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
Helloooo Susan!
It feels like all of your girlfriends are together giggling and having tea when we read your blog. It is such a happy part of my day. Thank you so very much for sharing so much of yourself and your life with us. You enrich us all. I have been in your cheering section for years! 🙂 May you continue to have many blessings. I am so thankful you are in this world! Big hugs!
Darling Susan – In December, 1987, I received your Heart of the Home book from a dear friend who wrote a poem on the inside page and presented it to me. It is a bookcook that I would grab and take in the car for little trips to read again and again, always gleaning something new or a recipe to try. I own every one of your books and cook from them constantly and have “stalked” your home one year when we stayed on Martha’s Vineyard in the Fall. My husband even slithered up onto your yard and took a photo of the kitchen garden for me. I have followed your blog since its inception, hold tightly to my stickers I’ve collected through the years, and enjoy your calendar in my sewing room always, saving the past years for inspiration. You are my friend and my soul sister. I tell my husband news from your blogs like you live next door. I simply adore you. You life me up and calm me down, you always have a beautiful attitude, positive comments, and could bring World Peace if the rest of this nation only knew. Thank you for knowing how important it is for you to stay in touch and give us all a sense that in our little corner of the world, all is well. Happy Anniversary and best wishes for everything good.
I love this! We have a gremlin that lurks here in my blog — I know I read this before, but I’m not sure it made it into the comments, and its just too lovely to let go. So if it’s here twice, that just two-times-the-wonderful. Thank you Jane!
Darling Susan – In December, 1987, I received your Heart of the Home book from a dear friend who wrote a poem on the inside page and presented it to me. It is a bookcook that I would grab and take in the car for little trips to read again and again, always gleaning something new or a recipe to try. I own every one of your books and cook from them constantly and have “stalked” your home one year when we stayed on Martha’s Vineyard in the Fall. My husband even slithered up onto your yard and took a photo of the kitchen garden for me. I have followed your blog since its inception, hold tightly to my stickers I’ve collected through the years, and enjoy your calendar in my sewing room always, saving the past years for inspiration. You are my friend and my soul sister. I tell my husband news from your blogs like you live next door. I simply adore you. You lift me up and calm me down, you always have a beautiful attitude, positive comments, and could bring World Peace if the rest of this nation only knew. Thank you for knowing how important it is for you to stay in touch and give us all a sense that in our little corner of the world, all is well. Happy Anniversary and best wishes for everything good.
THANK YOU that was gorgeous. ♥ Tell your slithering doll of a husband I said hello!
Such wonderful giveaways! I used to anxiously await the arrival of Willard in the mail when you first started writing, and was so happy when you decided to write this blog! A little bit of heaven in my email. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your life with us! Happy Anniversary!
Joyeux anniversaire! You are such a great inspiration. I love lots of thing about you. First of all: your drawings. You are so talented. Second of all: your writing. It seems so easy for you to write a blog, a book with so much enthousiasm. You really have a special touch to communicate. Third of all: your personnality, your life on Martha’s Vineyard, your way of living.
xoxo Thank you !
Thank you for this wonderful anniversary post. It was a feast for the eyes; so much color…so much happiness…so much beauty! And what a humbling joy to know it was being enjoyed by like-minded women all over the world. Women with whom I just know I would become kindred spirit friends if ever we sat down to tea together.
And the chance to win some of that beauty??? Well! My head is positively dizzy at the thought!
Happy anniversary, Susan! I look forward to reading your blog every week. It was a treat to look at all of your fine quilts this morning. That little lamb and heart fabric is just too cute to be true! xoxo
Your blogposts make me happy and are a highlight of my day.
Thank you for sharing your quilt collection with us. Nothing is as cheerful as a pile of quilts stacked up and waiting to comfort all. Yours are a delight to see. Good luck to us all, you are so generous to share, Nancy
Dear Susan,
What a jam-packed full of goodies in this latest blog post!
I’ve been such an admirer of your art, books, collector of your annual calendar, blog and get to be Facebook girlfriends with you after all these years! You bring such joy with your artwork, recipes, quotes, photography and love of beautiful and simple pleasures—and kitties!
Thanks for sharing your love and talent with us all!
