2011, The Year in Review & 2012 Goals

It's the last day of 2011.  Wow, where has the time gone?  2011 was a year filled with ups and downs for me.  I won't bore you with all of the details, but I wanted to do the obligatory end of the year post anyways.

I'll try to keep this card related as much as possible, but I can't help but to start off with the highlight of 2011 for me and my family - the birth of my 2nd daughter, Winnie Mae.

She was born July 1st.  No matter how many bumps in the road our family have hit this year this day alone makes up for all those not so stellar days.  I can't believe she'll be 6 months old tomorrow.  Before I know it I'll be sitting in on the couch cleaning a gun as my girls prepare to go out on a date!

2011 was the 2nd full year since I have gotten back into baseball and trading cards and it has been a fun year to say the least.  I may have bitten off more than I can chew when it comes to set building.  I tried to tackle a number of sets - most of which I'm still working on!  

I really enjoyed the base Topps set again, but my favorite had to been Allen & Ginter.  2010 was really my first exposure to the A&G brand so I was excited for 2011's version.  I even tried my hand at participating in the annual Gint-A-Cuffs contest.

Group Breaks also played a large part of 2011.  I continued to host my monthly Affordable Group Breaks with good success.  Judging by the participation I'd say most people were happy.  The one product I was most eager to open was 2011 Topps Marquee.  As a general rule I don't buy the high end stuff.  I can't afford it and I'm not willing to take a risk when I could simply buy the single card I want instead.  However I was able to get enough interest to swing a 3 box break.

  

I was happy w/ the Heyward and I know the other guys were happy w/ their team's hits as well.  I would love to do something similar again, but I honestly feel more comfortable sticking to my cheap format.

As a participate in several group breaks across various blogs I also had great success with the Braves.  Autos were plentiful - which really surprised me.  Some of the highlights included:

  

There are a few more I could share, but I'm sorely behind on my group break posts and scanning cards!

Another bright spot for 2011 cardboard has been the explosiveness of Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.  Sure the cardiac cats didn't make the playoffs, but I think it's safe to say that NO ONE expected the type of play that Newton and the Panthers put on the field this season.  I wasn't able to acquire as much football cardboard as I would have liked to, but here are a few Panthers acquisitions I did manage to pick up:

Like with football I didn't do as much with wrestling cards in 2011 as I did the previous year, but I was impressed again with Topps' effort with the base WWE set.  My favorite insert set uses the familiar Heritage baseball design from earlier in the year.

  

A lot of the inserts where just "meh", but the one hobby box I did buy yielded a few nice cards.

Santino is a goof, but I like his in ring antics.  There are several different versions of this shirt relic, but this one was the cheapest.

Looking ahead to 2012 I plan to be more focused on what I buy and collect.  Some goals include finishing off the Gypsy Queen and Allen & Ginter base sets.  I'd like to continue to knock out as many inserts from those sets as well.  As far as what I plan to collect...well that is still up in the air.  The design of 2012 Topps is starting to grow on me, but I'm still not sold on all of the inserts.  I was happy to hear that GQ was coming back for another year, but I'm not too keen right now of it's design.  A&G will probably be another fun set to chase, but the minis and inserts will be what makes it or breaks it for me.

While it's fun to forecast what I'll do in 2012 it'll all come down to the family finances.  Maybe I should say my goals are hopes instead!  No matter what happens though I'm ready to say good bye to 2011 and I'm looking forward to what 2012 throws my way.

One last thing.  At the time of this post there are still 3 slots left for January's Affordable Group Break!

Pack Break - 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects

2011 is rapidly coming to a close and so are the 2011 baseball products - yet here is a new set I had yet to try.  I'm not much of a prospector and there are only a few Braves in the set so I wasn't all that jazzed about this Bowman product, but I'm a sucker for at least buying one pack so here it goes:

#78 Amauri Saint

#33 Cody Eppley

#70 Anthony Rizzo (Chrome)

#BDPP3 Tyler Anderson (Purple Refractor)

#BDPP63 Brandon Nimmo (Gold)

#BDPP41 Travis Harrison

#BDPP36 Larry Greene

...and this is why I don't usually buy this Draft Picks & Prospects stuff...ain't never heard of any of these guys.  Off to the trade box I guess.

