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
Hi Susan,
Happy Anniversary! I love your website and look forward to each new post you add to your blog. It is great to sit down and relax and enjoy your pictures, your home, your pets, recipes and on and on and on! I always know I will love whatever you love. Have a great summer.
Sincerely, Terri from Ohio
Happy Anniversary! Of course I have all your books, but I would love to have some fabric – I remember when it was first available and my funds were limited and I have always regretting not buying just a little bit. Thanks for the chance to win some. Terry
Happy Anniversary! I enjoy your blog so very much. Your beautiful pictures of your gardens are also an inspiration. Thanks
Carol
Are you sure you can’t include “The Jack”! Cutest kitty! #1 – Best Blog!
Love, love, love your blog, and what a treat to see so many beautiful quilts! Looking at them just makes me happy.. thank you!!
Good Monday Morning! By the time I opened your blog this morning there were already 2,489 comments logged. Whew! Guess you have to get up pretty early to get on your blog ! 🙂 You are really generous Susan—3 giveaways and your Autumn Book presale!! Wow!! Well, go ahead and sign me up for all 3 giveaways…that will be fun. And I will go into your webstore this week to preorder Autumn fahshow! 🙂 Hug! Hug! Have an awesome day! Sweet Sue
Happy Anniversary!
Hello Susan! Happy “Blog” Anniversary!!! Your blog is the best in the whole wide world!!!! Your world has inspired my world in trillions of ways!!! Please keep sending your sunshine out to all of us Girlfriends, because you truly are an angel sending constant positive daily doses of happiness to all who click on your blog!!!
Happy Anniversary Susan! So glad you started this blog. My big Sis is just arriving in London today with her darling hubby for a 3 week adventure. I gave her “A Fine Romance” to read before her trip and she is excited to see most everything you recommend. I hope we all get to share many more years of you, the kitties, Joe and glimpses of the cozy sweet life you live and create. ((Hugs)) to you.
Dear Susan, What wonderful gifts to celebrate a very Happy Anniversary! Thank you as always for your thoughtfulness.
I love your blog for many reasons, but mainly because you love all the same things that I do! Your charming watercolors and fabulous photos remind me to savor each and every pretty thing and greet each day with gratitude. Thanks for sharing!
What a great anniversary to celebrate! I love everything you do, keep on making us smile! It is a gift indeed!
Good Morning Susan,
Happy Anniversary! Love all the pictures of your quilts…they are beautiful!
It would be nice to win one for when the June gloom rolls into Long Beach Ca.
Keep on blogging – we all love it.
Happy Anniversary! What a lovely post, as usual. I love listening to your YouTube selections when I can as I read (but sometimes we have to be quiet, because we are in the library!). I have a WISH that you would put together a PLAYLIST of some of your favorite music, so that we could have it accompany us in one, long love song instead of little snippets here and there. Of course, the 11+ hour birdsong may be a bit too much for the playlist, but I’ve added that to my own favorites too and love to listen while I do my homework (I am a Library Information Technology student while I finish homeschooling my second daughter – our first graduated just last week!!!!) and will one day graduate myself to a new job in a library surrounded by people who love to read and learn and discover and FIND interesting treasures just as much as I do.
Blessings on your anniversary. And thanks for being YOU. 🙂
~ Nicole
Susan – Your Autumn book is my absolute favorite of all your books (true confession: I have two copies!). It is wonderful that it is being published again. I know your fans who have not seen it, will fall in love and want two copies of their own!
Please include me in your drawings! XOXO
Ramona
Hi Sue,
WOW – this is a big week for you and right in the middle of everything else you have going on. Good thing you are so full of energy – that, to me, is one of the most inspirational things about you! Hope you had fun with your girlfriends and I can’t wait for your next post.
Love,
Sue from Simi
Happy Anniversary Susan! I know that I look forward to your new post, as do all the Girlfriends. We are all part of a big family – at least part of your “branch.” Thank you!
I look forward to each of your blogs…interesting and beautiful!
