Why I Blog... and a giveaway!!

I'm thrilled that Gallamore West has reached 

{and past} 300 "likes" on Facebook!  

{Giveaway details posted at the bottom of this very long post... }

I've had this little blog here for over three years, 

but I still consider myself a new-ish blogger.  

Why?  

Because I was never consistent about posting here.  I attempted to have two separate blogs- one for sharing creative projects, and one just for my family stuff.  But I had a problem... my family life and my creative loves are all tangled up into one big beautiful messy thing called Life. 

I had a lightbulb moment back in March where I realized that I want to share all of who I am, not just part.  I love being able to...

share some of my favorite projects with you, 

like this burlap wreath

share some of my favorite days with you, 

like this time I brought the boys out to lunch

share some of my favorite parties with you, 

like Jake's Red Scooter Party


share how I'm not the kind of mom 
I thought I'd be,
like in this post here

and even share my biggest secrets with you, 

like when I had Melanoma while pregnant.

And I love blogging because I've had the opportunity to connect with some of my favorite bloggers, like...

Natalie {A Turtle's Life for Me, my sweetest bloggy friend I've never met in real life}

Jenny {Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line, fellow Mama of boys and hostess of super creative parties}

and Ashley {Little Miss Momma... she's commented a few times and I respond, so that counts as connecting, right?!  She is a doll.}

And seeing a couple of my favorite real life friends start their own adorable blogs too, like Jen {Twiddler House} and Reannah {Shaped by Grace}.

What I love most about blogging is being able to connect with YOU.  I appreciate each of you who read and follow along in my little corner of the world here.  And to thank you for that, I have an adorable giveaway opportunity to share with you!  

Giveaways on my blog are rare {after all, I prefer blogs with real content and real people, not one that just wants to attract anyone to follow} so when I host a giveaway, it will always only be something that I LOVE.

And this is something that I absolutely love!  
Our family theme song is You are my Sunshine, 
so I'm thrilled to be able to give away 

this "You are my Sunshine" sign from MissMelissBoutique to one of my lucky readers!

I am so excited to have connected with Melissa and her adorabe shop, MissMelissBoutique on Etsy!  

This girl is real, beautiful, and talented.  

And her signs are adorable.  

I have the pleasure of having one hanging in my dining room and I am in love with it.  Everyone comments on how adorable it is.  And there's no vinyl there... it's all painted.


And you have the chance to win one from
 MissMelissBoutique!

Plus Melissa is such a sweet heart that she is offering a 10% discount to Gallamore West readers during this giveaway too!!  If you just can't wait {because yes, her signs are THAT cute} you can order one now.  
Enter code Gallamorewest at checkout and receive 10% off of your sign!  They come in all different color combos, all of which are gorgeous.

There are EIGHT ways to enter to win.  
Complete any or all of these eight ways to enter to win...

{Just please be sure to comment one time for each entry you complete to increase your chances of winning!  Please leave your email address in your comments if it is not visible and/or linked to your comment.}

Winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 12:00 PM PST.    

 1.  Go to MissMelissBoutique on Etsy and check out her adorable You are my Sunshine signs. Come back and leave a comment telling me which colors you like the best.


2.  While you're looking at the You are My Sunshine signs on MissMelissBoutique on Etsy, click the little Facebook "like" button and/or the "tweet" button to share her sign on Facebook and/or Twitter!  Then come back here and let me know in a comment that you shared her sign on Facebook and/or Twitter. {One entry for sharing on Facebook, one entry for sharing on Twitter, so TWO possible entries here!}


3.  While on MissMelissBoutique on Etsy, {heart} her shop to add to your favorite Etsy shops for an entry!  Then come back here and leave a comment telling me you did.


4.  Follow Gallamore West on Google Friend Connect.  That's on the right side of this blog where it says "I love these people!"  Then comment here telling me that you follow, or if you already do, leave that in a comment.


5.  "Like" Gallamore West on Facebook.  Then comment here telling me you now "like" it, or if you already do, just let me know in a comment.


6.  Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter {one entry for EACH, so TWO possible entries here!}  Then come back here and tell me that you shared it, with a link to where you shared it.  To share this giveaway on Facebook, just copy the link of THIS post and attach it to your post telling about this fun giveaway!

Whew, so many ways to enter for a chance to win this gorgeous sign!   Good luck and thank you, thank you to Melissa of MissMelissBoutique for this adorable giveaway :)

Due to the cost of shipping this oversized item, this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  Winner will be chosen by random.org.  Winner will be given 72 hours to claim prize.  If winner has not contacted lauriegallamore@yahoo.com within 72 hours of winning, a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 12:00 PM PST.  Entries received after 12:00 PST on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 will not be eligible.  All entries must be entered as comments on THIS BLOG POST to be entered for the chance to win this giveaway.