Eager to start, but unsure as to which unit to enter! Unfortunately, I think I've already painted all of my standard bearers, however, I could always opt for converting a BSB with some spare parts I might have lying around!
I endorse this product or service.
Banner coming soon!
You can start your contest entry right now, yes. But, my experience tells me to keep your entry hidden until the polls close. Revealing entries early reduces the Wow factor of your entry.
Same goes for you Ashur, you can do it that way, but you'd be revealing your entry early which won't help you in the polls!
Does the entry have to be able rank up with a unit, or can the model kinda go out in all directions as a display piece might?
That is, does it have to actually function as a standard bearer in a tabletop game?
I'll leave that to Grim...
But why not throw him on a 20mm base and incorporate that into a display piece? 
He doesn't have to rank up, he could be your BSB.

As I have said in the past, the contests are to inspire creative ideas. They are meant to motivate, not simply to compare your skills with others. So while there is almost no way to stop entries that have been already made, it's kind of defeating the purpose.
I am excited about all the early work! Sounds like this will be a good one!
Alright Xander, you convinced me. I've joined the forums and I'll try and get something done for this comp.

Huzzah! 
I was at GW yesterday and ran into this guy. He had been lurking on the forum's but I encouraged him to sign up, and enter the Golden Hat competition. 
Welcome Sharp!
My bro is working on an entry! I need to catch up to him, perhaps I will dedicate tomorrow to converting something special.

I have the majority of my sculpting work done. By the end of the night I should be able to base it, and undercoat it.
I finished my sculpting and modeling last night. Painting will commence tonight.
Painting commences tonight for me. I finished all modeling last night.

He's too busy running the site to work very far in advance.

Mine is also nearly done. Some basing and touch ups remain, but on the whole it is ready to go.

I finished! Tomorrow night I will take some photos as I compile all the entries!

I will be entering mine later tonight. I won't be home until 8:30pm. But at that time I will be taking pictures and trying to organize all the entries for voting. I am going to come up with an easier way to compile the images, to save time. I have a few ideas so far.
Also, what are our thoughts about Silver and Bronze placements? How many entries should we have until we award such honours?
I'd be more inclined to lean to a number like 15 entries as the minimum, but ya. We are growing as a forum, and the increased participation warrants increased recognition.
Please bare with me, I have to sort through some 70 images and compile them in an organized way that looks nice!
It may take some time.

Indeed.
