Fathers Day Giveaway! Updated

Giveaway is now closed. Winner to be announced shortly!

It is such a privilege to announce on this special occasion that my sponsor for this giveaway is Kristen with Kristens Custom Creations, also know for her popular blog La Dolce Vita.

Kristen is a very dear friend who I have blogged with for some time now, and if you haven't seen her blog you need to go check her out.

Kristen spent 11 years working for a large fortune 500 company. After many years of infertility issues she was blessed with a son and decided to stay home with him leaving her job for the best one on the planet, Mom! She made herself a necklace with her son's name on it (same name as our son!) and from there started giving out similar necklaces as gifts which snowballed into a small business. She is living her dream of being home with her son and doing what she loves!

Kristen's jewelry has become very popular. Her designs are so beautiful and unique. Each piece is crafted by hand and hammered out with love. My kids bought(daddy bought)Carey a necklace for Mother's Day and she absolutely adores it. You can trust me when I say that if you get jewelry from Kristen you won't be disappointed.

So in honor of all of our Father's out there we are giving away your choice of either a customizable keychain which can have your kids names listed on it.



Or this Kind, Wise, Strong, keychain. Both discs on the keychains are about the size of a quarter in sterling silver. I for sure would be proud to own one.



So to get entered for your chance to win, here are the rules:

These two MUST be done to participate.

1. Become a follower of The Fort or let us know you already are.

2. Click on the button below and go to Kristen's and then come back and comment on the name of your favorite item.



Entries:

1. Follow - 1 entry.

2. Participate in Vlogemotions this week - 10 entries!.

2. Tweet this giveaway - 2 entries.

3. Stumble this giveaway - 2 entries.

4. Blog about this giveaway and link it here - 5 entries.

5. Purchase something from Kristen during giveaway - 15 entries!.

5. Leave a comment for each entry completed.

This giveaway will end this Saturday the 13th at which time one of my kids will draw the winner. So what are you waiting for? Get signed up for this great giveaway!

Love and Prayers,

Giveaway and Awards

My good friend Cari at Beauty and the Little Beast (A.K.A. Two Under Two Whew!) is having a great giveaway for a basket full of goodies all made in Seattle. It has a value of over $70 but she keeps adding to it as she finds things so who knows what its worth now.



Cari has been a very faithful friend of The Fort and I am happy to share her blog with you. Please stop in and visit her and let her know that you are also a friend of The Fort.

I also wanted to thank Carey @ Life in the Carpool Lane for this awesome award she gave me for her Earth week that she recently did. Its a Mother Earth award for doing things to help keep our planet green. Thanks so much Carey, I love your blog as well as all you are doing for our planet.



Then I also received the Queen of all things Awe-Summ award. This award was given to me from my friend Melissa @ The Erickson Looney Bin. Now I am for sure no Queen, but I will take an Awesome award any day. So I'm just going to visualize it as a King of all things Awesome. Ok? You don't mind right?



Anyway so I'm suppose to list 7 reasons why I'm Awesome. I'm opting to skip that part just as Mimi did. Then I am suppose to give this award to 7 people whom I think are also awesome. Weeeeell that's impossible since I know WAAAAY more than 7 people who are awesome. So here is how its gonna go. If you are a follower of The Fort then you are FOR SURE very Awesome! So anyone listed in our followers at the top consider this YOUR award. You are SO awesome and we are so honored to call you our friends. Please accept this award and display it proudly.

Reminders:

Make sure you join in the fun with Vlogemotions again this Thursday. The first week was a HUGE success and it is only going to become more fun as more people play!

If you would like your blog to be seen here, just add a link to The Fort on your blog and add yourself as a follower on the Blog Frog widget in the right sidebar. This will give you exposure here at The Fort, as well as give us the oppotunity to get to know you better.