Congratulations…and <3 Happy Anniversary! <3
xoxo
Wow, 2,492 comments and counting! How lucky we girlfriends are that we have 3 chances to win this time. Thanks, Susan Branch, for such lovely prizes. I would be over the moon to win any of them.
P.S. A friend and I were at an estate sale this weekend and found a Gladys Taber bonanza of books for $2 each. We grabbed all of them and I think we ended up with 6 or 7 each that we will read and share.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Please put me in the anniversary drawing. I look forward to your posts to see what is happening in your world. Makes me happy 🙂
Hi Susan,
I went to the Country Living Magazine fair this past weekend and all the vintage linens, china, quilts etc. remind me of your blog today! It had the same homey feel. Makes you want to have friends over and take life at a slower old fashioned pace. Some cute vendors were Sweeterthanthetea.com (check out those mason jars) and Caroleshiber.com (cutest ever napkin roses). Thought I would share these with you. I also loved the grown from their heirloom garden recipes of the Beekman Boys. Would love to see you there next year vending your adorable things and books.pp
Very likely, I’ll be home having the slower pace! 🙂 Not really, I’ve always wanted to go to one of these, just haven’t gotten there yet! Was it crowded?
The Country Living fair is held over three days-Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The fair grounds are 140 acres so it is pretty big. There were lots of people but didn’t feel too crowded. I understand they had over 25,000 people.
I will make it there one of these days!
Happy Anniversary! When you started blogging it was like the movie “You got Mail” I would go to my computer every morning to see what Susan has written today. I never checked mt email first thing in the morning until you started blogging. Thank you for all the wonderful stories and making all of us your girlfriends. Your the best!
I love reading your blogs, I look everyday just so I don’t miss anything.
Your quilts are so beautiful, even moreso with your kitties on them. Jack has grown into a beautiful big boy.
I would love to have just one of your quilts. I have all your books and can’t wait for your new Autumn book to arrive. I have the first one and it’s signed by you….one of my treasures in my bookcase.
Hello, Susan!
I so enjoyed reading about your quilts.
Recently, I was at a library book sale. While I was rummaging through a paper bag full of books, I came across one of your small Christmas books, which I did not already have. I was so excited to buy it for 50 cents, and was even more thrilled when I got home to find a full sheet of your Christmas wrapping paper folded inside! I was admiring it, and was actually thinking that the design reminded me of a quilt!
I almost don’t want to use the wrapping paper, but it is too pretty not to. Someone will be getting a specially wrapped gift next Christmas 🙂
Thank you for making me smile and laugh countless times over the past three years. I am looking forward to many more!
Good find ~ I love finding extras in books!
I love old quilts too and I had very clever great-aunts who ran a dry goods store. They would recycle the fabric sample books (used to order men’s wool suits) into heavy duty quilts. When we visited in the winter time (Missouri), the quilts were so heavy, we little kids could not even turn over. The quitls kept us warm and toast, but sometimes, they did itch!
Hope Vanna finds my name in her giant fish bowl.
WOW this is so exciting, what lovely prizes! I love your blog, and love the pictures of the quilts, reminds me so much my childhood and visiting my grandparents who had a farm in San Joaquin Valley, Dinuba California. I was so fortunate to receive a few handmade quilts made by my grandmother, they are priceless!!! Thanks for sharing!
My great grandmother made special quilts for each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I fell in love with quilts too ! I have always loved pictures of yours and thank you for posting so many beautiful ones today. Please enter me in the drawing for any of these lovely quilt inspired things ! Looking forward to that book too 🙂 Have a great day !
I love all the patterns and designs. I always use my old calendars for my scrapbooking projects.
I’m so glad you started the blog. I love reading it at work (I don’t have a home computer or a smart phone-I like being totally off the grid). I recognized some of the stickers and card making images-I bought some years ago and used them for scrapbooking and making my own greeting cards. Please throw my hat in the ring for the drawings. I love quilting, sewing, crafting, scrapbooking, etc. so I could find many uses for any of the giveaways. Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to you! Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us. You are always an inspiration. Three giveaways is pure delight!
