi Jane,
Here is my day 2. I have no idea what it is. Brenda."

Now here is a picture of Wanda's knee (I'm guessing here) which came from her car!!!! This is her comment:-
"Here is my day 2, done in the car. I just love smart phones, you can take pictures and send email from just about anywhere! No guess yet.
Wanda"

Now here's Sandra again. She's certain it's a train - just look at this picture. This is what she says:-
"Ok, maybe this is a train!"

Next to drop into my inbox is Bernice who says:-
"TIAS day 2 using Lizbeth thread # 112. Bernice"

Now we have Melanie who has this to say:-
"Good afternoon....almost....(blush)
I did look in this morning before taking off for an appointmnet, but didn't get the actual tatting done until I was sittin' in the waitin' room. I think there ought to be a country song about that don't you?
What is it?....something square......picture frame....awfully small for that.....hmmmmm
Can't wait to see the other guesses and to see where day 3 takes my thread."

Now we have Mary Jo's picture and her comments:-
"I'm having so much fun with this! No new guesses today."

Day 1 - Thursday

2012-01-12T09:02:00.003Z

First of all - are you ready for day 2? If you are then I'm ready to post it tomorrow (Friday). Don't forget if you've only just found this game you can join in at any time and you will be very welcome.

First in today is from Katie V who joins in each year and makes four of 'whatever it is'!!! Here's what she has to say:-"Here's my little collection of the first day of TIAS 2012. Do you recognize the giraffe on shuttle? Cool, huh?! Thank you, thank you for the TIAS. I'll have four little cuties when we're done--don't know what sort yet, but cuties they'll be!You're the best!!"

Now we have Jeanne L who says:-"here is my Day 1, all the way from North Dakota USA.the thread is Flora size 20 but I have no idea of the color, the ball is about 3/4th gone. the beads are from an accumulated stash from 6 daughters crafting, so I hope they are o.k. I know the smaller is a 10/0 and the larger is a 6mm"

Now from 'down there' is Maureen L who is a lot warmer than we are 'up here'!!! This poor Australian has rabbits on the brain - very painful I should think!! She says:-

"Hi Jane - we'vbe been having a heatwave , temperatures pushing 40 for the past couple of days; but today it's dropped right down to 30, and it's cool enough to pick up a shuttle without melting the thread!Here is my slightly late Day 1 - I have no idea what it is going to be, probably not a rabbit this year either....."

Finally this morning I present Wanda who has this to say:-"Here is my day 1 finally done! I would of had it done earlier but didn't have the beads with me when I started winding the shuttles. I have no guess at what it might be :-) Looking forward this TIAS."

YIKES - just found the next two in my spam folder - sorry.
The first is from J B who says:-
"Attached is Day 1.
Thank you so much for starting off the New Year with an exciting new TIAS."

Next is from Patsy G who says:-
"Here's my first lesson of the new TIAS. I do enjoy these. It's fun to see if any one chooses a color that's close to what the actual item ends up being. Patsy A. Goodman, CA, USA"

Here is another offering from Chile and this time from Gloria B who says:-
"I have not outlook, so, I can't email you from the link in your blog. I take this email from your facebook. Here is my TIAS day one. I don'y know what it is, but ii's fun.
Hugs from Chile."

Now back for another year of playing is Nima who says:-"Thank you so much for TIAS 2012. i'm taking the shuttle and thread for the first time after the last TIAS...that is TIAS 2011...i love tatting along with you...otherwise it is not my comfort zone..here is my 1st day f work...looking forward for the day2 ."

Day 1 - Wednesday

2012-01-11T09:05:00.002Z

Well I've woken to a busy inbox - hurrah. I may be a bit late today putting offerings on the blog as I teach in the morning (not tatting!!) and have to be out for part of the afternoon too. To answer Alba's question - Day 2 will be on Friday.

Anyway, here is the first offering from Monica M in Argentina who has two pictures - one is her day 1 and the other shows how she carries her tatting around. Here is what she says:-

"Here I am, taking part again, this time with no special arrangements.I have decided to be brave, and use some lovely Lizbeth Jellybean to do this. I am thinking this time it will be an animal, just because last time it was not - so, it better be a peacock or a humming bird or a parrot, or I will be stuck with a weirdo indeed!I am attaching two pics - a detail one, and another where you can see how I carry my TIAS project, so I can work on it as soon as I can, even if I have to run errands. Today I took it to the bank where I had a long wait - I got to do all of it and knit quite a bit too. I have not had a chance to see the other submissions yet - I guess you will read this first thing in the morning, so I am wishing you a lovely day.Peace! I'll be looking forwards to the next part!"

