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 shall try to leave a comment, they don’t seem to make it in now and then. SO hoping to win the fabric or the quilt, what a wonderful package to open and it will fill my heart with delight!! Fabric is possibility and I need that 🙂 Thank you for the generous fun! 🙂
Well, you’ve really outdone yourself with the giveaways this time. Love seeing your quilt collection in greater detail (Girl atop some is precious) and more views of your fabric line which I would BUY if available — in fact have bought several one yard picks for me and to give away. So I want to be in the running. Your designs are so lovely and evocative of the old fabrics I love. Really fun to see the things made from them.
Tonight on PBS was a nice report with views of the NY Book Expo, I was trying to catch a glimpse of you and Anjelica Huston who I saw was there with the second volume of her memoirs soon to be published. Can’t wait for more glimpses on BookTV on the weekends coming.
Hope I get lucky this time but will be happy for whoever wins the prizes. In any case it’s been such a pleasure to check in on your blog over the years.
I am taking a hiatus from a very hectic and stressful job. Thanks for reminding me of the beauty and peace in home and homemade things. I think I had forgotten. Your books and blog and pictures (in word and art) have been like an old familiar song you haven’t heard for awhile and then the words come easily and you begin to sing. Thank you. I’m singing again!
It’s been such a journey with all of you over the years. I remember the very first time I received the email about the website being available. Next, came reading Willards on the site. Then, we could shop, write notes to each other, & see all of the wonderful creations (new & aged, and then came Facebook & the “Blog”.
I have enjoyed every word, every sketch, every photograph, every sound, & mostly, every inspiration. I am honored to be “welcomed” into such a lovely FOSB family!
I wish you all luck & more happiness too! ♡
Happy Anniversary Susan! I have been following your blog for only 2 years, but enjoying your writing and art for much longer. I hope Vanna chooses my name, I feel like a kid in school with my hand up in the air and my buns lifted and bouncing in the chair, chanting inside- “pick me, pick me”!
Your fabric is NOT extinct! I have some. It’s in my stash, just waiting for some more of it to complete a quilt. This would be perfect! What a delightful summer project this fabric would be to work on and finish up using those juicy FQs! Thanks for the dreaming…
Email correction!
Love, love, love your blog! I discovered it around January and ever since then I have been sending all my friends to visit you. I bought your book, ” A Fine Romance”, and your big beautiful calendar. After I read your book I felt like I had been to England and back….by boat of course, and what a wonderful trip I had!!! Thank you for sharing that delightful experience and thank you for such a delightful and heart warming blog. Happy, Happy anniversary and here’s to many, many more! PS. “Imagine” is my favorite song and I get goose bumps every time I hear it. PS. again….. Your quilts are adorable and I so love your kitties! Thanks again for sharing all your happy thoughts, talents, and special moments with the whole world. You are one beautiful soul!
Congratulations on the success of your blog but I am not surprised because we need all the beauty and inspiration we can get. I would be thrilled to win any of the three give a ways! Here’s to the next 5 years! Shirley
Happy Happy Anniversary to you!!! I never miss a blog post!!! I feel that we are kindred spirits, loving so many of the same things… enjoying the creative… soaking up the joy of our precious kitties… and loving life! While I would be SO happy to win any one of your delightful give-aways… I am back into quilting and would LOVE the collection that you are offering. My fingers are crossed!
Seeing those lovely piles of fabric warm my heart! So very pretty and so very hard to find anything that compares these days. Thank you for the opportunity to win some of your creations! ~ Donna =)
I love fabric, quilts, yarn, bookmarks, teapots and reading your blog! Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary. I love all your quilts and fabric, but my favorite is the Hearts and Flowers design.
So enjoyed reminiscing with the old quilts and fabrics. I still have pieces of your fabrics from 2004-5 hat I haven’t finished making into quilts. It makes me too sad to know once that’s gone I won’t have anymore to ooh over’ as I give most of my quilts to charity causes. When I look at your things I feel like I am back in my grandmother’s living room. Congratulations on the anniversary and keep on inspiring us all. Jan
Susan, as slways, your generosity is incredile! I love your blog, your photos and your writing. I own all your books and like every other woman here, feel a real connection to your love of all things home and family. Thank you for sharing your everyday life with us – who couldn’t relate?! God bless.
