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
I’m swooning over all the delightful treasures. Someone is going to be very, very lucky!
Wow–Three years of your blog. Congratulations! I look forward to reading your new posts. Thanks for letting us all come along with you in your daily life. Hugs to you and kitties.
I loved seeing your collection of quilts. My children each have baby quilts that were made by their great great grandmother long before they were ever born. She made one in a pink and one in a blue pattern. We were fortunate to have a daughter and later a son. Perfectly planned, I must say!!! Our children’s eldest child will each inherit a quilt…and hopefully, they will pass it on to their children someday. Thank you for sharing another piece of your life with us and, of course, I would love to receive one of your gifts; you are ever so thoughtful!
Oh wow! You are so generous! All lovely gifts and all would be lovely to win. 🙂 Especially that charming quilt. Have a wonderful week! Kit
Oh, my goodness gracious – what an absolute treat it is to receive your blog and read the going-on’s in your life. I’m a new-be: recently discovered you from reading your delightful book “A Fine Romance,” recommended by a new friend as I was going on and on about my love of all things English. I’m so glad you exist. Your up beat, positive, joyful sense-of-life is infectious. Your generosity of spirit comes through your writings and the give-away is a tangible expression of that. Bless you for sharing your life with us. Roberta
Susan
What a wonderful give-away you’ve planned. I know every girlfriend is crossing her fingers hoping she will be one of the lucky winners. Good luck girlfriends!
Toni
What beautiful give-aways. And thank you for the reminder that the world is still full of ordinary, good people who want the same things we do. It’s so easy to forget that in today’s world. You are such a comfort to so many, Susan. xoxo
Happy Anniversary! I have loved your work for years. I have a garden because of you.
Susan, your art makes me happy. The fabrics are phenomenal! They remind me of the fabrics of the 1930’s. I have your wall calendar hanging in my bathroom so I can see it first thing in the morning. Starts my day off right. 🙂 Happy Blog Anniversary!
You’ve been a great encouragement to me over the years. I love the way you celebrate everyday life. Thank you and May God continue to bless you with success!
Love every bit of your blog, and have since the beginning! You warm my heart so very much. Thank you.
LOVE LOVE LOVE all things SUSAN BRANCH … met you at the SLO “Girlfriends” REMNETS FROM THE PAST” book signing event @ Madonna Inn- we were the 2nd to the last girls meeting you and were OHHhhHH so happy to be in that ‘spot’ to have waiting ALL afternoon long to meet you and your wonderful hubby and have you sign out books – my girlfriend CAROL (from Santa Barbara) had just been to ‘your’ island and had photos on her phone to share with you – – and she LOVES how you write your ‘&’ symbol and was trying so hard (while waiting in line) to figure out how to have you sign her book to include an ‘and-per-send’ sign in it! ;0) – and she did – she had you sign it “to CAROL & VINCE” tee-hee … where there’s a will there’s a way! 🙂
Thanks for sharing so much of who you are with each one of us and making us feel like we’re right there with you wherever you may be – be it NYC or ‘your’ little piece of the island! :0)
Hugz ‘n’ heartz, “KK” – Kathy kulper from Salinas, CA
I remember Kathy! And remember all the girls just behind you in line? I went to high school with them, and they will be arriving here on the island on the 20th for a four-day sleep over at my house!! Can you tell I’m excited!?
Hello Kathy!
Do you remember the good times we had in line at SLO? I was the lucky duck that was right behind you and Carol as we laughed our way to the promised land at the end of the ‘yellow brick road’…. I have the best memories of you and Carol and the many yucks we had while in line. Most undoubtedly, you two were placed directly in front of me out of sheer providence. Whenever I think about or regale the story of going to SLO you two are featured in the fantastic “knees up” (English slang for one heck of a good time) at the Madonna Inn R.O.P. show! Here’s cheers to the best mates a girl could have had waiting in line to see the one and only…. tell Carol I said hello, got her e-mail and will be answering her very soon. All the Best, Carrie
Well, now you’ve really got me drooling over those spectacular give-aways, and the photos, words, and artwork in your blog are gifts in their own right. Thank you for sharing your talents so generously with us!
Congratulations Susan! Thank you for your wonderful blog. I love reading each update. You bring so much joy to your increasing world of girl friends.
Hi Susan,
I will be reading this Blog post over and over and drooling over those quilts!! and the giveaways. Any of them would be fine with me 🙂 You are amazing in all you do; the books , the quilts, your sweet spirit and all the fun you give us on your Blog and in your work.
