No – the title isn’t some  deep dark comment on life, it’s the name of the stamp set that I used today. Helping Me Grow is a new stamp set in the upcoming Occasions catalogue which is live on January 5th. I tried looking at DSP but nothing was leaping out at me today so I went simple. Just some watercolour paper and ink.

The first attempt wasn’t so great – I’d take a picture but I wrecked it trying to save it. There was a little bleeding of the black ink (I used the new archival black) but the real disaster was the fast fuse that I put on the back of the watercolour paper grabbing onto the basic black mat before I was ready. I tried to trim and fix it. I even ripped the black off the back but when I tried to trim the watercolour paper a little, my trimmer mangled the paper – probably because the glue was there. So, I started over. This time I used stazon black. I used perfect plum for my watercolouring again and actually I prefer my second attempt. It’s more watercolour like  and less perfect.

As you can see in the close up, I have layered the colour and left white gaps here and there. My original attempt was a bit monotone.

I added a narrow black mat and then put this onto the perfect plum card base. My sister asked if it’s a sympathy card. I suppose it could be. I wasn’t planning it, I just picked the colour that felt right. Maybe tomorrow I’ll try the happier flower!

And a very warm welcome to my new blog follower. I’m so glad you joined in.

See you tomorrow,

Liz