With a Stamp and a Song: Swimming for Katie!

Monday, October 10, 2011

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. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of three with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, just before Christmas 2010...a few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it was December 23rd. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her September 18th post.

I love this darling octopus! I couldn't resist coloring her a blushing pink and giving her a little sparkly Smooch make-up! The background was colored a soft blue-green, then the ocean was dotted with pale green and pale blue-green to differentiate it from the sky. I wish the photo could've captured the pearly sheen of her crown, make-up and tentacles, but it's been raining here for three days and unfortunately, a photo under the OTT light just doesn't show those little details.

Katie, my prayers are with you and your family! I hope that you will be encouraged to see so many of your friends and colleagues rallying behind you and cheering you on! Love is such a powerful force! May you feel encircled by it like a lifesaver, buoyed by remaining in its midst! Our hearts are with you even though we may be strangers, separated by many miles!

Notes:

Copic blending paper

Octopus digital stamp

Copic markers

Clearsnap Smooch (Shabby pink "tentacles", green apple "crown", frosted aqua "eye-shadow")

Copic multiliner "mascara"

Basic Grey Indie Blooms designer paper

Spellbinders' classic circles

Satin-edged grosgrain ribbon

twine

EK waves border punch

The exclusive stamp that I used, designed by Becky Oehlers, is available in several formats...as a clear stamp, as a digital or a digi with an 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 permanent page at i {heart} papers has current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as links to make a donation.

Here are all the items available for sale.

This adorable octopus is available in three formats:

This lovely mermaid, illlustrated by Marianne Walker, is available as a digital stamp with the accompanying sentiment.

True =D Doodle's darling ribbon fish and digital paper kit is a also digital download!

The following talented designers have posted a project for Katie today. There are two more days of hops, so remember to visit i {heart} papers Tuesday and Wednesday for links to more designers! I hope you will be inspired by them to make a purchase or a donation to support Katie and her family!