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
Oh, how I love the way you celebrate an anniversary. I so look forward to reading your blog every day.
We are blessed! I am savoring the gratitude. ‘Happy hearts to all!
Pam
Happy Anniversary! Look forward to checking out your blog daily — always love seeing pictures of kitties: on quilts, refrigerators, windowsills, desktops, anywhere! Thanks for sharing your happiness and creativity with all of us.
Jackie
I’m so happy you started a blog. It is a very nice and much needed escape to a dreamland. When I need a lift, I come to the office early to get a dose of your serenity before my day begins. Thank you so much for that.
Wow what a post and three giveaways. Life is truly good. I am so glad that I found your blog when you first started and have been hooked ever since. The fabrics you designed a just gorgeous, but everything you do is gorgeous. Thank you Susan for making the world a much better place and sharing your life with all of us.
Happy Anniversary, Susan! As I always say, thanks so much for visiting cyberspace and spreading your inspiration so we can grasp at it. You’re a gem.
❤ Happy Anniversary ❤ Your blog is special in so many ways and makes my day each and every time I read it! “A Fine Romance” was an inspiration for myself and husband to take a trip to Britain. We are off to jolly ol’ England for a tour which includes visiting friends we made while on a Norwegian cruise back in 2011. It’s a small world… xx
Have fun Linda!
Congratulations on your anniversary. I look forward to reading your blog and also love collecting dishes and fabric. My cat likes to lay on my quilts too. Keep painting fun pictures for all of us to see.
Look so forward to reading your blog. We are kindred spirits with the same love for old china, quilts, linens, kitty cats. . . Thank you for inspiring me!
Good morning. I am sitting out in my garden having a lovely morning cup of tea and thought what better time to leave a comment. Our white peony popped out yesterday near the front porch to say hello and we still have some rhododendrons in bloom. The birds are singing and it looks like a grand day. Happy Anniversary!
I do not quite know what to say… I am speechless! Its not Wow or Double Wow but, Triple Wow. We will have to deem June 10 as the official International Day of all things Susan Branch. I was diplomatic and picked a day right in the middle 🙂 Your generosity and talent never cease to completely amaze me. Thank you for your gift of sharing. Congratulations on your anniversary of “reaching girlfriends everywhere days”
Yes, you are very diplomatic! 🙂 And I love it! thank you Amy!
Thank you so much for this wonderful BLOG & website. I am so very thankful that I found you so very many years ago in the country living magazines, where they had your hand written recipes. THEN I found one of your books at the school in one of those “SCHOOL ONLY””, turtle express book sales. It was on then! I have a copy of all your books & 2 copies of some. I do use them as gifts! Even my 14 year old daughter has given the “Girlfriends ” book to some of her friends when they moved away. THANK YOU for so much , adding joy & beauty to the lives of so MANY! God BLESS you & yours!
Oh my Goodness! I apparently was one of the first to read your celebratory blog–could have been the 4th response! But no, I just couldn’t stop the day to do it- so here I am among thousands, wishing you many years of happy communication for all of us and congratulating you on making so many things happen in your life. You and your family and all the Susan Branch folk who help make this happen are a bright spot in so many people’s days. Congratulations. Live long and prosper, dear Susan and Joe!
There is so-o-o much in this posting!!
First things first – Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!
Then – You are so right about the similarities we all share. The world would be a much better place if we would focus on the things we all have in common and just ignore the things that separate us. After all – as I used to tell my kindergarteners – “Different people like different things. The world would be a boring place if we were all alike”.
Have a wonderful week! I’m trying to get over my sadness about not being able to join the FOGT Reunion. I would love to be able to hear your presentation and join the tour of Stillmeadow, but. . .
Again – Have a wonderful week!! XOXO
So Boring. No tacos? No sushi? No croissant, Gazpacho, Parmigianino Reggiano, spring rolls, no Thai food, no ceviche, no udon noodles, none of those street hotdogs in Copenhagen with the toasted onions? HELP, call the police!
