Translate

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

"Lost" Class Samples...

It seems like it's been ages since I've posted a blog...it's been just about that long since I've been home!  One friend just emailed me to make sure I was okay...she hadn't seen anything posted for awhile.

I'm happy to report that I'm alive and well having just returned from teaching at the Vermont Quilt Festival.  I have a couple features that I'm going to be posting this week so I have some cool stuff to share!  I wanted to start with this post first and then end with the positive ones a bit later.

I always like to keep my blogs on the positive and inspirational side but feel very strongly that this blog needs to be shared with all of you.  Several other quilt instructors told me I needed to share too.

If you have been a student in my classes or extended workshops you are fully aware of the amazing quilted samples I have in my classroom.  I spend hundreds of hours every year creating samples for my students to enjoy, fondle, take pictures of, etc.  There's nothing like a good visual for teaching.  I am very generous in my classroom and trusting as well.  I tell everyone to enjoy the samples...but PLEASE don't take them home.
Unfortunately at a recent engagement one of my samples "went home" with somebody.

I wanted to talk about this publicly as I know this is a problem in other teachers' classrooms as well as quilt shows.  It seems I am always hearing about quilts disappearing from vendors' booths during shows and we hear about the occasional quilt that disappears from quilt shows or quilt shops.   It's always hard for me to imagine that a fellow quilter could do such a thing as they KNOW how much time and effort goes in to creating a quilt.

My class samples are not masterpieces by any means and I can create another sample to replace the one that was taken.  What this person doesn't realize is that she compromised my classes for the next couple of months until I can scrape enough time together to create another sample.  It's the lost time and the lost trust that hurts the most.

I am going to continue to share my samples as I have in the past as I feel it is wrong for my future students to pay the price of what was wrongfully done to me in a past class.  I wanted to share this with all of you so that everyone could be aware...

Enuf said...off to bigger and better things and watch for some cool things coming up!

Big Hugs, Cindy :)



10 comments:

Sue Jennings said...

So sorry to hear that someone would...let's not beat about the bush...steal your sample! Not only have they done an awful thing, they have put everyone at that class under suspicion. I can understand how sad it must make you feel. Goodness only knows what goes on in a person's head that they would do such a thing. Most quilters are sensible, generous and caring, so you are doing just the right thing to hold on to that thought!

sewandsow said...

I am so sorry to hear about your sample. But on a lighter note, I saw your exhibit at NQA in Columbus, OH last week. Your work is so beautiful. I wish you would come back next year and teach a class. Thank you for sharing your talent.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

I think you're wrong when you say they aren'\t masterpieces....and I feel so bad for you Cindy. It hurts when someone takes advantage of your kindness and trust....I hope you get it back.

Wacky Woman said...

That's terrible! Too bad a few rotten sods spoil everything.

Vicki Crooms said...

The good news is that bad karma follows a person till their end of their days.
The bad news is we aren't there to witness the moment they realize they are bottom feeders.
Feel better Cindy - most of us are pretty decent people!

JoyceO said...

It saddens me to hear this news. Any of us who know you, Cindy, know how generous you are to your students. You are gracious and humble, a most patient and giving teacher. I agree with a prior comment, each of your pieces is a masterpiece.

Karen said...

When something bad happens you have 3 choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you. I think it's awful what one student can do. What she did defines her. I know that you'll let it strengthen you and the next sample will be even more beautiful! But in the end it's still crummy.

Diane said...

Cindy, I am so sorry that happened to you. You are one of the most trusting and generous people I have ever had the pleasure to know. Maybe, if you publish a picture of the sample that is "lost" we can be on the lookout for it. Who knows, it might just find its way home.

Can't Stop Stitchin said...

Cindy ~ I was so saddened when you told us about your missing samples. I remember feeling the same way when I read about Patsy's quilts that were taken from her vehicle. There is a place on the internet where you can post photos and descriptions of quilts that are missing, and maybe someone will locate them in time. It is called Lost quilts come home. http://lostquilt.com/ The other place people have found some of their stolen items is on Craigslist and Ebay, etc. You are such a kind and generous quilt teacher, I know this betrayal hurts and hope it doesn't change your spirit .
Godspeed,
mary

miz lizzie said...

I'm so sad to hear this news. It's hard to believe that someone would do this. Thank you for tell us about this in such a positive way. You are always so uplifting.