Blessings to you!!!!
Irene
Looking forward to being selected! 😉 all of the gifts look gorgeous!
I love all the colors in this post! I can feel the softness of these quilts. A light quilt even feels nice for a summer nap!
I read the blog all the time. I have some of your cookbooks and make some of the recipes. I love your fabric but can not find it anywhere. Thanks for all the interesting info..
Yard Sale summer day here in California….Happy Anninversary Susan. And many thanks to my BEST FRIEND FOREVER that turned me on to Susan Branch, Heart of the Home…I love you Janie!
This is too cute! xoxo
Hello from the Central Coast! Thank you for blogging for our enjoyment, sharing what brings you joy and peaks your interest. Recently, while roaming through a beautiful antique store, searching for a Gladys Taber book, I met Bonnie, one of your A.G. helpers! We had a delightful conversation about Taber and Branch things …. No gossip, just an enjoyable chat! Again, I thank you, Susan, for thinking of your friends in so many thoughtful ways.
Yes, Bonnie is a wonderful friend! Thank you Carol!
LOVE your blog, I always smile and feel like I got a little present when I see your name pop up on my email in box.
I love your blog. I have really enjoyed all of your books I have been able to get my hands on, and can’t wait for the republish of Autumn!
I’m a quilter. I have always had a love affair with dishes. Love Cape Cod every year
Love the blog
I have collected your books and calendars for years! I love your paintings and recipes too! I cherish my books.
Hi Susan,
I’m a quilter in Australia and I love your blog and boy would I love to win any of the three gifts you have on offer. I love the colours and patterns, so soft and gentle. Thank you for your thoughtful and lovely blog and for the photos of your beloved kitties…I have three…when you have three of anything you have a collection so there you go….
Cheers and Blessings,
Gwyn.
I’d be over-the-moon happy to win any of your amazing give-aways! I’d be sewing up a storm with all of your lovely fabrics and Fat Quarters…I’ve always loved how those two words sound together. 🙂 My birthday’s on the 10th, squeezed right between the 9th and 11th, so I’m making a big wish for Vanna to pick me! Thank you Susan and happy anniversary to us all!!
Reading your blog is like taking a little vacation…..fun, a visual treat, and inspiring! Thank you!
Today’s blog was pure “eye candy!” A real treat.
I would absolutely cherish any one of the three giveaways!!! Susan, have to share that I found out today that one of my friends from my church makes your jewelry for you! Pam is absolutely a lovely woman. I was SO EXCITED to hear she knows you. I told her how much I love following you and enjoying all your books and products. Made my day! Thanks for sharing your life with us. God bless you! Donna (Idaho)
It is one teeny tiny small world isn’t it Donna? 🙂
Your creativity and giving spirit inspire me. Thank you and Happy June! Love, love everything about you.
My favorite quilt is a very simple patchwork of scraps left over from my great-grandmother making clothes for all of us little ones, mostly when we were in grade school. Each of us received a quilt made from these scraps. Now, all these many, many (many!) years later, I look at that well-worn quilt and am flooded with memories . . . remembering a jumper I wore, or a skirt . . . but mostly the loving memories attached to each. And thank you, Susan, for your lovely vision of bringing people together. You are making a difference in the world. 🙂
Happy Anniversary Susan!
I always look forward to another wonderful blog post from you. I enjoy them so.
Here’s to at least another 33 years. 🙂
Dear Susan, Congratulations on both the blog and website. I look forward to your email to see what Jack is doing — he has the most interesting cat face — and to bask in the comfort of your blog, its photos and drawings, to be invited into your world. Your aesthetic contributes to a feeling of well being, coziness, and love of home and garden, and the spiritual aspects of both. Thanks very much!
Susan,
I am such a fan of yours! I love following your blog, reading your books and hanging your calendars in my sewing room. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us!
Your artwork has spoken to my heart for many many years. It is a breath of fresh air and beautiful. being a quilter and lampwork artist I appreciate your generous giveaways. Anyone would cherish these gifts. Thank you for thinking of us as we think of you. I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve done. It always brings a smile.
Oh HAPPY anniversary, Susan! And thank you for always brightening my day – such abundance you pour out on us all! Love that Jack is such a lovely part of it all (I have a secret crush on him). May there be MANY more happy anniversaries! ♥
The photo of the picnic is just the tops. You’re the best Susan. One the highlights of my life – so glad we ended up on Beautiful Planet Earth at the same time! Now THAT’S a blessing!!! xo
I always think about that too, who shares the planet with whom at which time in history. Fascinating thought!
