Happy Anniversary Girlfriends! MUSICA
Today is the day we’re going to begin our June celebration for two wonderful events ~ It was June 11, 2009 that we started connecting with our wonderful Friends on Facebook. Two years 
later, on June 9, 2011, the Blog went live (still quiver when I think about it) and our connection to our Girlfriends began! That’s pretty good! But it makes me wonder, why June? I didn’t plan it that way, in fact I was kind of surprised to see how close the dates were. Maybe we were inspired because it’s such a pretty month. I’ll tell you one thing, it smells like heaven here on the island. The Beauty Bush and the Mock Orange are in bloom (to name just two), I picked my first four strawberries today and look at the foxgloves!
Magic.♥ One more reason to celebrate.
Three years ago, when I first started blogging I had NO idea how it would go ~ “going live” was so scary! I wondered how people would find me, and if they would even come. I knew how I wished it would go and tried my best to make it something 
everyone would like, hoping everyone liked dishtowels, dishes, and old movies as much as me! Any of you with a blog knows exactly what I’m talking about. Saying to yourself as you are writing a post or putting something up on Facebook, “I hope they like this!” then letting the chips fall where they may! Scary! And first time you’re “liked!” Or, then, to be “shared!” How wonderful it is to get your first comment! How amazing to have your first give-away! And that excitement and amazement really hasn’t gone away. Traveling to England together put the frosting on the cake. I loved it so much, we’ll definitely do it again (yes we will!). I just wish there were more hours in the day for blogging. Such a creative way to connect with kindred spirits. So how do we celebrate? Easy: By saying “Thank You” to everyone who helps to make this dream come true. Which would be YOU, thank you very much.♥
As many of you know, it has been my dream for years, way before there was any such thing as a blog or even the Internet, that the people who’ve written me such wonderful personal 
letters (since 1987 when my first book came out and I started getting mail), could meet each other. The letters were so nice, so full of love, I always thought it would cheer people up to know that despite what we see and hear on the news, the world is filled with wonderful home-loving, creative, family-adoring people, in all countries, all parts of the world, and even in countries where we might think our “enemies” live.
Even there, the cities and towns are filled with regular tea-drinking, flower-growing, music-loving, tender-hearted, 
soup-making, peace-loving kinds of people just like you and me. You just don’t hear that much from them because the other kind are so obnoxious and loud. But there are many more of our kind of person in this world than of the obnoxious ones. Truly. No matter how different we may look from each other on the outside. And we need to band together in our appreciation for beauty and a gentle way of life. It must be scary to live in a land where the maniacs have the keys to the castle. You would probably feel trapped and worried about your children all the time. Let’s pray for them, and then give them this 
place, and each other, to meet and celebrate the little things that make life sweet ~ and especially, all the ways we are so very much alike. They like apples, we like apples. They like gorgeous blue tablecloths ~ we like gorgeous blue tablecloths. They like picnics and the sounds of nature and going barefoot, and we do too! They like starry nights and big moons and us too! It’s an amazingly wonderful beautiful world.
Imagine all the people, living life in peace ~ You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one . . .
So, to celebrate all of this and all of us, we are having not One, not even Two, but Three Give-aways in this blog post, and this contest is open to everyone everywhere on the planet! If someone in a faraway land is chosen in this drawing, we will mail their package to wherever they would like it to go. Because it is true, we are the world. What the Internet has brought has surpassed my wildest dreams . . . I thought it would be good, but I didn’t know it would be this good! So here we go, let’s start off with some inspiration! Mas Musica? Frank? Oui!♥
You should probably get a cup of tea or something cold to drink . . . this could be a long one! The inspiration for this giveaway came from a request in a Girlfriend’s comment a couple of months back ~ she asked, “Could we see more of your quilt collection.” Oh boy, yes, you can! Here we go!
From the very first quilt I got, which happens to be the one my Great Grandma made for my Grandma who then gave it to me, it’s always been the colors. I love the old-fashioned fabrics, the soft pastels and simple patterns and I love that they used lots of white. These are the colors that inspired my watercolors.
A little worn, a little faded, and never signed. Just so lovely and artistic, and humble and oh, if they could talk. You know they were made by creative women, and often in groups. Could we please listen in on one of those conversations, oh dearest back-in-time genie?
All those tiny little hand-made stitches. I have so much appreciation for this art.
It’s easy to relate to the hearts that made them.
I made a few quilts when I was young, never as beautiful as this one, but then I learned to paint, so I painted quilts instead, and I learned to go to antique stores and there I found old quilts . . . which I’ve collected for years . . . now I drape them over sofas . . .