Next in is from Sandy S who has this to say!"Hello Jane! Happy day, TIAS is here!!! However, I have no idea what this little guy is going to be... am hoping day 2 will yield a clue! Sandy S
P.S. Any squeals of joy you hear coming from this side of the pond are mine - have been excitedly waiting for this day! Love TIAS !!!"

Now we have Denise J who seems to have a husband to help her too!!!! Here's her story:-

"I'm so excited to see the Tias go up today. I missed seeing the practice piece post. My dog tore up my homework really! I'll have to get it in late. I think more than practicing the continuous thread join, I really need to practice the SCMR.I don't have a guess yet, but my husband saw it and said, "parrot!" He saw me laboring to guess the airplane last year, I guess he is going to join in the guessing game this year. Thanks for running another TIAS! It is ridiculous how much I look forward to doing this every year, and this is just my third year to play along."

Now we have Sue Anna who is up and off from the starting post!! Here's her idea:-"Yes I am off and running. I don't think is a bird but do think a possible animal of some kind. Time will tell! Sue Anna."

Next in on this dull winter's morning is from Frances S who says:-"Forgot about the time difference , so here is day 1 - no guesses yet .Talk to you on Friday."

Now I've got Michelle's piece to show you. She says:-

"Thank you for doing a TIAS again. I wanted to do it last year but was nervous"- ha ha.

I've attached two pictures. The first is where I had my first completed.I hope to keep up but I'm hosting an event for students on Saturday with 188 students coming and 14 of their wonderful teachers to help so I might get a little behind.

My blog is www.telamagistrae.blogspot.com.

I'm so excited but I have NO idea what it is."

Next is from Alba who has this to say:-

"I have finished my homework for today. I made both techniques you suggested and I am enclosing a picture of my day 1. When may we expect day 2?thank you Jane and hope you enjoy this game as much as we do.hugs."

All the way from Australia comes Liz's offering. She says:-
"Attached please find the photo of day one."

Now we have Darla's picture and comment. Here they are:-
"Hi Jane!It is so exciting to be a part of your TIAS. I paticipated in the last one, but did not share anything. This time I have decided to go 'public' and show you my results. Attached is my Day 1 result. I am using Lizbeth thread in the color 'carousel' with metalic purple beads. If this is an animal, it is going to be a strange one lol. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity!"

Right, off to have breakfast!!!!
No, not yet - just found Fiona's in my spam folder!!!

Here's what she has to say:-

"Here is my day 1 tatting. Using my brand new shuttle that arrived in the mail today! Very excited to be part of this."

Now between breakfast and going out I've found Vanessa G's in my inbox!!! Here is her remark:-

"Thanks for doing yet another TIAS :)
Attached is my Day 1 photo.
Absolutely no idea what it is!"

Lunchtime and in between the library and going out again!!! Here is day 1 from Isa - she says this:-"Este año, creo que va a ser un animal.... y eso de Bola grande y otra mas chica, me da que pensar, que va ser un mono bizco o tuerto, jejejejeje....

This year, I think it'll be an animal .... Ball and that large and one smaller, which makes me think that will be a monkey or squint -eyed, jejejejeje ...."

Next is another 'newcomer' to a TIAS. This is Andrea and here are her remarks:-

"HI Jane,This is my first attempt at the TIAS. Not sure what it can be, but like the idea of an animal.

Thank you for this ... loved the TIA so far!

Best wishes"

Good to see another friend popping in this year. Hello, Marjan. Here is what Marjan has to say:-

"It’s been a while since we ‘spoke’ to each other. I hope this mail finds you in good health!Last year I did’nt join in with your TIAS but now….. I’m BACK! Remember me, Dutch ‘girl’ living in Belgium and the only one who sees immediately what your TIAS is going te be! In 2010 you gave us the Wothi… little beautiul thing.I had to skip 2011 but now, 2012 …. so easy!! I know…. I know!!! It is Mitsuki the Bashful Silkworm, oh she is zo shy…. fortunately I was quick enough to make a picture of her before she ran away…. isn’t she beautiful?Looking forward for day 2…. and Jane…. thank you very much for this TIAS!"

