Monday, June 30, 2014

Question Brought on by a SNARKY Emailer.....

Hi y'all on Monday! First, I actually finished a quilt (quilting and all) this weekend. (pause here for applause)!! It is a gift so will show you in a few days after it is presented.

I was really put off by a SNARKY email from a woman who obviously has some anger issues and who reminds me of some of the women in the only quilter's guild I ever joined and subsequently un-joined. First, some funny things I saw on Pinterest to give you a smile on Monday. These are SO me!
And I think this re-writing of a classic is totally appropriate:
Hahahaha. Okay, here's the scoop. I got an email from a Twitter follower who said, "You smug people who call yourselves quilters but NEVER actually do the quilting make me sick. You are PIECERS. You are rich enough to send your "quilts" off and someone else quilts them. Quit calling yourself QUILTERS."

Okay, fellow bloggers...what do you think? First, I would like to say that she wrote to the wrong person. I've never paid for a professional quilter. A professional quilter did quilt one of my quilts but because she took pity on me for being poor. I have thousands of UFO's (well a lot of UFO's). Anyway, I have no earthly idea why she would email me of all people with that comment. Maybe she did a blanket email and you guys got an email too. So what's a snappy comeback? What do you think? My thoughts are that, if I buy the fabric, cut the fabric and stitch the fabric, I can call myself anything I want. And, what is the deal with all that anger, anyway. I didn't email her back because I thought...this person is wacko and I'm above letting it bother me. But, of course, I'm not above letting it bother me. Wish I had attained that level of personal evolution but I'm un-evolved and it felt yucky to get that out of the blue. I do call myself a quilter. I have finished entire quilts. Just thought I'd see what you guys think. I always love your comments.

Have a great Monday and don't forget Karen's giveaway for 6 lessons (60 blocks) of the quick, easy methods of making a Farmer's Wife quilt. You can enter HERE if you haven't already. She's so sweet and so nice...she just didn't know how she would pick someone to win the giveaway. So I said, "I'll do it"! I have a fool-proof way to make it fair and square. Winner will be announced on July 7th. Love you guys! XO and cheery wave from Bev













44 comments:

Missy Shay said...

Wow, that is so uncalled for to be directed at anyone for any reason. Sounds like jealousy to me. I personally like to quilt my own quilts (couldn't afford a professional quilter anyways). I feel the same as you, maybe someone does not have time to quilt their own quilts, or do not like that part of the quilting process. I once had an older friend tell me "I am at the age in my life that I used to quilt all of my own quilts, but I have earned the right now to pay someone else to do it for me."

Jan said...

How sad someone like that feels it's necessary to lash out in an email. I wouldn't dignify her remarks with any response! I'm a beginner,just starting out with my first quilt but I don't mind calling myself a quilter!

Love your blog!

Laugh Yourself into Stitches said...

visit my blog...there's help!
http://chezstitches.blogspot.com/2014/06/dramamine.html

Lacy in Classen Ten Penn said...

I think people just don't need to be hateful. I machine quilt and have considered sending quilt tops out because I hate that part of quilting. It doesn't mean I don't consider myself a quilter though. Hey I don't write most of my own patterns either does that make me not a quilter? LOL

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Lots of haters out there. KWILT ON !

Jan said...

I can't imagine what is wrong with the emailer, except a lot of anger. I have no interest in doing the final quilting on my projects, so I use a long arm quilter. I'd rather be creating designs and executing them. I think your strategy of not responding is wise. I'd recommend sticking with this and not further engaging her. There's so much good going on, keep up the good work.

Debra said...

Some people just need to lighten up... :-). It is a creative process ... a journey.... Enjoy the journey and don't worry about getting to the finish line!!! We are all quilters of various skill levels and availability of time. I have been smacked by the quilt police myself - it never feels good. Enjoy yourself!

Podunk Pretties said...

Obviously this person doesn't know quilting history. It's long been traditional to make quilt tops and send them off to a church guild or quilting bees to be quilted.

Some people are just angry at the world, they don't know how to be happy. Kill'em with kindness would be my only response. I've no need to explain my quilting issues no more than they need to explain their anger issues.

Tanya said...

WTF was the first thing that came to mind. I would have been hard-pressed not to advertise this woman's name so that all the "quilters" in your blogosphere could reach out to her, personally! ;-)

I just told Karen Walker that I have recently been introduced to an old Polish saying: "Not my circus, not my monkeys", in reference to drama. Karma, baby. Happy week, Bev! XOXO

Alison V. said...

