Here’s my final giveaway, the really big one for the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival - and I think you’re gonna love it!!
You can win any of the following…
A $30.00 gift card to Victoria’s Secret!
100 iTunes!!
One 4 day/3 night stay at a 5 Star Resort!!!
This time, my contest rules are specific, and it will be quite obvious if you’ve not followed them. There are only two rules:
THE FIRST RULE! If you have a blog, you MUST link to it in the comment form (and yes, I’ll be checking). If you don’t have a blog, list the links to three blogs you read (and actively comment on) in your comment.
THE SECOND RULE! Go to the Gravatar website and sign up for a free account and get a freakin’ gravatar to go with your blog comment email address*. What is a Gravatar?
“A gravatar, or globally recognized avatar, is quite simply an avatar image that follows you from weblog to weblog appearing beside your name when you comment on gravatar enabled sites. Signing up for a gravatar.com account is FREE, and all that’s required is your email address.”
Why should you do this? Because I’m really tired of seeing this: 
… next to so many comments, on so many blogs (not just mine - blogs all over the world use this service!) Those little blue, impersonal squares are just so… annoying. Plus, I feel less of a connection to you and therefore less likely to pick you for this awesome giveaway.
HOW TO USE GRAVATAR
Go to the Gravatar site, enter your email address, and follow the super-duper-even-a-toddler-could-do-it instructions to upload your own user pic from your computer.
HOW TO ‘BORROW’ A USERPIC FROM ME TO USE WITH GRAVATAR
If you don’t want to use your own picture (if you don’t have one, or you just like one of the ones below) here are a few userpics that you can use, just by hotlinking -
- Right-click on the Gravatar above that you want to use and select “Copy Image Location”
- After logging in to Gravatar and adding your email address select “Add an Image“
- Click on use “An image on the internet”
- In the URL line right-click and select “Paste” - what you’ve pasted should like something like
” http://www.krississippi.com/gravatar_smily.png “
5. Hit the “NEXT” button, and viola! You have something neat and new to use on this blog and many, many others.
TA DA!! YOU’RE IN!
There ya go! Now, if you followed the instructions, you’ll notice that once you’ve submitted your comment on this post post, you’ll have a cute little icon next to it.
Cute little icon = YOU’RE IN!
- BTW - Your Gravatar account/icon needs to still be showin’ up when I get around to notifying the winner sometime next week (i.e. if you remove it from Gravatar, it will disappear from here, but your comment will remain)
- ALSO BTW - If you don’t have a Gravatar on your comment, sorry, but you’re disqualified, and will be removed from the list.
- You only need to leave ONE comment, once your Gravatar is uploaded it will magically appear on the comment you’ve already left! Please only submit once, because this contest is to see how many individuals sign up for Gravatar!
- If you have a previously established Gravatar account/picture then you rock! Just leave me a comment here to let me know you wanna win, too!! Rock on!
BONUS! EXTRA! HIDDEN PRIZE!!
If there are more than 500 successfully entered individual participants (with Gravatars), 100 people will be chosen at random to receive a one free gifted iTunes song! Yes, 100 iTunes, 1 each to 100 people!!
EXTRA SUPER BONUS!
If there are more than 1100 successfully entered individual participants (with Gravatars), everyone will be entered into a random drawing to win a 4 day/3 night stay at a FIVE STAR RESORT in one of these cities:
- Las Vegas, NV
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Orlando, FL
- Miami, FL
- River Ranch, FL
- Gatlinburg, TN
- Williamsburg, VA
- Park City UT
- Branson, MO
** Restrictions apply - When a winner is selected they will have the opportunity to accept or decline the applicable restrictions. Should they choose to decline, another random person will be chosen.
YES, WIN A VACATION AT A 5-STAR RESORT!!!
P.S. Comments/entries will close at midnight on April 27th…
P.P.S. You might want to let everyone you know about this one - the more who participate, the bigger the prizes!!! And if I’m setting the bar too high by thinking I can get 1100 people to sign up for Gravatar and leave a comment, then that’s fine - because I’ll keep the iTunes and vacation for myself!!
If ONE person signs up and wins the $30 Victoria’s Secret card, then there is still a winner!!
———- Edit @ 1352 20080425 ———
Thank you to those of you who pointed out that I needed to amend my rules slightly. I’ve made a change so non-bloggers can also participate. ALSO - If you’ve already made multiple comments they will be combined into one to make it easier for me to keep track of how many individuals have entered (i.e. only one entry per person). If you’re having trouble, with Gravatar or anything else, you can contact me and I’ll respond right away to help!
2008/04/25 1:05
OK, I had to giggle about this. I never knew about this site, but I’m new to this sort of blogging platform.
2008/04/25 1:07
I think I did it right. My sn is lesha85. Thanks for the cool giveaway. :)
2008/04/25 1:40
Rules actually state that your contest must be open to both bloggers AND non-bloggers.