Susan,
Happy Anniversary!!! Where has the time gone??? Too quickly, a good reminder to make the most of each moment!
Thanks for sharing every bitty ounce of wonderfulness with us! It’s been such fun, inspirational and heart-warming.
We are grateful for you and our girlfriend friendship!
Thanks for your generosity with the giveaway treasures.
Hugs and oodles of love,
Jeanette
Congrats ~~ love your blogs ~~you are sooooo generous with your “giveA~ways”..thank YOU for all that you share with us….
Susan, I think you meant foxgloves, rather than hollyhocks pictured in the photo you posted. But anyway…..thanks so much for the drawing. I love, love, love your blog!
My best girlfriend has arrived from IN and tomorrow we head out for our annual retreat at a secluded hot springs resort in the Columbia Gorge. The wonders of nature and pampering! Right now we are reading your post together and oohing and ahing over the beautiful delights and your generous spirit. We think you are one awesome girlfriend! I take so much already from your blog that I’d almost feel guilty winning a prize too – but only almost. 😉
Ohhh, I got all excited thinking Jack was included in the prize (no not really – you would NEVER part with him). Wonderful 3 prizes!!! 🙂
The month of June is a wonderful month isn’t it! I enjoy looking at your blog as much as reading it over a couple of times. Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary ! Such lovely art and homemaking. Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your life with us <3
So fun to see all the beautiful things! Have always been a fan of your delightful books, but was not aware of all your other creations! The fabrics are lovely <3 I love Martha's Vineyard and love your work…it really takes me to that special place we all escape to. Thank you, Susan! 😀
Happy anniversary! What a sweet and generous giveaway!
What a fabulous give-away! You are just the Bestest Girlfriend! I love all your fabrics and that bolt of yellow would be perfect for a backing for a lovely soft floral quilt top I just finished and am in search of fabric for backing. But the other gifts are so wonderful as well. I do have a one yard piece of your tea party fabric with all the sayings, verses, drawings on it (bottom right corner of the fat quarter photo) that I am just hoarding as I can’t stand the thought of cutting into it. I have no idea what I am going to use it. And it has such a soft “hand” that it has to be something really special before I will commit to using it!
Congratulations on the anniversary of your beautiful blog! Well done. Thanks for the great give-away…charming and lovely things, as always.
Congratulations! You should be so proud of yourself!! (for many reasons, not just Facebook and blog). You make me happy.:) not just passing by happy… happy to my soul 😀 I just got my Gladys Taber and am going to make your apricot jam tea and enjoy.
Hi Susan
We are all so fortunate that you started your blog. You touch so many with your words and pictures. Thank you so much.
I was finally able to purchase your book(A Fine Romance) and it is wonderful.
You are fantastic!
Susan M
Just recently stumbled on the FB and blog…they make me smile!
As my Granny Smith would say; “Merciful days!!!” She would also say, “Goodness sakes alive!” These were her two favorite expressions when she was excited. I’m so excited! Congrats dear Ms. Susan on five years with your online girlfriends!
My Grandma shortened it to “Sakes Alive”, or “Law” whatever that was! 🙂
I forgot about “Law!” She said that too!
My Grandma was born and raised in Iowa. How about yours? Maybe these were local things, like “awesome” and “cool!”
My grandmother was born and raised in Kentucky. She was born in 1904. Maybe it’s a generational thing.
Law, I think you’re right! My grandma was born in 1909.
Congratulations on your two anniversaries! What wonderful giveaways you are offering for this special occasion. There are many of us who would love to have Jack (and Girl Kitty) as part of the package, but we know they are happy there at home with you & Joe. Thanks for being so generous to your friends!
winnie*
>^..^<
~ Thank you for the fun post and trip down memory lane~thank you too for another great give~away~ Happy Anniversaries! ~
I am so excited, my son just purchased your new book for me. My birthday is today, June 6. I like that you too have a special connection to June! I love all of your work and thank you for these great opportunities to own your lovely work.
