HUGE End of Year Clearance Blowout!

Beginning today (Dec. 20) IHP is doing an end of year inventory blow out with savings up to 75% off on some products! Hundreds of items on steep markdown including:

- Unity Itty Bittys only $3.25
- All other Unity sets $5-$7 (that's 75% OFF!!!)
- All 6x6 pads only $3.50
- All Echo Park and MME 12x12 kits 50% off
- All Hero Arts sets (including die and stamp sets) 50% off
- Lawn Fawn 50% off
- Market Street Stamps 50% off
- All My Cute Stamps 50% off
- All Technique Tuesday, including Ali Edwards sets, at least 50% off
- All Lifestyle Crafts nesting dies only $12
- All Spellbinders Nestabilities only $12
- 3D Embellishments $0.50 - $2
- Zva bling only $1
and much, much more! Check the sale page for more amazing deals!
Sale will run while supplies last or until New Year's Eve.

SHOP NOW!

Five Minute Friday: Happy Birthday

Happy Friday!!  Thank you to everyone who hopping along with our joint Market Street Stamps DT Challenge hop on Tuesday. 

We had so many comments that I decided to draw two winners!  SO, congrats to Kelli H and Marianne S.  Contact me and let me know which in stock MSS set you would like and your mailing address!

This week also marked the one month of Katie Renz’ passing and the birthday of her oldest, Hunter.  I made another deposit from the Swimming for Katie fundraiser this week also – almost $1200, which her husband tells me will go towards her memorial marker. 

This is the birthday card I made for Hunter.  I used Paper Smooches My Peeps and Sentiment Sampler, stamped in Memento inks with Copics.  I hand cut the tag and attached it with dimensional dots and red Divine Twine.  

Later today we’re going to cut down our Christmas tree (the dogs are going to “help”) and this weekend is big Christmas prep weekend.  I hope you have a great day and weekend.  Thanks for popping in today!

DT Challenge: IHP and MSS hop!

Welcome to the i {heart} papers and Market Street Stamps combined teams blog hop!  We're so excited to have you join us, and we know you're in for a real treat!

 

I am the first stop on the hop and I welcome you!  You'll go from there to the blogs of our designers and finish up at the Market Street Stamps blog.  If you get lost, both company blogs have the complete list of links.

 

I have two projects to show you today and a sale to tell you about and a GIVEAWAY!  But first, a little about our two companies.

about i {heart} papers:

i {heart} papers is proud that we recently celebrated our 3rd anniversary in October. We’ve grown by leaps and bounds and have not strayed from our core principle of stellar customer service with FAST and FREE shipping. You ALWAYS receive free shipping with your $50 US order/$150 CAN order with no gimmicks or restrictions like so many other companies, and orders are almost always shipped within 24 business hours. We’re thrilled to be hopping along with the MSS team today and to be carrying the MSS line of stamps. If you’ve never ordered from us before, please mention that you learned about us on this hop for a free gift with your first order!  Please visit us at www.iheartpapers.com, “like” us on Facebook (where you'll find over 1900 other IHP fans!) and follow us on Twitter (@iheartpapers).  

 

SALE ALERT:  Enjoy the hop! If you order by Wednesday midnight EST, all MSS sets are 15% off! 

 

GIVEAWAY ALERT:  Leave UNIQUE comments along the hop to be entered in a drawing to win one free MSS set. The more you comment, the more chances to win!  You have until Wednesday at midnight...winners will be announced on the ihp blog on Friday!

about Market Street Stamps:

Market Street Stamps, LLC, was founded in January 2010 by Angelica and Jorge Suarez, a husband and wife team who create unique stamps made from peach-tinted photopolymer, the best available on the market today! Market Street Stamps' goal is to produce durable, high quality designs that you'll turn to again and again! We are thrilled to be hopping with i {heart} papers and their incredibly talented design team today! Be sure to "like" us on Facebook for the latest releases and project ideas from our Design Team!

 

For the card above, I used Prancer and pieced together a greeting from Essential Holiday Elegance.  I LOVE that greeting set and is so pretty and versatile.  (Note about Prancer from MSS:  Due to the small nature of this stamp, some of the intricate details in the antlers and hind leg may not be completely evident depending on your ink/stock selection.)   I got very good results using smooth cardstock and Memento inks.