Oh susanm you being joy tomy heart each time I read one of your lovely blog posts! Thank you for sharing your life with all so us around the world! If you are thinking of doing another trip to Europe, please know that you and Joe are MORE than welcome to visit my husband and I in Sweden! Lots of see and do here in the far north! It wish you a day filled with joy!
Wouldn’t that be fun!!
WOW, WOW, WOW! What a generous and fun friend you are! Thank you so much and we all know that their will be some really happier people in a few days.
God bless you Susan Branch!
Congratulations on a wonderfully, inspiring blog! I am so blessed and thankful for your warm writings. You are a breath of sunshine and fresh air to my days! God bless you along the way for giving so much joy to others! I would be honored to win one of your give-aways. Thank you for the opportunity! xo
And 27 years since your first book was published! Don’t forget that important anniversary, too. Any of the three prizes would be great, but I would love to have the fat quarters and make a quilt that I would make and keep for myself. I’ve given away all but one of the many quilts I’ve ever made, mostly baby quilts. With your many books and calendars as samples, I’m going to try to teach myself to watercolor.
OMG, that means in three years I get to do a 30 year anniversary! Don’t let me forget Eileen!
Reading your blog is like a breath of fresh air in my life. I so look forward to hearing about your adventures and tales of Jack’s exploits and games. Seeing all of your beautiful treasures that you generously share with your readers makes me feel very honored. Congratulations on an amazing contribution to the lives of so many Girlfriends. May it continue ad infinitum!
Exciting giveaway! Beautiful quilts, so much love and history with each little stitch! Exceptional art work and adorable cats 🙂
Thank you for another wonderful blog – I love reading everything you have to say. Been reading since the beginning! Other people have talked about “smiles”: I agree that’s the best way to describe what you give to all of us.
Vicki
I love a chance to win some fabric any day, and these are especially lovely… fingers crossed!
We would love to hear/see post on how your friend Elizabeth’s house is coming along. We need some sneek peeks. Many of us think of remodeling/restoring homes and are interested in the process. I hope “E” will let us see.
She’s going to send me pictures … because she’s also going to rent it out!! (So she can afford it) — she still has her business in California . . . she’s a decorator … I’ll put it up when I get the pics.
OMG!! This has to be my favorite post ever! I absolutely in love with quilts and quilting…my first love, well after my other first love that is 🙂 Whoever wins these drawings will be very lucky people. Maybe I’ll be one, hmmm. Thank you for sharing your beautiful collection.
Yikes, I can’t believe how many comments are already here! Love the photos of the quilts…don’t know about you, but it hardly seems possible you have been on here 3 years already. What fun it has been to follow and meet other Girlfriends and share in their lives and yours…
Susan,
Love your blog, Happy Anniversary! Love your fabric collections. I still have some from the first set. One of these days, I might even use it. My fingers are crossed for my name to be pulled by Vanna. Looking forward to your next missive.
Mary Ann
Happy Anniversary!!!! What a wonderful journey it has been – I have been a fan since your first book, Heart of the Home. Would love to win any of your wonderful giveaways. Looking forward to many wonderful years with FOSB.
What an exciting give-away! Thanks Susan and contests on five great years!
Happy Anniversary, and thank you for the beautiful blog. Reading it always makes me happy!!
Your works of heART bring happiness and sunshine! I have loved your use of color and homemaking shared for many years! You are a blessing!
What a glorious post! All the lovely colors and quilts – makes me happy! The lamb fabric and accompanying fabrics are so precious – I wish I had known about those when they were for sale. So sweet! I am so glad you began blogging – it is like an oasis in a sometimes dry and discouraging day, a whiff of beauty and positivity and contentedness. Thanks for the lovely giveaways. It’s one of those days I wish you weren’t so popular so I would have a better chance! But that’s selfish, isn’t it? I am very glad you have such a following and there is good reason for that. Have a wonderful day!
What glorious give-a-ways! They are all beautiful! So is Jack and Girl Kitty too!
I’ve been following your blog since the moment you began!! I can’t believe it’s been three years…so much has happened in my life in those 3 years, but you’ve been a constant, and I’m so thankful for that. Love you!
