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
How beautiful all the colors are!! Whenever I see the pictures in your blog I can’t help but smile! How sweet, gentle and hopeful they always are. They always, always brightening my day. Happy Anniversary Susan. Thanks for the rays of sunshine and your generous Giveaways!
Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
I would just love to see any of your fabrics
on my homemade dresses – you have great
style.
Hi Susan
Happy Anniversary! I wrote you today from my laptop while at work and I don’t think my comment was received. I was having trouble with the Wi Fi.
I wanted to “thank you” so much as every time I log on to your beautiful website you uplift my “spirits” with your “positivity” and “love.” Your creativity is a “blessing.”
Your blog about your dad was so beautiful. Sounds like you cherish your time spent with your dad.
Take care and God Bless you..
Barbara
Trail, British Columbia, Canada
Happy anniversary….and wishing you many more. What an inspiration you have been for me.
Happy anniversary! I’m so happy to sneak in at the last minute as we’ve been without internet connection here for the past week (the joy of English villages!). Thank you so much for giving me so much inspiration over the years – as a girl from Near Sawrey we share a love of Beatrix Potter and all things nice and English (particularly Earl Grey in an EB mug!) You’ve now inspired us to book a week on MV in October this year, so exciting! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful talents with us . Here’s to many happy blog anniversary – Cheers! Seona x
You will love it and feel at home!
Can’t believe it sometimes…
Quilts, dishes, embroidery, scrapbooking — all the things I love but never really realized why. Until, that is, you developed a blog and explained it all to me. I know what I like; I know what I do for hobbies; but I’m not very good at sharing or explaining it to others. You give it all validation, and for that I am very grateful!
LOVE LOVE LOVE you are an inspiration
Always SO much fun to read through your blog. I love everything you put up. Thank you for sharing your loves-so many are mine, also! Please tell Vanna I LOVE to quilt!!
Happy Anniversary Susan. I can’t tell you how I look forward to reading your blog…it brightens up my day! Thank you so much for your wonderful words and photos.
Donna
Oh gosh, I’m almost hyperventilating at seeing all the loveliness!
What can I say that’s any different from all your other fans out there?! Your work is lovely; your blog is lovely; I adored ‘A Fine Romance’ – I bought as a birthday gift to myself and read it in two days. Have a wonderful, blissful summer (and write about it for us!)
Jennifer from Canada
This sweet, educational, funny and peaceful blog is my happy place! I want to be your neighbor! Thank you for creating art that bring such joy to everyone!
I love your cheery blog!
So pleased to have discovered your blog just in time to enter the giveaway! Happy Anniversary! @realmugglemom
So pleased to have discovered your Twitter and blog just in time to enter the giveaway! Happy Anniversary from RealMuggleMom
Good morning and blessings! What does it mean when it says comment is awaiting moderation, and how long does that take?
Happy Anniversary.
Your blog is one of the joys that my BFF shared with me. Thank you so much for of your inspiration! We have much work to do. 🙂
Susan, thank you for the opportunity to win one of you fabulous give-away’s. I have been a all things SB collector for several years. I wish you still sold the pj’s . I absolutely love the 2 pair I have, but they can’t last forever 😉
Wishing you many more years of creativity.
I can’t wait for your new book to come out, Autumn. Your books make my heart and soul sing!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your beautiful and enchanting life with all of us!
I look forward to getting my calendar each year…always so lovely, and often think of a sweet story you shared several years ago…think it was called “Pancakes.”
Can’t wait for your next blog post!
From your very first book ..I was hooked…..Love everything about you and your history!
I’m itching to make another of your Bonnets pattern – this one for myself. I’ve learned so much since I did the first one, that I can’t wait to do the next one!
Thank you for bringing such joy into our lives with you words and artistry! I was fortunate to receive your book, “A Fine Romance,” for Christmas – it’s truly wonderful!
Karen in Iowa
Every time I read your blog, I find it so comforting to know that there are many others out there who are like me! Thank you Susan for all of your hard and very beautiful work. 🙂
I also collect quilts, tea stuff, redware dishes, purple ware dishes, tea cups, tea pots, ruby tubythumb print glass of all sizes. Love antiquing and collect any thing Susan Branch.
Recently bought Girlfriends for a girlfriend from Amazon, so glad you are now printing you own books! The book I got didn’t have a over jacket so sad love the jackets!,
Hugs! JoAnnPetersen
I have always loved your designs , they just make me happy , thank you for being you 🙂
Hi Susan,
I have been reading your blog for over 2 years. Have enjoyed every word. Willard is eagerly awaited for. I enjoyed your book “A Fine Romance.” I have been to many of the places you described. Happy Anniversary.
