Hang in there Girlfriends, I promise I’m coming. We have had an Event or party or driving across the state, or radio program or something every single day for over a week. But today is our last event, at Remnants of the Past — I have to leave in a couple of hours, must get dressed too! I will be back to post some highlights for you very soon! Here’s one big highlight…a gift from Strawberry Patches Quilt Store in Bakersfield, CA!
Look what I get to take home with me! That’s Suzanne behind me on the right in the pink … she owns this wonderful shop and made “Mini Jack” from wool! He’s felted. I’m so in love! See you soon Girlfriends!
What a precious gift! I can’t wait to see what the living breathing kitty thinks of his “twin”.
Me either. He likes felted things a bit more than I would like him too! But this mini Jack is too much a treasure to take chances with!
The whole time I was pounding that little guy with those barbed needles I was thinking about Jack and wondering what he would do with him. If Mini Jack comes up missing, I’d look in Jack’s hiding place. I’ll bet he will stash him with his beloved pony tail holders and toys. There is just something wild and a little gamey about 100% wool that kitties love.
That was the perfect thing to wonder about. So far Jack LOVES and ADORES felted things, and shreds them. I hide them. But all the others were much smaller, this one is hard and big, I hope he lets me keep it on my stove shelf! “A little gamey” — lol, that’s just how I would describe it…something about the wool, they want it. I took it to the Remnants Event yesterday. People LOVED him Suzanne! Thank you again. xoxo
I’m glad Mini Jack could be there for me – It’s THE best antique flea market this side of Paris.
Jack was actually 2nd best when it comes to that contest. xoxo
Suzanne……Mini Jack is too precious! Did you take a class to learn how to do these or did you learn on your own? I would love to make some small felted animals. I think my cat Twosocks would look delightful in this form. You did a wonderful job and your store is so precious!! May just have to take a trip out west just to stop into your shop! Great job on the whole visit!! Susan Branch you are sooooo blessed!! Cannot wait to see more pictures of your travels! Any news on coming to Florida after the New Year?
Not yet, we need a bit of a long winter’s nap first! 🙂
Thanks for checking in. Love your short “info snippit”. That little “Jack” is amazing what a gifted lady Suzanne is. Have a GREAT day and hope you sell LOTS of fun “stuff”:)
Joe is working in our cute booth, helping Kellee and Sheri and I think Sheri’s 12 year old daughter might be helping too, while I sign books. It’s a family affair!
Sheri’s daughter is so cute! She was very helpful!
Mattie! Adorable, and so creative. Didn’t you love her braids?
Yes! I used to braid my girls’ hair when they were young, and have always thought it is just so, so cute!
I always had braids. I loved them too.
Mini Jack is sooo cute!!! I’s so glad you are having so much fun and will be able to tell us all about it soon. I am starting to read “our Romance” book for the second time today 🙂 Love love love it.
Thank you Charlotte!
…what a deeee-light full time you are having !!..so busy you are; but you still make time for “updates” for all of us…see how you are ?!?…enjoy every precious moment and before you know it, you will be traveling back this way and home !….”take joy” and with love, as always…
I will be! Very soon now, I can hear the clock ticking!
Mini Jack is tooo cute!… I LOVE little felted critters sooo much!… have fun today!… wish I was there… xoxo… Julie Marie PS Too cute Joe is working in the booth!…
He also walked up and down the rows of the line and took pictures and said hello and he LOVED it. He’s getting good at this!
What a “fine romance” you two have… and not just in England!… I love fairytales with happily~ever~afters, like yours… (and mine too)… I just read your story again last night in my book of how you and Joe met… I sighed when I read where you wrote… he kissed you, and it was not like a baby… I am a very sentimental lady, as you can probably tell… you two are so adorable!… xoxo Moi
I understand Julie, I feel the same way!
Happy Sunday Susan! We(daughter, son-in-law, & me) were on a trip to Hearst Castle, in our motorhome, this past week, passing by the place your happy celebration was to take place. You weren’t there yet, or we would have stopped by. I was still going over & over (in my mind) the few days ago when you signed my book. I just knew you were going to be a sweet lady, & you were. You certainly have lots of fans, me included. Keep on enjoying your trip. Stay safe. Happy trails. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Hope you had fun at Hearst Castle! We just love it up there.
Yes Susan, we really did have a fun time, even though our Grand Sons weren’t with us. They’re busy going to school & working. The campground right beside the Castle was wonderful. Lovely sites, with large trees all around. My Son-in-Law built a fire each night (my favorite time of camping), & all these critters came out of the bushes, surrounding us with their chit chatter. They were Racoons. So adorable. We’d shine a light in the bushes & we’d see little eyes shining back at us. Then of course whenever we go to Hearst Castle, we “MUST” make a visit to see the marvelous elephant seals. Nature is certainly full of wonder, isn’t it? On the way home we always stop to get split pea soup at Anderson’s. You must have gone to Hearst a lot, living so close. Lots of climbing up stairs. My legs were achy the next few days. Happy Trails, with Love, (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
It is full of wonder. It’s funny, years back when I lived in this area, before I moved to the island, we would go up there all the time. And those elephant seals weren’t there. Not a one. All of a sudden, quite a few years ago, they seemed to take to that beach … pretty soon they were trying to cross the road, so things had to change there, but when they first came, there were no fences, hardly any cars, just these gigantic beasts sunning themselves and flopping in and out of the water. Next time you go to Hearst, go to the beach directly across the street from the Hearst parking lot driveway … explore up the side of the cliff that juts out into the ocean — it’s like a prehistoric place in there, mossy high trees and lots of birds.