What a perfectly beautiful way to celebrate such a special anniversary! You are spoiling us rotten…
. . . and visa-versa!! (as Judy Holliday would say in the movie Born Yesterday).
Susan,
I love your artwork! Your beautiful watercolor illustrations inspire me to get back to making my own art. Also, thank you for sharing your two precious kitties with us. They are precious!
Happy anniversary, Susan & girlfriends!
I made my first quilt–100% hand sewn!–when I was 23 years old. It took me a year! Halfway through making it, my “first serious” boyfriend broke up with me and I discovered that quilting is one heck of a good way to forget about a broken heart! Can’t think about boys when you’re concentrating on hand-stitching! 😉 Twenty-six years and a few loves later, we’ve all gone on to have nice lives except–lucky me!–I’ve still got that quilt! All told, the quilt and I have held up rather well (if I do say so myself)!
🙂 cute!
My husband bought me your “Homemade Recipes” scrapbooking set. I loved it so much that I searched the internet and found your blog. You’re a very talented lady and I would be very excited to win one of your precious creations. I am a fan of your work and I will be visiting from now on. Have a lovely tomorrow!
Happy Aniversary! Thank you for having the chance to win three prizes. I always enjoy reading your blog.
Not only do we get such wonderful blogs and stories but these prizes are awesome. Mt Grandmother had quilts and I loved them. I have one of them hanging up in my bedroom as a piece of artwork. Would love to receive one of the giveaways. Thanks for such beautiful work and words that you share with us.
Kathy
Happy Anniversaries! What a lovely giveaway you’re having–I’m excited for whichever three lucky people win!
Susan, what an amazing giveaway! You are so generous. Congratulations on your anniversaries. I have followed you since you first put out your cookbooks and have loved them all along with the recipes you put in Country Living-still have them tucked away in my cookbooks. Thanks for the chances.
Hello Susan,
I love your outlook on life – you are like a breath of fresh air every time I read your blog! Thank you for sharing your art, your home, your loves, your ENTHUSIASM!!! How do you do it??? 🙂
I would love to have a slice of your giveaway – if only I am that fortunate!
Keep up the FABULOUS work that you do!!!!!
Kindly,
Bernie (Washington State) <3
Love your books and calendars! The prizes are wonderful.
Susan, congrats on your anniversaries! I love your blog & have been a fan for a long time. I have all of your books so far except for the tiny ones & buying a second round for my daughter. I would love to win any of these items. My daughter, son-in-law & my two grand-girls are with friends staying in a rental right on the beach in Cape Cod right now. They arrived Saturday afternoon from DFW returning next Saturday. They are planning a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard next week to visit your beautiful island, but I’m not sure which day. If you are out & about & see a couple with a blonde three year old & a brown haired six year old in tow (probably several dozen couples) one of them will be my little family. Wish I could have been with them, maybe next time as it is on my bucket list. I have told Rebecca to be on the lookout for you as one never knows who they will run into on such a famous island. Keeping fingers crossed on winning one of the prizes. Looking forward to your new book. Loved reading about the English country side & I am reading it again. Take care of Joe & the kitties. My Shelia lived to be 19 & looked like “Morris” on the cat food packages.
Congratulations, Susan, on having the courage to follow your inspiration to all of the places that so delight us ~ Happy Anniversary!
Hi Susan,
Your blog post reminded me of the first time I saw your store in Arroyo Grande! I made my family take me up there and stay at the Apple Farm for Mothers Day! My daughters came and we met you. You had been to Sissinghurst Castle and we talked about Vita Sackville-West, since my name is Vita!
Then I thought about the time I drove to Orange County with my daughter to see you. You had brought your mom, and Joe. I bought your fabrics then!
Then I saw you up at the SLO Remnants of the past show!
I just wanted you to know how much fun it has been for me and my girls to get to know you through your blog and art! You have really been an inspiration to me! Good luck with all your endeavors!
Vita
Oh, you have got to figure a way to make more of the lamb fabric for those of us who don’t win………you are so talented and most of the fabric on the market is too tricked out …you could really be doing a public service for those of us who love to sew!! HA! I shall cross my fingers and toes to win as I not only sew but am a champion whiz at papercrafts and love to keep my friends in homemade cards. I hope Vanna is reading this……..Linda from Idaho where the weather is perfect—–low 80’s with a cooling breeze and blue skies!
