Swimming, Swimming, Swimming!

Hey everyone! I am so proud to be participating in this wonderful blog hop that will benefit an amazingly special woman named Katie and her family. Please read on for all the details about this fundraiser and to find out how you can help!  

Although I don't know Katie personally, and you may not either, it is important for our community to come together and help when one of us is in need.  And THAT is something our crafting community does OH SO WELL! :D

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.  The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

Here is my card that I am sending to Katie today. I always start with a sketch and used the TSG125 Sketch Challenge as a jumping off point. I add lots of bling, cuz, well, I love bling and I hope Katie does too!  It also qualifies for this week's Ribbon Carousel Challenge (RCC24) "Sparkle with Sparkle".  I love this cute little card and hope you'll be inspired to make Katie a card....and perhaps even donate, using the PayPal button below, if you can.

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. 

Here are all the items available for sale.

  

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

Here's a list of today's participants!

Ashley Harris 
 Clare Buswell 
 Jessica Diedrich 
 Lisa Somerville 
 Charlene Merrick 
 Eva Dobilas 
 Judy Rozema 
 Sharon Doolittle 
 Tifany DeGough 
 Windy Robinson 
 Ashley Cannon Newell  
 Connie McCotter 
 Heidi Van Laar 
 Karen Maldonado 
 Lori Craig 
 Melissa Phillips 
 Tosha Leyendekker  
Amy Kolling 
 Angela Thomas 
 Angelica Suarez  
Angie Blom  
Becky Oehlers  
Betty Wright 
Bev Gerard  
Brenda Weaver  
Carolyn King  
Chari Moss  
Charlene Driggs  
Cindi Bisson Claire Brennan  
Corinna McGregor  
Craft Critique  
Karen Hunsaker (Rubbernecker Stamps Designer) 
Keely Yowler  
Kelly Schirmer  
Keri Lee Sereika  
Kim Hughes 
  Kimber McGray  
Kittie Caracciolo  
Kristin Eberline  
Wendy Price