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
Once when I was a little girl I got very sick. My great-Aunt Lill put a mustard plaster on my chest and wrapped me in a quilt. Wa-la I was better by morning – she said it was the plaster and I always knew the love in that quilt was what really did it! It is such a joy to read your blogs and your books again and again – to cook your recipes and etc etc ! Such a delight to call you friend –
I disappear into a gentle and beautiful world whenever I read your blog. Your books have done the same for me over the years. Congratulations on your blog, I look forward to each and every new entry. Thank you,
Laurel
Your blog warms my heart, just like a visit with a wonderful friend. (which you are!)Blessings on you on this anniversary. I’m a quilter and loved all the yummy quilts. Keep on doing what you do so beautifully!
Susan, your blog is so inspiring! I shared it with my 16 year old granddaughter Megan and now we both receive it daily and we email back and forth about it. Your watercolors have so inspired us both. We are sitting right now, side by side, playing with watercolors! Thank you for your inspiration and your generosity in these gifts.
Terri
Love your blog, would love to win any one of your wonderful giveaways, Happy Blog Anniversary!
Am fairly new to your blog, but I love it. I collect teapots (love old dishes too!) and I am always on the lookout for reasonably priced items at garage sales, flea markets, etc. I have some wonderful old platters that I have picked up for less than $1.00 and I often pick them up because of the flowers and the designs that are on them. I love your books, so many lovely things to look at. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway.
P.S. I bought all three granddaughters a different book of yours and sent them one at a time to their home, they loved them!
Terri
How sweet! The next generation of happy homebodies!
Thanks so much for offering such great prizes.
I have tried your apron patterns. Wonderful!! Maybe it’s time to start quilting.
Congratulations! I really love your blog. And, of course, I love looking at pictures of Jack. He is adorable.
I’m sooo excited!! I would love to receive anything “Susan Branch”. I don’t quilt–yet….
Happy Anniversary, Susan! I found your blog only a few short months ago, but I’ve already learned so much by your example about living a beauty-filled, cozy, delighted life with a truly grateful spirit. Thank you!
Susan
I am so sad that your fabrics aren’t being made anymore. I just loved them and still have a few pieces left. I love reading your blog especially if I need a break from work. Keep up your wonderful creativity!
Beautiful ! What a way to celebrate summer , you have a generous heart . Thank you !
I saw your quilt collection in a magazine years ago and it was inspiration for my own collection of quilts. I am particularly drawn to ones with fabrics from the 30’s and 40’s. I love your fabrics as well. I have my fingers crossed in hopes of winning!
Susan,
What a special blog! Loved all the colors and information. Congratulations on your anniversaries. I am a beginner quilter and children’s book writer and you give me such inspiration. You are both very talented and generous. I hope one day I’ll be able to have the honor of giving one of my books away!
Anne Marie
Oh! Everything wonderful and fun and homey. We love all of the things you love and all of the things you create. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
I’m feeling lucky, Susan— please prove me right!
Wow what a generous giveaway!!! Can always use more fabric! Congratulations on your anniversaries but more importantly on your publishing company, best of luck! Your blogs always brighten the day.
Love your charming, home-felt fabrics. As a quilter, my favorite designs are the vintage patterns from the 30’s & 40’s. Your fabrics make those patterns shine!
Wow-eee!!! What wonderful gifts to bestow upon your “girlfriends”. Love you, Susan. Happy Anniversary to you!
You make me ver happy! Hugs to you
You may reach 1000 comments or more!
Wouldn’t it be ever so lovely to have anything of yours sent by you?!
Seems very personal and I thank you for doing this. My only time
on Martha’s Vineyard was in a sailboat from Long Island to Block Island
to Martha’s Vineyard as a child. It was foggy!
Ahhh, I can almost smell the flowers. Another beautiful post. Thank you!
That cottage blue quilt is just adorable. Always inspired by you:)
Oh, please, if I’m ever to win anything, let this be the time! I adore all three give-aways. I would be happy with any one. Thank you, dear Susan,for the opportunity.
