I don't like having my picture taken, but this one is ok.. It was taken in Ireland.I try to look for the best in a situation, and am willing to be happy with what there is. That isn't always the easiest thing to do, and occasionallyit hurts. I try to 'be' about making do, being happy with what I have, I take responsibility for myself and my place in the world. I'd be happy to walk away from that mindset, but it seems to be who I am. I have a happy, goofy, almost carefree way of looking at life and I don't take it, or myself very seriously. I wish that was 'all' of me, but it isn't. I also have a part that gets hurt, or wounded, and uncertain of how to fit into 'things'.
I've been a fan of Quiltville way back to discovering it in 1997. I'd rather play in
a pile of scraps on the floor or in the wastebasket than what's in the pile of yardages. Making something from almost nothing appeals to me. I don't have anything to prove, it's what gives me pleasure. I like the challenge.
Having linked over to Bonnie's(of Quiltville)new blog in June-2005, I hestitated only a short time before deciding I wanted to journal online. To share my thoughts, dreams and quilts with whoever happened along. And of course, I registered with Blogger and was able to leave a comment for Bonnie, and eventually Tonya. Bonnie linked back and encouraged me, as she has so many others.
Over the next months of 2005 the idea of a blog ring(web ring) for makers of unusual quilts or in an 'outlaw' style was born. Not art quilts, but traditional quilts in a different style. More breaking the rules, less pattern-following and less name dropping. I was invited to join the Mavericks, and altho I wasn't sure I was what they were looking for, I took the plunge and joined. Not as prolific as some members, but more so than others, I was happy, and felt I had a 'home' so to speak. We seemed connected, for awhile. That connection is something that I miss. The group is larger now,more diverse, only slightly more maverick, in my opinion. I suppose that happens when things grow larger. And as with other organizations, little 'connections' were made between some and not others. That seems to happen when you bring friends together inside a structure.Of course you would be more mindful of your friend than of me, or others. That's why it was desireable to have your friend become a ring member. It's not that the person can't stand on their own merit, they can. Definitely. And I can't fault you if you would rather spend your limited free time, reading of their accomplishments instead of mine. Maybe it's that you are into primative quilting, or just brights or, antique quilts,or applique or maybe it's just that you are a prolific quilter and some of us just trudge along not accomplishing as much. I don't have any answers, only more questions or wonderings.
I was proud to be a Quilt Maverick, and I'm trying to still be proud to belong to this group. But it doesn't seem much like a group anymore. I suppose that's what happens as groups grow larger....right?
I have considered dropping out of the Mavericks, I've thought about it alot. The people who read my blog, and leave a comment or don't, would still come by. But if I'm out of the ring, (and without the logo) how would readers link on to others in our group?
On my sidebar I try to put blogs that are fun to check out,and gals who aren't in a ring and might not be found. I try not to play favorites, and if you join a ring you have a connection, and I can remove your blog from my sidebar and add someone else. I don't want 200 listed on my sidebar. I'm aware that some have taken my blog off their sidebar when I took their off....life happens, and such is life.Maybe you are just happier or more connected with a quilter who's blog you found by reading mine, and maybe you just don't stop by mine now, in favor of others.....it happens. Maybe we shouldn't underestimate how our actions impact others. But obviously still about personal choice, not loyality.
I know about "calling a circle", and circle ceremonies and the committment that goes with being part of circle. It implies support and connection. I thought a web ring was a circle. Maybe that's where I was mistaken.
Maybe the Mavericks are just a group, with a membership list and a few people who are always included in everything. Sometimes it seems more like a popularity contest than a supported, connected circle of like minded quilters.
I smile alot, and laugh easily, but probably not as much as back in 2005. I still don't take life very seriously, but more so than before.
And I still love blogging, and am happy I followed Bonnie into blogland. In regards to the Quilt Mavericks, maybe I just took it all too seriously, I am still happy to 'be' a Maverick, it just doesn't mean as much as it used to. Some of the innocence has rubbed off, and Finn has gotten a bit older and wiser.
