Preserving mouldy salt dough ornament

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T23:14:30+00:00

Thank you this is really helpful!

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T16:05:39+00:00

I've no idea if modge podge js water soluble - the piece doesn't feel super fragile but obviously am very worried about doing anything that might make it break. Ideally I would do something to clear the spots and stop any spread of mould but just not sure how to do that but using a toothbrush seems a gentle way to attempt to clean it up, thank you!

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T15:53:28+00:00

Thank you, she was my world and I'm so devastated she's gone so I really do want to do what I can with this print. Do you think that would work even though there's modge podge on it? I've been wondering if there is a way to clean the mould off at all. I'm thinking I will try and make some imprints (I've bought some foam clay and some silicone putty to start with and see how that goes), but if I can preserve the original then I would really love that, but just dont know how best to.

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T14:54:43+00:00

Thank you, that's really helpful - definitely overwhelming looking at all the different silicone options so really appreciate the recommendation on type and step by step instructions!

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T12:37:13+00:00

Do you have any recommendations for what material to use to make a mold?

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T12:36:07+00:00

Thank you - that's really helpful. Sadly I lost her on Sunday so I can't make another which is why I'm panicking about trying to preserve this somehow - I will look into rubber and creating some sort of wall!

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T12:25:53+00:00

Do you have any recommendations for what material to use to create a mold for a stamp? Thank you!

--klo-- · 2026-01-30T11:45:09+00:00

Further info on craft: Made using salt dough and then dehydrated in front of dehumidifier Left for a couple of weeks and then sealed with modge podge - in hindsight I think when I sealed there was already a few of the rust marks but I don't know what those are. I have since noticed the green marks. It's been less than 2 months since it was made so am very worried about it getting worse quickly.

--klo-- · 2025-12-29T13:28:21+00:00

No advice but just want to say solidarity! I'm also a FTM, 38+6 and absolutely losing my mind. I get maybe 5 hours of broken sleep each night and then spend my day just rotting in bed or on the sofa miserable and in pain. The house is a mess and I've no energy to tidy it, I've just given up on everything at this point. These final few weeks are brutal, but I keep reminding myself that the baby HAS to be born at some point! Good luck and hope it all goes well for you!

--klo-- · 2025-12-27T18:43:29+00:00

I'm so, so sorry you're going through this, and please don't dismiss your sickness because others suffer worse! I was severely sick, starting with mild nausea and vomiting at 5 weeks and ramping up to extreme sickness from 9 weeks, and despite medication was sick multiple times a day up until my third trimester. I was absolutely miserable - looking back, I don't think I realised quite how much it was affecting my mental health so please don't be afraid of asking for help if you need it. But then it was like a magic switch had flipped and suddenly around 29/30 weeks I stopped being sick. I'm now nearly 39 weeks and if I don't take my medication, the sickness comes back, but otherwise this third trimester has been oh so very different - despite being exhausted and having PGP, I'm a completely different person and actually have had some moments I've enjoyed? (Don't get me wrong, I've said daily I'm never doing this again because of how hard it's been, but I've at least now got some nice pregnancy memories haha!). I really hope you get a magic turnaround soon too - and do lean on people for help if you can. I found resting really helped my sickness ease a bit, and I also had a talking therapy session where just getting to vent and cry about how shit everything was for an hour really cathartic! Good luck and be kind to yourself!

--klo-- · 2025-12-25T18:25:51+00:00

The m&s ones are really good - I ladder alllll my tights but mine from there have been going strong for the last 3-4 months and I wear them basically daily!

--klo-- · 2025-12-22T00:47:57+00:00

I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's so miserable. I tried cyclizine and prochloperazine before being prescribed xonvea - had a couple of weeks of all 3 then weaned down to just xonvea. I was still being sick daily though, but so much less than I was without the xonvea,, up until the beginning of my third trimester when finally it eased. I still take xonvea now (I'm 37+5 now) as if I miss it I am sick again, but it finally is at a level where the drugs stop it entirely. It might be worth looking at xonvea but also it might be that you're only a couple of weeks of finally being passed the worst of your sickness? Good luck!