Love and Prayers,

Vlogemotions Carnival and Camera Giveaway

So here it is for your VIEWING pleasure, the first ever Vlog Carnival Vlogemotions. So get your vlog post up and add this button to it. You can grab the code from the left sidebar. Then make sure you come back here and enter your URL addy in Mr. Linky so everyone can see your Vlogemotions!

I want to again thank my great friend Hollie at The Drama Mama for designing the button on the fly. It came out great! In case you didnt already know, she is the one responsible for all of my site design here at The Fort.

To commemerate the start of our first ever carnival we are giving away a video camera! Thats right ANOTHER one. This one is made for vlogging as it has an LCD monitor that can face you as you film yourself. Great for vlogging right? I thought so. Check it out!



This Jazzy little number can even record up to 60 minutes of video with a 2 GB sd card, and it has a flip USB connector so you can plug the entire camera right into your computer for quick downloading.

Here is how you enter:

You must be a follower of Fort Thompson and blog about Vlogemotions. Then just leave a comment on this post that you have done so and your entered! Easy as that. One lucky persons name will be drawn via vlog by one of my kiddos and announced soon. So help get the word out about this fun carnival and win a video camera at the same time.

Have fun viewing all of these great vlog post. Some will be funny, some will be sad, but they will all be VERY much worth the look. Also PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment of encouragement to each vlog you view as it did take quite a bit of courage for many of these bloggers to post in this manner. Let them know how much you appreciated and enjoyed it even if you normally wouldnt do so. You will be surprised at how much it means to them.

Happy Vlogging!


Love and Prayers,

Support the Troops Giveaway!

One of our very loyal prayer soldiers Cari over at Two Under Two, Whew! is having a great giveaway! She is giving away a care package that includes: magazines, stationery, candy, cookies, coffee, tea, soap, lotion, lip gloss, pedicure kit, tea, partylite candles, just to name a few.



The best part about this giveaway is that by following the directions when you register, she will donate some of these care items to soldiers in Iraq on your behalf. How cool is that! So make sure you get over to her blog and enter this giveaway so that more comfort items will be sent to more soldiers. Support from back home to them is more important than you will ever know, and as you probably have gathered, Fort Thompson supports our troops! Make sure you tell her Tim at Fort Thompson sent ya!

Giveitaway Giveitaway Giveitaway NOW!

This weeks giveaway is sponsored by Kristen at Kristen's Creations. I'm so excited to host this giveaway as I have always really liked the work she does with the frames she makes. So without any further ado, I would like to introduce to you Kristen.

Hi, my name is Kristen, I'm a mother of one and wife to a great guy of 15 yrs. I worked at an interior store for several years until it recently closed. I have done silk and fresh floral design and am now getting my creativity out by designing frames. Some of them are done in a 3d manor inside the frame, and others you can put your own picture inside. I started making these Christmas 2007 and sold several in the shop. When the shop closed, I decided to try selling them online and to customers in my hometown. I hope to come up with allot more designs soon. I can also custom make one of your choice as long as the materials are available. Please visit my blog at Kristen's Creations. Thank you!

Now that you have met Kristen, let me show you a few of the examples of Kristen's work. Please feel free to click on any image to enlarge for better viewing.

So now that you have an idea of what Kristen does, let me show you how we do it here. We giveitaway giveitaway giveitawaynow! There are two wonderful frames being given away, the first is this initial frame in which Kristen will fashion whatever initial you like to customize it.

The second is this great Spring frame:

Both of these frames will allow you to put your own pictures in them if you like. They are both being given away. There will be separate winners for each frame here are the rules:


This giveaway is open to anyone who would like to enter.

Leave a comment on this post and receive two entries one for each frame.

Giveaway ends Sunday March 22nd at 12:00 noon CST.

You can leave a comment each day during the contest period for 2 additional entries per day. Please only one comment per day per person. This is a total of 12 possible entries per person, if entered each day during the giveaway period.