 

I stamped him 3 times with Burnt Umber ink and then added some red Stickles to make Rudolph and then added some red metallic velvet ribbon.  It is SO sparkly (and comes in several other colors including green, white, silver, and more) and was the perfect addition to fill the space in the corner. 

 

For my second project I created a little treat box for Reindeer Food using one half of a clear card box.  Then I scored and adhered some paper from December 25 using i {stick} papers (our exclusive redline tape – packaged and wound especially for us - comes in 60 yard rolls and has an extremely high temperature resistance so you could emboss with it if you wanted to).  It’s also ultra strong and clear so you don’t see it peeking through on your project.  I stamped Prancer on some smooth vanilla cardstock and used the greeting from the set.  I punched some holes in the side and made a handle using some dark green pom pom trim (it’s very slightly wired so it stands up on its own and you don’t need to knot it through the holes – bonus!)   Lastly I mounted Prancer using my Circle Nesties and added some Zva bling.

 

For the treat bag, I used a clear card envelope A2 size and filled it with:

• 1 cup uncooked oats
• Cookie decorating sugar crystals in red and green
• White dusting flakes (for cake decorating)

Some recipes will tell you to use craft glitter but if you’re spreading it outside, squirrels and birds will eat it and the glitter is dangerous.  So please only use sugar.   Be kind to the animals!

 

I sealed the envelope, used some coordinated paper from the same line and then printed the poem.  My template is here if you’d like to use it.

 

Phew…I know that was a lot to read!  Thanks for sticking with me!  From here, you're headed to Amy Kolling’s blog.  Enjoy the hop!  Thanks for your comments!  Remember to order your MSS from IHP before Wednesday to get the 15% discount!

 

i {heart} papers <---you’re here
Amy Kolling
Brenda Weaver
Carolyn Mustopa
Deb Felts
Dobea Alberts
Gretchen Belknap
Julie Day
Kendra Wietstock
Loretta Lock
Lori Tecler
Lynn Mercurio
Michele Gross
Samantha Casey
Stephanie Muzzulin
Stephanie Washburn
Tifany DeGough
Tracy Schultz
Market Street Stamps

See you again soon!

Cyber Monday!

Just a quick post about my Cyber Monday sale:

All Spellbinders are 40% off!

All open stock 12x12 paper is 85% off. That means most sheets are 15 cents or less!

All Unity stamps are 50%.

All Our Craft Lounge stamps are 50% off.

All flock, including Sparkly Fluff is 50% off.

All FlowerSoft is 50% off.

All Hero Arts stamps are 30% off.

All embossing folders are 30% off.

All Palette full sized ink pads are only $2! (Normally $5.50)

And as always, free US shipping with your $50 order! Have a great day!

With Gratitude: You! And Black Friday coupon

Today I am thankful for all of you…my loyal customers…thankful for the friends you refer and thankful that you return time and time again to support me and my store.

Today’s card uses the Lawn Fawn Turkey Day and Paper Smooches Chit Chat. I colored the turkey with Copics and die cut it with my circle Nesties. They’re stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and I just layered a piece of brown faux suede ribbon along the edge. Quick and simple!

(I am a vegetarian so I’m not usually of a fan of turkey images for Thanksgiving but this one was so stinking cute that I couldn’t resist it. This Thanksgiving I adopted Antoinette through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey program.)

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for…our Black Friday weekend special.

Don’t forget that the new and improved wishlist is active. You can save items and then send that list to significant others so you get exactly what you want! And, there’s always gift certificates too! See a note about those below.

For Black Friday, (which really valid Wednesday 11/23-Sunday 11/27)

- 25% off EVERYTHING storewide (in stock items only, not valid on gift certificates) using code (min. order $35): black25off

- 10% gift certificate bonus. IHP will add an additional 10% of the value of the gift certificate during this sale. (25% discount does not apply to GCs.)

And, as always, free shipping with your $50 US order or $150 CAN order.

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope you take some time to remember what you are thankful for this season, and to keep those less fortunate in mind. I know I will be thinking of Katie Renz’ family as they are missing her so much.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Amazing…for Katie

Hello!  Happy Monday! 

