About Me

Hi, I am Rebecca your artist and illustrator for New Cards on the Block! Here is a little bit about me, my background and how this all started.My degree is a BA(hons) in fashion design, I studied at the University of Central Lancashire at the Preston Campus. 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 special occasional wear, with not many of each design made in order to keep the clothing exclusive. After suppliers for fabrics became difficult to purchase, I decided to call it a day to pursue a career in teaching, after enjoying mentoring fashion students who came to me on work experience and always having that nurturing personality.After completing my PGCE in Design & Technology I secured a job at a local high school, where I have taught textiles and art along with business ever since. 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 'The Right Stuff' single from 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.