That's it! So get on over to Kristen's Creations and check out her blog. Also go by her Etsy Store and view some of the other great frames that she makes. Many of these are customizable if the materials are available. They also make super Mother's Day gifts! Make sure you tell her you saw her giveaway here at Fort Thompson!

If you have a product that you would like to advertise here at The Fort in a giveaway, we want to hear from you! Send me an email if you are interested or know someone who might be.



Love and Prayers,

Giveitaway Giveitaway Giveitaway NOW!

You guessed it, another giveaway. In addition to the one I am having now and the one I am starting next week, my really good friend Hollie @ Drama Mama Designs (she did my blog) is doing a giveaway for a FREE photgraphy shoot for those in the DFW area. Not only is the sitting fee free, but you get all the shots after editing on a disk. Anyone that knows anything about buying rights knows that this can cost up to 250 dollars an image. You can get all the images for free to post and print as you like. So get on over and check out her giveaway! Here are some images from this photographer who is sponsoring her giveaway.






And this is in Hollie's words:

So here's the scoop....Camily will do a shoot for an individual, children, or a family in the Dallas area (or if you feel like driving to Dallas). She will shoot on location at the Arboretum, or any of the locations you see on her photography blog (and is open to suggestions if you have another idea). She will spend about an hour with the winner or long enough to get some good photographs. Camily will then edit the images and give you a copy of a CD with all the good photos for you to print as you would like. The value of the photo shoot AND photo CD is $250!!!

Wilibleu Giveaway!

This weeks AWESOME giveaway is sponsored by Tania Wood at Wilibleu. Tania is an expert at interior design on a budget. She has chosen to start Wilibleu as a means of sharing with others her secrets for creating amazing looks without having to spend an arm and a leg.

So before I get into the giveaway, please take a moment to meet Tania.

My name is Tania Wood, I am a wife and mother of 2. I have always been a very creative and energetic person, with a strength in imagining how things should be put together to create an image. I use that energy and creativity to constantly search for items that match my mental pictures.



Now that both kids are in school and we are settled into our new home in Maine, it is time to share my creative thoughts and things that I have found. Over the years I have learned secrets about putting together a room or an outfit. I have learned how to reach the look without breaking the bank. I want share these secrets with you and my website Wilibleu.com will help me!

By the way, WiliBleu is a gift from my kids. The name was created from parts of their middle names.






There are two prizes involved in this giveaway. The first is this "My Bag Cares Bag".

The “Original” My Bag Cares Bag

100% Reusable and Washable

For every bag purchased at tree is planted in the U.S.A.
You will look Eco-Fabulous carrying this bag around!

55% linen and 45% untreated cotton.

The second part of the giveaway is for a Tiny Tiara.

Each ornamental crown has been reproduced by skilled glass craftsmen – completely made by hand! They are fragile glass. Not a toy..

These tiny little tiaras may vary slightly in color and shape. Each one is unique.. Approx. 3 inches tall

These two items will be given away to two seperate winners. Therefore you can enter to win just one or both depending on how many entries you want.

Here are the rules:

Leave a comment stating which things you have done so that we will know how many entries you are owed. You will be entered that many times into each items drawing, however you can only win one. In other words if you win the first drawing then you are not eiligible to win the second.

Entries:

Post a comment that you want to be entered. = 2 entries

Additional Entries:

If you are a follower of Fort Thompson or become one. = 2 entries

Post about this giveaway on your site. = 4 entries

Be a follower or become a follower of the Fort Thompson Blog Frog. = 2 entries

Visit Wilibleu and purchase something. = 10 entries

Tell someone about this giveaway and have them mention your name in their comment. = 4 entries.

Thats a total of 24 possible entries!!! Does it get any better?


This giveaway will end on Saturday March 14th at 12:00pm.


So get on over to Wilibleu and leave Tania some love! Make sure to tell her Fort Thompson sent ya!



Love and Prayers,

Say it on a Sign Giveaway Winners!!