Today I wanted to share the last card I sent Katie while she was alive.  Somehow I knew it would be the last and wanted to let her know just how amazing I thought she was and had been through her whole battle and how lucky I was to know her.  And that we would take care of her boys, young and old after she was gone.  I used some Echo Park Country Drive paper, my scallop Edgeabilities, some Zva bling, Paper Smooches Chit Chat and the flower I made from the sheer pull ribbon that I made on this video.  I stamped the greetings in Palette ink.

She was amazing.  And I still think about her every day.  And I miss her. 

Thankfully her twins had a great birthday weekend.  They were showered with cards and gifts from many generous stampers like you.  So, thank you.  Hunter’s birthday (he’ll be 12) is December 1 so that’s next up for them, after getting through Thanksgiving.

Well…that’s it for today.  I’ll be back on Wednesday to announce our Black Friday sale.  Have a great week!

Five Minute Friday: Renz Twins (Teapot Tuesday)

Hello!  Today’s cards were made for Will and Nate Renz, the soon to be 6 year old twins of Katie, who recently passed.  This will be their first birthday without their mom and I wanted to make it a little special for them.  I am also thrilled that one of the Swimming for Katie participants helped coordinate a Teapot Tuesday challenge for them!  So, these cards are my first TT Challenge!  You can see the gallery for them here.  If you play along please tag your cards MMTPT172.

The boys LOVE cars and trucks (and Legos).  I sent them some remote controlled Cars 2 cars.  Shhh…it’s a surprise! 

For my cards I used the new Paper Smooches set, My Guy, a sentiment from What A Card! and the new Authentique Gathering pad for some quick and simple cards.  Stamped in Memento and colored with Copics.  The clouds are popped up with some dimensional dots.  That’s it!

Their birthday is tomorrow so if you’d like to send a card, you can send it to:

PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Thanks for popping in today!  Be sure to check back next week.  I’ll have a Black Friday sale for you.  :)  Have a good weekend!

DT Challenge: SRM Calendars

Today’s DT Challenge is sponsored by SRM Stickers and we’re highlighting their calendars.  I LOVE these things.  They make such amazing gifts. 

For my project I used some Decor Boardz that I picked up at a scrapbooking show and have been hoarding for about 5 years  I decided it was finally time to alter them! 

So, I mounted my calendar stickers on white cardstock and then used papers from Echo Park’s Victoria Gardens Collection Kit. 

Before I mounted it I added some scallops using my Scallop Edgeabilities (love those).  Then for some extra touches I added some Zva Flutter pearls and pearl flourishes.

To hold everything together (since it was going on non-paper, I used our very own i {stick} papers redline tape.  Did you know we have our very own redline tape?  60 yards rolls, made  specifically for IHP.  The adhesive system offers a secure bond even at elevated temperatures and was originally made for the mounting of ABS plastic parts in the car industry. It is also used for the mounting of decorative profiles and mouldings in the furniture industry. You can use this particular redline tape (they don't all have this property) was made to endure heat, you can emboss with it. Temperature Resistance: 392° F (short term) and 176° F (long term) How nuts is that? I don't think we're going to be playing with super high heat on our PAPER projects but that just goes to show you how strong and amazing this stuff is. And, at 24 cents a YARD, it can't be beat.

Then I used Fancy Tags Two and added some Nestabling pearls.  I stamped the year in Memento Black using our exclusive Mint Motif I’ve Got Your Number.  It is popped up using some dimensional dots and isn’t attached to the top so that it didn’t tear if it got jostled, and so it could be folded back for gift packaging.

Lastly I used some Lace Pearl trim to hang it. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the team’s projects:

• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori
• Lynn
• Tracy

Thanks for stopping in today!

Five Minute Friday: MSS Peace

I made this quick card to send to Katie’s mom.  I used Market Street Stamps Hippie Chic for the saying, stamped in Palette ink a cut out with Labels One and Labels One Small and then just added a strip of Country Drive paper and some fabric lace tape and gemstones.

Katie Renz’ memorial service is Monday.  Her obituary and guest book is here.  The paper crafting community got a nice mention for all of our support of her. 

