Eight autumnal cards

November 15, 2022

I’ve received my latest box from Cardboys, and again they’re mini pieces of art which will be popping through letter boxes of people I know celebrating over the next few months. As ever for £24 I received eight cards, once again with a thank you card, some specifically for birthdays and others which can be put to many uses.

Two green budgerigars sitting on branches against a light blue oval on a darker blue background — ARTIST: LAURA BARNES

This box covers the three months September to November, so I wasn’t surprised for there to be an autumnal leaf design, which I think is one of my favourites this month.

Green, red, amber and purple autumn leaves on a brown background, with the previous card beneath — ARTIST: GRACIE GERSTMAN

yellow and peach flowers with green leaves on a white background, both previous cards are at the bottom of the pile — ARTIST: REBECCA DIGGLE

I’m not always a fan of more comical designs, but this unicorn pigeon made me smile. I think we all need some unicorn pigeons right now!

On top of the previous cards, a picture of a unicorn pigeon on a pink background with text "hope your birthday is as magical as this unicorn pigeon" — ARTIST: GRACE CHILTON

pastel pink, yellow, red and green splodges creating a flowerlike patter on a cream background — ARTIST: FLORA DUKE

What I like about these is that they encourage me to share them, not necessarily always by post. We don’t need to talk about the cost of postage, but isn’t it always nice to receive something nice in the post?

A hand drawn female wearing a beret, striped top and trousers holding a present behind her back — ARTIST: HOLLIE FULLER

This month though, there was one card that had me considering if I wanted to continue with the subscription. And it was this one. I like the idea and depiction of Party Thyme, but I’m struggling with the typo. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to use this one without pointing out the misspelling, but then again that says to the person receiving it that I think they’re ok to be sent a typo - see, what a dilemma.

A green card of Birthday Herbs with 9 illustrations of herbs, including Party Thyme — ARTIST: GRACE CHILTON

A tiger lazing among golden flowers, and palm trees with a yellow sun on the horizon. The words 'thank you' in orange at the top of the card. — ARTIST: HANNAH GRACE

But then again, one card in what is now twenty four isn’t bad odds, but I know I wouldn’t have bought that card. Thankfully though the last card in this set is a zinger, and I’ll be sorry to part with this one. What would you do about the typo card, I’m interested to know your thoughts.

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If you want to see previous boxes, read my post from August.

Eight cards for summer

August 11, 2022

Back in May I shared the cards from the card box subscription service by The Card Boys which I signed up to at this year’s Grand Designs Live. This week I’ve received my ‘summer’ box of cards and I’m just as pleased with it as I was that first box - and I’ve used over half of those.

Each card is a mini piece of art, and the scheme supports independent artists and illustrators, and provides me with something different to cards from high street stores. The artist’s biography and details are on the back of each card, so it’s a great way to discover artists, and great for artists to get their work more visible.

There’s eight cards in the box (for £24) but I’ve only got photos of seven - that’s because I used one and sent it off before I thought to take a snap.

a shimmering sun in gold red and white — ARTIST: LAURA BARNES

A LARGE PINK BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH CANDLES ON — ARTIST: GRACIE GERSTMAN

A STREAM THROUGH A LUSH VALLEY LANDSCAPE — ARTIST: MICHAEL BARTLETT

AN ARM HELD OUT HOLDING A BUNCH OF FLOWERS WITH 'THANKS A BUNCH' LABEL — ARTIST: EMMA TOBEY

LOOKING THROUGH A WOODED LEAFY LANDSCAPE INTO AN OPENING — ARTIST: MICHAEL BARTLETT

WHITE ABSTRACT FLOWER PATTER ON A MID BLUE BACKGROUND — ARTIST: FLORA DUKE

A TOUCAN AMONGST LEAVES — ARTIST: LAURA BARNES

There isn’t a card I wouldn’t use in this selection - and as last time, it’s the last image that is my favourite. Which is yours?

Love this #97: The Card Boys

May 14, 2022

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.

A landscape of mountains, blue sky beneath the clouds and grasslands at the foot of the mountains — ARTIST: MICHAEL BARTLETT

A fox standing upright dressed in pink trousers a blue jacket and a green top. Wearing shoes (obviously) with the word Foxy above - image on a yellow background — ARTIST: GRACE CHILTON

A female on a salmon background wearing coat and trousers and a scarf, carrying packages a bunch of flowers and a tote bag with a loaf of bread — ARTIST: EMMA TOBEY

A blue waterwash background showing 8 synchronised swimmers in red bikinis and swimming caps forming a pattern by holding each other's left hand — ARTIST: EMILY LUSCOMBE-WATTS

A pink flowering plant with tall green leaves in a blue and white pot on a purpley/blue background — ARTIST: REBECCA DIGGLE

A pale blue background, below the words Dive in! is a female naked body diving into the water, the splashes are small blue fish — ARTIST: EMILY LUSCOMBE-WATTS

Four lettuces with arms and legs (obviously) dancing with the words Lettuce Party above on a pale pink background — ARTIST: GRACE CHILTON

A navy blue background with capital letters in pink green purple and yellow spelling THANK YOU. in the lower part of the card is a pink/purple lupin plant with green leaves — 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…