Wednesday 12 October 2011

I’m Swimming for Katie, Can You Help too?

Most of you my followers know just how dear Katie Renz is to me, Katie has become part of my family over the last few years so much so that my husband, daughters, Mam and work friends always ask for updates to how Katie is doing.

Katie contacted me just before Christmas 2010 and told be the devastating news that she has stage 4 stomach cancer, I was floored. A mom of 3 wonderful boys and a loving wife of Kevin. I felt helpless I wanted to be there with her and give her a great big hug but knew it just wasn’t possible, I needed to help and this is where all of you crafting friends helped me to make a difference and give some stability with money worries for treatment for Katie.

So here I am once again desperately seeking your help, I am asking you to give what you can either in return for the fabulous stamps that are available or by donating what you can by means of the donation button.

Swimming for Katie2swim-for-katie

"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.
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.

Swimming for Katie1Swimming for Katie3Swimming for Katie4



This is a list of everyone that will give you some inspiration from the above sets today

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  Trudy Sjolander

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 , True =D Doodle Designs as well as myself have also donated digis that are for sale. Direct donations are also being accepted.

To help raise money for Katie, Creating for Causes 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 papercrafters, 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!

Here's how it works:


Simply make a $33 donation for Katie and indicate that you want to be entered in the Creating for Causes Retreat ticket drawing. Everyone who makes a donation of $33 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!


Information central is HERE. This 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.


Once again thank you all for the love you have shown to our beautiful Katie and her family.




Jak Signature

12 comments:

Tammy said...

Beautifully done Jak! Love the embellishment and the softness of the colors.

Jeni said...

Fabulous card Jak! Love the little waves of rick rack. Sending good vibes for the fundraiser. ~jeni :)

i {heart} papers said...

This is adorable! Love the ricrac and the textures. Thank you so much for helping support this cause. Please remember to tag with swimkatie when you upload to SCS. Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Great Card.
And thanks for doing this to all you!
You have written just about how I felt when I first found out last December... My son says prayers for her... my family asks about her.
I miss her cheerful voice.
My heart breaks for all...
And this fundraiser is so helpful.
Blesssings....

Shazza said...

I've just read her blog update from her husband, poor Katie
off to have a nosey at the items for sale and love your card x

Mad Mary said...

Lovely card Jak, and love the rick rack waves. Hope lots of money gets raised once again for this worthwhile cause. I bought some of the stamps as you know.

Mary x

Ashley Newell said...

What a fabulous card! Thanks for supporting this cause! I know that you put something together in the very beginning too. Katie is so lucky to have you as a friend!

Nichole Bryant said...

Beautiful card!

Lisa Lara said...

Gorgeous Jak. I love the clear baubles. Thank you for all you are doing for Katie!

Deborah Frings said...

This is just lovely with so many fabulous details. I do like the embossed panels, the lace and ribbon and super sweet octopus! Thanks to all of you for doing this for Katie and her family.

~amy~ said...

fabulous card and event!

Linda said...

Jak, here is one of the projects I used your great paper and fish on, working on more!

http://itwashereaminuteago.blogspot.com/2011/10/swimming-for-katie.html

hope you like it!