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
Love love your blog,calendars,Kitty’s, everything..keep up the hard work.
Happy Anniversary Susan!!! All of your writings, books and blogs I think help make the world a better place! I only wish you still designed fabric. I didn’t discover you until after your designing days had ceased(it’s not too late to start again!). Thank you for your generous giveaway! Your pictures fill me with bliss!!!!!!
Continued thanks for your wonderful posts. They always brighten my day.
The quilting fabrics are wonderful – so cheerful and uplifting.
Mary
Happy Anniversary Susan. Oh how I love the island. My father was born there and altho we don’t live there, I love my visits. Your work is such a wonderful reflection of all that is good and beautiful. Would love to be a winner. Thanks for the opportunity. Betsy
Happy anniversary! I love those quilts and I am so jealous because I can not sew or quilt but I can recommend books about quilters. Check out Jennifer Chiaverini’s quilters novels. By the way, I love your kitty cats!
Susan,
Susan thank you so much for everything. You have been a source of inspiration for me for many, many years. I remember the good old days when our Dear Willard was snail mailed…I saved them all. I still read them from time to time. How I love your blog, and as a blogger I totally agree…everytime you hit the “publish” button there’s a little nervousness that goes through your veins and then you say…I like it, my friends will too! Thank you for the chance to win such awesome prizes. I’m wishing you many more bloggy and FB years, and hoping that everyday and with every published work you know your “Girlfriends” are here with you, sitting with a cup of tea and getting all caught up on you and the kitties…oh and our Dear Joe too!!
P. S. I’ve been looking for “Peah Ci-da”, to try just to be able to say it just like that after the first sip. 🙂
K-bye
Thanks for all the cheerful, beautiful posts. I especially love hearing about and seeing your kitties and all their antics. Its almost like having our own cat! I would love to be in your drawing.
Your blog is like a breath of fresh air. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. I have not read your blog for a few weeks, my 92 year old mother in- law fell and broke C1 and C2 in her neck so we have been busy with that, but today I felt I needed to have your cheer me up (along with Jack and Girl). Thanks for the chance to win. Again love your blog keep it up
Take care Maxine! xoxo
Happy Anniversary! Celebrating is always such fun, and I had a great time reading through your blog posting! Thank you for the chance to win!
Reading your blog is a joy. I always feel lighter and happier. It is a gift to be able to take words alone and convey a feeling, a mood, a moment in time. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Susan,
What wonderful and generous giveaways you have selected. Even if I am not one of the lucky winners (congrats for the ones who are BTW) I am looking forward to seeing Autumn when it becomes available.
What a giveaway! This post was just beautiful. I’ve been following your blog from the beginning, and it is still the number one thing I look forward to seeing in my mailbox 🙂 Keep up the good work… Please!
What a lovely drawing! Count me in 🙂 I collect quilts too – just looking at them makes me happy! They make everything in the home just a little bit cozier 🙂
Dear Susan,
It has taken me this long to write to you, but today I feel a bit more inspired!
I “discovered” you for the first time in December, 2010, when I came upon your 2011 Calendar in a COSTCO in Mexico. I immediately decided that I’d love to share this with my Mom. Sadly, she passed away on December 11, 2010, and she never even got to see it. I kept the calendar on my bedroom wall during 2011; and I never found another one in Mexico again.– My Mom was such a fan of Gladys Taber, and she made it her “mission” to obtain her books. She only got seven, which I have inherited. Also, when you mentioned in your blog that you had contributed to some “ancient” issues of Country Living, I went through her vast collection, and sure enough, there they were!!! And, too, she was a lover, as am I, of all things Beatrix Potter. So you see, your blog, in a way, has been a link to
my Mom’s sweet memory, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this. — Sorry that this wasn’t very “brief”, but it’s very, very sincere.
Greetings from Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, in Mexico.
