Thursday, July 26, 2007

Last Hurrah!


Carved Butterfly
Originally uploaded by m.Lee
Of one very pregnant lady.

I hope everybody is having a good week so far. I can't believe that it
is nearly over. I also can't believe that we now have an infant car
seat strapped in our back seat! I'm all grown up now! *tick tick tick*
my belly has a time bomb in it and I can't read the clock.





36 weeks

Carving the pine cone block was beginning to wear on me. That 8"x10" was feeling rather large and daunting and my mind had moved on to other ideas. I've made good progress on it but find myself slowing down and neglecting it. Odd finding such a small block feeling so large when I have carved 20"x30" many times in the past. So I pulled out one of my many 6" square blocks and pasted two images onto them. They are a mixture of images I found in the dictionary combined with drawn embellishments. I attached the paper Tuesday night and then let it dry to the block overnight before carving. Dragonfly on one side, butterfly on the other. Then I carved them both in a day before washing off the paper guide. The process can be seen documented here in this set. I am really liking the paper transfer except for the part where I get the block wet. I wanted to go back into the butterfly after I removed the image but I felt that carving it wet would not be wise. It was the detail in the butterfly that really killed me and gave me some serious shoulder pain. I needed to use my magnifying goggles to carve those little dots and they still need to have the edges cleaned up before I can print.

In the end I am proud of myself for pushing myself to get this done. I am planning on printing the two separate and together seeing how the forms overlap. Depending on if I am able to complete the pine cone block or not these may be the last blocks I finish for awhile. And possibly my last big printing session until after we have adjusted to the baby.

Last night I was feeling good, really good, and I made the mistake of telling somebody that both my swollen ankles and my acid seem to be under control. Well around 3am I was puking up acid and today I will probably end up with swollen ankles even if I never get out of bed! What does a girl have to do?

18 comments:

stilettoheights said...

you look adorable in that picture, no matter how you feel!!!

also that butterfly made me gasp...it is beautiful!

Cathy said...

oh wow, when are you due? hope everything goes smoothly for you!
best of luck

Morrgan said...

Wow, the butterfly looks great! Can't wait to see the prints. And that's a lovely photo of you. :)

MSN said...

You are looking fantastic. Maybe you won't be carving the big ones for a while...but think of the little ones as snacks. There is always room for a snack.

Anonymous said...

That butterfly looks amazing! Hope you have one great last printing session before blee arrives!

Sweet Olive Press | Helen said...

Looking fab, mLee!

The Bookish Life said...

the butterfly looks awesome and you look great!

Lisa at lil fish studios said...

You look terrific! I had my three kids during the summer. I didn't look *nearly* as serene as you do. Congrats.

The butterfly is gorgeous.

Unknown said...

The butterfly detail is amazing! :)

kittyd said...

The butterfly is gorgeous, and you look adorable with your hair in ponytails! :)

kittyd

Nora said...

I want to try this craft so badly! I am just going to jump in and do it. good luck on the labor and delivery!

Marissa L. Swinghammer said...

Thanks for the support. Unfortunately the acid from last night isn't really going away and I am not having a very productive day today. It is bugging me.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photo of you! I have to give you alot of credit girl. I know that there are hard things to handle right now. I think that you are doing an outstanding job! You are in my thoughts and prayers for a safe delivery.*HUGS*

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

You look beautiful!

Karen said...

You've definitely got the glow of pregnancy going on in that picture. :)

jen said...

aw look at you! :) and LOOK at the butterfly...gorgeous!

trish said...

The butterfly is wonderful and you look great. Get all the sleep you can because that will soon end..lol.
If you'd care to swap links I am also at http://www.parentingfordummies101.com I can't figure out how to get the dummie part out of there..;( and http://www.trishishere.blogspot.com

Thailand Voices said...

Wow M.Lee you look fabulous in that photo and I love the butterfly. You're incredibly talented!

When are you due, it must be soon right?

Michelle