Love, love, love all your quilts & prints! Love your blogs! It is nice to know we all
Have kindred spirits everywhere…keep up your wonderful artwork, it is very appreciated
And enjoyed!
Oh, what beautiful fabrics! Your designs are so darling, so homey! I can’t wait to get my hands on some of your books too. You are such an inspiration for me to make my house a home! Bless you!
Susan, your whimsical art work and style of writing bring such peace to me. I am a sad quilter because your older fabrics are no longer available. They remind me of the 30’s fabrics that I find so sweet and comforting in quilts. I recently finished reading A Fine Romance. What a magical little book! I looked forward to reading a bit more each day and I was so sad when I came to the last page. I gave it to a dear friend hoping she would feel the magic that touched my heart. And guess what? She loves it too. Thank you for sharing your gifts with so many people.
Here I read comment after comment, and I say, “No Susan Anne Branch” (I talk to me the way my mother would), “you must get these all approved, you can’t answer everyone.” How can I NOT?? It is killing me a little bit, you should all know, because of your sweetness and kindness . . . I ♥ you! Thank you!
A Fine Romance was the best thing I’ve ever read! Couldn’t put it down! Now I am passing it around to friends and family. A must have book! Thank you for taking us along to England!
I was just thinking of your store on the California central coast! I loved seeing all of your beautiful quilts in the store and in this post. 1930’s quilts-sublime!
We took an anniversary trip to England in 2011 and enjoyed following your own trip through your blog. This is something I look forward to and doesn’t seem to come often enough. It’s an inspiration…I even began a collection of Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz dinnerware! I’ve always been attracted to your artwork and the colorful way you have made your house your home. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. Congratulations, and many more!!!
Hi Susan — I’ve read both of your last two blogs several times out of pure enjoyment, and because I didn’t want to miss a thing! The photos of New York City–the fancy restaurants and Empire State Building and ABC Home Store–made me want to hop on a bus and get there right quick! Congrats on your anniversaries and best wishes for many more to come. I love your storytelling and flowers and kitties and books. I love your joie de vivre and your creativity.Thank you for sharing your gifts with us! I would love to be entered in your drawings and would feel blessed to be a winner. Can’t wait for the Autumn book with ribbon bookmark!
Thanks for the memories – old quilts, fabric and books from the past –
Happy Anniversary!
Susan, I think this is one of your more brilliant blogs. . . specifically, the colors from the flowers and quits are just beautiful!!! Add Jack and Girl Kitty and everything looks gorgeous – thanks for all your hard work & Happy Anniversary!
Hi Susan,
How generous of you to share such lovely things. I enjoy your blogs, your kitties, and your books and calendars. You have made lots of us much happier because of what you share.
I love seeing your quilts. I am reminded of those my grandmother had. All 3 prizes are just stunning!
Thanks, Judy
Thanks so much.
Happy Anniversary!!! Time does fly. It was so much fun to go to England with you and Joe, to see the kitties, your yard, your island. Then to go with you on book tours and parties. It’s just so much fun! Now we have more goodies to find new homes for. Of course I would LOVE to win but I know that whoever is lucky enough to have their name pulled will love them. *S* While I would love to win Jack I really think Kitty Girl would miss him. I know you would!
I Loved today’s post. I was so excited to see the giveaways!! I love them all and will be most happy with anything. As always, thank you for sharing your home and your heart with us:)
Love your world and am happy your blog gives us a glimpse!
Another fine “get-away”, reading your blog. Afterwards I feel pleasantly content here in my shabby little house looking over at my mothers hutch. Her china nestled behind closed doors on the bottom, Grandma’s tea cups, daddy’s scotch glasses and a lifetime of memorabilia behind the glass doors on the top. Thank you for helping me be happy with things as they are and taking joy in all the little things. If my husband wasn’t watching the hockey game I could hear the birds singing. Hee-hee!
LOL Mary!
