We're 'Hip to be Square!' at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome! Over at Frilly and Funkie we are turning back time because it's 'Hip to be Square!' Our host for this challenge is the wonderful Cec Wintonyk. Here's what she has to say; "Let's go retro and make a project influenced by the brighter colours and/or images and patterns of the hippie era of the late 1960's/early 1970's. Your project must either be square or include at least one square element."

The Design Team will vote for their top four picks, the winner being invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie and the next three receiving badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will go into a draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. So plenty of reasons to enter! And there's still time, with the challenge being open for another week.

This one certainly was a challenge for me as I didn't realise quite how often I reach for brown inks, paints and crayons! Undeterred I reached for the brightest of the Distress Crayons and got to work to create this square canvas...

Inspired by the movement of luminous colour in lava lamps, I layered a Doily die cut over a piece of card stamped with the matching Doily image. I then matched that stamping with more onto the canvas base. Then it was time to add the Distress Crayons; the colours blended beautifully (Mustard Seed, Mermaid Lagoon, Festive Berries and Seedless Preserves) creating extra shades where they overlapped. If you are blending crayons to create intense colours on a canvas or card I suggest two things - a thin base of gesso or similar does wonders as it doesn't grab the crayon as quickly as regular card in my experience, and you need to be generous with the amount of colour applied to get a good coverage (more is definitely more!)

On the central panel you'll also see; a rub of Picket Fence Distress Crayon over the die cut Doily and a little dilute Black Soot Distress Crayon around the edge to make it pop; the same colours used to create a base for the stitched lines and circles; a splattering of Picket Fence Distress Spray Stain; die cut Wildflower 'silhouettes'; and layering/lettering using Mustard Seed Coredinations card.

The rest of the Funkie side of the DT have come up with amazing projects of their own so make sure you hop on over to Frilly and Funkie to see them. Then it's your turn to get 'Hip to be Square' and dig your retro side to be in with a chance to win. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

For now take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Picket Fence	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - 6PC Set #1 TDBK47902 (February Pre-order)	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons - 6PC Set #2 TDBK47919 (February Pre-order)	Ranger ADHESIVE - BLACK FOAM ROLL 1/2" X 1/16"x 2.1 YDS.	Tim Holtz Water Brush, Detailer Brush Nib	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Doily CMS254 (February Pre-Order)	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Crocheted Doily 1 by Tim Holtz 661497 (February Pre-Order)	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Wildflowers by Tim Holtz 661190 (February Pre-Order)	SSizzix® Thinlits™ Die Set 16PK - Friendship Words: Script by Tim Holtz®
Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black Pad #3