Next in is from Holland and from Sonja who says:-
"A picture from Holland. Started with Lisbeth 20 (red-pink-white-lightgreen) and Cebelia 20 )green). I love it."

Next in (and I'm thrilled she's found the time) is Martha Ess. She says:-
"OK, I'm in. I had a nice browse just now on the TIAS site looking at the variety of shuttles shown attached. I had already scanned mine with just the tatting. Off screen are just two boring gray Aeros."

Now here is another entry - this time from Sarah and in rhyme which is a new idea. This is her comment:-

"The fun has begun

here is day #1

What it will be

just wait and see.

I haven't a clue

So onto day two!"

Next in is from Brenda who lives in my 'neck of the woods' - the UK. She says:-
"Here is my fist day. I hope this is the right email address for sending photo's. Brenda. UK"

Another new tatter is joining us this evening. Well it's evening for me!!! Her name is Mariya and she's from Russia. Mariya says:-"Photo of my day 1 result is attached. I'm a newborn in tatting (I've started to tat only last autumn), but I do like it very much! And I'm really glad to see throw your blog and many others how many people from all over the world tat nowadays. When I started it seemed to me that in my country, Russia, tatting is not very popular. Thank Heavens, in world it is! And yes, I have no idea, what this pattern will be :)"

Next person into my inbox is Claudia M who has this to say:-"hi jane.. well.. i always follow your previous Tias but this is the real first time I decide to go into this fun challenge! Im from Argentina, more precisely in the province Formosa, one of the warmest in this northest region.. Yesterday we reached 41 C!!.. it was not comfortable to catch my shuttles ! lol.. but today was the day and here is my day !.have no idea what it could be.. another animal.. side view.. as there is only one bead for an eye? and the little one for the nose?.. my tatting neurons have no clue!!so. lets wait for friday!!!
felices encajes!!! happy tatting!!
claudia"

Now we're off to America with a visit from Caroline who says:-"I hope I have this right.

Here is Day 1. I have been looking forward to your next TIAS. I have so much fun doing it.I may have talked a couple of my fellow club members to join us this year. I hope they do."

Probably the last one today and it's from Tatknot. She sent the following picture.

Day 1

2012-01-10T08:45:00.000Z

Day 1 is now posted here. I'll also put the links at the top of this page too.

Happy TIAS 2012!!!

Well, not quite the first but I'll count it as first - if you follow me! I've been away from the computer for about an hour (well I have to shower and have breakfast) so this is the comment I've had from Miranda:-

"And... done! I can't prove it, though, because I'm at work (yeah, that's how I spend my time on the clock) and won't be able to take a pic till I get home. Expect it in your inbox in about six hours. :) "

Second in and congratulations too is Ginny W. Ginny has already made a guess!!! She says:-

"Here is day 1 !!! I think it is a Cat!!"

Next into my inbox is Valerie who has a guess too! This is her contribution:-"Here's my piece for DAY 1. No clue yet what it might be. Just hope it's not going to turn out a big red monster. LOL"

Next in is another dear friend - Anita. This is what she had to say:-"Good Morning, Jane! How I look forward to the TIAS each winter!!My Day 1 is finished. I'm tatting with Lizbeth 100 "Falling Leaves", but I don't think our little piece is falling! I've rotated "her" until I believe she's taking flight. Earlier this week , I had a feeling that this year's project will be a bird! Call it "tatter's intuition"! She can't be a bluebird of happiness because she's not blue...perhaps she's an warm bird of contentment!Looking forward to tomorrow...Thank you for all your work for the world of tatting."

Well, Anita, it won't be tomorrow - let's wait and see if everybody's managed today's first!!! Probably Friday!!!

Another arrival - this time from Jane.
She says:-"Hi Jane, delighted that TIAS has begun! Here’s a photo of my day 1 effort. Happy tats, Jane"

For the first time Miranda has found time to join us. Welcome, Miranda. Here is what she says:-

"Here's my day 1 tatting. I'm excited to finally be participating. In years past, I've always followed along and had some private guesses, but never actually did the tatting because I always had some large project going that I didn't want to be distracted from. This year, I deliberately avoided having anything big going in January.It's really too soon to make a reasonable guess, but I'm going to have a go anyway. I can't think of any critter that would have that angle, so I won't guess an animal at this point. Following on last year's airplane, I wonder if this might be a locomotive? Although in that case, I'm not sure how the beads will be used."

