Trinkets, made by hand with lov- sleepiness

It's that time of the year again... Today is the 1st of March, the day when people in Romania celebrate the start of spring. It is customary on this day for girls and women to receive flowers and small trinkets that symbolize spring or luck.

It is also a day when I finally rest after toiling for a week, much like God after creating the world. I have been making trinkets for the important ladies in our lives: our moms, our wedding godmother and this year my husband's godmother, who lives in Belgium.

I have lost quite a bit of sleep this week, working well into the night several times. My colleagues at work asked me why I don't just buy the trinkets, like everyone else. It would be easier, less stressful and would keep my IQ above sea level (I get quite stupid when I am severely sleep deprived or very hungry). I am however stubborn and I also have a reputation to uphold.

Almost every year now ever since I learned tatting, I have made trinkets by hand to give to our family and friends. I only missed one year, when for some reason I had been on a longer break from tatting. Our mothers and godmother already know that I will make them trinkets every year, each time of a different design (so they can't say "oh, but I already have one of those"). Even if usually the men give out these trinkets, in our family this is my job (self-employed).

I usually start to look for ideas during the winter, trying to find the perfect one. Most of the time I am still looking for ideas well into February and run out of time, scrambling to have them ready on time. Because you usually only wear your trinket on the 1st day of March. Getting it on the 2nd or 3rd is just unacceptable.

I finally settled on a very pretty pattern that I used to make with a needle: Rose and Crown by Frivole. It has overlapping rings, so I learned how to make them with a shuttle and the first 3 trinkets were done. I sent them away by post and courier to their destinations and started on the 4th one. Unfortunately, my thread broke just when closing the final ring and, upset to no end, I just threw it away and started anew with another pattern. This one was a flower medallion by Nancy Tracy.

It was late last night and I was starting on the 3rd row when I realized that, even with my thin thread, it would still be quite big. It took me all my willpower not to set it aside and look for something else. I eventually finished it at around 3 am. It did turn out bigger than all my other trinkets (about 4-5cm in diameter), but mom would just have to pretend it is a statement piece. I met up with her this morning and she oohed and aahed at it as usual. I hope she actually liked it... it is so hard to tell with loved ones, they always say it is pretty. At least I can count on my husband to be honest in his opinions about my tatting. He doesn't actually have to wear it.

I remembered to take a photo of the last trinket this morning before leaving, something I had forgotten to do with the other three. I usually do that, unfortunately. I give them away and then remember I would have liked to have kept the picture. For bragging on my blog heh.

Sorry, it is a bit out of focus

I could ask my mother-in-law to take a photo for me and send it over. Hmm, now that I think about it, I don't know if she has actually received hers from the courier. I actually should have called her to check... I should have also called her to tell her good wishes. Oopsie... those are also not welcome the second day if you forget to call on the 1st. See, I told you I get stupid when I lose sleep. I should go to bed now. Good night!