What a wonderful giveaway! I’ve been enjoying my library copy of “Autumn from the Heart of the Home” this week, and I’m thrilled to see it is being offered once again! I will place my order ASAP! Happy Blogiversary!
Wow I’m not sure which of the 3 prizes I would choose if I could have whatever I wanted!! They are all so exciting… 🙂 Thank you for sharing your anniversary celebration! We were in Boston over the weekend to celebrate my husbands 50th birthday and had soooo many yummy things from Oysters at Neptune’s to the BEST cannoli at Mike’s from the North End! Why does everything taste better in New England???
Probably has a lot to do with being on vacation! Happy birthday to your husband!
Oh my goodness!!!! I am hyperventilating with excitement now I have read about all the fantastic give-aways, how very generous you are xx ( I am sad Jack isn’t included – he is adorable, but I know you would miss him too much )
Wildly crossing my fingers to get any of it! You inspire me so! Thank you.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Happy Anniversary!
hApPy “Happy Anniversary Susan Branch!”
I remember the first night we met, it was a snowy Christmas Eve in Minnesota, just me and HEART OF HOME! YoU have held a special place in my heart ever since! Through the years I have made circus cakes, been an elf, and learned that a little candle light can make a home party ready! Then, Blog became part of the relationship and I had a whole lot of explaining to do!
-Why is Mom watching a hummingbird (that she calls Phoebe) on the computer?
-Why is Mom saying, “Bon Voyage!” to a ship on the computer?
-Mom “thinks” she is in a suitcase?! And she has a charlie horse?!
-Mom made pork chops for dinner and said it was Mr. Jack’s favorite…we don’t
know anyone named Mr. Jack?!
And then we met Musica! Touches my Soul with Ashoken Farewell, makes me want to gypsy dance to Bella Luna, and keeps me humming Spring!Spring!Spring! even in the middle of winter! My heart continues to fill up with bits and pieces of YoU and I had always hoped that YoU and Nora Ephron would have met! I am most sure it would have been movie *Magic* complete with Musica and Twinkly lights! “I pretend that we’re the oldest and dearest friends………….”
youtube.com/watch?v=Suk_UsqFG1E
Adorable Blessings to YoU Darling! It has been a beautiful 5 years…with my glass of Kim Crawford held high, I say, “Gesundheit!” and if I may quote your Father, “You did good!”
With love & admiration,
“Thank YoU” for being so generous with your heart! XoX Dawn :}
And Yeah…it would be me typing in a 5 instead of a 3!!! Here’s to planning ahead! 3….5…..both odd! As am I !!! 😉 love you!
Phoebe! You are so funny! I got out of my chair, poured a glass of “Kimmie” (we are close) and am toasting you back Dawn. I’m keeping your comment in my “To Keep” File. Because we all have days that go wrong, and this will be a big help if one of those should come along. It was like going down memory lane. This is your life! I loved it. That is what my dad says. Sometimes when we get off the phone, he says “try to do better.” So you must be my sister because you know! ♥ ♥ ♥
..I hope you don’t mind me commenting again…but I can’t tell you how much I’ve been enjoying all these wonderful comments !! ( for two mornings in a row my oatmeal got cold while I was reading and catching up with them all)..and now Dawn’s incredibly heart felt comment !!…thank you, Dawn !!
I feel the same way, the comments are amazing. Such wonderful kindred spirits! ♥ ♥ ♥
Congratulations, Susan, on you anniversary. So very happy for you. You bring a breath of fresh air an sunshine everytime you appear in my mailbox. Thank you so much for all you do.
Sherry
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations! It Cheers me up, too, to know my chances are better than the lottery. Enjoy this and your many, many other accomplishments :-))
Happy Anniversary! I always enjoy reading this lovely blog — and getting so inspired afterwards! I love collecting old quilts and dishes — such gorgeous art. Take care! 🙂
Susan, I am so glad to have found you, again! I was a huge fan of the full-page recipes you did for Country Living in 1990-1991. I found the pages, today, in my file cabinet where they’ve been for 24? years! I have 12 of the prints, all meticulously cut from the magazine.
And, today, I ordered Autumn and became a member of the Susan Branch Girlfriend Club!
It’s been a Susan Branch day for me!
