Gotta Cutch Em All (or just the ones you really like actually)

There hasn't been a lot of new cards for the collection since I injured my foot.  This is because I have been more frugal in my spending, but also because Topps still hasn't released a card of Cutch yet in a Brewers uniform and he was held out of a lot of 2022 sets so far. 

One thing I have been doing is getting into art cards more.  As a former comic book collector and original art collector I am finding that I love the idea of owning an original piece of art of my favorite athlete.

I recently discovered an artist named Melanie aka Lone Star Art Cards on Instagram and was blown away by her approach on creating these unique cards.

Her Instagram is here.  

She transformed 2 random Andrew McCutchen duplicate inserts into works of art.

This Pokemon themed card is based on a 2017 5 Tool Talent insert from Topps.

I remember at the height of Cutch mania in Pittsburgh there being a Nike shirt that said Gotta Cutch Em All.  I always liked that idea of being a play on the Pokemon phrase so I asked Melanie to transform one of the few cards of Cutch throwing a ball into a Pokemon themed card.

Love how this turned out.

I always wanted Cutch to have one of those Panini Downtown cards or Topps Home Field Advantage cards, but his peek performance years were when Topps didn't produce 25+ parallels in a set and when they didn't make any creative inserts.  

Again, Melanie to the rescue.

She transformed a 2011 Hometown Heroes insert from Allen & Ginter into a Pittsburgh Pirates themed downtown card.

You go the Clemente bridge, a massive Pirate ship, a parrot.

Mind f-ing blown!!!!

If you would like a commissioned art card hit her up on Instagram and tell her Collecting Cutch sent you her way. 

Oh and because shes a true artist she wrapped up the cards using tissue paper in a funky way that made me not want to rip them open.

Amazing work Melanie

Amazing!!!!

Out with '21, in with '22

2021 is ending and 2022 is just around the corner.

While I admit a lot of awesome things happened for me this year, the tragedy of losing a loved one a few days ago really sours all the other good.

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet today and just post a single sketch card by Ken Karl, a legendary sketch artist in the sports and entertainment world.

I set up this amazing sketch card commission back in 2020 and have been patiently waiting a year to show it off for just such an occurance.

Wondering what else is in the vault?

Stick around next year and find out...

Be safe and stay blessed!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

More Art Cards

I am building up my collection of Uncle Larry inspired baseball art cards.

I came across this custom card maker through his Twitter @IceCatCards and visited his etsy store IceCatCards

He currently makes limited signed printed cards for under $10 shipped in two categories.

Double Take looks at some of the game's greatest players and their short time in uniforms normally not associated with that player.  These include Dale Murphy with the Rockies, Ken Griffey Jr trade to the White Sox, Jim Thome 17 at bats with the Dodgers, Pedro Martinez World Series run with the Phillies among others.

His other series is Born to be Legends which looks at some of the best players born in a year and uses the Topps designs for that card.

Andrew McCutchen was part of the Born To Be Legends selection for 1986 so he received a revamped 1986 card design with that now famous image from the dugout wearing the zip up Phillies throwback uniform.

Below is the back

And he sent a letter

Overall I am happy with this purchase. 

If you choose to make a purchase from IceCatCards, let him know that CollectingCutch sent you.