Sincerely grateful,
Yolanda*
That’s so nice to hear Yolanda, I love how you keep her memory alive! Love Mexico! xoxo
You are always welcome to visit whenever you’re in this neck of the woods!!! Yolanda*
Susan, YOU were the perfect blogger long before blogging began. Your books and your WILLARD where a taste of the delightfulness to come. From my very first discovery of your world, I was smitten and hugely inspired! Yay for your willingness to share. You are so generous, so positive. Thank you!
All of your stuff is so yummy. I love the cat.
Congratulations on your anniversary. I’m celebrating my 40th wedding anniversary today (June 8th). I was directed here by Linda Franz and what a wonderful blog you have. I love your fabrics, your pictures are beautiful and you’ve been added to my regular blog reading list. Thanks for such a wonderful give away.
Happy Anniversary Irene, and hello to Linda!
Love your blog, love you & all that you do! Thank you!!
I’ve been a fan of yours for years but somehow didn’t realize you had a blog until today. Sooooo glad I found you online and your beautiful artwork. It makes my heart swell!
Look at the number of comments!
Treese/Colorado Cowgirl
Sooo happy to read such a long and lovely blog… The prizes are awesome… But I have to tell you how much I love reading the comments- I shake my head in agreement- I laugh out loud- Every comment is so thought provoking… Your girl friends are just amazing…
Thank you- thank you- one and all
Love the creativity of these giveaways!
What a wonderful way to celebrate this anniversary! I’m crossing my fingers hard that my name gets picked but if not I sure hope one of these prizes goes to a girlfriend across the pond!
Happy Anniversary, Susan! I so enjoy reading your blog here in beautiful Colorado. Would love to see you in our neck of the woods sometime! I too have many colorful and treasured quilts from my family. We even sleep with them! I need to get them out of hiding display them more throughout our home. Thanks for the inspiration! xo
Susan, I just adore your work and I can’t believe I am just now finding your website…Thank you Linda Franz…How I would love the fabric…just what I am looking for to make Grandmother’s Garden. Thank you for being so generous.
Thank you for filling my Sunday morning with beauty and joy
What a wonderful anniversary post. I have been a huge fan of yours for many years and have so enjoyed your blog and getting a glimpse of your life through your words and photos. Blessings to you dear Susan for sharing all your blessings with your “girlfriends”.
Happy Anniversary ❤️ Hoping my name is drawn!!
Hi from England,I have been lucky enough to visit Marthas Vineyard twice,and reading your blog brings back some lovely memories,happy days !
Then it’s a fair exchange! Where are you Lynn?
Hi Susan,i live in Devon in the south west of England a beautiful part of the country,its lovely,but I love your part of the world too.I am so glad to have found your blog,may it long continue.Lynn.
What a magnificent, beautiful and generous group of gifties! I will be wishing on a star tonite…
What would we girlfriends do without you, dear Susan? Thank you over and over again for your blog and taking us on your magical journeys. Every morning, with great anticipation, I look for a new message from you. You are an inspiration each and every day.
I enjoy reading and looking at your creations.
Miss Susan, you are fabulous! So talented. So kind. So generous. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! I’m in live with those fabrics! Would love to start quilting with them right now!
Oh my goodness! This is the first time I’ve seen these fabrics and I just love them. I love the “old fabric” look. I can envision several projects from these beautiful fabrics. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work.
Jodie
I have just found your blog, thanks to Linda Franz, who I have followed for many years. The blog is really lovely and expressive, just the way I wish I could write one. I don’t often work with such soft, comforting colors, but you may have won me over. I am especially intrigued with the Martha’s Vineyard fabrics as my ancestors were among the first European settlers. Thank you for a wonderful addition to my Sunday afternoon.
I think Linda too! 🙂
I am new to your blog, but am definitely never going to miss one of your posts ever again! The gorgeous quilts make me wish I could see them in person – you have an absolutely gorgeous collection of them! The fabrics make me think of loads of new quilts to make, the dishes are gorgeous – oh, I could go on and on!
I feel like I’ve met a kindred spirit today! Thank you for all the fabulous inspiration!
Welcome Cathi!
