About Me

Hi, I am Rebecca your live sketch artist and illustrator for New Cards on the Block. Here is a little bit about me, my background and how this all started.

I have a BA (hons) degree in fashion design, studying at  the University of Central Lancashire. After qualifying I set up in business designing and making my own brand of women's clothing called 'Rebecca Blundell' (my maiden name). I owned shops in both Chorley and Preston designing and making exclusive occasional wear. After short runs of fabrics became difficult to purchase and enjoying mentoring and teaching fashion students I decided to call it a day to pursue a career in teaching. I went back to uni and completed a PGCE in Design & Technology and secured a job the following year at a local high school, where I taught textiles and art eventually becoming a Curriculum Leader for a large multi-subject faculty. Over lockdown in 2020 I began fashion illustration again, creating designs to show my students. This then sparked the idea of turning these illustrations into greeting cards. I began 'New Cards on the Block' in the summer holidays.  The name was thought up by my very creative daughter Olivia, after she was trawling through my old vinyl and discovered New Kids on the Block (sorry, obviously I had bad taste back then). After sending off a small collection of my designs for printing I started to share my work in September.  The aim of New Cards on the Block is to create uplifting quirky designs that make you smile with many illustrations inspired by all things local to Lancashire. Everything I create is printed, manufactured and sourced in the UK, using high quality manufacturers in support of our economy. I love creating bespoke artwork for wedding stationery and speed sketching at weddings and events. My greetings cards can be found in a number of local shops and at Prestons monthly Makers Market.