There's a lot of bitter bee-yatches out there whose hearts are full of jealousy that comes out of them in the form of nasty emails and comments. Jealousy turns good people into evil ones! I understand wanting to start-to-finish your own quilts, but I have no problem having mine professionally long armed free hand or pantograph.

Nancie Anne Quilts said...

Here's Your Response!
"You're right! I'm not only a quilter! I am a very talented and peacable piecer! Thank You for recognizing my multi-faceted talent!"

glassbylindi.blogspot.com said...

Do you know this person?
I have had much worse 'thrown' at me and I can't say it makes me mad/upset more than it hurts my feelings.
I learned a long time ago unless someone else is buying my 'stuff' and paying my bills (other then my husband, I don't listen to him..haha)can one be 'snarky'.
Life has much bigger problems then to worry if I am a piecer or a quilter.
D.G. L

Emily C said...

I will say that I do not agree with the people who seem to love every quilt they have ever seen, even the ones who look like the quilter may have color matching issues. However, being rude is not the way to go about it. I consider myself a quilter, but I have finished 1 quilt(baby size), a doll quilt and have 3 UFO's. other quilters have finished hundreds of quilts.
My point being that it is very hard to compare quilters. Everyone is different. This person sounds like they have issues (perhaps with quilting) and just felt like ranting.
I do agree that some quilters are snobs, esp. the ones who think every other type of sewing is beneath them. If my neighbors want to pay me to play tailor, I am not going to argue with some extra money.

Rita said...

so sorry to hear that you were also broadsided. however, my experience was more personal -- the smart ass told me to my face. yep, that stung hard! not knowing how to respond, i could only say, "that's okay, i enjoy doing what i do." then i found myself thinking, "maybe, she's right -- so i'll be a piecer for the rest of my life." settled, i'll be a peacemaker! yay!

Mary said...

I like to DESIGN most of the quilts I make and that makes me a Quilter! Choosing the fabrics and sewing it together is part of the process. It's a bonus to get them finished, whether by myself or a Professional Quilter who can make the quilt come alive! Sorry you got that e-mail. I think you should name names too.

Jen Barnard said...

I have to say I think just 'snarky' is way too good for her. Even if that is her opinion she had no right to email any quilter (let alone a randomly picked one) like that. As for me, I quilt my own quilts, but I have no problem with someone supporting a business by having another person doing for them.

barbara woods said...

thank her and tell her to go jump!!!Can't talk to my sis that way

Laura Sudderth said...

I am in shock that someone would actually take time to tweet that. Call me a cutter, a piecer, a sewer and yes, I do have money to send it out to have it quilted and you don't.

Unknown said...

Yep, I'd ignore her. You'd be wasting your time with a response(time you could be quilting). So if I paint a picture and have someone else frame it, am I not a painter? Good grief...some people.

Churn Dash said...

I once showed a Christmas panel that I quilted the heck out of. The quilting was gorgeous. When I showed it at a bee, one lady just said with a sniff "It's cheater cloth".

You really can't win!

My attitude is that I do it for fun and I really don't give a toss what other people think. I hope you can have a laugh about it, but maybe spare a thought for the woman... she might develop heart problems getting so bent out of shape over something that is really none of her business.

Helen

Barbara Hudak said...

I would put no power in some ones words that I didn't personally know...I would have deleted the twitter comment and gone back to sewing a quilt! ;-) so with that said...have a great day and carry on!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

some of the above comments are just great! I say, she needs a life and just press delete!

Katy said...

You will get the same kind of people in any walk of life and any hobby you may have. I know that personally. I don't give them the time of day or answer their comments because they are the ones with the issue, not me. I have many hobbies and enjoy each one a lot. I don't care what others think of me or what I do because the ones I gift with my happy hobbies love them. So many hateful and angry people in the world. Please don't take issue with any of them. Let them stew in their own anger.

Marianne said...

Whenever I read one of your posts, Bev, the first thing that pops into my head is "smug." The second is "rich," obviously! What a ding-dong that woman is. She certainly isn't a follower or she would know better. She probably snuck out of the asylum to send you that email, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Jo said...

In am sorry this happened to you. There are just some people in the world who thrive on misery and negativity. Unfortunately this will always be a fact of life.

Sharon E said...

Geeze....from the emailers comments, I would say someone isn't appreciating the beauty of life and should reflect more on their own.

elizabethdee said...