Another returning participant. Welcome back Bernice - good to see you again. "This will be my 3rd TIAS. I have no idea what it will be....but what fun! Thanks Jane. Bernice"

Next in on this dark winter's evening here in the UK is from Tattabug who says:-

"Here is my T.I.A.S day 1 sent to you from New York in the USA. I decided to use pink because we are having such a dreary winter here and I feel pink is such a pretty color. We are having no lovely white snow just, everything brown and blah! So what ever it is it will be pink! I have no guesses as yet but, I am thinking I want it to be a butterfly! ;P"

Next in is from Tracy W. She says she has no clue yet which I'm very pleased about!!! She says:-

"Day 1 is finished. I enjoyed reading the guesses on the blog. I have no clue yet as to what we are making. I am looking forward to the next installment for a hint."

Now I present AngelSan's day 1. She says this:-
"Hi one of my reader, Michelle from Tela Magistrae directed me to the TIAS, and so I thought I would give it a try. I have no idea what the final thing will be, but I hope it's an animal, because I've put black beads ! ;)"

Next into my inbox comes Sandra E who is almost sure that it's a ........ Well, here is her guess in her own words:-

"Here's my day one tatting. Is this a pig?"

I've just noticed that Sherry is taking part in this year's TIAS and has blogged it here.

Next in is from Mary J who has a guess at several options! Here they are in her own words:-

"Here is my day 1 progress. No guesses yet. It could be a pig, a bear, a butterfly... Mj:

Now I will introduce you to Melanie C who says this:-

"Thanks for setting up another TIAS. I have great fun with them! I'm moving slow this morning....it was such a gorgeous sunrise I paused for a second cuppa. Here's my Day 1 sample. No idea what it could be yet.
Yours, Melanie"

Just dropped in is Geraldine's Day 1. Here's her picture and her comments!:-

"Right what have we here is it Animal, Vegetable or Mineral. No it's Brain cell 3# having fun with a lot of people doing lot's of knots. What's it going to be "Oh that be the Question"."

Next to drop in is Adrian who is quietly 'showing off' his two new Pop A Bobbin shuttles!!! I sent them yesterday and they arrived this morning. NEVER again do I call it Royal Fail!!! Well, not til next time. Anyway, this is what Adrian has to say:-

"Here's my submission for Day One. It looks suspiciously like the corner of something, to me."

Half an hour til my bedtime and here is another. This time from Maria who says:-
"No guesses yet but can't wait to see where we go next! "

Next in is another new participant - this is Karen who has this to say:-
"I am so excited this is my first TIAS and it is great to be joining lots of other tatters. As for a guess well I can see a pair of ears but other than that I am stumped."

Another practice piece

2012-01-10T08:30:00.000Z

This has just come in from Mary Jo who says:-

"Here is a photo of my sample and project thread. "

Another practice piece

2012-01-09T20:39:00.001Z

Another practice piece has just arrived - this time from Elaine who says:-

"I am doing this year's TIAS. Can hardly wait until tomorrow. I have attached a scan of my practice piece."

The night before!!

2012-01-09T18:58:00.001Z

T'is the night before TIAS 2012 and Tracy has just sent in her practice piece. I'm raring to go now and can't wait to see how everybody gets on.

This is what Tracy says:-

"This is my first time playing. Here is my practice piece. I tend to tat a lot at work during my lunch break, so a few of my colleagues are going to be following my progress. If only I can get them to pick up a shuttle."

Frances

2012-01-09T12:13:00.002Z

I'm pleased to announce that Frances is ready to 'rock and roll' with us on the TIAS. Here is her practice piece and her shuttle all ready with her beads.

New from Liz

2012-01-05T08:49:00.004Z

Here's Liz's practice piece. She's raring to go and has sent this in. This is a work in progress as she's heading towards the end of the chain. THANKS so much, Liz.

Back into tatting

2012-01-04T08:45:00.000Z

I've just heard from Sunela who has moved to the other side of America and has now just started back into tatting. She sent in her practice piece for the TIAS which you can see below.