2008/04/25 2:02
Okay, so I’m a nerd and I guess I signed up before but didn’t comprendo. I’m trying it now, hope my Gravatar shows up! ;)
———-
Hey, I really want to do this but when I tried to sign up it said my email is already being used but I don’t think I have one of these. Can you help me?!
2008/04/25 2:27
I hope the gravatar worked. My site is listed, but let me know if you need me to email it to you.
emily_albrecht at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the great prizes!
2008/04/25 2:50
Hmmm… do I already have a gravatar? Let’s see…
2008/04/25 6:46
The gravatar is too cool! Hopefully it works?
2008/04/25 7:00
okay i already have a avatar that shows up on most sites. i am a blogger but this needs to be open to everyone. would love to win victoria secret me and my hubby need some umph
2008/04/25 7:09
your rules were easy peasy… :D
2008/04/25 7:26
Oh gosh… I hope I did this right. I went to the site, put in my e-mail address, added an image off my computer and such but I don’t know what else I need to do. I honestly did do it though. Hopefully you’ll see it so I can be entered in your AWESOME contest!!!
2008/04/25 8:02
Does LJ count? If so I will come back and finish following the rules after I take the kids to school ;)
2008/04/25 8:31
I’ve had a Gravatar forever, but what a cute contest idea! Much nicer than the plain “this person doesn’t have an avatar” image!
2008/04/25 8:39
Okay, I did it, let’s hope it works. That was a fun requirement…didn’t even know about gravatar. Thanks for the giveaway!
2008/04/25 8:42
That was fun! What a great contest! Please enter me!
2008/04/25 9:18
I have a blog and a gravatar. It would be lovely if you get enough comments for the big prizes.
2008/04/25 9:30
Cute, and cool prizes!
2008/04/25 9:32
I’m in!
2008/04/25 9:45
Lets see if this works. . .
2008/04/25 9:46
I’m In! But you do need to make sure you are complying with the rules about the blogger/non-blogger thing. I do want there to be enough comments for the big stuff though!! check out my contest too!
2008/04/25 9:52
I’m still waiting for my confirmation email for my gravatar. :(
2008/04/25 9:57
I added my gravatar. I hope it works. Great prizes.
———-
Trying again.
2008/04/25 10:03
Thank you for doing this giveaway.
Tiffany Rosson
tiffanyannrosson AT yahoo DOT com
2008/04/25 10:07
I have had a gravatar for a while. I love it!
2008/04/25 10:15
I hope enough people enter to win the big prizes! Stop by my blog when you get time to enter my giveaways! Have a good weekend!
2008/04/25 10:23
can’t get a confirmation email for my gravatar however as someone else stated these giveaways are suppose to be open to bloggers and non-bloggers.
2008/04/25 10:28
this is my ab fab fave giveaway in this carnival!! please enter me!
2008/04/25 10:41
Well I think I did this right. I would love the Victoria’s Secret card. I’ve been needing something new.
2008/04/25 10:43
I signed up for one, but I don’t have a clue if I did it right. You may get a million comments from me trying to get mine to show up hahaha.
2008/04/25 10:57
My email address was already registered too, but I had to upload my picture. Good thing I use a standard password, because I have no recollection of ever doing this before.
2008/04/25 11:07
Hi! I am so excited! I never knew how people did this before! I would love to win your contest! Hope this works!
2008/04/25 11:14
Oh, Brain fart, sorry. You’re not Rachel, you’re Krissi, Rachel was the previous blog I read.
Is it Saturday yet?
———-
hee.
The default gravatar showed up with your comment.
2008/04/25 11:24
Thanks for doing the giveaway!
2008/04/25 11:26
This is a great giveaway. I hope you get 100 comments!
2008/04/25 11:28
I signed up….hopefully it comes through…
You have some great giveaways!
2008/04/25 11:33
You don’t have to have a blog to sign up for a Gravatar - just an email address.
———-
Arrrgghh. I tried. I can’t. My username is already in use b/c I have a WordPress account. But I can’t find my password and the password reset thingie has now failed FOUR TIMES, and support is closed! You’d think they’d make this a little easier.
2008/04/25 11:33
I think I did this right - there’s no way to know until I submit, huh?
2008/04/25 11:45
Rachel -
I just checked back to see if the rules had been changed, and noticed your comment. This is why I’m upset:
“This time, my contest rules are specific, and it will be quite obvious if you’ve not followed them. There are only two rules. First, you MUST have an active blog (and yes, I’ll be checking) and link to it in the comment form.”
———-
@0912
This is not compliant with the bloggy giveaway rules…
7. Please have your contest open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike.
I don’t think this is fair. If you are not going to follow the rules, you shouldn’t play along.
2008/04/25 12:12
I hope I did this the right way!
———-
It said it might take a few minutes to update in Gravatar… Let’s see if my widget comes up now.
2008/04/25 12:42
i did it! i hope it works. i am notorious for screwing this kind of stuff up!
