Swim for Katie Blog Hop & Fundraiser

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 digi 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

Thank you!

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


Betty Wright


Bev Gerard


Brenda Weaver


Carolyn King


Chari Moss


Charlene Driggs


Claire Brennan


Corinna McGregor


Craft Critique


Karen Hunsaker (Rubbernecker Stamps Designer)


Keely Yowler (You are here)


Kelly Schirmer


Keri Lee Sereika


Kim Hughes


Kimber McGray


Kittie Caracciolo


Kristin Eberline


Wendy Price

I created my card with the digi octopus designed by Becky Oehlers and colored with Copic markers. I also used beautiful patterned papers by Prima, ink by Colorbox, sentiment stickers by Echo Park, flower and button by Jeni Bowlin, border punch from Martha Stewart and lace/ribbon/fiber from my own stash.

PLEASE consider a donation for this VERY worthy cause! And if you can't donate at this time, remember prayers are free and Katie can use all the prayers we can offer! Thank you!