Loads of catch-up sewing got done this past weekend! I mean LOADS. The two blocks above are the April and May blocks from Sherri McConnell’s A Quilting Life block of the month. The May block on the right was kind of simple for me, so you know what I did? For the center of it, I used one of the most recent Sewcialites blocks in the 6-inch size! How clever am I?
Seriously, you can often add interest to a simple star block with a plain center by adding a smaller, more complex block in its place. Most center blocks are 3 1/2″, 4 1/2″, or 6 1/2″ unfinished, so they lend themselves perfectly to swapping out that plain center space.
Here are all five blocks in the sew-along so far. Clearly, there is a star theme, and I am on board with it.
I’ve got loads more to share with you, but I will spread it out over the week.
Hope you all had a marvelous Mother’s Day. Sara, Eva, and one of my sisters came over for brunch. We had a special surprise visit from one of our second cousins on my Dad’s side of the family, who we don’t see too often. He is a rocket scientist who lives in Denver and spends his free time traveling the world doing extreme river rafting. He was on his way to Sequoia National Park for an adventure. He is a single guy in his 40s living life to the fullest. We had a lovely long visit.
Ok, now for the update from USPS on what they are going to do about my claim for the quilt they lost. The minimum you can claim for a lost/ruined package is $100. I figured they at least owe me that for losing my priceless handmade work of art, so I submitted a claim. They said they needed to see the actual damaged box. I said, “But you sent it to Florida”. They wanted the box. So my quilter took the box to her post office in Florida and filled out two pages of claim forms. I got the response the next day.
The claim was denied.
The reason? It was denied because I could not provide a store receipt showing that I paid $100 for the item.
16 Responses
You can’t win with these guys. I sewed a project and couldn’t get my claim to go through because I couldn’t prove my fabric purchase. What quilter keeps receipts of every piece of fabric she purchases!!! It’s a racket.
That is very disturbing. I know of another designer whose quilt was lost in transit. She got no help either. I’m thinking of all thosee quilts that get sent to help others- in disasters, for Ukraine, and elsewhere. It is very common to send through the mail. USPS needs to get with the times.
Your blocks are beautiful. Appeal the denial and round up your receipts for internet purchases of fabric. I don’t imagine they will research them. $100 worth of purchases will add up quickly. So sorry for this but two can play this game. Do not let them win without a fight!
I too think you can come up with fabric receipts. Since you order most of your fabrics and seem to remember lines and where you bought them, I think you can come up with real receipts.
My local store has all receipts on their computer system indefinitely, so your online venders probably do too. Or maybe you still have the email confirmations.
I used to save every Joann’s receipt, because if I had extra things I did not need for a project, I returned them. Now I tend to shred my fabric store receipts as quickly as possible . . .
Vickie
I am appaled. I like Kathy’s suggestion,though the only receipts I would have would be on the credit card . I mail my quilts away for quilting, make me leary. Would UPS be better, do you think?
Don’t give up!
Wow, that is astonishing! I agree, I would download a few of my credit card receipts for fabric and send them along with my appeal of the claim. And send UPS or FedEx next time! I couldn’t trust USPS again!!! Good luck!
Your Mother’s Day and weekend sounds lovely and how fun to visit with your cousin. Your blocks are beautiful! I worked on blocks for a new quilt for my granddaughter and by husband cooked, it was great!
I agree with appealing the loss of your quilt. $100 doesn’t even come close in replacement costs, but I’d go for it! 😡
Shameful customer service!! But your blocks are gorgeous, Nicole! Take care.
Loving the blocks and the improvised centre looks great. Not loving the result with USPS! Shame on them – that is an absolute disgrace! But on the brighter side, you have highlighted their shenanigans to many quilters that will now hopefully take their preciousiessss to a more reputable delivery company.
You had a productive sewing weekend! How nice that you had so many family members around you for Mother’s Day! I don’t know if any shipper is 100% reliable after my UPS smashed chair ‘incident’. I’d sure be downloading FQS, etc. receipts to prove your $100. claim! Can’t hurt; might help. 💰
What a bunch of malarky!! aka B$ – how can you have a receipt for a handmade item short of the components. You would never get the labor. I just sent a finished quilt UPS to my ‘nephew’ and his wife. I am praying and cross every digit possible that it gets there ok. I could at least insure it for several hundred. I pray this can get resolved more satisfactorily. So disheartening to put in all that careful labor. Its got to be someWHERE – intact or shredded – but someWHERE!?!?
Again, no words. Are there any local quilters in your area?
Good grief! I can’t believe the run around ypu are getting – terrible customer service and the prices keep rising! I’m so sorry you’ve had such a time of it trying to get a claim reimbursed 💔
Your blocks look wonderful! Glad you got some sewing done and were able to spend time with family! Hoping somehow you will get some kind of positive resolution with the post office.
This is government for you! Everything has to fit into one of their categories. Do you ever use FedEx or Brown?
insult to injury. no other words.
I love how you recycled an unused block to put in the middle of that star!. very clever and a great use of an UFO block….I have sooooo many.