Taryn O'Brien won the prize for highest pledges. I asked Taryn to provde a little write up for me to post. It describes how she raised the money for PAAT 2009 and I thought this information might be helpful for anyone who has difficulty asking for pledges.

Congratulations again Taryn for having the highest pledge sheet in 2009.


For PAAT#1, I wrote a check for 50$ because I really do not like asking folks to sponsor me for anything regardless of what it is. For PAAT#2, I got brave and did a mini bottle drive through the generosity of good friends and sold a few cards at work. That, coupled with my personal donation of 50$, netted 100$. For PAAT#3, I pulled out all the stops.
I didn’t set out with any sort of goal or dream for raising funds this year, but once I got going it just added up!

Having purchased a rather large TV after Christmas, I was taking a nap one Sunday afternoon and as I was surfacing I had an idea. Why not host a movie night once a month until PAAT, invite friends in the nieghbourhood and see what happens? So, each second Friday of the month for January, February, March and April I welcomed folks into my home to watch a movie with me. They were asked to bring their beverage of choice and a freewill donation; I provided the popcorn. What a hoot! Each time we met, the chatting session at the beginning was longer and longer as people got to know each other and made connections. Apparently, the evening became a welcome respite from the winter blues so that was a really neat to hear. More than one person has asked if I can do it again next year!

Encouraged by the totals, I decided to extend my creativity to my work location. I made a batch of peanut brittle, packaged it in cute little cellophane bags, and sold it for two bucks a pop. Then, I hosted coffee break each day for a week at my work location, Despite the fact I was exhausted at the end of the week having baked every single night, it was totally worth it as I added the booty to the bank account.

Time flew, and it was time for PAAT#3. My gal pal Joline came all the way from Bathurst to attend for the second year and we packed up her car and headed to Middleton. Having arrived late, I was still in a bit of an organizing fog getting my stuff out and my table space ready for creating after I wrote a check and handed it to the Dream Team.

Imagine my surprise when Myleta (over the sound system) asked me to come up in front of the group. Then, she REALLY surprised me, because she announced I had won the prize for the most money raised for the cause! Holy Moly! I was flattened! Amazed! And SO PLEASED! I really had no idea I was in the running. The recognition meant a lot; the prize was just an added bonus. I couldn’t have done it without the support of friends and colleagues helping me Kick Cancer in the Butt (funds to prostate cancer research, remember…)!

Taryn raised over $700. for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada, now Prostate Cancer Canada.

PAAT 2009- Simply The Best

Each PAAT, our Dream has been to provide an outlet for like minded paper artists to gather, have time to work on your projects and be with friends, to feel pampered and special (because you are!) and while this is happening, raise money and awareness for the charity of choice.
I think the pictures with this post show we were able to do exactly that. If the pictures aren't proof enough than the many emails we have received from you since the event, have given us the thumbs up and let us know our dream for PAAT continues to live on.

PAAT 2009- Changing the World One Piece of Paper At A Time

We were so excited to greet our first guest we had to turn it into a photo shoot!


Being a member of the Dream Team is like planning an ultimate party for your friends and we could hardly wait to get the party started!




After opening remarks Peter MacDonald spoke about his experience with Prostate Cancer. Can you believe he is 70 years young?



PAAT couldn't be without our 'CRANKY' boxers...in the past we have had Cranky Pants and a Cranky Boa, what will we think of next!





It was great to see participants get together with their friends for group shots. For the past two years the Wonderful Women From New Brunswick come dressed in custom T-shirts. Here are the front and backs and a close up of what was written on the back of their T.







PAAT friends sporting their boxers which were custom made for each participant by Pam Lunnon.



Weren't the Make N Takes great?







It was a lot of fun planning our sit down dinner. To go from Silent Auction table to dining room may have been daunting at first but we managed to pull it off. One small thing we forgot to do...turn down the lights...oops!



As you can see in these pictures you worked diligently to get those projects completed and many of you stuck with it right up to 5:30 am.





We thought we would provide you with a little pick me up and we think Elizabeth Gaal with her mini yoga session did just that.





We could hardly wait to surprise you with our 'Lava Cakes with an Entrance'. We wanted you to know how very special you are and we hope Tina Turner's 'Simply The Best' song reinforced this message.









Was this a 'Feel Good Train' or a way to work off that chocolate??









From past years we know that the wee hours of the night are tough to get through so we thought a little cruise to Hawaii might do the trick.