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34 comments:
Finn: Thanks for sharing the picture! It is so nice to "see" you. I was attracted to your blog first and foremost because you make the type of quilts that tug at my heart--quilts made from scraps, quilts that appear to be made from "nothing", quilts that are made in the tradition of my grandmothers--quilts made from whatever is available. Like you, I prefer to make my quilts from the scraps and not the "matchy" yardage or perfectly coordinated fabric lines. Secondly, I was attracted to your blog because of the insightful thoughts you provide us. Reading your blog has become an inspirational and motivational part of my week. I am sure if you decide to leave the Mavericks that they will surely miss you! However, those of us who have gotten to know you will never loose track of you no matter what "ring" you join or don't join! :)
Hi! I'm sorry that someone hurt your feelings. I love your blog and come by every morning with my coffee in hand and pj's on. :)
I'm glad you are going to still blog about your quilts. Our quilting styles are different but I love the way we can appreciate the work and time and thought that someone else puts in their quilts. It makes us different but the same. I'm sending warm thoughts and hugs your way today!!
dawn
(Your jacket/sweater is beautiful!)
Stash Quilts got bigger and less personal than before, too. And then Bloglines came along and made it so easy to get lazy and not leave comments -- and not ever go 'around the ring', just read the updates.
Progress, I guess ...
Hugs ~ Jeanne
I found your blog from someone else's blog (don't remember who). I'm undecided about the benefits of a ring. With so many quilt blogs out there I've found bloglines had become my own little "blog ring". I love reading your blog. It is always insightful and reminds me of growing up in the midwest.
I'm glad you posted a photo of yourself. I always like to put a face to a name.
Finn you belong in the Mavericks ring, don't leave it! Maverick is a mindset, and you have it. I like it that I never know what you're going to post about; it's always fresh and interesting and makes me think deep thoughts afterwards. The ring would be poorer without you.
When I was young and foolish enough to ride horses I used to take a handful of mane with the reins and away we'd go! And I fell off frequently, but the ride was worth it. Things are changing, but we all just need to hang on and go with it.
Dear Finn,
I don't know much about Mavericks, or webrings. However, I know the road to your blog. Visiting you is so refreshing, inspirational, and full of common sense ! I have discovered that reading you is not only good for my quilting, it is good for my soul, too ! I still had not thanked you for that... Your last post gives me the opportunity of doing it, heartfully.... and believe me, Finn : Ring or not, I'll always find the road to your blog !
Gratefully,
NADINE
(nice picture of you !)
Maverick, a term suggesting independence of thought or action. Sylvia, by definition,belonging to the wild, green spaces and places. Finn, a name suggesting the creation of one's own identity by choice and by deliberate action. Ring, a circle which encompasses, but by definition also has a divided plane with a closed interior and an excluded exterior. Calling the circle speaks to and from the heart. It is about speaking and listening to one's truth. The person calling the circle is the guardian, the protector of the spirit of basic goodness. You are already the caller, Finn. The circle you have created is always open and always speaks from the heart with honesty, with integrity and with goodness. The edges of this circle are always open, there is simplicity and allowance of differences. I am honored to have visited and sat by your fire. I am blessed to have listened to your stories. I am strengthened by the power of all who pass through your teepee and the spirit we feel from you, through you, and with each other. I waited and waited to be called into a ring and never was. You opened your heart and I simply followed the call in. There are thousands more that share my name. We may have aliases and monikers, we may or may not find circles and havens to join. But each of us still recognizes the heart of the other. And here, all hearts are one.
I am, I suppose, a nonjoiner, so havent thought about 'rings' or such things. I just know I love to read your blogs, whether they are quilt related or not. I am a rebel quilter, do my own thing, & like you, love to use scraps, & something from nothing.