Mini Jack is a real work of art! Have a safe trip home.
-Karen
SO wish I could be visiting you today up north. I missed you when you were in Pasadena too…so very close…but parent/teacher conferences interfered with that. (wouldn’t you know they would schedule mine THAT day?) *sigh* Maybe another year. Your new traveling companion, Mini-Jack, is just beyond precious. I’m sure Petey will welcome him warmly in the Fine Romance Van. What a pair they will be. Can’t wait to hear what Mr. Jack (the one who purrs) thinks of his likeness. I know you will post many pictures of that happy occasion. Wishing you continued safe travels and fun adventures along the road home.
Missed you Pam…maybe next time. xo
Susan, What a wonder touching gift. I hope your travels are save and much fun. xoxo,Susie
Thanks for the quick note! That little Jack is SOOO cute! I’d love to be able to do that. Have fun today!!
Hi Susan ~~~ Little Jack is such a cutie!! Looks very real I much add. We girlfriends, that couldn’t make the book signing at the quilt shop really missed a party! Did you get any books signed? Just kidding! It’s sad to think that I will also be missing the Remnants of the Past. So happy to see all the pictures. Almosts like being to all these events. I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next post and pictures.
xoxox
Carol M
Coming soon Carol!
are those tears I see in your eyes over the A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. Jack? That is something to treasure forever – what a talented lady Suzanne is!!!
Yes! How could I not cry!
Yes! How could I not!
Christmas came a little early for you in the form of the beautiful Jack ‘twin’. What a thoughtful lady! I visited the Strawberry Patches website. . . I wish, wish, wish we had that store in our town!! Suzanne wouldn’t be considering starting of chain of Strawberry Patches across the country would she?
Such a special place, so light and bright, I bet you can see it from space!
Awe mini wool jack is so cute I ‘ m also a needlefelter so I know how much work and love went into wooly jack great job Suzanne!
He is adorable! I have a tattered felted little mouse, dressed as a church parson (a real church mouse!) that one of our cats attacked and wrestled off the fireplace one December a number of years ago. It brings back humorous memories of that cat whenever I start putting out Christmas things each year!Have a fun time today. Blessings and safe travel as you soon head for your east coast home. It will be waiting for you as you prepared it for Autumn, and you will bring with you all the memories of the lovely things you have done since you left!
I can’t wait to put out the things we bought while antiquing across country. We packed everything yesterday, it was like Christmas!
The little felted Jack is soooo cute!! I bought a Christmas ornament recently that was also handmade from wool…looks sweetly similar…but mine is a replica of my beloved Baxter Boo, my black and white border collie mix!! Glad you’ve had a lovely trip and I’m sure you will so thrilled to be back home on MV! Safe travels to you and Joe : )
Thank you Lori!
It was great to hear from you! I sure miss your blog updates…..they are so much fun to read. What a wonderful time you must be having….2013 has been a busy year for you. Don’t you just love felted things!!!! Yummy. xoxo
Yes I do!
Awwww…. sweetest gift ever!!
Oh Susan…….such a sweet little Jack. And such a sweet, talented lady to gift you!
she showed the “girlfriends” on FB and I was so excited that she knew exactly what you would love!!
It was the perfect thing!!! Homemade, with love, of something I love!
hello Susan, hello girlfriends. awww now that is a cute version of Jack, its adorable. is he a Christmas ornament?? I was wondering as I noticed that elastic ring on his nose. very cute. talk to you later…. off to clean out the henhouse and pout fresh straw in the nesting boxes, makes the hens happy as they like their warm fluffy nests when it gets colder. have fun and have a great day. hugs….. 🙂
He’s bigger than a Christmas ornament and too good to mix in with anything else. He is like a crown, needs to stand alone and be admired, that’s how cute he is! The elastic ring in his mouth is the ponytail band that Jack so loves to play with. He has a red fuzzy ball too. It’s darned adorable, that’s all there is to it!
Hello, Susan and everyone…
Wow… what an adorable, wonderful version of Jack! I hope that the real Jack will like it as much as you do. It sounds like things are winding down with your book tour, and maybe you will be on your way home soon. I noticed a longing for home in your last post on Halloween… but I know that we have ALL treasured the time and willingness of both you and Joe to share yourselves with us at all the book signings and teas.
Have loved all your posts while you were on the road… especially the one about Jack. I know that you will love getting home to your walks, your kitties, your house and all the holiday fun and activities.
Take care, Susan, and thanks again for all that you do.
