the mailman dropped this off

I was happy to get home, work was a bit stressful today, but waiting for me when I got in the door was a package.

and inside the package were these

picture shamelessly stolen from Jon's blog

Clicking on the picture caption will take you to the page on Jon's blog where she is offering her books for sale.

These books are very professionally done.  The paper is very nice and the publishing is excellent.  Jon, your books are wonderful.

Now as to the patterns,  oh these are great.  Each is done in both text and graphics.  With additional instructions if Jon thought necessary. 

I would recommend these books to any one from beginner to advanced.   
The patterns in Tatting With Rings  use rings, chains and the same wrapping technique you would use for split chains.  There are a few patterns that use split rings, and nearly all include beads.
The patterns in Tatted Snowflakes  utilize rings, chains, split rings and mock rings.
The patterns in Elegant Tatting Gems  generally use only the basic rings and chains.  There are a couple that have other techniques but they are not difficult.  The patterns do twist and turn on themselves a bit, so even advanced tatters should have fun tatting them.

Thanks Jon for such excellent patterns and such lovely books. 

I have been tatting, and have 5 projects going at the moment, however, I am not in a position to show anything right now.  Once I can, I will show them off.

Presents in the mail

I have received some presents in the mail, one came while I was gone and the other came today.
First, I was a winner in the contest that Heather Johnston held at her blog, The Tarnished Tatter.
Below is the first page of Heather's book. I have had a small chance to look through it and there are lots of different designs, but most look like you could do them in an evening so you would have a pair of earrings to wear the next day.
When I opened the folder, I discovered in a pocket 2 skeins of Heather's HDT in her Ruth's Irish colorway, size 30. This will be fun. Thanks Heather.

When I got home from work today, there was another surprise for me. I received my skein of Orchid Garden HDT thread from Zarina in the left column is a link to her Dyed Threads page.
I really liked the look of the colorway so sat down and tatted up a pair of earrings for tomorrow.

The pattern for these Orchid earrings is posted on my patterns blog.

Tomorrow I have a meeting in a big city a hours drive away, from 10 to 12noon, and usually I take the day off work and spend it in a more leisurely way, but unfortunately, at least 1 of the other ladies at work will have to be gone, so I will have to hurry up and get back to work in the afternoon.

well that is all for tonight, and I still have not gotten caught up with emails and blogs.