New Blog Design and Other Important Notes

I've been wanting to redesign the blog for quite some time now, but I finally made it happen. A friend helped me with an updated banner, background, and logo, so a huge shoutout to her for all of her hard and wonderful work. If you've ever been to Dodger Stadium, then the inspiration for the changes is obvious. The new banner image is based on the famous Dodger Stadium entrance signs, the colors have been adjusted to incorporate the classic Brooklyn Dodgers blue, and the new background is a sort of cartoon/minimalistic take on the Dodgers Stadium outfield seats. 

I'm curious to hear what you all think about the new design. Drop a note in the comments and let me know what feedback you have. 

---

My buddy over at Nachos Grande has been steadily working through all of the Allen & Ginter mini sets for the last few weeks leading up to his Ultimate A&G Mini Set Bracket and corresponding contest. I've had a blast voting for the best mini set of its respective year over the last few weeks, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the blogosphere thinks. Head over there to complete your bracket and see which mini set reigns supreme! 

---

Speaking of contests, I've been thinking about holding my own contest sometime soon, and I may have picked up a box of Topps T206 as one of the prizes. Hint hint. Be sure you're following the blog to stay updated, as the contest will likely be embedded in one of my posts. 

Dodger Penguin is Holding a Wallet Card Contest

The title says it all, really. 

Head on over to Dodger Penguin to get in on his latest season long contest. I believe there is something like seven autos up for grabs, including an auto from Clayton Kershaw. 

Go for the contest, stay for the awesome new site design. 

CHECK OUT THE CONTEST HERE

A Contest at Baseball Card Breakdown

Gavin of Baseball Card Breakdown is running a generous contest to celebrate his 1st year in the blogging world. There are tons of autos up for grabs, so be sure to head over and take a look. If you mention I sent you, I get some extra entries so be sure to do that ;)

Gavin is also trying to reach the 100 follower plateau. Be sure to give him a follow if you aren't already doing so. 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE CONTEST

A Contest Over at Too Many Verlanders

In the hustle and bustle of my daily life, I completely forgot to publish this post earlier.

Too Many Verlanders is running a contest with some fantastic prizes. Click here to check it out. 

A Contest at View from the Skybox

I'm sure I am not the first to tell you, but View from the Skybox is hosting a cool Allen and Ginter's styled contest.

Click on the picture, or here to check it out. 

Awesome Contest at Cubs Cardboard

Kalib over at Cubs Cardboard is hosting his first contest in honor of his birthday. Be sure to head over there for your chance to win. 

While you are there, be sure to check out his 2014 Allen and Ginter's Double Box Break. He still has six spots left. Spots cost $15.00 and you get a team of your choice, as well as a randomized team when all 15 spots are filled. 

Contest link: HERE
Box Break link: HERE

------------------

As I have seemingly been stressing in my past posts, I have been busy lately. The busy-ness has just about subsided however, and I will look to get back on track with regular posting, mailing, and what not. However, that will be slightly delayed as I will be out of my house for the next three days. It looks like I ran through all of my pre-written posts about cards, but I have some other things in mind. 

Until then, enjoy my newest Matt Kemp addition. 

2014 Topps Heritage

Trade with Big 44 Sports Cards: Relics from Right Field

I completed my second trade with Nate of Big 44 Sports Cards. We agreed on a trade a while back, but a shipping error delayed the completion of the swap about a week. Nate is currently running a contest over at his blog, with two great relics up for grabs. Make sure you head over there and get your entries in.

Nate sent over some set needs, but this was one of the cards I was after. I saw this in his trade bait, and quite frankly, I was surprised no other Dodger blogger had claimed it yet. There are literally dozens of us. DOZENS!!!

This is actually my first Andre hit. The relic is fantastic, obviously coming from either the 1 or 6 from the front of his jersey. I am pretty positive this is my first Dodger relic with a piece of the number from the front of the jersey. This beauty is #'d 49/50, and is a wonderful addition to my Andre Ethier PC. 

I was also able to talk Nate into including this Shawn Green bat relic in the trade. I don't like the whole D-Bag aspect of the card, but I do enjoy adding a bat piece from my favorite all-time favorite Dodger right-fielder. Sorry Puig/Ethier.

