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
I am SO SO SO excited about everything coming on the horizon that you mentioned today!! I love, love, love fabric and creating and am so inspired by your beautiful and cozy things. The Autumn book and new calendar can’t come soon enough! What a gift God has given you in your talent and ability to share! Keep on doing what you do as I love, love, love it!
This is a very generous share you are doing. I too have a quilt from my great-grandmother. I’ve been told the small bits are from work clothes and feed sacks! I love knowing that a bunch of women sat on the ‘stoop’ and worked their finger magic into creating a quilt that they never knew would be so loved 100 years later. I received Christmas from the Heart of the Home as a first wedding anniversary gift 24 years ago and have been a fan ever since. My birthday is on Tuesday and I hope there is a little something SB in my day from somewhere. I may just have to get out my Happy Birthday Little Book, snuggle under my quilt and drink my tea. <3 Happy June!
Wonderful post…I love seeing the old quilts…my mother was a quilter and did the ENTIRE quilts by hand. They are treasures! Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather on the island! Tracy
With every post, you make me feel part of a huge, happy community. Although I’ve never actually met anyone, I just know I like them all! Thank you for brightening this corner of blog-land!
Happy Anniversary! I can’t tell how much I’ve enjoy reading your blog! It is the best escape and cheers me up everytime I log on. When I’m having a good day it makes it better and when I’m having a not so good day (like today) it spins it around and reminds me of all the things I am thankful for! Thanks for all that you do and beauty and joy you bring to your girlfriends <3
Happy Anniversary & congratulations on this well-deserved milestone!
Seeing the quote from John Lennon’s “Imagine” is rather serendipitous; I attended a conference yesterday where I saw the piano he used when composing the song.
Thanks for always brightening my afternoons.
Wishing you a splendid week-end!
That’s kind of wonderful!
Happy, Happy Anniversaries Susan!
Your posts make my days… and give me plenty to think about for everything from decorating ideas to great deep thoughts to eye candy in the form of vintage linens and quilts, gardens (yours have been a hu-u-uge inspiration), and kitties (adorable). I love reading about your adventures and can’t wait for the new book… and as well as the newly published Autumn!
Thanks for sharing with us!!!
Tricia in CT
Love your work and your photos of my favorite things too! Excitedly reporting the recent finds of your Summer and Girlfriends books. Gotta love those yard sales!!
I have followed you since I bought and read your first book and then everyone that followed. Your newsletters were uplifting and personified everything important – house, home and family. I’m a quilter, scrap booker, gardener, antique preservationist who lives in Colorado. Your blog and website bring joy and simple pleasures. I share all your posts on Facebook with all my friends and daughter who delight in your posts. Keep up the good work and celebrate your accomplishments!! You bring joy to my life and to others. Happy to be able to enter your drawing. Blessings to you, Sandy
Congratulations Susan on your wonderful, successful blog. I have enjoyed it so much, especially the pictures of the kitties. How darling they are! Good luck with your very own publishing co. Now you can make all the decisions! Yay! Happy Spring to you and Joe. ~~LYH
What a treat it is to see your fabric. If I am the lucky one, it will be used in quilt making here in upstate New York. My cat Tuxedo would enjoy sitting on something new!
I’m going to order that Autumn book for my girlfriend! I got mine off of ebay a while back so no ribbon for me. 🙂 I am so inspired by your quilt collection that anytime I go to an estate sale, I look through the old linens. I have found very cute hand embroidered dish towels, but no lovely quilts! Guess the families know the value of them! I did encounter some old cook books with the previous owners notes of ‘good’ and “add an extra cup of sugar” type comments. I love those! Thank you for the lovely giveaway! I hope whoever wins shares what they plan to do with all that fabulous fabric! 🙂 Have a nice weekend
Oh, goodness! And goodness it truly is – all of it!! The blog, the give-aways, the books. Who can resist? Every time I see your Rose Chintz china I smile because I have it too, acquired in antique shops and e-bay auctions. Took a while to collect but wow! do I ever love it. And I’m a quilter. I made a very special Susan Branch basket quilt for a special friend’s round-numbered birthday a lot of years ago. All of it- just lovely : )
as usual, you are so generous with your prizes! I would love to win one of them and I know that my chances are slim because of your thousands of followers; but in the meantime, I read everything on your blog and enjoy it so immensely that I feel like a winner every day! you are truly an inspiration to one and all! Sharon Bader
Hi Susan, I am new to your blog and enjoy it so much. I have enjoyed your art for a lot of years and your books also.