I think I have already posted my comment, but JUST to make sure, will tell you again how much you inspire my life day by day! I think it’s most generous of you to have these give-aways, and can’t wait for you to draw my name!! Thanks for it all! Sally
Love reading your blogs…always takes me from a down mood to a happy one. Thank you for providing this great forum Susan.
My fav memory is when your sticker line first came out, many moons ago, and I bought one of each type from the scrapbooking store I was at…”A Time For Memories” in Grafton MA [now closed]….miss you stickers!
A long time admirer….Robyn
Hi Susan,
I have been a big fan since the seventies and it’s so much fun following you all around (figuratively – I am not a stalker) and being so inspired by you and your fabulously creative ideas. All the best to you and yours.
Sammy
To my friend Sammy, the non-stalker! 🙂
Hope I’m not too late to the party! Have been celebrating this week’s visit from one of my eight…here for her sister’s birthday. Well…you well know how things can get crazy with a big crew! 😉 I LOVE your blog and all your books and ‘our’ trips. They help me to feel like what I do ‘matters’. Raising a family, making life more comfy, holding down the fort, that sort of thing…anyway, you are quite affirming, I love all the things you do for all of us and THANK YOU!!! <3
What a generous person you are to share such lovely things with us!
Susan, How I love your quilt fabric! As I quilter, I know there is nothing like it on the market. The fact that you designed it, makes it extra special, too. I have been trying for days and days to add a comment. Everytime I write a lenghty note and then it says I need to add the required fields which I had already done! I recently enjoyed every letter in A Fine Romance and bought a copy to share with a dear girlfriend. It was a joy to read, especially about Hill Top Farm which has been on My Bucket List for about 40 Years!
Susan, thanks for giving us extra time to sign up! Somehow this one escaped me. Have a wonderful time at Gladys Taber’s – can’t wait to read and see all about it.
I love the quilts, fabrics and all
! They are so wonderful! You are so creative! I need to order some stickers as I’m almost out! Your stickers are my favorite!
I would love to win some fabric but I would not be choosey. Thank you for the chance.
Hi Susan,
I just love your art. I have enjoyed it with cookbooks and calendars and since I am a quilter would love to add your fabric to my stash.
Fondly,
Peg
I enjoy many of the same things you do, especially Gladys Taber. Anticipating your pics and comments from Stillmeadow.
Linda McMorrow
It was even better than I hoped. It was perfect. Actually it wasn’t perfect, which was why it was so perfect. I’ll show you soon. We’re still in Connecticut, but hopefully life will be normal again by tomorrow. Or what passes for normal.
You always inspire me!!! I always look forward to your new blogs!!! Happy Anniversary!
Love the quilts. I have one that was my great grandmother’s. It is over 100 years old and was hand sewn. So beautiful still. I will have to gather more vintage ones. Thanks for the inspiration.
I am happy to see summer arriving so I can pull out my summer book. I have a book of yours for every occassion. My 15 year old daughter has grown up with you !
Happy Anniversary. You are certainly a treasure.
I am new to your blog and facebook page. I was so excited to find them. I have always been a fan.
I love all things Susan Branch. You brighten a cloudy day with your posts and sweet script. I am inspired to focus on little things and keep priorities. My head is dancing with possibilities of the projects I could make with these beautiful fabrics ! Keep up the good work my friend !
Love all your things. Would love to make a quilt with this fabric. Wish you still had your store
You are the most amazing and inspirational lady I can think of. I love your blog and when Willard arrives, nothing gets done until I’m done! The piece about the Autumn book I love as I have an original of this. I bought it a few years ago in a charity shop. I love getting it off the shelf in September and re-reading it every year! I live in Wales and don’t expect to win any of your giveaways, but felt I had to comment xx much love and cwtches (welsh for hugs)!!! Pronounced cu-ch-es xx
Cwtches to you too. That language is so fairy-like! The way the letters go together. If your name gets drawn we will send the prize to you in Wales, no worries!
Susan, Thank you for sharing all the wonderful experiences in your every day life with your readers.
Susan, I was so tickled to find a copy of Girlfriends Forever yesterday at the bookshop. I snatched it right up! Thanks for all the inspiration. Thank you too for such a wonderful give- away!
Your quilt collection is awesome! Love that you use and enjoy your quilts. Such inspiration.
I love to read your blogs. Thanks
Happy blog anniversary! I so enjoyed the Autumn book and am thrilled that I can now get it for others.