Wow! You weren’t kidding..a long one but I enjoyed reading, looking every minute of it! Very inspiring too with all your quilts, colors, and creativity. Your calendars and books are such treasures. Congrtulations and thank you! I haven’t missed an entry on your blog….just hope you will put it all in a book someday. 🙂 always afraid it will disappear on the computer. So wanted to go to the Gladys Taber weekend, plans couldn’t be worked our though. Just know it will be a great time for all who attend…so wish I could have met that dear lady!
Have fun!
I hope to find her spirit there, in fact I’m pretty sure I will … her garden seems like the right place to start.
Wow! What a giveaway! Sign me up. I can’t wait for the new book. I enjoyed a Fine Romance so much.
I’m so jealous that you get to be at Stillmeadow next weekend! Jealous, but happy for you really. I will be there in spirit! Enjoy!
What fun I would have with any one of those goodies!! 🙂 Looking forward to Vanna working her magic!
Happy Anniversary to all the girlfriends out there !!
Congratulations and thank you for all the work you put into this! I started following along just over a year ago now, and it makes such a good contrast with the mainly news & politics sites I follow for my job. Yours is truly the loveliest, happiest blog around.
Happy anniversary!!! Love your blog and website. Thank you.
Oh, Susan! Such beauteous quilts, dishes and cats! I love reading your blogs! They are so inspiring!
Happy Anniversary, Susan! Thank you for all that you do to make the world a haven for domestic happiness!
Happy Anniversary- you have no idea how happy i am to be a part of your “girlfriends” gang……I get so excited to see your email waiting for me-
and when i open the blog- i have to read it – very slowly- so i don’t miss out
on anything……i just love it. thank you for making so many of us happy- and yes
i would love to win any one of the give a-ways…..but will wish everyone
Good Luck also.
thank you Susan- you make my day- everyday that i receive an email – that there is a NEW blog posted……have a wonderful day and fingers crossed on Vanna-pulling my name out of the hat.
I am always glad when I see a new post from you. You are right…the good things in life like birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, picnics and afternoon teas get little media attention they deserve, they need to be celebrated to the full measure! I’m so glad I found your blog where the goodness of life is a reason to celebrate. Thank you for celebrating your adventures with us. -r-
Celebrate!! Happy Anniversary Susan!! It is always so fun to read your blog and enjoy your creativity! Thanks for being a very bright spot in my day many times over! I enjoy all things Martha’s Vineyard and Susan Branch! Keep them coming!!
Oh, again and again….you make my heart sing! I made this blog post last a l–o–n–g time! I read a section, then turned off the computer so I could come back later. Well, I must admit I always scroll really fast to see any pictures of Jack and Girl but no reading until it’s time. Thank you Susan for this wonderful treat and the treasures you are willing to part with are over and beyond!! Love Ya, Girlfriend!!
Happy Anniversary! I love the joy and quiet beauty you bring to every day things. I can remember the day your Autumn book came out in bookstores. I was actually out of town, but made a special trip to a bookstore in the town I was in. I didn’t want to miss getting a copy – I was following you and your creativity back then. I have most all of the snail mail Williards; I can remember the excitement of getting a new one in the mail! I now check almost daily for a new blog post from you; it is like a mini vacation. Your creativity and joy for living is such an inspiration! Thank you!!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for making my day brighter with your fun blog. I am so happy you have reprinted/self published the Autumn book! I would love to win one of your lovely anniversary prizes! I love all the really cute kitty pics and lovely garden/home pics you post!
Congratulations on your wonderful blog. Your entries are such a visual treat!
What lovely give aways………..and I’m going home and pulling my stack of quilts out of the guest bedroom closet and figuring out where to put them so I can see them every day. Oh, and I can’t wait for the book!!
So excited!!!! Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looking at beautiful quilts with their lovely vintage patterns and colors is something that always makes me happy, but on this day (a gray and sunny-in-the afternoon-hopefully kind of Spring day – and a Monday morning) really elevated my spirits! Thank you for this beautiful post and the amazing photos.
