Something terrible happened to me last week.  It’s still hard for me to even think about.  I received the most horrible feedback about a quilt from a customer that I could ever imagine.  I’m sure some are wondering why I would be blogging about this publicly, but the thing is, the feedback is already public, AND it’s completely unjustifiable.   I feel that I need to share my side of the situation.  Once I get it out there I hopefully can move past this and keep creating as I know I’m able to.The feedback was about my Shoofly Quilt that I created for the very first Project QUILTING challenge.  All the pictures I’m showing you in this post are the exact pictures that were on the listing for the quilt.   Here’s the listings description of the quilt:

Gorgeous hand-dyed fabric, a stunning floral print commercial print and an earthy branch commercial print are combined to create this look for your wall. Fibers sewn onto part of the hand-dyed fabric add a great textural element to this quilt. This wall quilt will become a family heirloom for many years to come.

Approximate Size: 31.75" x 31.75"

The Story Behind the Quilt:
This quilt was my entry for the first Project Quilting Challenge. More details on Project Quilting can be found on www.kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com

I started with a piece of fabric I dyed and a fun floral printed fabric. I decided that I would 'make' my own striped fabric. I did this by taking a portion of the hand-dyed fabric and machine stitching different fibers - some that I had dyed, some commercial - across the fabric. I absolutely love the effect it had. It did make ironing during the piecing portion of the quilt a bit tricky. Due to miss calculation of fabric amounts I did not have enough of the hand-dye to put as the center blocks of my shoofly. So, I took a interesting directional branch fabric and pieced them together to create either 'circles' or 'x's' in each square. Eight of them went together just fine but after two tries with the center one (late at night) I scratched it and just used a lighter value square of the hand-dyed fabric. I think created an almost 'bordered' feel in the quilt with out actually adding a border. I decided to keep the quilting simple and did some rectangles and diamonds. There was enough going on with the color, texture and pattern in the quilt.

I will now go into the messy details of the bad feedback *deep breath*

Here’s what the customer had to say after she got the quilt in the mail:

I was extremely disapponted with this purchase!! It was advertised as a "quilt" but it barely has any quilting on it. It feels and looks more like a piece of cloth that the seller added some stiching to. Basically a piece of junk and not worth the $90.00 dollars she charged for it. I would never buy from her again.

I’m sure you can imagine that I was horrified to read this.  I immediately emailed the buyer with:

Hi Gail,

I just read the feedback you left about the quilt you recently purchased from me.  Please send me the quilt back and I will refund you in full and pay for the shipping expense it inflicts on you.  I don't want anyone that doesn't like my work to be stuck with it and I would rather keep it.  I'm so sorry about your disappointment in your purchase.

Kim Lapacek

my address

And she eventually responded:

Frankly,  I don't feel like taking the time to go to the Post Office and what guarantee do I have that you will refund the money?
So I will keep it.  lesson learned.

My thought’s here - $90+shipping isn’t worth the time to go the Post Office – wow!  I’m trying really hard to hold my emotions in as I type this…

I replied

Wow, 

I am really disappointed about this.  I would say that my 11 pages of positive feedback in the last 3+ years as a seller on etsy would be the guarantee that I would refund your money. 

I am absolutely sick about this.  I would really really really like to have my quilt back.

Kim Lapacek

And finally from the buyer:

I will send back the "quilt" once I receive a full refund.

Although it sickens me to think that someone would call my quilt ‘junk’ still has it in her possession there is absolutely no way that I would refund her money without the quilt back in my possession.  There’s a few reasons for this.

1. First – how do I know she’ll send it back?  Maybe this is a scam where she’s just really mean to me and tries to get my money and my quilt.
2. Second – what store would do that?  If clothes from Old Navy don’t fit me I don’t get my money back before I return the clothes.  That’s just not how it works.

