Hi--I guess I should feel better knowing that other people have the
same inconsiderate friends and relatives--I think my children grew up
having so many handcrafted items at home and given for any kind of
occasion that they took these things for granted-(although they also
saw how their friends admired their clothes, blankets, pillowcases
etc)--not really appreciated although as adults it seems as if there
has been somewhat of an attitude adjustment. My newest DIL is a
sweetheart and gets so excited over things I give her--so I am
encouraged to make things for her little family--they seem to
understand that they won't see these things anywhere else--
And it is funny that my oldest grandson, age 13, loves handmade items--
asks for them in fact--even though his mom, another DIL is very ho-hum
about it--a name doily that I crocheted for them several years ago-at
least 10--sits on the floor beside the couch and when I visit is
propped up on the back of the couch-I have pretty much quit making
things for her because she treats items I have made so badly--you
would think it was because she doesn't realize the time and effort
involved but she has seen works-in-progress many times so I know she
knows, apparently just doesn't care--I could give numerous examples
but----and in case you might think these items are tacky or badly
made, I assure you I am very OCD about my sewing and handwork--Taking
out rows and rows of crochet or knitting or miles of stitching is not
unheard of if a mistake is found after the fact--
I recall several years ago at Christmas time we had secret elves at
work. The name I got was a woman who collected angels so I was
crocheting an angel for her--thread-small hook type of angel and it
was going to be beautiful as even, I, Mrs. Super-Critical could see.
At lunch one day, and mind you I am well into this project, another
woman was telling about her family's "Grandma box". A box full of
things Grandma had made that they kept in the closet and only took out
when she was coming to visit. Talk about freaking me out--so I am
very insecure about giving handmade items to others--doesn't stop me
but I get nervous about it nonetheless.
I know a gift is a gift but I am far better off giving/selling things
to strangers so I never see them again and don't know how those items
are treated. I try not to feel bad when I hear the dogs ripped up the
pillows etc but its hard--I guess I am too attached but I really don't
know how to become detached--Lauri