Adorable Susan…how you brighten our lives!! I know that I have a very slim chance of winning anything, but I love it that you are so willing to share your goodies with your “friends”. I have read your blog for almost 2 years and have so enjoyed your incredibly sunny outlook on life. I’m sure I speak for many when I say that you are such an inspiration to make our lives meaningful and loving for others. Good books, good food, good friends and quilts thrown in for good measure. Bless you!
And oh yes, I said in my younger days that I would never quilt..too many other hobbies. Then my very best friend bought a quilt shop..need I say more?? Thank goodness I never threw out the box of fabric scraps my mother saved from all those teen-aged border skirts I made in the 60’s. Still have the “can-can” petticoats too. 🙂 Carry on, we need you to brighten this old world.
Tricky best friend — no you don’t need to say a thing. Quilt stores are just like candy stores, colors, sweetness and light! Who can resist! xoxo Thank you Deanna!
Such a beautiful blog post! loved seeing all the fabrics and seeing the kitties that sneak in to be a part of the joy.
I’m reading Gladys Taber, Country Chronicle. Thanks for introducing us. I
wonder how many people joined FOGT (Friends of Gladys Taber), because of
your blog. I did. I don’t usually win anything, but I have my fingers crossed.
Our 41st wedding anniversary is June 8, so it would be perfect if I could win one of the prizes. All 3 are wonderful! I enjoy your blog so much; I receive it by email and I always save it til I can take my time to read it! Thanks so much!
Thanks again for the opportunity to win one of your lovely give-aways and congratulations!
Happy Anniversary! Your blog is wonderful! I am a longtime quilter and avid fabric hoarder! Thank you for the chance at your giveaway, someday
im going to be one of the lucky winners!
All of you fabric lovers should go over to FOSB (Facebook) and meet up and exchange hoarding stories — I think everyone would love to read them!
Susan, Congratulations and Happy Blog Anniversary! Your books have brought so much joy into my life and for the past three years so has your blog! You are one of the reasons why I ♥ the internet!
And you’re one of the reasons I love it too!
I love you quilts, your dishes and especially your black & white cats! Your photography is really great too. Love ya!
Oh my goodness! I am drooling over the giveaways I
Am a quilter and LOVE your fabric and quilt. To win any
Would be a dream. Thanks so much!!
I love your Autumn Book. I have made the marshmallows more than once.
Each time I receive your post, it feels a bit like Christmas waiting for me to open it!
You are such an inspiration to us all-and I found it so interesting to see where you get your inspiration and color choices-your Quilts! Your words and illustrations, like your quilts, wrap around us and make us warm. I am blessed to be a part of your blog.
Oh, what beautiful prizes! I hope I win.
Beautiful, terrific bog, Susan!
I have a small collection of charm squares of the Tea Party fabric I have never been able to bring myself to use. Maybe a pieced border on tea towels would be the way to go. Reading your writing and enjoying your beautiful artwork makes me hum inside. You are a national treasure!
Happy anniversary! I love the yellow fabric with the lambs. We saw a lot of those when we visited England’s Lake District in April. I really enjoy all your wonderful talents.
Susan..I just simply love all of the pretty patterns on everything you have pictured in this blog…..sweet reminders of quilting with my high school friend ,Ginger, and her mom..the Dogwood Wedding Ring quilt my sweet Mom gave me for my birthday one year…she is gone now, so the quilt is extra special in the Spring on the bed…reminding me of her calling to tell me she saw her first robin of spring! Joy in beautiful colors! And the kitties are pretty cute too!
Thank you for your beautiful e mails. I do so look forward to them. Loved this one with all your colorful quilts. I have a few quilts, one is a signed one that the ladies used to do and it becomes a friendship quilt.
Hello Susan!
Your collection of quilts is spectacular! I would love to see full photos of each and every one! What stories they could tell – oh, it would be so lovely to know the person who made them and hear all about the love that went into them! Thank you so much all the years of work you’ve shared with us. You are sunshine to us!
XO, Lucy
I have been a follower of your blog since day one. I look forward to reading every installment! I would dearly love love to win one of your gifts. Blessings
Happy Anniversary Susan. Thanks for sharing your home, adventures, recipes, and treasures with all of us.
