Love this #97: The Card Boys

One of my highlights from this year’s Grand Designs Live show was The Card Boys who were in one of my favourite areas of the show - the Design Arcade. For a small space it’s crammed full of really interesting stuff, the stand we bought our new light from was also based here, but more of that another day - we expecting to take delivery of the light later on today.

But back to The Card Boys

It’s essentially a card subscription box - so depending on your views on boxes in general, it may or may not be for you. The longer version of what it is, is a small piece of art on every card which supports independent artists and illustrators, and provides something more unique than cards from most high street stores. On the back of each card there’s the artist’s biography with their web and instagram links - so it’s a great way to discover artists, and great for artists to get their work more visible.

Each box is seasonal and contains eight cards for £24 - so £3 a card, which is really good value, though that clearly depends on if you like the designs, and how many cards you use/send. You can skip a box, so as long as you make the arrangements in time you won’t be charged, and you can cancel at any time. It’s a new venture set up by Callum and Adam - the Card Boys - who are creatives who met at school in Brighton.

I’ll concede that I do have a bit of a thing for cards, and often buy cards in advance when I see a card that will work for someone, or even buy multiples just to have a supply ready to use when I need them. MOH knows me well and wasn’t surprised when I stopped to find out more, and even less surprised when I signed myself up.

Step into springtime

The spring box was on offer at the show - so it was even more attractive to me. I’ve shared each of the cards and artist’s images below. My absolute favourite card in this set is my final picture - the Thank You card by Hannah Grace, it’s even more stunning in person. I think that will be the card that I’ll struggle to part with, and if I do, the recipient should feel especially worthy!

I should say I like all of the designs, there’s only one, maybe two that I most likely wouldn’t have chosen but I’m not sharing which. I can recognise the work that’s gone into each design, and I am sure the appropriate occasion will present itself, I just don’t know what that is yet.

ARTIST: MICHAEL BARTLETT

ARTIST: GRACE CHILTON

ARTIST: EMMA TOBEY

ARTIST: EMILY LUSCOMBE-WATTS

ARTIST: REBECCA DIGGLE

ARTIST: EMILY LUSCOMBE-WATTS

ARTIST: GRACE CHILTON

ARTIST: HANNAH GRACE

I’ve already used one, and am looking forward to using some more - but probably not my favourite design! And, like any subscription box, the anticipation of what’s in the next box is high…

Reflecting on my week #117

We spent the latter half of last week in Lyon, and a large amount of that time was spent eating. Or at least it feels like that anyway. We did of course see the sights, on foot and making use of the Metro, and with all the tasty food it was just as well that we topped 13,000 steps each day we were there. February it turns out seems to be the time of year when we head off for a pamper-break, and our hotel in Lyon had a spa and a very fancy restaurant. Our room was pretty fancy too, and the loo will be featuring in a future Loo Series post.

We saw cathedrals, the view from Fourviere, markets and a restaurant or two too. We walked alongside the river, up and down hills and relaxed in the jacuzzi. We drank wine, ate the local dishes and never made it to breakfast at the hotel because we just didn’t need any more food. We only just made the flight home though, which was a bit more anxiety-inducing than it needed to be. We made it to the gate from entering the airport in about 25 minutes, and thankfully there was still a queue so there was none of that “last call” business. What’s more surprising (or to us anyway) is that another five people sauntered along after us, at least we had the decency to run. We won’t be doing it again I can tell you.

I’ve still to edit my photos, but I couldn’t share this post without at least one. The Valentines bouquets outside florists and in markets were great to look at - and aren’t markets a great way to see how locals live? - and there were bunches of mimosa and eucalyptus for sale. It made me wonder, why we don’t have the same, or maybe we do, and I’m just not seeing them. Anyway, it’s on my list (along with editing lots of photos) to find out.

We agreed in advance to mark Valentines Day when we were back, and so what with one thing and another have been treating ourselves most of the weekend. A nice meal and a nice bottle of wine on Saturday night and gin fizz cocktails, complete with rosebuds, yesterday.

We finally swapped cards on Sunday too - I’d fessed up on our trip that I hadn’t made mine (or his) yet. He’d bought his, but hadn’t written it, so we were kind of equal there. It wasn’t until Sunday lunchtime though that I disappeared upstairs to return with this.

You’ll know I like simple card designs, and I’m quite pleased with this one too. i was about to say I’d make more, but realistically I don’t need to make more than one! It was nice to get back crafting though and I need to make more time for making cards, and crochet too as I’ve not picked up any of those projects up in the last few weeks. I have of course, added new projects to my list!

I’ve also subscribed to a new-to-me magazine, and Sunday afternoon I sat down and enjoyed my first edition of Simply Lettering. The quotes below seemed to talk to me, and follow on nicely from the coaching that I’ve recently completed with Nicky Kentisbeer, which encouraged me to ‘get out of my own way’ and was just what I needed.

Like many people I was shocked and saddened to read of Caroline Flack’s death. I’ve never watched Love Island and wouldn’t claim to be a huge follower of hers (or any celebrity) but I do watch Strictly and was rooting for her to win. Any death is sad, however it comes about, but for someone to feel that taking their own life is the best, or only, option open to them, that really is very sad and reflects badly on our culture and society. I can’t profess to understand, but I do wonder if only she, and sadly the many that take their own lives, knew how much they were loved, if it would make a difference.

I really wish it had, and can going forward. In her words, be kind.

Making an Anniversary card

This year MOH and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary while we were away cycling in the Loire. As space was at a premium we decided to leave swapping cards until we were home. That way not only were we saving space and weight - not much admittedly, but it meant that the cards wouldn't get damaged either.

So now we're home I wanted to share the card I made with supplies provided by Create and Craft TV, who broadcast on Sky and Freeview as well as online. You can see what's on in their TV schedule.

So back to the card.  The card blanks were fancier than I usually use and that meant I needed to adapt my card making. My bold simple blocks of cards which I usually default too, didn't really fit with these shaped blanks.

I used the ribbon as my inspiration, the brown and pink colours reminded me of the colour theme at our wedding. I knew though that this significance would be lost on MOH, not because he isn't interested, but because he genuinely hasn't retained that information.

I decided to use the ribbon as decoration and cut a slit in the fold of the card and threaded the ends through and secured them with washi tape. Although I like the ribbons I wanted something more so I cut a piece of scrapbook paper and inserted that behind the ribbon. It's amazing how much difference it makes.

Next I added some golden "pearls" on the ribbon and a pretty tag in the bottom right.

Next to make it an anniversary card!  That was done by adding a pre-printed message, and so it wasn't quite as white I coloured the background card with a pale brown pencil.  

On reflection it's perhaps not the card MOH would want to receive, but it's perfect for him to send to me. See what a great wife I am!! And to me, it has a feel of an Edwardian Country Lady - what do you think?

* This is a collaborative post with Create and Craft TV, but as usual all words, opinions and creative ideas are my own