Thanks for stopping in today.  If you have a moment, please go and leave Kevin and the boys a comment on the obit page.  I know they will appreciate reading through them when they’re not so deeply mourning.

Have a good weekend!

Katie’s Sympathy card

I mailed off a sympathy card to Kevin and the boys today for Katie.  It was hard.  It puts some weird finality on it. 

I made this card using The Petal Press Summer Garden, stamped in Memento ink and colored with Copics and Stickles and then some Glossy Accents on the jar.  I used some Gathering paper and my oval Nesties.  Lastly I added a touch of lace and pearl trim as a finishing touch.

I wanted it to be simple yet classy and beautiful, just like Katie.  The sparkly Stickles remind me of her shining smile.  If you’d like to send a card, here is the mailing information:

The Renz Family
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Have a good day!  Thanks for sharing part of it with me!

Katie – final update

It is with a very heavy heart that I write to you to let you know that Katie has passed.  Early this morning at 5:10am PST she passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family until the very end.

Sympathy cards can be sent to:

The Renz Family
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Also, in case you're interested, the twins, Nate and Will, will be turning 6 on Nov. 19th and Hunter will be 12 on Dec. 1.  It would be wonderful if we could shower them with cards for their special day, just like their mom would do.  Kevin's birthday is November 17.

I am at a loss for any other words other than thanking you from the bottom of my heart.  The donation link is still live on the left side of the blog and items are still available for sale for the family fundraiser if you feel so moved.

All the information is HERE. 

Thank you for you support of Katie and for keeping her boys and Kevin in your thoughts.

With much sadness,

Kate

Five Minute Friday: Carolyn’s card

Happy Friday!!!  Today’s card was a quick card I made for DT member Carolyn for her birthday last week.  I used the new Gathering paper from Authentique to make the 3 panels and then my circle Nesties with some Zva bling and a sentiment from Very Square Sentiments, stamped in Memento ink.  That’s it!  Easy peasy! 

There are some new items in the store so be sure to check out the new section for Paper Smooches and other goodies!

Please don’t forget the Swimming for Katie stamps are still available and the donation link is still live.  Katie was moved into the Hospice House this week and it’s been pretty somber.  You can read about it here.

The twins’ birthday is November 19 (and her hubby Kevin’s is the 17th) so if you’d like to send cards, I know that they would be appreciated.  The boys (Will and Nate) will be 6. 

PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Thank you for continuing to keep Katie and her family and friends in your thoughts.

Have a good weekend.  I know I’m sure looking forward to that extra hour of sleep!

Five Minute Friday: Let The Good Times Roll

Just a quick CAS card for today.  I used Market Street Stamps Hippie Chic set, stamped in Memento ink.  The rest of the elements are from Echo Park’s Happy Days Collection Kit and then added some Zva bling and popped up the main focal image with my favorite Sticky Thumb dimensional dots.  That’s it! 

Have a great weekend!  Don’t forget, you can still get all of the Swimming for Katie images. 

We’re supposed to be getting SNOW this weekend.  Crazy!!  We never get snow this early.  Stay warm, stay safe!

Five Minute Friday: Fight Like A Girl

Hello!  Happy Friday!  I have a quick card today, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month using the new Paper Smooches set, Hope and some more Angel Pink Tsukineko Fireworks.  I stamped in Memento inks and then added some white satin ribbon, some pink shimmer ribbon and my new scallop Edgeabilities.  I love these things.  Super fast.

Congratulations to Miriam Prantner who said...

Adorable. I too have a princess at home who would love this glittery wand!

(on Lori’s blog).  You’re the winner of the Fireworks giveaway from this week’s DT Challenge.  Please contact me with your mailing address so I can get them out to you. 

Swimming for Katie is still ongoing.  We made the first deposit for over $5800 this week, so thank you.  Katie has been having some radiation treatments to stem the bleeding on the tumor and is home resting but with all three boys’ birthdays coming up in Nov/Dec, they really need our help.  Please donate or purchase if you haven’t already.  All the information is here.  There’s even this beautiful shawl up for a random donor who donates $50 or more by 10/26.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a great weekend!

DT Challenge: Tsukineko Fireworks

Today’s DT Challenge is being sponsored by Tsukineko.  They graciously provided my DT with samples of their new Fireworks for us to play with so all of our samples today will be highlighting them! 