It’s not a huge collection, and I don’t have all the scientific information on them, I just like to drape them on bedroom chairs . . .
at the ends of the beds . . . so I can look at them and be charmed and feel happy.
I like them in the kitchen in the winter, folded over the back of a chair, even though it really doesn’t make any sense, I just like to look at them . . .
At one time I had a “Heart of the Home” store on the Central Coast of California where I sold a few vintage quilts whenever I could find them (or part with them). These were in a pile in a corner of the store, they weren’t for sale, only for inspiration, so my shopper Girlfriends could see how pretty a stack of quilts can be and begin the search to get a stack for themselves.
From the beginning, my watercolors were influenced by the beauty and the colors of these quilts. I painted what I loved. I don’t make stitches so much anymore, I paint them.
You can kind of see quilt-influence in the things I’ve made in the past . . . everything feels a little like a 1930’s quilt.
The other big influence on my watercolors was the dish variation of the quilt. To me quilts and dishes have everything in common: home, practicality, love, beauty, history, delicacy and most of all, that color again. They also reach out when I walk by at a flea market, take my hand and say right out loud, I’m going home with you. And I say, thank you, I could not agree more.
I love painting my own rendition of pattern ~
Almost as much as I love finding and collecting old dishes…
You see? Dishes ↑ and Quilt fabric ↓ ~ See the resemblance? Kissing cousins.
Especially when it’s me choosing the colors.
This is fabric from my long extinct “Tea Party” Collection of fabric.
And lots more than quilts was made from those designs. These were made at the wonderful embroidery studio at Crabapple Hill. They sell the great old-fashioned embroidery patterns you see here and in the photo before this one and lots more.♥
Even this Tea Tin is a “sub-unit” (made that up, like it) from the design of quilt fabric.
And because of the fact that all of this fabric is now gone from the market place, and there’s no more available anywhere . . . except right here in my hot little hands, the First Give-away turns out to be everything you see here . . . except of course Jack. He is not included. He is a sub-unit of me.
I hope everyone likes yellow, because the words “everything is included” means this bolt of several yards of “Honeybee Yellow” fabric.
In addition, I found a yard (or maybe a little more) of each of these three fabrics, from my “Sweet Baby” collection, the dot, the check and the lambs with the hearts. In they go!
And yes, “everything” includes a complete set of the “Tea Party” Collection in “Little Fat Quarters.”
Little Fat quarters and the bolt of bees (and the little lambs), and also a gift card from me to the winner of the drawing with love.
You can see better some of the fabrics in the pile of Fat Quarters. I hope someone out there can put them to good use! OK, so that is Giveaway # 1! This officially puts us on . . .
. . .’cause here comes the rest of the Give-aways!
Next? OK, this is Give-away number #2. Again, the cat is not included (but try taking a picture without him in it!). What these are are the unbound proofs for our brand new 2015 Wall and Mini Calendars ~ you can’t hang them, but they’re just too nice to throw away. The color is beautiful, they’re on heavy paper so I thought possibly, someone would like these, maybe to do some scrapbooking with?
Here is Jack with the Mini Calendar, you can see, the pages aren’t hooked together . . . every time I try to take a picture, he jumps into the middle of it, he makes me laugh. Kissing occurs.
But here’s more of the inside of the Mini Calendar — lots of bookmark-making or card-making possibilities here too! Knowing you, there are a 1000 possibilities!
And here’s some of the art from the Wall Calendar. Both calendars have been approved and the finished products should be arriving at the Studio any day now. So this is Give-Away #2, both of these brand new calendars, and both signed.
(Oh, don’t worry, in case you were, the big Blotter Calendar is still on schedule for shipping in late August.)
And Now, Number Three Give-away to celebrate our FOSB Girls and our Blog Girlfriends, this 53″ x 74″ quilt made with my “Martha’s Vineyard” Collection of fabrics, also quite extinct and no longer available (except for today, here).
The pattern is called “Hearts and Flowers” ~ I designed it and it was made and presented to me by the fabric manufacturer.
And I signed it with the year it was made . . . this little quilt is behind door #3 of our Drawing. I hope one of these doors suits your fancy!
And FYI, we still do have a few bits and pieces of some of the fabric collections, still have a few patterns for aprons, pillowcases, and appliqued dishtowels, many of which are free (especially our really cute gored apron). Just go HERE.
Girl Kitty thinks it’s all just lovely. She likes quilts too.
One more rather exciting thing! My AUTUMN book went to the printer yesterday! I’m so very proud to announce that the Tenth 
Anniversary Edition of AUTUMN from the Heart of the Home will be in stores by October first! Autumn will be published in the USA by Spring Street Publishing, and just so you know, this new edition is exactly like the first edition in every way except this one comes complete with a ribbon bookmark and will have a different publisher. (We weren’t completely in charge of the ribbon the last time, this time we are, so voila, we get one!)