Thank you for sharing your lovely flowers, beautiful quilts and adorable kitties with us. I love all of your posts but my favorites are the ones that include Girl and Jack :).
Congratulations on the anniversaries! I love your books, each season is exciting as I pull out the appropriate book and rediscover all the beautiful artwork and delightful stories. Such treasures inside! And the blog is like a daily discovery. It brings me great pleasure and inspiration!
As a quilter, it would be an honor to win one of the lovely, old quilts. Prizes two and three are not to be sneezed at, I would love any of these great prizes. I have a quilt I made using your Tea Party fabric.
Wow!! Happy anniversary!!! This was an amazing day in your blog! Quilts, art, beautiful encouraging thoughts! Beautiful! Thank you!
Schools out, SUMMER is here, I’m so happy to leave a comment here!! Mom, Wife, Teacher, Friend, Homemaker….your blog and books inspire me to be the best version of Me in all of these roles.:) Thank you Susan! XO
I feel so grateful, for each and every one of these lovely comments, thank you Dana . . .
Susan-
You are such an inspiration to me! I love your blog, love your books, and love all of your neat ideas. You are truly a gifted gal. Thank you for taking the time to have the blog. I look so forward to reading them so please keep them coming for many more years.
Happy Anniversary,
Megan
ps I just have to tell you I received A Fine Romance as a gift for Christmas and haven’t finished it yet. It isn’t because it is not good it the opposite it’s so great I don’t want it to end. So I only allow myself a little “helping” at a time, then can’t hardly wait until the next time I pick it up for a few more pages.
xoxo Megan, thank you!
Wow! ! ! I’ve been watching for your next blog post. You’ve out done yourself, again. What a lovely post. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Happy Anniversary Susan! I have been a huge fan of yours for many,many years. I started collecting your art when I first saw it in Country Living magazines. Thank you for contagious smiles and sharing everything with all of us. You are the best!
With Much Love and Deep Appreciation….Carole McKinney
Have some of the fabric from your original first fabric group and only use it for the most special projects — it has to be SB worthy! Oh how I would dearly love the fat quarter bundle so I could make quilts for my granddaughters and give them one of your “grandmother remembers” books with it! Thanks for all you do and share! Hugs, Pippa
I am on a fabric DIET! I haven’t ordered any new or vintage fabric in a long while! But I could WIN some! That would be lovely! All the prizes are lovely. Thank you for offering such lovely prizes world-wide to all girlfriends everywhere.
I do like the fat quarters that have the little hearts. What was that pattern called?
I didn’t have to fight over my Grandmother’s old quilt when my mom passed away, none of my three sisters wanted it. What do they know…I wish you could see it. I could take a picture and mail it to you.
I love your Autumn book as I said before, but now I have my head in the summer one! LOL
I am so tired. I have so much work to do around here. What was the blue you used for your kitchen? I forgot. Have fun next weekend.
Margot — it does have a name, but I tried to see it on there and can’t — and I forget which that one is. You’re talking about the hearts with the little stems like flowers? You are keeping me jumping right now, I’m going to go look for the name of the paint! Hooray, I found it, “Woodlawn Blue!” Still love it.
Is that Ben Moore? I found another blue in Yorktown yesterday. They did the woodwork with the panels in between being white. It was almost leaning toward aqua blue. I asked the man if it was an orignal colonial color. He said he doesn’t know, as the the US Park Service painted it and he rents the space.
Blue woodwork?? Who knew!
Yes, I forgot to say that! What are you painting?
I wanted to paint my kitchen, and use blue with something else. However, a realtor told me that wasn’t a good color, to use off white. Well, every house we looked at people used what THEY wanted NOT what the buyers want. I bought this house with 80s wallpaper. I was just going to use a tint anyway. I have had 4 houses before this one and I can stage a house.