Us “girlfriends” all got to see mini-Jack on your Facebook page before YOU did! He is absolutely adorable and what a labor of love he is! Though I bet Suzanne had fun creating him. I’m so glad she shared it with all of us!
You and Joe have a safe and uneventful trip back to the Island, and we’ll “see” you when you get there! It sure was a pleasure and honor to meet you~
Your needle felted Jack is so neat. Cats, for some reason, love the smell of wool so I don’t think you’d want your two to play with your felted kitty. Better put him under glass. LOL I tried my hand at making little felted animals and it’s not easy to get the knack of it without stabbing ones fingers a number of times with that barbed needle. I’ve got a bag of colored roavings so I’ll keep on trying. Looking forward to seeing your blog on the show you are doing today. That’s got to be the biggie on your tour. I bet you are so looking forward to being back home on the island. Have a safe trip on that long treck back. Hugs from central Jersey……
Greetings from a blue skied, frosty English Lake District. I can’t believe you’ve covered so many miles and had the energy to meet and greet so many fans. It’s so nice to go travelling but definitely so much nicer to come home so have a safe trip and thanks again for the wonderful book, for sure the highlight of my year. Eli x
Hello Eli, in the blue skied, frosty English Lake District! Lovely to hear your voice!
“Mini Jack” is such a cutie! It’s the perfect gift for you!
Yes, you have had a really busy schedule! Before long, though, you will be on the road heading back to MV. Do you have a date set as a goal that you would like to be back there? If you need a place for turkey and dressing, we are available.:)
Have you had any more information about the third printing of the book? I keep hoping to see a site nearby where you might be signing books as you cross the country back home.
I hope Remnants of the Past is a stupendous success for you!
xo Nellie
Thank you Nellie! We’ll be stopping in Oklahoma City and Albuquerque, but not in that order! Remnants was heaven!
That is so adorable, Susan. Just purr-fect. Looking forward to your post. Hugs, Deb
Your joy in the little things is adorable! Thanks for the constant reminder of how precious the moments are….
Jenny
xoxo Jenny.
Mini Jack is adorable!
Oh my gosh! That ‘mini Jack’ is adorable! I can just picture the real guy carrying this one around in his mouth like a kitten 🙂 The weather here in the east is getting chilly…feeling like Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Thanks for the update & have a blast! Kelly
Won’t they look darling together? If big Jack will hold still for a picture, I’ll get it!
You might have to wait until Jack’s excitement over having you home is spent to take that picture! =^^=
This is so darn cute I almost can’t stand it.
My thoughts exactly. You should feel it!
Have fun at the show! We’re always along for the journey, Susan – you’re the best!!! Sharing your profile in the new Yankee magazine with everyone – now they know why I love and talk about your artwork, writing and creativity – and MV – so much!!! ♥♥♥
Thank you Mari!
Too cute!!
Susan, I just wanted to write and thank you for your Bean Soup recipe. Your book “Heart of The Home” was the first cookbook I bought out of college and have been making your bean soup ever since (25 years later). It’s a cloudy, damp, cold day in the Pacific NW, the perfect day for a pot of bean soup. Off to the grocery store for the remaining ingredients…
The felted “Jack” is great!!! Suzanne is definitely talented! 🙂
That soup makes any chilly day just so much better. I’ve always loved it. xoxo Thank you Traci!
Thanks for the post Susan! I wonder if you are as excited to go back home to Martha’s Vineyard as much as we are excited to have you back here on the East Coast!! Have a safe trip back!!!
I think I am, although it’s always a tug of war inside me…these two coasts …
What a very special GIFT! Looks exactly like “Jack”. Have a wonderful visit in Bakersfield.
Oh “mini Jack” is too, too cute and too, too special! Please take some close up pix of him and post them for us to see him even better. What an amazing, special gift!
I bet it makes you miss Jack even more (if that’s even possible).
Almost home!
Hi,
Thanks for the note….. Love your gift! It is so cute and clever. Just wanted to say , I received my package of goodies from the online store…love it all…some are gifts for girlfriends.
The Beatrix Potter Journal is for me…an early birthday gift. I love it! I have another flower fairy journal fom the same company… Called Fairyopolis. Both these books are favorites, along with all your books…of course! Purchased the Yankee magazine for Dec. Loved all the pictures and the info about the next new book. Two quick questions…are ther still Willard post over the website? I have not gotten one since July of this year. Also what is the nearest you will tour to Philadelphia, Pa?
Have a great rest out your trip…say hi to Joe!
Kathie from Limerick
I just have not had time to do a new Willard! Isn’t that terrible? But I hope I can soon! Not sure yet when we will get to PA, but I will definitely post it. Thank you Kathie from Limerick!
