Tuesday, April 16, 2013

CASE Study: JJ's Chevron Card!


Oh how exciting! One of my favorite cards ever is being featured at the CASE Study Challenge ... JJ Bolton's famous Chevron card.


Ever since I first saw this card I wanted to CASE it, but didn't because it's such a distinctive card and you all would be thinking, "why the heck is she making JJ's card?" So now's finally my chance! I wanted to stay pretty true to the original, but make a few small changes to make it my own.  But what do you change on such an amazing card?


Here are my changes:

1) The colored card base. OK, this is totally cheating, because the color of my card base is taken directly from the background of JJ's photo. This change was a no-brainer though. For any card that you can remember off the top of your head, AND what the background of the photo was, it has to be a pretty darn good combination.

2) Fussy-cut the bottom of the chevron design and mount it on a raised panel.


3) Instead of using zig-zag die cuts to make the chevron pattern, I used the diamonds from the Papertrey Harlequin Cover Plate. Lined them up, and cut them in half. Then when they didn't make a chevron (darn it!!) realized that I needed another set of diamonds going the other way.

4) Used alcohol markers to color the paper. You can see my "staging area" on the right side of the photo above. I had a line of adhesive on the scrap paper, lined it up with a row of diamonds on the harlequin die, and pressed down. Once the diamonds were secure, I ran the marker over all of them at once for efficiency.


Then I thought, what trends are hot now, that weren't when the original card was made, and how could I incorporate them?

5) Gold embossed sentiment. Of course.
 
6) And SEQUINS. I wasn't sure if they would totally ruin the graphic effect of the chevrons, so I have a very light adhesive on them in case I change my mind and want them off. 

What do you think? Sequins or No?



I had some left over strips, so I thought I'd attempt a collage-style card. This was inspired by the collage style card Taheerah posted yesterday, and the photo of Alexandra's sewing machine stitching away on her layout. Also incorporated the Online Card Class lesson on making sure the pattern on the DP is centered before cutting it out.

Thanks so much for looking! I had a lot of fun today, and isn't that what it's all about? : )
-Kelly

21 comments:

  1. Talk about some patience! Such stunning cards...and definitely sequins! Adds that special something.

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  2. Wow Kelly :) u worked pretty hard creating this card, it's so detailed but like any crafter, I am sure u would have enjoyed every bit of it. Results are obvious, u made a stunning card :)

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  3. Gorgeous Kelly - love your updates - the sequins go with the gold embossing, so keep them!

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  4. Totally brilliant! I was working on something a tiny bit similar - well I used copics for the colouring, but after all the deconstructing and playing around , I threw all the pieces in the bin (trash) and got myself a glass of wine! So I've decided that precision is not my thing! You however, are the queen (along with JJ) of deconstruction and making something different from it's intended purpose! The gold embossing and sequins add that something special!

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  5. OMG with the gold, the cards are so cool! love the photo too!

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  6. I'm totally loving all the reincarnations of JJ's card that I'm seeing around The Net, and your's, Kelly, has just gone to the top in my faves! I am swooning over the bright colors you've used!! But the sequins, no ~ since you asked for our votes! Love your brilliant left-overs card, too!

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  7. Stunning cards!! I liked the first photo without the sequins, but when I saw the second one with them, I liked it even better! They definitely add glamour!! I love your collage style card so much! the tag, the gold embossing, the colors, the sequins...they all look so good together!

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  8. I love seeing how you put your card together...amazing. You have so much patience! I love the gold embossing and yes, to the sequins:) Your collage-y card is simply wonderful too!

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  9. Wow Kelly this is brilliant looks like a lot of work but its definitely worth it just gorgeous how you created it, your brilliant how you take the same images and do so many things, amazing, thanks for sharing all your creativity..

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  10. GORGEOUS Kelly! I love your card with the sequins. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. These both showcase your natural genius with design! Such perfect, painstaking construction for the first one, really clever to colour your die cuts rather than cut a bunch in different colours! I totally fell for the collage one straight away, and then when I saw the shout-out I was bowled over!! So honoured that I inspired something of yours!!!

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  12. This is fabulous! SO much work but WOW so worth it here!

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  13. I vote for sequins, Kelly, they go brilliantly with the gold embossing and the wonderful vibrant colours ... a true celebratory card ... splendid! Anita :)

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  14. Totally gorgeous and amazing technique! Painstakingly detailed and perfect, and totally worth it!

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  15. A lot of work went into these cards but I can see why you wanted to do it. Your card is spectacular. Sequins? eh

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  16. awesome!! love the look of the colored pieces!

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  17. Whoa! Totally awesome CASE, Kelly! You still managed to make it your own and a big YES to the sequins!

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  18. I just love your case of JJ's. I totally know what you mean--you see an awesome card, want to make that very card, and feel like the CASE study challenge is your permission slip! Anyway, that is how I have felt with JJ as our muse. You went beyond, however, and really made it your own, and now I need to wait for you to be the muse, so I can case your version with a clean conscience.

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  19. Um, sequins? OF COURSE. Not just cuz they're trendy and a perfect take-it-up-a-notch for your CASE, but they tie in perfectly with your gold embossed sentiment. Well done.
    (Had to laugh when I read about your spatial thinking challenges. Been there, done that!)

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  20. Oh my....This is a big WOW! I just love coming here for all your gorgeousness!!!!

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  21. Wowzer! Stunning! Chevrons have had me puzzling too - I have had the same problem.....

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I absolutely love reading comments. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave one! - Kelly