Linda, I love to make homemade cards too, they are so personal and full of love. 🙂
Congratulations Susan! I just love your blog. Being a quilter I would so love to sew with your fabrics. Thank you for sharing your travels, lovely pictures and beautiful books.
Not sure why my posts go un posted but I’d sure like to get in on the fun. Maybe 3rd times a charm!
Happy Anniversary! And may you have many, many more! You are an absolute delight!
I am a collector of quilts too! My most precious is the crazy quilt my grandmother made with scraps of fabric from the dress manufacturer where she was a seamstress.
Now I know why I am so drawn to your water colors…for the same reasons I am drawn to old quilts and dishes! You have a lovely collection of all those things. I have picked up most of my vintage quilts at estate sales, I just love the fabrics and the handiwork. I recently purchased a charm pack of your tea party fabric! I searched high and low for it and found the charm pack. I’d love to win the fabric bundle or the other two giveaways…that quilt is just gorgeous and I think the calendars would make great bunting. Thanks for such generous giveaways and for sharing your life with is here 🙂
Susan – You couldn’t have chosen a better selection of “gifties”! Wonderful, adorable, etc.! I, too, have a black and white cat – Wigglesworth – who is 18 – I’m hanging on to him with every fiber of myt being knowing that someday he will have to go to kitty heaven – but meanwhile he is spoiled rotten!
Happy Anniversary! You always cheer me no end!!!!
Valarie
I love everything you love. You inspire me to grasp the things you love and cherish them and keep them close to your heart. Every time I read your blog, Willard or look through one of your cookbooks I feel as though I go back to my childhood. Remembering doilies on the arms and backs of the couch, my mom cooking yummy things in the kitchen with her apron on, the radio sitting on the kitchen table with great music coming from it., clothes hanging on the line, laying on the grass in summer smelling the allysium, petunias and sweet peas. Oh and the smell of Cecil Bruner roses. Thank you for bringing those things fresh to my memory. You are a kindred spirit to so many.
I would be so excited to be a winner of your give away!!!
I don’t know why I had never noticed the connection between quilts and your artwork (both are so charming)! I also love quilts and display them in my home, as you do. It makes me feel so cozy!
Susan, long time fan here. I’ve been with your blog since the beginning, even if I didn’t always comment. I’ve been blogging in one form or another since 2003 and I know what you mean about the excitement from that first comment. I have to say eleven years later I still get excited at every comment and try to respond to them all. I have made so many lovely friends through this medium and no enemies. I like to say “There are no strangers here, only friends I have yet to meet!”
Your berries are ahead of ours, well in my garden at least. I have lots of berries showing on the plants, but none are ready to pick yet. I think that’s because we’ve had a lot of rain! (What else!! Wouldn’t be England without it!)
Your Giveaway is so very generous. Happy Anniversary, or should I say Bloggiversary?? Happy whatever! I would be over the moon to win any of these lovely prizes, but then again in all honesty I have to say (and I mean this from the bottom of my heart) that each time you post and I pop in to read it, it’s like a little gift. I hope you will always blog, because I will always be reading, no matter what, no matter when! Have a wonderful Sunday! You’ve already gotten mine off to a beautiful start! x♥x♥x
PS – I love quilts too. Painting them is a LOT quicker than sewing them, and just as pretty!
Hi Marie from Chester! I’ve been hearing about the rain in England . . . hope you are keeping away from floods!
We are very blessed to be up high here in Chester Susan. We are protected by the Welsh Hills and so no serious flooding right where we are, although the garden has been squelching off and on!
Dear Susan, congretualations too you>
I love to read your blog I discovered a few weeks ago.
Just love your drawings, pictures and the way you write.
A few weeks ago my husband (who lives in America) sent me a book made by you.
It’s an older book, Hart of the Home, notes from a vineyard kitchen and I really love it.
Well I would like to join in this wonderfull give-away.
I wish to you a very nice weekend and a wonderfull week.
Best wishes from the Netherlands, Marianne
Nice to meet you Marianne!
Dear Susan, here I am again. I have a question, if I would order the bundel of two books how much will be the shipping fees to the Netherlands? becouse I can’t find it anywhere.
Thanks, Marianne
I sent your question to [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ — she’ll get back to you — I’m not sure.
Wondering if thats the reasons my comments disapeared every time?
Congratulations with your new book Susan!!!
Love the fabrics and the quilts.I’ve made some for my grandchildren and they loved their quilts.