Here is a link to her blog which I'm hoping she'll feel able to keep up as I LOVE reading tatting blogs.

A practice piece from Karen

2012-01-02T08:45:00.000Z

I'm pleased to hear that several people have started thinking about the TIAS and have done the practice piece.

Below is Karen's and you will see Isa's on the other blog post today too!!!

It's Karen's first Tat It And See!!

Happy New Tat It And See

2011-12-31T09:23:00.002Z

Happy New Year to all in Tat Land.

I would now like to announce the arrival shortly of a new Tat It And See. The starting date will be the January 10th.

As usual I will announce each part on on this blog and on my main blog which is here.

The introduction can be found here and gives details of what you will need.

Let the fun begin!!!!!

Another arrival!!

2011-03-26T18:20:00.001Z

84. Next in is from JB who's plane had problems landing!!! Here is what she says:-

"My airplane has finally reached its destination. It was completed the same day Jane posted day 10. However, due to undue turbulence with the camera and time, the plane had to circle in an extended holding pattern until now. Jane, thank you for providing us with so much fun. I enjoy the TIAS' so much."

Another arrival

2011-03-22T08:05:00.002Z

83. Here is a new aeroplane from IsDihara and she has this to say:-

"Golly, I can't believe I finished this darling airplane, saved the photo in my TIAS 2011 folder and didn't send it off to you straight away! Well here it is. Sorry, no fancy background image. Better to get it sent before another distraction crops up.

I cannot properly put into words how much fun I had with this year's TIAS. Thank you for expending the time (months!) and effort (huge!) to design this plane. It has accompanied me to two tatting demos so far and received astonished gasps from folks who were convinced that tatting was only for edgings and doilies. I am so pleased to be able to tell people that "the sky is the limit" with tatting!"

Another arrival

2011-03-08T14:12:00.001Z

82. All the way from Hungary is Andrea's finished aeroplane. Somewhere her original email was lost in cyberspace so this has taken a while to get here! This is what Andrea says:-

"I would like to thank you for the TIAS, it was my first one, and it was great! :) I took photos from every step, but I m late to send them, so now I only send the last photo about it. I think, it is a turtle, who s lost his house on his back. I m sorry, I don t know what s the name of it is in English.

I hope we ll tat together soon again! "

I think Andrea means a tortoise but I'm not sure. Anyway here's her plane. Thanks, Andrea.

83.

Another arrival in the airport

2011-03-01T17:32:00.000Z

81. Here is another arrival from Surya who says:-

"I know this plane is very late, but I just finished it and wanted to thank you for sharing such an interesting pattern. Every step of the TIAS my six year old son told me it looked like a gun. He is a gentle little guy, but for some reason, little boys must have their weaponry. He's quite pleased with the airplane though. Much better than the flowers and doilies his mother usually makes."

Another plane lands safely!

2011-02-24T14:57:00.000Z

80. Today's plane comes from the USA and Claire who says:-

"Thanks for adding to the drab days of winter for three of us from Washington state. I was the first one to send you my practice sample to see if I was doing it right. My TIAS is the prototype for the new gigantic Boeing Jumbo Jet as I did mine using Knit Cro-Sheen thread rather than size 20 as you suggested. Since I goofed on both of the first two days, the thicker thread made it easier to unpick my mistakes as I could see the knots better. I got a lot of experience those first two days opening closed rings. It would probably have taken less time to just start completely over from scratch, but I didn't. "

Another arrival!!1

2011-02-23T17:21:00.000Z

79. After a break of perhaps a week or so I'm very pleased to announce a new arrival. This time it's from Brigitte who says:-

"Thank you very much for a great tat it and see! I enjoyed every minute tatting this cute little plane. For the longest time I thought it was going to be a salamander."

Wednesday once more!!!

2011-02-16T18:35:00.000Z

Today I start with a day 9 from Rayanna who says this:-

"Hi Jane:

This is what I posted on my blog today:

"I know Phoenix has risen is not so original but that is what I was thinking for this blog post. I am on day 9 on Jane's TIAS and wanted to post a pic of it before time gets completely away from me. "

78. Number 78 is going to be a VERY special post. I think I'm going to leave it to Coretta to tell you all about it in her own words.

