Saturday, December 28, 2013

Oklahoma Beauty #27 and a Snarky Comment - lol

I'm getting ready to start working - AGAIN I'm so far behind in my writing! But I wanted to get a picture of the next Oklahoma Beauty block which is this one:
Only 3 left to go! How am I going to set them? Yikes! Any suggestions would be appreciated but bear in mind that the centers will not sync up because they are all different sizes. I tried placing them with the centers matching up and it just looks sloppy. I have to tell you though...There is a woman I know who lives in another state and she emails me frequently to "critique" my work. Last time she wrote me she said "Your block colors are certainly different...not the traditional, pretty combinations that are acceptable by experienced quilters, but different." Do you believe the snarkiness? It's a good thing that I'm old and don't really give a rats you-know-what about what people like her think. I'm all for constructive criticism but she goes above and beyond that. Don't worry about me...it just gave me a good laugh. But once a quilt show judge was so horrible in her comments that I quit quilting for almost 10 years! I won't say who she is because she's a famous quilter and has recently had a stroke but she was brutal. I never think that snotty remarks are appropriate, especially for new quilters or people whose egos are easily offended. Well, that's enough of that...gotta get to work! Hope your Saturday is awesome! XO and cheery wave from Bev

27 comments:

kathy said...

I have been watching you make your Oklahoma Beauty blocks. Personally I love them because they are not the traditional colors. A quilt is what the maker wants it to be. As long as you like your work that's all that matters. Why does our quilting need to be judged anyway. Isn't that just a form of boasting a Besides, perhaps you are a trend setter and your way will be the next traditional. Again I think your Oklahoma Beauty blocks are AWESOME.

sew.darn.quilt said...

Well I have thoroughly enjoyed your progression of blocks for this project :)
The nerve of some people! Really!!
I know some folks thrive on making others feel bad. I'm glad her uncalled for comment gave you a chuckle.

Stephanie said...

First off my mother always told me "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all"! So while one's taste may not be the same as mine, if I don't care for it I just keep my mouth shut. Quilters are creative and to each his own. Personally I like your choices better than the "traditional" but that is my perogative! Don't ever let something someone says stop you from doing something, life is too short! I love all your Oklahoma beauty blocks and can't wait to see it all together! Keep going girl!

Derrith said...

Honestly, these blocks you have been sharing are some of the most beautiful blocks I have EVER seen and the colors are the reason! I LOVE them so much. Tradition has it's place, but not when it comes to personal preferences in the quilts we create-that's what I love about quilting. Anyway, I am rambling, but I love your blog and love your work and I can tell that you are a very lovely person. Thank you for sharing!

20 North Ora said...

I love your Oklahoma Beauty blocks because of the non-traditional colors. They are so YOU!!

My Momma always told me that if I couldn't say something nice, not to say anything at all. I think people can give you critique without being tacky!!

Ignore them and Happy New Year!

Judy

makeitshine said...

Honestly, I think people talk too much. That's why the children of today think it's their right to comment and share their opinions on absolutely EVERYTHING.

That said, I absolutely love your Oklahoma Beauty blocks ... because of the colors and mix of patterns. In a million years I never would have thought (or had the courage) to try this myself, but I have to tell you, it's one of the prettiest set of blocks I have ever seen.

Thank you for sharing!

Mary Jane said...

I think your blocks are fabulous and it is giving me the courage to try a block one day. Heck with critiques of that sort. Quilting is art and art is what the artist likes! I don't make quilts for the satisfaction of quilt snobs! I don't care for any of these modern quilts but as a whole they are beautiful--not just what I would do. Quilt on!

Katy said...

I admire your work even though the designs aren't something I would tackle any time soon. I just began quilting about 3 years ago and I am still learning. Curves are something of a challenge in my book lovely as they are.
I only sew gifts for family and close, close friends. They love what I make and look forward to homemade gifts from me. I wouldn't dare let someone seasoned even close to my sewing. They would probably be appalled. I'm not that bad, of course, just new and learning. I think harsh critics would break my sewing spirit and I can't have any of that. I love it too much! Take care

Nan V. said...

Bev, I just love your Oklahoma Beauty blocks! The colors are stunning, the quilt you make with them will be like a bright sunny day.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

LOL that is pretty snarky, but it does add a little humor to life! I guess she's never heard the saying, 'if you can't same anything nice, don't say anything at all!' And certainly quilt judges should know that they must not focus on negativity! :-o Shame on her! I love your bright beautiful blocks and think it is going to be an awesome quilt!

PeggySuesMom said...

One of the things I like the most about reading blogs like yours is that it gets me out of my own rut. Your colors may not be traditional, but who says traditional is "right"? Personally - I like your color choices. They are nice and bright and make me happy to look at them. So when you set them...forget traditional and just go for it!

Marianne said...

Here's perfect proof that you can't read the tone of an e-mail. I got the impression that the writer was complimenting your style and innovation, that you would bravely go where a more experienced quilter would have been held back. I think the blocks are beautiful and I'm sure you'll come up with a unique way to put them together.

Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net said...

I have been amazed at what people have said to you and to some other bloggers I follow. I have really enjoyed the blocks that you have shared with us. You said the centers didn't match up which looked sloppy. Was that with or without setting strips?

Jeanne said...

Bev, you know I follow your every post and truly enjoy your blog!!!I don't usually make comments but this one really got to me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blocks because they are bright happy and beautiful!!! Of course you know my style is very much like yours. If it ain't happy colors I don't want it! I have been in the process of designing a quilt to enter in a show. It's very bright and girlie colors. I have never entered a show before and now I am wondering if I even want to.I think after all this money and effort I am spending on this quilt if someone just tore me apart like that I would just cry and cry and then be PISSED OFF! Do I really need that in my life?? Okay I have carried on enough. Bev, I adore your quilting! You inspire me!!! Keep it up!!! Your okie buddy Jeanne

Jeanne said...

Bev don't you dare change a thing about your quilting! It's happy, joyful,bright and perfectly coordinated! I would give you a blue ribbon every time! your okie buddy Jeanne

Anonymous said...

I love your color combinations. They are so lively and bright!! 5 yrs ago, my daughter and I took a road trip from here (San Diego) to Clayton, OK to visit my sister(she's a traditional[read boring]quilter) and BIL. I brought some of Heather Ross' first Far, Far Away collection to show her because I loved them so much, and a pic of a patchwork quilt someone had made from them. I was so excited and she said "but it's just patchwork". I still haven't touched them. Of course, she's the one who has always told me my kids have ugly names, and our "mother never had a grey hair in her head until you got pregnant with Sean" (my oldest, and I was 17 and unmarried at the time) It made me feel bad and guilty for a lot of years until I realized that mother was 52, and it was just a coincidence!! She is a mean-spirited, bigoted person, and loves to put me down because she hated my dad, although she turned out just like him.... Some people just can't say nice things about others-personally or in their work. Keep up the good work. More of us love you than criticize you..

xo Linda

Heather said...

Seriously that woman is just rude! Frankly, I think your fabric combinations and colors are delightful and modern. I remember standing next to a quilt that I had entered into a show that won Best of Show and hearing a woman say how much it did not deserve to win because it was not in traditional colors. And that was almost 20 years ago!

Missy Shay said...

Well, I love the colors you are using! Without seeing all the blocks together, what I was thinking is using a solid color sashing, maybe white, to really showcase the blocks, and have groups of 4 that the centers are pointing to the same corner, as if you put them together but with the sashing separating them. And then have a border of white also, you have used some great colors and patterns and that might be the best way to showcase them.

Unknown said...

snarky blalarky...blah blah blah...what does 'she' know! i love your color combinations...happy, uplifting and cheery!! <3 karen

margaret said...

personally I love the colour choice in your blocks and have admired each and every one. Stephanie is so right in her comment. I do feel a bit of constructive critcism is okay though if necessary or asked for but there is none for your blocks they are delightful

Anonymous said...

I love your block colors. They are so pretty. But I must be missing something because I didn't know there were traditional colors for Oklahoma Beauty Blocks. Might have to look that up to see what they are. And how boring would everyone's quilts be if they were all the same colors. That's what makes quilting fun. You get to pick your pattern and your colors. I love it, and if you love it that's all that matters. Maybe she is upset cos she didn't think of it first!
Patty
paweis at yahoo dot com

gilly said...

I agree with what Kathy has said, each to his/her own and a quilt should always reflect the individual style and creativity of its maker. And you, lovely Bev are a wonderfully talented quilter who reflects the beauty of your Maker. I have loved seeing all your fabulous blocks and can't wait to see them all put together. Thank you for inspiring me - please don't ever give up quilting again!
Love & hugs to you and the gorgeous wee furry babes too,
Xxx

Unknown said...

I follow your blog and the progress of your Oklahoma Beauties because I think your color combinations are amazing. Keep doing what you're doing, you inspire lots of us!!

Andrea Johnson said...

I love the vibrant combinations of colors you have selected for your blocks. I'm sure the finished quilt will be gorgeous and unique and I can't wait to see it. It's good to have a tough skin, isn't it? The advantage of being older and mature!

Andrea Johnson said...

I love the vibrant combinations of colors you have selected for your blocks. I'm sure the finished quilt will be gorgeous and unique and I can't wait to see it. It's good to have a tough skin, isn't it? The advantage of being older and mature!

Mary said...

Quilt and use the colors that make you happy. No Quilt judge can dictate how you want to use your talents. That's why there are so many different fabrics in the store.
My Husband says, "It takes all kinds to make a world." Viva la difference!

Anonymous said...

I have just read your blog about the nasty comments. The colour of your quilts is what attracted me to your blog. I love your colour choices. They are very inspiring. Keep it up and I can't wait to see all the Oklahoma blocks together. This IS the year I will start mine. All the best from Scotland Carol W crlwilkie@aol.com