Hi Kathie from Limerick! I bought the Beatrix Potter Journal at Remnants, and told my girlfriend it so reminded me of Fairyopolis! I should have noticed it was from the same company! I just love it and will definitely be sharing it with my third graders, many of whom love to draw and journal. Thanks for pointing that out! Love it…
Hi Susan, I soooo wish I could be at Remnants today to meet you, but sadly I can’t. Thanks for the snippet, love that mini Jack, what a wonderful treasure and gift from Suzanne and it really does look like Jack! Have a wonderful time today can’t wait for the blog to tell us all about it. You and Joe must be getting giddy with excitement that you will soon be on your happy trails HOME! I’ll be waiting breathlessly for your next post, love to you and Joe, and have a safe and fun trip home. xoxoxoxoxoxo P.S. Just made those Jiffy corn cakes with the blueberries, they were delicious, didn’t even need the syrup, but of course I tried that too!!! lol
Of course!
Hi, Susan. I’m still on cloud nine after the wonderful party at Strawberry Patches. All the wonderful bits of the day are swirling in my head. It was such a joy to finally meet you after all the anticipation. Thanks so much for fitting us in your schedule. Your stamina amazes me. And to think you are in SLO signing more books this very minute! You and Joe are just too cute! Tell him I said, “Hi!”.
Happy Travels!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
I’ll do that Nancy! SO wonderful to meet you!
Thanks for the update. It was a great little distraction from my dissertation work!
Every little bit helps. Good luck Nena!
OMG!!! That is as close to the “real” Jack as you’ll ever get!!!:) How adorable and sweet! Suzanne must be an extremely talented lady! This is awesome!
I have a yarn shop that I love to go to that advertises needle felting classes and have been so tempted to sign up for one this past year. I had no clue one could make an animal so authentic-looking with felting!
I wish I could see the rest of what Suzanne is wearing in the picture — I have to ask — by any chance is she wearing a 1950’s outfit with a poodle skirt and all? The top half of her looks like it could be a strong possibility.:)
Also, what are you holding in your other hand in the picture? I should probably know just by looking at it — sorry. brain’s. tired.:)
It’s a little kitty blanket Suzanne made for Mini Jack to sit on…out of my fabric with one of the quotes I’d put on the selvage sewn onto it…”No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.” Take a class, what do you have to lose, it could be so fun! Suzanne is darling in her long pink, very fluffy, tutu!
Oh my! How very clever of Suzanne! I truly have to echo something similar to what was said earlier in one of the comments, “This is just so adorable and sweet, I can hardly stand it!”
I seriously keep coming back and looking at the pics over and over. Since my first post I also found the pic on the events page. I did not realize that mini Jack actually has a band in his mouth — plus a red ball and now the kitty blanket made out of your own fabric — the quote is just perfect too! What a most perfect gift!
It was the perfect gift, more than I ever imagined. I just wanted to touch him so much when I saw him. He’s strong, just like the real Jack!
Petey now has a traveling companion 🙂
Petey had his arm around mini Jack during the entire book signing yesterday. They make the perfect couple. The beauty and the beast 🙂
I’m glad you mentioned Petey because He didn’t make his appearance at Strawberry Patches and I was honestly afraid to ask. I know how special he is to you and Joe and have worried that he would come up missing along the way. Now he has his own little pet. I can stop worrying now.
I will take a picture of Petey and Mini Jack together, they are PERFECT. Made for each other!
Susan, I sure do like your new “kitty”…aka the felted one!…I have really enjoyed following you…and cannot wait until you all have more Yankee Magazines available…I went to their website to get a sneak peak…I feel a cozy gingerbread Christmas coming on! Prayers for safe travels for the rest of your journey!
How very special. What a labor of love by another talented girlfriend.
So very glad you were able to come to Vroman’s. It was lovely hearing you read and delightful to have a chance to talk with you. Even before you arrived there was a hum of girlfriends chatting with new friends. Everyone was so excited. One would think you know us as well as we know you. What a treat.
One would probably be right! It was just a matter of time until we actually met! It’s been just wonderful!
Just wanted to say how much I love the decorations on your “dresser” (for Christmas last year). I have a similar one and want to duplicate yours as best I can. I have a lot of similar decorations, but where can I get gold letters spelling out J O Y, similar to the ones you have? Are there any sites available to buy them, or do I need to go to a craft store and make them myself. I just love them! You are a genius! Looking foward to a report on Remnants of the Past signing…….
Google “wooden letters” — you might have to spray paint them gold. I don’t know where I found mine, it’s been too long.
Thanks for sharing your precious “mini Jack” with the Girlfriends. Suzanne is sooo very creative. I’ve enjoyed checking out the link to her Strawberry Patches Quilt Store and her blog, Notes from the Patch. You always brighten my day, Susan!
Happy to hear that Charlene – it’s a two-way street. xo
AAAAA-dorable!!! 🙂
Oh, that mini-Jack is soooo cute!
Aww, so very sweet.
Would it be asking too much if Suzanne were to make another 850, 000 felted Jacks (by Christmas), so we can each have our own? . . . 🙂
I was thinking the same thing! 🙂
Oh dear, talk about “repetitive action injury”… LOL! 🙂
That would be awesome!!
