It’s been a bit of a disturbing day. The very kind, Farruska, brought it to my attention today that someone has stolen some of my tutorial pictures and uploaded them on a flickr account as their own. There are other photos on this account that belong to another blogger as well (I have notified her). Who knows what else has been stolen. This just infuriates me that someone would steal my tutorial pictures that I worked so hard on.
At first, I thought that this person just doesn’t understand copyright infringement, but the photos that were stolen from the other blogger had been very obviously cropped to remove copyright marks. I wrote an email to this violator and to Yahoo Copyright. What also irks me is that this violator person put my photos in a whole bunch of pools/groups.
So, I have no other choice than to protect all of my work with a watermark, which I had been avoiding, only because it would add extra time & work. I have used these photos as testers. Now I know,that these watermarks could be easily cropped off, but I am just unsure of how big and how much I should be distracting from the craft itself. I am most definitely going to plaster my watermark on my tutorial pics, smack dab in the middle. What do you think is best as far as watermarks?
***deeeeep breath*** Anyway, what I really wanted to share today, was the lunchbox tote that I made for Oh Fransson’s Lunchbox Swap. It’s a simple little bag with a drawstring top, a bit of patchwork and a little bird appliqué pocket. I really tried to make it based on the recipient’s color likes and blogged preferences, which was still hard, especially since I don’t know this person. I hope she likes it.
I added a few thing inside, like a food container, water bottle and handmade notecards.
I received my lunchbox a couple of weeks ago and have been planning to post about it, but I can’t seem to remember to take a photo of it until after dark. So, you can see it in the following links instead. It is the most beautiful lunchbox with gorgeous hand embroidery and lots of inside pockets & goodies. Susan, was so incredibly thoughtful and generous. She even sent some recipes, including 30-minute Red Lentil Soup, which I made the other day for dinner. It was fantastic!! Coconut milk made it incredibly rich and creamy. We devoured every little bit. Thank you Susan. I love it all!!
Far out! how rotten are some people?
id be peeved too!!
now that soup sure looks good, you’ll need to share the recipe with us!
What a shame about the creep who stole your work. Can you tell the moderators of the pools that the work is stolen? I would have no problem if your watermark was HUGE and right through the center of the photo. I would understand.
It’s important that you protect your work. For those of us fortunate enough to share your generosity, a large diagonal watermark is a small price to pay – and it would certainly deter the creative thieves.
I really don’t understand some people. To take something that someone offers out of the generosity of their hearts, and exploit and abuse the privilege… I really don’t get it. I heard of some people taking the free tutorials that are around the internet and offering them for sale (they were selling the links to the free tutorials) on Etsy and Ebay. I mean, who even thinks of these things?!
Anyway, I’m so sorry. You do what you have to do, and I’m just glad you share your artwork with us as inspiration, let alone take all the time to teach us how to make our own little pieces of Creative Kismet, too.
We love you, looks like your lunchbox partner did, too! :0)
That’s awful about the picture theft – I love the lunchbox you made – your color choices are always nice.
Sorry about the thief; I can understand your frustration. The intenet is becoming a small neighborhood in any given section, so, fortunately, we will all start to recognize the theives and call them down, just like your friend did for you.
While looking for some “blogwear” for myself yesterday, I came across this gal: http://www.freckledfundesigns.blogspot.com/. She makes very pretty watermarks. I like her banner designs, so I might she what she can do for me!
Great lunch bag. That looked like a good swap.
Oh, man! I get so frustrated when people copy my photos. I’m sorry to hear it’s happening to you too. I feel bad that I have to have a big, mean-sounding copyright notice on my blog, but even that doesn’t seem to stop people. I’m definitely going to consider doing a watermark on future photos.
By the way, I love your lunchbox!
What a bummer! You take great pics, and viewers should admire and not steal your work. I’m sorry to hear about this.
And, like others have posted, what a beautiful lunch bag!