All my most favorite recipes and most inspiring ideas for Autumn fun, both indoors and out, are there. Pumpkin Cheesecake! Corn Pudding!
Including crafts and sewing, because Autumn is the most creative time of the year, all that good Back-to-School energy never goes away! First whiff of September and I want to make something! And Yes, we are having a Pre-sale for the book, beginning TODAY. 
We have ordered an early shipment of books to be sent to the studio just for our Girlfriends. We always seem to run out of everything (no matter how carefully we plan), it seems to be our M.O. but if you have ordered a book in our web store, you are guaranteed to get it the minute they come in, before we begin shipping to the bookstores and Amazon. Although the publication date is October first, we will start shipping your books by the middle of August and maybe even sooner if we get lucky! Perfect timing, because by then, we are going to be yearning for those fall breezes. (But not yet.)
And one more thing, if you are the kind of person who likes to do their Christmas Shopping early, here is a combination that will give you something to give away and something to keep, a win-win. To celebrate our Anniversaries, we’ve bundled the two books for a very special, limited-offer, thank-you-for-being-here price.♥
You all know how to enter the drawing ~ it’s easy, just leave a short comment below and in a few days we’ll draw names. (For those to whom the blog is mailed, you should click here www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/, scroll to the bottom of the post, look for the tiny letters that say, “comment” ~ click there and leave your comment. I don’t know why, but the senders of the email blogs do not include a way to leave a comment.)
I will warn Vanna to exercise a bit more this week, clear her head, get that arm pumped ~ she has a big job choosing three winners! The first name chosen will win prize number one (fabric bundles) the second name chosen will get the calendars, and the third will have the signed quilt. And I’ll email the winners and let them know the minute I know.
I’m going back to the garden. I’m reading Gladys Taber in preparation for next week! Very exciting! Makes for a very nice life, reading this book, and smelling the flowers. Hope the same for you. Love you, Girlfriends. Happy Anniversary! XOXO
Susan, every blog entry you send out is like a mini-vacation into a world of beauty, charm and down right fun!
Thank you for all you do!
Enjoy the glorious New England weather!
Love your designs, fabrics, quilts and embroidery. My Mother loved to embroider. Found you on line when a friend gave me one of your calendars. Enjoying the blog!
What a beautiful and loving post! I would be so pleased to be included in the drawing. Your books have been so inspiring. I even changed my handwriting after buying your first book. Thank you so much!
As always, a big thanks and hooray for keeping us in your charming life whether there on Martha’s Vineyard, on the other coast, other cities, or, sigh, in England. I keep dreaming and hoping that all the beauty you present will rub off on my life, soon!
Keep inspiring all of us and may Vanna chose the very best ones.
Oh darn! I think my earlier post didn’t go on for some reason. I’ll try again. Thanks for the nice give away!
Manette
I would LOVE to win any of the giveaways!!!! I love reading your blog and have been a fan for a long time now!!!!! Thanks for sharing with all your “girlfriends”!!
Oh, I always love your blogs, Susan, but the last few have been especially wonderful, inspiring, and just so fun to read. I so love the hearts and flowers quilt and so of course am hopeful somehow my name gets drawn and I become the lucky owner. Regardless, thank you for the “time out” your blogs give me.
xox
Barb
Well, I do believe you’ve made a lot of people happy Susan!! Including me!! I adore quilts and have made a few. But I’m a sucker for a vintage Sunbonnet Sue quilt. I must have at least a dozen of them in my collection. They are all so different and individual. Everybody had a different version of her. I just Love them. I have a friend who owns an antique store and any time she see’s one at a sale, she snatches it up for me. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your collection. And THANK YOU for a wonderful giveaway. So exciting!!
I love visiting your blog. It’s like going to visit my Aunt up North. All homey, bright, smelling of something great in the oven, and tea. Cats to lay on the carpet with and tickle and tease with toys. It’s a real ‘Norman Rockwell’ moment for anyone visiting Susan and Joe-I’m sooo glad I found this Blog!
