Have you ever took back a crafty gift?

I have not taken a gift back but my mom does keep squishing her scrapbook that I have made. I usually bring a new page to her every time I visit and I ALWAYS have to dig it out from under a bunch of things. I even showed her that it was bending the pages because of the embellishments. I have given up telling her. When did parents quit listening to their childern??? LOL!

Hopefully you will find the perfect photos to put in the beach themed explosion box!

Hugs, Tammy

I haven't had that happen, although I'm sure if I went to find the one I gave my sister it would be in really bad shape. My mom and MIL have theirs on those plate holders so they are kept somewhat upright and on display. I would be real tempted to take it back like you Lynne.

Amanda

I used to have that problem then I stopped making things for my Sister.

Sarah was rummaging through the book case and came up with the ABC album I had made a loooong time ago and loves it. Elizabeth keeps telling Sarah "gently don't break" I told her to have sarah enjoy the book as she is on a reading fit. I guess I'm a scrapper who wants her work enjoyed and if that means bent pages so be it.

I have returned a gift of scrapbooking supplies to the store that was a gift from a person at ANOTHER MESSAGE board as they were totally innappropriate for my scrapping needs -- baby boy stuff, pet themes, nascar, etc.

Oh well, it happens.

Kate

I don't think I have had that problem yet. Most people including family usuall disply my "stuff" for the world to see. Right "DAVE" - "KENDA" - ... My sis ter has my crossstitched pictures hanging indifferent parts of her house from way back when i crossstitched. I think one of them is over 25 yrs old.... it is a mouse sitting on a mushroom and she always hangs it in her bathroom. She even has several pieces my mom has done floating around in different places too. Is it being displayed because they don't have a hobby of their own?.... she does do gardening and loves it.

cowchipper

My Grandma has cross stitched and embroidered pieces I made her when I was

15 still hanging in her house. That was 32 years ago. I do enjoy seeing them there. My other Grandma passed on when I was 19 and I did get that embroidered piece back and it's hanging in my house. I still don't see it as mine. It's hanging up, because it was something I made for her and she really enjoyed it.

Lynne

If the things are getting bent from use I'd have no problem with that ... like you. Please enjoy them and if you like it that much I'll make you another. But this piece was stuffed on a book shelf and obviously not being thought of. So, I took it. haha First time I've ever done that.

I have a friend that a few years ago every time I'd make jam she would take a jar. Kind of presumptuous of her... but sometimes we allow friends to do things like that. Plus if her and her husband enjoyed my jam... more the better. Well.. a few years later I was helping her clean and organize her kitchen after a remodel and there were every jar of jam untouched and years old. Jokingly and seriously I scooped up the six jars to take home and told her she was not to ask for any more jam since they don't eat it. Most flavors are very precious and sot after since I have to go to a lot of trouble to get and pick the fruit. Sour cherries from Rough and Ready... one tree only so many cherries each year. Wild Plums from Rough and Ready that I have to walk 2 miles down a steep hill... pick the fruit... carry all the fruit back and then make jam. (not to mention I have to keep an eye out for Mountain Lions while picking the fruit) Best jam on the planet. Not for sitting in a cupboard going bad.

Lynne, I wish I was as strong of a person as you are. When I quilted, I was often tempted to take a quilt back when it didn't go to a loving home. The hours you put into making that gift-only to watch it be utterly destroyed because someone wasn't taking care of it, or even worse, not using it. As a consequence, I just don't make that many crafting gifts for people. The ones I do usually involve the my nieces and nephews, and as everyone knows, kids love pictures of themselves, and don't care if my scrappin' isn't perfect, so that always makes me feel good. And if they destroy it from looking at it to much, so be it!

Anyways, good for you. 20-bucks says she never notices. Kathy

I can understand why you did that Lynne! I am usually very choosy who I make crafty gifts and homemade cards for. I want them to be appreciated for the time and effort that went into making it. I made something Christmas-themed for my mom years ago, and told her then that if she ever wanted to get rid of it, I would like it back. I told Dad too, after Mom passed away. I'm still keeping an eye out for it! It was a cross stitched Christmas picture of a downtown store front, and I just loved it..I almost kept it for myself! haha!

Linda

I have never taken one back, but I've been tempted to on a couple of occasions right on the spot! You know, you work on something for 80-100 hours and they open it look at it for 10 seconds and go, oh that's nice! Its one of the reasons that I love giving my DBIL hand made things, he looks at it and it is really obvious that he appreciated the work that went into it. I think he's my favorite person to make things for, be it a bear, my yearly Christmas LO for the Xmas album I gave him or anything else.

Do yo guys have a favorite person in your family to make crafts for?

M-C

Probably my mom or my grandmother. Grandma was always bragging about the things I made for her and mom is always so appreciative.

Yeah, Lynne, I was thinking the same thing! Do let us know if she even notices!

M-C

My mother is appreciative of most of the things I make, but this one particular item I guess didn't interest her much. Problem is it greatly interested me and I wanted to keep it. So, seeing it languishing I think irked me more than usual. I still can't believe I took it. I think though as Kathy said she'll never notice it gone. That's one reason I had the courage. haha

As for favorite people to make things for.... it would be my Grandmothers. They would receive an item and just think I was the smartest cleverest person on the earth. On a funny side note... my paternal Grandma thinks I'm so crafty that over the years things I HAVEN'T made she's told people I made. For example I painted a sweatshirt for her and found some matching earrings and to this day 20 years later she still wears them and reminds everyone I made the earrings too. I've given up telling her I didn't make them. I just smile and say, "Glad you enjoy them Grandma."

Lynne

I make an 8x8 or a 12x12 Christmas album every year for the dirty card game we play at the family Chirstmas party. It's completely decorated and all they have to do is add photos. Everyone fights over it every year, and it really gives me a boost to see people wanting something I've made. Sandy

Hmmm, interesting question. I do love making stuff for my nieces and nephews. For instance, I made my nieces fleece tied blankets with their names embroidered on them once-oh twice now I guess. The first set was worn to shreds as they literally dragged them everywhere. That was awesome. And my nephews have loved the birthday albums I've made them - I think all little kids love to look at pictures of themselves.

I made my parents an album when we went to a Brewer-Cardinal game together a few years ago. I took a bunch of pictures and put together an album for them with the newspaper clippings of the game. I even got a picture of them walking hand in hand from behind-I believe I ended the album with that picture. I heard from each of my brothers and sisters and from friends of my parents that they had showed that book to literally anyone who walked in the house. Now that is cool.

Kathy

Oh Lynne, I am so sorry that you felt you needed to take it back, but I completely understand!! I have started being really careful about who I give handmade gifts to. I painted some silk and made a beautiful clutch (purse) and gave to my SIL as she attends lots of very dressy events. I never heard from her about it. I was really hurt, I spend weeks on that clutch, and it turned out sooo nice. (I think if I ever see it at her house I will take it back!)

I love to make things for my husband's family (except for his sister) as his parents and aunts just love it when I make them things.