I love the sweet baby lamb collection
Susan
WOW!!!!! What an anniversary celebration you are sending out to all of us whom you take on the most wonderful journeys! Happy Anniversary! Your quilts are amazing…fabrics and watercolors and of course gardening are my faves too and I love how you put it all together like a marvelous quilt ;)) So excited for your new book!!!XO
Happy Anniversary! I really enjoy reading your blog. Finding a new post is always a nice surprise – thanks for sharing with all of us!
Happy Anniversary Susan! Thank you for all the wonderful work you put into this beautiful blog! It is such a joy to read! 🙂
Susan, you have brought joy into our homes. And cars, I must say. Frequently I will say to my husband “my friend Susan said…”. That first happened on a road trip and he said “you don’t have a friend named Susan”. Well we are now planning a trip to England next summer and much of it will be inspired by A Fine Romance. Thank you dear friend!
LOL, you do too have a friend named Susan! Tell him! 🙂 Have a wonderful trip!
Susan – Happy Happy!!! And as usual, I love all the photos that help me “get lost” in your world even if it’s for a few minutes each day! 🙂 I do love the way you seem to capture all the different light on all the different items you take pictures of and post. This is what inspires me to put together my It’s just like the lotto “it could happen…I could be the winner!” Enjoy you’re day, I’ve got 4 more left here at school, then off for the summer! I am glad to be here at work today though, as it will be approximately 107 degrees (oh my!) here today in sunny and extremely hot ~ Central Valley, California – Ramona 🙂
Congratulations!!! I love everything about your site, your art, your photos, your stories (I have 2 kitties) – I feel like I’m taking a mini vacation everytime you show us around your travels. June is a special month for us since we celebrated 39 years this past Saturday. Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
Happy Anniversary Jeanne!
What a wonderful way to celebrate! So thoughtful, so generous, so you! Thank you for sharing the images of your beautiful quilt collection! I can absolutely see the influence the quilts have had on the color palette for your art work! Thank you for all of your hard work in publishing this blog! It is wonderful! Just jam-packed with great information, ideas, and inspiration! Thank you very much!
Happy Anniversary!! I think your blog is, as the saying goes, the best thing since sliced bread. I look for it daily and hate it when it goes too long without one – it always brightens my day! I can hardly wait for the next book – I’m still savoring the current one to make it last longer! You are my inspiration. I could move right into your house and be perfectly happy with (almost!) no changes. The best complement I get from a friend is that my house looks like Susan Branch! And the food – what can I say that hasn’t been said!
Thanks for being part of my life.
LOL — love the (almost)!
Happy Anniversary! You are always a bright light in my day! May you continue to shine for many years to come!
Sometimes I get discouraged to enter a freebie……they are so many comments and I wonder if you can hear me out there.
But I am a quilter and salivated at the sight of all those beautiful quilts and fabrics.
You are a gift and a inspiration. Thank you!
Course I can hear you 🙂 And it always seems to cheer people up when they realize how much better the chances are of winning this than winning the lottery! Thank you Margi!
Susan, Happy Anniversary. I love your blog. The fabric bundles remind me of a story about my son when he was 6 years old. His teacher asked everyone if they could bring in one fabric bundle for a special art project they were going to do. My son refused to go into a “girl store” the fabric shop so I went in and purchased his bundle. When he saw the beautiful bundle that I picked out he said “Did you have to get such girly colors” “Didn’t they have any black ones.” Out of the mouths of babes.
LOL Barbara!
Dear Susan,
Happy Anniversary, you took a leap of faith in creating this blog and it has blessed a lot of people. It came to me in a time in my life when I lost my husband and needed a friend and I am glad you call all your readers your friends. I just finished a quilt for a friend in New Mexico and it almost didn’t get to her because it wasn’t perfect. But, she is going to receive it because every stitch is put there with love. Thanks for brightening our days.