"Coretta, here from Utah, USA.

Attached are days 7-9 which were tatted up Friday Morning. Later that night I decided to have a baby... and was nursing said baby in my hospital room at about 2 am here when I saw the tenth day of the pattern post. I couldn't download it due to the hospital's restrictive internet policy, even if I had been awake enough to tat it... I know because I did try. :) Also attached is my son's birth announcement. And Day 10. :) "

Here is a link to Coretta's blog post. I've asked her for permission to link but couldn't wait to share. I figured that as her photographs are on a public blog it would be fine.

79.

Tuesday's arrivals

2011-02-15T13:05:00.004Z

75. First in today is from Karen in the USA who says:-

"I finished mine up today so it’s not blocked. You had a wonderful pattern for us and kept it a secret from me, too. It sure doesn’t look like the reptile I thought it was going to be. Thank you for the fun suspense. Karen in OR, USA"

76. Next in is from Typstatting and she says this:-
"Hi Jane! Well here is my plane it flew the wrong way that's why it's late. Had a great time tatting this thank you for the pattern! Cheers."

77. Landing at Chez Eborall on a wet and dismal February afternoon is Nancy in the U. S. A.'s aeroplane. She says:-
"Hi Jane, Happy Valentines to you and yours:) i'm flying in under the radar, what fun this was! Nancy from Louisiana."

78.

Monday afternoon.

2011-02-14T15:39:00.001Z

Good afternoon!!!!

73. The first plane to arrive today is from Elfriede in GERMANY who says:-

"Here my plane all the way from the Germany. My name is Elfriede and I live in Esslingen. It was very fun to do. Hope to see one TIAS in the future again. Greetings and thanks again for a lovely TIAS. Best regards. Elfriede

74. At long last I have got around to photographing my TIAS contribution! Life can certainly get in the way of the important things in life!!!! With mine having emerald green as one of the colours, I think my plane must have landed from Ireland! LOL! Congratulations on another grand TIAS, most enjoyable!"

75.

Sunday's arrivals!

2011-02-13T08:42:00.005Z

Sunday is supposed to be a 'day of rest' but not in my airport - thank goodness!!!

67. New landings today start with Patsy who says:-

"Here's my finished TIAS. Enjoyed making this one. Guessing this one was a lot easier than the rooster we did last time. Don't know if I can wait a whole year for the next one. Hope you come up with one a lot sooner."

68. Next to taxi into the terminal is from Carol in the USA who says:-

"It was so much fun tatting your TIAS. Of course I assumed it was going to be a critter of some sort. Even to the 9th day I was convinced of this even though people were already guessing an airplane. I thought it might have been Godzilla. It is a great looking airplane, a great item to tat for a little boy! Thanks for all the work you put into this TIAS. You're the BEST!!"

69. Next in is from Denise in the USA (Texas) who seems to be very excited to have finished!!! There's also a link to her blog in her message:-

"Yay!! I win! I win!! That is how I always feel when I finish hiding ends for a tatted pattern. I managed to get it up on my blog finally.

Thank you once again for a fun tatting game. This really helped me have some fun with tatting since I put my shuttles down for so long. I think I enjoy tatting along with others more than tatting alone. I hope you do another TIAS again sometime. I'll keep your page in my google reader so I'll see when you start posting the next one.

It really has been lots of fun, but now I have to fly!"

70. Sunday afternoon and another landing. This time from Bonnie in the USA who says:-
"Because my computer is still down & I can't get the printer 2 link up 2 the laptop 2 scan I'm still having 2 use my phone ... sorry ... I must admit that I didn't know it was an airplane until I saw day 9 ... thank you for another great TIAS .. I'm already looking forward to the next one .. (is that a big enough plea for another one soon lol). Bonnie Cassadaga NY"

71. A new arrival now from THE NETHERLANDS and Rita. She says:-
"Here my plane all the way from the Netherlands. My name is Rita and I live in Kesteren. It was very fun to do."

72. Next in is from Marco from THE NETHERLANDS who has had weather problems getting here!!! She says:-
"A bit late but I was flying against a great storm!!! But finally it arrived safely. Greetings and thanks again for a lovely TIAS, hope to see one in the future again."