I would dearly love to receive any of these wonderful gifts but the one I would love most is the proofs of the calendars since I so very much LOVE your artwork. You are an inspiration to me always!
Love ya
Just as you celebrate a special anniversary with this blog, I share a special wedding anniversary today! My husband and I have been married 35 years to the date. We celebrate many years of special memories, and I pray for and expect more to come.
I do so enjoy reading your musings every time you give me something new to ponder. Thanks for what you do, and for sharing your talent with each and every one of us.
Happy Anniversary Susan!
Happy Anniversary Susan and what a spectacular giveaway! I am a long time fan and remember falling in love with your art many years ago. Here’s to many more years of painting and blogging and book writing for you and us to enjoy~
Tipping my tea cup to you, Susan, and wishing you Happy Happy Anniversary.
I think that this quote expresses exactly how I feel when I read anything that you share.
“I want to thank anyone who spends a part of their day creating, I don’t care if it’s a book, a film, a painting, a dance, a piece of theater, a piece of music – anybody who spends part of their day sharing their experience with us – I think this world would be unlivable without art and I thank you.”
― Steven Soderbergher
Thanks for SHARING from the HEART <3
Mary Jane
Very sweet, and I so agree, what would our world be without creativity. xoxo We don’t have to worry!
Be assured, Susan, that your blog gives great pleasure to so many. This anniversary one is exceptionally lovely. Color and beauty everywhere…a delight to the eye. Bless you for who you are and for sharing your wonderful creativity with us.
My mother hand-cut, hand-pieced, and hand-quilted beautiful quilts long before rotary cutters and “long-arm” quilting were invented. Since I retired, I am taking baby steps to learn the art. Quilts, dishes, and tea towels are truly works of art! I appreciate your taste and your books. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Hi Susan, since you and I love all the same things, I wake up each morning and first thing I do after I get my coffee, is search your blog to see what’s new.
You are such a sweet and generous person to offer such wonderful give-aways, especially the fabric and quilts. Keep sharing with us, it keeps us all going.!
I have sewn all my life, and been a quilter for the last 31 years! I hope I win, I hope I win! (Is that a little self serving???) Congratulations on your anniversaries…I love reading your blog….it’s always such an “upper”!
I’m a recent follower of your blog which I absolutely ♥ This is the first time I’ve ever entered one of your giveaways:) You have to be in it to win it:) Good luck to everyone, what an amazing giveaway to win. Linda xxx
I have loved having you in my life, from that first wonderful cookbook till now! I have made dozens of quilt over the years, love quilts so much. I still have a nice stash of your fabrics!
6-9-14:
whew! so many comments after only 3 days…must be the give-aways!
Buying cat food at a local Petsmart, I saw a tuxedo cat in the adoption center and thought of you, Susan, and Jack (Jacque!) and Girl Kitty. I am partial to tortoiseshell cats, we have one torti and one diluted torti – Shadow (age 4)looks like Stars (age 11/12) if the printer ink was running low – hence the diluted part.
She is a ‘shadow’ of Stars, who is getting up in age; we got her at approx 3 yrs. rescued from the mean streets of Camden NJ. Shadow we got from the shelter as a kitten. Her shelter name was May, my birthday month – it was meant to be
=0}
Eventually I will have to decide what sort of kitten to get as company for Shadow. In the past we have had a Sinder (Cinder) and Sassy … I guess the spirit will guide me when the time comes. Maybe a calico, and I will name her Scraps, as in scraps of fabric. Selene also comes to mind. Any “S” suggestions?
of course we never all them by their names…choobie noodle is one and turtle baby another …are we silly or what?
Marcia – and Stars and Shadow – Sherman
Sewell, NJ
Good Afternoon Vanna! Are you focusing your thoughts on picking names for the drawing that start with the letter “S” ? I think for this special Anniversary Drawing you should wear a beautiful summery hat with ribbons coming down the back, your flowery purple and pink flowing top, cute jeweled pocket jeans and of course those beautiful pink feather mules Susan got for you…you know the ones that bring good luck to all the girlfriends when you draw the names? And of course don’t forget to wear your special Susan Branch bead necklace as we will all be wearing ours. 🙂 Jack and Girl Kitty can be your assistants and Joe will be nearby making sure everyone does their part to make this the best drawing ever! Thanks Vanna dear……we all await your presence and participation in the drawing! Bless you bunches!
