A Book Cover Quilt for a Cause

Yesterday was opening day for one heck of an online fundraiser for the fight against diabetes, organized by romance author and mom, Brenda Novak whose son has diabetes. Brenda Novak's Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes--I think this is the 8th annual--runs from May 1-May 31, 2012 where hundreds of items are up for auction and all proceeds are donated to diabetes research. Many items will appeal to book-minded folks whether you're a reader, aspiring or accomplished author, as well as many other kinds of items such as hand crafted jewelry and other gifts, beauty & fashion and even sports memorabilia.

Every year my friend Phyl [See Phyl's Quilts & Books!]--whose son also has diabetes--makes a donation to the auction either with an actual quilt she has made or the promise to make a custom made quilt to the winner's specifications. She's so creative and talented! I've been admiring her quilts for years now. This year, Phyl's donation is the offer to make a quilt that features up to four high resolution book covers like the one below Phyl sewed and gifted to Brenda earlier this year. Isn't it gorgeous?

Phyl has more photos of her book cover quilt on her blog at Auction time! It's a clever and creative way to showcase your favorite books and would make a great gift, too! You can bid on Phyl's quilt offer HERE.

If this isn't your thing, that's okay! Be sure to look around for other items--there's bound to be something there that interests you.

Good luck!

Play FreeRice and feed the hungry.

FreeRice is a non-profit website founded by John Breen in October 2007 who donated the site to the United Nations World Food Program in March 2009. It's an educational online vocabulary game that generates donations from sponsors the more it gets played. I played it once or twice over a year ago, and then forgot it for a while. Then I was at LeeAnn's blog a few days ago and saw she had a link to FreeRice on her sidebar. Of course, I clicked straightaway to play. I've been playing on and off for the last couple of days, generating free rice for hungry people around the world. My vocabulary level is improving, too! I'm currently at level 42 out of 60 and determined to raise it.

All money raised by the site goes toward feeding the hungry. You can find information about FreeRice in the FAQ section at the FreeRice website and at the UN World Food Program website. Want an abbreviated version of the FreeRice program and it's success? Read this article.

Go play! Click here on FreeRice or click on the FreeRice graphic on my my sidebar. It's fun, easy, educational and you're helping to feed the hungry.