Checking Our List #11: Alphabet Photography {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Shanna!}

At the garage sale that I held this past summer, one item that found a new home was a large framed picture of red flowers in various blue vases. There wasn't a single thing wrong with it and, in fact, I still thought it was an awfully pretty piece of art.

The reason I sold it? It had long been taken down from our walls and replaced by something more personal. Whether photographs of the girls or custom, one-of-a-kind creations that we've fallen for, I like the decor in my home to represent my family and have more meaning than a mass-produced painting of flowers.

And the newest site that I have been introduced to for this exact type of art? None other than the uber-popular Alphabet Photography.

Known to some as letter art, Alphabet Photography centers around an amazing collection of photographs of objects found in their natural surroundings that resemble the letters of the alphabet. Un-staged and not found in any pre-existing signage, the pictures found at Alphabet Photography were collected over the course of two years and trips all across North America.

Now how come my photos never turn out this cool?

With over 1000 different pictures to choose from, these letters are available individually (for only $5!) or in a poster, calendar, collage frame, Inspirational Series (a word with a quote) or in a Create a Word option that lets you create and design your own custom piece.

Selecting a favorite from the Inspirational line was difficult, as there were quite a few that caught my eye and would have fit in well in our home.

However, I finally decided on a classic: Love. Not only were the photographed letters creative and striking, the quote fit perfectly: "There is only one happiness in life - to love and to be loved" - George Sand.

When this artwork arrived (very well-packaged to avoid any possibility of damage), I couldn't wait to open it up and see how beautiful it would look in person.

The thick, professional grade paper and high quality black wooden frame highlight this 15" x 13" piece and I love the way that the letters and quote overlap just slightly to show that they connect. Removing the cardboard protectors from the corners and the covering over the hardware on the back, this art went directly up on the wall to be admired.

Art from Alphabet Photography really does make a timeless, customizable great gift for any occasion. With a variety of styles, sizes and prices (there is even an Under $40 category for a bargain on the same beautiful looks) and of course the ability to completely design the wording and individual letters in your own piece, you'll have the ability to display artwork that is not only incredible but personalized just for you.

Featured everywhere from The Tyra Banks Show to ABC News to On-Air with Ryan Seacrest, Alphabet Photography can now also be your fancy new profile picture on Facebook with their Alphabetize Me technique. Simply type in your name and, using their new Vegas Alphabet, download the colorful results!

Thanks to the generosity of Alphabet Photography and their talent in being able to look at the world around us and see the art that is everywhere, one person will get to enjoy this unique and eye-catching artwork as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of print from the Inspirational Photo Frames at Alphabet Photography! ARV $45!

To enter to win: Visit Alphabet Photography and tell me which piece from their Inspirational Series you might choose if you win and who the lucky recipient would be (it's okay if it's you)!

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a beautiful piece of art from the Inspirational Series at Alphabet Photography over there, too!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Alphabet Photography on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Alphabet Photography has such beautiful art! I just entered to win my choice from the Inspirational Series at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/9h0NpM
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Checking Our List 11: WIN an Inspirational Series art piece from Alphabet Photography! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/9h0NpM #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you have our Checking Our List {Holiday Gift Guide 2010} button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Alphabet Photography. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on December 3rd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Alphabet Photography for providing a Love print for me to review as well as the item of choice from the Inspirational Series for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.