Manila Envelope Surprise - Part Deux

This one came out of left field, but it certainly was a welcome surprise.

You see, my friend Jeff has season tickets to the Cubs, but he now lives in Texas.   He's already sent me the second Cubs Archives baseball card set that was available only at Wrigley Field, and I was very happy and content with that gift.  I never thought I'd be able to score one of the four sets, let alone a second set.

Then... poof!  A manila envelope is crowding everything else in the mailbox. 

And there you have it.  Set number three, with a binder that holds thirty-two cards! 

How does a guy who now lives in Texas attend games in Wrigley?   Never doubt the powers of an individual known by his friends as "Crazy Man." 

Man, what a shocker!  

Once again, Wrigley Wax has already posted all the pics of the twenty cards, so feel free to visit his very friendly blog to take a gander and soak in all of that Cubbie goodness!


I now possess two of the four sets and Future Me will have to make a decision concerning the chase of the other two sets.  Hmmmm...  Poor Future Me.  That's going to be a tough call as they're pretty frickin' awesome, but also a little pricey on Ebay.

Thanks, Jeff!  You're the (crazy) man!

PWE Fuels Another Batch of Coasters

Judson, the author of the wonderful bog My Cardboard Habit, dropped a Plain White Envelope in the mail for me the other day.

I opened it Sunday morning to find shiny Cubs from this year's newly released Bowman Product staring back at me. Nice!

Isn't that gold Starlin Castro a beauty?  For record, and because I know everyone's scoring at home, all Castro and Rizzo cards are binder worthy in my household.  Thanks, Judson!

I guess the aforementioned cards were supposed to be on the bottom of the pile, because in my haste I overlooked the sticky note on the other side:

First things first.  Judson, you're welcome for Garza.  I'm going to miss him taking the bump every fifth day, but you can keep his Twitter rants and crazy facial hair.

Secondly, here's the card he was referring to:

Well, it just so happens that another blogger traded me this beauty of a die-cut earlier this spring.  But, then I got to thinking...

What am I going to do with the duplicate?

Then Ryan, from "O" No!!! Another Oriole's Blog, posted a reminder that his Topps Mini team break is going to start soon.

Shoot!  The last time minis came out I was able to make some sa-weet coasters!

 I still have an Andrew McCutchen, a Darwin Barney, and the Miggy laying around. (Let me know if you're interested.)  Clear epoxy encases the card... forever.  Gasp!  I've also taken to sprinkling in some glitter in the background and adding a team-colored felt backing.

Here's the Cut to the Chase Sandberg on the back of the Miggy Cabrera coaster.

Check. it. out.     The Sandberg should fit nicely within the confines of the coaster mold!  I was a little worried at first because I have had to lop off the corners of a traditional sized card.  No problems here though.  Nice.

Now, folks, I have four molds, and it's just as easy to do four coasters in one batch as it is to do one.  Any one else need a coaster for their man room?  Perhaps their card sorting table?  Maybe one for the coffee table next to your comfy chair?  Perhaps one for your desk at work?
 
Leave a comment if you're interested.  I'll need a card from you, but that's as easy as a PWE.  I'll send you my mailing address if needed.  I'll take the first three to comment, but I could easily be convinced to do another batch if there's the demand.

FYI: When looking for a card keep in mind that glossy finished cards like recent editions of Topps flagship work best.  I've tried card stock from the '80s and the epoxy often leaves visible water marks.  Also, be aware that smaller sized cards work better, at least aesthetically.

Perhaps you'll want to wait for Ryan's break to finish and use one of the duplicates he sends out.  I think he's opening three boxes, so that's a definite possibility!

 Thanks for the inspiration, Judson and Ryan!

Eight for Nine isn't bad!

I won a 9-card Kerry Wood lot on Listia last week and the cards arrived yesterday. 

Here's the cards I was able to trade for only 505 credits:

'06 Topps Turkey Red (White)
'98 Topps with HOF foil stamp
'09 Topps Chrome
'09 Topps A&G
'09 Upper Deck
'04 Donruss Leather and Lumber
'98 Bowman's Best
'04 Upper Deck Power Up
'98 Pacific Crown Royale


Eight of the nine are going into my binder and only one ('04 Donruss Leather and Lumber) will find itself in the duplicate box.