More football Trade Bait

Two new cards up for grabs from the recently released 2011 Panini Gridiron Gear:

   

The Titus Young jersey is #d 243/299 while the Brandon Jacobs is #d 118/299.  Looking for something similar of Cam Newton, any other Carolina Panthers, Tim Tebow, Kurt Warner or possibly A.J. Green.  Sewingmachineguy - if you're reading this and interested in the Titus Young card let me know. 

3 Dimensional Garbage Pail Kids

I'm not sure why 3D lenticular cards appeal to me so much, but whenever I find out about new cards I can't help but to track a few down.  Most recently it's been the 3D lenticular insert cards in the running series of Topps' Garbage Pail Kids Flashbacks.  As I continue to reorganize my cards here are a few that have been sitting in a monster box for an unknown amount of time.

 

  

I know the whole 3D effect doesn't come off that well in the scans, but these cards are really great looking in person.  Series 2 had a set of 5 and that continued with the newly released series 3.  One of these days I'll get my want list up on the blog as I'd like to finish this set off.

January 2012 Affordable Group Break - Sign Up Now!

I know it isn't quite 2012 yet, but I wanted to give people a chance to spend some of that Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket!  Once the new year is finally upon us what does that mean for Cardboard Collections?  Another year of Affordable Group Breaks!  We'll start off the year with a few boxes from the good people @ The Baseball Card Exchange.

 1997 Topps Stadium Club Series 2 Jumbo (Hobby)

12 packs per box, 15 cards per pack

Possible RCs: Lance Berkman, Adrian Beltre, Kerry Wood

- Stadium Sluggers SPs (1:2)

- Matrix parallels (1:12)

- Co-Signers dual autos (1:168)

- Instavision (1:22)

- Millenium (1:24)

- Pure Gold (1:72)

 1998 Pinnacle Performers

24 packs per box, 8 cards per pack

- Swing for the Fences 1:2

- Peak Performers 1:7

- Launching Pad 1:9

- Power Trip 1:21 (serially #d)

- Big Bang 1:45 (serially #)

- Big Bang Seasonal Outbust 1:45 (serially #d)

1999 Skybox E-X Century (Hobby)

18 packs per box, 3 cards per pack

Possible RCs: Pat Burrell

- Essentials Now (serially #d)

- Essentials Future (serially #d)

- Prospects 1:2

- E-XQuisite 1:18

- Favorites for Fenway '99 1:36

- Authen-Kicks game-worn shoe (serially #d)

- Milestones of the Century (serially #d)

I'm really looking forward to the box of Skybox E-X.  Those Authen-Kicks game-worn shoe cards are very intriguing!  Hopefully this break will appease everyone as there is a good mixture of regular cards & obtainable inserts plus the chance at a dual auto in the box of TSC.

In an effort to make sure the entire break is filled up we'll be going with the format of choose 1 team and have a 2nd team randomly assigned.  Of course you are welcome to trade teams after all the teams have been assigned.  Just make sure that you let me know so you get the correct cards.  Each slot will be $9 shipped.  After all 15 slots are filled the unclaimed teams will then be randomized and assigned to each participant.

The faster you pay the quicker I can have the boxes ordered and we can start the break.  To claim your team please leave a comment with your requested team(s) and then please submit your gift payment via PayPal to cardboardcollections at yahoo.com.  Due to PayPal cracking down on gift payments PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE SUBJECT LINE OR COMMENT BOX!  Please e-mail me your full mailing address and the team you claimed after payment is sent.

01) Atlanta Braves (Cardboard Collections) (PAID)

02) Scott Crawford (Expos) (PAID)

03) daddyohoho (Phillies) (PAID)

04) NY Hitman 23 (Yankees) (PAID)

05) D a V e (Blue Jays) (PAID)

06) Jason (Indians) (PAID)

07) Josh D. (Royals) (PAID)

08) arpsmith (Giants) (PAID)

09) Spiegel83 (Dodgers) (PAID)

10) Kyle4KC (Mariners) (PAID)

11) daily dimwit (Astros) (PAID)

12) hiflew (Rockies) (PAID)

13) Matt Perry (Red Sox) (PAID)

14) cynicalbuddha (Brewers) (PAID)

15) cardanathema (Cubs) (PAID)

 

Merry Christmas!