Oh! What delicious eye candy. I love candy!
Happy Anniversary!
We appreciate you!
I’m delighted to see that you are bringing back your Autumn book; I have a friend that saw mine and wanted one (now, I can give her a wonderful gift without giving up mine!).
I’ve noticed your “vintage” stove in your kitchen; would you mind telling me what brand it is?
Thank you!
Yes, it’s an O’Keefe & Merritt. Circa 1956.
Susan you are a joy and give such spirit and inspiration to each of each of us with your beautiful blog and gorgeous photos. I have been an avid follower from the early 90’s when I received my first willard by postal mail and I have saved them all and treasured them all as your many books. I have loved introducing you to many of my friends . I even have a special teacup card with your personalized note to me thanking me for sending you photos of your darling notecards I had framed and hung on a special wall in my home. I then
graduated to your blog and have enjoyed it so much. Lets have tea!
Best part of my day, reading this blog!
Always makes my day when I read your wonderful Blog. Thanks so much Susan. Don’t know what I would do without you;-).
Maryellen
Happy Anniversary!
I love, love, love reading your blog!!!
oops I accidentally deleted part of my comment…so here’s the rest of it..” That’s what inspires me to put together my own collections of things Susan Branch…and dishes, dish towels, etc, etc. I loved the pics of the stickers and things. In years past, when we had Secret Pal here at work, a co-worker showered me with everything Susan Branch from the local Michael’s store…note cards, note pads and stickers galore! I also love that I do have your original Autumn book..maybe I will put my own ribbon inside! 🙂 This past thanksgiving, I did pull it out and sat in my little “corner window café” and went through the whole thing! So I think it’s neat that you are bringing it back for everyone else to share! Thank you so much for all you give us! but most of all Inspiration! 🙂 Ramona – Central Valley CA …:)
Love your blog. Always something fun and interesting to read!
Cecelia
Thank you again and again, Susan, for the inspiration, the love, the warmth you send out to all of us. I treasure the time I spend with your blog…may it all continue for a good, long time!
Life has been very busy…taking care of my dad, keeping my husband and house happy (in that order), planning a remodel upstairs, taking a little trip, and all the everyday things that need to be done. So today when I sat down I had three entries to catch up on…such fun in New York and oh, those beautiful quilts and treats! I realized Vanna hadn’t chosen anyone yet; so glad I can get my name in!!
Also, I saw the cutest cat video…made me think of you and Jack. This is something that he would do…I just know. I hope you are able to see it. Just type in http:// sfglo.be/pu in your computer and you will have a chuckle, Susan.
Thank You for all the sprinkles of joy you share thru the magic of the blog, sprinkles of joy back to you!
Happy Anniversary! I have your Autumn book and have enjoyed it for years! I am looking forward to your new book too! Keep creating!!
So enjoyed this wonderful blog today!! And to Vanna I say: I would LOVE to win Susan’s awesome quilt, but would also LOVE Susan’s fabric and fat quarters to have my BFF make me an awesome quilt (she is an accomplished quilter)…and if you draw my name for the calendar pages, I will share them with my SB pen pal, Linda in SanDiego. Thanks Vanna. And a big thank you to Susan for being YOU and caring about all of us out here!!
Hello Susan happy anniversary to you, than you for all your wonderful talent and sharing it with us.
Oh, my goodness!! So much cheerful and COLORFUL beauty to look at and be inspired by! Makes for a nice break at work! Thank you so much and I eagerly await Vanna’s next drawing!
From the Calif Central Coast
Susan – There isn’t enough room here to express my thanks for the many times your blog has saved my day! When the going gets tough, Dawn goes to your blog! Please think about designing some more fabric. Maybe a kitty theme with a toile of Jack and Girl kitty with their toys as a companion piece sprinkled about the fabric. Or perhaps a toile with English cottages and stone walls. The companion pieces could be flowers of England. Your designs would be the inspiration of many! Thank you for all you do for us Susan. Dawn
That would be so fun, the kit kats . . .! The cottages too!