For my card I used the Angel Pink Fireworks and dyed this white satin ribbon.  It’s normally 1” wide but I folded it over to make it thinner.  If you look closely you can see how even and shimmery it is.  Then I used my dimensional dots to hold the little ribbon on.  I used the new Paper Smooches Hope set (just released this month for Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and created the background myself.  All inks are Memento.  Then I went over the “hope” with some diamond Stickles.

Please remember to keep Katie Renz in your thoughts.  If you missed the Swimming for Katie please check it out.  The donation button is still live and there are still items for sale and 100% of the profits go to Katie’s fund. 

Also,  I’ll be giving away some Fireworks to a random commenter ON TODAY’S DT POSTS so the more you hop and comment, the more chances you have to win!

Here’s the links for you:

Carolyn
Deb
Gretchen
Kendra
Loretta
Lori
Lynn
Tracy

Thanks for stopping in today!  I’ll draw the winner of the Fireworks on Friday so you have until Thursday 9PM EST to leave those comments!

Jak Heath Blog Hop for Katie

Happy Monday!  Katie had potentially a slight improvement over the weekend.  They did some radiation treatment to try to stem the bleeding and it *might* be working.  You can read Katie'/Kevin’s post here.

Today, Jak Heath’s team is doing a blog hop to continue Swimming for Katie.  Jak generously donated this digipaper and stamp and all proceeds go to Katie’s fund.

I also added two new digis that were donated from Jenny Suchin Designs and Lori Boyd. 

Please hop along with Jak’s team and continue to support Katie.

Mina http://pinkpuds.blogspot.com/
Alice http://aliceslittlewonderland.blogspot.com/
Cathy http://inkitupstampitout.blogspot.com/
Debbie http://debbiepsplace.blogspot.com/
Heidy http://heidysscrappies.blogspot.com/
Jane http://janeyscards.blogspot.com/
Jeni http://jeniflipflop.blogspot.com/
Joyce http://gramstreasures.blogspot.com/
Julie http://catchmecrafting.blogspot.com/
Karen http://www.kjssummerwinekorner.blogspot.com/
Lori http://byloridesigns.blogspot.com/
Tammy http://tammy-tammyspot.blogspot.com/
Toni http://cuppa-craft.blogspot.com/

I’ll be back tomorrow with our own monthly DT Challenge, with a product focus on the new Tsukineko Fireworks. 

See you tomorrow!  Thanks for stopping by.  Please continue to keep Katie and her family in your thoughts.  Donations are still being accepted!

No crafty post today

No Five Minute Friday today.  My heart is heavy for Katie Renz.  (This picture is Katie at CHA…a much happier time.  I love her smile.)

The Swimming for Katie hop and fundraiser this week was a huge success (more details on that next week) but Katie’s situation has a taken a turn for the worst.  The tumor is bleeding and is pretty much uncontrollable.  They are giving her transfusions but unless the bleeding subsides on its own, that’s a very short term solution.

The latest post from her husband is here if you want to read it.

I was privileged enough to speak with Katie yesterday and she expressed her tremendous thanks for everything this community has done for her and her family.  Her mother also told me that seeing how other people view and care about her daughter has been a light in the very dark tunnel they have been traveling.  So, know this, we are making a difference to this family. 

The stamps are all still for sale and the donation link is active so please continue to help if you can.  This family will need us more than ever in the days to come.

Cards can be sent to:

The Renz Family
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Thank you my friends.

Swimming for Katie – Day Three – HUGE GIVEAWAY!!

Today is the last day of the Swimming for Katie blog hop and we have another amazing batch of designers lined up for you.

I do not have a project for you today but instead am offering a HUGE donation incentive. 

Are you ready for a little time off, a chance to get away and just focus on creating?  Then have we got a treat for you.  Well, actually a Re-treat!

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 paper crafters, 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!

To learn more about the events, please visit: http://www.creatingforcauses.org/our-events/scrapbook-events/.

Not only will you be raising money for Katie by making a donation, you get a chance to win a wonderful weekend getaway for yourself! And, because all of Creating for Causes' events are charity events that raise money for local charities, you'll be giving back twice!