I honestly feel that my pictures and description are completely accurate for this piece.  I’m beyond hurt at what this person said about my quilt and can’t believe anyone would think that, let alone leave that on my feedback without contacting me first about there feelings.  It would be one thing entirely if she had said something like, “Oh, the quilt isn’t what I was imagining it would be…etc…” but her comments are completely without cause.  You can even seen the exact quilting that was done in the last few photo’s as well as the sentences, “I decided to keep the quilting simple and did some rectangles and diamonds. There was enough going on with the color, texture and pattern in the quilt.” in the description. 

This whole situation is completely frustrating to me.  It makes my stomach hurt and I wish I could just drive down to Georgia and get my quilt back.  But I can’t.  So, I had to post ‘my side’ of this terrible situation and now I’m ready to move past it.

And, to end this bad experience on a bad note, I recently sold a few other quilts and here’s what the buyers had to say:

Quilted Wall Art - Columns and Circles - Inspired by the Project QUILTING OFfice Supply Challenge

Feedback:

Fabulous! Eye-catching, bright, witty, silly, makes me laugh out loud! I used to have a dark corner in my front hall, now that corner is full of fun and vibrant color. Love it.

  One person purchased my Houndstooth Lap Quilt and my Geometric Madness Lap Quilt.

And I just heard from her,

Excellent seller and beautiful items, love the brilliant mix of colour! Thanks so much!

I’m really excited that my apple orchard will be hosting the very first Craft-Apple-Ar tomorrow!  There are so many fun goods and people that will be there that I just had to share!  And…if you’re in the Madison area tomorrow between 10 and 4 you should think about coming out!

ART & CRAFT– on the Lawn

The GlitterWorkshop – Hair Feathers!, jewelry, whimsical coaster sets, and much, much more!

My Poplin – Baby Items, flower pins, clutches

Artsy Fartsy – prints and art

• blogged!

Recreative Crafts – skirts, etc – this is who made the ‘Made Locally’ you can see on Pip HERE.

AntiqueBasketLady- Purses

Janet Gangler – Needle felting, felted soap

Xanthe Walker – folk art

Meredith Dillman – fantasy art

Jackie Turbot – soap

Full Moon Farms

Heather Raabe – Jewelry

Innad – Wallets

Lilac Hill Soap – bath and body

Spry Whimsy Fiber Art – felted scarves, hats, etc

Nineteen Thirteen Jewelry – Jewlery

Stacy Anderson – Party Kits and Supplies

Genuinely Girls – fairy wands, tutu’s, dresses

Betsey Welty – Quilts, bags, baby things

Wool and Peace – art

Pretty {Much} Art – Coasters, Magnets

Photo of the three Leopold benches I had personalized for my three girls – Pip, Capri, and Cedi.  Place orders for yours on Sunday!

Laib’s – Leopold Benches, Outdoor Wood Furniture, and jewelry

The ‘Time Out’ Leopold Bench by the Pick Your Own Herb Garden

ART & CRAFT – in the Apple Store

KimsCraftyApple – quilts, bags, hand-dyed clothing, miscellaneous fun

Diane Lapacek – Quilts, Gourd Art, Hand-dyed linens

TheApple – jewelry

Barb Cook – Knit Hats, grocery bags, and washcolthes

CJ’s Eco Chic - Soy Candles

Blue Sky Pottery – Apple Baker’s and Honey Pots

Miss Pottery – Owls

Pie Birds by Sharon – Pie Birds

Twigs and More – Crayons and Colored Pencils made out of Sticks

UnRavelMe – Apple Cozies

PeacoxCreations – Apple Scrubbies and Pine Needle Baskets

FOOD

Sugarbomb Desserts – Cupcakes

Paoli Bread and Brat Haus

• Pasture-Raised Tenderloin Brat w/ homemade Peach Chutney or Grass-Fed 100% Beef Burgers
• Served with Door County Kettle Chips and;
• Choice of Beverage (Soda, Water, or Lemonade)
• Apple Kolaches

lil chocolates - Lisa Nelson - Chocolates

Lapacek’s Orchard

• Apples
• Caramel Apples
• Apple Cider Donuts
• Apple Cider – Unpastuerized and unpreserved
• Sweet Corn
• Pick your Own Raspberries
• Various Canned Goods
• Veggies

FUN

Funky Monkey – Back to School Mini Portrait Sessions (10am -2pm)

Mini Quilt Shop (in the store)

• Patterns
• Commercial Fabric
• Hand Dyed Fabric

Orchard

• goats
• emuskitties

Photo of Capri & Cedi by Friends in Photograhpy

• tractor tire playground
• orchard walk
• photo scavenger hunt
• sunflower field
• regular scavenger hunt

Local Food

• Columbia County Local Food Networks will be exhibiting some fun info about buying local!