I just love your blog. I really can’t get enough of it. I’m so happy for you on your anniversary. I wish you many more.
I love the fabric. can imagine running my hand over it. I love the bee fabric too. t would be great to win it, but even if I don’t. I still win by reading your blog.
Best wishes,
Gloriajean
Oh Gloriajean Penny, your name is so incredibly glamourous! I just love saying it!
How generous of you. You’re such an inspiration! Excited about the fall book.
Hi Susan – You are such an artistic photographer! I have downloaded over 400 of your photos from your blog and made a slide show that I can watch whenever I want to feel good! Love the shots of your china shelves, tabletops, vintage magazine covers, quilts, blossoms, moonbeams, etc., etc. Thank you!
I am retired, but you would never know it! However, when I read your blog and the exciting info I get periodically, I feel like I am standing still. You are so down to earth and your creativity is just so inspiring. I am a quilter and some time ago made placemats from your “tea time” fabric and I’m still using them. Your recent giveaways are wonderful.
Thanks for “touching my heart”.
Love, love, love your stuff–all of it!!
Susan I’ve been a fan for-evah! I just love your work. I have grown daughters now who grew up with hearing me say ‘that is soooo Susan Branch’ whenever I found something to be beautiful and amazing to decorate my home or make a memory with my girls. My two older married daughters have now started their collection of your books. Thank you for being a part of my life!
I fell in love with your paintings and writings in Christmas from the Heart of the Home! When Christmas comes, that’s the first book I go to for inspiration. My daughter found Love from the Heart of the Home in an old book store and knowing I was hooked, gave me A Fine Romance for Christmas! Your blog, paintings and photos are a joy for all your fans. Keep up your beautiful work!
I am fairly new to your blog. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy it.
I especially enjoy pictures of your delightful cats and the interior of your house.
You, however, are responsible for my new addiction to Emma Bridgewater. She and her husband do beautiful work and I really like it.
Best Regards, Joyce
Happy Anniversary Susan. I read your blog faithfully and enjoy it so much. I love that you have the same admiration for all the things that have made homes cute and cozy now for years and years. Colors and patterns inspired by women or for women who naturally delight all things pretty. I love reading about your traveling life, your inspirations, and your life with hubby and kitties on Martha’s Vineyard. I have collected your books over the years and enjoyed reading about your journey across England. You inspire me. Thanks so much!
Glad you extended this chance to wish you Happy Anniversary and be eligible for the prizes.with so many comments Vanna may not find my number, but I love leaving comments for you anyway! I enjoy all you do and love being a “girlfriend” Thank you!
I am an avid quilter so I was so happy to read about your quilt collection! I’ve never seen a quilt I didn’t love. Thank you for a very inspiring post! I would love to win your fabric and make it into a wonderful, snuggly quilt! My fingers are crossed.
k(dot)castanette(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Susan I love your blog. It makes me feel good, I talk about your posts and my daughter says I act like I’m talking about a friend. I look forward to every blog. Please enter me in your drawing. Have a wonderful time at the home of Gladys Taber. Looking forward to your blog about it.
YOu are!
To win anything from any of your drawings would be just wonderful. I wish I could go to the Gladys Tabor event, too.
I have some of your stickers from ‘years ago’. I don’t use them because I can’t replace them! And I love the designs! Thank you for all you do.
I am positive I left a comment here yesterday but I cannot find it anywhere. What to do? Well in case it is not too late. I love your fabrics, books, blog anything Susan.
Hi, I have been purchasing your notepads, address books, cookbooks, mugs and fabric for a very long time. I find they make wonderful gifts for friends and family. I love your blog and I really enjoy looking at your home and all of your antique linens and unique collection. Have a good day. Kathy
.
I am a quilter and love your quilts! I’ve purchased your fabrics for years. And, I love your books! Just gave two to a dear friend in Minnesota: the England one and the Summer cookbook. Your style is unique and inspirational. Happy summer days to you, Susan!
Hallye Bone
St. Louis, MO
Susan, I hope I am not too late for the drawing. I think all of the items are wonderful. I just started quilting again so the fabric would be wonderful, any of your paintings would be a great surprise because you are so talented and I love quilts so winning any one of the prizes would be absolutely the BEST! You are such a dear for sharing your life with all of us. God bless you!
Oh, my! This has to be the best blog giveaway I’ve ever had the pleasure to enter. I’m so very grateful that you decided to blog. What a treat it is to pop in here weekly. A true respite. God bless you, dear Susan, and happiest anniversary wishes to you!!
