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
Thank you so much for your blog. It makes my day just to see a new posting and even if I don’t, I enjoy reading your older ones. Have a wonderful day! Judy
Ahhh.. Everything is just.. Lovely! My heart skipped a beat when I saw give a way number 3. I lost my precious Dad that year and now even the sight of that year…2006.. And I think of him… He was just that special to me!
Love all of your work and have since around 1990! You inspire me to..paint and play with art! Blessings.. From my Texas pasture!
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for having this uplifting website. It has so many inspiring things to read. I just discovered it today through Facebook. (A friend of mine is a friend of yours. And with great joy, I am now a friend of yours, too!)
I would certainly love to win any of the wonderful gifts that you are offering. Actually I feel like I have already won a prize by getting to know you (and hope to continue to do so)!
Fondly, Nancy
I am a maker of quilts and I love your fabrics.
Susan,
Would love to win any of the 3 prizes – I am a Kansas quilter and appreciate all things quilt related – including your beautiful calendars and your wonderful blog! Happy anniversary to you and all of the girlfriends and thank you for all of the wonderful things you do for the world!
Judy
Thank you for your wonderful blog! You join kindred spirits and keep us grounded in the values of home and family. I too am a quilt lover. I have a few quilts from several family generations. Two of them have sugar label backing. Once I took apart a quilt that was falling apart so that I could save the better parts for other projects. When I got inside, I found that my grandmother had used another raggedy quilt as batting for the newer one. What a delightful find! My mother always kept the quilts closed in dark cabinets or chests to preserve them. Not me! I think their beauty is meant to be shared. My favorite quilt is a bright Friendship Quilt that my mother’s friends signed and made for her in high school. And my favorite quilt memory is our three-generation quilt that we made for my daughter’s wedding. I cut and pieced, my daughter and my husband helped sew the squares and baste the backing, and my mom, at age 90, quilted it. Nothing says family like a quilt! Thank you for sharing your love with all of us.
Oh, I have been behind in reading the blogs. Warms my heart and sole to read them up to date. Your wonderful giveaways are “wonderful.”
Happy Anniversary on the blog and FB. May you have many more.
Blessings!
Love your quilts. I am a quilter and my heart skipped a beat when I saw your fabric give away.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Susan,
I became a fan of yours in 2007 when I recieved your Autumn Book as a gift for my birthday which is in the Fall. I love that book……with all the detail and art work and the delicious recipes.
Your blog is the best…..with all the Musica of yesteryear…….the Quotes, the step by step recipes with all the Beautiful pictures you entwine and the details of each. Taking us all to England via arm chair travelers and then the Book of A Fine Romance…..well written and what a great read that was…Bravo to you! Now maybe a Movie of the Book in the Future? Thank you for also sharing about your family, your friends and Girl and Jack kitty! Thank you so much for making my life more special by all you share with us Girlfriends!
Hugs & Smiles
Barb :):):)
Your blog always puts me in a great mood! I wait until I have oodles of time to read so that I may savor it
Thanks, Susan!
What a wonderful post I loved all the quilts, so beautiful, and I just really loved the picture of jack with his tongue sticking out he made me smile and laugh. Thank you for making my day. Sherry
What an amazing give-a-way!!! Thank you so much!!! And thank you for starting all this wonderfulness!!! Happy Anniversary!!! Is it okay to say I hope I win?!!! 🙂 I’m so excited about the Autumn book! That is my must have!!!
OMG! Such beautiful things. I would love to be
in the drawings please! Thank you Susan for all
of the wonderful things you’ve created! ❤️
Oooohhh, thank you Susan. My fingers are soooo crossed!
You are just the sweetest person to offer these lovely things.
Hi Susan: I’m recovering from a fall in my garage and feeling down in the dumps when I (with a banged up right hand) decided to read your recent blog. The quilts are wonderful to see. As a quilter, I love the old quilts made by hand, the patterns and colors take your breath away. You speak to our hearts with your art and love of all things of home. The kitties, the quilts, the quotes and the love from the girl friends to you, makes for a great day. Good luck to all in the drawings.
Your designs are so beautiful and inspirational to me! I would be honored to own any piece of your art! And it all is art!
XOXO
You always inspire me to try to live the life of my dreams and take joy in the little things. Thank you.
Love your blog. So inspiring. My sis and I follow it with fervor!!!
Wow over 3,000 comments! This will be like winning the lottery!! I made a lap quilt from Susan’s fabrics. My mother-in-law taught me how to quilt with that little pattern. She is now in Heaven but I cherish the Susan Branch quilt!!