Anyway…I forgot to say I was looking at a fat quarter that had color on color with outlines of hearts, however I really liked the hearts with stems years ago on paper and never knew you had fabric. I didn’t get much sewing done when I lived in NH with the sons around, and there weren’t very many fabric stores around the area in which I lived.
I wonder if it is too late to join the girls at Glady’s house? It must be an 11 hour drive from me.
I’m not sure — you should go to the Gladys Taber site and see what they say. I haven’t heard anything yet Margot!
Thank you Susan, I get so much pleasure from your blog. I enjoy looking at your beautiful artwork, and the photos of your house and lovely old quilts. I’m a quilter living in Australia, and my family will be visiting the US later this year. We’re hoping to have a day on Martha’s Vineyard and see some of that gorgeous scenery.
Your blog just makes me happy .The colours and the ideas are just lovely and I have so enjoyed your book – now I must have, need your new fall book as well
I would love to have the material . thank you
Your vintage quilts are lovely! When my mother died I inherited a box of Sun Bonnet Sue quilt blocks my grandmother had made- from my mother’s clothes when she was little. All the fabrics are from the 30’s and they are beautiful. One day, when I build up my courage, I will have to put those blocks together in a quilt just for me or one of my daughters. I love your sweet art work and I’m sorry that your stickers and fabrics are gone …sniff! At least we have your books that we can pour over again and again!
How exciting to be celebrating such a wonderful anniversary. I so love your blog. It just makes me happy to read it. You have such a positive attitude and love of home. It’s very encouraging and refreshing. I always come away feeling good when I read it. May God bless you with many more days to encourage and share with all of us. Thanx!
Love, love, love your blog! I look forward to each time a new one appears. Thank you for the sweet times and congrats!
Thank you for the years of smiles you have brought me! I would love to win any of the 3 drawings; I have always wanted to quilt but never found the time, I buy your calendar each year and the books would be a lovely way to pass the day away. I already have Autumn but I would share one with one of my daughters! Win – Win!!
I always look forward to your blog…always so enjoyable and upbeat! I, also, am a lover of quilts. I would love to make one using your fabric!
Oh my, Susan; your generosity abounds. What wonderful gifts! Such a sharing of your heart and talents. Dear Vanna, pick me! HaHa!
I look forward to reading each new blog. I feel blessed to be one of your girlfriends.
Hello Susan, Love the blog today. I still have letters you wrote when you got started in 1987- 90’s. I have followed you for many years even when no computors were around. It was so much fun to watch the mail box and get your letters. The colors and art work was so pretty as it is still today. Hoping like everyone to win something from you. Anything personaly from you is awesome. Just to cherish and knowing that your hands touched it and your heart was in it. You will always be someone I will look up to and Thank for coming into my life and guiding me to a happy for-filling life. I have learned to be a caring and loving person like you. Thanks for just being you.
What a nice thing to say Linda xoxo
I actually BELIEVE I am going to win! Thanks for all the lovely things you have created!
I love your blog, Susan. I have many of your cookbooks and you have inspired me in so many ways!
Susan, when I saw your latest giveaway, I thought I’d let you know how much joy you have always given us over the years. Quite a while ago I purchased two tiny boxes of 3×3 cards labeled Love Notes, by Susan Branch. On the back of the boxes you wrote of how your mother would slip a little note in with your lunch. So I began to tuck one of the small cards in with my husband’s lunch as a little pick-me-up at lunch time. I’d sign them and sometimes add a few little love words of my own. He would always mention the cards when he came home after work, but I didn’t realize he saved them. He passed away eight years ago and as I slowly began the task of going through his things, I discovered the cards, some tacked up near his workbench in the garage or tucked away amongst his tools in the yard shed. It was such a sweet surprise to find them and I realized how much he must have appreciated discovering them in his lunch bucket. I’ve left most of them in the exact place where he put them and I smile whenever I see them tacked up near his tools. We both enjoyed your sentiments and artwork on those cards. Thank you for all you do to brighten the days of so many of us.
How much he loved you to save all of those cards. What a wonderful thing to find!