Thanks for the chance to win one of your drawings. I have 2 new grand babies, my first and I taught myself to quilt so I could make quilts for them both. Not perfect but every stitch was sewn with love. I discovered Gladys Tabernacle years ago from my grandmother and I have collected all of her books. Love her discription of life in her neck of the woods.
Susan- I actually have one of your mini quilt bundles that sold years ago. Not sure when. I love it & look at it often. Someday I will make the quilt. Love what you do. It makes our lives more beautiful & that is always a great thing. Thank you!-Pat
Congratulations Susan, June is quite the milestone month. Happens to be my birthday on 11th June. I first found out about you about about 5 or 6 years ago, I was browsing on Etsy and found the most gorgeous fabric. A blogger PatchworkPottery told me you were an artist and I could get your fabric in a local fabric store. Not so easy, I searched the net and sparked a few others along the way, one kind person on Etsy whose memory I had jogged found some fabric, bought some and then told me where I could possibly get some. I was lucky and got a yard of the fabric with the clocks and the tea accoutrements on it. That was how it all stated for me, I found you on the web then you started a blog, bliss. So thanks for all the joy you’ve brought, many happy hours spent in your company, many books bought etc… Happy anniversary hope there are many many more. Thanks for the generous giveaway also.
Oh my goodness! Well, first I’d like to congratulate you on these years of writing the blog and face book posts. I always look forward to your blog posts and have never been disappointed. They are such a gift to us; each one! I’m excited about the generous drawings of the lovely items. Count me in! Thank you Susan.
Susan~you always manage to inspire joy…..and that is a gift! Thank you and Felicitations on your/our anniversary with you! xo
Happy anniversary! Your blog always makes my day (note to Vanna – winning would really make my day! 😉 ) Thanks for three wonderful opportunities. Cheers to many more happy blogging years!
p.s. I hope commenting in a ‘reply’ counts for the drawing. I don’t know why, but for the last couple of weeks, the bottom part of your comment section shows up as just a blank, black screen on my computer and doesn’t show the comment box, so I’m commenting in the reply part of the last comment I can see…It’s probably just something my computer ‘came down with’ – but thought I should mention it, just in case I’m not the only one…Happy blogiversary!
Hi Susan,
What beautiful quilts! It was so nice to see your fabrics. My grandmother used to make clothes for me. One year she made us matching dresses for Christmas. I loved it. She has taught me how to sew and knit at least a dozen times now and I still can’t seem to get it. I wish she lived here and not in CT. I can look in a room and “see” where all the furniture will go or I can organize our shed in 15 minutes, but sewing….well…not so easy.
I am supposed to come see you at the reunion next week, but I’m not sure now if I can make it. I’ve never been to a book signing before so even if I don’t make it you should know that you would have been my first and only. lol 🙂
Have a wonderful week. We have a mock orange too….it’s lovely and just started blooming.
I will miss you! And don’t worry about the sewing, there’s and old song: “different strokes for different folks” — not everything is every one’s cup of tea.
Congratulations on your blog Anniversary! I’ve followed you since I got my IPad 2years ago. What a thrill it was to find you. Of course I had several of your books but I never dreamed we could be virtual girlfriends. Are the pre-ordered Autumn books going to be autographed ?
Depending on where I am when the books arrive, they will either be signed, or I will sign bookplates, which will be placed (with panache) inside.
Oh boy, I was hoping that you would! Thank you !
Happy Anniversary! We are all celebrating with you and counting our blessings. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life gifts with us… Your joyfulness is contagious!
Thank you so much for sharing your home and special things with us. God is so good and He seems to allow you to show and share His awesome love through your work. Thank you!
Such a beautiful blog, But of course I love them all! You never cease to amaze me. Thank you so much Susan
Susan, I love your post as always and am sharing it on my Facebook page so my friends can discover your work. You are a woman who uses her talents to better the world, and I much admire you for that.
You are a doll Susan, thank you. xoxo
What a great giveaway! Those fabrics are gorgeous and make me want to make something!
Twitter told me it was ready, and oh, my! What giveaways! Such lovelies! Perhaps I will be lucky this time.:-) It would definitely be a thrill!
I send you the best of wishes for a good week-end!
xo Nellie
Happy Anniversary Susan! Your blog has brought me such joy. I love reading each entry. Years ago I went to a book signing and met you. You were so warm and friendly. I went away thinking that we had been friends for a long time! I also have fond memories of visiting your store in Arroyo Grande. Still love the items I was lucky enough to purchase! Thank you, thank you!