I love your blog, even if I don’t always comment. So many of them stay with me, in my heart, bringing comfort, encouragement, fun, and inspiration. And when I have to go out in the heat and cut the grass in a few minutes, I will think of the beautiful cotton fabrics that I love to look at in bolts, quilts, and aprons (you can’t have too many, and I often wear them as part of my outfit — well, except not at school), and yours are beautiful! It will help me get through a have-to chore, ^_^ As always, thank you so very much for sharing. I can’t wait, can’t WAIT to hear about the trip to Stillmeadow. What. A. DREAM! On another note, I remember the day I received your Autumn book. I came home from school and was overjoyed to find it had arrived. I took it out back with Linus, my beloved pibble, sat down and perused it page by page (and since he is a velcro dog, and sitting beside me while perusing the neighbors and cows is his favorite pastime, he was appreciative). I drank in every page, but will tell you that the book should fall open to the recipe for tomato soup every time. It’s a staple, especially with grilled cheese (we love using Muir Glen Fire Roasted!). I still love to take it out with me just to read. Which I might do later this evening out back to remind me that, beautiful summer that it is, I also know I will be reeaaaally looking forward to the late summer/fall transition when it’s early August and I’m counting the days until the heat and humidity begin to wane. Hope you have a wonderful June day on your beautiful island!
You always make me smile have saved every blog and look back often barb
I love your blog. I am handicapped and don’t seem to be able to get out to SEE for myself these beautiful things. We have a love for the same items and seeing what you post just warms my heart and makes me smile. Keep up the GREAT work. I just love you and your *stuff*.
Then that’s another reason I love having a blog! xoxo
Happy Anniversary with lots of hugs being sent to you Susan. I so enjoy your blog, recipes, and all of the beautiful color which comes from your creativity through your skilled finger tips. Your artwork is wonderful and inspiring. Your garden flowers are just lovely. You help to remind us that it is the “little things” that are the most enjoyable in life. Thank you for yet another amazing give away opportunity. You are most generous. Sincerely, Debbie
There will be some lucky winners with those lovely giveaways! Maybe I will be one of the lucky ones!! I admire your quilt collection so much….thank you for sharing it!
Oh my goodness…I am overwhelmed with beauty with your Anniversary Giveaway’s! Thank you once again for your great blog…Love reading about your adventures on Martha’s Vineyard and away from home… I told my husband that Martha’s Vineyard and surrounding area’s are in on my bucket list of things to see…he said if I go to visit I may not want to come home! Well I guess that is a risk we need to take…haha!
Happy Anniversary to you!
Chris S.
It’s a serious risk! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your anniversary with us! We celebrate you, Susan. We are all winners because we get to receive your blog and facebook posts. How sweet of you to offer this triple treat of treasures. Thank you for taking us with you to England, for inspiring our days, and sharing your and Joe’s lives (and the kitties) with us. Blessings!
Happy Anniversary! I love the ”Hearts and Flowers” quilt. I’m not a quilter myself but would be tempted to try my hand at making one that looks like that. It reminds me of looking at happy little pansy faces 🙂 I loved the sneak peek at the Autumn book. The weather is very toasty (104 today) here so it’s nice to think about Autumn! xo
I’ve been a fan for many, many years and always know I can jump over to your website (or open up one of your books) for a quick pick-me-up when work (or life) gets a bit too heavy.
I love this post. To me, quilts are like a history lesson that can be passed down in the family. The stories are always so beautiful. Thanks for the pictures. And happy anniversary!!
You are such a wonderful reminder to enjoy the small anniversaries along the way. After all it is all the little things that make the greatest memories in our life. Congrats on all your success with the Blog, books etc…. your giveaways are so generous! You make me want to pull out the sewing machine and get to making a memory.
I can’t tell you how much your blog brightens my day. The artwork and pictures are so cheerful. I just love going there to see why you have to say. I hope I win one of the prizes. I would be so excited.
Happy Anniversary!!! Love your blog!