Yes, PLEASE enter me for the giveaway. I’m gonna flip if I win one of these prizes. 😀
Susan, You are an awesome inspiration or creating in my world!! Love all that you do.
I check your blog most nights before I turn off the lights. It always lifts my spirits and calms my thoughts. Thank you and Happy Anniversary.
Hi Susan —
I loved your fabric when it first came out…and still love it! I have used it many times in my quilts. That fat quarter bundle makes me happy! Oh the possibilities….
Thank you for the chance.
Susanne
I am a quilter and I would love having some of your fabric. Also, can’t wait to hear about your Gladys Taber trip.
Susan you have touched so many people’s lives through your positive spirit!
This anniversary wish is sent with sincere appreciation for all the beautiful artwork, delicious recipes and inspiration throughout the years. You have carried many of us through joyous and difficult life passages. Taking your creativity and transcending that to many different art mediums so that you are touching many is so commendable!! Celebrate!
Hi Susan
Everything you create makes me smile and brings forth the desire to be my best self. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Chris
Love the quilts!
Thank you Susan for all that you do. Your blog is an uplifting bright spot in my days and sometimes I just need that. I always feel more cheerful after reading it.
So many comments – you and your life are so loved.
All I can say is beautiful, peaceful, inspirational and “thank you”. I save all my full size and mini calendars. I put the new ones in their place and as I hold my old calendars, I cannot discard them. They are treasures in my hands – full of beautiful pictures, quotes and stories. I never tire of looking at them..
Thank you Susan! Today, when I scrolled through all the beautiful words and photos I almost cried– the quilts, the dishes, the love of family makes me miss mine 500 miles away in North Carolina. My mother, at 82, is still painting and doing, and something about your site makes me miss her and want to get up and sew, write, cook, etc. So, I’d better get going! Thank you and God Bless!
Thank you Susan for sharing your pics of your quilts. I have used your fabrics in quilts that were given to family and friends, also used for baby quilts and pillowcases, girls dresses that were donated to The Childrens Cancer Care Unit at the local hospitals in So.CAlif. Your art work and fabrics have made so many people (especially the little children) smile and be happy when cuddling a quilt or pillow when made with your fabrics. Thank you for your positive and encouraging thoughts given through your blog.
What a wonderful set of giveaways to have a chance to win one is great. Congratulations on your latest book and the tenth anniversary of your Autumn book.
Enjoy your summer.
As a huge fan of your amazing creativity, 20 years now, I have recently turned my 83 year old Mother-in-Law on to Susan Branch via your calendars, books, etc. Last Christmas I gifted her with A Fine Romance. This is a letter I received from her shortly thereafter: It is the kind of book that you don’t want to end. I savored it, taking small doses at a time, like really good chocolate–a little at a serving, knowing there was more for later. I absolutely loved it. She paints word pictures every bit as lovely as her art. I’m certain I will read it again and again. It’s just a treasure.
Hi Sue!
I feel like everyone else about you (& Joe & Jake & Girl Kitty)- you are dear friends who offer comfort in all things you share with us! I keep a ‘Susan Branch’ file in my computer with images you have posted. I like to look at them as a slideshow for inspiration and comfort. Keep up the great work! I live in the Danbury, Connecticut area & wish I could have seen you while you were here. I hope you had a nice trip. I love all the beautiful prizes you are giving away. Maybe Vanna will pick me! Love to you all ….
Hi Susan,
Everyday my life is better because of you and your amazing talents!!
Thank you for sharing it with the world.
Shelly
Dearest Susan,
I can’t remember when I first “discovered” your books, lo those many years before the web exploded, Amazon took over, blogs were created and social media brought all the “girlfriends” together – but I do remember being so excited to share your art with my girlfriends then, and now.
Just today, a friend expressed the desire to learn how to quilt – a friend who is newish to the US and quilting is not part of her family or “Eastern” cultural legacy. I would love to share your art with her, through fabric, so she would have a tangible piece of your art, our “Western” cultural crafting history, and our friendship. If Vanna doesn’t pick me, not to worry, I have my OWN stash of SB fabric and other fat quarters to share with her – another piece to stitch into the fabric of our friendship.
Thank you for sharing with us, through the books, the blog, and Twitter. Happy Blog-o-versary. Here’s to many more years. Three? You are just warming up, yes?
You are the best!
XO
Auntie Nettie
Now, off to curl up and take a journey on the QEII to the Mother Land.
Happy anniversary, Helen
I love your blog and I’d love to enter this giveaway if I’m still on time. Thanks for the wonderful moments I spend reading your blog.
