Ann The Gran Community

Some wording to this effect was used in another post that start out about an entirely different subject, addressing the lack of posting and conversation among site members. 

I am not sure who make the observation, and I guess it does not matter that much, but I have noticed at other forums I participate in, there always seems to be one or two leaders and many "members" who become their "clique".

I am a relatively newcomer to ATG and have not experienced a vast amount of communication among more than two or three individuals.  If this was not the case in the past, perhaps there was a "clique" or two and they have lost interest in discussing machine embroidery, which this site seems to be abundant with, and have drifted off to become NASCAR drivers, sky divers, deep sea explorers, or bloggers. 

I would like to see more discussions on sewing and quilting, a few more pictures of projects and fewer photos of people attending a convention that should go on the road.....it would save a lot of fuel, which not everyone can write off as a business expense.   

I drift from ME* to sewing to quilting.  When one or the other "bug" bites me the others have to wait on my creative juices to start flowing their way.

Your thoughts?  This is a discussion forum.  Where are you discussing people?

Pattiann

*ME - machine embroidery - just too much typing, but then you already know that!

Well I thought long and hard before even thinking of replying to this, but frankly it just got my dander up! I read the other postings as well about what happened to all the good postings and now between that one and this one I just had to pop in to jump on my soap box for a bit.

So here goes, first of all Joan has it correctly when she said that  it's not the site that has changed but the people. I have had many private e-mails on this subject so I will try to be clear on why no one is posting in here any more.

1. Every time anyone posts anything it is imediatly jumpd on by certain one or two individuals, even though the postings has either already   been   answered or not. It's like no matter what, certain folks just have to answer all questions, no matter how many others have already answered it already.Then after that they have to answer the others that have answered as well........ ladies...it is not only boring but redundant. In some circles it is even called butting in.

2. A lot of folks got tired of all the bickering on the site amongst the ranks, hence the reason I left the site entirely, just got tired of some certain folks constantly on my back side about every thing...I for one ..don't need that much frustration in my life.

3. Hello......Most people have lives!  I made the decision to get off here as it was taking over my entire life. I figured if I was going to work full time then I wanted to get paid. Trust me...it was a full time job folks! So consider that before you jump into it.

4. People have busy lives and right now many are just trying to keep their homes, put food on the table or keep their job, frankly they have better things to think about than embroidery and sewing, and much better things to spend their $$ on.

5. Certain folks on here have made it impossible to "just have fun" on here because everything was being mis-constued as an attack on them personally...again I don't need, want or have time for high school garbage.

6. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY.... too much mis- information folks being told to do this a certain way or the sky will fall on them....lol

7. Many folks feel shy or intimidated about posting on the forums.

 Many read but few actually get in there and chat, unless they are made to feel comfortable enough to do that. No one should be made to feel uncomfortable for not posting more or because they ask Any question. Remember we all had to start at the beginning at some point.

8. Attacking folks or being a bit surly to them when aswering a question is a major turn off for many folks, like one post I saw someone answer , well don't you have a manual to read about that ?? Hello, she likely does have one but, just maybe someone else could explain it better than some guy who does nothing but sit and write manuals all day. hmmm food for thought.

I think if people could feel like they could post things without being jumped on maybe they would start posting again. I have popped back in now and again to see how things were going and I have seen the site decline a lot this last year, and not for the better either. As one person who e-mailed me about it said it had gone to H*** in a handbasket.

No I am not bitter, yes I am dissapointed. I felt like I had finally found a great venue that everyone could enjoy but certain members chose not to seeit that way. Yes I feel betrayed by some that I called friend, only to discover that they only wanted information and wanted to know my plans for the future. Next thing I know certain things that I discussed in a private email suddenly became their idea. To say the least I was greatly disappointed that  I not only trusted in them but soon realized that no matter what was said or done, it was to remain the same. So be it. Water over the dam and now I am very careful what I say to or email to anyone. Lesson learned.

To make a long story longer,I felt used, betrayed, hurt and was very sad that one or two people ruined it for me as well as many others. I am not the only one who feels this way either. As I stated, I have received many private emails wantingto know why this was hapening, and I could not answer them. That is when I took my leave. Very sad to do and I still think the world of Ann, as I know it was not she that let this happen. This is the first time I've posted anything for all of the reasons stated above..

I know many others feel this same way but will not step forward for fear of the repercusions from it, or they don't want to stir up the pot.

