The Blank Quilting Inspiration Guild, created to raise money for ovarian cancer awareness, made its first donation to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. The Inspiration Guild raised $12,000 from donated quilt blocks and a portion of the proceeds from every yard sold of the Blank Quilting Inspiration Collection and Inspiration II, which feature the distinctive teal ribbon of the ovarian cancer cause.

The Blank Quilting Inspiration Guild asks quilters to submit 12"x12" quilted blocks made from Blank fabric, which are assembled into completed, giant quilts. For every block donated, Blank donates $1.00 to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Every quilt is composed of 81 blocks. As one quilt is completed, another is begun.

Not only are the blocks sewn into actual quilts, but virtual quilts, as blocks are received, can be seen online at www.blankquilting.com . One distinctive feature of the virtual quilt, is that contributors, (who are also being asked to submit a photo) can be seen on the website by clicking on the virtual blocks. Seventeen quilts are currently posted online; others are being assembled.

Mitchell Blank, president of Blank Quilting, made the donation to the NOCC with intentions of raising more funds in the future. "Inspiration Guild has brought many powerful stories of inspiration and courage to the quilting community. We want to continue these messages of hope."

Plans for 2008 include a third sequel to the Inspiration Collection. Inspiration Collection III further explores the teal motif and continues to raise money, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the NOCC.

Blank Quilting will also be launching its Bundles of Hope program.   This extension of the Inspiration Guild allows quilters to make a mini-quilt from Inspiration Collection fat quarter bundles. Quilters can make a personal dedication to someone they know touched by ovarian cancer, submit the mini-quilt to Blank Quilting, and see the mini-quilt and personal dedication online on a special Bundles of Hope page of the Blank Quilting website.   In addition, every Bundles of Hope bundle comes with a free teal ovarian cancer awareness bracelet. A portion of the proceeds from every bundle purchase, and all the funds raised from the auction of the donated mini-quilts benefits the NOCC.

Dedications for future Inspiration Quilts can be recommended by visitors to the site. Quilters who wish to participate may log onto BlankQuilting.com for more information.