Love your blog, it’s just my cup of tea! Have also really enjoyed going back through your archives. I pick a few each day to revisit. Happy Anniversary!
Thank you for all you do. Have your books, & some of your older fabric that I’ve made a lap quilt out of. Love all your drawings. Thank you.
Dear Susan,
Do you know that you are a wonderful ambassador for your country ?. For me who love all things American, you and your blog are a priceless source of inspiration and knowledge. You talk about music, litterature, art, travels … and quilts. Here in France, it isn’t in our traditions to sew quilts and it was great to hear you talk about them.
You aren’t known in my country yet but you can be sure that none of my friends can say that they have never heard about you and your art !. Even if some of them don’t speak English, they appreciate your art.
What if you came to France, wrote a lovely book about your travel and made all of our girlfriends discover my beautiful country ?. I can’t dream of it !.
Thanks again, dear Susan, for being you.
I can dream of it too Sylvie! You are so sweet! Thank you for these nice words! Say “Bon apre midi” to your friends for me. (I had to look that up!)
I love the quilts! A great way to start my week, with a cup of tea and a leisurely reading of your blog. Happy Anniversary!
Susan, I love your blog and FOSB….I have been a fan of yours for a long time! Love those little fat quarters! Beautiful fabric!!!! Happy Anniversary!
I love your blog and books…and all of your giveaways are so wonderful and generous! Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with all of us! Happy Anniversary!!
Happy Blogiversary, Susan! I discovered your blog while you were on the ship traveling home from England and have been on board ever since. Even though I’ve had your calendars and cookbooks forever, your blog gives us Girlfriends a personal connection to you and I’m grateful for that. I often go back through the archives searching for recipes and tutorials you post. Is it possible, perhaps, to archive them separately somehow? Thank you for sharing your sweet life with us. Your giveaways are lovely gifts and I’m sure the winners will treasure them. Good luck, Girlfiends!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for writing such an inspirational blog. You always put a smile on my face after reading and I very often get that “itch” to start up the sewing or to fire up the oven. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have collected your books, calendars etc. for years and I love your beautiful giveaways. I have the handmade quilts from my great-Granny and Granny. I am so blessed. Sometimes I will sit and look at the stitches, not perfect, but made with lots of love. I can’t help from wondering “what” were they talking about as they were quilting or “what” was going on in their life at that time. I love the pastels in your design. Thank you Susan, you are an inspiration every day! 🙂
!!How fabulously exciting!!
I gratefully wish to be included in the drawing, as my buff-colored kitty, Latte, thinks she would also look lovely amidst all your glorious bounty!
Bless your kind and generous heart:).
I look forward to many more years of blog sharing (and calendars–I’m thrilled that the deskpad calendar is back)!
I love all the yellow in your #1 giveaway! The first time I was able to make any changes to my 1795 house, I painted the kitchen, living room and dining room walls a light, creamy yellow! It can make the dullest day bright and happy! And your Autumn Book coming out in October is perfect – my birthday is the 14th, but I claim the whole month for myself. Just a wonderful time of the year, and captured so wonderfully in your books! Thanks for making it available to us again! (My exclamation mark key always seems to get stuck when I write comments here!)
I understand!!! I had a yellow bedroom at one time, I woke up every day happy in that room!
Your quilts have inspired me….I am going to pull out those half-finished quilts shoved in the back of a closet and get working!!!!
Thanks!!!!
PS — I just noticed here in my own little library that I arrange my books with colorful covers and the little marble eggs/statues/trinkets on the same shelves to “coordinate” and, in some places, they look like your piles of quilts standing on end!
Happy Anniversary! Love your pattern for “Hearts and Flowers” It’s such a cheerful quilt. The colors are wonderful. I’m a quilter and know first hand the pleasure quilting gives. I especially like being able to give friends and family one of my quilts. It’s a great way to show how much you love them. Thanks for all your great blogs.
Love your blog…it’s color, creativity, eye candy and love all rolled up in one! I look forward to each new post.
