April Woot Loot

I think Woot Loot has been so fun, don't you? The only thing I don't like about the whole process is that I can't give every single one of you some Loot to Woot over at the end of the month. It's so fun to read all the comments and see everyone participate every month. You guys are inspiring me to make it bigger and better!

I am in the process of working with some amazingly cool artists and other creative people in order to expand Woot Loot and have a big blow out one month. As soon as the details are figured out, I will give you a little more information. Trust me, though...if even one of these fantastically creative and extremely generous people decides to definitely participate, you are in for a royal experience! (And just between us, I'm so not above filling these potential sponsors so full of tea, finger sandwiches and crumpets that they'll beg to participate in their state of royal overload and subsequent delirium!)
Starting this month, I'm going to switch things up a bit. There really isn't a reason why I've chosen this month...other than I feel like it. And well, when it's your blog - and you are the one giving stuff away (versus holding "sponsored" giveaways) - you can pretty much do whatever you want.

I'm super excited about April's prize...

Alphabetica by Lynne Perrella!

Alphabetica is a wonderfully delicious book full of luscious pictures and an intimate look at an art swap Ms Perrella hosted/participated in several years ago. The artists featured are exciting, talented, creative, FUN. This book doesn't only appeal to those in the art world - or at least it shouldn't. Just a few of the amazingly talented ladies who contributed: Sarah Fishburn, Lesley Riley, Teesha Moore, Claudine Hellmuth, Lesley Jacobs, and of course Lynne Perrella. Pick up the book and the talent literally pours out, racing through your fingertips, sending this...this...palpable electrical stir of creative energy pulsing through your entire body.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them

Anyone who enjoys looking at art that falls outside the mainstream will enjoy this book. Anyone with a creative bone in their body will find something to love in Alphabetica. And certainly, anyone who wants to get into collage, book art, mixed media, or art swaps will fall in love with this book. I'm not quite sure how Ms Perrella forced so much information and goodness into 144 pages - nor how she did it in such a beautifully coherent way.

Artist: Judi Riesch

I've had it in my library for a long time - and it's one I never tire of. (You will receive a second copy from my personal library - never been read. Only opened to scan.) I refer to it over and over - for inspiration, sure...but also just to take in the unique qualities of each piece. For not only does Ms Perrella take the reader through the swap these talented artists held...but there is a virtual art class included in the book. There are in-depth projects listed - including instructions and items used - to provide assistance to the beginner, and a spring board of inspiration to the more advanced artist.

Artist: Karen Michel

You just can't go wrong with Alphabetica - if you'd like more information, click on the picture of the book cover to be magically transported to the Amazon site for Alphabetica. I'm sure this is a book you will go back to again and again - for many reasons.

ARTISTS (clockwise from top left): Lisa Renner, Lisa Renner, Judi Riesch, Karen Michel

As if receiving a copy of al-pha-bet-i-ca An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists for your very own isn't reason enough to sign up for Woot Loot, there is more. For every 100 entries, I will add an additional prize. Notice I said ENTRIES - not ENTRANTS. So if 20 people choose to enter April's Woot Loot 5 times each, we're already at 100. Easy? Yes. Exciting? Totally!

I am keeping what the additional prize will be, a secret until we reach 100 entries. I will post what the additional prize will be if/when we reach that point. And I will continue adding prizes every 100 entries we have. So spread the word - the more who join the fun, the more prizes will be awarded. Doesn't that just make you want shout, WOOT?!

THE ENTER THIS MOST AWESOME GIVEAWAY

** EACH ENTRY REQUIRES A SEPARATE COMMENT OR IT WON'T COUNT **

~ For one entry, leave a comment telling me how you found my blog. If you don't have a blog - or your email address isn't listed on your blog - please leave your email address in your comment. If I can't reach you, you can't win. Since I am giving away one of my own possessions or handmade creations - with nothing expected in return, nor do I get paid for this - PLEASE do me the courtesy of making it easy to reach you. It's frustrating to spend twenty minutes looking for an email address...don't make me sick the childebeasts on you!

(This must be done to enter Woot Loot!)

~ For one entry, follow me. It's easy! In my side bar, you'll see a box full of little pictures. Join us and your cool little picture will show up in the box, too! You won't believe how great your life will be, simply by becoming a recognized friend of the Queen's! It will totally amaze you! (If you're already a follower, leave a comment stating just that...and thank you!)

~ For one entry, Stumble this post OR "favorite" this in Technorati. To Stumble: Just click on the thumbs-up-in-the-circle icon at the bottom of this post. Leave a comment so I know you did. (I will check!)

~ For one entry: Place my lovely button on your blog. You know the drill - leave a comment (with the URL) stating you completed this option.

~ For one entry: If you recommend entering to someone, be sure to ask them to include your name. If that person leaves a second comment saying you sent them or they found out about April's Woot Loot because of you, both of you will receive an extra entry! (You must have entered prior to their comment or it doesn't count.)

~ For one entry: Leave a comment telling me what you would like to see as future Woot Loot. This can be totally extravagant, impossible, ridiculously luxurious - or it can be serious and totally possible.

~ For three entries: Blog about April's Woot Loot. You can use this link to make it easier, if you would like: http://bit.ly/4WL. Now...about this - don't make it a sorry entry. Come on - show some originality! Leave the link (or blog address) so I can check it out!

~ For three MORE entries: Write a poem about my whole mess on your blog. Just a quick poem about entering Woot Loot, my blog, royalty, or winning. For example, "Go and enter the Queen's Woot Loot, and while you're there take a look around - you'll see the royal family is nuts, and understand why the Queen was crowned!" - OR - "Check out this blog with the name of The Queen Speaks - enter Woot Loot, read some posts & learn new techniques!" Get the idea? Do NOT copy what I wrote. And don't be as dorky as I am. ** You only need to do one blog post. If you choose to write the poem, leave the link and you'll get 6 points! **
April's Woot Loot ends Thursday, April 30th at 11:59 PM MT...winner announced by May 3. (Why May 3? Because life always seems to get crazy on the first - and I hate not posting when I say I will!) I will email the winner and announce the winner on my blog - and the winner has 48 hours from the time my email is sent to reply. No reply within 48 hours means you forfeit the prize...and on we go to the next royal winner. This goes for each prize awarded. The first name drawn will be for the first prize offered, the second name is for the second prize, etc, until we reach the number of prizes given away. Questions? Email the Queen - the email button is on the side bar.

GOOD LUCK!!

I want to give out lots of Loot this month - so spread the word!!