Fleer Paper Prototype Turns into a REAL Card

So, I ended up going forward with a new project that I have been dreaming about for a LONG time. Making these paper proofs REAL cards. Here is the first one I did, since I don't know when I'll be able to get to the others: Here is the paper proof prototype I worked from: I had to redo a bunch of the graphics, but came up with this: Shows the thickness and the glossiness. Note the mention of "sleeve patch" instead of "Game-Worn Jersey". I changed it because Canseco wore the jersey this patch was on, but not when

There’s Something about Wood

I've got to be honest with you, I'm not sure where to start! As if you couldn't tell by my writing, sometimes my hobbies take up way too much space in my brain. I don't have a "chill" button. It is either FULL SPEED or NOT AT ALL. I guess I'll start at the beginning. This has been an action packed week for the hobby side of my life.  To start off, fellow supercollector AJ and I made yet ANOTHER huge, massive trade.  It involved a lot of blood sweat and tears, but after about a week, we hammered a

Latest Contest Winner…

Congratulations to everyone who has survived this week and made it to the weekend! The next to last contest winner is now wrapped up, so we have one more to go, though I'm not sure when that will be. Before I do the reveal, I figured I'd show off a fun project that was very challenging to get the look right ... T206 style. Dboneesq is putting together the T206 New York set. Yes, a Bronx Bombers collector before they were the Yankees. They were actually the Highlanders. The twist? He is a Mantle fan. The problem? The Mick was

When 756 Cards Just Isn’t Enough

You know you have a problem when you are chasing the entire set of 2007 Topps Barry Bonds Home Run History.  756 cards of stressful, anxious goodness.  The thought of doing something like that growing up would have given me great dreams and horrible nightmares!  Imagine trying to complete an entire set of 1989 Topps, but instead of 99% of the cards being commons, they are all of the best player in the world. You know you REALLY have a problem when 756 cards simply is not enough.  I was approached by someone saying it bothered them that there weren't

Customs with a Home Run Game Used Bat & Ball

This week has been stuffed to the gills with making customs for people who won my customs contest & customs just for fun for my own collection.  While it has taken a long time and kept me busy, it sure has been fun. I was kind of bummed about Topps not making a NOW card as a throwback of Canseco, so I made my own. After I did that, I thought HEY!  What not do one of Tim Tebow on the Mets? and what about Ginny Baker from the new show Pitch? As if that weren't exciting enough, why not

A Very Mouschi Contest

[EMAIL CHIME] Hello Tanner, I ran across this Jose Canseco card, and was wondering if you would be interested.... [EMAIL CHIME] Hey, Tanner!  A friend of mine just pulled this Canseco!  You can email him at... [EMAIL CHIME] So, you are the crazy moustache guy that makes customs and loves Canseco, right?  If so, I saw this Canseco get opened in a break.... ---------------- I get messages like these every day.  The only way it could possibly be any better is if more of you did it!  I want to SINCERELY thank everyone who has ever even tried to put

Solution to “Ugly” Printing Plates

Someone posted the question "Why do so many people dislike printing plates so much?" My response was that as this hobby continues to have more and more high end pieces, we collectors see our cards more like art, thus making the aesthetics factor very important to us. Because of this, plates are not at the same level, because they are...well...ugly. I personally love them. I love having a piece that is used to create the entire run of a certain card. I got to thinking though, what if the companies started to instead, chop up printing plates and embed them

The Multi-Player Rookie Card Problem

In July, a 1963 Topps Ken McMullen rookie card sold on eBay for over $150,000. It was a beautiful specimen graded by 9 by PSA. For those of you who don't know who Ken McMullen is, he signed with the LA Dodgers right out of high school and debuted in 1962 as a 20 year old. McMullen wrapped up his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1977. His career statline boasted a .248 average with 156 home runs. So why is his rookie card so expensive?  Because he shared it with 3 other guys. Recognize any of the names? Throughout

And the winner is …

It was a hard, close back and forth battle between the Mick & the Pick. Both got some good shots in, and in my opinion, this could have easily gone either way, depending upon which forum this was placed on. FCB is truly a different beast when compared to other forums, which is why I love it here and frequent it so much. Armed with the knowledge of what people like over others, I myself would have probably entered completely different customs myself. It is truly great seeing such amazing talent on display by other custom card creators! As they

Custom Card Tournament!

A few months back, I stumbled upon a thread on FCB (www.FreedomCardboard.com) that talked about how someone was setting up a mega 16 slot custom card tournament.  I LOVED this idea, and immediately wrote forum member MisterT asking if I could join in.  I sent over 4 possibilities for entries, and they ended up setting up a mini bracket to pit my cards against each other. I was particularly interested in this, because I know there are several talented custom card makers out there who have been doing customs for many more years than I have, and I was curious