Wow, a weekend retreat for you and two chances to help others. Does it get any better than that?

Here's how it works:

Simply make a $33 donation (or more) for Katie and indicate that you want to be entered in the Creating for Causes Retreat ticket drawing. Everyone who makes a qualifying donation 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!  (If you have already donated and wish to be included, just email kate(at) iheartpapers (dot) com)

DEADLINE TO ENTER FOR THIS GIVEAWAY IS FRIDAY 9PM EST, although other donations will be accepted for weeks to come.

Of course, there are also the stamp items for sale here. 100% of the profits go to Katie’s fund, to help her and her family. The donation link and sale pages will be left up beyond the blog hop, to help raise as much money as possible.

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.

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation (donation link on the left sidebar of my blog). If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

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.

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

This exclusive stamp 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.

Here are all the items available for sale.

Thank you for helping a crafter in need.

Swimming for Katie – Day Two

Today is Day Two of the Swimming for Katie blog hop and we have another amazing batch of designers lined up for you.

This octopus (as a real stamp and digi), along with several other items are for sale here. 100% of the profits go to Katie’s fund, to help her and her family.

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.

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation (donation link on the left sidebar of my blog). If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

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.

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


Becky Oehlers


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


Kelly Schirmer


Keri Lee Sereika


Kim Hughes


Kimber McGray


Kittie Caracciolo


Kristin Eberline


Wendy Price

For my card today I paper pieced the octopus (stamped in Memento ink) using some Life of the Party paper. I also used a tiny scrap of Togetherness for the crown and flag. The flag is popped up on dimensional dots and everything is layered on a die-cut using Spellbinders Labels 5.

I’ll be back again tomorrow with the list from the last day. If you’re behind, or just want to see everyone who is posting for Katie, you can visit this static page. It also has the donation button.

Thanks for stopping in today!

Swimming for Katie – Day One

Hello friends. I hope you had a great weekend! I am here today with a very bittersweet post. I am proud and honored to have coordinated Swimming for Katie, a fundraiser and blog hop for my dear friend but obviously the circumstances that this is under makes me cry.

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 (on the left sidebar). 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.

For my card I used the Swimming for Katie stamp, colored with Copics and Stickles. I popped up the flag with my favorite Sticky Thumb dimensional dots, layered on Circle Nesties over a piece of Budding Bulb paper. Finally I added strips of white satin ribbon and Two Tone Purple ribbon.

Here are all the items available for sale.

Keep Swimming Octopus
Peachy Clear stamp
$5.50 with free shipping

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp
$3.00 with instant download


Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp with SVG cut file
$3.50 with instant download


Keep Swimming Mermaid DIGIstamp
$3.50 with instant download


Keep Swimming Ribbon Fish DIGIstamp and DIGIpapers
$5.00 with instant download

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation. The donation button is on the left side of my blog.

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

Here is this list for today:

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 for purchasing and/or donating. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the Day Two hop list.

Birthday Bash Winners

Unity kit – Marni Vivian

Refer a Friend – Megan Hebel

WCMD card challenges – Ashley Newell, Eva Strong, Lisa Foust and Erin Schreiner

Echo Park Paper Playground kits – Jody Stanisch, Alicia Cross and Suzanne Cox

Market Street Stamps Slow Movin’ – Amanda Coleman

IHP Color Logo Challenge – Jennifer Van Pelt

Paper Smooches Sunny Side Up – Jen Gerwig-Dively

Authentique Splendid pad – Sharon Gullikson

Facebook profile pic changers - Amy Crockett Lowe and Tifany DeGough

$50 gift certificate - Michelle Mccollough

Congrats to all the winners.  Please email me with BIRTHDAY BASH WINNER in the subject of your email telling me the category you won. 

Prizes must be claimed no later than October 12, midnight EST.  Thanks to everyone who played along!  I hope you enjoyed the coupon and the fun!

Five Minute Friday: Operation Julie’s Smile

Phew…what a birthday celebration week we’ve had! Thank you so much for making it so fun! Just a quick reminder that the storewide 20% off coupon expires tonight at midnight EST. Use code 3bday for 20% off everything in the store in celebration of our 3 year birthday. Plus all orders placed will be entered into the drawing for a $50 gift certificate. Winners from this week’s festivities will be announced here Sunday or Monday.