2,520 comments at the time of my comment. Mmmm – don’t know what the chances are but nothing ventured, nothing gained. So — throw my name in the pot with all the others and fingers crossed. Even the remote possibility of winning one of your very generous gifts is enough to set the heart aflutter!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Diana
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your gift. It brightens my life. <3
Love to quilt and watercolor so this blog was made for me. Can hardly wait to receive the adorable yellow fabric with the lambs. I’ve lost count on how many baby quilts I have made over the years but I can visualize just what I would do with the selection of fabrics shown with the lambs.
Thank you for the lovely post today. I really enjoyed reading all of your comments about your quilts. They all look so lovely and I am looking forward to having a collection as nice as your’s one day.
-Elmina
Incredibly generous of you, but then we all know you have a big heart! Happy “blogiversary”! Your posts always bring happiness and light. (I especially like the photo of the picnicking family.)
Hi Susan. I, too, would like to join in and say Happy Anniversary. I would also like to congratulate you on being able to have the newest version of your Autumn book published in the USA. I will be purchasing this newest book to add to my Susan Branch collection. Thanks for all of your inspiration.
Happiest of anniversaries to you! Its always a joy to read of your adventures.
Hi Susan, I loved your recent post. I love your fabrics and I LOVE your books.
I have loved your beautiful artwork for years! It was exciting when I found quotations from Gladys Tabor on things you’ve created. Gladys has had a huge influence on my life too.
We were hoping to come to Connecticut for the FOGT reunion and hear you speak, but we won’t be able to make it. You’ll be in our thoughts on the 13th and 14th. I am hoping they will be able to record your talk for FOGT members who are not able to be there in person.
Thank you for your fantastic blog. It is delightful and inspiring to see something so beautiful and uplifting! Thanks for all you do to make life more fun for so many of us.
Have a safe trip,
Marylee
Enjoy your trip to CT for the Gladys Taber meeting. I spent the first 62 years of my life in CT and I loved it, and then we retired to Cape Cod four years ago. I enjoy your blog, especially love your calendars…Wall calendar is on the cabinet and have relied on the Days from the Heart of the Home for the past ten years.
Hi Susan <3
Thank you so much for all you do!! I am really looking forward to meeting you at the FOGT Reunion this weekend!!! Happy Anniversary!!
I just finished your blog and I’m keeping my fingers crossed and saying a prayer.
I love your quilts, and I’m a quilter. In fact I’m appliqueing a quilt that is made
in 30’s material. And, my black cat, Missy, says hello to Jack.
I’ll see you this weekend!!!
What a wonderful anniversary post! I always enjoy Girl Kitty and Jack, the selected “musica” and such uplifting letters from you! Many, many thanks!
Happy Happy Anniversary!! It seems like only yesterday that you entered into all of our lives and allowed us to share in your wonderful life story!! So many times it was like sharing a cup of tea with my best friend or sister….just those few moments of sitting at the computer or reading on my iPad was a refreshing change of pace from daily work in or out of the house and often I would find myself doing a “Walter Mitty” and enjoying the first snow, walking down to the beach,the antics of Jack or visiting the lovely gardens of the English countryside…..Thanks for the memories…..Keep the teapot at the ready!!!!! PS I have an old quilt given to me by my grandmothers friend…I cherish all the love that went into all those stitches!
Hello Susan,
I’ve been meaning to ask if there ever could be the possibility of a new release of your fabric line? I remember when it first came out and it was like looking for the golden fleece, very elusive to find. I ordered a little when you finally had it available on your on-line store but it sure did not last long. I always liked your fabric line. I wish you could re-release it.
Same thing with your Lenox tea pieces…as quick as they came, poof they were gone. I really loved that too.
I enjoy seeing your new stuff, but I miss the old. Big them Baaaaccck Sue.
