<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="LOUIE award (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.greetingcard.org/louie-awards/" target="_blank">LOUIE award </a>judging began over a month ago, March 24, in Washington, D.C., but it feels like so much longer ago than that. As much as everything has quickly changed, as uncertain as the future is, I&#8217;m all the more grateful to have gotten a few days to hobnob with industry friends as I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing greeting card after greeting card after greeting card 700 times or so. </p>



<p>Now we&#8217;ve entered a quieter time for greeting cards — ;there aren&#8217;t too many birthday parties being planned at the moment — ;but that has just made them far more important. Somehow, in a month, we&#8217;re back to those days where not only do we really look forward to the mail carrier arriving, but when there&#8217;s a card amongst the bills, that is really something exciting! And rest assured, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="there is still no evidence that COVID-19 is being passed through the mail. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/usps-statement-on-coronavirus.htm?fbclid=IwAR0sWyXM9SuMegeFbV9lqLU79P4RcMxRXDw8vxni_cs_uJLnOemY_y_S2vM" target="_blank">there is still no evidence that COVID-19 is being passed through the mail. </a></p>



<p>While judging, I took 30 pictures of cards that stood out to me, so I&#8217;m spreading them over two posts, highlighting promotions each maker is having beneath the card, as well as any notes on what I loved about it. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Greeting Card Association (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.greetingcard.org/" target="_blank">The Greeting Card Association</a> (GCA) is going forward with the LOUIEs, but how they are to be celebrated is still being determined. In the meantime, it&#8217;s my pleasure to highlight these makers and their work here. Thank you to the GCA and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Stationery Trends (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.stationerytrends.com" target="_blank">Stationery Trends</a> for giving me the opportunity to judge. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i0.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5445.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004031" width="972" height="1295"/><figcaption><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Smitten Kitten (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.smittenkitten.ca/index.html" target="_blank">Smitten Kitten</a><br>Four cards/$20<br>Those wings make great toilet paper, in a pinch.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i1.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5519.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004036" width="966" height="1287"/><figcaption><a href="https://shopseedlings.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Seedlings</a><br>This stood out a month ago, but is that much more compelling today.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5467.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004034" width="967" height="1289"/><figcaption><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Ohh Deer (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ohhdeer.com/" target="_blank">Ohh Deer</a><br>I can&#8217;t be the only parent going a bit corona-crazy due to prolonged exposure to my child (and vice versa).</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5522.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004023" width="972" height="1295"/><figcaption><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Great Arrow Graphics (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.greatarrow.com/" target="_blank">Great Arrow Graphics</a><br>Not completely captured in this image: the amazing silk-screened texture as well its special vibrancy. </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i0.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5531.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004025" width="964" height="1285"/><figcaption><br><a href="https://www.uwpluxe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">UWP Luxe</a><br>20% off order code: 20SPRING<br>It&#8217;s a mail-able High Five, sort of.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i0.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5508.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004018" width="964" height="1285"/><figcaption>Tigerpocket Press<br>Free US shipping on orders over $35<br>I&#8217;m nearly ready to start a fan club for this maker — ;who&#8217;s in?</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5517.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004021" width="967" height="1289"/><figcaption>KB Paperie<br>Free domestic shipping code: SHIPFREE<br>These little letterpressed missive packs a huge emotional punch.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5492.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004016" width="949" height="1265"/><figcaption><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Good Juju Ink (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.goodjujuink.com/" target="_blank">Good Juju Ink</a><br>Free shipping on orders over $50<br>In the next printing, I recommend they add at least four hats.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i1.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5484.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004011" width="969" height="1291"/><figcaption><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Steel Petal Press (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.steelpetalpress.com/" target="_blank">Steel Petal Press</a><br>Now that Shayna may have some time on her hands. maybe an entire Jules Winnfield range is in order? </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i1.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5491.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004014" width="962" height="1282"/><figcaption>Colleen Attara through Calypso Cards<br>Don&#8217;t wait for Father&#8217;s Day to reach out!</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i1.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5480.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004009" width="969" height="1291"/><figcaption>Red Oak Press<br>Free shipping in USA<br>Spend $20 Get 15%<br>Code: 15<br>I guess at this point it doesn&#8217;t really matter as long as you have each other&#8217;s backs!</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5473.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004005" width="970" height="1293"/><figcaption><a href="https://piphpaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" label="Paper Epiphanies (opens in a new tab)">Paper Epiphanies</a><br>Free shipping on every order with code: VIRUS<br>I am smitten with this GGxPE collaboration with Gia Graham!</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i1.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5515.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004020" width="977" height="1302"/><figcaption><a href="https://shopseedlings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Seedlings (opens in a new tab)">Seedlings</a><br>We don&#8217;t have all the problems we had yesterday, but the new ones are doozies, making this design that much more heavy.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5478.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004007" width="962" height="1282"/><figcaption><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Katie Daisy (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bielyshoaf.com/collections/katie-daisy" target="_blank">Katie Daisy</a> through Biely &; Shoaf<br>This design and message were lovely to me then, and that much more magical now!</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i1.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5463.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004003" width="966" height="1287"/><figcaption>KB Paperie<br>Free domestic shipping code: SHIPFREE<br>This exquisite little design really does seem to transmit sympathy in card form.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5459.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10004001" width="965" height="1286"/><figcaption><a href="https://piphpaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" label="Paper Epiphanies (opens in a new tab)">Paper Epiphanies</a><br>Free shipping on every order with code: VIRUS<br>A-flipping-men!</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://i0.wp.com/thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5452.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10003999" width="974" height="1298"/><figcaption><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bielyshoaf.com/pages/shannon-martin-design" target="_blank">Shannon Martin Design</a> through Biely &; Shoaf<br>Just hoping everyone is feeling this &; not so much a War of the Roses vibe!</figcaption></figure>