I’m meant to be doing some household chores but then I saw a new post from you Susan and here I am! This is much more fun! Would LOVE to have any of your giveaway prizes but the fabric most of all as I am a quilter and have loved your fabrics for a long time. Of course, not everyone can win but we all have a consolation prize; your blog and beautiful pictures! Oh!…And music! Thank you Susan
Oh Susan, you have done it again and have such generous giveaways!!! I love them all! You have been very busy, I can tell! I love your artwork and I love your stories! You just make my day when I read your blog! Thank You! 🙂
Susan, you are such a blessing to all of us who follow your blog. Always cheers me up and colours my day. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Andrea from Northampton, UK
How generous you are to us Susan! I have always loved your fabric and wish you would design some more. I love the simplicity of the older quilts too. I have a new grand daughter coming this Oct. so your fabric would be wonderful to make her a sweet quilt!! Congrats on your anniversary. So glad God made you, you!!!
Congratulations on your anniversary! I’ve loved reading your books, Facebook, and blogs! I read everything you write! I’d love to have a chance to win one of your giveaways.
Susan, that was one of your best posts! I loved the part about the apples and tablecloths and the moon! Thanks for sharing!!
Wow! what an amazing Anniversary giveaway! You are just a constant source of inspiration. Thank you for sharing your life with us. You always bring a little bit of sunshine to my day 🙂
hi susan, congrats on your blog & everything you do ,I love your blog. in this post you put a picture of those people that you & probably most people in us think that we are your enemy but we are not ,I know our goverment has done so many in-humanity behave to the world and our people ,I want to assure you our people are friend to american people ,we the people suffer so much.I hope very soon the relationship between two country get normal .I’ve lived in us for almost 4 years & now my oldest son lives in Texas ,I have so many wonderful moments there ,on june 20th my son is getting marry ,almost 3 months ago we went to Dubai to get visa.still we havent got any answer,you see we suffer much much more. in our hearts is just one thing,LOVE &PEACE for people around the world. god bless you .much greeting from IRAN.xoxo zohreh
I know that Zohreh, but it is SO MUCH better coming from you. ♥ Tears in my eyes, thank you for writing. Sending love . . . xoxo
I agree with you Zohreh, there should be love and peace for all people around the world. I love this quote “Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.” -Dalai Lama
The best giveaways ever! Fingers and toes crossed
Look forward to all your blogs. Always so bright, cherry and informative. Your calendars are in my house. Love all the quilts. Thanks
Is it just me or is Jack giving us a razz-berry lying on that quilt???…..thought so..
Me and about a zillion other girlfriends would love anything from you…but I am going to throw my name in the hat and wish really hard Vanna picks it. Wishing you all good luck!! …and now I have to cheer for ‘California Chrome’ to be the next Triple Crown winner. “Come on Chrome!!!”
**Oo-oo-oo-I have an idea!! I had never realized the close connection between quilting fabrics, heirloom dishes and your particular color palette, all of which I adore! After seeing your watercolor palette, it makes me think a set of watercolors like yours will have to be next on the list of additions to your store. Other artists have their “editions” of art supplies, why not you and watercolors?! Brilliant! P.S. I would be more than willing to enter the world of quilting if my name were to be drawn! Promise.
Love the connection of quilts with dishes. I never thought of it that way! Leave it to you to inspire again (and again). Keep collecting. Flowers, fat quarters, and watercolors, oh my!
Happy Anniversary! I’m sure there will be many more to come, for where you post, there we are! Kindred spirits all in one way or another!
Years ago, I went into a store and found a piece of fabric so adorable and even talked another lady out of it (sorry, I know that wasn’t very nice!) because I knew it was one you had designed! I still have that piece of fabric and have never found anything else that really goes just right with it. Oh, how I’d love to have some of your fabric to put with it to make a lovely quilt! I am a quilter, have been for years, and that would be a real treat for me. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your drawing!
Enjoy your flowers while they are here – I can almost smell them from the pictures! And plan something special FOR YOU for your anniversary – not just us! You certainly well deserve it and were we there, we would certainly celebrate the years of wonder you have given us! Thanks!
Don’t matter whether I win or not, I cherish your books and calendars now.
So that makes me a winner already.Love the blog and thankful your in my life.:-)
I love Glady’s Taber and I love reading your blog. It’s so colorful and uplifting. Always a pleasure to read and makes me smile.
Wow! What beautiful gifts. I’ve always loved your work so it is wonderful to have discovered your blog.
