@ ckcowl - You got it right on the money!!I too am sometimes disappointed by the reactions when I give homemade quilty gifts, but I try to remember the love I put into the gift and just let go of the rest. I cannot control the reaction of the recipient , I just may choose not to gift them w/that type of present again in the future-lesson learned. I do truly hope that the gifts I take time to make will be used and not put away in a closet - but again it's not my choice. Once the gift is given it is literally out of our hands - we just need to let go and be at peace with the choice we made to make a gift for this certain person. I'm still struggling over whether or not to make a lap quilt for my DFIL. I love him very much and he has done a lot for my family over the years. He will be 80 on his birthday and is cold all the time(mostly due to a blood disorder), but I'm not sure the quilt would be used because he is also a proud man who doesn't want to be viewed as old and frail. Whatever decision I choose - I will have to be at peace with his reaction in the end.
Happy Quilting!