That is the most AMAZING giveaway I have ever seen! I worked for 15 years in a quilt shop and I recognized many of your prints in the fat quarters and quilt. The cheery colors and prints were always my favorites. I would be proud to win any of the prizes!
Staff day at work yesterday, one of the classes I took was on tea. Lead to a perfect Saturday of Farmer’s Market, knitting, a rain storm and supper from the Farmer’s Market bounty (including unexpected tomatoes–grown in a greenhouse on the other side of Lake Winnebago). Hopefully gardening tomorrow (weeds grow large when it rains a lot). What a wonderful bunch of anniversary give-a-ways. Thank you!
Congratulations on your anniversary. Love your latest blog – the quilts, cats, fabric, drawings, on and on! My daughter and I have two of your cookbooks (with the ribbon – my favorite) and calendars. My husband always finds me a calendar every year & I wait for each month! My Mother had made me two doll quilts & I have two granddaughers so guess who has them now? Where did you find the pink cup with the bird on it? Would love to have one, also the pink dishes – so pretty! Thank you for the uplifting writing! Hope you get close to Cincinnati soon so we can see you in person!!!
Hooray! I would love to win any of the prizes:)
Oh I so love this blog! old quilts are one of my favorite things. I have one made by hand from my great, great grandmother. She immigrated here from Ireland in 1880. It hangs over my upstairs railing in my farmhouse. I have all your cookbooks, and love sharing your recipes with family and friends. have a great weekend. 🙂
I have just learned to quilt thanks to blogs and tutorials on the web. My fabric stash is growing but I would dearly love the fabrics you are offering. I didn’t know about them when you first offered them.
Happy Anniversary! I always look forward to reading your blog, I enjoy every bit of it! Especially the flowers! At this time in our lives we are in an apartment. I miss planting, caring for and looking at my own garden so seeing yours is a treat! 😉
I enjoy reading your blog and seeing your photos. Thank you!
Hello Susan,
what an amazing collection of gifts. Patchwork was my first crafty love and I’d be beyond thrilled to win any of your generous prizes.
Thank you for such a wonderfully uplifting and positive blog that celebrates the simple things so well.
Also congratulations on your continued success…..your creativity is so inspiring.
Jacquie x
You are soooo inspiring and wonderful to follow. You have such great ideas. I recently sent one of your books to a friend in Alabama. Of course she loved it. I am 77 years young and never want to stop learning. Thank you Susan
Annette
I would be thrilled to win any of the 3 giveaways. I have your books and have followed you for a long time. I always appreciate checking your blog each evening and listening to the little bird tweeting – my husband laughs each time he hears that. You bring great joy and beauty to the world. Thank you.
Loved your work and art from the Country Living Mag. Days. Your pumpkin pie recipe was cute and unusual in it’s design and eye catching. We had never seen style like yours and you are always improving something,like your pictures, and set ups. Thank you for the enjoyment and beauty of your blog.
Hi SB – what a wonderful weekend those of us who live in New England are experiencing now. I hope Vanna picks me to receive one of your gifts to the girlfriends on your anniversary – Happy Anniversary!
Susan,
Happy Anniversary back to you! I was trying to remember when I discovered your blog. I just remember how excited I was. Had used your scrapbooking supplies and soo liked your artwork. Didn’t know you had a blog. Am so happy to have been a part of it though, I know, for several years. And then to get to meet you in person at the book signing – I was thrilled! Quilt fabric, calendars, quilt! What a generous giveaway! So glad you are publishing the Autumn book again. Really would love to see you offer more fabrics and quilt bundles again too. Just wanted you to know, you really are a bright spot in our day.
XOXO
Jan
Hi Susan, Thank you for the give aways! As usual, everything is lovely. Congratulations on your anniveraries.
hi Susan
your blog is so wonderful
i love the quilts you made
Sincerely,
Katie
Hi Susan,
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for taking the time to share with us and reminding us that it is the simple things that make life good! I’m inspired and always feel a little happier after reading your blog. Tea, quilts, dishes and flowers make this girlfriend smile! :0)