What a lovely gift to bestow upon us! Your musings, and artistry, and sweet words are gift to me. Your life’s story is inspiring and challenges me to stir up my own creative juices. Congratulations on such a milestone, and may there be many more years of bloggy happiness in your future! Thank you. 🙂
As always, u continue to inspire me, never to old to try new ventures-painting, quilting, decorating, new recipes! Thank you -Shelley Griffin
Oh my goodness! I practically drooled through the entire post! So much beauty, so much fun, so much inspiration! I would love to win any of those, they are all so wonderful! You are so generous Susan! Thank you for sharing with all of us! Pick me, “Vanna” pick me! 🙂
I’m on “pins and needles” as I await the next giveaway drawing. Could it be me this time? My computer chair always has a quilt draped over it and, sometimes, a crocheted shawl from great aunt Tootsie! Speaking of anniversary’s (congratulations on the Blog and FOSB!), my husband and I are driving to Walla Walla, WA tomorrow to celebrate our 23rd anniversary (whew!) to enjoy some wonderful wine country–and tastings, of course–and antiquing. Can’t wait. Thank you for always bringing a bit of cheer into our homes each week 🙂
Susan,
I am so excited about getting to spend time cooking some of your wonderful recipes and working on our home after retiring from teaching after 24 years. I get so excited when I see a new post on your blog. Thank you so much for sharing!
Nice long blog! I would be honored to win any of these 3 giveaways. All too beautiful for words. I see a lot of projects ahead of me if I win!!! So please oh please pick me 🙂 Continue to make all your girlfriend’s days bright Susan.
We are so lucky to have you that’s all I can say truly blessed
. . . HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !! . . . your anniversary got me to thinking how long I have loved all your things . . . wow, it seems maybe since 1987 . . . but I’m not really sure . . . I need to go back through all the calendars I have collected because I think I have them all !! . . .
. . . also looking forward to you next book !! . . .
Love, love, love your blog. I have finally gotten a stack of quilts and you are so right about how lovely it is. It is so fun to see what you have posted and can’t wait to see what is coming next 🙂
Happy Anniversary Susan! I have followed your blog since you started it. It was and still is a joy to find your blog arrive in my email. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us. Love all your drawings and photos.
Hi Susan!
June 11, 2009
June 9, 2011
Interesting to me. In numerology, each of those dates, become a number 1.
June is the 6th month + 11 (day) + 2 + 9 (year) = 6+11+2+9=28. 2+8=10 1+0=1
June is the 6th month + 9 (day) + 2 +11 (year) = 6+9+2+11=28 2+8=10 1+0=1
“Number 1 resonates with the vibrations and attributes of new beginnings, creation, independence, uniqueness, motivation, striving forward and progress, ambition and will power, positivity and positivness. Number 1 also resonates with the energies of pioneering, raw energy, force, activity, self-leadership and assertiveness, initiative, instinct and intuition.”
Interesting, huh?
Thanks for the opportunity for another Susan Branch giveaway. I am not aperson who does well with needles, pins, sewing machines and so forth. My talents lie elsewhere! But, I do love the fabric and quilt!
I didn’t grow up with quilts. I had a “feather bed”…from my Oma who fled Poland with her kids and feather bedding and whatever they had on their back. Her feather beds became our little beddings when we were kids. When I got married, we had a store bought cotton quilt, but I just could not cuddle properly…so we had to buy one. I couldn’t take mine with me because it now belonged to my baby sister – these beddings were shared with all family members, cousins and so forth. Times were tough, back then. No heat in the old house we had, just a wood stove in the kitchen and a big ole’ feather bed to snuggle under. Cold noses poking out. Now, they are known as feather or down duvets, but my Oma’s was big and lofty. Snuggly. The best.
Enjoy the weekend you two! Bye for now.
Erica xox
SO interesting, I had no idea, that’s very nice! Pretty good assortment of adjectives too! Love the memories Erica!
I look forward to your blog posts and they always give me inspiration and ideas.
Thanks for giving so much of yourself to everyone and congratulations on your anniversaries.
Always have enjoyed your books and discovering your blog this past year has been a real gift. Love your Spirit!
What a beautiful place you live in. I love all the 30’s fabrics and colors too. I love the pictures of Jack and Girl Kitty. Thanks for being there.
Congratulations Susan on your anniversarys!!!
I am so happy you started the blog for “girlfriends” since I do not do Facebook.
I enjoy them so much. It is like getting a sweet letter from a dear friend.
I love Jack and always enjoy his big eyes when he is up to no good. I have a Tuxedo kitty named Spot.
I have 3 friends now that also receive your blog on my suggestion. Keep up all the beautiful things you design and paint. I love it all.
What a day-brightener your blogs are to me! Your color-play from Granny’ s dishes and linens is pure inspired art from the past…
Everything on your blog is so beautiful and my young children LOVE Jack! :-)) Thank you for the beauty you bring to so many lives through your talents.
Happy Anniversary! What generous give-aways. Your posts are always a joy to read. Looking forward to many more anniversaries.
