You are much braver than I. Although a friend had an iguana that would get all riled up every once in awhile and I would have to go down and talk in my FM voice to calm him...He was a piece of work.

I can identify with having people not appreciating the work involved in making a quilt. My son was marrying into a very rich family. I knew he would receive a lot of expensive gifts. He sails so I decided to make him a king sized quilt in the Mariner's Compass pattern. It was my first qult. I took a class and worked on it for 5 months. I designed it myself. I had it professionally quilted and she did a beautiful job encompassing star patterns into the actual quilting. I was shocked how beautiful it turned out. I did it in his favorite colors blues. To this day I have never seen the quilt out. Three years now. I do not know what happened to it. The overall cost was over $1000 but I migh as well have just written a check. Thanks for letting me vent. It really helps to know others have had the same experience.

oh my goodness allthings, that would really hurt. applications ,would be the answer for us quilters

Mothers are suppose to be nosey.....ask him where in the heck it is!! My first quilt I made for my son when he went off to college, I found out last year ( Cause I kept asking) he used it to lay on the ground under his truck as he changed the oil. Maybe it's best not to ask after all.....there are some things, we would rather not know :?

Someone told me once that when it comes to giving someone a gift it is not ours to determine the manner of how the gift is utilized, for we may find we do not approve...but then if we do not approve...what was the intent of the gift giving? If it was not out of the pureness of the giving, then we look to receive our own from it. It was a hard thought, but it helped me to look at the love behind the gift towards the person gifted.
I, also, endeavor to more deeply appreciate what has been given to me,knowing that I too, may not have given due consideration. Not always with equal deliberation still, unfortunately. :? :)

Sandra, you have a point, but I would be crushed if that had happened to one of mine. My mother may not have appreciated it, but at least its still in a closet somewhere.

I understand both views.While my d-i-l may not have a clue, my grandkids love and REALLY use the quilts I made for them. When I visit my 5 yr. old grandson Timmy always insists I use his made- with-love quilt I made him. He says it makes him well faster when he gets sick.It is a jeans quilt made with old jeans from myhusband and me. Timmy points out the pockets from his grandpa. They have faded spots on them from grandpa's comb and wallet. All his little friends want a grandpa quilt too.My other grandson, Amadeus, keeps his on his bed year round and only take t off if little kids come over who might spill something on HIS QUILT. His sister Alexis, takes hers on all of her sleep-overs at her friends houses. She even made her first quilt (a wall hanging/doll quilt) last summer when visiting me. It makes all the forgotten, mis-used and neglected quilts I have made not so important after all. :D

That is a wonderful story. I have 3 gk's but need to make the 2nd son one before I start on the little ones. They all got baby quilts when they were born, and now need quilts for their regular beds. So many quilts, so little time!

I just read through all the letters on lack of appreciation for quilts. People can be so cruel even though some of them don't even realize what they have done.
When I was 10 I had taught myself to crochet.
I bought white linen (with my money from babysitting, yes, at 10 and for a newborn no less) cut it into an oval and 2 circles to fit my older sister's vanity. The kind that dropped down in the center with a stool to sit in front of the mirror.
I crocheted an edging around these and gave them to my sister as a gift.
My father had just died 3 months earlier and I had transferred my father feelings to my brother-in law, thought the sun rose and set in him.
The next time I was at there house I watched as he set his foot upon a stool and polished his shoes with the oval piece of the set.
My heart was broken and it still hurts to think of it.
Life went on and I became a professional seamstress. I would sew beautiful dresses for my mother even though I didn't have time to sew for myself. Her response was always; "Oh, Honey this is so nice BUT why didn't you..." If I had put in a pleat it should have been a dart, if it were a dart it should have been a pleat.
I finally learned that I could not buy my mother's love, so I quit trying. I had other people who not only appreciated my work but was willing to pay for it.
My kids shower me with praise for everything I make for them.
I have crocheted a ring pillow lined in silk for my GDs which I know will be appreciated.
Joyce Raab MI

Joyce, I am so glad you now have people and family in your life who appreciate and love the things you make and do for them. I also love to crochet and have made many things my kids and GKs enjoy.Now that I quilt they have other things to enjoy also. You keep on making your lovely crocheted goodies for your kids and GKs. They will always love and appreciate you and your talent. ( No strings attached) Happy crocheting to you. !!!!!!!!!Enjoy life and the ones who love you. :D :thumbup: :D Pam