It took me three full seasons of Downton Abbey tapes to make him. I was happy as a clam creating him as I watched all those wonderful characters develop. Just the perfect diversion as I pounded away on Mini Jack. As much as I’d love to create a whole huge litter I’m afraid there aren’t enough hours or good unseen tapes to produce another. He is my first and last creation. So glad you Girlfriends like him! I have such great memories of the Saturday and Sunday afternoons making him – loved every magical moment.
XOXO, an original.
AND……..one of a kind, as it probably should be! Soooooo special! It was lovely to see him in person at the show.
How appropriate that Mini-Jack was “born” during Downtown Abbey! Only “Miss Potter” could possibly have been better… :>)
You are so right! Good English genes! 🙂
I know, isn’t it just adorable?? I love it, I’m sure you did. Did you cry? I was just out for the day yesterday, and I missed my kitty boy, Chester. Apparently he missed me too, he was a lap kitty this morning. I’m sure you’ll be glad to rest & snuggled kitty’s when you get back home. Safe travels!
I cried, of course, could not believe she’d made that for me.
Dear Susan,
It was so fun seeing you today at Remnants! After I left your table I went into your booth and bought more goodies for Christmas gifts and, of course, a charm and an “old bag”for myself! Can’t get enough of your stuff. Loved your little felted “Jack”! Really darling! Have fun tonight at dinner with those lucky girlfriends. Wish I could have won THAT prize. I would have had a “Susan Branch” story to tell like you have your “Beatles” story! Thanks again for taking so much of your time to be with all of us who admire you so. Very generous of you.
xoxo, Carol
LOL, but you would never have had to endure me in my underwear like I did with John! We did have fun with the winners of the dinner prize, they were so interesting. Two sets of best friends… one set was cousins, three of them were named Mary, one of them, the non-Mary was from Atlanta. We loved it!
Oh my, that’s amazing! Is that a hair band in his mouth? Too cute. 🙂
It is… she didn’t forget a thing!
Little felt Jack is adorable! Can’t imagine the talent that can produce something like that. The quilt shop looks neat, too.
That felted Jack is CUTE! Even the eyes look the same!!! Have a good drive home… 🙂
Sorry for all the misspelling of words…was using my IPad. Sometimes it misses letters cause I type too fast…..the sentiments are the same…
Kathie from Limerick
My phone does that … I read back and sound like a pure nut, although they are funny, so that’s the good part!
mini jack is so cute! can’t wait to hear your stories! be safe.
What a precious gift! He is so cute just like the real Jack! Loved meeting you in Pasadena!
Oh my goodness! What a darling mini Jack! How very talented Suzanne is! The felt kitty looks so much like him. xoxo
Thanks for checking in, Susan. What a darling idea the felt Jack was. I love meeting so many creative people on your BLOG!
I am thinking of you right now, in the middle of your event in SLO. I had planned to be there and was in the area last weekend, hoping to stay over until today, but our plans changed. They were happy changes, but I was reeeeeaaaalllllllly looking forward to meeting you and Joe and Kellee and Sheri and purchasing your tin and tea in person and perhaps a bead or two. My husband’s and my name tags were printed, backed firmly and had the pins attached, already. I know you will have a wonderful day.
I had consoled myself that I might be able to see you in Seattle, instead, but I believe I read that your trip to WA was cancelled?
A big hug and lots of joy to you,
Paula
Yes, we did have to cancel our northern adventure when the books were sold out, unexpectedly I might add. Now it’s gotten so late, the snow is going to fall on our way home, so we really have to go. Sorry to miss you Paula, but there will be another time. xoxo
I ‘ve read where one should write down three good things that have happened
each day —-
I’m halfway through your wonderful new book and today I’ll thank you thrice for “A Fine Romance”, “A Fine Romance”, “A Fine Romance”.
Aren’t you a doll Leigh! Yes, you are.
How did it go ? Didja sell out on this incoming batch of books? Hope you are able to schedule more signings on the trip back to MV…….these books remind me of coffee pots — every home in America will have one!
My daddy xoxo
And every home would definitely benefit from a copy of this book — not just for the inspiration to travel/visit England but in the story of what is entailed in “getting out of one’s own way” and letting a happy life unfold so that the right partner appears and life becomes what it should be…a reward and a daily pleasure doing what one loves most. Yes, there’s ALL of that in this story — and I’m glad to have been watching from my initial purchase of that first cookbook way back there. It was very special hearing Susan speak and keeting her at the Vroman’s signing. She’s JUST as one expects — or at least as I’ve always expected — just a REAL person with a beuatiful spirit and solid talents.
Darling Dottie, thank you, verklempt. xoxo
I love the detail that “Little Jack” even has a rubber band in his mouth just like the ones thT “Big Jack likes to chase! You must miss him terribly, would love to see that reunion! Thank you for sharing your interesting life with us!
Oh thank you got checking in! Looks like you have been blessed with another dear friend! Love the little “Jack”…she is so gifted!
Hope you had a good time!
Blessings,
Gert
Hello Susan! Glad to hear you’ve been busy, busy, busy!!!! You look so refreshed from that California sunshine!!!! I love your printed ankle-length skirt, so smashing!!!! Your unique outfits are so pretty and I never see you in anything twice! How do you do it? Take care of yourself!