Everyone’s a winner in this contest!!! Would be thrilled to receive any of those wonderful gifts 🙂
Happy Birthday Blog!!!!!!
Dear Susan – You have over 3,000 comments! Congratulations on making the world a more beautiful place. I am thankful I found your blog and love your book on England. When I’m beginning to feel wilted and worn, I tune in here and feast on the beauty! Again thank you very much. Renee
I don’t very often comment, Susan, but I really should thank you more often for your wonderful blogs and photos, which are so uplifting and encouraging. You really have a gift for living and for sharing your zest for life. Well done.
I particularly enjoyed your ” A Fine Romance”. I live in the UK and so enjoyed your perspective on our country–I saw it through a fresh pair of eyes.
I’m sure you light a lamp in many hearts which might be sad or depressed. Thank you so much.
Hi Angela, my mother’s maiden name was Jefferies spelled the same way as yours. Her parents, William Thomas Jefferies and Florence Rosina Gregory Bryant came to Canada from Bristol, England around 1900. They had 8 children. Wouldn’t it be fun if we found out we were long, lost cousins! Good luck in the draw. Can’t wait to find out who wins.
Hi Elaine.
It would be fun if we were related, as the spelling of our surname is not common. However, I don’t think it’s likely, as my husband’s family all came from The Midlands, around Wolverhampton. There is a rumour that originally they came from Wales, but that has not been proved.
Oh, I would love to win that wonderful fabric! I am a patchworker and would love to make it all into something pretty.
Love those beautiful quilts, tea towels, fabric and books!! Four of my favorite things in life.
Three Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-nine comments! Holy Wahoo, Batman! Have you had time to eat or sleep while moderating them? You must be floating on that lovely puffy white cloud on the horizon. So much love coming your way. 🙂
I think you might consider this blog and FOSB a successful endeavor. LOL
Love all your calendars and stuff! thanks!
Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
please enter me in the give away … I love quilts!
I just started quilting and since I love all your artwork this would be a really great spark to my creativity! Thank you so much for your generosity!
Susan,
Your site makes my heart smile and I feel warm and fuzzy when I look at it.
Thanks,
Sheri
I know I say this just about every time I comment…but I’ll say it again…..your blog brings a smile to my face every time. Thank you for brightening my day (and I’m sure ALL the girlfriend’s days) every time it lands in my inbox. 🙂
Happy anniversary, Susan! Many happy returns!
I have enjoyed your blog from day 1, Happy Anniversary!
I am a fan of all your work, and have a number of products that I cherish of yours. You are a “kindred spirit”, I so enjoyed your trip to England. I have a beautiful daughter-in-law from there and she is a jewel, she makes us curd and scones and we all have tea together! Great fun. I hope Vanna picks me! Thanks much for your beautiful works of art such an inspiration always.
Susan love the little place mat.
Hubby Joe says you and I are blog sisters; 2 black/white cats to love, fabrics to quilt; flowers to enjoy, a good book to read and a love for tea. I agree with him.
I would love any or all of the goodies. I ‘heart’ anything Susan Branch.
Dear Susan, Happy Anniversary! You are such an inspiration. I love all of your books, fabrics and stickers. You are so very talented. Please enter me into your drawing.
Your friend, Alice
Your work has filled my heart with joy for many years. Thank you.
Thank you, Susan, for all of your glorious books and your blog. You are an amazing lady. Best wishes for many more years of writing books and blogging. Take Care!
Your blog posts bring so much joy into my day. Thank you for generously sharing your creativity with all of us. I love your storytelling, your eye for photography, your decorating skills, your painting, your fabric designs AND the list could go on much longer but you get the picture. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
When does the party begin? Also, “Happy Birthday” to me today! Yeah!
I would love to join all the people of Planet Earth, who love you as much as I do, for these special drawings. Congrats on 5 years of blogging!! You have accomplished sooooo much in so many areas and should be quite proud of yourself!! xxoo
Happy Anniversary to you! I’ve always been a big fan of all your lovely sketch/watercolor paintings. Thanks for the chance to win one of your special prizes.
Each of your posts are jam-packed with “heart-of-the-home”, and this one is no exception. So many of us would love to be a lucky one chosen by Vanna, but we’re all winners in a way when we check in and read what you’ve shared with us each time. That’s a great collection of quilts–no matter if they’re not all in perfect condition–they’re each an expression of love. Thanks for sharing and giving us each a chance to be among the luckiest ones.