Dearest Susan,
Just love the anniversary blog! So glad you picked quilts as the subject; because that reminds me of my favorite quilt. It is one my husband and I picked up on our first trip to Pennsylvania together. It;s hand-made Amish and the pattern is called (I think appropriately) “Love In Common.” Isn’t that a grand name for a qThis is my national thank you to the lovely lady who made it so painstakingly and sold it to us with a blessing for our future. We’ve loved and cared for it for 21 years now–isn’t that grand?
Beautiful.
Hello Susan,
The very Best of Wishes to you on the anniversary of your Blog!! I must say it always warms my heart and makes my day better when I see in my email that there is a new post from you!! The give aways are so awesome and whomever wins these charming gifts is very, very lucky!! I must have the Autumn book! So I will be pre-ordering that today too. How exciting!! I have several old quilts that my Mother purchased at an auction of one of our elderly neighbors many years ago when I was young. I also have several that belonged to my husbands Grandmother. I, like you, enjoy the soft faded colors and the patterns. I don’t really use them, just like to look at them, they make me happy. So I will be on “Pins and Needles” just waiting for Vanna to do her thing and announce the lucky winners and anticipating the arrival of you Autumn book!!
Your Adoring Fan,
Candice
What a great giveaway! Those gorgeous fabrics make me want to make something!
What a wonderful give away! I quilt and have some of your vintage fabric myself. Love it! Congratulations on your Blogaversary”!
Linda L. In Texas
Blogaversary, of course! 🙂
i love all of your stuff, but i sure do wish that that adorable Jack was included in the giveaway!! i just love him to pieces!
Besides being generous by doing all your creative work of writing and the arts, you are so generous with your give aways. Thanks for all you give to us in all ways and congrats on the blog. I look everyday:) I learn something from it everyday:)
I almost didn’t leave a post when I saw “Jack not included!” LOL. Your blog and the Friends of Susan Branch on FB inspire me in so many ways. I liked your comment in this blog about having the quilts at the end of the bed because you can look at them and they make you happy. I own so many things just because they make me happy. People ask me why I have this or that, and my response is “because it makes me happy.”
I love getting your blog! I have found several of your books and look at them
over & over. I was lucky enough to go to M’s V , rent a Mini- Cooper and drive
all over. Such fun!
I make quilt tops & would be thrilled to use your fabric! Plus, winning your quilt
would be awesome! You can see I would have a use for any of the prizes!
Thanks for enriching my Life.
s
We were looking at a white Mini Cooper for rent down by the boat today and saying, yeah, we have to do this again!
My husband, who never buys anything for himself, recently bought a little red Mini Cooper, and we love it to bits. It has white stripes on the “bonnet”, a sunroof, and is called “Kate.” We take Kate everywhere (or, rather, she takes us) and she makes us feel 30 years younger. (I’m not sure how, but I don’t question the magic.)
We rented one a couple of years ago, for a delicious 24 hours of music and wandering the island under the trees and blue sky. We were also 30 years younger ~ it was such fun! I recommend it to everyone!
I’ve had my all black 2003 mini Cooper (standard shift) since 2004 and wonder what I would ever do without her. She’s my best car EVER! I tell her that every day so she knows how much I love her and never want to be without her. I hope you get one and enjoy him/her. Zoom! Zoom! Maybe then you’ll paint one and it will be as adorable as your paintings of old time VW Bugs.
We talk about it, but our lifestyle is made up of carting things and people around. Toy cars don’t work for that as well! But we can rent them anytime here. They are SOOOOOO CUTE!!!
Happy Anniversary!! 5 years, boy time flies. I love seeing your blog in my email, always a pleasure to read, especially with a cup of tea! Thank you for giving us a peek into your life. Loved your store in CA. So sad when it closed. But we have your blog and online store, so I cannot complain. Happy Summer too!
Happy anniversary..it’s so nice of you to give us treats on your special day! The picture with the lamb, dots and plaid fabric brought back memories. I purchased a roll of contact paper at your store in Arroyo Grande long ago..my kitchen drawers are lined in it! Also had to share…my daughter and I went into a little shop in Yuba City, CA today (my son was playing ball in town, we had an hour to goof off); the shop owner had her own “Jack”! He was laying in the doorway when we walked in. The downtown was all decorated in anticipation of the Belmont Stakes horserace tomorrow…Triple Crown hopeful California Chrome is from there! Such fun…
Dearest Susan,
Congratulations! I love our anniversary blog–and I’m particularly glad you chose quilts as the subject. It gives me the opportunity to nationally thank the lovely Amish woman who painstakingly and lovingly made my favorite quilt. My husband and I selected it at her home in Pennsylvania when we were “new.” So, thank you, Mrs. Munser. We have treasured it for 21 years.