Today Taylor and Will drew names for the sign giveaway. I wanted to again thank April at Say it on a Sign for sponsoring this giveaway. Again make sure you visit her site, she has really great handmade signs that cannot be beat in price. The same type signs can be found at Hobby Lobby for triple the cost.

Please play close attention in this video to my son and daughter. I normally wouldn't give you a look into such things, however I want you to see Fort Thompson for how it is everyday. My son says in the beginning that he just poo pooed, and my daughter is making sure by holding her nose that I know about it. I normally would have edited this out and just shown the announcements of the winners, however I thought this would add some additional humor to your day. I had much difficulty trying to keep my composure through the entire thing. Also pay attention to my daughter at the end who chooses to throw in a few modeling poses of her own. And now for your WINNERS!!!!









So if you are one of our Lucky Winners please email or leave a comment with your contact info so I can get it to April. If no repsonse is received within 48 hours another name will be drawn. Thanks for playing!

Love and Prayers,

Signs Say Giveaway!

I have had the honor of getting to know one of the sweetest people you will ever meet thru Fort Thompson. Her name is April Woosley and her blog is Say-it-on-a-Sign, and she is sponsoring this great giveaway! She makes custom antique signs that look just like they jumped straight out of the 30's or 40's. I remember wondering when I first saw them how in the world she does it. Of course I now know however I am sworn to secrecy so don't ask.

Take a peek at these awesome examples:

These signs are all handmade from the distressing, painting, sanding, staining and then repeating the process over and over until it is just right. April will not leave a sign until it looks just like it did indeed jump right out of the 30's as if in a magic time machine. Each sign is done in the size, colors, and custom text of your choosing within reason. They are all also wall ready with sawtooth hangers. She does not even start a sign until it is ordered. You can always go with one of the ones she already has made if decisions aren't your thing. However, customization to me is one of the things that makes this so attractive. So make sure that you hop over to Say-it-on-a-Sign and check them out. April has tons of signs listed on her blog. Make sure to leave her a comment, and tell her Tim at Fort Thompson sent ya!

There will be not only one winner, but two just to increase your chances!



Here are the rules:

Leave a comment on this post that you wish to be entered. One entry

Giveaway ends March 8th at 10:00AM Winners to be drawn and posted the same day.

Check back here at The Fort to see if you won!



It doesn't get any easier than that.

Good Luck!



Love and Prayers,

Houston We Have Some Winners!

Thank you to all of our followers who participated in the giveaway. One of these days I will figure out a way for everyone to win. Watch out for more giveaway's here in the future. The next one will be open to anyone wishing to enter.


I also would like to again thank Hollie at Drama Mama Designs for sponsoring my first giveaway. We have come to know Hollie quite well since winning her makeover. She is one in a zillion I tell ya, and it shows that she's true blue Texan! So again, if you are interested in a professional blog make over and you want it done right then click the button below. Please do keep in mind because she is so good she is in high demand so there is always a little wait on her list. Trust me though when I say a wait on her list no matter how long will always be worth it.

So click the video below to view the winners of our first giveaway!






If you were a winner please email me to arrange delivery of your prize. If your not a winner, please leave a comment and give some friendly congrats to those that did.

Giveaways End Tonight! Update

I just wanted to add on the eve of my first giveaway winners announcement that I am honored to call all of you who have followed The Fort my friends. I narrowed the field a bit by only offering these giveaways to my followers because I wanted someone I know to win. I'm sure I will have many more giveaways as well as contests in the future that will be open to all who wish to enter.

So as I have now gone over the 100 mark in followers I wish to thank each and everyone of you personally, and especially those who visit often and always leave comments. I am very big on leaving comments as it really can mean allot to someone who isn't expecting it, especially those who are new to the blogging world. So the next time you find yourself wondering onto a newer blog, please consider leaving them a comment, because you never know how much it might mean to someone.

So we are down to an hour and a half remaining. Get your entries in now, and best of luck to you all!


