To the Intolerant *!#@^&$ at EGA National

I have to ask, did this offend any of you who read my blog?

Because it was deleted from my photo album in the Embroiderer's Guild of America's Yahoo group. So I sent this message to the group after seeing posts calling my needlework "inappropriate."

Ironically enough, the main topic of conversation in this group has been how to attract and retain members my age and younger.

DUHHHHHHHHHH!!!

MY LETTER TO EGA NATIONAL YAHOO GROUP:

As the stitcher of the photo in question, I'm offended it was deleted without contacting me.

Your intolerance of anything you don't like is one of the reasons EGA's membership has dwindled considerably in recent years. It's what keeps younger members away! I've taken that piece to every single one of my face to face groups (with ladies in their 70's & 80's), a stitching retreat (where I was the youngest attendee), posted the same picture to my blog and Ravelry where it received laughs, and been asked to add it to my photo albums on more than half a dozen Yahoo cross stitch groups. No one has been offended; it garners laughs from whomever sees it. It was stitched for a 53-year-old police officer's birthday. It is similar to a framed picture she has on her laundry room wall. Not only is she going to fall out of her chair laughing when she sees it, but her 86-year-old mother is probably going to go into a coughing fit because she will find it hilarious.

While it's not something my grandmother would want on her tree, she thought it was very funny. This group seems to stifle anything that doesn't conform to its narrow vision of what is appropriate in needlework. Forget the Artistic Freedom! CONFORM! CONFORM! CONFORM! This is the email discussion group for the Embroiderer's Guild of America and I stitched that piece! I didn't ask anyone to like it, in fact, I didn't say anything about it. I made sure it wasn't the cover of my album so as not to draw attention.

I'm sorry you have no sense of humor where needlework is concerned; my friends always tell me that any needle art is supposed to be fun! It was a VERY fun stitch and super-simple! If you hadn't said anything, no one would be wondering what that picture was; it wasn't harming anyone! Don't look at the book Subversive Cross Stitch, either. I'm getting ready to stitch a sampler from it for the same police officer as her Christmas present.

I've deleted my entire photo album because you've now convinced me that EGA isn't the place for me, people of my generation, or generations to follow. I would like a refund of the remainder of my dues. I'll start attending the ANG meetings instead. I'm sure those ladies will chuckle at my ornament, and my friend is going to hang it on her Christmas tree.

Thank you for showing your close-mindedness this soon after I joined EGA_National discussion Group. At least I haven't had time to make friends and I won't miss you!! I have better ways to spend my time, with more tolerant and accepting needleworkers. Chalk this up to another younger member being run off by those who are set in their ways. Good luck!

That letter was followed by THIS ONE:

"I think our main goal is to be there for ALL stitchers of ALL levels and interests. Make them WANT to some [sic] to meetings because we are so fun and friendly. Keep the atmosphere accepting of everyone no matter what she is stitching."

Isn't it ironic another member says this, because the Powers That Be just deleted a picture of a piece I stitched, saying it's not "appropriate."

And you wonder why and bemoan the fact you cannot attract and retain younger members? Yes, my piece had the F word in it, however this is not a public-access group where anyone could see such things. We're all supposed to be adults here.

I think it's inappropriate for you to tell me something I stitched is not appropriate! The person it was stitched for is a single female with no children. She also cusses like a sailor, carries a gun, and has a picture with the same word in it hanging on one of her walls!

EDIT: Neither of these messages appeared on the EGA_National discussion Group. They were deleted by the moderators so members wouldn't see them.

Edit2: Wench removed from post subject in deference to members of the International Wenches Guild (http://www.wench.org/). I don't want to offend any Women Entitled to Nothing but Complete Happiness!