Oh my goodness! How generous you are. I’ve always loved quilts, but have just recently started piecing quilt blocks. If I were to win that fabric, I think I would just about swoon to death. (Is there such a thing?) And then there are other prizes, too, each of them swoon-worthy in their own right?? Susan, do you really think we can stand this excitement? Swooning may be happening all across the country and around the world at this very moment. And as you always say, for right now, this very moment, I possibly am the winner. I’m going to enjoy that thought for a while.
Thank you for showing your quilts. They are treasures. Did you know the red and white one on the foot of the bed is a pattern called Friendship Star? Isn’t that a nice thought? That’s one of the things about quilts that is so endearing–that the women who made them stitched their hearts and lives right into the quilts. How could we not love them?
As always, Jack and Girl are adorable. Congratulations on your anniversaries and thank you for doing what you do. I remember when I first found your Summer book years ago, when I first “met” you. It was kind of like how you described the dishes taking your hand and saying “I’m going home with you.” And it did. The Autumn book is really my favorite (please don’t tell the others) but that may be because I love that season so much. I always consult that page you showed above when I need to do a blanket stitch so that it comes out the right way.
So here’s to celebrating all the things we have in common. I think I’ve already exceeded a “short” comment. I hope Vanna doesn’t disqualify me for being too talkative.
As much as I loved looking at the pictures of these giveaways, I’m sure it would feel like riches to win one. They’re wonderful!
Reading your book, “A Fine Romance,” and your blog posts gives me the sense that I have come home to a place where my heart yearns to be. I have “met” very few authors who have the ability to stir my soul in that way. Thank you, Susan.
Thank you back, that is such a nice compliment. xoxo
I am so glad that you started a blog because it is always a little breathe of sunshine in my day.
I love seeing all the quilts. And I think that my favorite and most used cookbook is the Autumn one. So glad that it is being republished!
I just retired in January and had dug my way out of the snow in order to visit the bookstore. After browsing around a while I came upon ‘A Fine Romance’ by an author I’d never heard of before. I bought it and am now a big fan of your books and blog. I can’t believe you have been around all these years and I didn’t know! Work and family took up so much time before (not complaining, wouldn’t have done anything different) but this phase of my life is about ME and it’s such a joy to fluff up the pillows, stretch out on the couch, and read your blog. Congratulations on the anniversary and hope there are many more to come!
Nice to meet you Mary! 🙂 Happy retirement!
So, have you had any dishes or teapots made yet, from your beautiful drawings like the lemon-embellished teapot in this entry? So beautiful!!
Also, thanks for connecting-the-dots between the patterns on china and quilts. Once you SAY it, it seems obvious, but as always, you help us discover a new way to see the lovely things that surround us everywhere we look. Thanks so much.
I don’t know how you do it, Susan, but every post you make brings a generous smile to my face and a heartwarming feeling. The eloquence with which you write always makes me feel like you are writing just to me, a good friend across the miles. Who knew that there was a connection between quilts and dishes? But, now, after reading your post, I am grateful to know there is! Of course there is! You have a natural way of articulating what many of us feel, but could never put into words. Thank you for that, and for everything you post and share with us. You are a ray of welcome sunshine …
Loved your Fine Romance book, felt like I was revisiting many places. Please keep taking pictures of your sweet cats. I have never responded to a blog but yours is special. Keep it coming!
So much enjoy your blog, books, and fabrics. I love to quilt and have used some of your fabric in a table topper for my kitchen. Wish me good luck!
Susan you are amazing! You are truly the best girlfriend anyone could have. Thanks for keeping up with the blog and everything else that we all look forward to enjoying with you. Congratulations on the anniversary. Wishing you all the best for the summer months ahead.
What fun excitement! Behind every door is a thoughtful, wonderful gift surprise! You make life so exciting and I look forward to giving Vanna something to do between beauty naps!! Thank you for entering my name!! Your are such an inspiration to me! Many XOXO’s from one of your many fond girlfriends! Teresa
Thanx so much for the recent post. I’ve been collecting quilts and material for such a long time. You are an inspiration to us all.
I’M DYING!! one can never have enough Susan Branch! I’m not going to hide it….I’m way too excited for this drawing!!!!
🙂 ! ♥ (Hieroglyphics say it all!)
What a wonderful selection of gifts.
Hi Susan. Another fun post and what lovely give-aways! I have visions of the lovely quilt i would make with those fun fabrics. Oh how i wish you could have more made. The weather here is deeeelish and My hubby is firing up the wood fired pizza oven and I have a nice limey Gin and tonic in my hand, So I toast you and your happy anniversary. Wish you could come sit in my yard and share one with me. Love, Mary Brehm
So glad you’re having another give away. Keeping my fingers crossed for door # 3….susan from texas
All of the “quiltiness” is so heart-warming. I am happy that these old and new treasures are appreciated by so many. Like everything that is hand-made, the time, effort, consideration, and love that go into a project, is priceless ❤️ lovely post Susan!