But, for today, we’re turning our attention to Operation Julie’s Smile: A benefit for Julie Ranae Murray. If you came here from Stephanie’s blog, then you are in the right spot. If not, you may want to start from the beginning at the Sweet Stamp Shop Blog and take your time. You have ALL WEEKEND to hop with us and win prizes!

Today’s blog hop is large and there could be a break somewhere in the chain, so please bear with us. A complete list of blogs on the hop is posted on the Sweet Stamp Shop Blog. You have a complete weekend to get around to all the blogs to be eligible for prizes by leaving comments. There are over $2500 in prizes donated by the very generous companies, including a $20 gift certificate to i {heart} papers. :) A complete list of sponsors is listed on the Sweet Stamp Shop Blog.

Prizes will be drawn for the following:
1. from Blog Comments left
2. from PayPal Donation list
3. for Blog Hop Hosts

A little history about Julie and her situation:

The creative blogging community is coming together this weekend to help one of our friends, Julie Ranae. You may know her as the Design Team Coordinator for many wonderful companies from bakers twine, die cuts, rubber stamps and more. What many people don’t know about Julie Ranae is that she has had some pretty major dental surgeries in her lifetime due to medication she had to take as a child. It was in her plans to think about having all of her teeth replaced at some point in the next 5 years, a decision that was pretty easy to plan out. But then it happened…she chipped her front teeth on a weekend a month ago. The dentist told her there was no way to save them & that it was his recommendation that she give in and have them all her teeth removed soon, but for that day, they needed to get her front teeth done so her gums could begin to heal. He said he would 'work out payments with her to have ALL this work done...but when she called to make her appt for the first step of impressions, they told her the amount of money that was needed and that the 'payments' applied only to the two teeth that were extracted that day. Her husband Paul was with her & that too, was his understanding as well. So this is how she has found herself in this situation…Needing at least $4000 to get started and another $3000 to finish the process…a total of $7000.

Nicole Rixon, owner of Sweet Stamp Shop put together this benefit after finding out about this situation and before Julie Ranae knew it, it took flight!

Because she is an event organizer by trade, Julie has taken on the job of organizing all of the blogs in this hop as her way of ‘working overtime’ for what she needs, the same as if she were able to work overtime at an outside job to pay for the work to be done.

It is the goal of all of these generous friends & sponsors to help make this situation more do-able for our friend so that she can share a brand new smile with all of us soon. If there is anything you can do to help with a financial donation, there is a donation button ready for you to click on the left (MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON JULIE’S, as I have Swimming for Katie donation button also…more on that later). Any amount is appreciated and ALL DONATIONS will be eligible for prizes from our sponsor pool of over $2500.”

For my card today, I used the smiling pear from Fruity Family Felties and then curved my sentiment from Thank You For Being My Friend, stamped in Memento ink. Then I laid a scrap of Sheer Pull Ribbon (without pulling it, obviously) as an added accent. A quick, CAS Five Minute Friday card! I hope it makes YOU smile!

The next stop is Andrea’s blog. Make sure you leave a comment here before you go so that you can have a chance at the amazing prizes up for grabs and if you can, please make a donation so we can help bring back a new smile for our friend.

Thanks for stopping by today. I’ll be back on Monday with another charitable cause, Swimming for Katie – an event I’ve coordinated for my dear friend, Katie Renz, who is battling inoperable gastric cancer. Please, please stop back on Monday for this special event!

Have a great weekend!

Birthday Bash Logo Color Challenge

To continue the birthday party today the IHP DT is hosting a color challenge using the colors from the IHP logo.

For my card I used the new Ric Rac Edgeabilities with some Country Drive paper.  I made the ruffle using some self adhesive lace fabric tape and made the flower using a Gluber and some pleated ribbon.  The finishing touch is the little hand cut tag, stamped with Memento ink and a greeting from Cake Shoppe. 

We’d love it if you would join us and I’ll be selecting a random winner from all the players!  Add your entry to your blog or online gallery and link it here on the Mr. Linky or post it to our Facebook wall!

To see what the rest of the DT did, hop along:

• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori
• Lynn
• Tracy
• Kate

Thanks for stopping in!  I hope you’ll play along!  You have until Saturday midnight EST to enter! 