I enjoyed seeing your quilt collection and I would sew love to win some of your beautiful fabric collection. Thank you for sharing your lovely life.
Thanks for your blogs. They really make my day. Loved your NYC pictures. The only time I have been there was a “hair raising” ride over the George Washington Bridge on a “Friday afternoon” due to a navigator error on our way to Cape Cod. It wasn’t me. I kept telling everyone the NYC skyline is getting closer. I didn’t remember this from our first trip to the Cape. I will have to admit I enjoyed seeing a glimpse of the city. After all, I wasn’t driving. I would like to return and explore the city. Maybe someday? Looking forward to your drawing as a love to sew. I am going to stop talking so I can go order your book. Thanks againg, Jayne
I love your blog, Susan! I grew up in New England and then married a military man. Though I’ve loved all the interesting places we’ve been over the past 30 years, a piece of my heart is firmly planted on Cape Cod. I went to Martha’s Vineyard on a senior class trip, and it was magical.
It kind of gets your heart doesn’t it Lisa?
Happy Anniversaries Susan!
You’ve been such a joy and inspiration since I stumbled across your blog. May you have many more anniversaries of “blog-love” to come!
Happy Anniversary to you!!!! This post is just homey/comfortable.
Hi Susan, Happy Anniversary! Lovely Giveaway Gifts! Thank you, Susan, for always being so encouraging. I truly appreciate your talent and creativity in your art, books and your blog—so enjoyable and happy!
Smiles, Deborah :o)
Happy Anniversary and thank you so much for being you and being such an inspiration to our kindred spirit sisterhood. My heart is truly touched everytime I log on to your website/blog. I get a little piece of you each time I do.
Thank you!
Happy Anniversary. What a great way to celebrate and thank you for taking some of your retired items and offering them as prizes. I know whoever wins will be so absolutely thrilled. I looked forward to your blogs and seeing what the cats are up too. Thanks again.
How generous you are!! I would dearly love to win any and all of the treasures you have chosen-including Girl Kitty or Jack-my Gary Dan (sounds like a serial killer doesn’t he!) would love to snuggle with them. I love your blog!
As a child, my three brothers and I would sometimes get to playing around in my granny’s large walk-in closet. She would always tell us not to bother her quilt. I would nervously glance over at the neatly folded red quilt to make sure it was safely in it’s place…my granny’s fabricated cotton treasure that meant so much to her. Because she called our attention to the quilt so many times, I knew that it was something very special, every stitch lovingly made by hand. I, now, am attracted to quilts like a moth to a flame. They are beautiful concoctions of fabric, art, and love. I’m so glad Granny taught me how to appreciate an old family heirloom.
Happy Anniversaries! This is fanastic. I loved your website even before the live blog. In my opinion, this is “the best on the world wide web”. Who can’t help but love fabric, old dishes and kitties? Have a great week.
You make my heart go pitter patter, thank you Terri, such a nice thing to say! But yes, with kitties as subject, fabric and old dishes, who doesn’t like that!?
What gloriosity! Love the look of those stacked quilts – so inviting and homey. I will most definitely be ordering the Autumn book! Happy Anniversary, Susan – so thankful for all things Susan Branch.
Love your quilts! And your fabrics. My Mom entered your quilt contest, in Arroyo, years ago. Was such a lovely day, sitting at the picnic tables, eating yummies, and talking quilts.
Oh how quilts make one feel, I have been buying old ones for years how special they are like old friends. If they could talk how interesting it would be!
Such wonderful, delightful eye-candy in your blogs! Just love everything. Really wish the fabric was still available since I’ve taken up quilting. Reading your blog is like a mini vacation…thank you!
I absolutely love your blog! I would be thrilled to win! Have a wonderful day!
Happy Anniversary and the best wishes for MANY more. Reading your blog and seeing your work cheers me in unmeasurable ways. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your gift with us all this way.
