Follow Up-Dear Abby Letter

[cobby]

thanks to my SIL who notified me that today's Dear Abby has follow up responses to "Blue At Christmas". There was a thread out here about a card maker who made cards with her niece and then found out many folks didn't appreciate them, thought she was cheap....and one "friend" had sent her a CHECK to buy "real" cards!!!

Here's a link to check out Dear Abby online if, like me, your paper doesn't run it.

Dear Abby on uExpress

[GramMcCaul]

Thanks for sharing

[kittie747]

Thanks for sharing this link with us. My heart was lifted that so many people responded to the article.

[vz5dzh]

I wonder if any of the letters she shared are from our SCS gals.

[LaLatty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vz5dzh

I wonder if any of the letters she shared are from our SCS gals.

I was thinking the same thing!

[RiverIsis]

Thank you! I didn't write to Dear Abby but it appears the message was received loud and clear.

Just hope Blue saw it too!

[53queenbee]

I wrote her and, today, I will send her a card. Albeit after the fact, still I would like for her to see what a real card is! Thanks for sharing this.

[Rebali]

Thanks for letting us all know Dear Abby's follow up. I had been wondering. Yea SCS'rs. United we stand!

[SuG]

I wrote to Dear Abby when I read about it on here. I have never responded to anything like this. I was appalled that the Aunt would even consider stopping because one person was an ingrate. My letter did not appear.

[hollylogic]

I saw that this morning and just about squealed, thinking of how happy everyone here would be to see it.

DH asked what was up, I told him about the lady & her niece and what the friend said.

And he said 'That's terrible! That 'friend' is clueless--making cards is like woodworking. You don't do it to save money, you do it to develop your skills and express your creativity, and for the satisfaction of giving something that's one of a kind, not made in China.'

It was all I could do not to jump up and shout 'Preach it, man!'

[thebiscuitscraps]

Thank you for sharing the link. I responded to her, but my response was near as eloquent as the ones Dear Abby chose to post.

I think we all need to send a hand made card to Abby and her staff for some time to come on different occasions....I'm thinking Valentines, right now!

[ellesart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollylogic

I saw that this morning and just about squealed, thinking of how happy everyone here would be to see it.

DH asked what was up, I told him about the lady & her niece and what the friend said.

And he said 'That's terrible! That 'friend' is clueless--making cards is like woodworking. You don't do it to save money, you do it to develop your skills and express your creativity, and for the satisfaction of giving something that's one of a kind, not made in China.'

It was all I could do not to jump up and shout 'Preach it, man!'

Your DH hit the nail on the head! Give that man a hug.

[contrapat]

I read that today!

And, fellow crafters, cheap??? They don't have a clue how much we spend on the paper, inks, stamps, embellishments, etc. to make that wonderful handmade card, do they??? Not to mention the time and effort we all put into our cards! Too many people seem to think we SAVE money, sending homemade cards. Not so! Everyone I sent a card to this year was very appreciative, and let me know just how special it was to get something NOT commercially made.

[leelulumpkin]

I am sooooo pleased to see that there has been a happy outcome to this. To use a phrase we use here in the UK I was "gobsmacked" when I read the original post before Christmas. So much so that I related it to my DH who usually listens to my crafty chat out of politeness and like Hollylogic's DH he too was disgusted!

He said at the time that blue should have returned the cheque with a polite note saying that the sender needed to use the money herself to buy herself a heart!

[crystaldolphins]

I saw the first posting about this not too long ago and someone was kind enough to include the link to contact 'Dear Abby'. I, like hollylogic, have never responded to anything like that before but it sent my blood boiling. I did write to 'Dear Abby' (it wasn't one that was posted) but woo hoo for the letters that were posted and for those who wrote!

Thanks cobby for posting this update! After I wrote, I was actually wondering if I had reacted to an old post (I was just getting used to the forums and threads and didn't remember checking the date). Am glad to hear it was in fact current and kudos to those SCS who sent handmade cards (GREAT idea!)

I hope 'Blue' and her niece see these and also the ex-friend. And hollylogic, your husband nailed it!!!!

[lovemycards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollylogic

I saw that this morning and just about squealed, thinking of how happy everyone here would be to see it.

DH asked what was up, I told him about the lady & her niece and what the friend said.

And he said 'That's terrible! That 'friend' is clueless--making cards is like woodworking. You don't do it to save money, you do it to develop your skills and express your creativity, and for the satisfaction of giving something that's one of a kind, not made in China.'

It was all I could do not to jump up and shout 'Preach it, man!'

Preach it, man! LOL. That man is a keeper!

[lovemycards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leelulumpkin

I am sooooo pleased to see that there has been a happy outcome to this. To use a phrase we use here in the UK I was "gobsmacked" when I read the original post before Christmas. So much so that I related it to my DH who usually listens to my crafty chat out of politeness and like Hollylogic's DH he too was disgusted!

He said at the time that blue should have returned the cheque with a polite note saying that the sender needed to use the money herself to buy herself a heart!

Big thumbs up on that!

[stamper1996]

I read the responses in the paper this morning, and was pleased. It also appears that many people sent her handmade cards, as she thanked her readers for them.

My hope was that the author of the original letter was reading it too.

[phleb7]

Thank you for sharing the reply from Dear Abby---I to wrote to her and expressed my concerns. I hoPe her relative who sent the money to her hears about Dear Abby's reply.
Keep making those cards.

[Mindykid]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that she received so many letters and handmade cards - that was very cool!!!

[Anemone]

YAY! So glad to see this response. I hope "Blue" sees it. Maybe next year, she should send the "friend" a card with a copy of both Dear Abby articles.

[sewflake]

Thank you for the link, I was wondering if/when she would respond. I sent her a handmade Christmas card and received a responce in return. Computer generated granted but it was a responce.

[Tizzy]

Such a shame some people can't appreciate things like this, my new DIL near had heart failure when she realised i made cards, her reply was "do people actually do that?" Now thankfully she loves them and races round to see what my latest creation is lol.
Hope this lifts "Blue's" spirits and makes her more determined to carry on.
*Hugs*

[HeatherID]

Thank you for sharing! I was so sad when I read that first article and had one of those moments where I questioned the effort I put into things as well. I'm so glad to read that there is overwhelming positive support for handmade cards!

Heather

[stampkinz]

Thank you for sharing the link. I have been wondering if there was any follow up! I loved the replies she printed and hope that both "Blue" (and her sister-in-law especially ) saw it!

[sea777]

There is a similar thread here on SC, AbbsGrammy made Thanksgiving cards and had a similar experience: http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...d-t513413.html

When this happens we need to speak up, politely, but firmly and educate the offender that they are rude, inconsiderate and lack basic manners. Then tell them that if they do not appreciate the time, effort and cost that was put into the gift of love that they will no longer be on the list to receive them.

I only send the things that I create to those that will appreciate them. No use "casting pearls before swine"!

[SuG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollylogic

I saw that this morning and just about squealed, thinking of how happy everyone here would be to see it.

DH asked what was up, I told him about the lady & her niece and what the friend said.

And he said 'That's terrible! That 'friend' is clueless--making cards is like woodworking. You don't do it to save money, you do it to develop your skills and express your creativity, and for the satisfaction of giving something that's one of a kind, not made in China.'

It was all I could do not to jump up and shout 'Preach it, man!'

uh, definite keeper there.