From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are 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.
I’m a mom. The idea of leaving my kids without a mom KILLS me. The pain and fear that Katie and her family must be facing is overwhelming. Here’s the rub: YOU CAN HELP. Your prayers and your money are needed here. Your ability to blog and Facebook and stamp and color are all needed now. You can buy, you can spread the word, you can send words of encouragement and you can pray. I’m asking you to do all of those things.
The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here and this scene from Finding Nemo will really pull it all home for you.
This exclusive stamp used in my sample, 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.
It’s such a cute image…. but check it out, there are lots of other options too. Here are all the items available for sale.
 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 |
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.
If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:
Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913
Want to do something else? Spread the word. Here’s a link to the Facebook event. Let’s harness the power of the Internet and raise some serious awareness and money to help this family.
But wait… there’s MORE!
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.
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.
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.
Susanna Boyd: You’re already here 
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
{{hugs}}
Susanna
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Super cute cards! I especially love the background on the first card! Very creative!!