Due to an odd turn of events, the Artist and I suddenly found ourselves with an open Easter break and the freedom for a trip. So we made a last-minute decision to come to LMLD central to visit the ‘rents, Habou, Will, and Bridget (and, of course, Roxie)!
A first attempt at a new, simpler form of a pysanky-like craft. In this method, I used a brown egg from some friends' chickens. I drew the design on with hot wax and then soaked the egg in vinegar, which stripped the top coat of the egg and left a lighter tone. This picture is from the middle of the wax-removing process, which reveals the dark tone next to the light. If anyone knows anything about this method, please talk to me! I could find nothing beyond the most basic info, and I still need to figure out how to remove the wax without smudging the design. |
I wouldn't say it feels like spring here in MA (not that it was much better in DC when we left), but we were doing our best to take advantage of sunshine with walks up the hill down the street.
Baby bump update at 24 weeks. |
Clearly, Bridget was the one with the spirit of spring most in her step. She took off her boots at the first opportunity (the boots were necessary for muddier parts of the walk). |
I love this picture. I'm sorry… I think pregnancy has significantly affected my sense of humor – because I chose not to crop Roxie out despite the poor timing of her activities over there… |
Links this week!
- Auntie Leila says: “Wish I had known this when I started homeschooling, rather than at the end. This is what I would buy.” (The Stereomicroscope!)
- I just happened to come across We Make this Look Good for the first time, and I was struck by her most recent post. It's a sad reflection on the loss of a friend's child (fair warning!), but it's a lovely perspective on life (specifically, how it's a gift) and community. Sigh.
- As some of you have already seen, this week I was a guest contributor over at Carrots for Michaelmas in an NFP series. I'm sure many of you are far more experienced than I with the STM… but I enjoyed taking part in an introductory sort of way!
- Several of my facebook friends were sharing this post this week. “Are You Done Yet?” I love how this woman expresses her worldview as the mother of 5. It made me think of my mom's post from a few years ago: “Ask Auntie Leila: How do I tell people we're having another baby?”
- Looking ahead at the sort of things I'll be needing in about, say, 16-ish weeks, I loved the idea of an (easily) altered cami for stealthy nursing tactics! Here's the tutorial from The Life of Lulu Belle (thanks, Pinterest). You will find the LMLD nursing posts linked in this post.
By now, The Artist and I are back home, our fun, impromptu visit having come to an end. Back to unpacking! (I need to get through unpacking so that I can get to nesting!)
Sarah Marie says
Your humorous photo reminded me that, throughout my pregnancy, my sense of humor was operating at an unusually high (low?) level. Everything – every.thing. – sent me into fits of hysterical laughter. Better that than grumpiness, right? 🙂
DeirdreLMLD says
Your humorous photo reminded me that, throughout my pregnancy, my sense of humor was operating at an unusually high (low?) level. Everything – every.thing. – sent me into fits of hysterical laughter. Better that than grumpiness, right? 🙂
msagala1 says
Deirdre, you look beautiful Pregnancy suits you well. And thanks for some more great links! I'm really enjoying this new weekly feature!
Rebekka says
Have you tried putting the egg in the oven on low heat, on a paper towel or similar? The wax will melt and most will run off. Polish the egg with another towel when you take it out and it will have a sort of burnished surface.
DeirdreLMLD says
Rebekka, have you ever done this vinegar method? It changes the quality of the eggshell in a way that seems to prevent the wax from rubbing off properly. I've melted wax off of eggs a million times! But this time (with the vinegar soaking) it seems like when I try to wipe it away (going for the “burnished” look) it just smudges. Maybe I should give the oven method a shot…
Rebekka says
No, I've never tried it, so I can't help you there. The egg is beautiful though!
Anne-Marie says
Might it help if you put the egg into a baking soda solution before melting off the wax? This is not advice based on experience or knowledge, just an idea based on neutralizing the vinegar's acidity. But the smudging may be unavoidable–the vinegar bath that lightens the exposed shell also dissolves some of the minerals in the shell, and that may change its texture.
Haley @ Carrots says
Your bump is adorable, Deirdre!
Jen says
Here's a “step-by-step” link for the pysansky eggs.
onecatholicmama says
You look great at 24 weeks!
I love that blog post “In Defense of the 5th Child.” So true!!