Mostly is that it used to be a really, really fun place to come in and let  go and have some fun. Suddenly it became all business and not so much fun any more, so folks went on to have fun somewhere else. People who are still working, do not want to come to a site that they can't just pop in, say hi, maybe have a few laughs and leave. They don't want to come to a site that is too full of stuff they feel overwhelmed and they sure do not want to be attacked in the forums for every little word they say. Sometimes folks don't want anyone to answer them, they just post it for the fun of doing it or to get a light conversation going. they definatly do not want to come into a site where folks are bickering on the forums...........it's why I left. I felt it was the RIGHT THING FOR THE SITE! 

I now have my own venue and I love it. No bickering! Everyone just having fun, and thats the way it should be. Doesn't even matter if they don't want to talk aobut sewing or embroidery. Maybe they just need to vent after a long hard day at work. the best part is that I don't have the issues from here either, I post when I want, what I want and don't have to worry that it will be imediatly attacked word to word. I sell my wares on 5 different sites now. Some of my Mixer covers and handbags have gone aa Europe and Asia, even Africa. Some of my tool kits have gone all over the place. So for me it has been a good move.

So those are just a few of many reasons folks are not posting here any more.

Oh and by the way PattiAnn..........this convention as you call it, is named the "ANN THE GRAN COMMUNITY CIRCLE"  for a reason. It is so we can all come together as a GROUP and talk about machine embroidery, sewing and quilting. Discuss new techniques and maybe even learn a new trick or two, and discover new products to the embroidery world. I dohave to say though that there could be less pushing of products and more actual classroom stuff. Maybe even getting the ladies involved in doing some take home projects. Even so, it is not mearly just a convention. It is about more than that, it's about a huge sisterhood of embroidery, sewing and quilting folk getting together to have fun and meet new people from around the globe.

Most importantly to have fun doing it! Even though I could have taken it at a business expense I did not, because frankly it was just too darn much fun!

 Not all ofus have to live and breathe embroidery ,sewing or quilting. We do actually have other interests as well, like weddings, graduations and all that other life stuff. Even Nascar.........but that doesn't mean we still don't have embroidery as our main love.

Judy

Judy,

good to hear from you again!  I miss you.  You were such a kind energy to ATG.  I agree with you and mentioned it before that we are all busy ladies with children, husbands, parents, grandchildren, jobs, and everyday stress.  We use to be able to talk like sisters who just chatted or vented but didn't really want solutions just a friendly ear.  I also agree that sometimes the answers can be a bit snippy.  I posted a question about threading one of my machines and got a response telling me to go back to the dealer - I just sighed and gave up because in my post I explained the dealer went out of business and there was no one near who handled this brand.  I wanted to reply "No Duh don't you think I would go back to the dealer if I could" but I didn't want to sink to the new level of response on ATG. 

I think that with the loss of you and Greg and Ann giving up control this is no longer a kind and supportive site.  I don't know where else to go for ME information and forums but I know I certainly don't come here much anymore.

Hope all is well with you.

Fondly

Marsha

I have brought it up several times that the site is not what it used to be. Pattiann if you go to the home page this forem is not even listed.  If Judy had not sent it to me I would never have known about it.

I think the site has become to commericial.  I know the main reason is to sell product but you have to have people come to you site first.  If there was a  lot of traffic in the forems then I am sure the profit line would also go up.

I also drift from ME to quilting but I do incorporate the two.  My quilts all have ME as the base.  I have sent photo's in but have never seen them posted so I quit doing that.

I am curious to see if this ever makes it to te forem.

Marge

Judy

Wrote you a long reply last night. Clicked Post. Got the message that this is a monitored forum and would be reviewed but so far it hasn't shown up.  I didn't use any naughty words so I guess the new powers that be didn't like what I had to say.

Hope all is well with you.

Marsha

jnbmd:

Judy,

good to hear from you again!  I miss you.  You were such a kind energy to ATG.  I agree with you and mentioned it before that we are all busy ladies with children, husbands, parents, grandchildren, jobs, and everyday stress.  We use to be able to talk like sisters who just chatted or vented but didn't really want solutions just a friendly ear.  I also agree that sometimes the answers can be a bit snippy.  I posted a question about threading one of my machines and got a response telling me to go back to the dealer - I just sighed and gave up because in my post I explained the dealer went out of business and there was no one near who handled this brand.  I wanted to reply "No Duh don't you think I would go back to the dealer if I could" but I didn't want to sink to the new level of response on ATG. 