<p>You can see all the finalists <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://greetingcard.secure-platform.com/a/gallery?roundId=27" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>



<p>I have been getting emails about different maker promotions and giveaways, here seems as good a place as any to share. Email me yours at sarah@thepaperchronicles.com and I&#8217;ll add it to my next post.</p>



<p><a href="http://jfalkner.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="J. Falkner (opens in a new tab)">J. Falkner</a>: use code BIG HUGS for free &#8220;big hugs&#8221; card plus a free stamp!</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Steel Petal Press: (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.steelpetalpress.com/" target="_blank">Steel Petal Press:</a> Curated Corona Care Packages are available for $20-$55, free shipping with the code VIRTUAL HUG</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Egg Press: (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.eggpress.com/" target="_blank">Egg Press:</a> Special 5-card bundles for $20, free shipping on orders over $40 through the end of the month with the code THINKINGOFYOU*</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Hartford Prints: (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hartfordprints.com/" target="_blank">Hartford Prints: </a>15% sale through 3/31 with code STAYSAFE. They will write out your message on the card of your choice and mail it for you!</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Antiquaria: (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.shopantiquaria.com/" target="_blank">Antiquaria:</a> Free shipping on all orders over $25, check out their $10 sample card packs. </p><div class="inline-post clearfix"><div class="see-also byline">See also</div><div id="block-wrap-19867" class="block-wrap-native block-wrap block-wrap-23 block-css-19867 block-wrap-classic columns__m--1 elements-design-3 block-ani block-skin-0 tipi-box block-wrap-thumbnail ppl-m-1 clearfix" data-id="19867" data-base="0"><div class="tipi-row-inner-style clearfix"><div class="tipi-row-inner-box contents sticky--wrap"><div class="block block-23 clearfix"><article class="tipi-xs-12 clearfix with-fi ani-base tipi-xs-typo split-1 split-design-1 loop-0 preview-thumbnail preview-23 elements-design-3 post-10339 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-off-the-press tag-agendas tag-ban-do tag-frames tag-jewelry tag-kate-spade-new-york tag-lifeguard-press tag-national-stationery-show tag-photo-albums tag-pouches tag-sarah-schwartz tag-the-paper-chronicles tag-trinket-trays tag-wallets" style="--animation-order:0"><div class="preview-mini-wrap clearfix"><div class="mask"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/quick-nss-peek-ban-do-kate-spade-new-york/" class="mask-img"><img width="100" height="100" src="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=150%2C150&;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=200%2C200&;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=293%2C293&;ssl=1 293w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=75%2C75&;ssl=1 75w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=390%2C390&;ssl=1 390w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=585%2C585&;ssl=1 585w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=24%2C24&;ssl=1 24w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=48%2C48&;ssl=1 48w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5630-copy.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /></a></div><div class="meta"><div class="byline byline-2 byline-cats-design-4"><div class="byline-part cats"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/off-the-press/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Off The Press</a></div></div><div class="title-wrap"><h3 class="title"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/quick-nss-peek-ban-do-kate-spade-new-york/">Quick NSS Peek: ban.do &#038; Kate Spade New York</a></h3></div><div class="byline byline-3"><span class="byline-part date"><i class="tipi-i-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></i> <time class="entry-date published dateCreated flipboard-date" datetime="2015-05-27T12:49:04+00:00">May 27, 2015</time></span><span class="byline-part likes-count"><a href="#" class="tipi-like-count " data-pid="10339"><span class="likes-heart"><i class="tipi-i-heart-o" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="tipi-i-heart" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="tipi-value">0</span></a></span></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></tipimidc>



<p>Inklings Paperie: If you have not seem their care packages, check them out stat! Free shipping with code CAREPACKAGE</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.riflepaperco.com/" target="_blank">Rifle Paper Co.:</a> 20% off sitewide and free shipping with code THANKYOU</p>



<p>Finally, *Noted may have unfortunately been canceled, but you can still get <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Noted@*Noted (opens in a new tab)" href="https://notedexpo.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/main/home" target="_blank">Noted @ *Noted</a>! In the absence of a spring industry get-together, I am hoping that this will celebrate what&#8217;s new in card design. I have updated the link on the right to take you right there — ;and HUGE THANKS to Ashleigh at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="CharmCat Creative (opens in a new tab)" href="https://charmcat.net/" target="_blank">CharmCat Creative</a> for creating that sharp clever button! You rock girl. She is offering 20% off of all her fabulous cards when you order more than 5, and free shipping with $20 purchase. </p>



<p>Go and submit and as always, don&#8217;t hesitate to give me a shout with any questions. Finally, please keep washing those hands! </p>