TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG CANDY IS NOW CLOSED. A HUGE THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU THAT DONATED AND MADE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE!

My BIG announcement:)

The Big Event

About a month ago, I realized that I was approaching my First Blog-iversary. Now usually people celebrate with some BLOG CANDY. Today is NO exception! I have some HUGE blog candy to share. My blog candy, though, is a little different. I'm calling it my "Blog Candy for a Cause." Let me explain...

About 6 months ago I had the honor of being welcomed onto the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge Design Team. Priscilla is the driving force behind our fun challenge blog. Although I have never actually met her, I could tell right away that she was a special person.

She has been a foster parent and was discussing the possibility of adopting another child when she was diagnosed with Cancer. In the meantime, both her husband and daughter have suffered some health issues as well. Just when they thought it couldn't get much worse...more "bumps in the road" ensued.

Let me share a few of the specifics in Priscilla's own words....

"Shortly after I was diagnosed with Cancer, I was laid off from my job and about six months after that Mack was laid off too with no hopes of ever being called back. I didn't qualify for unemployment because I was a private nanny, but thank goodness Mack did. However, as anyone knows, you can't truly survive on what unemployment pays. So, not only did we no longer have jobs and a financial means to support ourselves, but I also no longer had medical insurance and had a pre-existing condition.

" Just goes to show that we all stumble upon a few bumps in the road. BUT...with love ,family, friends and HOPE....together, we can get through anything!"

In all the time that I have "known" Priscilla I have been amazed by her commitment to being as positive and upbeat as possible. She never complains. She continues running the "behind the scenes activities" each week, as well as, coming up with ways to keep our challenge blog above and beyond amazing. She inspires me in more ways than one. Maybe it's because I feel a kinship towards her. ( She lives only about 2 hours from me here in Ohio. She is also 38 and, like her, I have always wanted to adopt.) Or maybe it's just because she is truly AMAZING!

I believe that each person that comes into our lives leaves an impression on us in some way and that we ALL have the ability to affect the people we meet each and everyday. I know that Priscilla has made a huge impression on me.

I decided that I wanted my blog candy to be so much more than just a "giveaway." I wanted it to MEAN something.

So I am asking you to help me to raise money for Priscilla and her family to help pay for their medical bills. In return you will have a chance to win some HUGE Blog Candy.

This is a chance for you to make a difference in someone's life. I am asking you to donate money to a fund set up for her and her family. Maybe you'll donate because you want a chance to win. Maybe you have no interest in my blog candy and you just want to help from your heart. Whatever your reason I hope you will and that you spread the word. That's the great thing about blogging. I am asking you to help me to get as many donations as we can, ok?

This "EVENT" will run until October 16th. That is Boss's Day if it helps you remember:)

Edited....This event will stay open through Friday the 16th. I will tally up all the entries on Saturday and my children will pick the winner. I will then announce the winner on Sunday during the STAMPTACULAR SUNDAY CHALLENGE POST
I should have made that more clear...sorry:(

Are you ready? Here's what you need to do.

UPDATE: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE A COMMENT SO I KNOW THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE BLOG CANDY AFTER YOU DONATE. I have family and friends that are also donating that aren't interested in my blog candy. Therefore I will be matching donations to names linked in my comments section for the drawing. Thank you!

1. See that little DONATE BUTTON at the top of my sidebar? Donate at least $5 towards Priscilla's medical fund.

2. Save the image of my blog candy to your computer and post it on the sidebar of your blog with the title BLOG CANDY FOR A CAUSE with a direct link to my blog. Let's try to raise as much money as possible for Priscilla! (If you don't have a blog just post a card onto an online site and mention IN BIG BOLD LETTERS about this event...then post the link in the comments section)

3. Leave me a comment linking to your blog and letting me know that you have made a donation.

4. You don't have to "follow me." However, I will be featuring the companies that have graciously donated for this event. It's a great way to learn about them and see some of their products. I will also be offering another small challenge to win another prize. Stay tuned for that on Wednesday. I may end up offering a few more surprises along the way too. You never know!

Want a second chance to win? Donate more than $10 and I will put your name in the drawing TWICE.

Do you want to see what you can win?

Not Pictured, but also included

2 My Timeless Templates of your choice
A Papertrey Ink stamp set of your choice
A $10 gift certificate to The Digichick
Magnolia Stamp added
Two $15 gift Certificates to DIGIMENTS added

I am SOOOOOOO grateful to the following companies and design team members for donating to create this blog candy that would retail for about $275. (that is MY estimate)

UNITY
Paper Maniac LLC
The DigiChick
My Favorite Things
Lauren Meader for My Timeless Templates and Papertrey Ink
The Stamps of Life
Carly of Paper In Bloom
Paula of Paula's Ponderings
Liza of Pink Candy Stripes
Kristen of Lilsweetpea's Place

Janneke of Janneke's Creations
DIGIMENTS

This blog candy COULD NOT have been possible without them. I am forever grateful for their heartfelt generosity. The candy is so big that I had a hard time getting a good picture of it. So, here is what we have pictured:

2 Unity stamps sets: Little Buggers, Tiny Trinity 3 Single Unity stamps , MFT Farm Friends, Verve Plain Janes (2), Heidi Swap Love stamp, Circles Scallop#2 Sizzix die cut,Sizzle Floral Fusion die, Jolee flower punch, Cutterbee piercing bugs, Making Memories Spellbound stamp set, Alota Rubber Stamps Halloween set,Sassafrass Wee Bundle ,Spinner card,American Crafts ribbon and Mini Jewel Brads,Ice Circles Rhinestone brads,KI chipboard letter, WeRMemory Keepers Jumbo eyelets, Designer brads,Decorative borders by Recollections,Copics, Flourishes V2 by Stampology, Alphabet stickers, Corduroy Flowers by American Crafts, MM charm eyelets, Giraffe clear stamp by Prima, Chipboard and flowers, metal edge tags, On Board Art Journal, On Board Book Basics, 5x7 brag book, Gable boxes(3), adhesive badges by American Crafts and various stickers and embellishments.

Are you pumped? I am! I hope you can help me spread the word about the lovely Priscilla.

Come back and visit me tomorrow for a card. Since Wednesday is my actual blogiversary
(how do you spell that BTW?) I will be hosting a special CHALLENGE in honor of Priscilla with a separate PRIZE for that. I hope you visit with me often because I will have some great things to share about my fabulous SPONSORS throughout the month.

See you soon!