How lovely your blog is and how lovely are all the sentiments it represents. Thanks for providing a basis for not only bringing people together, but allowing us to delight in sharing similar happy connections with quilts, pretty dishes, and the appreciation of creating a living space that reflects who one is.
Thanks so much…a happy recently retired reader of your blog, Maureen McCluney
Congratulations on your retirement Maureen! ♥
I am so delighted that you blog. Thanks
Congratulations Susan, on the anniversary of a wonderful blog, that I can’t wait to see the new post landing in my email ! Love your writing, and your beautiful pictures – especially “A Fine Romance” , since England is my birth country and holds such a special place in my heart……Your giveaways are fabulous, and I would be honored and tickled pink to win any one of them !! Thanks so much for an always enjoyable read, and a walk down memory lane……Love it !
The kitties just can’t be included because the blog would never be the same without their precious faces in the stories. But those give always can come right here to Phoenix and help with this horrific summer heat as I am in my art studio working on creative things!
Dear Susan,
First of all I love your kitty, so could never imagine that he would be part of any give away, but I would love to ‘borrow’ him just to see if his purr-sonality will rub off on me : )
Your work has always struck a chord with me (ALL of it) but only recently did I discover that you have a blog. Delightful break in my day-blog time and a cuppa with my favorite online friends. : )
If it never happens for me to do things from my own bucket list, visiting your website, reading your books, and enjoying your artwork will do nicely in the interim.
Blessings abound.
Just trying to be lucky . . . but know that we are ALL lucky to have you to fill our hearts and minds with so many beautiful thoughts, words, and drawings. Thank you, Susan.
Susan,
More than all your beautiful quilts, more than your fabulous dishes and even more than your inspirational words….I love following your blog because of your generous and joyful spirit! You always give the best of yourself and always with joy and love. Thanks for being the wonderful woman you are and sharing your life with us!
I also love old quilts.I am a teacher and when I retire that is the first thing I want to do is make a quilt . I have saved all my Laura Ashley dresses from the 80’s to make my quilt with.
l love you post! Happy Anniversary!
That is going to be gorgeous!
Hi, Susan! Wow, what a wonderful post, and congratulations! Fervently wishing you never ever retire from writing it! I’m a devoted follower of yours…I already have all of your books…yes, really. I started buying them when they were first published, so I have the originals, all well used! I love the painting, the recipes, the writing…all of it! I wish I had some of your fabrics to keep the books company! Here’s hoping…have a great summer, and thank you for all you do!
Not only do you have a Facebook club but there is also the “charter members” club of your blog and we have been with you since the beginning. I told everyone about how beautiful and informative your new blog was and hopefully sent many admirers. I am a quilter and love your fabrics – I bought some long ago and they have now been used up – any of your giveaways would be greatly loved, cherished and appreciated by me if only I could be so lucky as to win … fingers crossed this go around. Judy C
Fingers crossed for you Judy!
Happy Anniversary, Susan! Another heartwarming post. One of my long-held secret desires is to find a group and learn to quilt. I think the experience of creating something with other like-minded women, and getting to know them, would be so wonderful! Maybe, someday. By the way, I first came to know you through your AUTUMN book which I bought at a country store about 10 years ago. I love everything about that book; it exudes so much warmth. I, too, will be out in the garden today; everything is blooming and it just feels so good to be out among it all.. Much love
I found your blog today, thanks to Bonnie Hunter.. I have always loved your designs. I haven’t been quilting long enough to have been a able to use your fabric. I would love to have a chance. Thanks for this great contest.
Any chance you will have a new fabric line? Pretty please?
I’d love to!
Oh my! What a beautiful post. Thank you for reminding me of the connectedness of our worldwide community of kindred spirits! That is the greatest gift!!
Also, I LOVED seeing your quilts and other collections! It’s the beauty that draws us all to it and it does fill my heart with happiness. I totally could imagine jack getting in your pictures and you being forced to smother him in kisses bc of his cuteness 🙂
Blessings all!