Aloha!











Who can resist a hoola hoop and a limbo stick?









The cruise seemed to help get everyone over the 'wee hour' hump.
At 3 am Amy remembered she had forgotten to do her challenges and what good sports you were. Many of you participated in these with amazing results. Your cards and scrapbook pages blew us out of the water. You are all so creative!



At around 5 am we decided to wind things down. We made the final draws, finished off the silent auction table and posted the Final Tally...$11,400.00 what an amazing night!



Since then more funds have come in and our Final Tally is: $12,381.27 for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada. An amazing amount of money raised by an amazing group of women.

PAATer's 2009 YOU ROCK!!!!
The Dream Team


Before you leave this blog please take a moment to go to the post about donations. Take a minute to scroll down through the list of individuals and businesses who made donations to PAAT 2009. We really couldn't have done this without them.

***Also note: We are in the process of setting up a slideshow with all of the pictures from this year's event.

For The Rubber Stampers

Each PAAT I have put together, with the help of my Stamping Friends, an album filled with card ideas using Stampin' Up! stamps. I then pack all of the stamps that are used in these cards and bring them for you to use. This is the list of stamps I will be bringing:


Trendy Trees
Animal Crackers
Rustic Rooster
Baroque Motifs
Flight of the Butterfly
Cheep Talk
Inspired By Nature
Branch Out
Forest Friends
Great Friend
Bloomin' Beautiful
Season of Friendship
Oval All
Garden Silhouettes

The above stamps are used in samples.

These stamps do not have samples but are available for you to use:

Dream a Little
Fresh Cuts
Garden Whimsy
Morning Soft
Spring Song
Kind Thoughts
Pretty Amazing
Sincere Salutations
Fabulous Flowers
Always
Fun and Fast Notes

I will also be bringing along all of the Stampin' Up! ink colors, a box full of punches, a Big Shot die cutting machine and some dies, a Cricut and cartridges for anyone to use.

See you soon!
Myleta Ross

We Are Almost There!

Yes, PAAT 2009 is just around the corner!

Being a part of the Dream Team is an amazing experience, kind of like an elf in Santa's workshop. We have been inking, cutting and glueing our way to the PAAT finish line....

and planning lots of surprises along the way. I have been hearing 'rumors' and even had a couple of sneak peaks of the Make N Takes our paper artists have prepared for you. I think you will be quite pleased and will want to take part in these for sure!

Be sure to scroll down on this site to see the additions I have been adding to our donation list.

Are you counting down the days??? I know I am!

See you REAL soon!
Myleta

Going Once! Going Twice!

You won't want to miss out on bidding on this....

Paulette Sarsfield from the Two Much Fun Barn
is putting this on the Silent Auction Table!

An all day class for 7 lucky people
You will each alter an 8 x 12 Ivory Canvas
Class will run from 10:30-4:30
Date to be arranged later (she will have some choices for you to pick from)
Lunch is included (she said there would be pastry to 'sweeten the deal'!)

Paulette will display the canvas and embellishments at PAAT,
it will most likely not be finished as she is leaving the following week
to take classes at 'Inspired' and wants to share any new techniques she
might learn there.

NOW if you haven't taken a class from Paulette you don't know what you have missed!

They are fun, the projects are AMAZING, she makes it seem so easy and.... okay
the best part might even be the FOOD!
I will share a little story of mine at PAAT to illustrate just how good I think her food is!

Be sure to check out this item on the Silent Auction Table.

You WILL Want Tickets on This!

This is the raffle item I mentioned awhile back in a Blog Post. This miniature Scrapbookers' Room was created and donated by one of the Dream Team, Pam and her husband Charlie. It is an amazing piece of artwork you will want to own. The pictures really do not do it justice. The detail and character are better experienced in Real Life....if you would like to see this before the 2nd of May (PAAT), you can drop into The Bead Store in Middleton at 163 Main Street. Pam's hours of operation are: Thursday 10-5, Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-1. If you know of anyone who is not attending PAAT but would like to purchase tickets on the Scrapbookers Room, The Wooden Carved Bear, a Hot Stone Massage or the Stampin' Up! Product, please email me and I will make arrangements for them to get tickets. Tickets are $1.00 for each of the items with all proceeds going to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada.

What a Generous Community We Live In!