Oh Susan, you are So generous! My sewing machine is waiting in anticipation of your fabric! Right now, I am making a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt inspired by the one Jack is sleeping on in your photo. By hand, using the English paper piecing. Happy Anniversary!
Boooteful!
🙂
Beautiful!
That is the first time I have typed my new married lady name. I will not always include the Stephenson but since that’s how I have communicated with you in the past, I wanted to leave it there. Just married this past weekend to my love, Everett, in Maine. It was perfect…the day, the ceremony, the flowers, the guest, and the 5 cakes on the cake buffet. My pen pal from your blog, Barbara Schuller Tabb mentioned me to you earlier. Love you books, your blog and the lovely old things you share.
How wonderful Karen, Congratulations to him, good luck to you, It sounds lovely!
I saw the photos and those darling wedding cakes were just that – darling – she had an antique teacup and saucer on top of each cake! and inside each teacup were fresh flowers. it was just the perfect touch. xoxoxo
Would love to make a quilt of these sweet fabrics. Thanks!
Your blog always makes me feel so good; it’s nice to read on a busy, hectic day. Any of the giveaway prizes would be lovely to win! Thanks for being so sweet!
Happy Anniversary, Susan!!! Thank you for always thinking of us girls who appreciate your art, and your heart. What a lovely giveaway, thanks for giving everyone the opportunity to participate!! All my best to you, your hubby and the kitties!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for a chance to win these treasures! Also, thank you for your beautiful, long blogs with tons of great pictures. I read them on my lunch hour as a meditation:). I work in a very depressing and negative office, but your blogs and website just whisk me away to another world. I really appreciate all that you do!!
Quilting is my next craft to try after bringing my sewing machine out from years of hibernation. I have a one year old granddaughter to make little dresses for and I see a quilt in her future. I would love to have your fabric and am sad that it is not on the market anymore. Thank you for all of the color and joy that you bring to all of us!
Happy Anniversary!!! I have loved you and everything you have done for years. The fabric pack is fabulous. I always seem to fall in love with fabric that isn’t readily available any more.
I was going through a book, ” Martha’s Vineyard”, and low and behold there was a picture with Beatrix Potter figurines on the window sill. Looked in the index and sure enough it was your house. Such a pleasant surprise to see your house in 1992. It was beautiful then as it is now.
Judy Heinrich
I love it all! Quilts, Gladys Taber, cats,your blog dishes old linens.
Happy Anniversary to a beautiful and talented lady! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us and making this world a lovelier place!
Hi Susan, Thank you for another inspiring, beautiful post. As always, my favorite part is Jack and Girl Kitty. As much as I love the post, I get misty thinking about the only quilt I have. My brother tragically died at age 35. A friend took several of his t-shirts, jeans and other clothes to make the most amazing quilt and tribute to his life. I can look at the quilt and see pieces of all the travels and good times we shared. It is the most treasured gift I have ever received. Thank you.
What a gift. ♥
I love everything SusanBranch!! Especially the calanders!!! Can’t live without them!!
Quilts! I love ’em! Love Jack and Girl Kitty, too. It’s no wonder you wouldn’t put them for a give-away 😉
I love the picture of your beautiful foxgloves, my favorite summer flower.
I love the blog, I love that you remind your friends to get a cup of tea, and I love quilts! Thanks for the inspiration!
How can you bear to give these treasures away??? I would love to be a winner!!
How wonderful to give away to all of us out here your lovely fabric and drawings and a really special little quilt!! Thank you!
It’s such a joy to read your blog. So dense with the beauty of a gentle life.
I’m dreaming of those gorgeous fabrics. It would be like having your beautiful
energy in my home.
From Terri G.,
fellow quilter and painter
I really loved the beautiful quilts. I’ve been thinking about getting some quilts to decorate my house with. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us.
Happy anniversary to us! And many more! I cannot wait to hear all about FOGT and Stillmeadow. Thank you for introducing me to Gladys several years ago. I now have about 15 of her books. Have you read Conversations with Amber? Which one is your favorite?
Picking a favorite, I’ve decided, is impossible!
Thank you Susan for all your words and photos. I look forward to your postings. I wish your fabrics were still being produced. There is nothing better than a stack of fat quarters on a chilly weekend afternoon.
Yes! Now that I see the colors in the quilts, I see why your artwork is so amazingly beautiful.