This recipe would be fabulous using our Seedless Raspberry Spread. Slice a bag of Ginger Gold apples up for dipping so you don’t have to worry about the apples turning brown.

In my ideal world this post would be full of live links and great photo’s of examples of what people will be bringing for the Craft-Apple-Ar…but my world is far from ideal right now and I at least want to get you all somewhat excited about all the fun goods and food that you’ll find at the orchard on Sunday.  As people are still signing up I’m sure there will be even more fun and spectacular goods, food, and fun things to do when you arrive on Sunday!

ART & CRAFT– on the Lawn

The GlitterWorkshop – Hair Feathers!, jewelry, whimsical coaster sets, and much, much more!

My Poplin – Baby Items, flower pins, clutches

Artsy Fartsy – prints and art

• blogged!

Recreative Crafts – skirts, etc – this is who made the ‘Made Locally’ you can see on Pip HERE.

AntiqueBasketLady- Purses

Janet Gangler – Needle felting, felted soap

Xanthe Walker – folk art

Meredith Dillman – fantasy art

Jackie Turbot – soap

Full Moon Farms

Heather Raabe – Jewelry

Innad – Wallets

Lilac Hill Soap – bath and body

Spry Whimsy Fiber Art – felted scarves, hats, etc

Nineteen Thirteen Jewelry – Jewlery

Stacy Anderson – Party Kits and Supplies

Genuinely Girls – fairy wands, tutu’s, dresses

Betsey Welty – Quilts, bags, baby things

Wool and Peace – art

Pretty {Much} Art – Coasters, Magnets

Photo of the three Leopold benches I had personalized for my three girls – Pip, Capri, and Cedi.  Place orders for yours on Sunday!

Laib’s – Leopold Benches, Outdoor Wood Furniture, and jewelry

The ‘Time Out’ Leopold Bench by the Pick Your Own Herb Garden

ART & CRAFT – in the Apple Store

KimsCraftyApple – quilts, bags, hand-dyed clothing, miscellaneous fun

Diane Lapacek – Quilts, Gourd Art, Hand-dyed linens

TheApple – jewelry

Barb Cook – Knit Hats, grocery bags, and washcolthes

CJ’s Eco Chic - Soy Candles

Blue Sky Pottery – Apple Baker’s and Honey Pots

Miss Pottery – Owls

Pie Birds by Sharon – Pie Birds

Twigs and More – Crayons and Colored Pencils made out of Sticks

UnRavelMe – Apple Cozies

PeacoxCreations – Apple Scrubbies and Pine Needle Baskets

FOOD

Sugarbomb Desserts – Cupcakes

Paoli Bread and Brat Haus

• Pasture-Raised Tenderloin Brat w/ homemade Peach Chutney or Grass-Fed 100% Beef Burgers
• Served with Door County Kettle Chips and;
• Choice of Beverage (Soda, Water, or Lemonade)
• Apple Kolaches

lil chocolates - Lisa Nelson - Chocolates

Lapacek’s Orchard

• Apples
• Caramel Apples
• Apple Cider Donuts
• Apple Cider – Unpastuerized and unpreserved
• Sweet Corn
• Pick your Own Raspberries
• Various Canned Goods
• Veggies

FUN

Funky Monkey – Back to School Mini Portrait Sessions (10am -2pm)

Mini Quilt Shop (in the store)

• Patterns
• Commercial Fabric
• Hand Dyed Fabric

Orchard

• goats
• emuskitties

Photo of Capri & Cedi by Friends in Photograhpy

• tractor tire playground
• orchard walk
• photo scavenger hunt
• sunflower field
• regular scavenger hunt 

Local Food

• Columbia County Local Food Networks will be exhibiting some fun info about buying local!

