You certainly are not mean because you don't want to do something like that. It has nothing to do with being mean. You don't owe that person anything, and if you do nto want to do a project, then you should not. If you do, ask that they pay for the pattern and fabrics; you might enjoy the work, but should not have to pay for the materials.

I solve that problem by saying "you will have to get in line". I don't know why this simple statement works for me, but it does.

Yes great response. " you will have to get in line after all my friends quilts are done".

Don't do it. Only do what you want. I used to make things for others and it ruins the fun of it. People don't realize how much time and effort it takes. I just try and tell people that to pay me what it is worth would surely be more than they would want or expect to pay.

No, you are not a meanie. Life is too short to be obligated to others and the things they want you to do it for them. An example of this is, I make hand cream and a "friend" asked me to make a whole batch of hand cream for someone she knew. She told me she collected the money already. It takes about a morning to make a batch. Two things, first of all, it was not enough money since prices have gone up and I buy my ingredients on-line so there is S&H. After her asking several times, I sent her the recipe and where I bought my supplies. I have not heard about hand cream lately from her. :)

Also, my New Year's resolution is learn to say no. I have two obligations that I promised last year, so that has to be done, but it is also a labor of love and I volunteered to do it.

I am 69 years of age and there are so many things I want to do for myself and my family to be obligated to do things for other people that they could do for themselves if they wanted it bad enough. Plus I still work at home for 2 different counties and my time is very limited to sewing.

Just hang in there. What you paid for your machine has nothing to do with her, nor is it any of her business. Just saying ............

Ellie

You "paid thousands of dollars" for a machine for your enjoyment NOT hers!

Ask those rude bats when last they offered their spare bedrooms to the homeless. After all, they paid thousands of dollars for those empty rooms.[/QUOTE]
What a great analogy.
Annie

This is a wonderful response! And it is sure to stop the asking.

I've had a problem with people asking me to bake for them--pumpkin bread, cupcakes, chocolate cake, brownies, etc. It is irritating. I do have the time, but I don't want to. They can usually do it for themselves but just say they don't "know how". Come on...KIDS... in the states learn to bake--usually they can put together easy brownies by 12...--even without a mix.

I was thinking the same. I have a car. Others around me don't. Does that mean I am obligated to take them here and there when they want/need to go?

They would like me to think so, but it means I no longer have my own life nor my own choices to make. Someone told me once that if someone asks me for money, I am obligated to give it to them. I reject that philosophy--as it means if anyone asks me for anything--I'm supposed to say yes/give it to them. Bizarre, and really just wrong.

This one is making me LOL! What a great suggestion! I'm having trouble visualizing someone actually taking you up on the offer!