Your writing is beautiful, as indeed shows in your photo. Thanks for sharing your face, it is lovely to meet you!
Keep well, & hugs to Ebby.
Finn, you are a maverick whether you have the logo or membership or not, a maverick in your own right by the unique quilts you design and create by thinking outside the box. Who needs the organizations, the 'clics'? Just be yourself and all of us outside the circle will still come 'round to see ya!
I think you are a maverick both as a person and as a quilter. Me too. When I started blogging, with your support, I thought I'd become a member of the Maverick group but as I went along, it seemed not so important. I'm not much of a "belonging" person but really do appreciate a few good friends. I certainly count you as one of my quilt blogging friends. I don't care what you join or leave but please continue to share and be my friend!
What a thought provoking post, Finn. Like others, I think you personnify the definition of "maverick" when it comes to quilting. The ring may have become less representative of "quilting rebels" but that certainly doesn't include you. I never thought to become a part of this ring because I certainly don't see myself as a rebel, but Bonnie disagreed. I still don't think I'm a rebel but then maybe I am - I don't see many others sewing up tiny triangles!
I think the original purpose of the ring - to bring more readers to the blogs in the ring - at least that's why I joined rings - is probably not really valid any more. So much of life is like that - evolving into something entirely different than what it began originally. Readers come to our blogs in many different ways - the important thing is that they come. Ring or no ring, we've created a virtual community here of quilters. Each one of us contributes in our own way, and we are all richer for the experience. I can't imagine my life without my blogging quilty friends - and you, dear Finn, are one of the sweetest and the best.
Your blog is a favourite of mine. You've inspired my quiltmaking in many ways and you also write beautifully! Don't let others question that.
Finn, though I rarely comment on your blog, I read every post. Your comment to me about my webring (when you stated there needed to be another one) is what made me decide to keep at it and keep it up, though (at the time) there was no one joining it. I will still read your blog whether you are part of a ring or not.
The entire concept of mavericks as a group identifying factor seemed silly to me. Of course, this is my opinion. Most quilters have a personal style and aren't really afraid of a quilt cop. That makes each of them their own person, aka a maverick.
Face it, the Maverick ring seems to be very cliquish. How maverick is it to "belong" as a member of a group/gang than to be an individual, an independent? I always felt the Maverick ring was more of a label for a group of quilters than a means to navigate between blogs. In the past, I have used the ring to see who else is considered "a maverick" and wound up questioning the entire concept after visiting a number of the blogs. I don't visit here as often as I once did, admittedly, but I do check about once a month or so.
Hope you sort through your issues and figure out the dilemma you are facing. Writing is good and quite therapeutic, regardless of what you or anyone writes about. A webring was created as a means to navigate and isn't supposed to dictate with a mission-statement. If the label and concept bothers you, you know how to unplug and just be yourself.
Finn, I love your maverick style, your make-do attitude that gets things done and I always visit. I love hearing of what you are up and how you approach your quilting and life in general. I can't fault the web ring as it is probably the reason I blog, I very quickly found all these quilters who think like me and I love being a part of it, keep up the good work ...and I LOVE finally getting a face for the stories! Keep up the good work as you are my inspiration for the life I can lead in coming years, Tracey
Well said... Way back in 2005-ish, I was hurt when I was not accepted to be a quilt maverick - but I let that go... I know exactly what you mean though about the circle/group - but I came to that conclusion a long time ago... I used to go through the ring - even though I was not worthy of joining & I would comment, but quite a few never "visited" or at least left a message in my little corner of the blogisphere, so I now read the ones that I want that are in my blogroll... There are new blogs appearing all the time, so I have the luxury of picking and choosing, not just going around a ring...
Do what make you feel right. Those that read & support you now will continue to do so...
Hi Finn
I started reading blogs in about June of last year through finding Quilt Mavericks whilst doing a google search. I loved what I was reading and would spend every Sunday evening going around the ring.