I think that with the loss of you and Greg and Ann giving up control this is no longer a kind and supportive site.  I don't know where else to go for ME information and forums but I know I certainly don't come here much anymore.

Hope all is well with you.

Fondly

Marsha

I cannot find the post regarding the threading of your machine.

Hello Judy,

Great to see you back on the site for a tad. I, too, as explained in the "Where Have All Great Postings Gone", have left the site. I only come back once in a blue moon and only answer those questions no one else has. I still look for those “special tips” but not as often.

I loved this site for information when I started in Feb, 2008. Loved it. I learned so many tricks and tips. I also tried to help when I was able, although I am not a professional by any means nor do I feel like I am. My interests are varied with embroidery, quilting and sewing. I only touch on scrapbooking when I design my own greeting cards. And, life does get in the way of various projects at any given time.

To begin with, I must say I do enjoy June Mellinger’s, Carol’s and Diane Brown’s Blogs. I find them refreshing and informative and professional. Thank you Ladies.

I started backing off this site for many reasons.

From a business sense, I saw where opportunists took advantage of using the Ann the Gran website. This site is paid for by Ann the Gran. I feel riding someone else’s coat tails is non-professional. Offering other websites, friend’s services and pushing one’s own products should be done on one’s own website and/or blog.

Reading quotes or email attachments again non-professional. I get those in my personal emails. I find them to be annoying to say the least. Can we all say “Delete?“. The last place I would want to see them in would be in an Embroidery Forum where tips and tricks and suggestions should be. Along with this, goes religion and poliltics. Again, what do these topics have to do with the cost of thread and embroidery designs?

I became dissatisfied with the Blogs. Not so much the Blogs themselves, but the constant “check out this Blog”, “of course, read my Blog”, “read my Blogs first”. Women are resourceful on their own. Topics abound and am sure they will find their way.

“Cliques” were mentioned. Unfortunately, when there is a group of women, cliques may arise. However, the state-wide gatherings were a good idea for the women who wanted them. I use to read the Central Florida Embroidery Group (yeah, they allowed this North East lady in!). My gosh, these ladies had a good time. Good for them. And, it all started within the Ann The Gran Community Circle and the Ann the Gran Forums as they once were.

Bashing of other site’s designs/digitizing. I feel this is totally unfair to another company. If there is a problem with a design, it should be brought to their attention but not rated on a public Forum. This could cost sales for them. I found embroidery sites very accommodating and willing to please any way they can. This would also hold true to products. What product does not work for one person, can work for another. There are ways to be objective without bashing.

Ann the Gran Community Circle was great. I was only able to attend the first year’s circle and very disappointed I was not able to attend the second. I am not one to attend these kind of functions, but it was a great experience, fun and as it grows, I am sure it will become more informative, more organized and more fun.  Because the first year was exciting, photos were posted. Hence, their appearance in the Galleries.

The Galleries…..not many projects have shown up since 2008 which brought us to all these discussions. I stopped viewing them and discontinued sending any photos of new projects. Again, “riding on coat tails”. Family member photos are not embroidery/quilting projects. If they are not sporting an embroidered or quilted or sewn item; again, they should be in one’s own website/blog.

I would love to see Ann back. She has been a vital member of this embroidery community. Heck, she started this community!  Come on back Ann.

Greg left. He was an encouraging force in this company. His insights and comic replies were great.

In closing, I have to say that if I read one more push to sell a pashmina or one more pashmina design, I will spit nickels. Enough please. There are other blanks out there that should be advertised. New and exciting products out there.

Joan

Hello Marsha,

Gosh I've missed all you guys! We did have a lot of  fun for sure on here! I for one miss it. Thank you for your kind words too, and yes folks are just so darn busy now trying to stay afloat with their busy lives. I understand completely on that one. Went to Michigan in June for my Grandson's graduation, while there, I fell helping a good friend of mine who has been undergoing cancer treatment. I broke my right hand in 2 places, had 2 broken ribs, tore my rotator cuff in right shoulder and had a concussion. So it has been quite a summer for me.

Now we are headed back to Michigan for a wedding, family reunion, and a class reunion. It never stops! Supposed to get my cast off on Monday Aug. 3rd, provided that the x-rays come out alright this  time. But yeah , gee, we are all so busy now. If you ever need anything just let me know, I would be happy to give you a hand, even if it is only one! (ha ha, little pun there)

Judy

It seems to take a very long time for them to be posted, they took out some of my post before it was put out, so not everything that I wrote was in there but most of it was. They only post what they deem is fitting.

jalcumbrack:

It seems to take a very long time for them to be posted, they took out some of my post before it was put out, so not everything that I wrote was in there but most of it was. They only post what they deem is fitting.

