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 just finished reading “A Fine Romance”. Loved it. What an absolutely charming book. My friend lent it to me – I think I need to get my own copy.
Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your giveaways.
Charlotte
Thanks for the inspiration Susan!
Your posts are so inspiring and comforting. I would be honored to be chosen as a recipient of one of your lovely treasures! Connie
I am so happy to be your internet friend. My house is just about a mile away from the house where you grew up! When I read the page in ‘A Fine Romance’ where you write about your childhood home, I squealed out loud! I surely must have been at the beach when you were there in the summer on those hot, hot valley days. So much of what you do, like, and who you are make me feel you are a kindred spirit. Thank you for sharing you joy and happiness with so many.
<3 you!
Thank you for starting my day with a smile and a heart-tug. I love it all, every single bit of it. The thing that I loved the most today (other than the tip of Jack’s tongue matching the pink in the fabric), was the sense of humanity you celebrated. I so agree ~ decent people are the same the world over. We all want the same things and feel the same things. Thank you so much for not just saying it, but showing it.
Oh, how I remember those fabrics! And, the quilt challenge that ended with a celebration at the Farm Stand! Like a scrapbook in my mind….I love remembering all the good times …. shopping ’til I dropped at the Heart of the Home Shop, visiting the studio….! Those prizes are absolutely divine! I love the quilt…just so YOU! Looking forward to celebrating the winners!!! xo peg
I saw “our” table — 🙂 — you put up on FOSB!
Beautiful post, as always! Dish designs and quilts, you’re right, they are inspiring connections! Thanks for the giveaway, enjoy all those blooming beauties!
Thank you so much for the effort and inspiration you put into all of your
blog posts. Oh, the ideas and projects you generate in my imagination!
Hi Susan, Congratulations on your anniversary.
Love your blog and all your quilts.
Please include me in your drawing.
Thanks,
Susan
I loved seeing all of your quilts! How wonderful!
Since I am a quilter and a collector of antiques (especially china and dishes) I am so excited about your giveaway! So wanted to meet you at the Friends of Gladys Taber reunion, but we could not fit it into our plans this month. I discovered her books about 30 years ago, she was a “kindred spirit”! Have fun.
Oh my gosh! I love your artwork and I love quilts. So I would be absolutely thrilled to win any of the prizes. I am crossing my fingers.
Susan, what a beautiful blog. You are a gift and would have made a wonderful classroom teacher by setting the example that we should cherish each individual and celebrate how we are more alike in our love for goodness than different. I am a retired teacher and know that families desire a peaceful world filled with goodness for our children.Thank you for being a “gift-giver”.
happy anniversary- love the blog and look forward to an entry and an inspiration have been a big fan for years
I never get tired of reading your blog. It’s the way life should be – peaceful and creative.
Exciting!! So many great things and now the book to pre-order, going to do that soon! Fingers crossed! Love you Susan!!
I have followed you – since Lord knows when. I guess since your friend Chris and her friend John introduced us. In this blog you show your art work of years ago. OMG, I still have it. I bought books and cards for gifts – but just couldn’t part with them. This year is going to be my worst birthday (70) ever. But then I look at your happiness and positive look on all, and I think maybe 70 won’t be so bad after all. You always put a smile on my face. Many Thanks to you Susan.
Still alive, still kicking, still hearing the birds, can’t be all bad! 🙂
I love your blog – reading it makes my day! Thank you so much.
hi there, wonderful giveaways as always. Happy June! I love reading your blog, it makes me smile! Janet
What a mind bloggling blog!!! My happy psyche is on overload…………………………………..I WILL finish those quilts I have in my closet!!! I never saw the connection between gorgeous fabrics and dishes, I have seen the light!! Somehow that observation completely justifies more dishes ( I don’t have room for more fabric) what a relief, dishes are legit!!!!
My heart will be at Stillmeadow………………….I can’t make the trip but oh please do a HUGE blog on the entire thing. Just to be there to feel the vibes of that lovely courageous woman and all her wonderful precious pets……………………..sighhhh. Gladys was a huge light in a small farmhouse tucked away in the woods but look how far her light still shines!!! Absorb and report for all of us who long to be there. How perfect for you to be the speaker!!
I always loved your fabric like papers and ephemera for scrapbooking and was sad that I never found any of your fabric ~ what a treat it will be for someone to get that lovely bundle of goodness to create something wonderful with!
Congratulations on the anniversaries. What a wonderful blog and fantastic giveaways. Would feel lucky to win any of the three. Thanks for bringing some beauty to my day.
Congratulations on your double anniversary! Thank you for sharing your beautiful things and inspiring us to see the beauty in the things around us. Your generous giveaways are always fun!
Hi Susan,
A wonderful blog page today…well, they’re also wonderful! I would love to win anything from you. It would be treasured!!!
Thanks for the opportunity.
Law, law law!!! Or lawdy as my aunt Louise would say. I just read your comment about this expression. I believe it’s a countrified rendition of Lord have mercy. Hope that helps.
How wonderful! You are so generous! Love your blog 🙂 Please enter me in the drawing . Thank you!!
Hi again, Susan,
I have devoured your blog since day 1. The hi-light of a long day when you post. Some of the girlfriends have joined after I described your blog. I have been a quilter for 15 years – got a late strat – but catching up. One year, we visited Martha’s Vineyard with friends and I stopped by your house and knocked on your door. At the time I was making a quilt inspired by a card you painted with 4 straw hats painted on it. Do you remember the card? I appliqued the hats as the center blocks of my quilt. It is darling. I remember our visit was right after a threat of a hurricane and I asked to see your fenced garden. Joe came over and introduced himself – it was all such a thrill. Looking forward to see if I win any of the anniversary give aways.
Always looking forward to your next blog.
