I made my friend something, for her soon-to-be-born baby, but she said I could have it back, as she then ordered a professional set :( AIBU to be upset, or am I being a bit sensitive?

[WillH]

I made letters for my son's nursery recently. She commented on how much she loved them. I know that friends say that to be nice too, but I genuinely thought she liked them.

I made her a set, which took me a couple of evenings to paint. I know that isn't ages, but I put in a lot of effort.

I gave them to her. She opened them and was a bit "oh, they're nice" but then points to a bit of paint where it isn't perfect and then goes "I'm just kidding", but it didn't feel like it. I thought she might have been, so that was that. I recently went round to her house and noticed different letters, so I pointed that out by saying "they're lovely, better than mine!" They were, but I was a little upset. She then hands me the ones I made back and said that I can have them as she "preferred the professional ones, obviously!"

Am I being over sensitive? If I am, please tell me. I've added a picture of one of the letters. Are they that bad? Again, tell me if they are!

WOW what a shocker. How could she do that? Your letter looked fab! Maybe its her hormones or something? Is it her first child? That might be it. She could quite possibly be really embarrassed when she emerges from the new first baby bubble! There might be some readers on here who could confirm this type of thing/phenomenon? I think I have read about it on Mumsnet in the past. Until then please don't be upset. Your artwork and kind gesture should have been treasured. By the comments so far on this thread your gift would be by all of us. Sleep well.

I think someone is looking to post a free business advert here

I don't sell them! So I don't think so...

Or you're the 'friend', ruby...

The letters are really lovely and your ex-friend is incredibly rude, with no taste. I'd buy that sort of thing if you were selling - you're obviously very talented!

That is an awful, ungrateful thing for her to do! Your present was wonderful. What a kind, thoughtful friend you are OP.

OP this doesn't seem to be a very good friend. The letter is gorgeous but even if it wasn't I would hope someone would accept them with a thank you.

I'm scraping to find excuses for her though not sure why as she was incredibly uncaring -
Would she have enough space to display her set and your set? Maybe she panicked because she realised that accepting a gift is all very well but next time you came she would have to explain why she wasn't displaying your gift and there was another set out. Rather then face that she clumsily gave yours back.
really good reason for being horribly rude

Wow they're amazing, my husband would love them, let alone DD and nephews!

Your "friend" is clearly an ungrateful bitch - hate it when you end up in mum groups like that and it's like being back at school - pressure to keep things friendly when you want to punch them in the tits... Walk away, you're worth more.

Maybe we should follow a PP's suggestion and find the best anagram that could be made from them (with minimal extra letters from you) to describe your "friend". Revenge and recycling simultaneously?

How about (g)(o)nad for starters?

Looks lovely, there's no pleasing ungrateful people no matter what you do.

I betcha, soon we will see a post for 'now taking orders', don't blame ya, not a gripe, well done if u do, good way of getting exposure

That is one of the most awful things I've heard....your "friend" sounds like a massively ungrateful bitch and I think I'd be crossing her off my friends list from now on

What kind of ungrateful bitch receives a handmade gift and immediately scrutinises it for the tiniest flaw to point out to the giver? My DS's have big quilts my mum made for them and my DS1 has a small one my MIL completely hand stitched despite suffering from arthritis in her hands! If I looked really closely I bet I could find some flaws, but why would I look for anything wrong when these pretty things were made purely out of love for my DS's?

Personally, I would dump this cow before the PFB arrives because something tells me he's going to be the second coming and you're going to get lectured about how you gave him non-organic lentils that one time your "friend" blessed you with the opportunity to babysit his little lordship etc etc. Could be wrong, just a hunch.

Your post reads a little like a rap lyric, ruby.

Your friend has issues. Not only is she rude but she seems to get a kick out of undermining your efforts.
I once had a friend like her. I remember taking her then 6 year old out for dinner at a nice Indian restaurant. He wore a dickie bow and gelled his hair for the occasion.
We had a fab time and he was in awe of the grandeur of it all; the attentive waiters, the naff fish tank..
On returning him home his mom berated him for being late and told him he was grounded.
It really boils down to her jealousy OP. You made a concerted effort to make something she and baby might appreciate. She can't hack it; she wants to be at the helm.
I would remain dignified and polite but at the same time keep her at arms length.
FWIW I would sell your wonderful creations on Etsy or whatever.

Ruby, no... I already said I can't because of how busy I am with work how odd, are you actually my friend?

Your letters are lovely and I can understand how upset you must be feeling but bear in mind that new mothers (especially first time mothers) can be a bit OTT and, dare I say it, nuts, about their baby and all things to do with baby. Years ago with my first DD I refused all secondhand stuff. Wasn't good enough for my precious DD. By the time of my third I accepted everything!
If she was a close friend before this then don't lose a friend over it. Accept she was tactless and insensitive but move on. You sound a lovely friend to have

It's Captain America themed, her son's room was Superhero themed

Seems obvious to me what the problem is. You made Marvel's Avengers themed letters but she's a died in the wool DC fan and could only countenance Justice League letters on her son's wall.

What a nasty woman.

A) The letter looks every bit as good as any I've seen in shops

B) If one of my friends made such a thing I would cherish it far beyond anything shop bought and any imperfections would make it MORE personal and special, not less. Every time I saw the drip of paint or wonky line I'd smile.

Omg you are so talented op! They look so professional and the theme is brilliant. I can't imagine what your friend got that was so much better. You should think of doing this as a side business, seriously this is good stuff

What an ungrateful, nasty piece of work she is!

Why did she think you'd want them back? Do your babies share names?

I know the problem OP. you left the 'G' out of Garden.

is a bigger bitch than the OP's friend

It's really quite strange of her to prefer the bought version, which hundreds or even thousands of other people will have, to something unique.

They're brilliant. I would have loved something like that for my dds and to be handmade by a friend would be the icing on the cake.

Irrelevant as I can't see any imperfections on yours but my mother makes cards, except everything on them is crooked as be damned. And it always makes me smile, it's like her trademark. Letters skew whiff? Yep that's mam's