And We're Off!

The excitement mounts as the team rallies.

Are you ready for an amazing day of scrapbooking, cardmaking, merry making and more? And all for a good cause!

Registrations are coming in fast and furious, so don't delay get yours in today (yes, a lame attempt at accidental poetry, that was!)

The early bird registration expires June 1st, which entitles those eager scrappers to receive two extra door prize tickets. We have so many lovely prizes coming in from generous donors, you will be impressed.

Remember this year we have a Vendor's Alley including Epicure, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Mia Bella's Candles, Canadian Writers Book store, Close to My Heart, Stampin' Up, Steeped Tea, In A Scrap Creations, Club 177 purses and jewelry and there will be an extensive display for Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Winner's Walk of Hope.

Our trusty and talented photographer, Anja Noordam, will return to capture some of our precious Zeal for Teal moments, so we are thrilled about that. Check out one of Anja's photos from last year (below!)

The theme for this year's Zeal for Teal is 'A Day at the Beach.' Dig out those flip flops and sundresses and get comfy. We anticipate a wonderful, relaxing day.

We also have our very own esthetician, Janet Wilson returning to offer free mini manicures throughout the day, along with an onsite personal trainer who will keep us on our toes with the occasional fit break. Who knows, maybe we'll even find a pool to paddle in! We have it all. You don't want to miss it.

And the best part, is that your participation in this special day will help women everywhere. After expenses all profits go to the Ovarian Cancer Canada Winner's Walk of Hope to be held September 12th in Barrie. The Sunflower Seeds team is revving up and looking forward to doing their part to help women get diagnosed earlier and to help conquer and one day eradicate this disease often dubbed the silent killer, ovarian cancer. There is a 90% survival rate for women with ovarian cancer who are caught in the early stages. The statistics are a little more grim for those who have late stage ovarian cancer.

So come on out and know that not only are you going to experience a fantastic day away from routine, but you are doing YOUR part to help women everywhere! Use the registration link on the side to register for Zeal for Teal or contact Amanda or Glynis at gbelec@everus.ca

[caption id="attachment_86" align="alignnone" width="614" caption="Pamper yourself with a free mini manicure"][/caption]

 {Photo by Anja Noordam © 2009}

Registration Sheets are ready!

The posters are out and registration sheets are ready. The Sunflower Seeds team is busy planning and preparing for our second annual Zeal for

[caption id="attachment_79" align="alignleft" width="111" caption="Ahhh..."][/caption]

Teal crop fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada on June 26th, 2010.  And we are excited. We have a new Vendor Alley this year with some fabulous wares and surprises, along with some unique games and scrappy challenges!

Wear your best beach duds, for this year's theme is "Beach and Relaxation!" So get comfy and dig out those flip flops, ladies.

 Special note - if you register on or before June 1st, 2010 your registration will be earmarked and you will receive two free doorprize tickets. Don't be disappointed. Register early. To request your registration sheet, contact us (see sidebar) and we will get one sent your way. Invite your friends and neighbours. Make it a girls day out. Take Mom out for the day.  Or just come out for the fun of it. Remember - no experience necessary. We have a beginner class!

All profits go towards the Sunflower Seeds Team Walk of Hope for Ovarian Cancer on September 12, 2010.

Stay tuned for further details. If you have any questions, please contact us! Happy Scrapbooking!

The dates been set!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

June 26th, 2010 at the Drayton PMD Arena from 9am-5pm

Tell your hubbies to get this for your Mother's Day pressie!
Or just get it for yourself!
Tell him we'll even throw in the Mother's Day card!

Janet Wilson from Club 177 Salon in Arthur is returning as our onsite manicurist!
For those of you who came last year, you can attest to her talent and awesome personality!
We're excited she's coming back!!!
You won't be disappointed!!!

Registration Sheets will be ready soon!

Hope to see you there!!! And TELL YOUR FRIENDS!! The more the merrier! We'd like to double our numbers from last year so we're looking at about 90 people this year!!!!! Let's see if it can be done!

