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
What an exciting giveaway! Always such an inspiration, and now, these special treasures! So many possibilities to consider!! How to spread joy and smiles as far as possible…that is the question. My great-aunt was wonderful at this. She crocheted so many blankets and shared them with family and friends near and far. Her legacy survives to this day as many of us still snuggle up with her blankets on cold winter nights. Oh how enjoyable it is to think about all of the beautiful creations we could make with these beautiful fabrics that could be shared with family and friends near and far! Thank you for inspiring all of us to dream up the possibilities with this giveaway! The dreams of creating make the anticipation so much fun!! Happy anniversary, Susan!
Everything that you show to us makes me happy, the colors are absolutely wonderful. It all makes me smile. My goal is to have a home as fun and colorful as yours, thank you for sharing your life with us.
Yes it is true. Time flies when you’re having fun. Thanks for the blogs Susan.
Happy Anniversary my dear Susan, thank you so much for all you do for us! You bring such joy to my inbox!!!
I too found my passion for textiles, color, texture and design and later many other forms of art, in the early 1960’s, wrapped in and studying the 1930’s handmade quilts on my Grandmother’s beds. This passion has carried me on a lifelong journey I could never have imagined. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us so openly!
Take care…
Happy Anniversary!! I really enjoy reading your blog.
Happy Anniversary! I really enjoy reading your blog.
Well, we’re roasting here in the valley but always ready for inspiration. I was recently invited by my wonderfully talented quilting neighbor to a luncheon/fashion show of a Fresno fiber arts organization. Boy, did I get inspired. These ladies seem to specialize in making incredibly special things from next to nothing! They do beautiful work and recycle so many things. The ladies who came before us all would be proud the traditions ARE continuing! Thanks for the post. I am starting to think “Christmas”!
Wonderful blog post! I am only just discovering the joys of 1930’s fabric, love the cheerful colours
Happy Anniversary Susan, thank you for all the lovely creations you do. I love all you artwork in it’s many firms. I especially like it in the cookbooks and fiber form. The fabrics and embroidery are so lovely.
Judy
Happy Anniversary, I’ve read every one of your wonderful BLOGS – thank you Susan – you brighten my day and give me ideas to make my heart flutter!
Sincerely,
Dixie Gladstone
I absolutely love your fAbric! I hope you design more! I’m a quilter and loved your post with the quilts!!
Good morning Susan and Happy Anniversary, hello girlfriends and Happy Anniversary to you all. been busy with our newest hatchlings, 2 baby ducks (blue Swedish) the second one arrived at 10:14 am pdt this morning and the first arrived yesterday afternoon at some time, we have 2 more eggs hatching and we are just loving every second of this, they are both so cute and so fuzzy, they should be ready for swimming in about 19-20 days. just popped in to say hello and wosh you all Happy Anniversary and many more. hugs….. 🙂
Happy new babies Pat!
thank you Susan, we have 2 more eggs to hatch out,can’t wait. by the way is that Jack sticking his little pink tongue out at us??? 🙂
Only in deep admiration and gratitude!
he’s adorable as always.
Happy Anniversary Susan!
We’re all looking forward to celebrating many, many more together. Thank you for always sharing your gifts with us, the tangible and the ones we cannot see or touch, only feel with our hearts.
With gratitude, Carol
It is so warming to read your blog on this very wet & gloomy day! New calenders AND lovely fabrics make my heart beat faster!! Always loved old fabrics & those type of dishware. Thanks for the time I have spent enjoying your art & this blog! Thanks for being such a generous spirit to share your goodies & give us hope. Cheers to uplifting words everytime. Good luck all you Girlfriends, too.
Oh how I loved your tea party fabric. I still have some of it in my stash. Such lovely colors. It was so much fun to go to your store in Arroyo Grande. Thank you for sharing through your blog.
These quilts are wonderful. Remind me of a quilt my grandmother made me when I graduated from High School in 1970! The tiny hand stitching brings back a lot of memories to me of watching her quilt and giving a homemade quilt to each of her grandchildren at graduation. Thanks for sharing and bringing back wonderful memories to me!
