Last night I made this set of blocks for the Faith circle of do. Good Stitches.  As I stitched away, cutting, measuring, pressing, etc. a flock of thoughts passed through my mind.  I'll have to admit that navy/blue/red/yellow is really, really not my color scheme.  And, in retrospect, I don't think I was in the mood for a piecy, traditional block.  But beyond those small gripes, I was thinking about how truly amazing it is that women from around the world are working together this month to make a nautical-inspired quilt for a woman battling colon cancer.  I mean, how random is that?  She'll never know us, but when this month's quilter gifts her an intricate quilt handmade for her (not me), I know - I really KNOW - that she's going to feel overwhelmingly loved and encouraged.  And that's worth one night of stitching.  Absolutely.

Quilted by Jeni for the Hope Circle

In case you don't know, do. Good Stitches is a virtual charity quilting bee that I started summer of last year.  There are currently 5 circles, each 10 members strong, with each circle making one quilt each month for various charities local and international.  And, if you're a modern quilter, you can totally get involved!  There is an ongoing wait list that you can join by filling out our New Members Form.  Before you fill that out, please read the details of how this particular bee works.  If you still have questions, just ask!

Quilted by Jennifer for the Love Circle

What I love about this bee (beyond that we're helping people!) is that I get to work with friends to create fun, modern quilts, but those quilts aren't going to sit around in a stack in our houses just seeing the light of day every few winters.  No, these babies are going to be USED.  They're going to people who don't already have a handmade quilt.  In many cases they're going to children that don't have much at all.  So, for me, it's all the fun of a quilting bee but with so much purpose.  I love that!

Quilted by Ara Jane for the Love Circle

One member of do. Good Stitches has suggested that I organize a new circle of Australian quilters to make quilts ongoing for those effected by the flood.  I would love to do so, but I've yet to find new Australian volunteers.  If you're local and interested, can you please be in touch?  And, if you know an Aussie blogger who you feel would be a great fit, maybe send her my way? 

Quilted by Krista for the Hope Circle

Now that do. Good Stitches has been running along for awhile, there are a slew of fun collaborative quilts we've made that you can find in our Flickr pool.  I've sprinkled some of my favorites throughout this post. 



This week I also made this set of improv blocks for the Love circle.  Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson! is quilting this month and had us make blocks based on her Mod Mosaic pattern.  This was a fun and liberating experience!  I'm looking forward to trying out some improv blocks again soon for my Spicing Up the Kitchen swap partner.  Happy Sewing to all!