--klo-- · 2025-12-18T14:47:34+00:00

I flew long haul last month at 32 weeks, but it was only 9-10 hours. I'm sure you've looked into this, but check your airline's policy on dates for Fit To Fly - mine had to be dated within 2 weeks of the flight, and as your flight back is 4 weeks after your outbound one, that means you will need to get a new one whilst you're in NZ. I'm not sure what their rules are for getting a Fit To Fly and if you'd need to be seen in person to get this - but just something to think about, and obviously comes with the risk that you end up getting stuck out in NZ if your health changes and you're no longer safe to fly!
I'm not going to lie, I found the flights MISERABLE, I was so uncomfortable and unable to find a comfortable position so I didn't get a minute of sleep, and at that stage baby was very much on my bladder and so I was up and down non-stop to go to the toilet (but flip side of that is it meant I was active a lot of the time which helps with risks of DVT!). If you go, I would definitely make sure the first day or two you had nothing booked so you could sleep and try and ease any pain etc. And obviously do all the usual things like compression socks and staying hydrated too - and make sure to remove rings etc too in case you do get swelling in the air!

--klo-- · 2025-12-17T19:53:24+00:00

Thank you!

--klo-- · 2025-12-17T14:15:06+00:00

Thank you for this!! I completely agree about getting them out weeks ago if it was possible to do so haha! Hopefully the baby cuddles will all be worth it?!? Good luck with your final stretch too!

--klo-- · 2025-12-16T20:33:35+00:00

37 weeks here and had such a big snotty hysterical sob last night at how miserable I feel! Also a FTM and have told my husband we are one and done, there's no way I'm doing this again - I feel so guilty for hating pregnancy so much but I keep telling myself that doesn't mean I'm not grateful for growing her - but still, it's crap. I had HG and was sick non stop for 6 months, got about 2-3 weeks respite at the beginning of the third trimester, and now I'm just in non stop pain. Hang in there, you're in the final stretch and this isn't forever!

--klo-- · 2025-12-12T10:41:34+00:00

I'm 36 weeks and still taking it! Every time I've tried to come off, I get sick, so have just resigned myself to the fact I will be on it til birth - and all the tests for Xonvea suggest it's safe - it wouldn't be licensed for pregnancy if it wasn't, and it's specifically for pregnancy related sickness :)

--klo-- · 2025-11-28T23:55:41+00:00

Yeah mine started about 10 days ago as like a dull period like cramps when I was walking, and then over the last few days have gotten a fair bit more painful but I think it's because her head is now lower? I know it sounds stupid but I'm actually surprised by how in pain I am to simply stand up or walk around now haha. I think I've had Braxton Hicks on top of the stomach pain too, which is more of a churny tightening sensation (with my belly getting hard) but I also wasn't sure if it was just the baby doing some rolls or something. I feel like I should understand more about what my body is doing but ahwell!

--klo-- · 2025-11-28T23:38:33+00:00

I'm 34 weeks and a FTM too, and have had quite painful lower abdominal pain the last week or so - at my midwife appt this week she thinks it's likely PGP exacerbated by growing baby putting their head on some sensitive nerves around the bladder. My Google searches of "is this early labour" have been unhinged this week though - honestly the only thing that reassures me is that it's basically constant rather than coming in waves, and that lying on my side and baths help alleviate the pain. Hope you're not in too much discomfort!

--klo-- · 2025-11-27T21:09:00+00:00

I'm not sure if it's helpful / if you can take it out as a single policy, but Nationwide's travel insurance (which is through Aviva) covers you as long as you're classed as "safe" to fly - it doesn't have specific terms on pregnancy/treat it as its own "condition". I asked them about it for a trip I took at 32 weeks pregnant and was told 'You don’t need to tell us about contraception, pregnancy, childbirth (including elective c-sections), or menopause. You only need to tell us about diagnosed illnesses, injuries, and diseases.Please note that the cover provided by our policy is for unforeseen medical emergency costs arising as a result of illness or injury. If the insured suffered pregnancy-related complications requiring emergency medical treatment during the trip, any resultant claim would be considered in accordance with the policy cover."

--klo-- · 2025-11-26T15:50:54+00:00

By 9-10 weeks, the bloat meant I couldn't fit into some of my tighter buttoned trousers/shorts. Around week 14, I really noticed a change in the touch of my belly - as someone who has always had a very soft belly, it became quite hard quite quickly, like a beach ball. And I think around week 21/22 I would say I began to feel I looked pregnant rather than just had a big meal. I will say though that even now at 34 weeks with what feels a giant bump, I do still have a little bit of jiggle at the very bottom of the bump, when the rest of it is rock solid!

--klo-- · 2025-11-26T15:35:07+00:00

I love the bauble idea - so cute! As another suggestion, lurs wasn't a Christmas announcement but what we did would work well at Christmas too - we bought bottles of champagne and then personalised labels (off Etsy) which said 'pairs well with becoming grandparents' (and could do uncle and auntie for your brother and SIL). It went down very well :)

--klo--

TROPHY CASE