I’m doing my best! I just packed, brought out all the warm clothes for the trip home!
I love this, he’s so cute. Now you can take him with you on trips too. What a thoughtful gift. That is something she might consider making to sell. Maybe not Jack exactly but other kitties. Looks like you had a great time there.
I’m not sure you could ever sell these for the number of hours it takes to make them! A gift from the heart is what they are. What is more of a gift than time?
Wow, the mini jack is perfect, an artist gift for sure. I am adoring your book!!! I can’t believe what birthday encouraged you to go on the Trip. I’m sure that number was a typo. You are much too young.
No typo. You’ll see someday a long time from now, it’s still young. Inside anyway. xoxo
So good to hear from you on the road. Felted Jack is adorable!
Oh I love your mini Jack… how thoughtful and awesome! Thank you so much for sharing all the “little” things … they aren’t little to us.. I checked earlier before I came to work and was disappointed but…. took chance here are work.. and there you were!! yahoo!!! Cannot tell you enough how dear you are to so many… we love going “with” you on your travels….. and your every day…which we see are never just “ordinary”. I read over the dishtowels and china today… so off I went to “just” see if any cup or vintage doily spoke…to me…. not any today…but then there is always tomorrow.. Many blessings…and safe fun travels home..evangelin
Quick note…so appreciate all the your news.. The lil Jack and the wonderful pictures of where you’ve been are such a highlight. Look forward to your blog and “always” feel rested and refreshed. Have been super busy working as a nurse, some nights I come home very tired and worn thin… then I will look up one of the features… dishtowels, china, washing glasses, clothesline art… then I smile, sink down in my pillows and remember… all is right with the world… NO matter what is going on..there is still sunshine and wind and blue sky (sometimes) and fresh air to breathe…so thank you dear friend… Evangeline in the BlueRidge Mountains…just beside the Smokies..
All is right with the world … thank you for the work and giving that you do Evangeline.
I wanted the blog to be like a house with rooms — and what you said makes me feel like I got my wish! You were in the china room and the dishtowel room and the antiques room! xoxo
X0X0X back at ya’!
Aaww! You must take a pic when you introduce them to each other.
I so hope you had a great day today! HaHa, some of us saw little Jack before you! I was so excited I was in tears! Little Jack, the green eyes, red ball rubber band, he’s own quilt out of your material, and he’s own carrying box! Suzanne is amazing! Just like you! And all the goodies she made from your books and champagne! And all the foofing she did (behind her husbands back)! I wanted to poof myself there so badly! I bet there was quite a crowd of fans there, and that you all had a ball and 1/2! If we ever get back there again to visit I am definetly putting Bakersfield on my list of places, besides my home town of Laguna and of course Huntington Beach at my brothers!
Happy trails to you and Joe and Petey, I have to check again to see where you’ll be in the south!
Hugs and blessings,
Jeannie
Chirp chirp!!!
It was heaven Jeannie … Suzanne and her team did the most amazing job! You will love her store when you get a chance to go by — the photos were wonderful, but even they didn’t do it justice.
Hi Susan!!!
I’ve missed you and can’t wait to hear all about what you’ve been up to…
Your mini-Jack is beyond precious, but then again, pixies usually are! How very sweet of Suzanne!
Hugs and love as we patiently await your return to blogdom!
XooX,
Jeanette
I’m coming Jeanette!
No worries! Reading your previous posts never grows old! 🙂
You are so nice to say that Julie!
How sweet. Girlfriends are the best.
Love Ya!
Stay safe and have fun.
xx oo
Helo, Susan! I am sure that you are quite exhausted from today’s book signing!! I came out for business from Boston (Franklin, MA) to Pleasanton and went to the event yesterday …only learning about it from you… Unfortunately I was unable to stay and see you today … so close yet so far away! Can’t wait to read about your day, but in the meantime …rest well and perhaps I’ll see you on the Right Coast (East Coast vs. the Left Coast, aka Pacific). Best, Pam
See you there Pam. Isn’t Pleasanton pleasant? I love that little downtown. Now that’s good thinking when it comes to places to hold business meetings!
Susan, we are all so excited for you!! I’ve been thinking of you each day, as you enjoy meeting so many Girlfriends at such wonderful events. Treasure every magical moment! Hoping for LOTS of pictures! Before long, you, Joe, and the Fine Romance van will be happily heading home for the holidays, with so many wonderful memories! What could be sweeter?
Warm hugs,
Dawn
♡♡
Remember our joy Dawn? Multiply that by a whole lot, and you will see that there is a deep giggle living inside me now that just never goes away! xoxo
So glad to have made that sweet connection with you, Dawn, that day at the book signing! I met Francine, too, for the first time that same day and have made a couple of very darling friends in you both! Thank you, Susan, for creating such a warm, loving, girlfriend atmosphere in which such things happen! I will never forget the wonderful tea party with the “peah cidah” either! xo
I’m glad to hear Mini Jack is happy with his new home. I miss him and have decided I “need” a real Jack of my own. I plan on visiting our local SPCA just to look. You know how that story goes. =) I think Bill needs a kitty for Christmas don’t you? I’ll let you know the rest of the story. Give Mini Jack a kiss from his birth mother. oxox
Might as well take a kitty carrier with you. Can’t wait to see who finds you! Yes, Merry Christmas dear Bill!