Susan,
Happy Anniversary on your blog! And thanks so much for starting it for all us. You bring so much sunshine and happiness into our lives through this little corner of the internet. You are an inspiration to everyone here. Love your quilts, and your cats and your home is so inviting and welcoming, just like you. I look so forward to receiving your news in my inbox. Just know I am going to be smiling and rereading and rereading, lol. Thanks for all you do and have a lovely day.
Oh, where do I begin? My first quilt, a wedding gift 40 years ago, lovingly made by my grandmother. I’ve still got the quilt and the husband, though both are a bit worn and tattered, but I treasure them both. Grandma made what seemed like a zillion quilts over her lifetime, “therapy” for the arthritis that crippled her hands, she said. But as the years have passed, along with her, my memories of her are forever linked to those quilts. She left me a Baker’s Dozen of baby quilts to give to my grandchildren, she said, so that I could wrap them in the same love and joy that I had brought to her. Six quilts have left the cedar chest and wrapped six precious gifts from God, linking her to them. I’ve never mastered the fine art of quilting, but someday maybe…..
And now I’m going straight over and order the “Autumn” and “A Fine Romance” books….the perfect wedding gift for my son and soon-to-be new daughter! Thank you, Susan, for wrapping all of us in your warmth and love!
Your grandmother makes me verklempt. ♥
Me too….she was, and still is, my daily inspiration!
I’m verklempt too! That your grandmother had the foresight to make little quilts for YOUR grandchildren…well, this really opened my heart wide! We all know that when we’re gone, we’re gone….but we can perhaps live on by purposely creating a tangible memory, for a future generation. Thanks for sharing – I will remember this lovely story.
This is the perfect idea. What a gift.
You amaze me!
I love that we girlfriends have a place to come to see and share such beautiful and wondrous things. Quilts, gardens, tea sets and recipes… it is as if we are sharing over the back fence on a summer day while hanging out the laundry. Thank you so much for creating such an inviting place for us to peek into your life!
I am looking forward to a girlfriends getaway to your neighborhood this summer. My traveling pals and I will be spending a few days on Martha’s Vineyard. I am so excited to experience some of your island sights and events first hand! I can’t decide what little “sussie” I should gift them with to commemorate our trip, a pink Girlfriend bead, or a blue Martha’s Vineyard bead… or even a black and white Jack bead for the cat lover in our group?
These are the tough questions we have to face. xoxo 🙂
Any of the three doors suits my fancy! Jack is so sweet I wish I could “squish” him sometime! I bought a box of old books at an estate sale last weekend and there was a treasure in it: “Gladys Taber’s Stillmeadow Cookbook”! I love reading cookbooks, so it’s on my stack now…waiting for me!
He already has to stand still for a good bit of squishing! Congratulations on the cookbook find!
My eyes tear up, my knees buckle, and I feel a little bit faint at the thought of possibly winning one of these lovely gifts. Your art and your thoughts are a continual source of inspiration to me. I never open your blog unless I have several LONG minutes to soak it all in. Thank you for all you do to make the world a more beautiful place.
Love,
Laura Lee
You’re right! Your fabrics are INSPIRATION!
Wonderful, wonderful giveaways. I am a quilter and a box maker so I know exactly what to do with fabric and paper, thank you.
Susan, I have enjoyed your books for years and I love the many sweet art works on all you do. The fabrics are the best as I would love to share with my granddaugters in making some creative linens. Thanks so much for sharing. I follow your blog daily hoping always to find a new post.
I love love love your books, your website, your recipes, your photos and your home! So inspiring, cozy and beautiful!
Happy Anniversary Everyone! I wish I could “like” many of the girlfriend comments! lol Thank you girlfriends, Jack, Girl, Joe and SUSAN for always lifting my spirits! This is the Happy Blog!
Me too… they need ‘Like’ buttons for the comments! Course I would have to click on them all!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!! Your blog is the next best thing to being right next to you in your daily activities…You do such interesting things and go to great places. The giveaways are awesome. Enjoy your GT weekend I’m on a mission looking for her books.
