I have a Woe is Me story!

Apr '05

Thanks you guys for helping to lighten my mental load!

Cassie

Apr '05

That really stinks!! Don't let it get you down... it was a wonderful gift!!

Apr '05

Who knows, maybe someone in her family will see it and really rave over it and make her think again! The others are right, some people just don't even realize that you've given them the gift of your time and effort and just how special that can be. They are into the gift's monetary worth and not the sentiment.

Apr '05

The first time I made a paper bag album for my husband's cousin (she is expecting and I made it with her son's name on it). I felt like that lady on Momma's Family- the one who makes homemade gifts that no one appreciates. I really put a lot of time into and I was glad that she and her dh appreciated it. I am really sorry that the bride 2 b does not understand. That day while making that p.b. album, I learned something. Even if she does not like the gift I hope that she will see all the time and effort I put forth in making it, some people can be so simple minded. I am sure that you did a good job. Just keep up the good/hard work.

God Bless,
MeLissa

Apr '05

This reminds me of when i did cross stitch and people would go, Make me one, i will pay you" and i would just sort of laugh because i would spend hrs and hrs stitching and knew no one understood the value of my time. not so much monetary but i put my heart and soul into making it beautiful and pretty on the back and so my mom and close friends have my work. People just don't get it, handmade is made with love ,time and your heart. don't be sad, but do resolve to guard your heart, for from it comes the wellspring of life.

Apr '05

I think I would have had to grab it back out of her hands.. unappreciateive people. Heck, while you were at it you should have taken back the registry gift, returned it to Target and bought yourself more scrapping supplies!

Apr '05

I'm sorry to hear! She doesn't understand the "value" of that gift she so rudely put down! What comes around goes around!

Apr '05

I am so sorry........like someone stated above...... you will learn who to make things for...however, you have to learn the hard way, that is the hardest thing. I made my daughter teacher an album and she didnt even acknowlege that she got it. Makes me a lil

Apr '05

My parents have both passed. When we cleaned out the house and were getting rid of stuff, the only things that I REALLY wanted of my parents were things they made. My mother's hand-crocheted doilies, and my father's hand-carved walking stick. Because these were the things THEY cared about, and put their heart and soul into. Store-bought stuff was given to charity. It's something to think about.

Also, its written 'somewhere'--"Do not cast pearls before swine." I just don't think swine have the capacity to appreciate pearls. lol

Apr '05

Wow I hate that for you. And you watch she is going to be spending a ton of money on her wedding pics and not care about the wonderful place you made for them.
Oh well maybe one of these days the world will finally get it.

Apr '05

I am so sorry that your efforts weren't appreciated the way they should have been. What a shame.

Apr '05

that really stinks. maybe when she gets the pics back, she'll revisit your beautiful gift.

Apr '05

So sorry to hear that! Ibet it was an amazing gift...some people don't understand.

Apr '05

sounds like my MIL I scrapbooked my wedding a couple years ago and she looked at it and then like 6 months ago she said oh 'amy scrapbooks' my dh is like yeah its all she does

Apr '05

Oh that is so sad. I hope that after things settle down and the bride actually starts adding pictures to it ....she will realize what a wonderful gift it was. I hope you don't loose heart ....I'm sure there are others out there who will appreciate a thoughtful gift like this from you.

Apr '05

That really stinks that they said that. Don't let it frustrate you and stop you from making other things for people who will really appreciate it.

I showed my Valentine book I made for dh this weekend. Everyone loved it, but one girl gave this reply..."You must have a lot of time on your hands." I thought that was a little rude...

Apr '05

I'm sorry she didn't appreciate your gift. I know everyone woman on this board would have. She just doesn't understand that she'll use her overpriced, impersonal blender once, while the scrapbook you made for her could have been a priceless item she and her children could have enjoyed time and time again.

Apr '05

I'm so sorry for you. This makes me really angry!!!!

Some people don't understand that just BUYING a gift is very easy and is something anyone can do, but MAKING a gift is special!!!

Apr '05

That is sad that people aren't mor thoughtful. I made a 6x6 simple book of my older brother who is currently in Iraq for my Granny for xmas and she loved it. But she is a huge crafter. We get homemade items for Christmas every year from her. These are the presents I remember the most.

Annetta

Apr '05

My goodness people are just rude these days. I mean I've received gifts I didn't like before but I certainly would NEVER let anyone know that I didn't like it. ESPECIALLY when it's something the person made from the heart.

Apr '05

Thanks a bunch you guys for all of your kind words. I still have the wedding to deal with. YIKES! Fortunately we are trying to plan a trip that just might coincide with that wedding. Ohhhh tooooo baaaaddd!

