Swimming 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. 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.

I have been so touched by Katie's strength, grace, and character through this horrible event in her life. I am so happy to be able to do one small thing to help her and her wonderful family. I so wish we could all do more to take away this terrible illness from their lives. I hope all of these posts help Katie to keep swimming and keep fighting for more time!

I used the cute octopus stamp that Becky designed, it is just so so cute! I did some paper piecing and added lots of glitter to create this simple and cute card. All of the images available can be found here at i {heart} papers. If you do get one of these images, please consider sending a card to Katie using it, I know it will help lift her spirits! Her address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

The following list is all of the bloggers participating today, please be inspired by their beautiful creations and hearts.

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