I used to think I was strange for having such a passion for plates, and cups and all things fabric. You make me feel so happy and joyful and accepted with this crazy passion of ours!!
WHEW! I almost missed this. My children have been here so I’ve
been tied to the stove for 5 days! You said “short” comment so I’ll
just say please put my name in the pot! Thanks a bunch.
What a gorgeous post and generous giveaway. I can’t help but throw my name in. Enjoy your time in the garden!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! What a wonderful post and I do love the way Jack works his way into the middle of things:) Also a chance to win those beautiful things! Thank you Susan and have a great day!
Jackie
I love you Susan Branch, have for years since I found your first book.
Hi Susan: hoping you’ll read this as I am confused when and where to enter your contest; would love to win your vintage fabrics since they’re not available in stores anymore; I collect many things like in your home ie Rose Chintz chinaware and am looking for a two-tier cake server …do you have one? Very charming. Do you
also know about Johnson Bros. Eternal Beau which I can easily see in your cupboard and dining table. Wishing you a very happy June month .. summer is here!
Aloha, Evie in San Diego, CA
You’re in just the right place. You are entered, you left a comment! Good luck Evie! Two-tier cake server in Rose Chintz? I don’t have one, and haven’t seen one either, something new to look for! I looked up Eternal Beau . . . but I don’t think I really have any of it. Aloha!
Happy Anniversary Susan and Joe!
Thank you for letting us share in the celebration. I feel like you are a dear friend and a kindred spirit. We even have some of the same dishes! 🙂
God bless you and all of your beautiful work.
Happy Anniversary! I’d love to be entered in your giveaway. I look forward to hearing your talk on Saturday and will have my copy of “A fine Romance” in hand (loved every word of it). Also looking forward to seeing Stillmeadow for the first time. Thanks for such a great and inspiring blog.
I LOVE your quilts, teas, gardens, so wish we were neighbors but in our hearts U are with us Susan…am learning to quilt so this win would be FABULOUS!
Very much enjoy your blog and LOVED your book, “A Fine Romance.” Like you, I am a Gladys Taber fan. Love those “Stillmeadow” books. Now retired and enjoying more time to read, to garden, to dream, to spend time with friends and my cats, Alfie and Mr. Ree. Thanks for what you do to add to the beauty of this life. And for you, one of my favorite quotes: “Keep a green bough in your heart and the singing bird will come.” I was able to find a stepping stone from the National Wildlife Federation with that quote and bought a few for my gardening friends, as well as one for my own garden.
Beautiful!
Happy Anniversary. I have been a fan of yours from the beginning of time and so love to read your more than creative blog posts. You are truly an inspiration in so many ways and I’m glad you are willing to so freely share your thoughts, feelings and treasures. I’m afraid none of the quilt shops in our area ever carried your fabric so if I won that, it would be a true adventure!! Thank you so much for your generosity.
How awesome! We really treasure our quilts, too. They are wonderful!
I couldn’t find my comment so I wanted to be sure my name got in the hat!!!! Congratulations and thanks for always thinking of us! Love ya.
Happy Anniversary of your blog, Susan. What a wonderful give-away. I would love any of the prizes, but the fabric blocks might inspire me to start sewing again. I will be coming up on my 2nd anniversary of my retirement party from my 14 years as a middle school technology integration teacher. That party was one of the best occasions of my life. I just contacted the folks on the Gladys Tabor website to see if I could become a member and maybe get a glimpse of you on June 14 at the book signing. That would be another momentous event for me. Oh, and June 14 (Flag Day) is also special because it’s my dear mother’s birthday. I was privileged to have her until she reached 85. She would have been 102 this coming birthday.
Good luck to all of the 2,500 + girlfriends who have commented so far. And just think, you used to wonder if anyone would like your posts!
Hope to see you there Carolyn!
You are inspirational! I love to come to your site and see nothing but beauty!