Laura says
Deirdre, I'm sure you won't need nursing advice, having so many sisters and a mother who is an old pro, but I would encourage you that it may be painful and tricky to start with and you may spend many a day (especially if you have no one around to help much), but those first weeks after giving birth can be pretty awful…I remember my stitches hurt, my nipples hurt, baby wasn't latching on, and I was frustrated beyond anything I'd ever experienced…Oh, and it DOES hurt…I know the lady who was helping me said that I HAD to break the suction if it hurt, cause he wasn't “doing it right”…and after a few days of constantly taking him off, he started refusing the breast…I think he was mad, I was mad…and now after finally successfully breastfeeding 2 babies, I wish I'd just left him on and endured the pain…knowing that he would have eventually figured it out. It's certainly wonderful and once you are established, there is nothing simpler…no bottles, no baggies of milk to spill or waste…no formula etc…and there is nothing more precious than the little smiles you get while your baby is gulping happily 🙂
DeirdreLMLD says
Thanks for your thoughts and sorry to hear about your struggle! I've heard similar things from some other moms. We'll see how it goes when “Finnabee” comes along – and yes, I'm grateful that I'll have a little team to help me out in case challenges come up!
Laura says
And while I've never done any pysanky type craft, myself, what about placing the egg in boiling water to get the wax off? it just floats to the surface.
Betsy M says
Hi Deirdre, wax or no wax that egg is just beautiful. You have such talent!
My sister had seen that same post about “Are you done yet?” and forwarded it a couple of days ago. Being newly pregnant with baby #5, it really strikes a cord as I am expecting some rather disapproving comments from my husband's family. My only saving grace is that I think they remember that I am VERY emotional when pregnant and they may know that the first person who makes a ill worded comment may get a weeping or hot tempered woman on their hands. 🙂
Oh, and thanks for linking to the nursing tank idea. That is brilliant! I am tall and thus the nursing tanks are never long enough to tuck into pants. This is going to solve that problem. Please pass along any great fashionable pregnancy clothes or ideas you find!
DeirdreLMLD says
Power on, Betsy! I think it's awesome that you're having your 5th!! 🙂
Betsy M says
Thanks Deirdre.
Elizabeth says
My mother is a member of a pysanky forum, which boasts some absolutely incredible artists. I'm certain that if she can't answer all your pysanky-related questions she will know someone who can. If you'd like to contact her just let me know and I'll put you in touch.
Mary @ Parenthood says
I've never just used vinegar (interesting idea!), but we also do a simpler pysanky for Easter (and we eat them afterwards!) We use natural dyes such as onion skins and add several tablespoons of vinegar to help the dye to “stick”. If you want to see the kind of thing we end up with I have pictures here: http://parenthood.phibian.com/?ID=935
Boiling the wax off doesn't work well, little globules tend to get stuck on wrong part of egg, not to mention the pot! We usually just hold the egg over a candle and wipe with a paper towel. If the wax is smudging, usually a sign it is not hot enough. we find trick is small sections at a time, wiping with clean paper towel.
Jennifer Gregory Miller says
I just LOVE your egg, it is so pretty! We really enjoy doing pysanky over here even though we don't have an ounce of Slovak, Ukrainian or Polish blood. http://familyfeastandferia.wordpress.com/2013/03/… This year I found a local source for farm fresh chicken, duck and goose eggs. I'm in heaven! We're in the Northern Virginia area and if you're around in DC next year, the Ukrainian National Shrine's pysanky workshop is SOO wonderful http://www.ucns-holyfamily.org/orgs/pworkshop/ . I attended in 1987 and have been dabbling in pysanky since then!
My husband and two sons are completely hooked! The old fashioned way of removing the wax is the candle method. You could also remove it with the oven on low. Here are some tips: http://www.learnpysanky.com/hints_tricks.html of different ways or here: http://www.pysanky.info/Wax_Removal/Wax_Removal_H… . I have a heat embossing blower and it's my favorite way to melt. You can also use Goof Off which is not as toxic and it will remove the wax.
DeirdreLMLD says
Ah, I'm envious of your egg source! Goose eggs are the best. I've come close to attending the Ukrainian Shrine's workshop a few different years (I went to school right there at CUA), but I've never actually done it — maybe some day!
As for removing the wax, I was wondering about whether anyone had experience with this particular vinegar method. As far as I can tell, the traditional wax removal techniques don't seem to work. Interesting about the Goof Off…
Jennifer Gregory Miller says
I was incorrect. I always get the two mixed up, What we use is Goo Gone, which it citrus based. Goof Off has more chemicals.
You would enjoy the food and bazaar and the workshop! I've attended a few times over the years, even my husband loves it.
As far as removing with vinegar, I just don't think vinegar removes wax. It etches the egg shell, but it's never removed wax for me.
Laura says
Hey deirdre! I found it somewhat amusing that even though you call hubby the artist, we see your artwork 🙂 (don't get me wrong, I think your work is gorgeous!) it just struck me as funny that HE'S the artist, but we haven't seen any of HIS work :)(hint hint)
DeirdreLMLD says
Hmmm good point, Laura! I'll see what I can do. 🙂 And thank you!