Look at what we are selling tickets on? This is a Hand Carved Three Foot Wooden Welcome Bear, carved and donated by Brian Feener. Tickets are $1.00 each and all proceeds will go to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada.

We are also selling tickets on three other items with all proceeds going to the PCRFC: a Hot Stone Massage donated by Amy Ross Massage Therapy, a selection of Stampin' Up! Products (see list of items below)and one other item I will be reveiling later on. The tickets for all items are $1.00, the draw date will be the 3rd of May and available to anyone who wishes to purchase them. Those attending PAAT will be able to purchase tickets during the 20 hour event but if you know of someone who might be interested in purchasing tickets that cannot attend, please email me and I will see that you get tickets. If you live in New Brunswick and would like tickets on the Welcome Bear, I will deliver it to Karen's home in Fredericton Junction, the next time we visit after the draw date.

These are the items in the Stampin' Up! Raffle (value $200.):

Fifth Avenue Stamp Set
Central Park Stamp Set
Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper
1 inch Grosgrain 'Baja Breeze' Ribbon
'Fashion District' Rub ons
Soho Designer Hardware
Package of 'Button Bouquet'
1 pkg. Chocolate Chip 8 ½ x 11 Cardstock
1 pkg. In Color 8 ½ x 11 Cardstock
1 pkg. ½ inch Library Clip (3 colors)
Canvas Cuts
Beautiful Buterfly Die



Below is a list of businesses and individuals who have donated items to date. This list will be updated as donations come in.

Fred MacDonald
Lola's Touch of Beauty
TRA Foods
The Jelly Cupboard
Kentville Home Hardware
Phinney's Mens and Ladies Wear
Nancy Feener
Paulette Sarsfield (check out the class Paulette has added to the Silent Auction table)
R D Chisholm's
Cafe Central
Jungle Jim's
Reid Jewellers
Boston Pizza
In Style Hair Design
Walmart
Amy Ross
Pam Lunnon
Paragon Golf Course
Phred's Oakay Shoppe
The Bulk Barn
Bridgetown Home Hardware
Bainton's Book Store
Fancy Jewellers
Garry Freeman
Bridgetown Pharmasave
Scrappin' Great Deals
Myleta Ross
Karen Thomas
Chapel Creek Gallery
Grampy's Country Barn
Scrapbook Eh? Wholesalers
Atlantic Lighting Studio
Casa Bella
Canadian Tire
Middleton Home Hardware
Tim Hortons
Country Traditions Flower Shoppe
Sara Bates
Kal Barteski
Taryn O'Brien
Cinnamon Creek
Saunders Tartan and Gifts
Stampin' Up!
Jill MacDonald
Heather Atkinson
Scrap Shack
Bea Sturney
Cathy Norton
Jennie Bignell
Multi Crafts and Gifts
Amber Tosh
Shelley Acker
Elaine Parsons
Avery's Farm Market
Save Easy Middleton
den Haan Greenhouses
Culligan's Water Store
Holly and Terry Hearn
Greenwood Military Family Resource Center
Bonnie Robar
Alice McEntee
Balloon Boutique
Michael Turner
Hairitage House Day Spa
Carol Foster
Ann Crowell Massage Therapy
The Paper Artists From New Brunswick



This is a list of Paper Artists Who Are Supplying Time and Materials For Make N Takes During the 20 Hour Event:
Amber Tosh
Jill MacDonald
Karen Thomas
Paulette Sarsfield
Amy Ross
Pam Lunnon
Myleta Ross
Melissa and Kathy Connell

As you can see 'The Dream Team' have been busy!

Lookng forward to seeing you in May!
Myleta Ross
On Behalf of the Dream Team

PAAT 2009

The Beginning

For those of you who are new to Paper Arts A Thon, let me give you a brief description of how this event evolved. Two years ago my friend Holly asked if I could help her with a fund raising idea using 'the hobbies we love'. She and her husband were raising money for the Arthritis Society through a program called Joints in Motion. Holly and I, along with the help of many others, came up with the idea of Paper Arts A Thon, a marathon of paper crafters. The success of this event went beyond our wildest dreams. We raised over $9600. for the Arthritis Society. We felt the idea had been a 'gift' and decided to do it again in 2008, with over $11,560. raised for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. We are now preparing to enter our 3rd Paper Arts A Thon.