Very sad that your fabrics are no longer available.
I am so glad that I found your blog. I have been a fan for a long time. Your thoughts and pictures are cozy and comforting as well as really good to look at.
I have a wonderful quilt that was made by my grandmother. It is tulips that are made from scraps of my Mother’s dresses when she was a little girl. I just love it.
Growing up in OH, I had just one grandparent survive long enough to know, my maternal granny, “Gladys”. Perhaps the similarity of names drew me to Gladys Taber’s books, or maybe it was her wonderful wit? I was hooked when her charming stories wrapped around my heart, just like a warm quilt!
“Perhaps, after all, our best thoughts come when we are alone. It is good to listen, not to voices but to the wind blowing, to the brook running cool over polished stones, to bees drowsy with the weight of pollen. If we attend to the music of the earth, we reach serenity. And then, in some unexplained way, we share it with others. ~Gladys Taber
Bless you, Susan, for sharing your “happy genes” with us! 😉
May there be many, many more Martha’s Vineyard tales!
Happy Trails to You!
Bunny XO
Thanks for that Bunny! Yes, wit and wisdom of that woman, perfect, just right and just enough.
Hello Susan 🙂
Oh boy!! I have my fingers crossed! This is a big one! My kitty’s Lila and Luka would like me to thank you for the “Bird Song” musica…they are in heaven 🙂
hugs!
Lynn
Hola Susan Feliz Aniversario!!!!!!!!! Me encantan sua acuarelas ,yo me inspiro mucho viendolas y disfruto leyendo los blogs que escribe . Espero ansiosa otro nuevo libro.Felicitaciones xoxo
Wow! What fun giveaways! Can’t even decide which prize I would want to win. They are all amazing! Happy anniversary and thanks for the giveaways!
I’ve loved your drawings for a long time. Thanks for the give aways.
Your creativity inspires me to want to try my hand of some of these ideas. Love your artwork.!!!
Feliz Aniversario!!!!! Me encantan sus acuarelas ,yo me inspiro mirandolas. Espero ansiosa otro libro . Suerte
Muchas Gracias Mirta!
Your blog is just so inspiring. I am going to go in my craft room and find something to embroider right now and then I am going to get out my Autumn book and dream a little. Tell Vanna to do her exercises!!
What a beautiful post filled with oodles of glorious pictures and words. I am such a fabric lover that the old quilts and all your wonderfully designed fabrics are like manna for my soul. 🙂 How I wish “Tea Party” were still available…a couple of years ago I even tried tracking some of it down and had no luck. If I won that bundle, I’m sure I’d have it for a couple of years just sitting around so I could pet, fondle, and adore it; lol!!! Hope you’re having a fine weekend.
It could be your new kitty! 🙂
If you are still looking for SB fabric, I just found a good bit by going to:
Quiltshops.com and searching for Susan Branch.
Some of it was even on sale !
What cracked me up was someone on eBay offering some SB fabric for $40 per yard (when the retail price is about $10 per yard)
Thank you Susan, this is great — I just saw my tossed teapots for $5.29 a yard! That’s pretty darn good, I may have to go get some of it myself!
I love your blog, your style, your wonderful cookbooks and your art! Happy anniversary 🙂
I LOVE your blog, I’m reading ” A Fine Romance ” ( I’m going to England in August with quilter Bonnie Hunter ) and I have used your patterns and have bought all your fabric lines with which I have quilted .I’m so excited about this giveaway and ,of course , hope to win one they are all excellent and to my liking ! Happy blogging ,quilting and touring , Dolores P.S. Are you doing any more fabrics ?
What a FUN trip! I haven’t got a manufacturer just now, but I’m always open to suggestion!
Your blog is so relaxing to read and all your dishes and quilts are very pretty
patterns and colors.
Happy Anniversary Susan…thank you so much for sharing and being so
generous. You lift my spirits when I read your blog.