Happy Birthday Joan!
Happy Anniversary to someone who brings a little ray of sunshine to the lives of so many. I have so many of my friends following your blog. Although I have received Willards since they were first published, I found the blog much later. Words can not begin to express how much it means to me. Whenever I need a little “pick me up”, I sign on and read- and re-read your entries. I always seem to glimpse the world through “new” eyes afterward. Then I go to the postings on books to see what new titles are being read by your readers. I just finished a wonderful book, that I am sure you would enjoy -The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock. It is the first book in a trilogy, and I cannot wait to read the others. I think that anyone who loves Downton Abbey will enjoy this book. I am a nurse, and I am currently reading anything I can get my hands on that deals with this period in history (1914 to just after the end of World War I). Although it was a time of great loss, it gave birth to a “new” world in so many respects. People, especially women, were able to acieve so much more. I’m meeting with my friend this week (at a local tearoom) to give her the autographed copy of A Fine Romance that I purchased in Meredith last year. This tear I’m going to give her the girlfriends charm. I’m so excited!! Keeping my fingers crossed where the drawing is concerned. I don’t expect to win, but, the way I look at it, I win every time I read the entries in your blog. Have a beautiful summer. I wish I could see you at the Glagys Taber event, but I am working. I have many of her books, and I was so excited when I saw her quotes in your cookbooks.
Going to miss meeting a sweetheart like you Dianne! xoxo
Thank you for being so generous with your beautiful give-aways; fabric is so lovely. And, thank you for your uplifting, kind thoughts about our world. Congratulations on everything you are doing…what an inspiration to us all.
Congratulations on your Facebook and Blog Anniversaries!!! Look forward to all your inspirational pictures and words that you write in your books and your posts. Thank you for your more-than-generous giveaways in honor of your anniversaries. What a lovely way to celebrate with all your girlfriends. Anticipating your new book’s publication, hope it’s debut will be sooner rather than later. AND thank you for sharing your world with all of us. Happy Weekend!
Happy anniversary! I just love all things Susan Branch! I could just curl up in your cozy art work.
Susan, thank you so much for 3 wonderful and inspiring blog years! I look forward to many more.
Happy Blogging anniversary! You sure have connected the world to your blog. I’d love to enter and really tried hard to buy your quilt fabric when it was out but back then getting it to NZ was way outta the picture. But as I’ve been a winner before on your blog I feel a tad greedy entering . But I do want to say whoop whoop yo you! Love Leanne Nz
Love, all the prizes. Especially the proofs and the pretty fat quarters. But all are fab!
Congratulations ‘ol dear on the blog anniversary. Have enjoyed it from the very beginning. Your art and thoughts have been so inspiring. Hoping for many, many more years.
XO
Jackie
I love dishes & quilts too! Would love to win a fabric bundle or quilt!
Thank you Susan for your generous gifts!
Happy 5th anniversary, and thanks for celebrating with such wonderful giveaways! I received your book, “A Fine Romance” from my son for Mother’s Day and am enjoying reading all your adventures in there! As always, love your cheery blog! Congrats!
My goodness! Where to begin? Love your blog. I have bought 6 copies of your England book, one for myself and five for gifts. I adore the colour yellow and have since I was a child and I have been working on my very own collection of quilts, handmade by me! I have also give away plenty of quilts to family and special friends. Please, please, please include me in your giveaway!
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary Susan!! I look forward to each new blog entry:) Thank you for taking your time to share with us! What a fun giveaway and would love to win!
Oh what lovely give-aways! Each better than the others! I will be crossing my fingers and holding my breath, and if I don’t win I will make a quilt and change out my dishes for some I haven’t seen in awhile, drink some tea and enjoy the summer anyway!