You can put the watermark diagonally across your photo. I’ve seen it done and one gets used to it and it doesn’t distract because of the paleness of it. It’s too bad you have to do that on your own photos that you’re so generously sharing. I was just on a French site that had copied another gal’s (that I admire) designs exactly and in multiples.
Do I let it go or say something??
Joni
That is so frustrating! I had to start watermarking my photos too for the same reason… So nice that someone let you know at least.
The lunchbag that you made is so pretty!
I don’t mind seeing watermarks – it’s important that an artist’s work remain their own! Like jonipossin says, put it across the objects so it will be really hard to steal the photos.
I seen on another blog a warning not to buy a book that was plagiarized. Someone from another county stole illustrations and words for it. Sioux has a link to show what book it is. I had someone take a photo off of my site too who was from another county. I need to learn how to put a water mark on my photos.
Since we are on the subject. Is it alright to show where a person got an idea an put a link to the site of it’s owner? Without using the owners photos? I never use someone elses photos. Example, hopefully if you click on my name. It doesn’t look like I can preview my comment to see if my link will take you right to a link to your blog. I don’t no all the rules myself. So if I am not suppose to do that let me know and I will edit and take it off.
Thanks!
God Bless Your Creative Life!!!
It works! If you have some spare time you can take a look and let me know. I didn’t say what your idea was I just said I used a tip at your stie.
Have a Great Night!
I love your “lunch box”. Just wish I could have been in on the swap. As for someone stealing your pics and tutorials…I don’t understand why people keep their hands off of things that don’t belong to them. If they’re that hard up that they take credit where credit isn’t due then I think we should all black ball them. All you have to do is let us know who and I bet there would be a huge following.
Watermark away—we’re behind you!
Sorry this happened, but keep up your great work.
Karen
Oh that sucks. I am so sorry hon. I’ve had pics of my paintings ripped off and have been avoiding the watermark thing too. Sigh…maybe its time.
On a brighter note your back and soup both look delicious.
Hugs,
a.
Forgot to tell you how much I like
the lunch box you recieved and the
one you made also!
The soup look’s delicious!
Have a Blessed Week!!!
I love your blog and all your tutorials are great! I am adding you to my blog list of fun blogs that I keep up with! Looking forward to reading future posts!
I love the lunch box. And I’m so sorry about the photo theft – that sucks. It makes me sad to think people won’t share their tutorials anymore cuase people might rip them off:(:( My notecards arrived yesterday and they are all so great! Thank you so much.
I’m sad to hear you have to deal with this. Have you thought of a simple design to watermark your photos? Like a big daisy or a flourish or something to put overtop, instead of a diagonal text line. Good luck.
I think you have to put the watermark directly on your work in order to protect it. Having it below will allow it to be too easily cropped out. I am so very sorry this happened to you!
Your work is beautiful and I love your blog.
Ellen.
That sucks! I’ve had my pictures stolen on ebay before & I’ve even had my html with my full description stolen. It is very frustrating!
It’s always sad when we encounter people that doesn’t respect other people’s work and ideas. But we should never give up. Some people may be bad but the humankind can be redeem. I also don’t like to put a watermark in the middle of the photo but you can do that using transparancy so the letters don’t shout for attention.
I have thought about doing the watermark thing too. Only because some of our pictures we use for my husband’s business. I need to figure out how to do this in Photoshop!
How rude is that to steal your work and pass it off as their own –
I don’t mind the watermark – diagonal across will prevent any cropping from taking place – your stuff is so great that it will shine around any distractions anyway – and we are so lucky to have you sharing your talents with us.
Regina,
Thank you so much for the bag and the other goodies! I love the bag! It is so perfect. Actually, I saw it on Flickr before I got it and was hoping that would be the bag that I would receive. What a surprise when I opened the box! The colors, the size, everything is just perfect! The notecards are so sweet. Did you make those too? The other things are always nice to have around with kids. Thank you again! Sherry