I’ve been a fan of yours from back when your first book came out. So happy to have your blog to read each day. It warms my heart and makes me feel like I’ve just had a cup of tea with an old friend. Thank you for all you put into it for us to share~
Happy Anniversary! I have enjoyed reading your blog and posts for years. I have all of your cookbooks almost. I believe my favorite is the Christmas Book (it was/is my first and is well love). Thank you so much for your continuing enthusiasm, love and joy for life and all that is beautiful and all that CAN be beautiful. I especially thank you for making me smile on really bad days when the “Fibromyalgia” kicks in. Love and Gentle Hugs! Cathy
Happy Anniversary! You bring such joy to everyone and greatly enrich our lives! I love how you take the time to personally respond that means a lot! Best wishes to you always!!!
Absolutely charming!!!
It’s always a pleasure to read your blog, and seeing Jack and Girl Kitty is a bonus! Beautiful quilts, adorable cats. You make my day, everyday! Thank you for bringing us into your world and making ours a bit nicer.
Love ALL of your blogs and beautiful photos of gardens, home, quilts, the kitties. Would love any of the giveaways, including Jack, which I know isn’t included.
Look forward to them all, whenever you have time to write.
Think Summer!
Here’s hoping! Thanks for the bright spot in my day! Jean
Happy Anniversary!! Your blog is such a treasure (you are such a treasure), and I always look forward to reading it.
Happy anniversary! The quilts and fabrics and calendars all warm the heart. Thank you for your sweet generosity to the girlfriends.
I think you capture the true essence of “home” the way I remember it as a child, especially in my grandmother’s home. Thank you for your talent, creativity and ability to keep those memories near and very dear. Do you know where I can buy your books in Canada?
Not really. We never know for sure where they might turn up, which is why we have them in our web store, so at least if all else fails, people can find them here. We do ship to Canada — I think you have to talk to [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ for shipping info.
I have found MOST of her books (past issues) in thrift shops. (Still hunting for the Autumn one!) Coles Book Stores has carried her product – I’ve seen the recipe binders. Costco has carried her books as well. This past autumn Costco also carried a lovely big package of notepads. Carlton cards usually sells her yearly calendar. Probably best to order Susan’s re-issue of Autumn direct. If you’re near the US/Canada border (like I am) have it shipped to the nearest US post-office or other mail carrier. It’s easy for me, I’m only about 20-25 minutes away. No problem bringing across a little bit of stuff, duty free.
Oh. My. Gosh. Look at all these entries. There’s not a snowball’s chance of winning, but I just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE those fabrics. I have a teeny bit of the bee (on of my favorite prints ever) that I’ve been hoarding — I used some of it in a quilt that had bee skeps. And the little lambies — oh how sad, I somehow missed that print — it’s adorable!!! Are you going to do another line of fabric any time soon??? Please oh Please???
I hope so, one of these days — I don’t have a manufacturer right now, been so busy with books and calendars, but if someone comes a’knocking, I’d love it.
Julie C. in boiling Sacramento again. I do not see my first comment – hope it wasn’t something I said! (ha) Probably not fair to make two comments but I want a chance to win a wonderful quilt or fabric! Jack is getting to be quite the celebrity as I read back through the thousands of posts. The photos of him are delightful. Thanks for always making me smile. Love your blog!
It’s OK, Vanna knows to choose only one from each person, she doesn’t look it, or act it sometimes, but she’s very smart. I always notice your name Julie! How could I not! Thank you!
cheers Susan! I’m so blessed and happy I found you, and FOSB. It truly has been, and is, a bright spot in my life, and I thank you for that! xox, sandy 🙂
Happy Anniversaries, Susan! Your giveaway is fantastic as always. And, I’m sure you must be right, there are more tea-drinking, flower-growing, music-loving, tender-hearted, soup-making, peace-loving kinds of people than one would think. After all, also Anne Shirley used to say: “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” Greetings from someone who “knows Joseph”! XOXO
Susan,
I’m sure this anniversary will lead to many more. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Happy Anniversary Susan,
Your art warms my heart. Your blog and books always makes me smile.
