So You Want To Be A Giant Squid?

We've Got New Giants and 100 Club Lensmasters!

Congratulations to all the new Giant Squids and Top 100 Club members.

So go on...check your e-mail for a message from the Giant Squid Organizers and Megan. You guys are AWESOME!

And for those who didn't quite make it this time, don't despair. You've got 3 months to get your lenses in order for the next deadline on September 30th, 2009! We know you can do it!

Visit THE GIANT SQUIDS (and how you can become one) for a list of what we're looking for.

and GO GIANTS!

Congratulations to all the new Giant Squids and Top 100 Club members.

So go on...check your e-mail for a message from the Giant Squid Organizers and Megan. You guys are AWESOME!

And for those who didn't quite make it this time, don't despair. You've got 3 months to get your lenses in order for the next deadline on September 30th, 2009! We know you can do it!

Visit THE GIANT SQUIDS (and how you can become one) for a list of what we're looking for.

and GO GIANTS!

Congratulations to all the new Giant Squids and Top 100 Club members.

So go on...check your e-mail for a message from the Giant Squid Organizers and Megan. You guys are AWESOME!

And for those who didn't quite make it this time, don't despair. You've got 3 months to get your lenses in order for the next deadline on September 30th, 2009! We know you can do it!

Visit THE GIANT SQUIDS (and how you can become one) for a list of what we're looking for.

and GO GIANTS!

June 2009 Greeter Challenge! We have some Winners!

"The Giant Squid Challenge" was a HUGE success! I am so excited to announce that more then 1,750 lenses were added to the plexos! WOW...that is a lot of great new lenses. I also want to give a huge round of applause to the amazing Greeters and their teams. They worked tirelessly to help bring home some great Giant Squids. So a big *clap*clap*clap* to:

Joan's Jolly Judicious Jetsetters by Joan4

JustBon’s Blue Ribbon Squids by JustBon-Crochet-Designs

Kab's Fab Squid Squad by kab

Rajays Rocking Squids by Rajays

Willow's Wonder Squids by a_willow

Now for the WINNERS!

The Winner of the Giant Squid portion of the challenge was Team Willow's Wonder Squids by a_willow. Her team consisted of:

MikeMoore, inkserotica, drifter0658, MeltedRachel, dagsmith, boshemia, Ramkitten, mysticmama, luvmyludwig, Sojourn, klieneine, Portable_eBay, draik, drs2biz, burntchestnut, cjsysreform, ByRoy, Vladi, GreenEcoBean, kristensup, JanTUB, lindarandall. Laniann, utradesports, squidom, CleanerLife

The Winner of the 100 Club portion of the challenge was Team Kab's Fab Squid Squad by kab.
Her team consisted of:

Dkprincess6, gods_grace_notes, tirial, Treasures-By-Brenda, RinchenChodron, janices7, BFuniv.com, Pastiche, CreativeArtist, Irenemaria, charlino

A BIT Congratulations to everyone! Everyone on this list will be invted to a special CampFire  chat the week of July 13th to celebrate....so stay tuned!

Q: So when are you going to make me a Giant Squid?

Well there is officially 1 whole day to get your application in for Giant Squid! YEAH! Here are some quick Q & A's, tips and a few words of advice!

When do I need to get my application in?

It's Monday night so you still have tonight, and all day Tuesday to get in your application for Giant Squid status. Just send us an e-mail at giants@squidoo.com by Tuesday June 3oth at midnight EST with your Squidoo Bio page so we know who you are. Apply, Apply, Apply You MUST apply to be a Giant Squid. No exception here. Even if you are nominated by someone you still need to apply yourself. Hint to all of the people who did nominate someone...let them know that they need to apply! Again, just send an e-mail to giants@squidoo.com with your Squidoo bio page.

Can I still make Giant Squid?

YES you can! If you still need 2, 4, 6 or even 8 lenses it's entirely possible to make the deadline. Here's a quick tip...try using a Squidoo Co-Brand for your last 2 or 3 lenses. They come with neat templates and are not quite as time consuming as traditional lenses! The bottom line is that we want you to succeed. If you've worked your butt off and made 48 fantastic quality lenses we'll know! Creating your last 2 lenses about your favorites actor or author with the SquidWho Co-Brand is A-OK with us. Believe me when I say they we can spot quality lensmasters a mile away, having one or two shorter fun lenses won't blow your rep.

So what's next?

We want to notify everyone before the July 4th Holiday weekend. So here's the plan. We are hoping to notify the new Giant Squids and Top 100 Club on Thursday July, 2nd...BUT we might need an extra day if we get behind. Everyone will be notified via e-mail...even if you didn't make it this time around.

So take a little breather...

relax and make a lens or two. There's no need to keep checking your mail box every hour this week (I know I did when I was waiting to make Giant Squid) because although we are working hard to get you set up as soon as possible but it will not happen before Thursday, July 2nd.

Also remember that the next deadline for making Giant Squid is Septemper 30th, 2009 so tell your friends, family, mailman, BF, hairdresser and whoever else you think might be a fabulous Giant Squid!

Oh and Congratulations for making it this far! *Clap*Clap*Clap*

So what's next?

We want to notify everyone before the July 4th Holiday weekend. So here's the plan. We are hoping to notify the new Giant Squids and Top 100 Club on Thursday July, 2nd...BUT we might need an extra day if we get behind. Everyone will be notified via e-mail...even if you didn't make it this time around.