Karen's reference to your post brought me over, and I hope you don't mind that someone who does not know you at all is commenting. A snarky email might make me feel bad too (human nature) but don't let the anonymity of the Internet work against you. When I read that nasty email all I could picture was some crazy lady weaving her way through the crowded city sidewalks, talking to herself and hurling unpleasant words in all directions. In other words, if your unfriendly correspondent were to accost you in real life, you might feel only pity for her and know not to take her opinions very seriously.

Barbara Sindlinger said...

I think this person needs a chill pill. I think some people can't machine quilt their own quilts and aren't they lucky to live in a time where we can hire out that part of the job. But that doesn't make them piecers only. So sorry someone had to take it out on you. You can block their emails!

Kathy H said...

Sorry that you had to experience such mean remarks. I always enjoy reading your blog and feel you are such a sweet person. I usually quilt my own quilts, had 1 quilt professionally quilted and still feel it is my quilt. I also don't dye my own fabric and I usually follow patterns from books and magazines. They are still my quilts and I am a quilter. Hope you have a better tomorrow and think of all the kind people you know.

GO STARS! said...

Ignore her! I love your piecing, your quilting - whatever you want to call it. I enjoy your blog. I enjoy the different projects you work on, when you talk about your life, your work and your dog. You can't please everyone.

Karen said...

I am sorry she hurt your feelings. Pity her or just ignore her. Don't give her words any power over you!

Blessed are the piece-makers! 😄

Margaret said...

First off, I agree the person is wacko. Second, I can call myself anything I want. I send my special quilts out to be quilted. I quilt small projects myself. I do not do any fancy quilting. Mostly just stitch in the ditch or quilt as you go. I consider myself a quilter. I have no problem with anyone who makes quilts calling themselves quilters. I don't think the quilt police will be out to get us for doing so.

paulette said...

Bev, no one deserves a snarky email... EVER!! See that little trashcan? That's where this needs to go and fast! The faster the better...and put the lid on it!! Out of sight, out of mind! Done!! Now get on with life...and whistle a happy tune as you quilt another gorgeous quilt!!
P

michelle h said...

I loved reading all the comments....everyone had such good advice and were appropriately shocked at that person's bad behavior. I have no better advice, just words of support for you to carry on and know that you are a wonderful quilter!! Keep on keeping on!

Eleanor said...

It's just comes down to proper definitions. Piecing the top either by hand or machine is piecing. Stitching three layers of fabric, again by hand or machine, is quilting. Both are steps in constructing a quilt. Both are equally important, but each is a different skill. And to be honest putting on a smooth binding is the part most of us dislike most. Be proud of your skills and proud of others for theirs.

Patty said...

Oh, that's too bad that she has such anger issues. I consider myself a quilter even tho I only machine quilt baby size quilts. I admit I send bed size quilts to a longarm quilter because I am not good enough to do them on my home machine. But I'm still a quilter. And I am a piecer too! Your work is beautiful. Keep showing your blocks, I enjoy seeing them.

Danih03 said...

If you, or me, or anybody has finished one single solitary quilt, whether it be a rag quilt, tied quilt, traditional quilt, or modern quilt, they are a quilter. And even if you only piece. After all, how about those quilting bees? don't they divvy out the work? YOu are better then me. I'd have to rebuttal. Better yet. Send her a link to this post so she can see all of the comments:)

margaret said...

It takes all sorts Bev, maybe she should have had one of those pills in the video! My feeling is if you can not say something pleasant say nothing at all, a very sad lady, wonder if she will read what we all have said about her!

liniecat said...

Maybe shed screwed up her own quilting and needed to lash out lol
Liked tanyas response above and also Nacies LOL

Dana Gaffney said...

Her problem not yours, it's so sad to think of how many sad and angry people there are out there who need to lash out at strangers for attention. That said, when I received an email that tore my quilting abilities apart I cried for three days. Don't try to answer or justify yourself, just make something beautiful.

PamKittyMorning said...

Wow. Well who knows what her motivation is.. beyond being mean. I try and never respond. Not that I don't think of responses in my head... I just never send them. Hope you can move along. No point in letting those bad feelings ruin your day. xo

20 North Ora said...

How dare her! After seeing all of your gorgeous quilts, the nerve of her saying that! Send me her email and I'll tell her a few polite things!

Ignore her completely!

Judy

Debbie said...

So that is what makes her sick? Really. How silly in the scheme of things. What a waste of her time and effort.

Gina said...

Good answer.