I guess the moderators have lives too........it evidently is not a 24/7 job.

I was told (by Greg) to not post email addresses in a effort to discourage spam.  Was this the deletion? 

No it was not an email address.....I used to write on this site and I know better than to post my email on Any site...other than my own

.I could see where things had been removed from the posting I used to moderate too so I know that this happens all the time PattiAnn...How ever the parts that were removed were nothing bad about anything but someone must have felt it was so it was removed..no biggie but folks should know this happens.I know things had been removed as I have a copy of the original....once bitten, twice shy

As far as moderators having lives...so everyone does...but should not take 24 hours or longer to post something. But isn't that the job you agreed to?

Greg??? didn't know he still worked there?

Thanks Joan! Hello by the way...have missed you so much!

You said the rest of what I wanted to but my post was hitting novel status.....so I'm glad you finished it. I also agree about the pashimas.....Yikes if I never see another one I'll be happy! There are sew many great blanks out there beside them, but I consider everything a blank until I realize it won't fit in the machine, then it becomes something else...Ha

I also agree about design/digitizing bashing as well. At any time if I have ever had an issue with anyones work,I have taken it to them. They have always welcomed my e-mail or phone calls wonderfully, and all have stood by there products 100%. If they are treated respectfully then they reply in such a way. I even had one site, completetly re-do the design in question and made a special effort to email it too me within hours of receiving my email. There is no good reason to bash someones designs at all, if you take it to them they are always more than willing to make it right. Now that I am becomming a digitizer I understand what goes into designing them, trust me it is a lot of work, fun but work.

I also agree with you that it got nauseating reading on absolutly every forum posting to go to someones blog constantly I bet there isn't but maybe one or two answered questions on any of these forums that does not have go read my blog on it somewhere....redundant and enough already..Women are smart and they will find them if it is something that interests them.

I also agree about the "cliques"....I have worked with mostly women all my life and this is the way it is when you work with women...not to say it is a bad thing..it is just the way it is and has been since I can remember but again it is a bit high school...

Any way thanks Joan for a beautifully written reply.............you finished the rest of the issues..........

To let everyone know just two things.

First my grandson has autism and I am doing everything in my power to help in any way I can.  God bless you if autism never comes near you.  My unprofessional attempts to find a few dollars to help in his recovery were very wrong on my part.   I apologize.  Autism is the most heart breaking thing that I have witnessed in my nearly 66 years.  Death feels like a lighter sentence to me.  Please don't make any remakers about death, I am just stating my feelings ONLY.

Second, I have resigned from AnnTheGran.  It is incorrect to say resigned because I never worked for them.  I did get an occasional dollar when my spreadsheet sold.  You may rest assured that I made only about $400 over the course of more than one year.  At about $1 per day, I guess I received what I am worth.

I am so sorry for my behaviour and wish you all the very very best that life has to offer.  I sincerely mean that, but I understand if you just rolled your eyes.

I loved doing my blog, it is painful not to be able to share with you any more.  When I placed a link in any of my forums or blogs, it was for convenience of any one WHO WANTED TO PARTICIPATE.  You could skip the links, and if you did not want anything to do with me, that is OK too.  I tried to help the newbies without rehashing over and over things that could be of help to them and was available. 

I have a very heavy heart.  God bless you all,

Pat

Just one more thing (sorry to bother you).

I wish just one of you had let me know how you felt, I would have stopped immediately. 

To know that you were all unhappy with me makes me sad.  I am truly sorry for all the unhappiness I caused.

Please, please consider, anytime you are unhappy about something, email is an easy way to let someone know.  I would have accepted your constructive criticizm in an honorable manner.  That is how I do try to live my life.  I can see how wrong I have been and am so sorry.

Sincerely,

Pat

I do agree that it takes way to long for anything to get posted anymore.  The last post I did I had to write the moderator and ask where it was.  The next day it was posted.

I too loved this site and would check at least 2x a day to see what I was missing,  I did not say what was going on I said missing because if you stayed away for 2 days every topic would have changed.  That is how busy it was.

I have sent at least 6 projects to the Glleries and not one of them have ever been posted.  I am happy and proud of the things that I make and just wanted to have others see them and critic them.  Maybe they wern't posted because they were ME/Quilting.

