Swimming For Katie Bloghop & GIVEAWAY!
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. Katie is also dear facebook-game friend of mine, and I want all of you to know her struggles, as she really needs friends and support now more than ever before.
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.
The card I made is using a digi image I drew for Katie. I have always loved the elegance of mermaids and I felt the sea stars symbolize the enduring light of stars, whose brilliance is shining upon us from the distant past, guiding the way for travelers over the eons.I colored the mermaid with E00, E11, E15, BV00, RV21, B12, BG10, B32, B34, Y02, YR02, BG13, R29, and a clear glitter pen. The paper is from Recollections, and I popped her tail up with dimensional tape.
The card that I made today is going to be given to another dear family friend who is also suffering from a terminal illness, which began over 12 years ago, and who, sadly, is not doing well. Again, my heart goes out to anyone who has to endure the pain and sorrow of debilitating illness.
I designed this digi stamp specially for Katie. 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 Mermaid, Becky Oehlers and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale (you can purchase Becky's octopus as a clear stamp as well). 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 is a full list of contributing designers for today's portion of the Blog Hop:
AJ Otto
Beate
Carolyn Mustopa
Dawn Burnworth
Deb Felts
Gretchen Belknap
Heather Jensen
Jen del Muro
Julie Ranae
Kate - i {heart} papers
Kendra Wietstock
Lisa Johnson
Loretta Lock
Lori Tecler
Lynn Mercurio
Marianne Walker
Michele Gross
Stacy aka Twinshappy
Tracy Schultz
Debbie Olson
Cindy Lawrence
Cindy Haffner
Julie Koerber
Christine Okken
Tammy Hershberger
Danielle Kennedy
Barbara Anders
Makiko Jones
Ashley N Newell
Shannan Teubner
Taylor Usry
Jen Tapler
Jenn Balcer
Jenny Chesnick
Jess Larsen
Jessica Knutsen
Jimmi Mayo
Joan Bardee
Joan Ervin
Julia Aston
Julie Day
Julie Ebersole
Thank you again for supporting Katie and her family!
Wonderful mermaid card!
ReplyDeleteThank you for helping Marianne. Beautiful card.
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ReplyDeleteI am fortunate that no one in my life is suffering from this or any other terminal disease. My heart and thoughts have been with Katie since I was led to her blog shortly after diagnosis. I hope I am your random winner so this prize can go to Katie. Peace and love. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful image for a great cause. Of course your coloring looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry your friends illness took a turn for the worse.
{{{hugs}}}
What a beautiful idea for a giveaway. I currently have no crafty friends or loved ones going through a similar disease. I am sorry that your friend is facing this and I send her love and happy thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMarianne, Cancer can make us feel helpless. You and your buds are doing something wonderful to uplift spirits and hope - hope is such a strong and loving word/feeling. I am praying for your friends. I am holding on to hope for my co-worker's wife Mei. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. She is facing her challenges with Faith and Love and support from her husband and family. God Bless you for all the things you do to help others.
ReplyDeleteTake care and STAY POSITIVE!
I love this mermaid - she's so pretty! Apart from Katie and Janelle - I don't know anyone in the states suffering so badly. So if I'm your random winner - send the prize to Katie. Thanks
ReplyDeleteLove your card Marianne! xo I'll keep Katie and her family in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteJessica Griffin
http://www.canyoupixelthis.com
Marianne, this is SUCH sweet gesture! I love the mermaid and will be adding her to my collection! Thanks for supporting Katie and donating this beautiful art!
ReplyDeletebeautiful card!
ReplyDeletebeautiful mermaid!
ReplyDeleteWonderful coloring on this lovely mermaid!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Marianne. Thank you for doing this for Katie!
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful mermaid, Marianne! Sending love and prayers to Katie.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS card what a great mermaid stamps! Thanks for being part of such a wonderful cause and outpouring of support for our Katie!
ReplyDeleteAwesome card!! Thanks for helping Katie!!
ReplyDeleteOh Marianne this card is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us! I already donated,but now I think I need this stamp as well!! :D
Beautiful creation Maryanne.
ReplyDeleteMy brother Bill went in for a "routine" surgery and ended up in ICU due to a hematoma and infection. He's been in the hospital for a week. Still waiting to see how it all will settle. He may not appreciate a COPIC prize pack but maybe his wife or daughter will enjoy it. :)
Thank you for all you do!
The first person on the hop, Miss AJ Otto, is fighting cancer. But she's so amazing, that she's putting her energy into helping someone else.
ReplyDeleteI'd appreciate a few crossed fingers when I go for a repeat mammogram on Friday. I'm hoping that the first abnormal one was a fluke. The mermaid, of course, is beautiful, and I know she'll be gracing the fronts of many cards.
First of all, my prayers are with your dear friend and her family. I am a survivor myself and most days what keeps me sane is stamping and coloring.
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend Paulette is suffering terribly with Cancer. She's had several bouts of cancer, most recently tumors on her spine and she's just been diagnosed with 5 spots on her brain. She is a strong beautiful soul that even through all her pain, she came to classes at my home so she could enjoy card making with us.
I will continue to keep Katie in my prayers and we all know that miracles do happen! Blessings to you for doing something so wonderful!
What a wonderful gesture!
ReplyDeleteMy note is for a little girl in my area who has affected a LOT of peoples lives. Anna Martin has Leukemia, and has been through a lot, but has maintained a spirit. I do not know her personally, but I am friends with many who do, and have followed her story through Facebook. She recently received a Bone Marrow transplant and everyone is extremely hopeful this will work.
If you choose me, I would love for this prize package to go to this amazingly fun girl.
My dad has been fighting Lukemia CML since 2001. It has truely been ruff this year due to the meds he is on to fight this are no longer covered by his insureance so he has to pay for it which is very costly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card with a beautiful cause! I have been and will continue to pray for Katie. I lost my dear friend this past Friday night to pancreatic cancer. Such a terrible cruel disease.
ReplyDeleteMarianne you coloring as always is superb and I love your drawing of the mermaid!
Big Hugs!
My honey is having a very hard time right now. Last Saturday we lost his younger son very unexpectedly and of course, my honey is heartbroken. Although we know that Thomas is no longer struggling with his disease, it is still hard for those of us left behind. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog today & just wanted to say I think what you're doing for Katie is wonderful & I'll keep her in my prayers. My best friend just beat Stage 2 breast cancer. The 13 year old son of my best friend from high school has been battling bone cancer for 2 years as of this month. He's lost his right leg to it. Prior to that he was an athlete & was a star on his school's football & baseball teams. He is suffering from depression & repeated bad reactions to the chemo. I ask anyone reading this to please keep Kevin Junge (pronounced: Young-ee) in your prayers. His family & friends deeply appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteYour posted card designed beautifully i appreciate your hard work...
ReplyDeletePlastic business cards
Plastic Cards