The name of the pattern (I think appropriately) is “Love In Common.” Don’t you think, Susan that it’s a grand name for a quilt pattern?
You have so many exciting things going on that I can hardly wait for time to pass. I don’t want to wish my life away; but I REALLY am looking forward to the new desk calendar!!!
Love/Hugs,
ElFe
Ok, just so you know…you are cracking me up!
And this is exactly WHY you are sooo intoxicating to us!!!
I saw it in one sentence you wrote…
It is…
…NOT the “generously glorious” give-aways
…NOT the “beauty and order” of your lovely Hearth and Home shared
…NOT the “giftedness of talent and heart” in your Art and Writing
…NOT even “The Joe Factor”!!!! (what could BEST Joe??!!)
….though it is ALL of that and more!
But the binding, connective tissue of ALL THINGS SUSAN BRANCH that keeps us coming back for MORE…is your AUTHENTICITY!!! You are US!
Here’s the sentence where it clicked for me…talking of your Quilts…
“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 . . .”
You just like to look at them. That’s enough. I love it. No boundaries. Just do it.
There’s a FREEDOM that comes as you share…you aren’t saying, DO IT THIS WAY OR THAT WAY…you just live as it comes and throw a quilt wherever it suits your sensibilities! I LOVE IT!!! And I laughed out loud when I read it. Yeh, it doesn’t make sense. But it does. And it’s a gift to the rest of us.
THANKS for your unadulterated
OOOPS! Didn’t finish that last sentence…
Thanks for your unadulterated passion and excitement for seizing your life and living so authentically as a model for the rest of us! It’s infectious!
xoxo thank you Beth.
Beth. You are too much. But you know what, I am you! That’s why we get along so well! 🙂
Oh I love you both and I love this blog. Just makes me happy! Thank you!!!
Hello Susan and congratulations 😉
You touched a part of my soul so many years ago and have remained there. You express what I feel so eloquently in your work. I am grateful for the love you put into everything- it shows! You make me smile at least once a day! love you, Barbara <3
Hi Susan, I just had to go back and look at the pillowcase with the bluebird and yellow rickrack again. It is so charming as are all your quilts and your beautiful fabrics. What a generous giveaway. I remember your advice to buy beautiful pillowcases because they “show”. I love vintage pillowcases especially with crochet lace. A lot of them are like new because they were deemed “too good” for everyday use. I use mine and I always iron them and spray them with lavender water. Your blog cheered me up today as I spent 5 hours at my pre op appointment at the hospital in preparation for hip replacement surgery on July 3rd. Thank you do much.
Elaine, be sure to let us know how it goes. Must be scary, but I am surrounded with success stories for hip replacement. All my best to you!
Thanks so much, Susan. I remember you saying that the only way to it is through it. So for a week or so it will be really hard but then it will get better every day. To be able to walk again with no pain will be such a blessing. My husband will be right there with me. I’m so grateful. We celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary yesterday. I’ll keep you posted.
Happy Anniversary! I know it will be wonderful the moment you wake up, the only way you will have to go is UP.
Elaine,
Good Luck with your Hip Replacement….You will be in our prayers and thoughts,,,,,My sister is going to have her replacement done in Oct. I think that is too far away especially with the pain she is having. So Good Luck and I also know many, many people who have had that surgery and have come out cheering and wishing they had done it sooner. You will be dancing soon. Love, Susan P.
Thank you so much, Susan P. I love how positive everyone is. Everyone I have talked to about their surgery are so glad they had it done. I want to be well on the road to recovery so I can enjoy the fall and Christmas seasons, although I have several gifts already. I’m sorry your sister has to wait so long. My thoughts and prayers will be with her. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Hugs, Elaine
Happy Annversary! It has been so much fun reading your posts and all the Girlfriend comments these past years. So many memories of where I was when I read this one or commented on that one.
I thought about you today as I was readying my house for my big cousin reunion happening next week. I was cleaning and dusting all the little treasures from our family that I want my cousins to see, some for the first time. I knew it was the kind of loving care you take with your home for your company. I hugged my grandmother’s china doll and told her, “Your family is coming!” My grandfather’s clock decided to work remarkably, too! I think it’s excited. My parlor has all my ancestors’ pictures hanging and I just kept saying, “Your family us coming!, Your family is coming!” I couldn’t help myself.