Thank you
Happy Anniversary! It was wonderful to meet you on your book tour stop here at Strawberry Patches in Bakersfield, CA. I made a quilt with some of your Martha’s Vineyard Watercolors fabric, was so timid I didn’t bring it for you to sign, oh well! So many wonderful comments but here’s hoping I might be a lucky recipient of some of your fabulous goodies. You are so very generous. Just love reading your blog. All my best, Sharon
Next time Sharon!
i think i just died and went to heaven. OMG! fabulous Susan love your products 🙂 I’m waiting Vanna 🙂
Oh, what a lovely post this is! Thank you, dear Susan, for sharing your beautiful life with us.
Love you…
Barbie
I love your blog Susan – it brings me so much joy to read your words and look at your pictures. Thank you!
Happy Anniversary! Happy fabrics from inspiration of others who created happy quilts from the fabric, and counting the days on calendars created by a gifted artist sharing her gifts with many others who can enjoy all those creations with happiness.
thank you,
Donna J
Oh, I hope I’m not too late to enter your drawing! We’re painting in our “library” where the computer is and had it unplugged until today.
I love collecting fabric because it’s like art to me – so pretty – and I enjoy just looking at it. Such charming and homey quilts you have, and I would treasure the one in your giveaway.
By the way, I had a dream last night that you were coming over and I was upset that the house was turned upside down because of our painting/crown moulding/window casing projects in the bedrooms. Of course you were the perfect guest and so gracious like you didn’t even notice the mess.
Thank you for reminding us of the simple pleasures we have all around us.
You aren’t too late, you’re right on time. I was going to get Vanna to draw our winners yesterday . . . but almost 200 more comments came in overnight, so I’m waiting. I’m on the boat now, on my way to Connecticut . . . will have lots to tell when I get home! Will put Vanna to work tomorrow morning!
I figure, when people come to my house, as long as we have room on the kitchen table for cups of tea, I’m doing good (in the cleaning up way).
I loved seeing your quilts and dishes. I’ve been wanting to learn to quilt and would love to win the fabric selection – those beautiful fabrics! I love your blog. Just introduced my sister to it a couple of weeks ago. I knew she would identify with your kitty love, among other things.
Thank you for the giveaway! I am a quilter, and love the traditional vintage quilts you have always shown on your blog and your artistry! I would love to win but know all over 3,000 of your best friends would like to also! Best wishes for many more years we can all spend together!
Donna H in Oregon!
You are so generous !!! What a give away — I would LOVE any of your products ! Your water color is inspirational to me
Hi Auntie Penny!! And Happy Birthday to you!
So fun to see you here…wouldn’t it be exciting if we won something in this drawing from our beloved SB!! ❌⭕❌⭕
Happy Birthday to Auntie Penny! 🙂
Eye candy quilts! Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh your quilts are so gorgeous!!!! No wonder girl kitty want to lay on them!
Thanks for sharing the eye candy quilts.
How time flies! I remember when the FB page and blog got started and I’ve enjoyed them all along the way. Thanks for keep reminding us of the all the sweet things in life.
Love em…want em 🙂
My dear Susan…..How wonderful of you to post about quilts and the other joys of home. Of course, we all would read your blog even if it was your grocery list.
Thank you for being such a wonderful friend – you have our hearts. As for the quilts, they are just beautiful, old, soft, colorful, loved by someone who took the time and care to stitch each one….what a treasure.
Have a wonderful trip to Gladys’s house, beleive me, it’s worth the trip.
Blessings to you and Joe and of course the kitties. Love Marge
Especially if it was a grocery list, lol. What fun that would be!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Congratulations on your two anniversaries! Definitely something to celebrate. You should be so proud of everything you do and give so lovingly to all of us! You lift my spirits and inspire me to create something, anything. {*o*} I would love to win any one of the giveaways. They are all so beautiful! Thanks for sharing as always!!
I agree with you totally that the majority of people in this world are loving family people who enjoy the simple pleasures we all share; food ,family and friends.My family in England is a mixed bag of sweeties !My sister in laws are English, Russian ,German And American my kids call their aunties the super
powers lol more power to your elbow Susan spreading the true word of peace and harmony very best wishes Alison
Hi Susan,
Love the Hearts and Flowers quilt- wish I was wrapped up in it right now !!
This blog has been a blessing to so many, how lucky we are to have so many girlfriends- wish some day we could all meet !
I have had a difficult few weeks, diagnosed with melanoma and facing surgery on Wednesday. I am trying to have faith, but the fear keeps coming. I have never been in a hospital in my life and I am terrified. Would love any “girlfriend prayers.”
Enjoy your time in Connecticut this week-end, wish I could be there.