Specifics of PAAT 2009

When: May 2nd and 3rd, 2009
Where: Family Life Center, Middleton
Time: 9 am Saturday (registration starts)
Paper Arts A Thon begins at 10:00 am and runs to 6 am Sunday
(You do not have to stay for the full event. We suggest you stay as long as you feel able.)

Charity of Choice: Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
Visit this website to learn more about Prostate Cancer and the PCRFC.

We have several reasons for choosing this charity. One being, last year we chose the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, which would mostly assist women. It seemed appropriate that we might do the same for men. Another reason, we all have men that are in our lives: dads, husbands, boy friends, sons, brothers, uncles, friends, co-workers, to name a few. We, as women, are usually the care givers. We are the ones who typically remind these men to take care of themselves. Paper Arts A Thon has not only been a place to raise funds while enjoying your favorite hobby but it has been a place of education and awareness. I can still hear the words Vanessa (the representative from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation) spoke at last years event, how one in eight women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Reason number three: the statistics for men are much the same, one in seven men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.




What EXACTLY takes place at PAAT?




PAAT was created to give paper artists time and ample space to do what you love to do, work on your projects while spending time with friends or meeting new ones. During PAAT you can work on whatever project or projects you choose. There won't be a store or supplier on site, so be sure to bring what you need. To help keep you entertained and provide you with a chance to learn something new, Make N' Takes will be available for you to do. These are mini cards or projects that have been prepared for you to put together. The time and materials for these projects have been donated and we ask that you make a donation to cover this. The Make N Takes will be available to do throughout the day Saturday and possibly through the wee hours Sunday AM. During the event all meals and snacks will be provided. On the registration form you are asked if you would be willing to donate a food item and, closer to the event, we will contact you about this. There will be a Silent Auction table happening throughout the 20 hours. You won't believe the items that are on this table. The generosity of the Paper Crafting Community is visible here. During the event there will be plenty of door prizes given away. We always have lots of surprises to keep you entertained.




How are the FUNDS RAISED?




Each registrant will receive a pledge sheet. In the past participants have handled this in various ways. Some participants go to family and friends and collect donations to fill their pledge sheet. Charitable receipts will be issued through the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada (PCRFC). Other participants make a donation from their own pocket since there is no registration fee. Some participants raise money selling items, such as cards or other handmade items.
Funds are raised during the event through the Silent Auction Table and Make N Take projects. You will want to bring money along to participate in these.




What is NEW for PAAT in 2009?




The site for this year's PAAT has changed. The first year saw us at the Kingston Fire Hall and last year we were welcomed to the Nova Scotia Community College, Middleton Site.
This year we will be located at the Family Life Center in Middleton. This is a relatively new facility and we are in hopes, this will be the perfect fit for PAAT. The Family Life Center has a large gym which will house the event and the best part, a fully equipped kitchen that is very close to the gym. This will save many footsteps for the organizers and participants.




This year we have added new members to our Dream Team. Myself (Myleta Ross), Holly Hearn and Pam Lunnon remain from last year's team with Kathy Connell, Melissa Connell, Nancy Feener and Amy Ross joining us.




If you have any further questions or would like a registration form emailed to you please feel free to contact me at m.ross@ns.sympatico.ca.
If you have already registered for this event be sure to check back here on a regular basis for updated information.




I hope you are able to join us on May 2nd, 2009 in 'Using Our Hobbies to Benefit Others'.
Myleta Ross
Member of the 2009 Dream Team

The Final Tally

By all accounts PAAT 2008 was a huge success. We have received a few dollars more from Silent Auction items and pledges. Our final total of funds raised for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is: $11,561.44.

The Dream Team have a few 'Thank You' cards to send out and then PAAT 2008 will be finished.

This is the final post to this Blog site until we decide what charity we will raise money for in 2009. We expect that decision to be made sometime later this year....most likely in September or October.

Thank you to each and everyone of you for ALL you have done to make this event such a success!

Sincerely,

The Dream Team

Pam, Jackie, Bonnie, Holly, Jaime and Myleta

Cards For Troops

At Paper Arts A Thon last weekend 134 Cards were made and or donated to go to Our Overseas Troops. Each participant who made and donated cards got their name in a draw for items given to PAAT by the Military Family Resource Center. Maureen Gillis was the winner if this draw. The cards from the Card Idea Album will go to our overseas troops as well. There is a shortage of greeting cards overseas and the cards are sent to our soldiers so they can send them back to their loved ones. This is one way we can let our soldiers know we are thinking of them.