Feeling Accomplished

Last fall I wrote a post to explain our family’s thoughts about raising show pigs. I had received a number of questions and comments about how hard it must be for Julia to raise these cute animals and then give them up at auction when fair time rolled around. The post generated a lot of comments and generally reader’s liked it. Janine of Quilts From the Little House, suggested I submit it to be published. (Thank you Janine!) I thought about it for a bit and decided to give it a go.

In November sent it in to Country Extra which is a smaller supplement to the magazine, Country. But I didn’t hear back from them so I assumed it was not something they wanted to use. Then in April I received an email asking to use the story in their June/July issue. Success!

Yesterday I received a print copy. It is a fun experience to see my story in print. There’s my girl and Olive!

I very much appreciated how careful the editors were to retain the feeling of the essay while having to shorten it. They sent me the proof to check for any errors or changes that were needed. The woman I worked with was so friendly. It makes me feel good about the whole process and certainly willing to do it again should any idea come up worth writing about.

Susie’s Memory Quilt

As for the sewing room, I have been working on the memory quilt for my friend Susie. Her husband passed away last September and in the spring she asked me to make a quilt using his shirts. It is really coming along nicely. Today I will finish sashing it. She gave me his red plaid robe that I plan to cut up for the outermost border. I think the red is going to look great. She is happy with the progress and I am honored to make this for her.

Woohoo!! Art Gallery is on sale to day!

Today is the last day of the sale on Art Gallery Fabric in my shop. Be sure to come check it out – tons of gorgeous yardage is 20% off. Happy Sewing!

Linking up with my usuals and also with Em’s Scrapbag, Moving It Forward Monday – check out the projects in this link up for some fun inspiration.

30 thoughts on “Feeling Accomplished

  1. Judy Vaughn

    Bernie, how wonderful for you. You certainly have a way with words. Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  2. Kathleen McCormick

    How wonderful to have the article published! I love understanding things like that – something that I have never done. The quilt look fab that you are working on! Good luck with your sale; I wish I needed fabric, but one day I will!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks Kathleen. It was fun to see this come to fruition. The sale was a good success which makes me happy. Take care. ☺️

      Reply
  3. Katherine

    Hi Bernie!
    I’m so glad your article was printed! That means more people will read it and hopefully appreciate the process.👍 I read it to my husband and sent it to a few people. I loved it!
    Your stories are worth reading. ❤️ I’m sure there will be more!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Katherine, what a lovely comment. I am so glad you enjoy reading my posts and thanks also for sharing that story with others. I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful day. 🙂

      Reply
  4. JanineMarie

    Yay for you, Bernie. And for Julia, too! It’s fun to know a published author. Seriously, though, I’m sure the article will be helpful to lots of families considering having their kids raise animals for show and sale. I like how your quilt is coming along and how you included a photo in it. I’m looking forward to seeing it with the border.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      This is the first time I have used a photo in a quilt. Susie had printed two and asked me to put them in. I think it looks sweet and just hope they wash well?? That is my only concern. Susie says she has had good experience with this sort of thing so I am trusting her on that one. (She is quite the creative as well.). Thank you friend, for suggesting I submit that post last year. I don’t know that I would have even thought of it were it not for your idea in a comment!

      Reply
  5. Linda

    I really enjoyed your article. Well written and very insightful. I’m so glad you aren’t raising Julia to be a protected “snowflake”. 😉 And I just LOVE that picture of her walking away from the camera with her pig!

    Reply
  6. Lorraine

    An absolutely beautiful article and so very true! Such a tribute to your entire family and to your lovely daughter, Julia! And by the way….I found the hidden needle!! Was that something that the magazine does for extra fun?? It was fun to find it. Reminded me of the Hidden Pictures things we did as kids…. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Lorraine! And how fun that you spotted the needle. They hide two each month and I didn’t even see it there!!! Good eye. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jenny Benton

    It was a pleasure to read your “published” article, many congratulations, about Julia and Olive. As you say, this experience taught your girl about business, accounting, working hard at her business of raising the pig, and repaying the parents for their investment. Letting go was hard, but Julia had the right attitude, and is willing to do it again.
    I love the plaid memory quilt you are making for your friend, it will be much loved, I’m sure.

    Reply
    1. Shirley Wiltshire

      I love your post about Julia. Brings back memories of many years back of my 4-H days of showing Yorkshires.

      Reply
    2. Bernie Post author

      Hi Jenny, Parenting is all about helping kids to become well rounded and successful in their endeavors – sometimes it is challenging not to step in and make it easier for them but if we do that too much, it does them a disservice. Anyway, this has been a good experience for my daughter. Thank you for your comment. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Smilesfromkate

    How wise you are in teaching Julia such valuable lessons which will stand her in good stead as she goes through life. It sounds like she has got her head screwed on. It’s kind of you to make the lovely memory quilt for Susie, it looks like it will be soft and cozy, it will be full of wonderful memories for her.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Kate. I am really enjoying making this quilt for Susie and hope she is happy with it. Last night I took apart this soft red bathrobe for the border so I will put that on today. It is an honor to make something like this for a friend.

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you. It was a treat, especially since I had figured they were not interested in it and then to hear from them. A nice surprise. Hope all is well Carole.

      Reply
  9. Emily

    Congratulations on the article! I remember reading that post and was very impressed, both with the article and with Julia and all that went into raising and training Olive.

    Reply
  10. Kaholly

    Excellent article! A wonderful read! Your ability to express yourself with written word is to be celebrated. Your friend will cherish this quilt for years to come. What a sweet friend you are!

    Reply
  11. Susan

    What a great article, and I’m glad they published it. Your raising a wonderful girl, who will be tough enough to handle anything that comes her way. Congrats Mom!

    Reply
  12. Preeti Harris

    I love Susie’s quilt. I am sure she will tear up when she receives it and it will forever be a source of comfort to her. Congratulations on being published. Published = Accomplished 🙂

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Preeti on both counts. I know Susie will love the quilt. I have made some progress and it is looking great!

      Reply

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