Paper Crafts + IHP on Facebook

Today we’re continuing our 3rd Birthday Bash with Paper Crafts Magazine over on Facebook and we’re giving away THREE $20 gift certificates, which will be drawn from all of our Facebook followers.  So, if you don’t already like us (WHY NOT!?!!), TODAY is the day to do it!

20% off coupon is still good through Friday.  Use code 3bday for 20% off EVERYTHING in the store.

Tomorrow the IHP DT will be back with a special IHP logo color challenge and I’d love it if you would play along!  I’ll pick a random winner from everyone who plays along.  Stop in tomorrow to add your link to Mr. Linky. 

Have a good day!  See you over on Facebook!

Birthday Bash continues and an important announcement

Hello!  Thank you for a wonderful kickoff to our birthday celebration.  Today and we’ll be celebrating over on Facebook with giveaways and contests for people who get their friends to like us.  Tuesday there’s a BIG Facebook event so be sure to stop in.  The code 3bday is valid for 20% off through Friday.

In the meantime, I’d like to draw your attention to this little graphic.  I am honored and humbled to be hosting/sponsoring a giant blog hop and fundraiser for my friend, Katie Renz. 

Over 125 TOP DESIGNERS hopping to support our friend and stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling gastric cancer. Exclusive stamp & digis will be available for sale with 100% of the profits going to Katie and her family. Direct donations are also being accepted on the top left side of my blog.

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.

Her post reminded me of Finding Nemo: “Don’t give up! Just keep swimming! Keep swimming…just keep swimming…” because that was the only way to survive and escape from the fisherman’s net. When Becky Oehlers (she designed the adorable image) and I chatted about this, it seemed like a good route to go and to just encourage Katie to “Keep swimming” for her own survival, just like the fish. The little octopus reminds me of a cheerleader pom-pom too, which is also encouraging.

Marianne (the Copic Queen) has also donated a digi that will be for sale.

A master hop list will be posted on October 10. The hop will be spread over 3 days but the stamp and donation link will be available beyond that.

More details will be posted on this page and I will of course be sharing information as it gets closer.

Feel free to snag the graphic and post it yourself to help spread the word!  Thank you!

Happy Bee-Day for Dee

Here’s a happy little card!  Hap Bee Day stamped on Circle Nesties in Memento, colored with Copics and Stickles and then some yellow silk ribbon over Lauderdale paper.

I think that’s it for me today.  I’ve got a TON of orders to pack so everything can ship out on Monday.  I’ll still be popping into Facebook for the rest of the night to see who is uploading and creating over there, so I hope you’ll join me!

Remember, use code 3bday for 20% off this whole week as IHP celebrates 3 amazing years!

Have a good night!

WCMD 2011 #2

Wow!  You guys LOVE my 20% off coupon!  I’m so happy!  IN between order packing I’m making cards for World Card Making Day.

I used some more Echo Park The Apothecary Emporium paper new Halloween Divine Twine for this card.  It’s actually pretty simple.   And *I* distressed.  Aren’t you impressed?  It’s so not my thing but this card needed it.  I even sponged the edges with some Memento ink.  :)

Don’t forget I’m doing Facebook giveaways today.  Just upload the cards you’re making today with supplies you’ve gotten from IHP to be entered!  And don’t forget, all week long the Birthday Bash is on.  20% off everything with code 3bday. 

Thanks for popping today!

WCMD – card #1

I’m crafting (and packing orders!) today for World Card Making Day!  I hope you are too!

For my first card I used Erin Lee’s sketch with some Echo Park The Apothecary Emporium paper and ChickenGirl Design Happy Halloween set.   I curved the greeting on my block to fit on the Circle Nesties (stamped in Memento) and used Labels 8 for my background.  Then I used my new Scallop Edgeabilities, some Hero Arts bling, new Halloween Divine Twine and my Copics. 

Don’t forget I’m doing Facebook giveaways today.  Just upload the cards you’re making today with supplies you’ve gotten from IHP to be entered!  If you’d like to play with Erin’s sketch, here it is!

And don’t forget, all week long the Birthday Bash is on.  20% off everything with code 3bday.