Thanks, Susan, for such inspiration in our home keeping, our decorating, traveling, and the always special reading material, from blogs to books. I love you and the Girlfriends!
Thank you so much for such a generous giveaway! I love the pictures of your quilts that are meant to be used..not just admired. As I get ready to go play Celtic music on a beautiful outdoor patio this summer evening a part of me thinks of the cool evenings that will be here soon. Thank you again for your wonderful blog!
Happy Anniversaries!!! Your blog and your books are just stupendous, my life would not be near as much fun without them! I’m not typing very well, my left thumb had surgery two days ago, but I can still read and enjoy! Congratulations on the new publishing company, so nice to be able to “do your own thing”. Are you going to sign any of the newly printed Autumn books that will be available on your website? Please enter me in the drawings for the three wonderful give-a-ways, I am keeping my fingers crossed. Well on one hand anyway!
They will all be signed…if I’m in California when they come in, I’ll sign the books, otherwise, I will be busy signing bookplates!
Such inspiration : your books, blog, travels, Facebook page…never ending! Thank you!
Happy Anniversary. I love, love, love the quilts and fabrics. I have lots of your stickers. I’ve used some but mostly love to save them. I wish I would have gotten fabric too. Beautiful. You are so wonderful and so thoughtful to have giveaways. How sweet you are. Thanks so much for making the world a better place by your great blogs.
Susan, I am so glad you blog! What a gift to all of us, your Friends!!!
THANK YOU!!
Happy Anniversary and congrats to you Susan!! We all LOVE you and your blog!! WoW! What exciting giveaways! Maybe this will be the time I get lucky! Thanks for the chance! I’m excited!
Wow! All those things are gorgeous! Would love to be able to sew with those fabrics! Such yummy colors!
Susan: There are times when all the bad and worrisome news in the world starts to drag me down, it is then most especially, that I find your blog and books such a comfort. I guess sometimes I need to be reminded to take things in balance, as you’ve said there is much beauty in the world and I am very lucky to know it. I am in the process of reading your new book and later on the other night while I slept I dreamt that I was roaming around on an ocean liner with a bunch of cats looking for my room!! Crazy. Thanks for all Susan!
LOL, what a wonderful dream, Kathleen!
Oh boy , the fabric look great, being a quilter I am very excited.
Love your new calendar too,
Lisa
Absolutely love all the quilts – they come with such love! Your fabrics are beautiful and your blog is a treasure! Wish I could give back as much happiness to you – have a wonderful weekend!
I’ve decided you are an incurable romantic (which I love) and an overachiever! Everything you do touches my heart……congratulations on this bloganniversary and I would love anything that Vonna picks….
Roses and rainbows and cute little kittys noses, enter me in the drawings for the fabric bundles, calender pages and the quilt “hearts and flowers” (by the way would look ever so lovelyl on my summer bed) I’m not fussy! Vanna do your magic and think Minnesota when you dive into the name bin.
Thanks, Denise
I love coming to this happy place! I remember seeing this beautiful armoire stacked with colorful quilts. I admit I had to have this look in our guest room. You have inspired me in more ways than one, dear Susan. What a wonderful place for domestic godesses to come. I’d be at Stillwater next week if it weren’t for my grandson’s graduation. Have a wonderful time and I know the girlfriends will love seeing you. xoxo ♥
Everytime I read your blog I feel HAPPY! It is so nice to read that you worry about whether we will like what you post, because I worry about whether you will like how I respond! We are all so much alike aren’t we? I never want to impose myself on anyone and you make me feel so welcome. Thank you! I quilt, I scrap, I collect quilts, and all things Susan Branch, so I would be over the moon with any one of your gifts. But truthfully you are the gift that we all treasure, so good luck to all the girlfriends and I will wish on the srawberry moon for a chance to win! Love.
♥ ♥ ♥ xoxo
Amen! Susan, YOU are the gift that we all treasure! However I would still like to win one of your wonderful gifts. 🙂 XOXOXO
Cannot believe those years have passed so quickly! Time flies when you’re havinvg fun! Thank you for all the years of inspiration and beauty….for bringing all of us kindred sisters together….for teaching us to treasure the simple things that add beauty to everyday life…for being both a friend and a mentor. Cheers to many more years on the blog of creativity!! ♥♥♥
What a generous giveaway! I have a few of your books, but it would be wonderful to have the fabric!