I look forward to your new books and calendars. I do stitch samplers and some of my inspiration comes from your wonderful quotes artwork.
Thank you so much.
Kindly
Pam
What a wonderful post, Happy Anniversary Susan Branch! I would be delighted to win any of these wonderful prize packages! You are always so good to your blog readers!
Happy Anniversary! I’m so glad you decided to blog. I’m so inspired after reading one that I get in my garden more and I want to start quilting every time I see a quilt on your blog. You are truly an inspiration of keeping the homemade in all of us girls. Thank you for taking the time to do it. And thank you Vanna for inspiring me to go to the gym. LOL
LOL! Vanna, what a gal!
Happy anniversary! Any photos with Jack in them makes me smile. I would love to receive any of your give-aways! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
Dear Susan,
Sylvie again. Like for Julie, I didn’t see my first comment …
I wanted to tell you that you are a wonderful ambassador for your country. For me who love all things American, you and your blog are a priceless source of inspiration and knowledge. You talk about music, litterature, art, travels … and quilts. Here in France, it isn’t in our traditions to sew quilts and it was great to hear you talk about them.
You aren’t known in my country yet but you can be sure that none of my friends can say that they have never heard about you. Even if some of them don’t speak English, they appreciate your art.
What if you came to France, wrote a lovely book about your travel and made all our girlfriends discover my beautiful country ?. I can’t dream of it !.
Thanks again, dear Susan, for being you.
I think the other one did come up, unless the gremlins got it, but taking no chances, this one will go up too. THANK YOU Sylvie, and you are a fabulous ambassador for your country too! I do love that idea! Hello to all your lovely girlfriends from me and all of mine!
Happy anniversary to your lovely blog! It is one of the few that I follow religiously, and I never fail to be charmed by your creativity, your genuine friendliness, and your love of all things beautiful – especially your cats! (My CoCo and Frosty would love to meet and “trill” a while with yours.) Your books have given me many hours of joy. May equal measures of pleasure and joy come back to you for all you share with us.
Fondly,
Janet
Happy Anniversary Susan! Love your blog <3 thank you for sharing som many wonderful things with us!!!
Oh my heavens – over almost 2,400 comments already! See how loved you are! Congratulations on your anniversary(ies). And such generous giveaways. Just the idea that I “might” win one makes shiver with delight. Thank you Susan for sharing you heart. You’re AWESOME. Yep, I said it. Awesome.
LOL Sherryl!
Happy Anniversary, Susan! We are all SO fortunate to have your blog in our lives. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you for another wonderful blog! AND Happy Anniversary!
I started a blog quite a while back, but I am sorry to say I did not keep it up well at all. I think I will try it again. I love your Autumn Book and am so happy for you that you will be publishing it again! WITH a ribbon – yay!
Went to the vineyard just over a week ago (you were in NYC) and had a wonderful time despite a rather rainy day and chilly temperatures. Loved the Waterside Mkt. and had lobster rolls on the beach in Menemsha! Lots of wonderful garden centers – had fun there too!
Excited to be part of your give-away!
Oh, it sounds like you saw all the good stuff!
This post was wonderful! I am just beginning to dip my toe into quilting so I know that any of the give-a-ways would be fabulous inspiration! Susan, your postings always make me think of my childhood and my Grandmas who quilted and knitted and crocheted and sewed and gardened and cooked and sang and danced. Only one baked…the other Grandma left the baking to Grandpa! I wish I would have asked them more questions and taken more pictures with them. I sure do miss them now!
Your generosity is amazing! Congratulations on your anniversary- I can’t imagine life without the blog :). It is like a visit with my bestest girlfriend.
Happy Anniversary Susan!
It is a Happy Anniversary. Your work has brought us joy, comfort and yes, adventures through the years. May God bless you and your work.