Tana
Happy Anniversary Susan! It’s always a treat to receive a new blog posting!! I have enjoyed them all since the very beginning and can’t wait for many more:) what great giveaways!! I would be excited to be a winner:)
Oh joy! Everything I love in this post! The quilts were such a joy to look over! Just beautiful! I loved Jack’s tongue sticking out! How cute is that!! All your gorgeous dishes, and other delicious goodies were a real treat to see. Thanks so much for an awesome blog! And congratulations too!!
As always your blog makes me smilie! Thank you for that. And for always sharing your love of beautiful things with us.
I love reading your blogs! I especially love all the pictures. I could nearly smell all the beautiful flowers you posted today! Please keep sharing with us! You inspire us everyday. And I love, love, love your quilt collection!
Wow! Five years. And I’ve read and (yikes!) saved every one.
May we have 50 more years!
Love, LOVE your beautiful blogs! You are such a creative person in your art, photography, writing, and decorating and so much more! Your books are so special and a cherished collection in my home! You are so generous in your give aways! What a wonderful girlfriend you are to all of us! PS: Come to the Great State of Texas for a visit or book signing sometime!
Susan,
I love how you make us all feel as though we are not only friends, but best of friends! I only found your blog this past year but boy am I so happy that I did. Your book, ” A Fine Romance” will always be one of my favorites! I read it through in TWO days from my wicker chair on my front porch here in Georgia! I felt as though I was travelling along with yall through the English countryside! I think I caused quite a stir sitting on my front porch for two days. ( I usually sit on the back porch)
My neighbors kept driving by real slow. One even beeped the horn! Oh well! It is good to keep them guessing! Thank you for the wonderful giveaways! Generous heart! 🙂
xo jan
Happy Anniversary!
As I read your latest blog, your “And first time you’re “liked!” Or, then, to be “shared!” How wonderful it is to get your first comment”! Stuck with me as I kept reading and seeing the words love and ❤️. Then, I remember L. Frank Baum’s quote from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – “A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you’re loved by others.” Susan, you are very much loved. Thank you. ❤️
XOXO thank you!
Happy Anniversary, Susan!
Before your blog began in earnest, I languished each month waiting for the next Willard. When your blog came online, I danced like a little girl, and haven’t stopped. Personally, I’m also thankful for Angie Tink because she gives us all a ‘heads up’ every time you post a new entry.
Love you and all The Girlfriends so much!
She’s amazing!
I love all of your wonderful whimsy! I am a hand quilter with a small but wonderful collection of old quilts I’ve rescued. When I finish a quilt I always make a label that says “A portion of the quilter’s soul resides in the quilt.” Every stitch in a quilt is a representation of the thoughts, emotions, cares, and love the quilter was experiencing when she (occasionally he) made the cozy, warm, comforting bundle of love that a quilt is. I’m glad you love them too!
Manette
Manette,
Love that quote! My grandmother’s quilt has always meant so much to me, but never thought about her soul residing in her quilts. And why not? She loved, perhaps lived to quilt! My mother is still awe struck at my grandmother’s stitches. It looks like machine stitching! Besides the quilts she made herself, she quilted with the church ladies every Tuesday afternoon in the basement of the church. There is no telling where all my grandmother’s stitches are!