We all loved little Jack but were happy to see him go to your home.
I felt bad taking him because he was just too adorable, but of the two choices, take him or not take him, you can see, he had to come with me! Now Suzanne will get a new kitty. And she will felt him. And while he is growing up at her house and learning how to be a good kitty, until he is ready to become a “store kitty,” her new felt kitty will rule the roost.
Both my husband and I Had a great time today meeting you and Joe at remnants (he was the one wearing the beret. Hope you enjoyed the caramels. And the little kittie is even cuter in person!!!
He was so cute! I wanted Joe to wear his, but he was too hot with all the moving around of stuff he was doing. Thank you Linda!
There’s a great story behind those caramels. I will write to you as it’s too long to post. But I think you will love it! Yes it was so warm for wearing berets but when Tom read the book and saw Joe wearing his he said I know I would really like that guy!!! Tom had been wearing that hat for years!!!!!! You guys are just so darn cute. I am still on cloud nine after meeting you and bunches of more friends in line!!!!thanks again!
We packed up the caramels! xoxo
hi susan…what a surprise to see you here…just was thinking about you and the big day you all had and saw the update and cute pic on FOSB, so I popped over here and voila..here you are!! Mini-Jack is absolutely adorable! and that rubber band!! purrrfect touch :-)….a most precious and unique gift……bet you cannot wait to see your kitties in the flesh..or fur I should say!! 🙂 whew..you have been in a whirlwind…just know it has been so much fun both reconnecting with and making new friends….OK…gotta go..making pumpkin whoopie pies today
and still have some to fill…. love, cindy
Mmmmm, Pumpkin whoopie pies! 🙂
Pumpkin Whoopee Pies?! Wouldn’t we love the recipe for those!!!!!!!!!
Yes, Cindy–Recipe??? 🙂
Well how cute is that??!!!! It looks just like him!
You are amazing keeping up with such a schedule, and to make time for a quick post to your girlfriends tells us how much you care.
Mini Jack is just as darling as his new owner and Suzanne is too.
Looking forward to seeing some of the highlights away up here in Canada.
Audrey
Oh I care. I just mostly feel bad when I put out something so short, but I could not allow the silence to continue! That was worse than short! 🙂
Sue, don’t ever feel bad about “short.” Like a neighbor who has to rush past the house on the way to something, you were just giving us all a quick wave and hello until you had the time to come back and sit down in the kitchen for a cup of tea and a really good talk! ☕️
Perfectly said, and when that happens, I always smile and feel happy! So it must be OK!
I love short and sweet. p.s. Hope Suzanne comes home with “two” kitties:)
Back home after a fantastic weekend at Remnants of the Past. My Paul was the guy helping you with the umbrella at your book signing today. It was such a pleasure to meet you, Susan! You have a way of making all your “girlfriends” feel so special. You don’t rush us through, but take the time to chat and make us feel that all the effort we made to come see you was worth it. Thanks for your warmth… meeting you was an experience I’ll never forget! xxoo
I loved every moment of it Patti! Thank you and Paul for coming!
Mom and I are up to page 163 of A Fine Romance. Thank you everyone for the birthday cards, I can’t believe how many we’ve gotten already! 🙂
SO happy to hear that Elizabeth! I have been a little bit busy this week, so please, you have to give her a special hug for me, big kiss on the cheek, Happy Birthday dear Elizabeth’s Mother! xoxo
Drive safe!
Today in SLO was so amazing – a real dream-come-true!!! Thank you so much – you and Joe – for giving so much of yourselves to us!!
I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to finally meet you in person!! It was worth every minute of standing two hours in the sun!! 😀
Love from Mary S. in Fresno, CA
You are so sweet to say that Mary! I worry about everyone in line! I signed until well after dark, and let me tell you, feast or famine, it was FREEZING out there! But it was heaven, the whole thing! Thank you for being there xoxo
I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!!
And now that I’m rested, I want to add: Standing in line was actually very wonderful, because all the Girlfriends are soooooo amazingly friendly and wonderful!! My friend, Carol, and I LOVED meeting so many of them. We were just talking and visiting almost the whole time we were in line! And you are even more lovely and adorable in person than in your photos! And that’s saying a lot!! And I love you even more now! Thank you again!!! xoxoxoxox
I heard the line was wonderful — it usually is because it’s full of kindred spirits! That’s just what I always knew it would be, if there was a way everyone could meet! Hooray! Thank you Mary!!
Hi Mary — so glad you and Carol made it home safe and sound. I was the Girlfriend in line right behind you two and took your picture with Susan — I hope it turned out! I got home today and am still thrilled to have met Susan and you and Carol. Girlfriends after my own heart….