2008/04/25 12:58
Mine is my sons wooden racecar
2008/04/25 13:12
Let’s see if this works..
2008/04/25 13:22
I hope I added my gravatar properly! Thanks for a great giveaway!
http://www.patryfamily.net/blog/
2008/04/25 14:04
I had no idea what the gravatars were, but these are fun. I agree, the generic blue ones are ugly. :) Hopefully mine shows up. :)
Thanks for the fun giveaway. :)
2008/04/25 14:06
Ohhh - shoot - forgot to use the addy I signed up with for the gravatar. DUH! I have a separate email account for signing up for things. Sorry.
2008/04/25 14:10
Oh and I just finished the Gravatar thingie so please enter me. Thanks.
2008/04/25 14:10
Let’s see if this works! :)
2008/04/25 14:30
Who’s got time for all those rabbit trails and reading what other people eat for breakfast. I play the compare game too much and can’t spend too much time with what others think. Don’t need a gravatar. But thanks for the pressure!
2008/04/25 14:41
Trying one more time, now that I’ve switched my email addy to all lowercase.
2008/04/25 15:14
I was already signed up but had never uploaded a gravitar. Weird! So I have one now, and hopefully it worked!
my site is http://www.qtpies7.com. I blog about crazy happenings in my house with 7 not so qtpies.
2008/04/25 15:24
well, my gravatar is a blur of part of my nose and mouth. Not sure how to fix that. LOL
2008/04/25 15:26
Ok. I think I did the Gravatar thing correctly. This is my blog addy:
http://jennifer-dazedandconfused.blogspot.com/
Jennifer
dj3hill98(at)bellsouth(dot)net
2008/04/25 15:31
I put my blog information in this post.
2008/04/25 17:48
So, If I did this right you will see my granddaughter huh?
peggie dot loden at gmail dot com
http://meetmeinthegarden.com
http://aintnoplace.com
2008/04/25 18:12
THE FIRST RULE! If you have a blog, you MUST link to it in the comment form (and yes, I’ll be checking). If you don’t have a blog, list the links to three blogs you read (and actively comment on) in your comment.
For those crying foul, she clearly offers an alternative to non-bloggers.
Great contest, and I hope to win!
(I also hope my new gravatar works.)
2008/04/25 18:15
Okay. I got the gravatar set up. If I did it right, you should see 3 (adorable, gorgeous, wonderful) kids in front of a US flag.
Did it work?
2008/04/25 19:06
I really hope I win! I already have a gravatar and I love it!
2008/04/25 19:09
I forgot in the last one to link to where my blog is. It is private, but I will add you on.
2008/04/25 19:53
That was fun setting up a gravatar. I might look for a better picture in the future. Thanks.
2008/04/25 20:42
I found out that I already had an account, just never set it up.
2008/04/25 21:22
I signed up… let’s see if it shows up now!
2008/04/25 22:28
I signed up…
2008/04/25 22:30
Done! Woot! :)
2008/04/25 22:36
Sorry! Forgot to link my blog. My bad!
2008/04/25 22:51
Your blog is familiar, so I know I signed up to enter one of your other giveaways earlier on the list. I didn’t have a gravatar yet at that point, but I promise I’m signing up as soon as they send me the confirmation e-mail (I already checked for it). Don’t delete me!
At any rate, I’m 13 weeks pregnant with my 5th child, and while that rules me out for some of Victoria’s Secret’s clothing, I’m still fair game for plenty of their items that could make me feel less like a human incubator and more like a woman. Thanks for the chance to win. :-)
2008/04/25 22:52
Your blog is familiar, so I know I signed up to enter one of your other giveaways earlier on the list. I didn’t have a gravatar yet at that point, but I promise I’m signing up as soon as they send me the confirmation e-mail (I already checked for it). Don’t delete me!
At any rate, I’m 13 weeks pregnant with my 5th child, and while that rules me out for some of Victoria’s Secret’s clothing, I’m still fair game for plenty of their items that could make me feel less like a human incubator and more like a woman. Thanks for the chance to win. :-)
The direct link is to my main MySpace. Here’s the link straight to my blog:
http://blog.myspace.com/sarahcarol
2008/04/26 0:07
Let’s see if I did this right.
2008/04/26 1:59
I think I have a gravatar… Checking :)
2008/04/26 8:54
ok, i did it, but it didn’t work in comments above. will it work this time? my luck, probably not.
2008/04/26 8:55
i knew i would screw it up somehow! i missed a letter in my email. can you say “LOSER”?
2008/04/26 17:37
Okay I did what you said don’t know if it will work
2008/04/26 17:51
Waiting for the confirmation email to get it set up…. :) Hopefully this will work!!
2008/04/26 17:51
Waiting for the confirmation email to get it set up…. :) Hopefully this will work!!
2008/04/26 21:08
This is such a great contest. Thanks for holding it, and for showing me how to get a lil picture by my name (I never knew how!)