Oh Vanna, please pick me! Your blog is always a delight, a colorful explosion of fragrant flowers, hominess and hugs. Thank you. It has been a very busy and emotional past month for me. I was feeling tired and a little heart weary, but your blog is just like a cozy quilt for me. It is like a quilt you can curl up and snuggle in. I am sure you inspire and encourage all of your girlfriends. You are a lovely, talented woman. Thanks for sharing with all of us!!
Happy Anniversary Susan (and Joe, too)! Thank you for sharing your love of all things home-y and beautiful — especially the fabrics and dishes (sigh)! Your creative spirit is such an inspiration to us all…regardless of our age or circumstances. Bless you for creating a place where we can relax and be refreshed…and then head out to beautify our own spaces with a bit of what we’ve taken in from you. Girlfriend, indeed!
Thank you for your generosity in selecting giveaways. Your words about people being more alike than different is a good reminder.
Happy summer!
Happy Anniversary! Love the fabrics!
I have been a fan of all of your products and designs for so long. I have the original publishing of the Autumn book – it is well loved. I have used your rubber stamps and stickers, fabrics and patterns. I love your calendars every year. What an exciting give-away. Thank you for the opportunity to win some wonderful goodies. Hugs!
I have been having an affair. . . . .for 10 years at least. . . . with the 30’s reproduction fabrics and because all of the giveaways are so wonderful, I have to be a little greedy and want them ALL! Thank you so much for your beautiful artwork and for sharing your travels. I wish you many more wonderful anniversaries to come!
Hi Susan,
Happy Anniversary! Your blog puts so much happiness into my life and so many others! Color and beauty are so important in life! Is there any way you can reprint the beautiful fabrics ? I’m sure you have had this question before? I’m sure everyone would run out and buy them and be grateful to have a second chance . Sincerely, Julie
Ooh all the wonderful quilts you own!
I hope to be picked by Vanna to win the quilt with the Martha’s Vineyard collection of fabrics. It is just beautiful! I love the pattern so much.
Happy Anniversary Susan and may you have many, many more.
I love, love, love your Blog Susan Branch and your FB page too! Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful life stories with all of us “girlfriends” on-line. Your bright spirit brings so much joy into my world. Please enter me in this newest triple drawing and know that I have my fingers crossed. 😉
Hugs!
Joy xxo
Susan – I loved hearing Old Cape Cod on a recent blog. My daughters and I visited the area two summers ago. A wonderful trip. Enjoyed your visit to Grand Rapids Michigan.. Your quilts make a wonderful summer garden of colors.
Yesterday’s blog was fantastic! The flowers, the quilt fabrics, the vintage dishes, and Jack’s pictures. He is such a photogenic cat, I don’t know how much longer I can keep from looking for one just like him! Happy Anniversary and keep right on inspiring us!
I first checked in with your blog the summer of the Queens Diamond Jubilee. It was so much fun to travel with you! Been following you ever since then and have always been inspired by your art, photos and of course your words. Thank you for making yourself so available!
Happy Anniversary, Susan! Please put me on your happy list! Me like anything Susan Branch……which brings me to your Autumn book, first edition…..I have searched high and low…for my copy…..must have gifted it many moons ago…..silly girl that I am, I probably just thought I’d purchase another one…..well, blah, blah, blah…..senior moment kicked in and NOT…..spent years and I mean years looking for your Autumn book everywhere…..used book stores…library gift stores….thrift stores…etc…NOTHING….(no, I did not think of Amazon….that would require logic…be nice)…anyway, Autumn must have been a GREAT book….no one has disposed of it…..so be sure to save me a copy!…Regarding, quilting… your fabrics weren’t availabe when I began quilting, at least I wasn’t aware of your wonderful fabrics, will you ever re-issue them?….Please consider it…..So, dear Susan, thank you for your gifts over the years and sharing yourself with us….it is a true pleasure……
Oh!! Happy anniversary and many more! And thank you for sharing YOU with all of us! My day is that much brighter when I see there is a Susan Branch email for me to read!