Chris
Happy Anniversary, dear Susan!! Dreams really do come true! Your blog is such a big part of so many lives. Spending time here with you and the Girlfriends each day has been one of the true blessings of my retirement! Thank you for gathering so many kindred spirits here! ♡ As a brand new blogger, I am discovering something wonderful. As I write each ‘letter’ on my blog, I learn more about myself! It’s such a sweet surprise! Best of all, I’m meeting so many wonderful people! Thank you, Susan, for so much inspiration every day! ♡
Love,
Dawn
♡♡
Susan – I’m not much of a “commenter” but I decided it’s high time I started….I had a “sewing” grandma and a “cooking” grandma and they both had such an influence on my life. My sewing grandma (except she insisted on being called “Grandmother”) had a rule that the grandchildren were NOT to ever touch her sewing machine, it was that special, so after I learned to sew and she let me make an apron using her machine – a Singer Touch & Sew, the very latest at the time – I remember being terribly nervous! I kept that apron for a very long time. But the special connection here is that she had Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz dishes! Just a few years ago I was able to acquire an entire set from an estate sale and I love them SO much just like you do! Even though they weren’t hers I still think of her every time I see them – in my cupboard and whenever I see them on your blog. My other grandma was the “cooking” grandma (she even made her own lye soap & grew giant peach trees from peach pits) but she made quilts too and when she was in her 80’s she was making crazy quilts (lap size) for people in “old folks homes” as she would say. Now I am a quilter and it’s my very favorite thing along with my cottage garden. I hope Vanna picks me because I love your Heart for the Home 🙂 and it would be such a treasure to have any one of the prizes! Thank you for sharing your life and loves with all of us girlfriends!
(oh and I grew up in Santa Maria and still have a few friends there and in Nipomo and Arroyo Grande too! It really is a small world via the internet)
Nancy from the far northwest corner of Washington
What a sweetheart you are sharing your treasures with us! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll be praying to find some treasuress of my own while i’m out yard saling with my momma tomorrow!
Congratulations Susan! May your only pain be champagne!!! In all the future wonderful projects you do. Your Facebook and blog pages make me smile and inspired. Here’s to many more celebrations ahead.
Hello Susan, I have following you for years and this is the first time I have sent a comment. I absolutely love your flair for living. Your artwork and stories warm my heart.
Thank you for sharing with your Friends.
Alison in California via Michigan.
As we celebrate the Anniversary of your blog and Facebook..thank you for taking the plunge into Blogland. What a pleasure it is to read..one of the joys of modern day technology-linking with so many likeminded people.
Happy blog anniversary! Your fabrics are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your life and art….so inspirational.
Fantastic contest! I love going to your blog and seeing all the wonderful pictures of what is important in your life. You share interests with many people and provide a connection among them!! Thank you!
WOW……what wonderful giveaways……I can’t believe 3 of them……I also can’t wait until your autumn book is out again……I have all the rest of your cookbooks,but I don’t know how come I don’t have that one…..especially since I owned a bookstore in the San Francisco East Bay for 30 years……I sold hundreds of your books …….my favorite potato salad is your recipe….thanks for all your hard work….oh and by the way my new favorite book is A Fine Romance……I have even given it to friends for their birthday……
Oooo, the “family potato salad!” I’m so glad you like it Teri, I need to make us some of that! xoxo
Thanks for sharing all these pretty pics & happy anniversary! I love seeing how you make everything cozy & homey, I can’t wait to use your advice in my own home <3
Happy anniversary! Love your designs!,
Happy 5th!!!!! I’ve been a fan for years and it’s been lovely to watch your growth as an artist. My only regret is that I don’t live just down the street close enough to pop in for tea
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It’s been such a JOY being with you on Facebook and your blog since the beginning. I feel like I’ve already won….Looking forward to many more!!!!!
Sometimes when I read a new blog page of yours, I just sigh.. Everything you do is just so charming, so inspiring. When I bring a bit of you into my home – like a calendar or a tea pot (found one at a church sale this spring!!) I feel like I am just a little bit like you. What a wonderful life you have.
Oh Susan, your blog is awesome ~ enjoy every word and all the pictures ~ thank you so very much for sharing your life with us and your delightful treasures! Three of us will be very happy winners! When I need a little spice in my day ~ I read your blog, I hope you never get tired of it! Heavenly blessings to you, Joe, and the kitties!
You bring extra measures of beauty to the lives of others, Susan. That is a rare gift to find, and you are a very special person. I’ll be honest – it’s not often that I stare and stare and want, like down in my soul WANT, but those fat quarters – wow. They are wonderful. I am learning how to quilt, and they would make the most cheerful, happy quilt ever! The yellow with bees would bind, sash, and back it beautifully. Thanks for your generous heart.
