my Mexican Star I made as a Christmas present
10-24-2016, 08:36 AM
#74
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: N E OHIO
Posts: 343
Originally Posted by PAMAR
I love this wallhanging. I am so sorry your daughter did not appreciate it. I have had similar experiences over the years. I now tell my family I will make them a quilt only if they want one. I try to get their input as to what they would like.
Recently, I made a surprise T-shirt quilt for my 3 time All-American wrestling nephew. My sister sent me all his special t-shirts. We drove the finished quilt out to Ohio from eastern Pennsylvania, as I didn't want to risk it getting lost in transit.
He was so surprised when he opened it. I told him that I had put a sleeve on the back in case he wanted to hang it. He looked at me with an astonished look on his face and this darling young man said to me "Oh, I want to use it. Is is OK if I use it? I think it is disrespectful if I don't use it."
Holding back tears, I told him it was his to do with what he wanted and he definitely could use it. That night, he sat in the family room wrapped in the quilt. The next morning, as I passed his room, I saw the quilt proudly laid out perfectly on his bed. I could not have asked for a better gift. I will make this young man as many quilts as he wants for as long as I can. This is why I quilt for love and not money.
My wish for you is that you experience this kind of joy and appreciation for your passion and talent. There are those out there who would love such a valued gift of your love. Seek them out. You will know who they are. Do not give up the gift that gives you joy and will give others an equal amount of joy.
I, for one, would proudly display this quilt in my home. It is beautiful.
Recently, I made a surprise T-shirt quilt for my 3 time All-American wrestling nephew. My sister sent me all his special t-shirts. We drove the finished quilt out to Ohio from eastern Pennsylvania, as I didn't want to risk it getting lost in transit.
He was so surprised when he opened it. I told him that I had put a sleeve on the back in case he wanted to hang it. He looked at me with an astonished look on his face and this darling young man said to me "Oh, I want to use it. Is is OK if I use it? I think it is disrespectful if I don't use it."
Holding back tears, I told him it was his to do with what he wanted and he definitely could use it. That night, he sat in the family room wrapped in the quilt. The next morning, as I passed his room, I saw the quilt proudly laid out perfectly on his bed. I could not have asked for a better gift. I will make this young man as many quilts as he wants for as long as I can. This is why I quilt for love and not money.
My wish for you is that you experience this kind of joy and appreciation for your passion and talent. There are those out there who would love such a valued gift of your love. Seek them out. You will know who they are. Do not give up the gift that gives you joy and will give others an equal amount of joy.
I, for one, would proudly display this quilt in my home. It is beautiful.
what a sweet...sweet story. You put tears in my eyes as I read it. I recently made a miniature cute quilt. It was "card trick" . I was showing it off at a quilt guild and when we were done and ready to leave...I was speaking with a good friend. I had helped her out one time when she got very ill at a meeting and since then we have a sisterhood. After the meeting...she came up to me to tell me how she really loved the tiny quilt. I was so touched by her heart that I gave it to her. She cried. I cried. Those are the moments we all live for, I think. They are few and far between. I have a brother that I called to ask him what color I could use to make him a table cover for his round kitchen table. He wrote back and said not to make it...he would not use it...save my money. I was very upset. I wrote and told him the gracious thing to do was just put it in a closet...I would never know. But to deny me the joy it would have brought was rather cruel. that was when he sent a picture of the kitchen wallpaper and said to make a wall hanging instead. Thus the colored one. I may wait til Christmas to give it.
10-27-2016, 03:55 AM
#79
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: N E OHIO
Posts: 343
Originally Posted by quilterpurpledog
Love your Mexican Star quilt. I have made 2 or 3 but never one for myself-which I intend to do at some point. I certainly understand your feelings over the matter. I have made a quilt for all family members with varying responses and uses ranging from worn out with use to never seen again. Now, I find great joy in making quilted items for a boutique crate show that benefits a cause that I support. People who buy these items appreciate them or they would not purchase them. I feel good about the effort.
10-27-2016, 05:35 AM
#80
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 2,497
It's hard when you put so much time, energy and love into a quilt and the intended recipient is less than thrilled, if not unhappy with it. Sorry that you've experienced something similar...and with your own daughter. I kind of know the feeling. However, it doesn't change the fact that you were thinking of her and loving on her while you were making it for her. Unfortunately we can not/should not give a gift with expectations attached. We hope that the recipient appreciates a gift. We cant make them. We can't make them see what we see.
Chances are you've seen her grow up. You know how she is. Probably a little different than you. Everyone has different tastes, in everything, especially in quilts! That's how and why there are so many different patterns/fabrics.
It sucks that she didn't appreciate it. But, even though you lost it, you still thought enough of her to make one.
In the past when I've made a quilt for one of my dd's, I get her input for one side. Even if the side I make/like never sees the sight of day, I know it's been snuggling her and keeping her warm at some point. Ha! Take that Carson! We both have very different points of view and likes/dislikes.
Chances are you've seen her grow up. You know how she is. Probably a little different than you. Everyone has different tastes, in everything, especially in quilts! That's how and why there are so many different patterns/fabrics.
It sucks that she didn't appreciate it. But, even though you lost it, you still thought enough of her to make one.
In the past when I've made a quilt for one of my dd's, I get her input for one side. Even if the side I make/like never sees the sight of day, I know it's been snuggling her and keeping her warm at some point. Ha! Take that Carson! We both have very different points of view and likes/dislikes.
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