For the past two years I’ve had the honor of serving as a judge for the Louie Awards, which recognizes creative excellence in the greeting card and social stationery industry, along with fellow online and magazine editors, buyers for some of the most influential national retail outlets, and owners of brick and mortar stationery stores. The Louies are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year! The Call for Entries deadline is next week (December 12!), so I thought I’d highlight a few of the winners from this year’s Louie Awards.
Cards of the Year – above $3.50, Maginating (left), $3.50 and below Amy Smyth Made It (right)
Invitation Suite above $7 – Mr. Boddington’s Studio
Rising Star above $3.50 and Everyday Boxed Notes above $2.50 – Rifle Paper Co.
Valentine’s Day above $3.50 – Smock
General Friendship above $3.50 – Maginating (left), and Get Well above $3.50 – Bold Face Type (right)
Mother’s Day above $3.50 – Wild Ink Press
Most Humorous – Old Tom Foolery
Humorous Friendship above $3.50 – Old Tom Foolery
Humorous Birthday $3.50 and below – Amy Smyth Made It (left), and Congratulations/Special Occasions above $3.50 – Sugarcube Press (right)
Custom Invitation or Announcement above $2.50 – Two Paperdolls
Invitation Suite Honorable Mention – Sugar Paper
Invitation Suite Honorable Mention – Printerette Press
The Louie Awards are announced during the National Stationery Show and the deadline for entering is December 12th.  All stationery companies are encouraged to enter! Details can be found at the GCA website.
{images via their respective sources}