What wonderful giveaways. I love your blog and all your books. I just finished A Fine Romance. I’ve been to a number of the places that you talk about but I haven’t been to Beatrix Potter’s home yet. That has definitely gone on my list of places I need to visit in England. We saw an exhibit of Beatrix Potter’s art at Mottisfont Abbey a couple years ago and it was lovely. Thank you for your beautiful and uplifting blog.
Love seeing all your pretty quilts, my favorite type too. I cant paint so I do keep quilting when I have time. thanks for sharing your so pretty life, it gives me hope and inspiration every day. Cheers!
And love seeing Jack, my kitties are gone now, waiting to see what new babies might head my way. thanks for the great giveaway chances too!
Oh my gosh – how I would LOVE LOVE to win!! I Love your fabrics, and I Love the calendars…how exciting! Anything from you is always perfect …so pretty …just brightens my day to even see it! Hope I win something! Thanks Susan and love you as always!
I’ve never in my life been so in love with a person’s art, lifestyle, and interests as I am with yours. I’ve always loved the same authors you do, the same books you do, the beautiful dishes you do, the flowers you do, and ENGLAND, oh lovely England. Thank you for bringing all this beauty to my life in your blog and books. Bless you for sharing.
Hi Susan – I am a quilter and would love to win your fabric stash!! I also love all your art. Happy Anniversary to all of us who read your blog!!
Suan you are such a precious treasure. I love every thing about you.
merry
Oh please enter me! Lovely giveaways, you are so generous. I will be spending Sunday doing exactly as I please…it’s my 50th birthday ( I don’t know how that happened, because I feel as though I’m 10!…well, parts of me anyway, the ones that don’t creak and crack) and one of the things I’m doing is counting my blessings…and your presence in my life is right up there! You are a joy to me and so many others…thank you. 🙂
Happy Anniversary 🙂
Oh Susan, I think I’m in heaven looking at those quilts and all your artwork.
I’ve always wanted to be able to quilt but my sewing skills are negligible so I have to be satisfied with just looking at pictures.
Exciting news about your Autumn book. I have that one in my collection and I think it’s my favourite.
Happy Anniversary Susan! I just discovered your blog a year ago and it brings me such joy and peace every time I read it. Thank you for the beauty you bring to the world. I have been collecting your books for many years and can’t wait for your new one. Happy Summer!
Happy Anniversary! I love the quilts.
Hi Susan,
Happy anniversary! Thank you for your beautiful and generous blog from a grateful reader. Your posts remind me to live mindfully – something that I often forget to do. Life is so much more satisfying and joyful when you find beauty in the every day. Also, my two best girlfriends and I rent a house on M.V. every September. How we love it! Reading about the island in your blog and seeing the photos helps me miss it less. Such gifts – thank you again!
Love Love Love.
Happy anniversary! Love your blog! Thank you for sharing your world. I look forward to each & every new post. Love the adventures, love the pictures, love the artwork, love your home, love Joe, love Jack, love Girl Kitty, love Vanna, … – could go on & on. You are an inspiration to me! Love & peace to you & yours.
I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one
Congratulations!! love all of your work. So much fun!!
Thank you
What memories the quilt made with your Martha’s Vineyard fabric brought back! Years ago I needed backing for a little quilted cloth to put on my coffee table and bought a piece of “Beach Grass”. I had no idea there was a series of fabrics to go with it. By the time I figured this out it was too late! It had all been snapped up by people more on-the-ball than I! So I’m pretty sure I can hear your quilt calling my name. Your blog is the “happy place” I go to first thing every morning to start my day. Thank you for your generosity and for just being there!
Happy Anniversary, Susan! I’m so happy to be part of the “family” and to celebrate with you and the other GFs.