I keep purchasing your Fine Romance book, but have given it away TWICE . . . to a deserving mother-in-law and then to a beloved mother . . . but, oh how I need to go out and buy ANOTHER one just for me! 🙂
Love your home, your fabrics, your quilts, your kitties, your kitchen, your ART . . . well, you get the picture 😉 Happy anniversary again!!
Carol in Broken Arrow
I loved reading your blog and visiting your web site. I also enjoy collecting vintage linens and repurposing them.
I have, along with my twin sister, Patty been fans it seems like forever. The blog keeps us informed of all tje new “things” you create. Now we can anticipate your creativity. Thanks for being ” kindred” spirits with us
I love old quilts too! I was fortunate enough to inherit old quilts my grandmother and great grandmother made. Thank you for this post! Awesome!
Love the sense of peace and optimism your blog gives me. And love the hearts and flowers quilt. It’s gorgeous!
Susan,
Sooo excited to read your blog today and find the link to Crabapple Hill Studio. I have been looking for embroidery patterns for my 93 year old mom. She does needle work on pillowcases, towels, dresser tops and aprons. When she finishes a project it becomes a gift to young couples getting married or family members celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. Most people have no idea of the hours of loving work she puts into each item but her giving heart and busy hands delight that she is able to enjoy her craft. Appreciate your willingness to consistently share your finds and your life with us gals.
How wonderful — I know she will love those designs!
Happy anniversary and many thanks for sharing your world. I always look forward to your posts!
Happy Anniversary! I so love your blog. I found it about 6 months after you began posting. I went back and read every post at that time. Heaven!!:-).
We are now in Montana on our way to West Glacier and Glacier National Park for the summer. My trusty sewing machine is with us. I am a new quilter and would so love to win those tea time fat quarters and the yellow honey bee fabric!!!!! I promise to make a quilt out of that delicious fabric if Vanna selects me!! 🙂
So glad you are publishing the Autumn book again! It’s one of my favorites. I may need to purchase a new copy (with the ribbon!) as my cocker spaniel, Sally, has sadly chewed the hardback cover off of mine. Luckily, the contents are okay. Just finished reading your Summer book recently and have been marking all the yummy goodies I plan to make.
I am always so drawn to your artwork, Susan. Thanks for sharing some of the sources of your creativity. You bring a such a sense of ambience, such joy, into my life!!
Hope you and Joe have a delicious summer on the Vineyard!!!!!
Hug Sally for me! Have fun Susan!
Thank you for helping us focus on all the good little bits and pieces of life that would have gone unnoticed without your observations….you’ve shown us how to appreciate the beauty of the ordinary, everyday life!
Happy Anniversary Susan! It has been a pure joy to read your blog. I just happened upon it a couple of years ago and look forward to hearing about all your adventures when they are posted. Hope to visit your Marthas Vinyard one of these days and just walk by your beautiful home. Hope to be a winner this time of one of the beautiful treasures your parting with. But if not this time, I feel we are all winners just to able to be a small part of your world. Thanks again for all your hard work!
Hi, Susan! Happy anniversary and thank you for this fabulous give-away! I’m keeping my fingers crossed (which is not easy to do while you’re typing!).
Hi Susan,
I can’t find my first comment, perhaps something ‘s gone wrong. So I’ll try again. Happy anniversary! I Hope to read many more of your beautiful blogs! Love those quilt, and fabrics! Keeping my fingers crossed…
Lots of love from the Netherlands!
xoxox Willemien
It’s here Willemien, I said hello, but that’s OK, I can say hello again!
Beautiful fabrics. My Mom was a quilter and these quilts remind me of home with quilts everywhere. Unfortunately the nut fell too far from the tree and skipped me, but is resurfacing in my granddaughter – yeah!! Great pictures and great blog.
It is Sunday evening here in Oxfordshire- so good evening to you Susan!
A wonderful eclectic mix of fabrics and china- vibrant and comforting.