Have been following your blog for quite some time and loved the time you were in England and so enjoyed your “walks” and the English countryside. Your blog is so uplifting and a joy to read.
I found your blog just as “A fine Romance” was published I bought the book and have been hooked ever since. Your blogs always make me smile. Congratulations on your Facebook and blogging anniversary. Hope you make it back here to England soon.
Treasures! How I love them and how honored and happified I’d be to have for my very own!
Congratulations on your bloggy success! As a quilter, I share your love of fabrics! And I do love your blog so much. It’s always like a warm hug.
We have been a fan of yours, it seems like forever! You have brought much cheer into our lives. thank you, Jay
So very glad you started a blog, I just love it. Awesome gifts!
Happy anniversary just love reading your blog
I love all your stuff and I have most of your cookbooks and some of your other books. I always have your calendars and love your stickers. I remember finding your notes and stationery years and years ago at different bookstores in the malls. I absolutely love all your give aways, and I have looked the past several years for your fat quarters – I love the prints. I would love to get some of them. I love your material and wish it was available again. Thanks for being an inspiration, it brings me much joy. Keep it up, Jolene
Three cheers for your gracious, loving, positive world view! It’s lovely to be reminded of all of the beautiful people who are creating lives of bliss, all over the world. Bless you, darling Susan! 🙂
Lots of people tell me they don’t think they are creative, but they are doing just that Michele “creating lives of bliss!”
Isn’t it just wonderful how technology has facilitated “homemade.” You can share your wonderful ideas right from your own home. And then everyone can build on your ideas and share with everyone else. And we can all watch Youtube videos to learn how to do any homey things that our Grandmas didn’t teach us. I wounder what William Morris would have thought about the internet! My mother is currently working on a quilt that her great aunt started. She pieced the top when she was 80 and it didn’t lay flat. Everyone else gave up on it with all its imperfections. But you would love it and so do we! Thank you for helping us to connect to all the good in the world. You built this and we came!!!!
I think he would have loved it because artists and teachers can connect with people without being filtered by publishers or corporations. It’s leveled the playing field so much! xoxo Thank you Becky!
Love the quilts! I’ve made a cradle quilt and one for a double bed using left over square dance material. That one is just tied rather than quilted, but the memories of dancing in the dresses from that material is really special. Kiss the kitties for me and have fun at the Taber reunion!
Congratulations on your anniversaries and best wishes for many more! Love your amazing give-aways. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
This latest post has made me lonesome for the sight and scent of mock orange, one of the many things I miss about Western New York. I can’t wait to get a copy of the Autumn book–my very favorite season of all!
Way to go girl!!
Wow gorgeous fabrics! Happy Anniversary!
Thank you so much for bringing so much joy and happiness into my life! You are a true inspiration! Xo
way to go girl!
I LOVE your life! I live vicariously thru you! Thank You!
Hello,
Thank you for all you put into your blog and your other work. It always makes me smile and I enjoy sharing your tips with my family. And making my own home special for my boys.
Thank you,
Carla
The colors and designs you create are so cheerful and just make me HAPPY! I would love to make a quilt with some of your beautiful fabrics! Thank you for all you do – please keep up your good work of making the world a happier, prettier place!
How wonderful. I too am so glad you started blogging. It’s always nice to see a new entry. Like getting a phone call or letter from a good friend. Congratulations on your anniversaries. I’m really looking forward to the new Autumn book. I don’t have that one and I do adore autumn. Your books are read and reread with the change of season. Thanks for sharing so much. Joe is a dear to put up with all of us. Thank him too.
Love your Quilts. Please share with me your creative process because you are such and inspiration to me.
Oooo, oooo…….I love your fabric and have a small collection. I have been a quilter for 30+ years, so I think your fabric needs to come to my house to live. I am sure you would want it to be happy and loved….keeping company with the rest of the stash!!!! Love your flowers, my iris were lovely this year and the peonies too! Happy Spring!
Happy Anniversary. I noticed in one of your photos that you have a checkered Xmas stocking hanging in the background. I’ve been searching for a few years for one, or a pattern to knit one. If you have any info on where to get either one, maybe you could send it my way. Thanks for everything.
Wowsa! We hit the motherlode! We are grateful for the gift of the blog. It has kept me entertained, amused and inspired. You are kind for doing the blog, the Willards, the books and all the lovely things you create. It gives me warm fuzzies!
Thanks Susan!