I was at the Commuity Circle last year but with the economy the way it is and the increase in price from last year I couldn't atted this year.  There was not much talk in the forems about it, last year we all had something to talk about and we really did.

Maybe we have opened up a good dialog here and we should continue with it.  I like a lot of you wish Greg and Anne would come back.

Marge

I am amazed by all the people bashing here.  I think Patti Ann does a good job.

If you want a fun forum, you have a strange way of showing it.  This is anything but fun.

"Opened up a good dialog", really?  I guess I think a good dialog includes positive ideas. 

The only constructive statement was that you want Anne back.  I understand that she sold this.  Maybe it was time for her to move on to something else.  She started this site, but she does not have to stay with it until her last breathe.

Sue

I am truely sorry you feel this way.  By looking at the date that you became a member was Feb. of this year.  What is being disscussed here is what has been going on a year before you became a member.  Maybe if you had been a member all along you would know what we are talking about.

By the way I don't have any problem with Pattiann.  She has always been kind to me.

Marge

Hello Sue,

As a newer member of the Community, it is great that you have joined in the Forums and gave an opinion.  Great.

In reading the above comments, no names were mentioned.  No fingers were pointed.  The ladies were simply trying to express how the Forums use to be and the free-flowing fun that existed a year ago on all the Forums.

You would have to really read all the statements closely and carefully.   In any situation when you need to get back to basics, you have to "clear the air".   The brainstorming begins.  You put what you do not like on the table and then the "what you do like" starts to reappear.  That is what they did.  A lot of the statements above have already been published previoiusly in various Forums.  In addition, ATG moderated, accepted and published all the statements.  The moderator would not have accepted these statements if there was any bashing going on.  Afterall is said and done, personalities should not come into play; it is a company/business site and certain criteria goes along with that.  A responsibility as it were.  It is what it is. 

There has been scuttle-butt going around the Forums that the ATG company was sold.  Even with that being the case (if true), Ann was still an integral part of the Community.  I do not believe any one would "force" Ann back and request her to stay an ion.  If I can speak for the ladies above, we were stating that we missed her and hope she does return in some capacity.  If not, another change within the ATG site.

Have fun with your embroidery and hope you will continue to take part in the Forums.

Joan

First, a big hello and welcome Sue! Glad you popped in!

I agree with both Joan and Marge. No names were mentioned we were stating how much fun it was on here and how it has changed. I don't have an issue with PattiAnn either, I thought her "how to wash a quilt" was a total hoot! Moderating is a tough job, been there done that . If you did not want honest opinions then the question should not have been put out  there.

I would never nor could ever "force" Ann to come back if she chooses not to, I admire and love her dearly and I know she is going through a lot personally. Like Joan, if she chooses to come back in any capacity we would all welcome her with open arms. If not we all understand! I enjoy many of the blogs and forums on here, I personally loved the one by Rick on digitizing. I also love LaRues blog as well, she has some of the most beautiful quilts I've had the pleasure to see. Very talented lady! As are all the folks on the site.

We all have a place on the site,good or bad. We all have something to share and information to put out there for everyone to enjoy. We all have our own opinions as well, that is what makes us human. I for one am glad that you felt comfortable enough to post on here. There are many that do not for one reason or another.

I think we can all have a great time, discuss embroidery, quilting and sewing and have fun doing it. That is what makes this such a great community is that we can be honest with one another, that is what friends do....then we brush ourselves off and move on to what can we all do to fix it.

Marge, If I understand you correctly, you feel that I don't know what I am talking about because I have not been here long enough.  That seems odd to me.  I think I read everything correctly.  Someone must have tried to sell some pasminas and that made people mad.  I am not sure I can name one place on the internet where people are not selling something.

Joan, Where I come from, Ohio, I was always taught to stop the bickering and start to work the problems out.  My mother never would have let me 'clear the air' when clearing the air meant rehashing all the arguments.   I still think her method is a good one. 

I am afraid that I feel like atleast the 2 of you think I should stay out of this.  I think that is the very definition of a click. 

If my post clears the moderator I may be back to add my input because I think I my opinion is as valid as yours is.

These are my personal feelings and please do not tell me that I did not 'really read the statements closely and carefully.' 

I did get an email which said that the embroidery blog has stopped.  I think that one of you may want to come forward to do a new embroidery blog.  I enjoy reading about someone's projects.   That would be a constructive discussion here, right?

Sue