Brenna
I am making aprons, tablecloths, and pillow cases this summer for gifts and entertaining, and your fabric collection has inspired me to use nostalgic prints. Thank you for this “sweet spot” in the blog world. ♥
Such a lovely post! I do enjoy reading your blog and looking at the love art and photography! thank you!
What a fabulous give-away! I would love to create with those fabrics!
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win some lovelies. Also, congratulations on your accomplishments, and your encouragement, to those of us who like to share our love for the “artsy” side of life.
Thank you for the warm fuzzies!
Thank you, Susan, for the warm fuzzies. Kiss the kitties for me!
Susan, your posts always put a huge smile on my face. The way you live your life just makes so many of us happy. You inspire me so often. I would be thrilled to win ANY of the give-aways you are currently offering. Your generosity is amazing! Thank you for who you are and for all that you do!
Your blog is one of my favorites! It just makes me feel so good & so inspired! I love your house decor, your art, & your everyday stories of homelife. I’ve bought and/or collected things of yours for years because you are one of my favorite illustrators & authors.
Thank you for such encouragements! And, thank you for the wonderful giveaways!
Blessings on my more years of blogging!
Thank you for your friendship and inspiration through all the years! Blessings and gratitude to you, Joe, and your staff. Here’s to many, many more years to come!
Ooooooooo I’ve got my fingers crossed to be 1 or 3!! What a generous celebration!
Happy Anniversary, Susan! I “rediscovered” you when a dear friend gifted me with “A Fine Romance”…I am on my umpteenth reading of it! My hubby and I have been to Ireland four times and your book brought back so many memories (different countries but same hedgerows and left-behind car parts!) We have four grandsons, five and under, no granddaughters, but my boys love their “teas”, gardening and cooking…thanks for all your inspiration…you are a day-brightener!
I am a quilter and I agree with you about the beautiful dish patterns – quilts and dishes go together and are very much alike! Happy Anniversary, Susan!
Greatly enjoyed reading your beautiful blog-post this morning. Thanks for the opportunity to win the lovely fat-quarter pack!
Oh, Yes! Oh, Yes! I would love to have some more of your fabric. I have a little stash I’ve been waiting for inspiration on. I could use a little more. I love the embroidered pillow cases with your fabric cuffs on them. Great idea.
You bring joy right into my home – especially grateful this week because I have lost my wonderful companion of twenty years – my lovely orange tabby cat, Indy.Smiling at Jack and Girl and all of the enchanting designs and homey settings give me hope. Thanks!
I’m SO sorry Linda! That’s just heartbreaking. Sending love and hugs to you.
Susan, your fabrics were the first ones purchased when I became a quilter. A precious few scraps remain of those six lovely fat quarters, threads really, but somehow there’s always a place for even the smallest piece.
My daughter just bought a 150 year old house in New Orleans. Can’t wait to give her door number 1, 2 or 3. (I’m dreaming and am therefore making it so.)
I look forward to your posts. They are beautifully written and adorned. I’m excited to be part of a drawing for your wonderful offers. The fabric bundle would be treasured, as would the calendar, and the quilt! Thank you for the inspiration you offer.
So much warmth and beauty! Here’s hoping! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!
Oh, how I’d love to win the fabric! It is just what I need today! Thank you for the lovely and big give-away and for the charming blog post that always makes my day.
Ginene
Dear Susan, sorry for my English. I write and follow you from Spain. You are a great inspiration for me. I admire your gene of joy, I wish I had it also. One of my passions is the patchwork and I love to be inventing new things, it is as if you enter another world that sometimes has to come my puppy Pipo or my husband and call me back. I try to capture in each job what I feel and reflect my affection, as that you passed to ti with such wonderful books with his drawings, his advice and love that we moved them all what you want. I also love Beatrix Potter, and I have to tell you that thanks to you, I knew your House. It continues this wonderful blog, do not abandon us ever, we love you and you need.A very strong hug.Maria of the Carmen.