I started blogging in August of last year when I decided I wanted to enter a challenge in our National quilt Symposium here in New Zealand. The challenge required a quilt by two or more people so I asked my friend Janice if would be my collaborator. Janice made the suggestion that the easiest way we could communicate our ideas and progress was to use a blog, since I am a night person and she is a day person. After the quilt was finished the blog was printed into a folder as a journal of the quilt making process.
Then the blogging kind of tailed off and I missed it. So I decided to start my own. I decided that I wanted to be a part of this wonderful group of people with such great ideas, the Quilt Mavericks. After blogging for a
couple of months I duly sent Bonnie an email and a comment on one of her posts asking her to email me back so I could join. Maybe she never have got them because I never heard back. Maybe the ring was full and they didn't want any new members. Well, I was a little disappointed for a while but I kept reading through the ring. I thought, it doesn't really matter, I can still leave a few comments in the hope that people will check out my blog.
Some of you did, and that gave me confidence to keep making posts. I joined the newly set up Southern Cross Quilters Ring in about December, but now if I like a blog, I put it in my blog lines.
I do like the list of blogs in the side bar as it gives me links to other blogs when I have got a bit of time to browse. If I like what I see I add it to my list. The other way I find blogs is by clicking on a comment name, if I don't recognise the commentor and I like what they are saying.
Your blog has always been one of my "check out first" blogs. I love the way you describe yourself as Happily Single after a long marriage ( I'm single too, but without the long part of the marriage and it has taken me years to get to the happy part of being single, so I guess I felt some empathy.
If you do decide to leave Quilt Mavericks don't remove the list of blogs you read, put the whole 200 up, it is your very own blog ring (or should that be net?)!
PS Our collaborative quilt challenge won one of the 2 equal prizes that were on offer - a big thrill.
PS Sorry that was a bit long.
I'm a newish blogger and haven't jumped on a webring so far. Not that I never will; maybe one of these days. But I belong to a Yahoo group of quilters and we are all friends, so I wouldn't be looking for that kind of thing from a webring. And as far as people visiting my blog--well, they'll find me or not, and if they do, they'll come back if they enjoy reading it. I'm sorry that things have changed for you and you aren't getting as much enjoyment out of it--groups are like that though in that they're always changing and new personalities come into the mix and some people bond and some don't. Keep on blogging though--I enjoy reading what you write and I visit often!
Isn't it funny - your photo looks almost exactly as I pictured you to be in my mind's eye. You have such a descriptive way with words that I was able to draw you in my mind.
I stumbled on to the webring sometime in '06 and read and enjoyed many of the posts before taking the dive into my own journal because of your inspiring blog.
I don't belong to a ring myself - maybe it's the 'maverick' in me that makes not want to associate with a particular group . . . bad memories of trying to join a guild, etc.
I find that I can enjoy and appreciate many different styles of quilting whether a maker chooses the fabrics that I would select for myself. I just love to share and blab about quilts and quilting with anyone that wants to blab back at me.
You just keep being Finn - it's the most Maverick thing you could do *s*
Lovely photo of you Finn and I also love that jacket - I always enjoy your postings and appreciate any comments you leave me - don't change, you're an inspiration to lots of us out here in Blogland :o)
Wow, Finn, a lot to think about. I'm guilty of reading but not commenting much. I do keep up on you and Ebby. I will never ever forget your kindness to me in making me feel welcome when I was a Maverick, drawing me into the group. Thank you :)
Finn, I think some of what you are dealing with is what happens in any group. It may just be human nature. All I know is that though I found your blog, and its inspiration and wonderful posts through the maverick's ring, with or without it I will continute to come back. I will continue to comment. And I will continue to be inspired by your work and your words.
Wonderful to see you there Finn, I love the picture. I'm so sorry you're feeling sad. I too was encouraged by my admiration for Bonnie to blog, and it certainly has changed in the year I've been participating. I enjoy being able to take a peek into many peoples lives, and it does get hard to get around to everyone I want to see, so sometimes my commenting suffers. I love visiting with you, please stick around.
