Annoyed - A VENT!!

[scrapperjade]

Gosh I am sooooo irritated! I need to learn to say no to people sometimes!

So I love making hybrid cards. But generally I make them for ME, not for others (except my mom because she loves everything and says she'd rather pay me for a gorgeous card than pay the same price for a generic). Well, one of her friends found out I made cards (I think Mom had me make one for her friends anniversary). So she asked me if I would make her a couple and I agreed.

Well, she was SUPER specific, had all these demands. Like she wanted it to be teal, wanted butterflies, wanted their names & marraige date on the outside, some other quote on the outside and a personalized message on the inside (along with a scripture). She was on the phone with me, trying to think of her personal message (Dear ____ & ____, congrats on your marraige, blah blah blah). Finally I told her that I would include a quote & scripture, but I would leave the rest blank for HER to write in. Like OMGoodness.

So I made her the card, which I thought was really nice, but I forgot to put the scripture on it, and she was all like "I was VERY specific... what am I supposed to do with this?" and then she said "Well I GUESS I could give it to my DIL to give to them, she won't care what it looks like". OMGoodness - I was FUMING. And then I remade the card but different so her and her DIL wouldn't give an identical card.

NOW she phoned me the other day and left a message, which I ignored. Then she got me the other day with another card request. She wants a pink card with "Friends Forever" on the front, with bunnies. And then a lame quote inside. And I told her I have NOTHING with bunnies in my stash, and she said, "Oh. Well can you look? Or maybe buy something? I want the bunny cut out like you did with the butterfly. Can't you buy something for your cutting machine?" I told her that cartridges for a Cricut cost about $100 and I was NOT going to buy one, just so I could make her a $3 card. For pete's sake. Anyways, she practically jumped down my throat and said "I'm sure you'll think of something then". GAH! I am SO annoyed!!!! I don't want to spend flipping hours looking on the internet for a free bunny image. I don't even know WHAT kind of bunny she wants.

She totally doesn't understand HOW much work making a custom card is. And she's super picky, so I'm always terrified that she'll hate it again. So lame. Someone tell me I'm not crazy to feel this way!!

[ColleenSwerb]

I would call her back and say look, I'm really sorry but I couldn't find a bunny. I have a lot of stuff on my plate right now, and I can't take on any more personal orders for you.

Boom. Done. SAY NO! Lol!

[profiler_mar]

You are not crazy! I would totally be like I would call her back and say no, and tell your mom to tell her friends that you are not in the card business

[Kat Stokes]

Yes, I would be extremely annoyed!!! And I would also call her back and tell her that it's just not possible for you to do another card for her. You do not owe her any explanations!!! Just say NO!!!

[MamaBee]

Goodness gracious!! what nerve! I'd tell her that the price just went up... WAY UP!

[scrapperjade]

Thought I would show you what the original card that she didn't want looked like:

[profiler_mar]

Ummm hello. That's GORGEOUS!

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by profiler_mar

You are not crazy! I would totally be like I would call her back and say no, and tell your mom to tell her friends that you are not in the card business

Yup! Just say no, seriously!

[scrapperjade]

Originally Posted by profiler_mar

Ummm hello. That's GORGEOUS!

Aww thanks!! I really loved it too, which made it so much worse when she didn't like it... just because I forgot to put the date on the front. So stupid. The people know what date they got married - do they really need it on the FRONT of a congrats card??

[CA Dreamer]

Wow, some people!!!!

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by scrapperjade

Aww thanks!! I really loved it too, which made it so much worse when she didn't like it... just because I forgot to put the date on the front. So stupid. The people know what date they got married - do they really need it on the FRONT of a congrats card??

No, they don't. It's absurd. This is why I hate when Jordan wants me to make a card. He always wants something specific that I hate, LOL! Now I just make whatever I want and he can deal, LOL!

[emmasmommy]

dude. don't waste your time. the card is gorgeous!

[Lauramarie]

My response would be, No bunnies, sorry. And if she wants custom orders, charge double, seriously. I think your card is beautiful.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

I would call her back and say look, I'm really sorry but I couldn't find a bunny. I have a lot of stuff on my plate right now, and I can't take on any more personal orders for you.

Boom. Done. SAY NO! Lol!

^^ What she said. And then make sure your mom isn't volunteering you

[jacinda]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

I would call her back and say look, I'm really sorry but I couldn't find a bunny. I have a lot of stuff on my plate right now, and I can't take on any more personal orders for you.

Boom. Done. SAY NO! Lol!

This. For sure.

[scrapperjade]

Just thinking about turning her down is making me feel ill. Seriously. It's not that I don't want to say no... it's because she is so condesending - she's going to make me feel SO guilty and bad about myself. I can hardly bear the idea of phoning her. Maybe I'll tell her in person on Sunday when I see her next. We'll be at church - maybe she'll hold her tongue there.

[ColleenSwerb]

You'll feel ill for like a minute and then it'll be over. If you DON'T do it you'll feel awful every single time you have to deal with her. That's a lot more icky feelings than just telling her no NOW.

It's important to stick up for yourself because sometimes, no one else will. She might not mean to be such a miserable ungrateful excuse for a human being, but that doesn't mean that you have to put up with it either.

[meems]

Your card is gorgeous!

But, yeah, I think you need to say no. It can be hard though. Good luck!

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

You'll feel ill for like a minute and then it'll be over. If you DON'T do it you'll feel awful every single time you have to deal with her. That's a lot more icky feelings than just telling her no NOW.

It's important to stick up for yourself because sometimes, no one else will. She might not mean to be such a miserable ungrateful excuse for a human being, but that doesn't mean that you have to put up with it either.

This is exactly right. Who cares what she thinks? I have learned that you have to do what's best for YOU sometimes. It's why I'm not skating this winter. I just really had enough, so am saying NO.

[SweetMelissa]

Oh wow she sounds really picky and just plain rude. I would tell her that you can't do anymore cards for her and just leave it at that because honestly it doesn't sound like she will change at all.

[jaylensmom]

I agree your card is gorgeous and I would definitely tell her NO in a nice way of course.

[lovely1m]

Wow, beautiful card, but imagine all the stress you had making that card, won't it be worse having to deal with making more cards over just telling her no.

[KateD]

Wow, I'm sorry you're going through this. It sounds like you'd be a lot happier if you just said no and moved on.

[HeatherB]

That is a gorgeous card.

I'm with the majority here - tell her No nicely, and you do not owe her an explanation. If she demands a reason, just repeat the gentle no (or can't do it) and leave it at that.

[monsu]

Love the card, and I can empathize with your reluctance to say NO to her.
Remember that the anticipation is probably worse than actually saying it (It usually is for me, anyway...)
Just think of how relieved you will be afterwards, because otherwise she will probably keep calling with more annoying requests....

I have a mum that sometimes volunteers me too.
I think she's just proud of things I make, and she's just showing off.
Even more difficult to say NO to my mom!!

Good luck!

[becca1976]

Your card is gorgeous! I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with that beautiful piece of art! I agree with everyone else above...just say no. I do realize that saying no is SO hard sometimes. Hope it all goes smoothly...