Susan, I just discovered your blog about a month ago. Love, love, love everything on it and about YOU. In the last month I have expanded my library to include Gladys Tabor and the books on Beatrix Potter. I also love old dishes, vintage linens and quilts. So as you can see, I have found you to be a “kindred spirit”. Please dont stop, blogging, painting or writing…..else I would feel the loss greatly. Thank you for being a ray of sunshine. Tracie
Great memories of you store Susan . . . So glad I got to experience it ! I was just on a trip up North with my mom and sisters a couple weeks ago and I had to stop in Arroyo to drive down “Branch” just for fun : )
Great pics of quilts, I bought some of your fabric years ago and now that we are expecting our 1st grand-child in the fall I am going to make a baby blanket : )
Linda C.
Having been a l-o-n-g time fan, I was especially excited to meet you at your book signing in Kansas City last Sept. It is additionally memorable because the very next day we learned we would be moving to the Philippines in May for the next few years. The Philippines? My heart has always yearned for England! How will I survive there? I packed up my Susan Branch book collection and put them in our shipment, which is now bobbing along in the Pacific Ocean headed this way. My signed calendar came with me in a suitcase, and is another reminder of the things I love. Love you, love your blog, love Joe, love the kitties, love the island, and love that you share your charmed life with us!
Isn’t it wonderful that though you will be far away, you can come here every day and get a little bit of home? What a great adventure Connie! Blessings on you and our family!
Love your blogs and Internet site. You quilts are lovely. Just revamped my bed room. Painted walls a light blue (like a morning sky). And painted all my miss match pieces white…Will now hand paint some flowers and butterfly on a couple is pieces. Need to make a spring quilt to go on my bed
Oh my! The quilts are so inspiring! I would use them for my daughters wedding and then start giving them as gifts! But not all. I love the calendar art. I save all your old calendars and use pictures through out the year as decor. And another quilt! Bring it on! Xoxo. Thank you for your blog.
Oh the quilts, the dishes, the FABRICS! Heaven…
Thank you for sharing your quilts!
The blog is a wonderful source of inspiration. I am so glad you are getting your books back out there.
The give a way is the frosting on the cake! May there be many more anniversaries!
What a lovely, thoughtful and cheerful post – particularly as we mark the 70th anniversary of D. Day and pray for peace in the world. It’s rainy and grey in my part of England today but we’re heading to beautiful Ely Cathedral for a kid’s event with arts, crafts, story telling, music etc. all on the theme of the Lord’s Prayer. Thanks for a good start to the day.
I have been crying my eyes out over D-Day on TV — talking to my dad about it last night.
~ Me too ~ most of those men were still “babies” ~ I was amazed at how many of them called out for their mothers when they lie injured or dying ~ just heart wrenching~ Thank God for their courage! ~ I think Memorial Day and Veterans Day need to be re~ taught to (our younger) generations who many only see these holidays as a day off of work or a picnic ~ that’s why our flag is up for all those holidays as well as Flag Day & The Fourth of July ~ with an explanation to my grandchildren why ~
~ God Bless All our Veteran’s and let’s as a nation care for them and respect them properly!~
Heart wrenching. And to see them now and hear them tell their stories, I’ve been loving this so much. My dad and I were talking last night about how our whole baby-boomer generation was raised by dads who had too much war under their belts. Stoic and humble, his is the greatest generation.
I started watching Brian Williams’ special about the 70th anniversary of D-Day. When a veteran who was in Nomandy said, “an 18 or 19 years old man dying always cried for his mother”, I was wrecked. I bawled for the hour.
Me too, was right there! Oh my, what they did. Such young people.
Great blog. Thanks for all the beauty and inspiration. Arlene koktavy
I agree wholeheartedly that there are lots of people who love peace and joy and celebrating life in general and that it is hard to hear our voices over the din of those who seem to choose chaos. Hopefully our gentle, peace-loving beacons of light will outshine and outlast the chaos eventually! Your blog is lovely . . . .
I love reading your blog. It gives me lots of inspiration and makes me happy.
What a great way to celebrate 2 anniversaries. Your facebook page and blog have been so successful thanks to your inspiration. I would be so inspired winning any of these items. Quilting has been my addiction, oops, I mean hobby for the last few years. I just love making quilts!