the q.p. exist only in their own imaginations. hubby describes such folk as being "so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good". these are the ones who will tell a four year old that there is no santa, that the easter bunny is a pagan symbol of fertility, and that there are NO fairies. they usually look as though they were weaned on a pickle.
they will try to tell me that i can't quilt because i'm a relative beginner. they will say that "that" quilt is an abomination of fabric, never taking into consideration that the one who made it cannot afford to go to or does not have a LQS, so she/he relies on available materials. they will criticize handquilting, never taking into account the age of the quilter--too young to really be trying such an ambitious project--or too old, and the arthritis has overtaken their lives. they are the spawn of the grinch, and their collective hearts are several sizes too small. they have lost their sense of wonder, of awe, that someone could tackle something they've never approached before, and DONE it! and best of all--they fail to appreciate that the best quilts are the loved ones, and the done ones. pretty, perfect UFOs can't warm a heart or a home.
i say leave them to their own devices, and harden your heart to any bad things they say. as has been said here, most of them are "wannabe"s. it's about the joy of doing, designing, making, finishing and gifting--something most of the QP never experience!