This week’s Theme Challenge at the Global Design Project is “A Day at the Park.” There are so many great reasons to go to the park when the weather is lovely (picnics, swings and walking the dog), but my mind went to a scene of reflection on a lonely park bench. I reached for the Pretty Park Framelits as the focal point of this card. Here’s my card:
And here’s the banner for the challenge that inspired my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Sitting Pretty & Oh So Eclectic. It’s hard to believe, but I don’t own every stamp set and every set of dies in the current catalogs. I have a lot – but not all. I knew I needed this park bench for my project, so I borrowed Julie DiMatteo’s set while I was out-and-about over the weekend. It gave me a good reason to swing by and see her newly renovated craft room, too. ♥ Here’s a look at the Sitting Pretty Bundle, which includes the Pretty Park Framelits Dies:
The little sentiment sets to tone for this card. It’s from the Oh So Eclectic stamp set – several great sentiments in that set that I love to reach for. 
Here’s a look at the Oh So Eclectic stamp set:
- Painter’s Tape Technique. The backdrop for my park scene was created with a mix of blue and green inks and painter’s tape (the temporary blue tape that’s used to mark off a wall before it’s painted). Tear off a strip of painter’s tape, tap the sticky side onto an ink pad and then press it down to a piece of card stock. Carefully peel up the tape, and you are left with a distressed stripe of color. I used a mix of Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive and Balmy Blue ink to create this backgroun.
You will question yourself as you try it, but it will work out – I promise. The more abstract, the better. I cropped the background with the Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies. - Park Colors. How could I create a park scene without a perfect mix of colors that represent the grass, ground and sky. If you like this combination of Crumb Cake, Old Olive and Balmy Blue, please save this:
Stamp Sets: Oh So Eclectic Papers: Old Olive, Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, Thick Whisper White Inks: Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Balmy Blue, Basic Black Accessories: Pretty Park Framelits Dies, Layering Ovals Framelits Dies, Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals
I hope you’ll pop over to the Global Design Project site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s challenge.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
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Wow, this card makes me want to go sit on a bench! Love the very cool painter’s tape technique – an oldie but goodie!
Thanks so much, Dianne! I’m glad you like it. It was a fun card to make. ♥
Where have I been? I’ve never heard of the painters tape technique…love it! (our tape is green…everything is greener in Maine, ha ha!)
Ha! I love that, Dawn! It’s a fun technique that you’ll enjoy. Promise!
What a GREAT idea, Brian! And such a beautiful background it makes!
Thanks so much, Suzie! I took a stab at it and was so happy with how it turned out. ♥
I agree with Dawn that I’d never heard of this technique, but I’m willing to give it a go. It certainly made a wonderful background for this pretty card. Love the bench. Have a great Monday!
Thanks so much, Hilda! I love this bench, too! It was a little longer than I expected when I designed the card, but the length adds a bit to the overall card. Glad you like it! Have a great day! ♥
Love the background you created and therefore a sweet scene!
Thanks so much, Windy! It was fun to create the background – glad you like how it turned out. ♥
Thank you for making such a lovely card with the Pretty Park framelits! I have this bundle and would love to see more ideas for using it. I will try the masking tape technique!
I’m so happy you like it, Susan! You’ll enjoy this fun technique on a variety of projects.
Marvelous combination of the “miss you” sentiment and empty bench. The Painter’s Tape technique is perfect for creating the “painterly” background!
Thanks so much, Mary! The painter’s tape was fun to play with. Glad you like how it turned out. ♥
Oh So RELAXING.
♥ Thanks, Kadie!
I too never saw the painter’s tape technique. The empty park bench and missing you words are so perfect for those of us who have relocated away from our lifelong friends. I just love it Brian. Thanks for sharing. If the painter’s tape technique is and old technique maybe it’s time we revisited more of the older techniques. There is a saying that goes “everything old is new again” when it comes to fashion and perhaps we should apply it to our crafts as well.
It feels like I showcased this technique a couple of months ago. Went back to look, and it was in 2013. Wow! Time flies! Will definitely play around with it again soon. ♥
I agree with Grace. I love using the new sets but love to throw back to my super old retired sets and create NEW art. I never heard of the painter’s tape either. so I will definitely try that. this color combo is so serene and just completes your theme. everything is perfect from the colors, to theme, to sentiment, to park bench. High five Brian!
Thanks so much, Dara! There are just some old techniques or old sets that never go away – they are evergreen. 🙂 Glad you like the card – you’ll love playing with painter’s tape. ♥
That background technique is genius. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much, my friend! Glad you like it! ♥
Beautiful color combination. I will have to try this technique. It is stunning.
Thanks, Liz! Nothing wrong with a green-and-blue combo. 🙂 Glad you like it – the technique is such fun.
Great card even though it made me a little sad . I really like this set ,but I don`t have it either . Lucky you that Julie is close !
I may try this tape technique and hope it comes out as nice as yours and doesn`t look like I put tape on my card !! Giggle !
Thanks, Sonny! It definitely has a “lonely” feeling to it. The tape technique can be really fun and is wonderful with a variety of colors. Thanks! ♥
Oh, what a fabulous technique Brian, love the grunge look of it on the panel. This could be the best way to create a background using all of your amazing color combinations.
And the scene at the park is beautiful and nostalgic, it’s hard to miss your friends.
Thank you for sharing.
XO
Thanks so much, Maria! I first played with this technique four plus years ago. It really does create a gorgeous backdrop. So glad you like the card. ♥