Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Artful Quilters Webring

I just adore our webring. Thank you again to Diane for starting it 16 months ago. I see we are now 143 strong including at least one man, at least five "deborahs" (or variations there of), and we come from at least four countries.

I know four ring bloggers personally (Melody, Kathy, Sarah and Joanne), meaning I've spent time with them "in person." I consider many others wonderful friends. And I'm looking forward to meeting them too.

I suppose I have readers who aren't quilters. You know, family members trolling for pictures of the kids, military friends keeping up with our lives and random people who find me when they google "bad wonder under." Site meter tells me I have an average of 149 readers a day. (!!!!) And I know most of them are quilters. I'm so thrilled that you've found me and that I've found you!

I confess I only read through the whole ring a couple of times a month. But I've been thinking about the cycles of our individuals lives and our blog life lately. Did you know that Jen had surgery this week? Gerrie sent her (loaned her, I believe) a wonderful little quiltlet with lots of healing symbols and messages. I remember when Gerrie received that quiltlet from another quilter when she was battling cancer last year. That post was so touching and I am touched again that Jen and Gerrie have connected and are continuing that amazing support.

I've also been thinking about the other commonalities we've shared on our blogs.

I think nearly all of us have expressed giddy delight over some purchase. Quite often shoes. But also fabric and other supplies and tools related to fiber art. Milk frothers. Storage containers. Dishes. Etc.

A lot of us have gotten puppies. Some of us have lost our beloved pets.

A few have even had sad endings of pregnancies.

Many of us have been sick in many different ways.

Ok, that's enough of the sad items.

We've read some good books and eatten some great meals!

We've discussed television shows with great enthusiasm.

We've created art in our studios that we are really proud of and we've had some less-than successful endeavors.

Oh my goodness, we've indulged in lots of "quizzes." So, thankfully, we all know what vacation destination we are, what coffee we are, what character from Alice in Wonderland we are, what celebrity we most resemble, what words we use most often on our blogs and what it means if purple is our favorite color.

It makes me a giggle a bit thinking of all these items. Thanks for sharing with me. I just love it!

12 comments:

Diane Perin said...

Me too, me too, me too!

Joanne S said...

Hey! Very nice write-up for our Ring! It's all that and more. So happy to be a part. I get 37 reads a day on average. Makes me feel so warm and fuzzy.

Gerrie said...

Beautiful post! I have tears in my eyes.

Anonymous said...

Ditto everything you said! I love the ring because I live in a country where I only understand about 70% of what anyone is saying, and those I do understand are not even close to being fiber artists. So, even though I've only met three "ringers" in person, I cherish the online friendships and inspiration I find here. Viva blogging to bring like minded people together even if they're not geographicly close!

Anonymous said...

Dear Deborah, I'm not a member of the ring but I consider the day I found it, and all of you, a really fortunate day. I have several of the beautiful things that you have made to remind me of how talented you are(can't wait to see more)and I've made a few web friends that have made me laugh and snort when I needed it most. You are all a great, talented, caring, intense group of women. I can't wait to see what's up some days and the lucky side benefit of all of these blogs is that I have learned to see quilting in a new light and find within me a voice and a desire to create in new ways.Not to mention the cyber friends I've found in places I've never been. How delightful to find myself among such women, even if I am looking in from the outside-the generosity just blows me away, Dee

Cathy said...

Me too! I haven't met anyone personally but soon I will get to meet Helen. This web ring has been a wonderful experience in my life. I feel as though I have friends around the world.

Deb R said...

I hate to take up comment space to say "me too" but in this case I just absotively posolutely must. So...Me TOO!!!

kathy said...

What a great post...sometimes I can't think of anything to say, and you come up with the best stuff!!And it's all right there, exactly what I'm feeling! Nice.

Micki said...

It really is interesting to see how much we have in common. And yet we are so diversified at the same time. I love the ring, even though are still many members that I have not visited for lack of time. I try to keep up with as many as I can. I have only met one person. I wish I could meet more, but it just isn't possible. But I do love being a part of this ring.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for putting it all so eloquently, Deb.

I need to add something tho....thank YOU, Deb, for giving me the courage to FINALLY enter a show. My triptych was accepted into the MicroCosmos show and I never would have even known about it if it weren't for you.

Yep, this is a VERY wonderful group.

teri

Karoda said...

I'm thinking that this would be a great article to discover in one of the national quilt magazines and most definitely great promotion of the ring!

and I'll add mee three! This makes me smile big!

Brenda said...

Isn't it fun to review the sitemeter stats to see where everyone is reading from? Quilters inhabit a special space in blog land and the Artful Quilters Web Ring helps navigate us to kindred spirits.