It seems like so much more could have been done to this card. There is a lot of wasted space, and some color would have been nice. Beggars can't be choosers I guess. 

Nate also through in some set needs for me. I can't quite remember what exactly, but they are very much appreciated. I hope to do this again soon, and I hope your cards arrived safely. Thanks!

Contests and Other Blog Things

I had a large post planned for tonight, but I decided to get some other card related things done. Nothing too exciting, mainly sorting and and moving boxes around, but my time has been used for good.

I realized I was a little behind getting some trade packages out. I already have 7 packages ready to ship on Friday, but I still have a few to get to. If we have talked trade over the past week or two, don't worry. Your cards are packed up and ready to be shipped to their new home. 

-----------

In other news, Nathan of Big 44 Sports Cards is running his first ever contest. You can check it out here, and while you are there check out some of his other posts. I've had the pleasure of pulling of a few trades with Nathan and he's a great guy.

-----------

Speaking of contests, I am still running mine. I started out this contest trying to raise awareness for other great bloggers who don't get as much traffic as some of the bigger blogs. After a couple of weeks, we are close to completing my first blogger contest.

Dodger Penguin currently sits at 46 followers, only 4 away from my goal of 50. To enter, all you need to do is follow him and leave a comment when you do. By doing this, you will be entered to win any card from my list of autos, relics and #'d cards, as well as 25 Chavez Code points, and cards from a team of your choice. There are runner up prizes as well, so be sure to get in on this while you can. 

In addition to those prizes listed above, anybody that posts about this contest on their blog will also be entered to win this 2013 Topps Chrome Allen Webster Auto. The original contest post is here. 

-----------

Another Contest Post!

This week's contest can be found by click on the Joc Pederson card in the right sidebar.

I am not the only one blog running a contest, be sure to enter these as well. 

Dodger Penguin is still running his contest, you can enter here.

The Dutch Card Guy is also running a contest over at his blog, that can be found here.

It's Like Having My Own Card Shop is still running his contest as well, check it out here. 

A post with some actual cards is in the works and will be posted this evening. 

Chavez Code Changes, Blog Updates, and More Contests

I'm going to start out this post by telling you to go enter Dodger Penguin's contest. This contest is the same format as mine, and hes giving away a great Dodger related prize. 

I am planning on making a few updates to the blog. I have made a few changes to the sidebar, some noticeable and some not. I removed the complete Chavez Code leader board link, but the Top 5 point leaders will remain. I will put the complete leader board back up sometime soon. I am making some changes to the layout, and the way I keep track of points. As soon as that is done the link will return.

I've also made some changes to the Chavez Code page. The changes mainly relate to the ways you can earn points. Instead of only getting 5 points if you post about a trade in your blog, you will get 5 points for making the trade and an additional 5 points for making a trade post. I know some readers don't have blogs, and this is an easier way to keep track of trades and points. Also added to the list of ways to earn points is commenting on RCD posts. I posted this weeks RCD (Random Card of the Day) yesterday. I guess I should probably change the name to RCW, but I doubt I will. 

Another change I plan on making is extending the contest winners. AS of now, the Top 4 names win and receive a different point denomination. A Top 4 list just seems wrong to me so I am stretching it out to a Top 5.  Points will still be staged with 1 point differences, the winner will receive 5 points, while the 5th place winner will receive 1. This will go in to effect with the current contest which can be found by click on Billy Hamilton's face to the right. 

There will be more additions to the Chavez Code in the future, but I don't plan on adding anything else at the time being. This is partly due to the fact that I cannot come up with any new ideas. If anybody has a suggestion, throw it out there. Who knows, you may get some points for good ideas.

I am also going through all of my pages and giving them small updates. Mainly small grammar related things, but I am also updating my wants, and confirming my PC's. 

I'll try to have an actual post with cards sometime tonight. I'm at work at the time being so there is nothing new I can throw up right now. 

Go Enter This Contest

I hold a lot of contests here on my blog, but so do other people. I'll try to point some of those out when I see them, and I'd appreciate if you did the same.

This contest is being held over at It's Like Having My Own Card Shop. Be sure to head over to the link to find out how to enter. The prize is probably better than anything I've ever given out here. While you're there, be sure to give him a follow if you don't already.