Teardrop Mosaic

For my first project with the March Betterpress Society plate set, Teardrop Mosaic, I did some painting!

This set includes the all-over grid pattern press plate, three sentiments, and four patterned designs in the teardrop shape.  I wanted to do a card featuring just the grid background, so I started off by painting a watercolour piece.

Using my set of Gansai Tambei paints, I did a pale turquiose wash on the entire piece, then with the panel still very wet, I started dropping colour around the outside, allowing it to bleed softly.  I made sure to keep the colour random, and made some areas darker than others - then added more of a navy shade in several places.

I also painted the same colours on a scrap strip of watercolour paper, along with a couple of complimentary colours.  I allowed the pieces to dry, and placed them under a heavy book overnight to flatten them.

Using Betterpress Black ink, I pressed the grid and one of the sentiments onto my panel.  *I had intentionally kept the center lighter, as I knew I'd be placing the sentiment there.

I used the Spring Florals stamp set from Pigment Craft Co. to stamp all the flowers and foliage onto my scrap piece, then fussy cut them all out.  The base was trimmed a little, then mounted on a piece of black cardstock.

I arranged all the pieces in opposite corners, then added a few silver pearls as the flower centers.

You can get a Betterpress Society subscription from The Papercrafter's Workshop.