The felted Jack kitty is amazing. I tried to felt a sheep once and it ended up looking like a alien creature. Love The Strawberry Quilt shop and the owners skirt. Fun!
LOL, they say you can either do it or you can’t! I haven’t tried yet but I’ve never been that great with clay, so I think I might also be from the alien-creature school of felting!
That’s hilarious!!!!
Oh, Susan, the felted Jack Kitty is so adorable!!!! What a perfect gift for you too. It is wonderful to hear that you have had so many invitations to speak and share your book this November!! I am so very happy for you and all of your success the past few months. You have earned every minute of it!! I, for one, cannot wait to hear about all the details of your homecoming to your beloved home on Martha’s Vineyard and Jack and Girl Kitty’s happiness to have “the regular staff” (as my Mr. Bump would call us) back in their world. What an EPIC adventure you and Joe have been enjoying , but what a delight being back home will be for you both too!
I think you were mentioning a few posts ago how you have to go away to enjoy the full measure of happiness of the return. And, just in time for Joe to light a fire in the fireplace and for you to get the upcoming Thanksgiving menu listed out for a trip to the store. Safe travels home and congratulations again on such a fabulous response to your new book! This girlfriend has been lovin’ the adventure with all the twists and turns since April 2012!!
Wagons Ho—– We’re headed East!!
Wagons Ho Winnie! xoxo
The felt version of Jack…..does he have a pony tail holder in his mouth? How cute! Suzanne is so talented!
He does! A pony tail band in his mouth, and two little red balls! He is beyond adorable. whiskers too. and the cutest fat little feet!
Suzanne really did “capture” Jack, especially those darling paws of his. My favorite Jack thing, other than that manic personality of course. Like most boy kitties he has the chunkiest little “man feet” or in Jack’s case, “mittens.” I could just eat him up, starting with his delicious paws. I would be “Elizabeth-The Sequel.” Num num num…
LOL Janet!
I love “little Jack”!
Can you let us know when you will have a Christmas theme for your free Desktop Wallpaper. After all that travel I bet you be glad to be back home. Also mini Jack is adorable!!
I will let you know. Everyone has the day off today…but we’ll do it soon!
Cute picture, with Mini Jack, clever Suzanne (charmin’ in her pink tutu)! What fun, yesterday, your family affair must have drawn a huge crowd! You all gotta be weary, but happy, today! 🙂 xoooxo
Weary and happy. xoxo
Oh dear! Jack is going to want to claim that for his very own. I’ve been thinking about you and wishing you could begin heading east. I hope you aren’t getting too tired, but I know you’ll be ever-grateful when you finally get home to MV.
We’re leaving on Friday! Lots to do this week to get that poor overworked Fine Romance Van packed up! So many goodies to take home! 🙂
Oh, my heart!! That wooly Jack is so special and sweet!! Wow!! xxo
I would sleep with him every night!
That mini-Jack is quite good! Cute.
Hello Susan… I just visited Strawberry Patches from your link and saw ALL the photos… what a party!… loved meeting Suzanne (via internet, wish I had been there!) and all of the other girlfriends who attended… now that lady knows how to throw a party!… you always look so pretty, and so gracious, taking time to chat with everyone and being, well… wonderful YOU!… now I want to learn to quilt soo bad!… love that you signed that sweet girlfriends Susan Branch quilt… hope you have a nice relaxing day today… much love, xoxo Julie Marie PS I signed on to follow the Quilt Shop blog as well… oooh, and I left a special little “note” for “SL”… don’t worry… I was nice but I am sure she got my message… xoxoxoxo Moi
You did great Julie! 🙂 Thank you Girlfriend! You should SEE the quilts on the walls at Strawberry Patches! And they made up kits for them, all the fabric you would need. And they teach! I mean, who could ask for more!
Well , I wouldn’ t mind some Fig Newtons …..
Not sure how this fits, but I wouldn’t mind some Fig Newtons either! 🙂
Thanks Julie Marie:)
I thought about it!
Chris
Your note was purrfect Julie Marie. Thank you for that. Really. =)
Thank you for always being so kind and “checking in” and leaving just a word or two. Your blog is a wonderful part of my life. This sounds terrible but, I’m ready for you to be back at your home on The Vineyard. Being a SoCal girl with the beach just a couple miles away, we don’t really get the Seasons and I kinda live vicariously through you. I’m ready for cozy pictures of baking and nesting, of falling leaves, getting ready for Christmas and the snow. Your little world is a joy to me in my little world. 🙂
OK, I’ll get there and do that, and it will be my pleasure!
As Mary S said, it truly was a dream come true to meet you. Thank you Susan and Joe for everything. Your hand has to have a cramp in it with all those books you signed. Safe travels back to your beautiful home in MV. Bet you can’t wait for that :). Take care
Debbie R from Valencia, CA
P.S. As I type this I am sipping your amazing Lavendar and Roses Tea. Delish and so Perfect. Thank you for putting it in your store 🙂 So Happy!
We are on the same page with that Debbie — isn’t it great!?