Your Friend, Randi ———<–<—@
It’s a big conundrum, the way it all works. I license my artwork and designs to fabric manufacturers, like RJR and to dish makers like Lenox — I get to do the designing and they pay me a small royalty for that — but all other things are up to them. Where they make it, where they sell it, how long they sell it, whether they show it. I’ve designed for some companies that have SOLD before the line came out (you would have LOVED my huge wonderful line of kitchen things! Quotes on wooden cooking spoons for one thing) — and all that work is for nothing. I’ve designed for companies that don’t advertise the fact that they have a new product. All kinds of things happen that I have no control over. I COULD make the fabric (or whatever product) myself, but they require that I buy thousands of yards of one pattern … and that’s true with almost every product. Plus so many things aren’t even made in America anymore, so I would have to figure out how to make things in other countries. That might be do-able, but from then on I would have to go to lots of gift shows, fabric shows, and be selling all the time. And then I wouldn’t get to cook, paint, sew, work in my garden, go to England, write diaries, and make new books. Therein lies the conundrum!
Dear Susan,
Okay. Now I understand the way it works a little better. I guess in part you just have to be lucky. I know I own some stackable oval boxes with your design and quotes on them and I thought wow-whee what a score! It was in a little gift shop. And I never saw those boxes on line or on your website. I just got lucky… But your fabric! Oh how I tried to get that fabric when it first came out- it was gone before I could score. So maddening! But I understand, the joy of creating is much more meaningful than all the other stuff of trying to market products. Keep doing what you are doing- living the dream!
Thank you for replying to my post so timely. You are so nice.
Your friend, Randi —-<–@
Yes, luck is a huge help! When I made the oval boxes and the fabric, I really did think it would be on the market for a while, but the companies all had other ideas I never quite understood. If I was going to give advice to young artists I would say, do it yourself. Invest in yourself, don’t let others do it. That way you’ll be in charge!
Susan, such a lovely letter and blog. I am so excited by it all – I can’t wait for the new book!
Congratulations on 3 years of your blog – always inspiring, beautiful, thoughtful
and I’m always excited to see a new one. Thanks for your lovely give aways.
I am going to visit my 3 grands this summer and the oldest wants me to bring
all my Susan Branch cookbooks.
I hope you have the Girlfriend book! xoxo
Wow, soooo many posts, I wish I had time to read them all! I love reading posts from the girlfriends, so many are inspiring and very touching. I did see that the Country Living Fair was mentioned. I have gone every year in Columbus, Ohio for the past 5 years. It is something my girlfriends and I plan for months in advance. We see license plates in the parking lot from as far away as California! It can get crowded, however you can buy early bird passes. We wouldn’t miss it, the vendors are such high quality and you can tell they really love their work, so Susan you would be PERFECT to display!!! It comes to Columbus again starting Sept. 12th…we are ready!!! Good luck to everyone in the drawings…wonderful goodies!!!! Thank you Susan.
Kathy from Ohio
I love reading your blogs & seeing pictures of your kitties. Everything is great especially seeing that we have some of the same china. I have the Spode’s Tower that was my grandmother’s favorite tea cup. It was a lot of fun seeing you in Pasadena. My best friend Arline & I took the day off work and it was so much fun.
That was a great day!
Happy Anniversary!! Can you please raffle Jack off?? He is just so adorable!! I love your pillow cases! Autumn is my favorite Susan Branch book, well, until A Fine Romance came out -now it’s a tie!! Thanks for sharing your blog with us -it always brightens my day!!
Noooo, no no no raffles. Although, raffling Jack might allow us to retire in style! 🙂
What a beautiful post. You are always an inspiration, and always can find a way to open my heart, and inspire me to reach for my dreams. What a blessing you are to so many people. Thank you 🙂
Susan, My girlfriend and I went to lunch to day. I gave her your book for her birthday. She thanked me for introducing her to you. Then she had her husband read the book. He hesitated and said he didn’t think so and she said he must since they want to go to England. One evening he lifted his head from the book and said “This is amazing.” Thought you would want to know. Have a wonderful weekend at FOGT. Ricki
You are so right, I did want to know! That’s wonderful! Thank you Ricki. I read something the other day about women authors, that we shouldn’t make the covers of our books too girlie “so the guys can read them too.” Doesn’t that make perfect sense? Not too many guys want a pink book with high heels and pearls on it — no matter how funny it is inside! Have to put it in a plain brown wrapper!