Love your blog and your wonderful writing and stories about the simple everyday things that we all should appreciate more. Happy Blogaversary!
Susan…loved see your Quilt Collection. I have three quilts myself and feel
like I am so blessed to have those. One my Mother In Love made for me, one two others I found at Antique Shops. One I actually paid only $25.00 for and it is beautiful.
Happy Anniversary on the Blog and FOSB too. We can’t get enough of YOU…those of us who have been following you for years.
It would be such a blessing to win any of your three give-aways.
And I can hardly wait for the New Book to Come out. And let me just say
“Here-Here on having it published in the good ol’ USA and for the Ribbon
Markers”.
True Friends will Follow you where ever you go…not wanting to miss one once
of excitement. You make a difference in our World… by adding more FUN, more FLAVOR and more FLARE to our lives. Thank You Susan from the bottom of our Tea Cups! We Toast YOU!!
Blessings and Joy,
PeggyAnn
Oh my! What lovely bundles of greatness! I have read your blog from the beginning and it continues to cheer my heart. They are such a blessing in our crazy world.. The beauty you share in both the natural world and the creative one make each blog such a welcomed respite fom what else is going on. Love you Susan!
Oh Susan~~~~ 3! winners for the drawings this time around!!! Oh happy days! First off, let me tell you that I just love EVERYTHING! So excited to hear the names of the winners….. maybe me? That would be great, but win or not, I’ll be so happy.
You do have quite the assortment of quilts. I used to have several, but they are one of the few collections that I felt led to down sizing when we moved. I knew that I wouldn’t have room for them all. I did keep a few though. We have my husband’s grandmother’s old quilt. I love it…. in very good shape and the colors are lovely. I have that on the end of the bed in one of the spare bedrooms.
I bought a bird feeder yesterday. Well, actually, it has 5 feeders in one. We’re having so much fun watching the birds discover it. There is this one crow that really thinks he should hang around and try to land on the flat feeder, but, of course, it swings way to much so he just paces back and forth “cawing”. We have a couple yellow finches that I’m really excited about mostly. Still waiting for the hummers to arrive. I’ve heard one, but it hasn’t landed as yet.
Just noticed that it’s getting to be about dinner time, so must be going for now. Once again, I am really excited about this post. More later….
Carol M
Ooooooohhh, fabric, fabric, fabric! And Cats! Quilts and cats just seem to go together. I have some quilts my grandmother made, with the soft colors like yours; probably some of the fabrics are the same. Thank you for sharing all your lovely pictures of all your lovely things!
Such a long time ago I bought the very 1st fat quarters of your very first fabric collection…one pattern showed a big hat (wishing my senior memory would help me out with the name). I’ve been a quilter for eons, recently moved into Senior independent living condo, but will always have a quilting room. . .started a new quilt just yesterday. I will be happy to win any little SB fabric scrap left over!
I will be happy to receive any SB fabric scraps left over.
How did you know I needed this today? I was supposed to working on my own book that I’m writing, but I just had to spend some time with the heart of my home. So my little corgi and I tidied up the sewing and scrapbook nooks. And what do you know? I have been trying to live each day in a simple, beautiful way. Reading, writing, gardening, sewing, scrapbooking, baking, cooking, and just savoring. It seems like whenever I am NOT living simply enough- or whenever I’ve had a day much like today when I’ve felt alive because I’ve been doing just those things, that’s when a new blog post appears. I am so glad that you decided to start your blog and Facebook pages. I’ve been a fan for years (found the April 2001 Creating Keepsakes magazine I saved because it had an article on you in there just today while I was organizing), and it’s helped me to have contact with so many girlfriends! Happy Anniversary, and thank you for bringing the heart of the home to life in my daily life. It makes me smile!
My fingers are itchy to quilt the GORGEOUS fabric. I love the 1930’s fabrics as well – they speak to me. xoxo
I love reading your blog, it makes my day. I pre ordered you Autumn book, one for me and one for my best friend. I bought her your book, A Fine Romance for her birthday which is tomorrow, June 7. She is enjoying it and so is her husband, who is in the hospital awaiting surgery.
Have a wonderful weekend and summer.
