Don't Be a Boob! Decorate Yours for Womankind

Victoria's secret adorns them with diamonds. Fredrick's of Hollywood adorns them with ruffles and lace. Quilters of South Carolina adorn them with boa feathers, sock monkeys and autumn foliage. Oh yes, the Quilters take the bra-embellishing cake.

So why are women gluing pom-poms and stuffed animals onto otherwise functional braziers? What's the point in a patriotic undergarment featuring our 2008 presidential candidates and the name, "Support Your Favorite Boob," you ask? They are, of course, busty odes to strong women fighting breast cancer, and they're up for grabs for you and your girls.

The site explains: "The exhibit consists of fifty original works of art which are unique, entertaining, humorous, and beautiful to make the public aware of breast cancer, to memorialize those lost to the disease, and to honor survivors."

Spokeswoman Sandra Baker told me that she'd heard of similar projects and "wanted to play, too." She wouldn't admit to a favorite, saying, "I am very proud of what each of our participants did." With such a wild spectrum of creations, I can't blame her for giving them each a special place in her heart.

The website isn't fancy, and the artists aren't avant garde or professionals. It's actually quite a simple grassroots effort from Southern women who like to make quilts, extending their creativity past patchwork and into philanthropy. Their works are touring through South Carolina for the better part of this year, but not just for show and smiles. The goal is to drum up interest and awareness and to encourage bidding. Auction proceeds are going to the Best Chance Network, a branch of the South Carolina Department of Health that provides cancer screening to women without insurance.

With one in eight women diagnosed with the disease, we can't afford to ignore the reality. Even if you'd rather pitch in for your state rather than support the South Carolina Quilters, there are a bazillion places to give what you can. The Susan G. Komen Foundation is a great place to start. I know you've seen the walkers and the pink ribbons and heard the stories of loss and survival. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month may not be until October, but I promise, they won't turn you away in March.

It's the Artful Bra Project, and it deserves a click on their page. These over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders probably won't land you in the Most Sexy category, as faux owl sculptures ("Hooters" … get it?) and plastic jack-o'-lanterns don't exactly scream seduction. But if you have a sense of humor and a soft spot for the cause, the Quilters are ready to bare all.