Blogger Mentor Needed: Part Duece

Okay, so this part 2 to my previous post in my quest to learning more about Blogger and the blogging community.  I'm looking for someone to answer these questions because the all knowing Google didn't help me enough.  :)

Here are some questions that have me stumped.

1. How do y'all get items for giveaways? Like Target giftcards, or the AMAZING pencil sharpener, or packs of Scentos markers?  Are ya buying the items and then raffling them off?  I'd love to have a giveaway (to celebrate newbie blogger moments) but not sure how to get that ball rolling. 
2. Fonts.  I want to use some different fonts on the blog. But all my posts are boring Times.  In the writing part, there are maybe 7 options, all of which are boring.  Suggestions? 
3. Lastly (for now at least), I know how to show a blog roll of favorite blogs. Do you know if there is anyway to connect my blog to BlogLovin to pull the blogs I actually follow over to my blog roll instead of me typing every single URL into the widget? 

Again -- thanks for the help. Feel free to leave comments (I love 'em!) or send me an email. Keep an eye open for Part Tres because I'm sure it's going. 

Where do YOU turn when you need blog help? Any favorite tutorials online I haven't found??

Taking Mentor Applications

Clearly I've figured out blogger.  I know how to write a post, add pics, link to other sites.  I have even made my own linky button (proud moment there). But here are some questions I have. Feel free to answer in the comments (have I mentioned I love comments?) or send me an email.  If you would love to actually be my go-to person for blogging help or even classroom connecting, send me an email. :) 

So, the more involved I get with the blogging community, the more I realize I need help.  And one of my BIGGEST pieces of advice I have for new teachers is to find a mentor.  The mentor can guide you as you need through your first year and help you find what works and what doesn't, teaching you the ins and outs of the building community you are now a part of.    Well...I'm taking my own advice in a sense and looking for a blogging buddy to help me figure out some of the "what seems like" blogging basics. 

Here we go...this what I know that I don't know, yet:

1. Post a link in someone else's comments.  If I'm responding on someone else's blog and want to link to one of my posts, how do I do that without putting the entire link? For instance, how do I link the whole url to a single word in a comment. *I know how to do that in my own posts, just not in comments*
2. This is similar I guess....but when I DO leave comments elsewhere, I want to leave my blog address but not have the whole stinking thing showing.  I'd like it to say Cantrell's Got Class and then it link back to here. And once I figure that out, is there a shortcut or do i have to type it every single time? 
3. How do I create my own blog button to have posted on my sidebar with the HTML so that it links back to my site? 
4. For those that have purchased a blogger design, how much input did you have? I have no idea what color scheme etc I would want yet would want it to reflect me.  Just curious.  
5. I have a few blogger specific questions (line justification issues, fonts, etc), example: when I added teh Newbie Blogger pic, the text all above it went smaller and indented...how do i fix THAT?!?

And I suppose that's it...for now.  Expect part 2,3,4....etc until I get it allll figured out :) 

Again, feel free to leave your answer in the comment or email me.  Thanks a bunch!

What do YOU do when you have blogger questions and Google isn't much help??