My collection is now one unique Kerry Wood card away from reaching 200.  Not too bad when you consider I was out of the hobby for ten years during his major league career.

Here's my "have list" if you think you have what it takes to get me to the 200 plateau!

At the End of the Rainbow is My Own Card Shop

No, I guess that isn't entirely true.  I've never found the end of a rainbow.  So I don't exactly know what's there, but my own personal card shop would be a pretty sweet find.

The above title is a product of a couple of similarly themed trade packages: a PWE from Golden Rainbow Cards and a yellow bubbler from It's like having my own Card Shop, both containing cards of my beloved Cubs.

I sent a Justin Upton mini to Bryan and he sent back a couple of Cubs from Series 2 Topps.

These are my first cards from Series 2 and I'm happy to add them to my collection.  Poor Travis Wood, maybe someday the offense will give you some run support.  At least he doesn't have the "pleasure" of having to rely on Mr. Marmol to nail the 9th inning any longer.  Carlos was a good guy; I hope he finds his filthy slider and control in L.A.

Be sure to save your unwanted Atlanta Barves for Bryan at Golden Rainbow Cards.  Thanks, Bryan!

Next up...

I helped the son of the Daniel, author of It's like having my own Card Shop, by sending a couple dozen Topps Opening cards and some random D'back goodness.  It's awesome when fathers and sons can collect together and I was glad to help.  My dad AND mom were both into collecting back in the day.  Good times!

I recently posted my Kerry Wood "have list" at the top of my blog and Daniel gave me four more cards to add.

Man, that 2007 Topps Chrome is one nice looking card (middle picture).

He also sent a handful of Mark Prior cards (not pictured), the 2012 Flashbacks card of Ernie Banks and lots of minis!

Minis from five different sets.  Holy cow!

Plus, one of my favorite dual player cards!

2000 Topps Latin Heat insert: featuring Roberto Clemente and Vlad the Impaler.

Overall, what a great return for my Cubs' collection.  Thanks, Daniel!

Someday I'll go "all in" on A&G

Let me first start by saying I really like this year's Allen & Ginter's look.  Clean, white, and slightly decorative.  Well done, Topps.

Yet, I've purchased my one pack and I'm set.  No more A&G ripping for this blogger.

Why?

Well, I try to only build a set (or two) each year and I've already taken on building a Bowman FrankenSet and I'm seriously considering doing the same with Bowman's Draft Picks and Prospects.  My self-imposed cardboard budget is only so large!

No worries though as I was able to secure the Cubs in Judson's two box break of A&G.  He has two more slots open, just go check out My Cardboard Habit and sign up!

I walked into my LCS today and there were already four other guys in there, which is a fair amount, and the checkout counter was covered in freshly ripped A&G packs.

Nothing seems to drum up interest and excitement like A&G does.  Someday I, too, will be wooed by Allen & Ginter's and I may even participate in the Gint-a-cuffs!

Let's check out my pack, shall we?

First card out of pack...
#9, Giancarlo Stanton

 #265, A.J. Ellis

 I was planning on just pushing through the cards in order, but I have to comment on the Ellis card.  In a recent series the Cubs just got owned by the Dodgers.  I learned a few things in that series...
1. The Cubs offense seems to have gone into hibernation early
2. Puig is one heckuva athlete
3. The Dodgers have two players with the last name of Ellis.
I think Topps' Allen & Ginter's division, which only affixes surnames to the front of the cards, did a nice job of finding a shot of A.J. Ellis with a catcher's mitt in play.  Mark Ellis, for the record, is an infielder.

Sorry for the ramblings.

Batting third in this pack: #94, Billy "Country Breakfast" Butler.

 #195, Derek Norris.

 #82, Roberto Clemente.  Holy sweetness.  Nice card!

 #287, Bill Mazeroski.   It must be Retro Pirate Day, because it's too early in the year for Talk Like a Pirate Day. 

 Mini!  FF-PS, The Pilate Stone.

And the last card: ATY-MT, Across the Years card of Mike Trout.

I like this insert set quite a bit.  The back of the card has fun information for the sports trivia buff.

Wait.

Whoa.

Today is Mike Trout's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Mike! 

How coincidental is that?

If I could play some spooky X-Files music in the background, inspired by seeing David Duchovny's name on the back of the card, I most certainly would.