Saturday's landings

2011-02-12T08:35:00.003Z

First of all a reminder - it's NEVER too late to send in a completed TIAS. I will take them into the TIAS blog anytime. The number who have already arrived is now 65 (at the time of releasing this morning's arrivals). Happy landings!!!!

64. First in this morning and despite cross winds over the Atlantic is Maggie B from the USA. She says:-

"You had me fooled till almost the very end as I was convinced it was a shark. Thanks for a great TIAS as they are always such fun and a wonderful way to brighten a cold and dreary January. We had a blizzard last week - according to news reports, the worst in over 50 years - so my plane was grounded for a bit while runways and driveways were shoveled out and things like planes and cars could be cleared for take off.

Thanks again, I really appreciate all the work and energy you give to making Tatland such a fun place to visit. Maggie, Liberty Missouri.

65. Next arrival is from Izabela who says this:-

"I am sorry I didn't send you my work earlier. But for the past few days, I' ve not been in my skin. I am so tired and sleep many hours. It's not me!!

I finished my plane, but I made few mistakes. I have no idea how to correct them, so I left them as they are. Thank you so much for this game. Thanks to you, I learned some new things, I have never tried before. I hope soon we got new pattern to do. Thanks again, Izabela."

66. Whoopeeee, another arrival. This time from Terri who says:-
"Here's my finished TIAS airplane. All along I thought it was going to be an alligator since I know how much you love tatting critters. I was amazed to see it transformed into an airplane during the last couple of lessons. Thanks again for the wonderful fun we all have doing these projects, the guessing game, and the end result. It's always so much fun and I'm already looking forward to the next one. Terri"

Friday's arrivals

2011-02-11T08:51:00.003Z

Here we are and it's another Friday!!! Do you know I find you get a Friday every week - how weird is that?

59. First in today is from Nancy from Confluence Pennsylvania, USA which is about halfway between Pittsburgh and Altoona on the beautiful Youghiogheny Dam. She says this:-

"Here is my finished, not blocked yet though, tias 2011. This was so much fun. Thank you. I was sorry to see the fun end. Now I am working on making your seahorse. Thanks again for the super fun time. I really do appreciate it."

60. Next in is from Beelizabeth in the USA who says:-

"Alligator Air flight 1 is flying in from West Valley City, Utah (second largest city in Utah and across the Valley from Marty in Salt Lake City) for a landing at your private airport. I was pretty sure it was an airplane after the second back wing was on, but the alligator versus rabbit was more fun to write. Thanks again for the fun."

61. A short note from Star as she came in to land. She says:-

"This is star! Here is my airplane."

62. Next to land is from Ladytats who says:-
"I finally had a bit of time to get caught up this week, and here is my day 10, the finished airplane. Thanks Jane for all the fun."

63. Next in from here in the UK is Margaret's plane. She says:-

"I attach my Tias the first one was the blue and black, but I put the wrong beads on they are too small, silly stupid me after 40 years of tatting you would think I would get the size of the picots right, anyway the yellow and black is no 2."

I'm sad to tell you that there's been an accident - here's the link. Reports don't say whether there were any injuries so hopefully all passengers and crew survived. I'll keep you informed if there's anything further news.

Thursday's arrivals!

2011-02-10T09:00:00.002Z

55. First in this morning (a quiet start) is from Sue Anna in the USA. She says:-

"Ta Da day 10 is finally done and ready to hit the 'runway' of Jane's airlines. It has been great watching all the different planes 'fly' into your blog. I wasn't expecting an object for the TIAS so it took until almost the end to know what it was. Good job Jane. Until the next 'game' or when you need cheering up from winter blahs. Sue Anna"

56. Next in is from Leah in the USA (Tucson) who says:-

"Attached is my multi-colored plane! I suppose that's what I get for using the same colors as your diagrams - switched 'em part way through. I was waiting with baited breath between each TIAS day's release - thanks for TIAS!"

57. A slow day at the terminal but that's fine. The next in is from Prabhjyot who says:-

"I am sending you my finished airplane. Also I am sending you my finished Hippo as I told you in my first email that I am so excited that I want to make all the previous TIAS also. I will be making all the other TIAS also in next few days. Thank you for all the excitement & will look forward to the next one."

58. Next landing in my inbox is Emilia from THE NETHERLANDS. She says:-
"Finally, here is another plane flying over to you. Thank you for all the fun.

Emilia"

59.