Jay here:

Summer has arrived and I'm finding myself in a "project" desert. The Kapa Moe project is just too heavy for hot weather. I need involvement. I heard that Project Linus is about to have the summer meeting in Illinois next month, maybe I'll attend. They have chapters all over the country, creating thousands upon thousands of quilts, blankets and afgans to give to children in need. Great way to meet new people.

That got me thinking. I believe that the quiltmakers and knitters/crocheters get more out of Project Linus than the children do -- we get to learn new skills in our craft, feel we are contributing our energy to a good cause, and we get to have fun! In the end, isn't that why we quilt? That's what I need, to shake off the winter doldrums.

Meryl Ann Butler, author of 90-Minute Quilts: 15+ Projects You Can Make in an Afternoon, is all about coming up with projects that are easy, fun and give back. She has been giving back "forever." Her daughter was at Virginia Tech in 2007. Meryl Ann got to work and made "Hugs for Hokies: Hearts and Hands Reach Out to Virginia Tech," She has worked with Girl Scouts to come up with great charity programs revolving around quilts and so many other art and youth groups. Now she is working with Project Linus. The quilts out of Meryl Ann's book are so fun and easy, we can all make a few quilts for charity.

There are so many great causes. Many of you may belong to a guild that has a pet project, or a church group, or you have even formed your own "help out the world quilt group." Whatever it is, get together, make great stuff and have fun!!!

Just for your info -- the Project Linus mission:

• First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.