I'm not politically correct.  That said they'll be no "Happy Holiday" wishes around here...only

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Christmas isn't about what is under the tree, it's all about who hung on a tree."

  

Luke 2:8-11

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

I hope you find plenty of time this season to spend time with your family, friends and love ones.  While we do let's not forget the real reason we celebrate the Christmas season.

Me? This blog nominated? Seriously?!

In trying to finish up at work yesterday and get on my home to my beautiful girls I didn't have much of a chance to look around online.  When I did take a peek however I saw something about a Blog of the Year Contest over at Jaybarkerfan's Junk.  I scrolled down the list and I saw several deserving blogs such as Community Gum, Night Owl Cards, the Daily Dimwit, Cards on Cards, Nachos Grande, My Cardboard Mistress and many many others.  Then I saw 'Cardboard Collections'.  Seriously?!  Once I saw the comments I saw that both hiflew from Cards from the Quarry and the SMG both had left positive things to say about this little venture of mine.

First off to be nominated with other giants in the blogging community is an honor.  Looking back at my body of work (if you can call it that) for 2011 has been satisfying.  I like blogging about square pieces of cardboard that contain images of athletes, kids doing gross things and just about anything else.  I don't think I'm all that good of a writer and I know some of my posts can be rather dull when compared to the amount of content per post that other bloggers consistently produce.  While I'm excited that so many people read what I have to say and comment here none of this would be possible without all of you.  The ladies from A Cardboard Problem and Night Owl himself are two blogs in particular that made me want to take a stab at this.  I can't even begin to mention all of the people that have helped me host so many of my Affordable Group Breaks either.  Bottom line is I do this for fun.  Even if I had zero followers I would still do this.  The fact that so many people do seem to enjoy what I do here makes it even more fun...or as one particular blogger says...it's funner! 

I doubt I'll win...and that's fine with me.  I'm just floored that my blog was on the list...period.

New Hudson & Gwynn jersey cards via trade

Shane from OFF THE WALL listed this awesome Tim Hudson patch card last week and I was quick to make him an offer.  It didn't take long to strike a deal and now I'm the proud owner of my very first patch card of Huddy.  Thanks Shane!

I recently posted some new trade bait cards here on my blog and the first (and only thus far) person to reply was NY Hitman 23 of Sports 'n More Trading Cards.  Not surprisingly the first card to go was my nice Don Mattingly pinstripe jersey card from 2002 Fleer.  In exchange I got my 2nd Tony Gwynn jersey card:

Now the card is already pretty cool if you ask me, but it would have been so much cooler if the jersey piece was from the pictured camouflage jersey!  

Oh well, thanks for the card Hitman!

Changes to eTopps shipping

I noticed today while looking at my eTopps portfolio that starting in 2012 their shipping rates are being increased.  To see that shipping rates are going up doesn't surprise me, especially when rates haven't been touched in a few years.  What caught my eye was they are discontinuing the use of Performance Points to pay for shipping.  Currently one point = $1.  I've got 20+ points left and there is nothing in their Rewards catalog I care for so I plan to ship just about everything in my portfolio minus the few current cards I have like Cam Newton and Tim Tebow.

So if you too have older cards sitting there and you want to take advantage of the current shipping rates or use Performance Points to pay for your shipping you might want to act now!

Blog Bat Around - My Turn

This year's Blog Bat Around is hosted by This Card is Cool - My Life in Baseball Cards.  The topic:

The 2011 baseball card collecting season is finally over - other than Bowman Sterling (coming out December 21st). What set or release stands out as your favorite from the year? What set or release brings your lunch back up to your throat?

I was really looking forward to the 2011 line up of baseball cards.  It would mark my 2nd year of collecting cards again and the release calendar was full of great product.  Trying to name one set as my favorite of the year is card so I'll go with my top three.