*big hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
I joined the blog ring I belong to just to try it and maybe get involved with some of the activities. I do not know any of the quilters on a more personal level. When I start questioning should I stay or should I go? as I did with my guild I tend to go. If I am not ok with something in my heart and it starts coming up in my writings that usually is a large hint I need to take a look and possibly make a change. If you want to leave a blog ring then go ahead and leave. If you have connections with other blog ring members wouldn't that still extist?
You don't need to belong to a ring of any kind to be a maverick-your quilts have a very individual feel to them anyway. I enjoyed seeing your picture and hope you feel better soon. I've come here every day or so for more than a year and you always have something interesting to say. It may not always be exactly how I feel about something but it's always interesting and that's what makes life colorful.
Lovely to "meet" you at long last. I found you via Tonya's blog which I found through a Google search for hand quiting. Both of you have changed my thoughts of quilting forever. I can't see myself going back to the traditional way ever again. So keep the posts coming. it doesn't matter if you are part of a ring or not. I am part of 3 big ones with hardly any time to "do the ring". I have RSS feed list of my fav places "Clare's Ring"? You are there right at the top and that is where you will stay as far as I am concerned.
Finn, I've only recently come to know you through your blog (by way of Tonya's sidebar list) but I have enjoyed or been uplifted by every post I've read. (I'm very new to the whole blogland thing.) I'm with the others who have said they basically have created their own "ring" of blogs they read and enjoy. I've cruised through a couple of rings and only found at most a handful of blogs I'd go back to on each ring, Maverick or otherwise. Keep on keepin' on girl, and try to put this behind you.
I am just so glad to see you are still doing all of the fun stuff.
I plan to fire up the machine this weekend, and if I can figger out the cam ... pics will be included.
Loves ya,
Cindy
Finn...your blog is one I look forward to...you make me think with each and every blog entry. You take care...you are one special gal.
Finn, I'm another who has wondered about the Maverick title and how I came to be one. I guess it's the not being able to follow patterns very well because I have to do something of my own? Since the dawning of bloglines and the increased demands on my time, I'm very lax about leaving posts and regret that. But yours is one I always check out...it's like a respite in a busy day, like coming home. No matter whether you are a maverick or not, I'll always find you. Your blog was the one that made me want to be a part of the Maverick ring, so I'll be visiting...tea in hand!
Wow, I'm filled with sadness and gladness at the same time. You've said so many of the things that I have felt while on this "blog ride".
I'm very guilty of not keeping in touch with you, Finn - not to say that I don't pop in on a very regular basis but I've not been good about leaving comments and I owe you a huge apology. I have always thought of you as a Kind Soul - I believe I've told you that!
Rings help us meet new people, share new ideas, get inspired, gain acceptance, etc.
You've made me to stop and think more about the kind of person I am and should be. Thank you!
I was panicking this morning because I couldn't find you, dear Finn! Bonnie's blog led me back to your link.
I kept a handwritten journal for years, but after my shoulder injury I was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with it. And I missed it. So Judy helped me set up my blog and kindly inserted me into the Stash ring. Through that ring I've met a lot of wonderful quilters, am constantly inspired, and best of all, I met you!
My whole purpose in wanting a blog, ring or not, was to have a more comfortable way to journal. Since my life revolves around my distant family, my friends, quilting, and work, that's what I blog about. Some people are not interested in the aspects of my life outside of quilting (and have told me so), but the other things in my life are what make me who I am.
I sort of fit in the definitions of the Stash ring, and blog enough about quilting to justify my existence there. But my blog is my journal, and will continue to be so. I looked at your blog also as your journal, and have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your family, your past, your kitty, and seeing your beautiful scrap quilts.
I've got you in favorites now! No more morning panics! Looking forward to years of happy morning visits with you! You have inspired me more than I could ever say!
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