Oh Susan! Your fabrics are so beautiful – such spirit and joy! Just like your paintings. And eleven hours of birdsong?? Wow! I just love it! Your blog is bliss. Thank you!
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to YOU! it would be an honour to win any of these lovely prizes (but oh! that finished quilt is a super-prize !!). looking forward to many more years as girlfriends!
Oh, I am so happy to have a chance to win! I have a few scraps left of some of those fabrics and I love them! I love your quilt collection too! Happy Anniversary and thank you for sharing through your blog, you inspire me through your creativity and your optimism!
Happy anniversary Susan! Thanks for your sharing your talent. Your emails brighten my day.
xoxo
Happy Anniversary to Us!! Thank you Susan for your blog…it is like a sprinkle of Happy on my day!
Susan I just love getting your blog email, it is the highlight of my day and I always try to find a nice quite corner of the house to sit and read it. 🙂 as a long time quilter I would absolutely love the material. I already see so many possibilities for quilt ideas. Of course I would be happy with any of the give away choices. 🙂 I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I win one of them. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your blog with us.
You really Have so much talent.
I will be honored, if I win.
Happy Anniversary! You bring such joy in our lives and remind us to slow down and smell the roses. I love the photos with your cats. I, too, have two black & white cats that look similar to Jack and Girl Kitty, so when I see photos of them, my heart skips a beat. Your give-a-ways are always awesome, but this one is incredible! Thank you for your kindness and generosity to the girlfriends. Love, Janet
Wow, what a wonderful post! I look forward to reading your blog. I especially love posts that include Jack. I have fallen head over heals in love with his antics. Thank you for your wonderful blog. You send joy into the hearts of many.
Eeeeeek!!! What amazing prizes. Love you Susan Branch, your blog, your books, everything!!
Love the quilts, the books, the calendars, the kitties…My mother has an old quilt that was my grandmother’s and she is sending it to me. I don’t know the pattern, maybe yo-yo??
Happy Anniversary!! I love your blog and everything you write and make! Thank you for giving so much happiness and warmth.
Love from Holland
Love love love. Your blog. Such a delight
What an absolutely wonderful contest! Happy Anniversary!! I have started a collection of all of your books, now I just need to add the Autumn book to it!
Thanks so much for inspiring us all.. <3
Many thanks for starting your blog!! It sure makes me happy when I see you’ve posted. Love to that cutie Jack.
Thank you for the giveaways! We love your AUTUMN book and would love to have the reprint to keep sharing with members of the family.
Happy anniversary
Thoroughly enjoyed this blog. Seeing all those old SB fabrics gave me shivers.
Oh how I wish they were still available. Hope I’m not too late for the drawing. You are the best. We are all such lucky women.
Many thanks for your inspiration.
Carol Melville
One can never possess too many quilts or fabric stash.
Susan
I am always so happy to see there is a new post to read on your Blog. I makes my day. I recently gave my friend a copy of your book “A Fine Romance”. She has 12 grandkids and doesn’t have much time to read—-but she said she is in love with your book. She can’t remember actually sitting down to enjoy a book the way she is this one. I am giving a copy to my Grand-daughter tomorrow when she comes over and we are going to spiffy up her fairy garden we put together last year. I think she will enjoy your book—maybe put down the cell phone for an afternoon! You are truly a delightful and generous person and I am so happy to get to know you threw your blog postings and books. Thank you for being you. Chris
Love it Chris, thank you xoxo
Hi Susan. Happy Anniversary.
What a “heart of the home” moment!! I would love to be your winning fan!! You do know how to make us smile with your blog and photos!! I have been a fan for years!! THANK YOU!!
Love the blog Susan! So colorful and pleasing to drool over! Ordering the Autumn book, my favorite season. Blessings, Kay
I come to work everyday, 45 minutes before the crowd, hoping to find a new entry on your blog! So happy to hear about the Autumn book. I’ve given about 10 out as gifts. Your blog just makes me happy, but this one was extra special. All the great colors and bits of the past! Keep going, Susan. You make me smile!