I love sweet treasures, warm sunshine and the beauty of nature! You can make anyday a better day with a cup of tea! Love the saying”it’s the little things in life that mean the most” its so true! With my new sewing machine this summer i cain’t wait to create~susan branch~u are so inspiring! With my warmest aloha to u~keep creating. ~Ginger
Your blog always makes me happy and reminisce. I have a beautiful quilt that my Grandmother made for me for my 16th Birthday…ahem, just a few years ago. ; ) She made it out of scraps of material, some of which she had made me dresses with. I’ll always cherish it. I made both of my boys T-shirt quilts and gave them for their 21st Birthdays…not as pretty as these, but very sentimental with all of their saved t-shirts.
We’re expecting our first Granddaughter in the Fall and if I were lucky enough to win some of this fabric…I betcha I’d be making something for her. : ) Thank you for your generosity…you’re always so giving. Happy Travels!
Love, love , love everything you create! Thanks for sharing your talent! ~Wanda
Would love the chance to win any of the prizes! Love anything Susan Branch!
Sharing one of my favorite songs . . .
Sweet and Lovely
Sweet and lovely
Sweeter than the roses in May
Sweet and lovely
Heaven must have sent him my way
Skies above me
Never were as blue as his eyes
And he loves me
Who would want a sweeter surprise?
When he nestles in my arms so tenderly
There’s a thrill that words cannot express
In my heart a song of love is taunting me
Melody haunting me
Sweet and lovely
Sweeter than the roses in May
And he loves me
There is nothing more I can say
Like a dream of fluffy clouds and peace! Those quilts and colors take me back to wonderful places in my childhood.i wait with baited breath:) xo
I would just like to say I have read your book A Fine Romance for the 5th time. It
is my favorite book of all times. It inspires me I feel that I am on vacation with you.
Every picture and description takes me to England and all the restaurants and tea rooms. I have all your books but this one is my fav. Thank you Susan for taking me to a far away place.
My pleasure Diana, thank YOU so much!
It makes me happy to be a “charter member” from the very beginning! I simply adore ALL things Susan Branch!!! You are a delight in every sense of the word. It would make my heart sing to win one of your give aways, especially the quilt!! Thanks for bringing kindness and sunshine into our lives through your blog, books & calendars! I’m now even a loose tea drinker, thanks to your wonderful tea.
Susan, I took a copy of your Autumn book to my daughter in Australia after she had moved there several years ago. It was July and autumn/winter there, and since the Australians do not do “autumn” as we do, she was so happy to have that book to comfort her during the fall and winter “down under.” She even introduced Thanksgiving to her Australian family. She and her handsome Australian husband returned here 6 years ago, and we still pull out your Autumn book and ooh and aah over every little drawing, recipe, and observation in that book. Thanks for keeping it going and thanks for the goodness you show the world in your blog and books. God bless. ps We now have our own little “Aussie” grand child Adelaide to share our traditions of the season with. Her dad is a big fan, too, of how we celebrate this change of seasons.
Lovely story Leathea!
Hi Susan!
Happy Anniversary!!! Your excitement is exciting & what clever treats you have come up with!!! I just came back Wed from Pismo & gotta tell you that I still miss your cute shop in Arroyo Grande!! The treasures Inwas lucky enough to buy there still make me smile, just like your wonderful piece of Blogland does! 🙂 I recently had the joy of sharing your beautiful artwork and books with my aunt. She was quite taken with everything. It was fun to see how animated she was looking through everything. There was particular excitement over you both having kitty loves in common. Thank you for providing us all wonderful things to share with our loved ones. The world is a lovlier place with you in it!!
Those tea towels are so adorable they made me gasp and I have a general rule that if something makes me gasp,well then, I have to get it so I did. I just ordered the patterns from Crabapple Hill to make them. I don’t know how to embroider but I think I can learn. Thanks for including the source otherwise it would haven me crazy to try and find them.
You can learn! It’s one of my favorite things, I love sewing by hand, it’s very peaceful and you can do it lots of places.
Thank you for your happy birthdays wishes
Your thoughts and ideas just set my life on fire. You are such an inspiration of true love and human kindness. When I read and see what you are doing with your life, it makes me appreciate what a wondeful world we live in. Thank you very much. You are it.
Susan, I love your books. There is always a seasonal one out-and-about in my home, and I usually keep one in the car. You never know when you’ll be stuck in traffic. Seven years ago, your Autumn book was the inspiration for our vacation to New England. Thank you for sharing your beautiful inspirations.
The mini calendar picture with Jack is adorable! What a great subject for the month of December.