minted.com/blogwww.minted.com

As I write this, I am imagining the many items squashed-stuffed-and-stashed in my too small closet that would fit perfectly in today’s winning design. Without naming names, I will confess to having received an Extra, Extra, Extra Large fleece with a corporate logo, a wonderfully soft but hard-to-match maroon boa, and several pairs of super-thick, furry, argyle socks with fake crystals glued onto the ankles (please keep in mind that I reside in SF, a decidedly socks-optional kind of place). We all have received one or many of these kinds of presents, which makes Many Happy Returns, the 4th Place winner of $100, totally amazing. Congratulations to Leslie of Unless Someone Like You! You know EXACTLY how we feel.

An Unless Someone Like You design can be spotted from a mile away. Leslie has a knack for creating light-hearted, cheeky, and slightly retro-feeling illustrations that are as evocative as they are fun (check out her stationery design Elliott! or her wedding invitation Destination for example). Her latest winner, Many Happy Returns, is no exception. It strikes a tone of familiarity and adds a sassy twist to make you laugh. Rather than roll your eyes at the gifts and the givers, this design is so good because it joins the giver and recipient in a joke with a wink and a smile.

Is there anything as elegantly handsome, nostalgic and quirky as a well-tied bow tie? If you think no, definitely not, then you’ll love the 5th Place winner of $100. Congratulations to Ashley of Fine Day Press for her winning design, Tie One On!

Ashley originally hails from Savannah, Georgia and is now based in Brooklyn. It’s highly probably that a combination of the two locations have inspired the design’s spirited, patterned bow ties and whimsical color palette. This design manages to feel both distinguished and celebratory and would be a wonderful addition to a variety of special occasions – a birthday, anniversary, or even a graduation. So go ahead, tie one on.

I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce today’s 6th place winner of $100 — Birthday Suit Dance Party by Melissa and AJ of We Hold Hands.

This is Melissa and AJ’s very first Minted design challenge (adding yet another newbie to the top 10!), and I already can’t get enough of their textures, typography, and cheeky spirit. A quick scan of their 4 design submissions reveals an illustrative style that is whimsical, tactile, and incredibly fun, and we are expecting to see big things come out of this Philadelphia-based design duo. Congrats guys, and welcome to Minted!

The designer who created the No. 7 design on the Happy, Happy Birthday Card Challenge Countdown is quickly becoming a familiar name. Since entering in her first design challenge in February 2010, Ann Gardner has established a reputation as a versatile and talented illustrator with a penchant for creating handsome designs that encompass a broad range of styles – from bold and typographic to illustrative. Her design, The Manly Type, takes home the 7th Place prize of $100.

Ann referenced vintage cigar labels in the layout and typography of this design.  Keeping her potential customer in mind, Ann prominently incorporated the name of the recipient to make customization simple. The design’s discreet flourishes and message to “have some cake” add humor and whimsy, meanwhile maintaining the elegance of the overall design. Congrats Ann!

Our very own CEO and founder Mariam Naficy has been honored as a 2010 Women’s Initiative Woman Entrepreneur of the Year! We are thrilled to congratulate her, along with the many other extremely talented women she’s been recognized alongside.

Here at Minted, we just could not agree more with the Woman Entrepreneur’s mission to help low-income women to start their own businesses and become self sufficient. We work very hard to empower and enable our female designers especially to reach their full potential. Way to go Mariam and all of the other fantastic women nominated! We hope you’re all doing something fun to celebrate this weekend.