Thank you for your words, your pictures and those just perfect quotations.
Rose
Happy Anniversary Susan, and thank you for such a wonderful blog that has enriched my life and many others, as is evident here with all the comments. What is it about quilts? If we’re fortunate enough to have a few in our homes, they probably have many old memories attached to them. I have a few, some my grandmother made, or my mom; most are worn from lots of use. When I was growing up Mom layered them on the beds to keep us warm at night in the winter. I’ve never made one myself, but I admire the work and time it took to do so. Thanks for the wonderful giveaways here, they’re all great!
Happy Anniversary, and many many more! My heart leaps with joy every time I see your blog in my in-box! You are an inspiration to me.
Yesterday, my husband, some friends, and I went to the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, NY. You would have loved it! Lots of linens. 🙂
Love,
Terry
I have always wanted to go to that!
Enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon after a busy weekend of gardening. I was excited to hear about your new drawings. Sorting through my books this week, I found my paper “Willards”…so glad I held on to them, they take me back in time.
My daughter and I have enjoyed reading “A fine romance” and comparing notes on our separate trips to England. It really brings back wonderful memories. Enjoy the day, Susan.
Happy anniversary! I love your collection of quilts. I had an lol moment when I saw your cats sleeping on the quilts. It reminded me of when I quilted, my cat would always sleep right next to where I was quilting. She was the supervisor. I told everybody we both made the quilts. I have enjoyed your blog.
Hi Susan! I just wanted to drop a line and say how much I love your artwork! I have grown up with your calendars, books, fabric, and cards… And now that I am away at college, I can still get my “Susan Branch” fix with the blog! Wednesdays have now become my favorite day of the week (as you seem to post a lot on Wednesdays) and I love sitting down with my cup of tea, soft music and now a warm breeze blowing, to enjoy a little bit of dainty, girly time. Thank you so much for the wonderful influence you have had so far and I cant wait to see what is in store for you next!
What a great blog post. I’m sitting here pouring over ever word and picture as it gets ready to pour down rain outside. We’ve had a stormy weekend here in Arkansas, but I’ve stayed safe and dry indoors reading your blog and watching it rain.
I truly love this blog all your books ,patterns and fabrics too! And I’m hoping that you will do more fabrics .
Love the “fat quarters” and wish the tea party fabrics were still available. I’ve forwarded your posting after your NYC trip to my cousin (we go in and out of the city on the train several times a year) so we can plan a trip to ABC Home. I hope you have some arrangement (maybe a free asparagus/pasta tong or two?) with them as your pictures from there would make anyone want to make the trip. I look forward to a desk calendar for 2015 – my desk is naked without it.
NO, LOL, no arrangement! But I know you’ll love it!
Happy anniversary. I sure wouldn’t mind winning the fabrics! I have been very busy lately getting back into quilting, especially using Inklingo, which makes things soooo much easier!!
I’m so happy to have found your blog! I love all that you do! Reading your blog is a welcome moment of peace each time. Cheers to all your creativity!
Happy blog anniversary!! My mom LOVES your fabric (and has gone to great lengths to find discontinued patterns!) and it would be so exciting to win some for her! 🙂
Susan- Just reading your blog and enjoying the photos of the luscious fabrics lifts my spirits. Happy Anniversary!
Your blog is one of my new favorites. A delight to read and to the photos are stunning. I would be delighted to win any of these lovely give-aways.
Your post today was beautiful. I’m sure all the girlfriends are excited about the giveaways but I love the first part when you talk about how we all love blue tablecloths, picnics, etc. How appropriate today, Pentecost Sunday. I wish you many more years with your lovely blog and I wish all girlfriends a beautiful and joyous day!
Hi Susan,
My mom loved Gladys Tabor and her Still Meadow column in Woman’s Day.
Were she alive today Mom would be 114! I adore your choices of fabric. When I was little Mom made some of my dresses from feed sacks. (We had chickens). They were sewn on an old treadle sewing machine. Anyway, love your blog and your books too. Have a wonderful summer on Marthas Vineyard. Happy Anniversary!!!