Maria, I would never abandon you. This is so sweet, happy day in beautiful Spain! xoxo
I hope Joe has a 10 gallon hat in the back of the closet, because his signature beret ain’t gonna cut the mustard, to hold all these comments! What a happy day when I found “you” back when I bought your first book. It was on my lunch hour and I could hardly WAIT to get home that night and slide it out of the bookshop sack. Like everyone else who posted a comment here, I look at life like you do, sunny side up; boy, if WE ruled the world…..! Thanks so much for giving us the chance to win one of these splendid prizes. (P.S. My husband is French and we spend part of each year over here, and your Autumn book is here with me!) Have a wonderful day!
We have France and Spain right next to each other, so appropriate! Thank you Nancy!
Dear Susan,
I have loved your books and all your art for years! I would be over the moon if I would be lucky enough to win.
“The arts, quite simply, nourish the soul. They sustain, comfort, inspire. There is nothing like that exquisite moment when you first discover the beauty of connecting with others in celebration of larger ideals and shared wisdom.”
Gordon Gee
Thank you for creating your wonderful blogs and facebook pages. Your beautiful art and generosity of spirit gives us a wonderful connection to the world. Celebrate!
I absolutely love your blog and anything you add your art to Susan. Thank you for the give-away. From RAINY Oklahoma!
There is nothing quite so sweet as to bring a cuppa to the computer, open up your blog and read of a life gently lived and warmly shared. Thank you for all these years.
Your blogs always make me smile and relax a little. It makes me want to go through all my cupboards and take out my grandmother’s dishes and use them daily. And your photos of washing all your dishes and bowls made me (almost) want to wash all of mine.
Thank you for all the wonderful give-aways – fingers are crossed!
I enjoy your emails so much! From your home, to your travels, your cats, your receipes, your creativity – they inspire me. Your outlook on life makes this a better world. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Enjoy Stillmeadow and all its vibes, while I look forward to my upcoming ‘armchair visit’ with you as my guide … ~hugs~
Sharon in Alabama
Oh my, how can you let these beautiful things go? Especially the quilt made with your very own fabrics! Well, Lucky us is all I can say! Thank you for the chance to win such lovely things. If I won the fabric it would be made into lovely quilts toot sweet!
Dear Susan: Each time you post on your blog is like a gift to me. I just love reading them all! It is like a visit home with a very special friend. You do have a way to make each of us feel a part of your life and it is fun to share all of the special moments with you. This giveaway is just wonderful and here’s some extra luck for all that enter. Love the goodies you have picked out to give away and anyone would be thrilled to win.
I just love Jack!! He is one of a kind and a very special kitty. I don’t have any “inside” house cats anymore, but if I found one that looked like him, he’d be MINE!! What a sweetie!
Thanks so much!
Sue K
Hello Susan, What a wonderful give-away you have planned. I would love to win any of your wonderful gifts. They are lovely! Good luck to everyone!!! Give Jack and Girl Kitty a hug and kiss from me! And love goes out to you, Susan, you are a very loving and generous person! Thank-you!
Your friend from Michigan
Linda
Happy Anniversary to the best blog writer! All these giveaways are awesome!
I appreciate your sharing your art and your heart. I find that reading the blog and just looking at your art can relax me and let me breathe more deeply. I put a cup of tea in a pretty cup next to me at the computer and just sigh with delight. Thank you for being the talented and generous person you are.
I know you must be a good person also because of your love of cats!!! They only like good people. Thank you
Oh, ,I so know what you mean about the news being filled with so many awful things, yet as you say there really are so many good and caring people in this world, and so many simple pleasures. You write about many of them, and I enjoy reading your blogs about them. Just the other day I saw a butterfly sunning itself on my lilac bush and the image has stayed with me. Gorgeous.
Susan, every time I read your blog I love my house all over again. It isn’t a lovely house like yours (1950s rambler) and it isn’t on a beautiful island (Seattle suburbs) but you inspire me to make it our “cottage”. Your enthusiasm, cheerfulness and love of pretty colorful things give me so many ideas. Thank you!
Dear Susan,
I just have to thank you for filling my creative side with so much inspiration from all of your life’s passions. I hope you continue to do so for many more years to come, because I’m not ready to quit and I don’t think you are either!