Cassie

Apr '05

Go for that trip!!!!!

Apr '05

maybe she'll appreciate it when she needs a place to put all her shower/wedding/honeymoon photos. hopefully she'll use it.

i know that some people really appreciate getting books. i made one for each of 3 cousins (and am working on a 4th!). my closest cousin has been soooo excited about it - i've seen some of the pages she's filled in with pictures and journaling and she made me promise to make another if/when they have a 2nd child! she said that she knows how much i love it, how much time and creativity scrapping takes and is glad i do it because she doesn't have the patience! so there ARE great, appreciative people out there! keep up your hopes.

and too bad for her if she doesn't appreciate it.

Apr '05

I'm sorry to hear that!! I am so suprised someone was so mean about such a heartfelt gift.

to you, at least you can know that what you did was amazingly sweet!!

Apr '05

I can relate to your story. I made an accordian album for my dh's cousin, who is a first time grandmother. It's a brag book for her new grandson, complete with a Bazzill accordian keeper. I had so much fun making it and it turned out so cute! Well I mailed it to her (Idaho to Iowa), and haven't heard if she's even gotten it, and it's been over two months. I really like this woman, and we are probably going to stay with her next 4th of July, so what do I do? Ask her if she got it, or just hope she brings it up? Arghh...

I tend to go with what someone else said, learn to know who appreciates these things and only give them to those people. I'm sorry for you disappointment.
Jill

Apr '05

OH Im so sorry for you.

I just cannot understand how some people can be so rude? My MIL is like that; It just crushes you. Here you put so much time and thought into a gift just to have it shot down like a secondhand gift.

to you deserve it.

Apr '05

Gee...I wish I had received such a nice and thoughtful gift!!!! What a priceless treasure!

Apr '05

Oh, one funny thing my mom said, (this should help cheer you up).."Since you are making me a Red Hat Scrapbook, you should make Grandma one. She'd really like it. I said, "A Red Hat book?" Mom said, "Oh...no. Not a Red Hat book. She'd get more enjoyment out of a family and grandkid book." Poop. I guess that means I need to make a book for Gram since I'm the oldest grandkid. She was showing off some of the counted cross stitch things I did when I was in HIgh School the other day...and told everyone I made that for her when I was a little girl!!

Apr '05

I'm sorry to hear that they didn't appreciate the album.

Apr '05

Some people just doesn't get all the love and effort that goes into gifts like that.

One year I made a gift tray for my Dh's sister. I decopaged it with this scene, and hand painted the rest of it. I also put a ton of jar gifts and other handmade things on it. When she opened it she was nice about it but had the "oh" look on her face.

Never again will I make something for someone as a gift. They want a homemade item they can buy it. It took me forever to make that. Now she gets some cheap commercialized gift or a family gift certificate.

Don't let them hurt your feelings, I'm sure it was beautiful.

Apr '05

my question is this: Does she know "what on earth" you gave her? I mean, does she know that it is a SCRAPBOOK? Or, doesn't she have the slightest idea what a scrapbook is for? Maybe, the reason why she didn't like it is because she doesn't know what it is or what it is for? NEVERTHELESS, she shouldn't be, shall we say, an "ingrate(?)"... the mere fact that you spent time, effort, and money on it is something to be grateful for.
Did you tell her what is it or how it's supposed to be used? Perhaps, if you tell her, she'll understand the value of it and be thankful this time.

Good luck!

Apr '05

I sure did! I went over to her immediately after she opened it and showed her the individual pages and had explained what the glue stick that I had included was for.

Update - Our plane doesnt leave until the day after that wedding. BOOO HISSSS!!!

Cassie

Apr '05

ugh the nerve of some people. Don't lose hope though...

I made a card for my parents for their 28th anniversary on the 6th. And my mom said "Thats beautiful. You definetly can't buy a card like that in any store." It sure did make me feel good that she appreciated it. She knows how hard I work on things. I think my mom will soon be into scrapping as soon as she can get her OWN space to do it and actually get the courage up to go through that HUGE bin of pictures. Anyhow, my dad just kinda looked at it and said "thats nice" I mean he wasn't mean about it , but , u know men! LOL!

As I said, don't take it completely to heart and discourage u from making other gifts for ppl. I am sure it won't be long and after u make someone else a precious gift like that then I am sure u will get postive feedback just as I did from my mom. Don't give up!!!!!

Apr '05

Oh! That was rude! Some people just cannot get it, can they? But don't let that dishearten you! I'm sure it was beautiful! You should just have taken it back! LOL!