Thank you for this very special blog ! xoxo
I’m so sorry Judy. But I have to tell you one thing — I’ve been in the hospital — it’s always scary, but turn to the nurses and doctors, they are AMAZING. They are there to take care of you, and you will be shocked to see how well they do it. I have always been compelled to write thank you notes, that’s how wonderful they are. Blessings on you sweetheart, this too shall pass. xoxo
Hello Judy from Connecticut! Sending prayers your way for a successful surgery and blessings from above: Faith.Hope.Love. I know your Guardian Angel is holding your hand through it all! Take care!!!!!
Prayers coming from Northern CA for you Judy. 🙂 I survived Breast cancer 9 years ago. Keeping a positive attitude and pushing forward is the key. This blog and all the girlfriends will be there for you too……amazing how many friends you have here, Susan at the helm inspiring us with her wonders. Your healthcare support will be there also. The folks at my radiology center were so great. Be strong….and we’ll be there for you with our prayers!
Jan from Northern CA
Dear Girlfriend,
It’s okay to be afraid sometimes. Fear is a very natural response to the unknown, so I do understand. I’m thinking of you and will send up a prayer for you. Keep hopeful, okay?
Love,
Erica xo
Judy,
The girlfriends will have you in their prayers. Find something to laugh at and picture those dastardly cancer cells as the losers in this battle. Be sure to wear your Super Hero Cape to the hospital because you are one of ours!
Judy, sending a prayer your way. I’d be terrified, too, but soon it will be behind you and you will look back and know that prayers were with you. Sending good thoughts your way… 🙂
dear Judy. I will keep you in my prayers. in the Catholic faith, we have “patron-saints” for just about EVERY thing in the world!!! our patron-saint for your melanoma situation is St. Peregrine. not many folks know about him, but I always try to focus on the particular saint for the illness, and he is it in this case. my theory is (and HERE is what you can “laugh about” as someone suggested you find something to laugh about…) that the less well-known saints really don’t get much “attention”, as in our praying and pleading someone’s cause….sooooo, they are most willing to hear the prayers of we few who do know of them…..and, they try to be MOST comforting and helpful!!!! wishing all the best for you, and praying for the return of good health. and, I will pray especially hard for some certain nurse to be a true comfort and healer for you. they are blessed with that gift.
Hi Judy,
I’m so sorry to read that you are in the hospital with so much to deal with
right now. Remember you have many many girlfriends out here praying for you and supporting you through the journey that lies ahead. So check often to read Susan’s wonderful blog to bring peace to your mind and a smile to your face but most of all to remind you of all your girlfriends that wish you well. xoxo
Happy Anniversary! I love your blog. I enjoy your Jack and Girl stories. I have three cats of my own. Thank you for a chance to enter your wonderful giveaway.
Susan,
I’m always inspired by your warmth, enthusiasm and creativity. Love everything in this post! Thank you!
I forgot to ask, what color ribbon did you choose for the Autumn book?
The scarlet color of Maple leaves in the fall.
I love that! I’m bringing my old one with me for you to sign Saturday. Travel safely….see you in CT!! Hugs
Everything is oh so pretty. I’m getting a feeling that I need to plan out a weekend shopping adventure to some of our local antique shops.
I must admit I have a passion for books
and one for fabrics, too.
I especially love everything designed and
created by you.
May I request you put my name in?
I would love a chance to win!!
xoxoxSusan L.
Love everything !!
Happy Anniversary Susan! I love the colors in the fabrics – would love to make beautiful things from them.
Congratulations on your anniversaries for Facebook and the blog. I love your blog so much. It inspires me to make my house a home and cherish old and timeworn treasures.
Congratulations on your anniversaries Susan! Thank you for sharing all that you do and for all the enjoyment, inspiration and smiles that it never fails to generate. Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday! Have a safe trip to Connecticut!
Thank you for this amazing blog! I love the layout, the pictures, the musica, the tips, and the wonderful quotes and messages. Your love for what you do is inspiring!! Thanks for being such a positive light in a sometimes dark world.
Happy Anniversary! So glad FB, websites and blogs came along so we can follow and see all your “cute stuff”! Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
You are always an inspiration. Interesting that I was just re-reading Gladys Taber’s book about her early life. She has inspired me since way back when she wrote Butternut Wisdom magazine column. I’m a quilter/embroiderer/reader, etc. – accompanied always by my little cat Molly.
I can not even imagine how happy the lucky people will be to win any of those items. Personally, I would be tweeting like that little bird banner that goes by every time I open up you site. I seem to be hung up in waiting moderation and I want to be in for the drawing.
Wonderful post! Congratulations in advance to the ones who receive these fabulous, generous giveaways.
Happy Summertime, Susan!
Dawn @ 4:53 am