CROP DETAILS COMING!

The planning has begun for this year's event! We're looking at getting a bigger venue; we're looking at getting some new vendors in as well as our previous vendors; we're hoping to have A LOT more people come out!

Watch the blog and your emails for the details about the upcoming day!

Another one for our list!

We have another sponsor on board!

Rhea from Savvy N Sassy will be sending us a couple door prizes and stuff for the goody bags! THANK YOU RHEA! We're so excited you're on board with us!

A little more than a month to go ladies!! It's going to be a wonderful day!

More Sponsors!

It's been awhile since I updated with a list of more sponsors...you are NOT gonna want to miss this day! The wonderful prizes that are coming our way, you won't want to miss it!

Here's the updated list:

First Choice Trophies and Scrapbooking - not only are they going to be a sponsors, Tracey is bringing her store to us!! First Choice is the onsite store for the day! Yay! Thanks again Tracey!

Art Freckles

Scrap Fanatics

Scrappy Jessi

Lou Latham, a very generous supporter who's donation will be purchasing the GRAND PRIZE.....yes, there's gonna be a grand prize! You won't wanna miss this fun day!

Glynis Belec

In A Scrap Creations

Christine Ewing, Close to My Heart rep - she will also have a table up with make n takes and various products for sale, etc.

Margaret De Witt, Stampin' Up Rep - she too will have a table set up with make n takes, etc.

My Stamp Box

Amanda Peckham, Creative Memories

Eily Martin, Mary Kay

My Shabby Heart

Darlene Hauser - she has contributed a door prize

Let's Scrap Divas

Club 177 - Janet will be doing mini manicures on site that day! So come prepared to be pampered!

Linda Farrell, another generous supporter

Jennifer Metzger, reflexologist

Lisa Stemmler, masseuse

Scrap That!

A HUGE THANKS TO ALL OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS AND DONORS! WE CAN'T DO THIS DAY WITHOUT YOU!

Reflecting...

We are excited! We have been in touch with Ovarian Cancer Canada and they are supporting us 100% in our fundraising Zeal for Teal Day on May 2nd. They are going to list ‘Zeal for Teal’ on their official Coming Events page, too, and have indicated that they will be sending us some material to share with participants. And get this, they have even asked if I would consider being a speaker and trained presenter for their Listen to the Whispers program. Yikes!

I know Zeal for Teal is focused on a wonderful day of scrapbooking and cardmaking, and the events we have planned are intended to put a smile on participant’s faces. That is our goal and we are bound and determined to make this a day to remember.

But as I consider our purpose for doing this and Amanda my rocking-good daughter’s motivation for turning an idea into a reality, I think back to April 24th, 2008. I remember saying to Gilles, my hubby – “No, of course you don’t need to come with me (to the doctor’s.) I’m just menopausal and my uterus is probably a little out of whack. As I sat in the doctor’s office and she walked in uttering those words…The news isn’t good…” I remember the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. And when she continued with…Ovarian cancer…’ I remember nothing. My world came crashing down and within moments I was mentally planning my own funeral.

We got through that day. The hardest part was when we had to stand before our children and tell them. But we found strength in each other and God’s grace and mercy took over. We rallied. We cried. We prayed and we cried some more. But then we got on with life, with chemo and I put on my ‘big girl panties’ as Amanda and Janice like to say, and we did it. The road was not easy, but here we are almost 11 months later and I guess I am now considered a survivor. No one knows what is around that corner, but my faith and my family have helped me take stock of what is truly important and if I can help someone else or encourage more women to become more aware of their bodies, then I will do it.

The intention of this day is not for people to attend out of pity or any other such motivation. We want to help do our part to raise awareness about Ovarian Cancer and to make sure women know what ovarian cancer is and what they can do about it in a fun-filled, exciting way. There will be no hard lectures or great speeches on May 2nd about cancer, but there will be information available and people to talk to if you are interested. We are getting together to celebrate and have fun while doing something positive for the cause!

Will you join us?