Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Swimming For Katie



From October 10-12, the stamping community is joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer.  If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year.  This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight.  A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer.  Her first post about it is here.  The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here


I thought Katie might like a memento to wear while she's trying to keep swimming to remind her of all her cyberfriends that are supporting her, so I made Miss Octopus into a pin using some glossy accents:
This exclusive "Keep Swimming" stamp, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file.  100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family.  Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support.  In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale.  Direct donations are also being accepted.  Information central is HERE.  This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button. 


Keep Swimming Octopus
Peachy Clear stamp

$5.50 with free shipping

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp
$3.00 with instant download

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp with SVG cut file
$3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Mermaid DIGIstamp
$3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Ribbon Fish DIGIstamp and DIGIpapers
$5.00 with instant download


LAST MINUTE PRIZE ADDITION!
To help raise money for Katie, Creating for Causes (www.creatingforcauses.org) has generously donated a FREE ticket (value: $249.95) to one of their upcoming 3-day Scrap & Stamp Retreats.

The winner of the free ticket will enjoy 3 days of non-stop fun and creativity with fellow scrappers, stampers and paper crafters, and can choose between the Charlotte, NC Scrap & Stamp Ritzy Retreat at The Ritz-Carlton on October 21-23 or the Orlando, FL Scrap & Stamp Retreat at the Marriott World Center on November 4-6. Both retreats promise to spoil you and provide 48-straight hours of creating, camaraderie and fun!  To learn more about the events, please visit: http://www.creatingforcauses.org/our-events/scrapbook-events/.

Not only will you be raising money for Katie by making a donation, you get a chance to win a wonderful weekend getaway for yourself! And, because all of Creating for Causes' events are charity events that raise money for local charities, you'll be giving back twice!

Wow, a weekend retreat for you and two chances to help others. Does it get any better than that?

Here's how it works:

Simply make a $33 donation (or more) for Katie and indicate that you want to be entered in the Creating for Causes Retreat ticket drawing. Everyone who makes a qualifying donation will be entered into the drawing and one lucky person will be attending this 3-day retreat for FREE! That lucky person could just be you!  (If you have already donated and wish to be included, just email kate(at) iheartpapers (dot) com)

DEADLINE TO ENTER FOR THIS GIVEAWAY IS FRIDAY 9PM EST, although other donations will be accepted for weeks to come.

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation.  The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today.  I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.  
Amy Heller
Jackie Pedro
Julie Masse
Kecia Waters
Sandie Dunne
Susan Liles
Latisha Yoast
Laurie Schmidlin
Lisa Arana
Lisa Henke
Lisa Silver
Lydia Fiedler
Lyn Bernatovich
Lynette
Maria Gurnsey
Meg Craig
Melissa Bickford
Michelle Woerner
Mona Pendleton
Niki Estes
Robyn Weatherspoon
Sarah Jay
Sarah Martina Parker
Savannah O'Gwynn
Stephanie Washburn
Susanna Boyd
Tobi Crawford
Julie Lacey
Kim Kesti
Shemaine Smith
Danielle Lounds
Debbie Carriere
DoBea A.
Fran Gumprecht
Geny Cassady
Gina K.
Holly McMillen
Jak Heath
Javablustamper/Jacquie
Kimberly Crawford
Jeanne Streiff
Trudy Sjolander

If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:
Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913


Thank you for visiting my blog today.  The best comment you could leave me would be to take the time to donate to Katie instead.

11 comments:

~amy~ said...

LOVE what you've done...such a happy card and a fab event!

Maria@Crafty Cre8tions said...

A great card for this event. I love the wavy background. Awesome that you made it into a pin.

Thanks for sharing the address for cards for her too. I will send her one plus a straight donation.

Maria

i {heart} papers said...

This is so clever! What a great take on it. Thank you for helping! Please be sure to tag your card with swimkatie when you upload to SCS. Thanks!

Sarah said...

The pin is an awesome idea, Meg. I also love the way you separated the flag to use it somewhere else on the card.

Ashley Newell said...

Super cute! I love the stitched flag! Thanks for spreading the word to help Katie!

Lisa Lara said...

Absolutely brilliant Meg. Thank you for doing this for Katie!

Lindsey said...

This is for such such a worthwhile cause, and you have made such a sweet pin and card for this. Kudos to you, Meg.

Jessi Fogan said...

Leaving you a comment anyway - so there! We can do both, right?
I love your unique take on this - with all her wicked hats Katie's got lots of places to tuck this cutie & keep it with her.

Emily Leiphart said...

That pin is stunning! I love how you attached the tag, too. Very cool.

Angela said...

I'm not commenting. You know why ;)
Seriously, though -- very cool pin!

Jocelyn Olson said...

The pin is so awesome! I love the colors and patterns you used--very fabulous!