  Made Locally Onesie from Recreative Crafts

I’m sure you all know by now I love buying handmade…especially for my girls.  Here’s an adorable little onesie I purchased at theGlitterWorkshop for Pip but luckily for you the creator also sells on Etsy!

Thanks to GwydionsGarden for featuring my Chalk Board Miniature Art Hoop in her adorable back to school treasury!  It made it to etsy’s front page yesterday – always a good day when that happens!

Okay – so I always make my girls there Halloween costumes even though it’s sort of during my crazy time.  My two older girls were always apples for their first Halloween since it was so fitting…but I think Pip is going to have be an Octopus….

***DEADLINE EXTENDED - You now have until Tuesday, September 6th at NOON. I just realized that it is a holiday weekend which may make posting your pieces challenging so I'm extending this challenge until Tuesday.***

Our August off season challenge was sent to me from Crystal S of FrivolousNecessity:

Table Runner in Etchings by 3 Sisters Moda

FrivolousNecessity's Blog

FrivolousNecessity's Etsy Shop

Here it goes…

I was actually just "inspired" by a photograph from a mail order catalog for a future quilt idea and thought that might be kind of fun - everyone picks their own "inspiration" ad photo from a magazine and explains how that created the idea.

~Crystal S.

This time – everyone that enters will be put into a drawing to win a pattern of your choice from Crystals shop FrivolousNecessity. Great challenge Crystal! I think we’re going to see some really fun pieces from this!

THE RULES:

1. Have FUN! These off season challenges aren't about winning a prize – they’re about being inspired to create something you may not have in the past.
2. Please remember that these projects need to be created during the time frame of the challenge.
3. If you need advice/tips/help (or you just want to give us all a sneak peak) with your project as you work on it feel free to post pictures to the flickr group: Project QUILTING WIP: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1430386@N24/
4. POST your entries with a description of your creative process, including where you are (ie, I create in Madison, WI) and the size of your project by Sunday, September 4th, 2011, at noon, CDT, to this flickr group – Project QUILTING with KimsCraftyApple: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1401824@N21/ OR email a picture/description of your completed project to {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with PROJECT QUILTING in the subject line . (4 weeks to finish the challenge)
5. If you do want people to truly critique (the good and the bad) your project please post it to the Flickr Group: Project QUILTING – Critiques
6. If you have an idea for an ‘off season’ challenge which includes a miniature feature about you on my blog please email me at {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com}.

I am so in love with the drama created by the teal and the orange in this treasury that I just had to share it with you all as well…

'Lush' by YourlittleCupcake

Inspired by my daughters favorite eyeshadow color from the ever wonderful Richecosmetics.

Lush 5 g Jar richecosmetics $1.89	Harvest Time Pumpkin 5x7 Fin... artyecological $10.00
Teal Green Lacey Hand Knitte... KnitzyBlonde $59.00	Fine Art Print, Photo, Golde... TheShutterbugE... $100.00
Primitive Black Stocking Cat... TeresasPrimTre... $32.00	Orange Temple and Flags, A s... SketchAway $18.00
SALE - Kyoto II- gorgeous te... houseofistria $16.00	Handmade Lampwork Beads Pand... LindenAvenueDe... $8.00
Reserved for Lorrie / Four S... patspottery $72.00	Savage style - jewelry desin... divinalocura $21.90
Bracelet - Turquoise and Cop... TheApple $27.00	Sugar Scrub Cubes in Mango M... TuckerHillTx $7.95
Original Watercolor...Autumn... SarahNiebankHo... $5.00	Hand Made Singed Chiffon Bea... kiraud $2.50
Vintage PEACH LILY Rhineston... bluebutterflyv... $44.00	Candy Corn Tree Tile Coaster... AngelEllie $18.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.