Greeting Card Association Names LOUIE Winners at Gala
As a Butterfly emerges from its cocoon in beautiful color and splendor, so do greeting cards, invitations and imprintables arise from the imagination of the artists, writers, illustrators, photographers and designers who collaborate in the creation of products that appeal to our senses of beauty, color, expression, and touch.
Incorporating this butterfly theme in the 21st Annual International Greeting Card Awards - the LOUIEs - proved to be a real celebration of imagination at the event held at New York City's Capitale on May 18. Thanks to Awards Chair Margie King of the Paper Magic Group, butterflies were evident not only on the cover of the awards program book but also on the special favor boxes filled with Jelly Bellies and in the centerpieces on every table. The centerpiece butterflies were cut from dozens of cards provided by Leanin' Tree, Pumpernickel Press and Up With Paper, and in true Martha Stewart fashion, were further decorated with glitter and foil before being placed in vases made from recycled paper. Adding to the illusion of being in a garden of butterflies, the nearly 200 LOUIE finalist samples seemed to float on ribbons that dangled from above courtesy of the efforts of John Mavrakis of Kathy Davis Designs.
This year's top honors for "Cards of the Year" were awarded to two first-time entrants - Tam Tam Design Studio of Arlington Heights, IL, for its birthday card entry in the "Rising Star Above $3.00" category; and to Compendium Inc. of Seattle, WA, for its "Thank You $3.00 & Below" entry. This marked the first time that both "Cards of the Year" were awarded to first-time entrants!
In addition to Tam Tam Design Studio, the "Rising Star" award - in recognition of companies in business less than three years - went to another first-time entrant, Shirley Bell Designs in the $3.00 & Below division for an embellished dragonfly holiday card. The Honorable Mention award was presented to another first-time entrant, Annabelle's Creations (Personalized Invitations/Announcements Above $5.00). The "Superbly Stated" awards for editorial content were taken home by Jumping Cracker Beans in the Above $3.00 price break for its humorous friendship entry and by DaySpring Cards in the $3.00 & Below price break for its religious take on a snowflake. Both companies were honored at the 20th Annual LOUIEs as the "Cards of the Year."
This was a year for first-time entrants to receive LOUIEs! Other such companies included Charu Overseas, J-Dig Cards, Paper Belle, PostMark Press for Leanin' Tree, some of me, Specialty Cards 4U, Spilled Ink Press, Sun Day Greetings and UNICEF.
Sharing the stage to announce the winners were guest hosts Kelly Bristol (GLM, a dmg world media business), Sue Charlier (Independent Printing Co.), Steve Doyal (Hallmark Cards), Doug Faust (Masterpiece Studios), Susan January (Leanin' Tree), Matt McCallum (Stationery Trends), Dorene Rettas (Greetings etc.) and Mark Vando (NATIONAL ENVELOPE). GCA President Steve Laserson of American Greetings, together with GCA Executive Vice President Valerie Cooper, presented the "Card of the Year" awards.
Underwriting contributions for the LOUIEs were provided by American Greetings, Bobst Group North America, FREEMAN, GLM/George Little, Glory Moon Greeting Cards, Greetings etc., Hallmark Cards, Infinity Foils, Stationery Trends and Universal Engraving, whose generous support along with the entry fees makes the LOUIE gala possible. Other companies donating materials and services included Astro Converters, Berwick Offray, BrightMARKS, Gruppo Cordenons, Independent Printing, Infinity Foils, Masterpiece Studios, NATIONAL ENVELOPE, Paper Magic, RSM McGladrey and Universal Engraving.
Special thanks go to those companies that placed congratulatory messages in the Awards Program distributed at the party and to all participants in the 2008-9 LOUIEs. Copies can be obtained by calling GCA headquarters at 202-393-1778, ext. 1116.
Mark your calendar now for next year's LOUIE celebration on Monday, May 17, 2010, in New York City during the National Stationery Show, and watch your mail for details on participating as an entrant, judge or sponsor!