1) 2011 Topps.  Since I decided to go back to 2008 and start building the flagship base set of Topps I've enjoyed what each set has brought to the table.  I loved the early pictures I saw of the 2011 design and knew this would be a fun set to build.  The one thing about the base set each year is the focus on the cards and inserts (to some degree) and you don't have to worry about the hits.  While Topps has gotten better in my opinion with their autos and relics in the base set most collectors would agree that is not the reason you buy the base set.   

 

At least by the time the Update set rolled around at least there was something outside of manufactured patches of a Braves player I wanted to chase (see above).  I now have a new view of collecting parallels going forward, but the 2011 set was not short on offering up many different types of parallels.  My favorite (as a Braves collector) are the red boarded factory set exclusives.  On the insert side I was immediately sucked into the small Kimball Champions.  I guess blame my love of A&G on that.

      

2) 2011 Topps Finest.  I've never been able to afford the mid-level stuff outside of a few base cards I've been able to pick up here.  When the chance to jump in a group break of Finest was presented I didn't want to hesitate.  Thanks to the guys over at Community Gum and their purchase of a case from Turner Field (not really) I was able to land several fantastic Braves cards.  The base design was great looking for starters and the insert/auto/relic checklist was loaded with Braves talent.

  

     

It helped that the Braves had a lot of great rookies on the roster during the 2011 season and Topps did a great job at including most of these great young players into the Finest set.  If it hadn't been for the group break opportunity I probably would've missed out on this great set.

 

3) 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen.  I can't put my finger on it, but there was a lot of buzz in the hobby over the new GQ set and I was eagerly awaiting my chance to bust open a few packs.  Being on a tight budget and not having a very good card shop locally I have to rely on retail to get my pack fix.  I bought several rack packs and blasters early on and continued to one not only be impressed with the card set itself but two with the number of relics and autos I pulled.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the GQ set the first to utilize on card autos in 2011?  With the set coming out earlier in the season I was excited about getting some of my first Dan Uggla cards as a Brave and I was fortunate enough to land this mini bat relic of his right out of the gate.  I'm still working on finishing the set, but I was thrilled to hear that it's coming back for it's sophomore season in 2012.

Honorable Mention:

2011 Topps Marquee and 2011 Topps Lineage.

  

Marquee was my first ever high end product that I got to open myself.  Granted it was part of a group break I hosted earlier this year, but the level of anticipation and excitement I had around the release of this product was so high.  While the set was the home run I think a lot of collectors were hoping that it would be I was happy with many of the cards I ended up with.

The one thing about Marquee that intrigued me the most was the Museum Collection auto cards.  The cards are printed on metal with shiny gold trim.  The front of the card is a refractor like sheen with the on card auto being done in silver ink.  The cards are heavy and super super nice.  I count this Tim Hudson card #04/10 as being the single best card acquisition of 2011 if not of all time for me.

  

Another set that had some people licking their chops was 2011 Topps Lineage.  I know a lot of collectors were thrilled to see the inclusion of the 1975 minis.  I wasn't alive in 1975 so I can't say that I was all that impressed with the early images, but after buying a blaster with a guaranteed relic I immediately saw the appeal.  The guys at Community Gum hosted a case break of Lineage several months ago and I too was fortunate enough to beat out my fellow Braves bloggers and claim the team.  They didn't disappoint me either as they pulled not only one but two great on card autos.

  

I'm still trying to figure out the overall purpose of the Lineage set. If you know what it is please share with me!  While the base card design was lacking (don't get me started about the horrible card backs) I was more than pleased with the parallels, on card autos and the 1975 minis.

The topic also asked about our least favorite set of the year.  For me that would be 2011 Bowman Platinum.  While the 2011 effort was far better than 2010's I just didn't feel the need for this set.  I bought exactly one pack - a rack pack at that.  One may have though that with Freddie Freeman being on the pack I would've bought more - nope.  One pack was enough - although I wouldn't mind having a empty blaster to cut up.

I guess my love for all things Bowman has continued to wane as this set didn't do anything for me.  When it was first released I made some effort to obtain a few of the red parallels of Braves players, but that effort quickly evaporated.

So there you have it.  My take of Blog Bat Around.  Thanks for reading.