I love everything about your blog. The colors, the scenery, the paintings, quilts, tea, your books, and most of all your sharing yourself with others. Thank you.
Hi Susan
Just a wonderful post, as always. Thank You So Much for sharing your world with everyone in the world. Many blessings to you…….and Joe & kitties!
Happy Anniversary! Yellow is my favorite color
I just discovered you today! What a lovely spot for inspiration and refreshment from everyday worries. I am happy to have found this beautiful piece of the universe! Thank you!
Happy Anniversary! I just love all the things you do. Hope many more to come!
susan…
thank you once again for my morning’s inspiration:) the birds are singing outside my window, my coffee cup is beside me and my heart is full as i once again take in your fun comments and great photos! real eye candy! thank you for sharing your ideas, your life and your generous spirit…we all would love to be “winners” – “pick me! pick me!” i hear myself wishing!!! – but opening your blog really is a prize in itself. thank you for taking the time to put it all together and for sending it across the skies for these past years…we LOVE it!
congratulations!
xo
Happy Anniversary! And what wonderful giveaways! My husband and I were in the cape last week. We rode bikes on the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth and noticed Martha’s Vineyard across the water. As I was riding, I wished I was riding by your house so I could see your cute kitties peering out the window!
You would too! Especially Jack!
Dearest kindred spirit of us all!
Happy Anniversary! It’s not just yours with us, it’s ours with you:)
Your writing, wonderful photography and heart warming art brings us all back to a kinder, more gentle and slower time.
You also remind us that we can make this beauty in our homes, gardens and lives by paying attention to the many blessings God bestows upon us.
You are a gift and a blessing. Thank you for bringing a bit more beauty into the lives of your friends.
Janet
Happy Anniversary! Reading your blog, seeing the images, vicariously enjoying all your adventures is a gift. Thanks,too, for the wonderful giveaways. Here’s hoping I win something!
I love COLOR and this post is full of wonderful, fun color!
And, the quilts and fabric – WOW! I have been on quite a long hiatus from my quilt-making, so the amazing quilts and fabric is pure inspiration to return in quick order.
Since we raise lambs on our farm in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and I am currently bottle-feeding two darlings, I am really fond of the bouncing lamb fabric.
Ideas are filling my head while I am keeping fingers crossed – in any case, Susan, thanks for sharing your art, your home, and your heart!
Susan,
Happy Anniversaries ! Time seems to fly by! Here’s to wishing you many more anniversaries in the future! God bless.
I adore everything you produce, Susan. Your art makes me so happy!
Love the blog. Really enjoyed the England book. Makes me want to go back.
Happy Anniversary to your blog and FOSB Facebook page! June is a very good month. My Hubby and I just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary yesterday! Hard to believe it’s been That long! But then, we were very young when we got married! (I was a child bride! Ha!) We are celebrating on the Washington coast, with long walks on the beach, flying kites, etc.
Love, Love, Love all your give-a-ways! What Beautiful photos! Of course, would absolutely Love to be one of the winners, too! However, I don’t sew anymore, so would rather win the pre-made quilt! 🙂 But I won’t be choosey!
Please be sure to share all about your visit to the Gladys Taber event and don’t forget to take lots of photos, too! (Pretty please! For those of us who couldn’t make it!)
Enjoy your summer!
Blessings,
Laura
P.S. I was So Delighted when you announced you were starting a blog! I feel like I’ve come to know you as a friend, even though we’ve never met. You’re posts are so personal and warm and friendly, as if you know all of us personally. Just want to say “Thank-you” for all the time and effort you put into it!
P. S.S. One more thing! Just had to tell you, while here at the ocean, I took my very first water color painting class!! Never thought I could do it, as I never took art classes in school and can’t draw very well. However, I’ve had a yearning to try water color lately, so I’m taking the plunge! Talk about a late bloomer!! Wish me luck!
I do! Good luck! And have fun!
Happy Anniversary Laura!