Today my eldest son and his wife and their son will come and visit me,and I’ll ask him to order your book .We used to go on holiday to England but now it isn’t possible any more. I’ll still have contact with our English friends who are living in Yorkshire/Wetherby.
have a nice day
greetings from Holland
Trudy
Greetings to you Trudy!
Oh Susan! Im retiring on July 31st and am planning to buy a new sewing machine so I can start quilting again. Winning your fabric would be a dream come true! Thank you.
Susan,
Thank you for brightening my days with your blog. You are an inspiration to young and not so young. I love your books, calendars, fabrics and stickers. I would be pleased to win any of the three give-aways. I sew, love to do embroidery, knit socks and garden. June is a wonderful time of the year to celebrate many things and your blog is one of them. Congratulations!
Brenda Brady
Lewes, DE
Happy Anniversary Susan!
I’m a long time fan…but as I read this today, I think it might be one of my favorites. Love all of it from beginning to end. Off to order Autumn and another copy of A Fine Romance
Your giveaways are wonderful. I would use the fabric for a patchwork pillow. I buy your calendar every year, so having a “sneak peek” would make me very happy:)
I seem to collect everything like you…pretty calls me & I must obey! Husband, adult children (fearing they will have to handle all this!) say “but WHAT are you going to do with all this????” sigh-enjoy them, maybe? Had hoped to do LOTS with them in retirement, not knowing that days were NOT 72 hours long. Hmmm….We are in the middle of construction so all of my antique 30’s quilts are in huge stacks in the LR and am enjoying just looking at the colors stacked high. I have them on sofas but haven’t done kitchen chairs yet! (2 toddlers currently living with us) I still have yardage of your line-sometimes just hate cutting-then you make that first slice and its really ok-you can do it.
Thank you for sharing your goodies-haven’t won yet but hope springs eternal. Susan Riley, Hingham MA
Beautiful, all beautiful! Happy Anniversary!
I love every picture, every painting, and every word in this post — please enter me in these drawings!
Happy anniversary, Susan! I am so grateful to be able to enjoy your beauteous creativity and warmth!
Salutations from Chaleureux Chilmark,
Elizabeth
i hope the lovely vanna picks me….my sister is a quilter…she made me a table runner out of your darling fabric. love anything and everything susan branch. my dream is to go to martha’s vineyard and see you and joe walking the beach!!!!
Just love the fabric. They would make an awesome quilt.
Happy anniversary! What a wonderful way to celebrate. Fell in love with those pictures of your quilts, the china and tea towels, three of my favorite things, including tiny flower arrangements and jars with red lids! I hope, hope, hope Vanna chooses me.
Lovely, lovely giveaways. Happy anniversary, Susan.
Blessings to all,
GiGi
Susan — it’s absolutely true — in this world of “bad news everywhere”, it’s so nice to click on your Blog and know it will be about happy, homey things, flowers, cooking and recipes, Martha’s Vineyard walks, England, and, of course, Jack and Girl!
Sometime I sit in my Adirondack chair and soak in my yard of flowers, koi pond, birds singing, and my hummingbirds doing air acrobatics at the feeder, and it feels like all is right with the world — only I know for some people, it isn’t. Thank you for sharing the happiness of “the little moment” — when, no matter what our day is like, we know that when we click on your blog — we’ll have a few moments of pure happiness.
JoAnne
The words, the colors, the fabrics and paintings … all make the stress melt away. Thank you.
Oh how I love all this delightful feast for the eyes & soul! Quilts & dishes truly make a home sing with comfort & delight…thank you for all your inspiration! Cynthia
Happy Anniversary! I remember getting the Willard in the mail. It was always like getting a beautiful letter from a friend. It’s so much fun now to read the blog posts. We get to see the beautiful pictures of your home, your trips and the seasons changing. Thanks for letting me into your world and your beautiful perspective on life.
Are you sure Jack can’t be included?! He is sooo cute. Beautiful colors. Are you thinking of more fabric designs in the future? Please….
I received my Peter Rabbit mug last week and my daughter and I just love it. Thank you for bringing Emma pottery to us.
My pleasure . . . I was pretty sure everyone would love it as much as I do!
This post gave me goosebumps and inspired me all in one. I aways feel like I am having a conversation with you when I read your blog. Your words are just like your beautiful paintings. And maybe, just maybe Jack and Girl could send a lock of hair with the winning prize. :). I have my fingers crossed, your giveaways are always so amazing.
You make the world a better place, Susan. Happy anniversary!!!