This post was such a timely reminder that there is still beauty and kindness in the world. Your blog is like therapy sometimes, a sweeter place to escape to, and I always look forward to your posts. Thank you 😉
Happy anniversary to you and your blog. The autumn book is one of my favorites. Thank you for inspiring all of us.
I met you many years ago when I purchased your stickers. Fell in love with you. I read every one of your blogs! I use to live in New England; now live in VA in Chesapeake . Thank you for sharing. RCM.
Happy Anniversary, Susan! When I saw the new 2015 calendars, I said to myself, “Self, the front covers were meant to be framed & hung up.” Simply stunning. When I was a museum educator at Queens County Farm in NYC, we had a Quilt workshop for the school children. Our lecture pertained to the history of the quilt, how colonial girls learned to sew little quilts at age 4 or 5 & the social part of quilting (the Quilting Bee). We used a power point program that had slides of the different patterns & quilts from around the world. Depending on the age of the students, they would trace a Nine Patch design, flowers, or farm animals on a large muslin square with a fine Sharpie pen. After this was done, it was colored in using crayons. The teachers (or one of the parents) would piece or glue the quilt together back at school. The beautiful memory of their trip to the farm would be displayed in the classroom. The kids would ask “what color should I use, Miss Barbara?” I always told them that they were the artist & to use their imagination. Many of the Nine Patch squares had intricate drawings done in the squares. One time, I was teaching a Special Ed class. There was an 8 yr old boy who normally would not sit still according to the teacher. His aide told me that he was mesmerized throughout the whole class. He took the time to make a drawing on his square. I almost started to cry. Oh, the power of a quilt & a child’s untapped artistic talent. I hope that they would use this experience to help that sweet boy in his journey of life. I enjoyed researching the history of
quilts, colonial life in NY, honeybees (it was one of my fave workshops) and farm life in general to help me be a better teacher to the visiting children. Loved doing house tours of the 1772 Adriance Farmhouse. The Colonial Cooking workshop was so much fun. My husband worked with me & we were often requested by returning teachers to the farm. We not only cooked a meal with the kids assisting in the preparation but had a game where hubby would take a colonial object and ask the kids “What is it & how do we use it?” There was also the egg tossing game. They didn’t realize that the egg was wooden until hubby accidently dropped it. Kids love to learn when you make it fun & interactive. BTW, please check out Matthew’s other website: blowtorchpudding.com It’s his food critique blog of many eateries in downtown Manhattan, Queens & other areas. Best wishes, Barbara, NYC xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Susan, Congratulations! 10 years, I wish I met you earlier, but I’m so glad I finally did. Love your blog and books, and everything. Thank you for your wonderful art.
There is so much inspiration and beauty in all of the colors, photos and words of joy and happiness. I love finding this blog in my mailbox….and the music is just the icing on the ‘blog’. Thanks for bringing a relaxing few minutes each time you post. What sunshine ! Be Blessed, T-G
Happy Anniversary, indeed!
What a sweet addition to my life your blog has been. Life a breath of fresh air on a spring day. Each blog leaves me so inspired and encouraged. I must admit the possibility of winning that wonderful stack of fabrics leaves me almost giddy. I can just imagine the quilts my trusty machines and I could put together with them. Thank you for making them available to the draw.
Looking forward to your Gladys Tabor report.
Thanks so much for your blog and positive outlook. I always look forward to reading your latest entry and often “save” it for my quiet time. You help me get through the week, especially if my life is hectic or trying.
Love the quilts! Your red and white one reminds me of the quilt my great great grandmother made which I have draped over the arm of a small couch. My mom said that she was practically blind when she made it. I also have the quilt one of my great grandmothers made and used for her children and I framed the little quilt my grandmother made when she was 6!
Wow! Everything is beautiful, Susan. I just cleaned out my sewing closet, getting ready to make a baby quilt for my great nephew! So I’m in quilt mode and this is great inspiration. All of the giveaways are lovely and very generous gifts. Congratulations on your first book with your new publishing company! Wish you the best with all of it.
I love your blog, it is so full and happy and most importantly creative. Your illustrations are beautiful and Jack is so comical. I’d be happy to win anything, keep up the hard but wonderful work xXx
Happy anniversary to you, Susan. Here’s to many more years of blogging with friends.
my neighbor from 50 years ago got me started on reading yourblog. She said I could find your books at rummage sales no luck so far. Hope to win one of your giveaways. zLove reading your writings and really enjoy the pictures and the drawings.
Thanks for the post. It always brightens the day!
I love your blog and have been following you for years. My sister gave me your Christmas From The Heart of the Home book in 1992. I fell in love with it and have most of your books and try to buy your wall calendar every year. Thank you for your refreshing positive inspiration.
Helen Smith