Dorothy
A Very Happy Anniversary to You!!
I haven’t been here from the beginning (wish I had!), but I am busily getting caught up with this wonderful place every chance I get. Love, love, LOVE that “Hearts and Flowers” quilt behind door #3!
Fabric and calendars and quilts – oh my! Such luscious and generous offerings. And such a sweet deal on books. Can’t wait to get a copy of Autumn. Happy Anniversary to us. 🙂
I’m so excited! The chance to get some Susan Branch fabric, WOW! Sign me up. I have to tell you and the girls about a wonderful Saturday PBS special about the history of quilts. I’m addicted and it’s so interesting that even my husband likes to watch it. I think it’s a 9 part series out of Kentucky, so girls will have to check with local PBS. Congrats to you Susan for encouraging our interest not just “The Finer Things in Life” but for bringing our awareness back from the screaming negativity of this complex world we live in, to a much more wholesome and mentally-healthy focus on the beauty of life right under our nose! From the beautiful crystal, china, finely created hand work, and customs that have helped us to share our love with our loved-ones. Bless you with more people to find you in your books and blog and many more wonderful things in your life!
I love reading your blog 🙂
Congratulations on the success of your blog! Reading your joyful postings is better than a glass of wine at the end of the work day. Reading about Jack was one of the factors that led me to adopt old Pete–a 15 pound mound of white fluff.
Wishing you health, happiness, and peace!
Dear Susan
Getting your little letters in my e-mail box always makes me smile!
Thank you so much for the time you spend putting this out for all of us to enjoy.
You truly feel like a friend chatting with us all.
I have been savoring reading your latest book “A Fine Romance”. You have transported us all with you to a place I have all ways dreamed of going! I told hubby we are starting to save for our dream trip and that we definitely must try to get there by cruising!
Thank you for your generous spirit of giving, wow I love the colors you choose and put together for the give-aways. It is amazing hearing what inspires other people who are so creative! You have truly inspired me to not be afraid to be creative in life!
Happy Anniversary!!
As always, loved your blog–and a peek at your wonderful quilts! I have a treasured one that I got for $12.00–such a deal!
YOUR AUTUMN BOOK: You have the same price crossed out ($26.95) and the “discounted” price written as ($26.95). Think you didn’t mean to do that–just saying……
Hmmmm. You’re so right, I think that’s because it is our USUAL price??? I don’t know, LOL, because when the books are purchased, it’s 23.95 — and it says it there, but then at the end, that’s confusing. I sent it to Kellee to see what she had in mind. Thank you for pointing it out!
well susan how time as flown by….I have spent a lot of time reading your wonderful letters to all of us ……the girlfriends……..thanks for sharing with us…happy anniversary and many more….and thank you for the wonderful give aways
A very Happy Anniversary to both you and Joe. Just like you to gift us with something for YOUR anniversary. Being a quilter I would love to win the fabrics but will be delighted to win whatever “Vanna” chooses. Love receiving your “Letters from home” blogs. Always inspirational, colorful and fun. Thank you so much. Karen R.
Thank you so much for your blog…it’s a lovely part of my life. It’s so nice to know that there’s others out there that love the same things I do. When your books first came out my mother and sister and I would give them to each other for holidays so it was wonderful to find your blog. several years ago. I love my little house too and have found very special things on your site to add to my favorites… your tea and my red timer to name a few! Your quilts are beautiful. I too have been collecting over the years. And in honor of your talk at the Gladys Taber reunion I am reading one of her books for the millionth time 🙂 You both have been such an inspiration to me.
I guess I should have said “Blogaversary” But did have to include Joe as I know he makes it possible for you to pursue your dreams. Karen R.
He certainly does . . . His “retirement” from the Black Dog has been a very nice thing for me!
Yea, the bigger blotter calendar! I can’t wait to get one! I missed one this year! Oh my I did!