Millie Ellis-Deal
Tell her I wish her a Happy Birthday please, Millie. And all my best for her husband. xoxo
Dear Susan…what a wonderful, wonderful post. Congratulations on your anniversaries! I can’t imagine my world without yours….it would be a sad place. What generosity!!!! Your fabric and quilt are so beautiful and happy…such a lovely gift for anyone who sews or quilts. I will have to admit the calendars are really my thing because of card-making. I almost feel guilty putting a comment here because I have some of your fabric and so much of your art work…collected over the last 15 years….but, notice, I AM commenting…ha! I am so excited for any of the girlfriends who do not have Autumn and will now be able to own one. I have TWO! Some of my favorite recipes are in that book!! Thanks for all that you do, which means so much to all of us. Rachel
And I’m glad you are Rachel, you have been a wonderful friend to me! xoxo Thanks for all YOU do!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you so much for sharing your life and loves with everyone. I love your art, colors and words. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Oh, this is so exciting. The prizes are wonderful and will make three girlfriends very happy.
I just have to tell you that you have SO inspired my best friend and I that we are going to ENGLAND countryside in July. We are going to Beatrix Potters house and see bunnies and lambs and flowers…oh my. We are so excited, two weeks in Lake District, Peak District, Cotswolds etc. we are staying in Bed and Breakfast and a different Tea Room everyday for lunch! Our tour is called Cottages, Castles, Countryside and Tea tour. Oh be still my heart. Thank you for A Fine Romance, we are going to read it again on our flight.
K
You ARE? How wonderful — oh my, you are going to LOVE it. Be sure to write when you get home and tell us how it was!
Oh my goodness gracious!! I am giddy with excitement over the remote possibility that I could win one of those amazing prizes. I treated myself to a lovely cotton quilt at Art in the Park in Boulder City when I lived in Nevada. The corners fan out & reach the floor & I just love the feel of the quilted material when I step on it barefoot. Am I a little weird or are there others like me out there somewhere. I wish I had one of the quilts my aunt Louise used to use for pallets when my cousins would come over to spend the night. She had one that had holly hobby type girls quilted onto it. Oh well, I’ve got it in my memory. I build dollhouse miniatures & would looovvvvvveeeee the fabric bundles for that. My name also means bee, so the bee fabric would “bee” perfect!! Congrats on blog & Facebook Anniversary!
I’m only commenting again because I commented earlier (at 6:18 p.m.) and it’s still waiting for moderation. You can delete this when you do but I would so hate to miss out on the opportunity. Thanks! 🙂
Don’t worry, our “random number generator” knows to only count each name once, you can comment as often as you like.
Omgosh! I am drooling as I read this post! Your fabric and quilt…Just beautiful!!! Even if I don’t win, thank you for the opportunity to see the pictures. Too bad Jack doesn’t go with it 🙂
Hoping for the fabric to share with a dear friend.
Congratulations on your success…I love your ideas and you’ve lifted my spirits through some tough times. Thanks for the inspiration!
A short comment? Hmmm, not sure the girlfriends can do that, heheh. Oh, how I would love the fabric especially since I make quilts. Just today I finished a baby quilt for my new grandson due July 16!!! Tomorrow is the baby shower at my other son’s house, who just got engaged. I am a happy woman. Thank you, especially, for the reminder of all the good people in the world, outnumbering those that make the news. Love you, Sue – Barb On Bainbridge Island
How wonderful, no wonder you’re so happy! xoox
Congratulations on your wonderful blog! I’m so glad I found it months ago. You are so generous with your give aways. I love all three!
Thank you,
Emma
I am so thankful for finding your blog. It is a ray of sunshine whenever you post.
sigh of joy… I’ve just had my Susan fix as I read and delighted in every new line and picture and sighting of kittycats too in your latest post.
Oh yes please, I’d love to be in your anniversary draw.
I just finished gift wrapping two copies of A Fine Romance for dear friends I’m meeting for breakfast tomorrow morning. It’s a ‘just because’ gift and I’m hoping they will find it a ‘fine summer read’ some of these lovely summer afternoons.
Thank you Susan for your inspiration and for being our very dear consolation in these troubled times. You draw us back to the heart of things.
Big blessings back at you….
Brenda
oxo
Happy Breakfast Brenda! xoxo
Oh my gosh, Susan. What an incredible blog and give away! Happy Anniversary! You bring smiles and happy thoughts to every day.
Chris in Florida
Another wonderful afternoon reading all the exciting news from YOU! You truly know how to cheer us all up – & I don’t mean that we get cheered up just because there is a give away. Just the opportunity to see your priceless treasures makes all of us feel special and terrific!! To know that we have been together all of these years is special in itself. I speak for myself when I say that you have made a HUGE different in my life. I know the many other girlfriends feel the same way. You are a treasure and we consider ourselves so blessed to have you as our GIRLFRIEND! Thank you…..XXOO
You were already way perfect before I came along Pat. xoxo
Well, this is giveaway SUPREME! Wow! And so excited we can pre-order the book!
