In "the old days" children were brought up to go into the family business. They were raised in the soup of the trade chosen by their father, and steeped in the traditions of what was often a multi-generational occupation. Choosing one's own livelihood was a luxury.
These days kids are encouraged to follow their passion to find true success. So now when one's offspring express a desire to follow in the parents' independent vocational footsteps, it is a bit ironic.
Our daughter Sophie didn't inherit her entrepreneurial moxie from our DNA (she was adopted from China in 2003) but she has plenty of her own ambition. She has certainly been soaking up the love of fabrics since she was a toddler. For quite some time now, she's come to the office several days a week, and especially likes to have the run of the fabric warehouse on the weekends. Many years ago she declared that when we retire, she'll take over running the business for us.
That may or may not happen – who's to say? – but she definitely has the fabric bug, and the appreciation for beautiful works of fabric art.
Do you remember your first fervent gushing and unabashed appreciation of beautiful fabrics and quilts? Sophie often belly-laughs out loud at a whimsical quilt, as you will see in the first 2 videos we made at the Long Beach Quilt Festival. She will gasp out loud "How did she DO that?!" along with the grownups at a quilt show.
She wanted to make these videos to share her favorite quilts with other kids, but I bet you grownups will enjoy them too! We made 4 of her "Kids Eye Review" videos in Long Beach… the 3rd and 4th will be posted later this week!
I was very lucky as a kid. Nobody told me that I should follow a particular "practical" career. I started off as a music major, then switched to art and design. It never occurred to me that I wouldn't have success….because I was following my heart. Our business is a living embodiment of that passion for beauty, and the fabrics we ship around the world are like a global group hug …shared between members of the Secret Society of International Fabriholics. Tee hee!
Saturday night I'll be writing to you from the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England. Last year the big hit at this show was the Tentmakers of Cairo…and now we have the book from this exhibit as well!
* This quilt was made by Timna Tarr, and was shown at the Long Beach Quilt Festival in July 2012. Sophie is 10 years old, and is starting 5th grade today!
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Hello Luana,
Just wanted to say thanks for your site and the emails each week. This one particularly caught my eye as the photo of Sophie made me sit up and realize how she is growing up to be a lovely young lady before our eyes! I have been with eQuilter for years and followed her adoption story from the start. What a blessing. Enjoy the show in Birmingham, UK and safe travels. Kathy M. from Canada.
OMG! Sophie is absolutely growing up. I can’t get over how quickly. I have beem following her since she was a baby.
She is the sweetest child and blessed with your family.
Her videos made me smile–a lot.
I read Sophie’s story, and so enjoyed it. She is beautiful! My daughter lives in China and I went to visit her last summer. It certainly is a unique country. Really enjoy your blog-thanks!
Wonderful post! Filled with enthusiasm and so fun to read! Have a wonderful time in Birmingham–I hate to miss it (first time in years) because it’s where I get to meet up with all my British quilting buds. I even run into a few American friends there. 😀 Have a fabiulous time–how could you not?
Dear Sophie,
Thank you so much for your video of some of the quilts at Long Beach. I love the details you pointed out in the quilts. Usually, videos only show a quilt for a few seconds. I really liked having a chance to see the quilts long enough to appreciate the details. You did a very good job of explaining what you liked about them and I enjoyed your video very much. Thanks, Sophie!
Kathy
how lucky you are to have a beautiful daughter who is interested in what you do and is showing signs of following in your footsteps!!