Happy Anniversary! What a luscious blog post…Yummy!!! Sigh….
I started reading your blog in 2013. It’s was a treasure to find (late bloomer). Your books never get old. My favorite tea towel purchase was make in USA by Fiddlers Elbow. It is Tea Time with blue tea pot and recipes around it. I love that when you fold it in half and hang, you can read it either way (it’s not upside down). It’s been one of my favorite kitchen accessory. Fading, but still beautiful….. You inspire me (an old soul) in so many ways Susan. Thank you and Happy Anniversary!
What beautiful quilts! Inspires me to get out the few I have and display them this summer. Thank you for your wonderful blog! Blessings on your anniversary!
Susan, the beginning of this blog entry about all of the girlfriends all over the world being alike made me tear up…it was so touching (and true!). Thank you for getting past the scary part and beginning your blog and Facebook page and sharing your spirit with us all. You are a delight and I love everything that you write about: quilts, flowers, old movies, pretty plates…everything! I am already the proud owner of a personally autographed copy of your Autumn book (my husband picked it for me in Burlington, VT when you first published it). Since Autumn is my personal favorite season, your book continues to inspire me each and every time I open it. So glad more girlfriends will have the opportunity to own one. Thank you for reminding us that there is so much more good in the world than what we hear about.
I love your blog! I discovered it a while back and have enjoyed every moment!! I look forward to catching up with you every Sunday.
Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy reading about your adventures, whether at home or on the road. I love the give-away items also. Here’s to many more years.
Whoooooh I’m comment 2079! That’s amazing! I am definitely not the first to wish you a Happy Anniversary but I’m definitely one of your first fans! Just started collecting old quilts a few years ago. I like to think of the loving hands that created those soft works of art and all the history behind them. Come to Kansas again and I’ll take you to a treasure trove of them!
I just love that the way you celebrate an Anniversary is to give something away. That is so you! Thank you for the inspiration through the display of your quilts and fabrics. I have some very coveted pieces of your fabric collection gathered together and tied with a ribbon just because the colors and patterns are so inspiring! Also love your sentiment about everyone in the world enjoying the same things: it is true! God put love and the search for joy in all our hearts and we are happy to share that with one another on your blog! Thank you again and again from my heart!
Oh my goodness! I think I might die if I ever won that fabric!!
I would love to win one of your drawing prizes. I love old quilts, too, and hope to get started on one of my own, now that I am retired! Keep sending sunshine out to all of us!
Oh my goodness!! So exciting! The fabric is amazing, and as a quilter it is my first hope for being drawn!! I quilt/piece quilts everyday, and never get tired of it. I love making my ideas into something tangible, and most of all I love giving my creations to people who I love, or those who need a bit of love.
This post, and all the photos are so inspiring! Thank you for all you do to make people happy & inspired.
You too Holly!
I’m 71 yrs. old, and the nostalgia exemplified by these fabrics and their creations are almost too much to take in. It evokes my life growing up on a Wisconsin farm, and learning to sew in 4-H, where fabrics often came from feed sacks, to be made into aprons, dish towels, clothes pin bags (no, we didn’t have an electric dryer), and other useful and comforting items. Happy anniversary, and thank you for a lovely trip down memory lane!
Nice to hear from you Sue!
Loved this post. It actually made me tear up a wee bit! 🙂 My Grandmother made me a quilt for a wedding present (52 years later this month) and she said to me, “Use it….don’t store it away”. And so I used it and it fell to pieces, literally this year. It was soft in pale colors and old-fashioned fabrics, stitched in a log cabin pattern. It was a comfort to wrap up in it and to sleep under it and though it is gone it is not forgotten. I have other quilts made by my Mother and one from my husband’s family, but this one was so special because it was made just for me by my wonderfully talented Grandmother. Oh! Don’t include me in the drawing for the quilt, because I have several handmade quilts and many others have none!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! Love your blog. Beautiful fabric and designs. Love it all.
Jan
Great giveaway. Pretty quilts.