You are a treasure we, your friends and sisters in this life, cherish.
XOXO
Arlinda
Great blog. Happy anni
Happy Happy Anniversary! I discovered you, Susan, rather late and I am so thrilled that some of your earlier books will be re-printed. Can’t wait to get my hands on the “Autumn” one–and any of the others. Your art makes my heart happy! And, any of the “doors” would be great for whoever is lucky enough to be chosen! Hopefully, one of them may have my name on it! Happy June!
Great blog. Happy anniversary. Vanna has her work cut out for her.
Ha ha ha, she does! She’s going to need some mighty long arms for this one. She’s at the gym right now.
Happy Anniversary Susan! I have been enjoying your gorgeous artwork and trying out the recipes from your books for years. I love making your carrot cupcakes every Easter and they are now part of our family tradition. Thank you so much for sharing your inspirations on you blog….I can’t tell you how much I look forward to your next post. Your giveaways are so beautiful…as a quilter and a fan of yours it would be such a dream to win!
Hi Susan! I look forward to all of your “posts”, whether they contain a giveaway or not! You are so very generous, though. Thank you!
Already over 2400 comments! i’ve been following you and enjoying your work for almost 30 years. Autumn is the one book I don’t have and can’t wait to make that purchase and complete my collection. My Heart of the Home shows signs of use and love. I’m leaving this comment to say thank you for re printing Autumn and for making my days a bit brighter with your blog. Of course if I should be lucky enough to win a prize, it would be the cherry on top! So much fun to see your photos, esp of Jack and enjoy your artwork. Thanks Susan for starting the blog!
Happy anniversary of sharing beautiful things!
Hi Susan,
Happy anniversaries!! So, so, so glad you started the blog!! I absolutely love it! Such a feel good place to go! So many wonderful things to see! I am definitely going to order the Autumn book! Thank you for all your inspiration and all the things you share.
Dear
Susan, Greetings from Arroyo Grande !!!
Look forward to reading your blog! Never fails to brighten up the day. Bless you and Joe.
Happy Anniversary to us all, but mostly to you and your support team(Joe and the kitties of course). The quilts are drool worthy and I don’t know how you can bear to give up the one made with your fabrics. I would sure love to win, but if not I have an apron of your fabrics that I can content myself with. I made identical ones for myself, my daughter, and granddaughter. So cute!
Happy Anniversary, and thank you for such a wonderful blog!! I grew up in southern Rhode Island in a sleepy little sea-side town, and you bring me almost ‘home’ when I read your blog. It’s so nice to have a “taste” of New England again through you.
Susan,
Thanks for the joy you have shared with us on your blog. I always feel happier after reading each entry. I am amazed at the many designs you have created for so many venues; dishes, fabric, printed matter, art prints, books, jewelry and more. And then your divine recipes, yum! For lunch yesterday my daughter made Hot Milk Cake from your recipe to go along ice cream topped with fresh strawberries from our garden. One of my favorite tastes of the summer!
YUM!
I’m so glad I found your blog about a year ago. Love old quilts and dishes, too. Also flower gardens. Would L-O-V-E to win one of your give-aways!!
Your blogs have brought so much joy to so many readers. It is exciting to find what is new with each blog when I open my email. Love your art, your perspective on life and living with style ! I was lucky to see your home when I visited your island and that connection makes your entries extra special to me. Sorry I missed the drawing deadline ! Happy Blog Anniversary !
I just love all of your quilts. Would love winning one of your give aways.
Susan, I know we are truly “sisters!” We are the same young age, love gardening, books, beautiful quilts, fires in winter, FOGT, and life’s simple pleasures. thankyou for how you so sweetly share with us all, it inspires me and continues to remind me of the beauty and wonder of each special day we are given!
I just got home from holidays and there was your blog waiting to cheer me up. Leaving friends I may not see again made me sad but I cheered up when I read this column. Such a good thing to remember . Thanks for the smiles and memories