Hummingbird perhaps?

 

That’s what I think this year’s TIAS from Jane is. It’s always fun to see if we can tat her very unique patterns. It’s always fun to read what everyone around the world thinks we’re tatting. Sometimes I really have no clue until the last few pieces of the pattern. This year, I’m thinking bird, specifically a hummingbird. Perhaps because of an experience in our garden:

I was watering last weekend (yes, it's been THAT dry) and paused when I heard a hummer chittering above my head on a branch of a vine. It was so close I could see a tongue zipping in and out of the long bill. Amazing! That tongue has to be as long as 1/3 of the body of that tiny bird!!

Some of our hummers stay year-round, others migrate on after a few days. We’ve even had a nest in a tree in our yard. Fun fact: the nests are made of spider webs; very convenient as the nests expand as the chicks grow. Now that’s a housing solution!

Oh, and if you want to join in the fun, here’s the link to Jane’s Tat It and See website.

Well then...that was creative!

 

I’ve been trying to read the pattern on my tablet for this year’s TIAS. I haven’t gotten down how to keep track on the screen of where I am. On paper I use a small post-it and move it down as I finish an element. On screen, I haven’t mastered that. So, on the version on the right, I forgot a split ring. I’m sure that will affect the rest of the lace, so I chose to just start over. I may go ahead and tat the mistake out so that I can show people how each element is important in a pattern. What is it we say….a picture is worth a thousand words…..something like that.

Rest in peace

 I guessed a cat tail for day 1 of Jane’s TIAS because I’ve been remembering our Duchess. She finally succumbed last week to what injury she sustained with a bad diet and poor care her first year. We had 10 good years with her. She was definitely in charge of our house. Except for the instruments (too much noise…she would run for a quieter part of the house) and the thread (she didn’t like getting yelled at). We enjoyed her.

Here’s my version of Day 2 & 3:

The thread is a vintage thread. It’s marked 30, but doesn’t feel at all like the 30 I can buy now.

It's TIAS time

 

No, not time to visit my auntie. Just time to have fun figuring out what we’re tatting.

Thank you Jane for giving us this fun for another year.

My guess…. I’m reminded of a tail of a cat.

Look what was under the Christmas tree

 

It took a bit to get somewhat decent pictures. I’m fascinated! I don’t know enough about needle lace to say for sure, but I think this may be a machine made piece based on needle lace techniques. There is repaired damage, so I’m not afraid to use it rather than tuck it away on display. I think my first use will be a neighborhood social tomorrow evening!

Happy New Year!

 I don’t typically make New Year’s Resolutions. Perhaps on account of my profession: organist/tatter. I’m constantly judging and assessing my output and setting goals. I’d get NOTHING done if I only thought about resolutions once a year. I have too much fun dreaming up new things to relegate those activities to once a year. Once a year would just be no fun at all!!!

This year, I did sit myself down and decide to be more diligent in the assessing part. For the past 2 years I’ve been in a holding pattern like most of the world. So, I began to dream again. It felt good! I understood why stepping back and sheltering was necessary and gladly complied. Now, I’ll be dreaming again while staying safe and cautious. This will be a good year!!