I HAVE to try for one of these — the fabric — oh my goodness — I would share with my best, best quilting friend from way back in freshman year of high school (way over half a century ago we met and she is still my very close freind — and her husband and mine and we just have so much fun when we get together. And the unbound proof pages and that wonderful quilt — that quilt I would use on my reading lounge, I do believe. I mean — what could be better than wrapped in that special loveliness immersed in a good book — maybe re-reading A Fine Romance? Have been trailing along behind you from the first book Susan– and it only keeps getting better and better. dottie
You are wonderful and always make me smile when I read your posts. Thank you for being such an inspiration – much love !!
I am in love with your quilts. Oh, how I would love to own one!
Susan,
The anniversary post was simply beautiful! You always brighten my day. Thanks so much!
I love the fabric/dish connection – never thought of that before, but so true! And the Musica!
Happy Anniversary! I love reading your blog and own most of your books. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your life and talents with us. I am looking forward to reading your future blogs.
The true gift has been enjoying your blog all these years – we are already winners! Thanks for continuing to share the wealth of your creativity, enthusiasm, and joy for life!
🙂
Kathleen
I enjoy reading about Jack. He is adorable. The quilts are lovely. I have a few and I treasure them.
I would love to win the bundle of fabrics. I know just exactly what I would do with them….make a new quilt. I am a recent newcomer to your blog, but have known and admired your work for years. Keep up the good work!
Susan, I do think we are cut from the same cloth….Your tastes so mirror mine, or should that be visa-versa? I stumbled upon you and your art several years ago and now my home has scattered “Susans” throughout, though I confess the collection started when I was very young and fell in love with tea cups. I thank you for sharing your self with us and letting us enjoy the beauty your eyes see. Fondest Regards!
Luv, luv the fabrics, hope to see them in my fabric stash. Luv you too, and your tuxedo cats — we have 2 tuxedo cats too!
Happy Anniversary!! How wonderful this is to say for all the time we have had to enjoy knowing you online, Susan. Your quilts are as beautiful and lovely as the spirit and creativity of your heart and soul! I’ve become a collector of beauty and feel akin to you and the others (Yeah, Girlfriends!) who take part in the Heart of the Home lifestyle. May we enrich the lives of those we love, which I’m sure so many do! Thanks, Susan for taking the steps you’ve done in your life to get us all here! Wishes do come true if you believe!!
Ola Susana!
Oh dear, I hope our Vanna is up for the challenge of 3 drawings! (yowza.. awesome)
I am so excited about just being in the drawing. I am so thankful that I found your blog. It is invaluable to my life. When I am feeling blue or disheartened with someone or something, I just go to Susan Branch website and blog and almost instantly.. I am lifted from my doldrums. What lovely magic of the heart.
I look forward to many years more of your blog. It is uplifting. I did want to give you a name of a book that has been uplifting also. Its called ” The Golden Key to Happiness” by Masami Saionji. I have the hardbound edition. The author was from Royal Ryuku Family of Okinawa.
Thank you again for your lovely blog.
Hermanas!
Lydia Alejandro
Fremont, Ohio
Happy Anniversary!
Love your blog. I always feel happier and inspired after reading your blog.
Thank you 🙂
Love love your blog – this is my first time reading it so am going to subscribe – I hope I win the calendars although I love the fat quarters, too – love the pix of Kitty, too!
Oh, I love your quilt collections, for so many of the same reasons you wrote about. I am not (yet) a quilter, as I find it a bit intimidating. Someday, though. Someday. I’m very excited about your new “Autumn” book. It is my favorite season, I think.
Quilting is like everything, just one little step at a time, don’t think of a whole quilt, think of one stitch. xoxo
You would not believe the number of things that have gone wrong in the last week; but when I visit your blog I once again find my calm center! You brightened my day for sure! Love the quilt collection. I have 4 family quilts: 2 from 2 great-grandmothers, a great-aunt, & a grandmother. Love each one because of the hands that worked on them. So glad they were kept and passed down so I can enjoy them still. We are all suppose to “shine our light” and yours is shining brightly all over the world. I loved what you said about like-minded people everywhere. It’s good to know we have so much in common. Shining!