******************************

If you haven't entered the giveaways for the free blog makeover or the Twilight Saga Hardback Book Collection, now is the time! It's not too late. Get your entries in by following the directions on the post below!

New Look and Giveaway!

Wow! Can you believe this? You have to leave a comment and tell me what you think of my new look. You cane also answer the poll about it on the right below our pictures! It was done because of a contest I won for a Ultimate Blog Design Makeover by Hollie at Drama Mama Designs. Doesn't she do great work?

It has been so much fun getting to know Hollie and working along with her to make sure everything was done to my liking. She insisted that she would not install anything without my approval, as well as knowing that I was totally happy with it. She is all about total customer satisfaction, and did this even though I was not a paying customer. I was always treated like her most important client and for that I am so grateful. She is so professional about all she does, and if you are in the market for a great new look, go over and visit Hollie and you will find unbelievable designs at unbeatable prices, not to mention the finest service around.

Her daughter is having some tests done Thursday morning at 10am so please be keep her in your prayers.

As a way of commemorating this occasion on my blog I am doing my first GIVEAWAY! You got it, and the best part about it is this. There are TWO different giveaway's!

The first:

It's an Ultimate Blog Design Makeover by Hollie just like mine. Well not just like mine but something that would fit you and your blog. I have to thank Hollie in advance for allowing me to host this great giveaway. I thought it to be a great idea since it is being done in commemoration of the new look she has done for me. It will give you a chance to see her work and know the unbelievable value of this giveaway! Besides there is nobody else I would rather offer you their services than Hollie.

Here are the details from Hollie on the giveaway:

The giveaway will include an Ultimate Blog Design Makeover w/nav bar (an $80 value).

That includes:
Custom Header (with or w/o picture)
Custom background/layout to match
up to 8 custom matching labels for sidebar
Option of 2 or 3 columns
Custom signature
Custom button to match header
Installation

And let me just tell you that everything she does is totally custom.

In addition to The Ultimate Blog Design Makeover I will also have a giveaway for this:




Oh yeah you guessed it! That is Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga Collection in hardback form. It is an 85 dollar value! I thought that this would be enticing since there are so many of you out there that are so into this story.

The best part about this entire thing is that you can pick which giveaway you wish to register for. I thought it would be beneficial to give everyone a choice since I know that when I see a giveaway that is something I already have or don't need I just don't register. I wanted you to have a choice, so here it is. Hopefully the things I have chosen will be things that you would enjoy having. You can even split your entries between both if you would like to register for both giveaways. Here are the ways to obtain entries.


Here are the rules to get entered:

Only one giveaway per blog entry. So if you desire to be registered for both then you need to specify on each comment entry which giveaway you want those entries to go to.

1. You must first be a follower of Fort Thompson (2 entries)

After this qualification is met you may add to your entries in the following ways:

2. Posting the new Fort Thompson button in your sidebar of your blog (2 entries)
3. Posting about this giveaway on your blog and linking back to The Fort (2 entries)
4. Posting a link to Fort Thompson in your blog roll (1 entry)
5. Posting The Drama Mama Designs button on your blog (1 entry)

You must leave a comment for each entry so that it can be individually verified as well as which giveaway that entry is to count for. If you are leaving a comment for a requirement that earns more than one entry then please leave info in your comment as to which giveaways each go toward. Any entries that don't have a giveaway specified will not count. So you can have a total of 8 entries and can split them up accordingly among each giveaway based on which ones you are interested in the most. Example all entries on one giveaway or split them evenly, whatever you decide. It's as easy as that folks! So good luck to you all and thanks to all of you who follow Fort Thompson!

If you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section or send me an email. The address is posted in my profile.

Giveaway

The giveaway for a free Deluxe Custom Blog Makeover and the Twilight Saga Book Collection in Hardback form will end Tuesday the 17th at 12:00pm CST. The winners will then be announced on Thursday the 19th.

GOOD LUCK!!!