So take a little breather...

relax and make a lens or two. There's no need to keep checking your mail box every hour this week (I know I did when I was waiting to make Giant Squid) because although we are working hard to get you set up as soon as possible but it will not happen before Thursday, July 2nd.

Also remember that the next deadline for making Giant Squid is Septemper 30th, 2009 so tell your friends, family, mailman, BF, hairdresser and whoever else you think might be a fabulous Giant Squid!

Oh and Congratulations for making it this far! *Clap*Clap*Clap*

Good Morning Potential Giants!

Or afternoon depending when you see this. I just happen to be up early this morning! Hope everyone got a good nights sleep. Are you excited? Only 2 Days Left to get your 50 Quality lenses in, but I know you can do it! Whoo! Hoo!

Speaking of Quality...are your lenses up to par? Check out these guidelines: Things that will give you a leg up to be sure you you have the right stuff!

In the mean time keep building. I can't wait see see what you've got. If you read this post leave a comment with the total numbers of lenses you have so far so that everyone can get a little motivation from your progress...Because you CAN be a GIANT!

PS - Be sure to e-mail us at giants@squidoo.com to apply!

Who Wants To Be A Giant?

You've still got 4 days left to get your 50 quality lenses finished and you can do it!

Got your 50 lenses? Send them on over to giants @ squidoo.com so that we can review them.

Do you know a spectacular lensmaster who will knock our socks off? Has someone with Giant potential caught your eye? Do you know a someone who should be a Giant? Let us know!

If you'd like to nominate someone for Giant Squid Status send us an e-mail at  giantnomination @ squidoo.com by June 30th, 2009. We can't wait to see who you've found!

The Passing Of Two Icons Today

Farrah Fawcett  1947-2009
Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Only one week to go to be a Giant Squid!

I wanted to address a few questions and give some last minute tips about becoming a Giant Squid.

• You MUST apply in order to be considered for Giant Squid or 100 Club status. Just send your Squidoo Profile page to giants@squidoo.com or 100club@squidoo.com for the 100 Club by midnight EST on Tuesday, June 30th, that's it!
• Try, try again! If you apply and don't get in try again. You will not be penalized at all for applying, in fact we encourage it! It's also a great way to gauge your progress and keep challenging yourself.
• Quality content is key. One of the main things we look for is quality, creative, original content. Create lenses from the heart. Write what you know. Be a leader! Cookie cutter lenses are not only boring but won't impress us for Giant Squid status.
• Review the guidelines. If you follow these guidelines you're sure to succeed. But if you've got this stuff in your lenses you might want to make some improvements.

The bottom line is that we want you to succeed! We are thrilled to pick the new Giant Squid each quarter and are just as excited as you when we make the announcement. This is a team effort and we are on your team. Good Luck!

I wanted to address a few questions and give some last minute tips about becoming a Giant Squid.

• You MUST apply in order to be considered for Giant Squid or 100 Club status. Just send your Squidoo Profile page to giants@squidoo.com or 100club@squidoo.com for the 100 Club by midnight EST on Tuesday, June 30th, that's it!
• Try, try again! If you apply and don't get in try again. You will not be penalized at all for applying, in fact we encourage it! It's also a great way to gauge your progress and keep challenging yourself.
• Quality content is key. One of the main things we look for is quality, creative, original content. Create lenses from the heart. Write what you know. Be a leader! Cookie cutter lenses are not only boring but won't impress us for Giant Squid status.
• Review the guidelines. If you follow these guidelines you're sure to succeed. But if you've got this stuff in your lenses you might want to make some improvements.

The bottom line is that we want you to succeed! We are thrilled to pick the new Giant Squid each quarter and are just as excited as you when we make the announcement. This is a team effort and we are on your team. Good Luck!

Only 11 days to go!

So are you ready to be a Giant Squid? Do you have 50 quality lenses? Lenses you'd be proud to show off to your Grandma, best friend, hair dresser or boss?

Then apply to be a Giant Squid by sending us your Profile Page at giants@squidoo.com by Tuesday June 30th, 2009.

A lot of people have been asking us lately "What constitutes a quality lens?" A quality lens is a lot of things. Thought provoking, funny, personal, well planned out, beautiful to look at, creative, useful, daring, fun, helpful, educational, passionate, caring, flowing, grammatically correct, etc. While your lens probably won't encompass every aspect on the list it will most certainly have a few! Lenses that are scammy, poorly constructed, lacking in purpose or underdeveloped just won't get our attention.

So use good old common sense. If it looks like a good lens, passes the Grandma test and you feel in your gut that you did your best you're probably good to go. So relax, have a cup of tea, pat yourself on the back and put your feet up for awhile. You've earned it!

If you have ALMOST 50 lenses you're still in the running. In face it is quite possible to create 10, 15 or even 20 quality lenses in one week. Think of it as cramming for a test, writing a term paper or running a marathon...you CAN do it!

Ready, set, GO GIANTS!

Twilight lens gets some good PR!

It's always nice when your friends and family love your lens. It's even nicer to get noticed by the media. That's exactly what happened to Forks, Washington 98331 - Where Twilight Vampires and Werewolves Run Wilds by enslavedbyfaeries. She got a really nice online write-up: Plan a "Twilight" inspired trip to Forks, Washington. How cool is THAT?

Pass it on...

from the Giant Squid Community Showcase Blog!

Passing on a blog post you love is well worth the 30 seconds it takes to do it! -Bonnie