Your blog post is a work of art. The colors are a feast for the senses. I started quilting a little over a year ago, and I am completely in love with fabric. I am drawn to your colors and delicate designs. You have such an awesome talent. Thank you for blogging.
Dearest Susan,
Happy anniversary to you! I am so thrilled each week to get my email from you! I just love to see what you have to share! I especially like your Peter Rabbit room, which my mom also likes and has been inspired to begin her On my way! collection of figurines. Her first one is Jamima Puddle Duck. Now I know what to get her each birthday and Christmas. I also love your fabrics and am a nut when it comes to sewing, etc.
Blessings to you and Joe! (And the kitties, too!)
Congrats on your Anniversary! I am a fan from your very first book and love to quilt! I would love to win ANY of your contests! I also cannot wait to purchase your 2015 desk blotter calendar. I am a school secretary and my desk was not the same last year without seeing your beautiful artwork in front of me everyday!
Happy, happy anniversaries! Every time I read one of your blogs, I find myself smiling & reveling in all things involved in the very best of places–HOME! I am gradually collecting Gladys Taber books (thanks to your blog). I just got 3 more in the last few days & am enjoying them so much! Currently, I am reading The Stillmeadow Road. Each time I pick up one, I am transported to her beloved home. Thank you for bringing her to us!
Girlfriends are the very best thing to have! Thank you for being such a wonderful girlfriend to all of us! Love! Love!!
Thank you for taking the time to share with us! I enjoy your blog so much. Today’s was just great. I love the picnic photo.
Janet
Hi, Susan….you always cheer me up…just when I need it. ..another of our kitty babes passed over yesterday. ..you understand how I am feeling today. ..2 boys left now. Would love to win one of your goodie packs. Your blogs are uplifting! Thank you.
🙁 oh. xoxo
Sorry to hear of your kitty babe’s passing. Sending hugs your way.
Love, love, love your blog. I look everyday to see if you have added anything new. You are so inspiring and uplifting, always makes me happy when I read your delightful postings. Thank you so much for taking the time to enlighten all of us out here in the blog world.
I would love to be entered in your drawing.
Thank you
Penne
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! Thank you so much for sharing your goodies with us. I am beginning a quilting class in the fall and those Fat Quarters make my mouth water! Enjoy all your talents so much and will be ordering your Autumn book. And that garden frog has been calling my name!!
Oh, how these quilts and the embroideries make my heart sing. They remind me of the beautiful things my grandmother, mother (and now even I) have made. My grandmother’s blue willow dishes and bread board and my so cherished quilt she made for my wedding gift 42 years ago. I’d love to win any of these beautiful prizes. Thank you for your wonderful ability and willingness to share these lovely things.
Happy anniversary and thank you for sharing your talents with us! I have enjoyed every blog since day 1 and always anxious for a new one. Thank you.
Happy Anniversary!!!! My favorite painter, MV person, author, creative writer of this wonderful blog & FB page – I’m still trying to take this all in!!!! Thank you, Susan, for all the beauty & creativity you share with us all over the world. This is just over the top!!!! You are wonderful – Happy Summer 🙂
p.s. love those kitties xoxoxo
Happy Anniversary Susan! I absolutely love your blog and books. You are such an inspiration! Keep up the good work, can’t wait for the new book.
Just finished reading “A Fine Romance” and I’m dying to go to England! Thanks for the drawing – all the prizes are lovely!
Wow … What a give away. I totally enjoy your blog and very happy that you let us into your beautiful world. Happy Anniversary. Keep on doing what you do …. The world is a lovely place with people like you to make it wonderful and sooooo interesting.
This is the most wonderful blog post of all! I especially love the quilts and Susan Branch fabrics. They are a perfectly perfect combination! It was fun seeing Meg’s Crabapple Hill tea towels included in this post. I’ve visited Meg’s studio and enjoyed chatting with her. I know I’d love chatting with you too — I’ve been a fan forever! Please enter me into your drawing. I would love to win a prize. And now…I’m off to spread the word and share a link to this blog post with my quilt guild buddies. Enjoy a lovely day. PS: I love the Friends of Susan Branch FB page too…which is what directed me here today. <3
Love your blog. The colors you choose are just perfect.