Darlene
What a fun giveaway! Count me ‘in’.
I’m reading Gladys Taber’s Harvest of Yesterdays where she tells all about her life, after writing more than 50 books. I’ve always wondered what happened to her husband and to Jill’s husband and now all is being explained. It’s fabulous. And YOU were the one who brought Gladys to my attention. Thank you!
Great post….love the quilts (and the kitties) and the terrific “give-aways”! Hope I’m lucky! Enjoy this gorgeous day!
What a great milestone.
Boy am I glad you “went Live”. I look forward to reading your blog and the postings. I love to see how wonderfully creative you are.
It was through your blog that I found out about your latest book and your book travel signing across the country. I went to one of the meet and greets and enjoyed meeting you and Joe. You were so kind to sign all of my books (and I had most of them that you have written). Joe even signed his book and I have enjoyed his book as well. My mother and I so enjoyed the day and my sisters were a bit jealous because they too are big fans of yours.
I wish you many more years of writing your blog, books, being as wonderfully creative as you are. Thank you.
Here I am number 854 in comments, Please enter me in the drawing. I have your books right next to Gladys in my most read bookcase. I love to reread books that I love. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be and maybe that’s the reason I reread them…I know them so well 🙂
Your fabrics are so beautiful and quilts are one of my favorite things.
Have a beautiful day,
Balisha
Thanks for three years of your wonderful blog. Cole Porter said it best, “It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de-lovely!”. Here’s to many more years of fun!
Congratulations on your anniversaries! I love reading your blog. So inspiring.
Lucy x
Pure joy every time I visit your blog! Seeing the lovely quilts has inspired me to pull my Great-Grandmother’s quilt top out if storage and find someone to finish it for me. Grandma was legally blind all her life but could “feel” the temperature of colors and made many quilt tops to share with her family and friends.
Keep up the good work, Susan! Joy!
What lovely giveaways ~ just disappointed that the cats weren’t included ~ that would have been amazing!!!! Still very sweet and generous of you!!!
Happy Anniversary!.
We are so happy you started this blog….brings a sweet breeze of happiness and a connection with the things of the heart.
Love, love, me,me, congrats, inspired, warm cozy feeling, joy, anticipation. These are all the feelings and thoughts I had reading your post today and everyday. Put me in the basket with everyone else. I would love to be the special person chosen to keep a piece of your story in my home.
Love your blog! Loving summer! Heading cross country to your neck of the woods next month! Can’t wait
Hi Susan!
I can’t believe I have been enjoying your blog for two years now! But then, I have loved your work since your very first book and have enjoyed collecting through the years. On a different note, I want to try your peanut butter cookie recipe but can’t have peanuts. Have you ever used any other nut butters such as almond?
I haven’t but I’m sure they would work!
Beautiful fabrics and books…you always make our lives brighter!
I would love to be lucky enough to win one of the “doors” but if not…I have enjoyed seeing them here.
Thank you for all the lovelies you share with us!
Dolli
Thank YOU for the wonderful blog that you pour so much time and energy and positive life into! It is the thing that I most look forward to reading on the internet. We all love and appreciate all that you do to make this site so lovely. Much love to you Susan!
Congratulations!! Your blog, books, and all of your creations are just beautiful!
I so love your artwork that I can’t bring myself to toss the calendars when the year is done!
Plus I still own some of your Christmas fabric line, just waiting for the perfect project…
Happy Anniversaries! I’m a quilter – love yellow, and my maiden name was Lamb… do I fit with the fabric!!!!!
Love reading your blog. It’s like a snail mail letter (remember those?) from a good friend.
Hugs
I love your blog! So many times you speak of things that are dear to my heart too-kitties, well-loved linens and china and of course, quilts. One of my earliest memories is of sitting underneath the quilting frame while the ladies of our church, including my mother and grandmother, sewed those incredibly tiny, even stitches on the fabric above my head. What beauty they created from the tiny snippets of fabric left over from sewing someone’s dress or skirt. Nothing ever went to waste! Thank you for sharing your memories and all the possibilities of things to come!
Happy anniversary Susan!!! I’ve been reading and addicted to your blog since the first day! Thank you for your inspiration! Your giveaways sounds fabulous!
Happy June:)
XO
I truly admire your artwork. We must be kindred spirits as I, too, have Johnson Brothers rose chintz dishes as my everyday dishes. Thanks for bringing some loveliness to the blog world.
I hope I’m not too late to join the drawing! I love your blog Susan, and yes, dishes, linens and quilts beckon me to take them home when flea market shopping! I also love vintage baby shoes and old children’s book for their colorful illustrations and charming stories. It good to know there are many girlfriends out there with the same passions!
Such lovely thoughts – focusing on the beauty that all the people of the world love in common. And beautiful photos, of course – I am a dish and dish towel lover, with my own small collection of family made quilts. Kindred spirits!
It would be a gift to win the fabric . We all need a little lift in life sometimes and I could really do with one now .
If only I had gone with my heart when I was younger I could have been doing in England what you are doing in America …….never say never.
Well here is good luck to me ….you never know
Thanks for the enjoyment you bring
Lift! To you Jackie! xoxo Sending love!
What a great read today of your blog. Especially about how we all live in this world together and there are really good people everywhere. You are such a generous person to have these giveaways.
What wonderfully generous items for the giveaway!! Anyone would be absolutely thrilled to win. Thank you
I want to learn to quilt! This brings back so many memories of my nana quilting for hours – summer, fall, winter, and spring, all the time. Thank you so much Susan!
As you can see, I don’t have a website. I’m just one of your faithful readers who so appreciates all you do to make a “little haven of happy” for us to visit. It is what makes the day bearable when the blues come to call. The gracious gift of your talents is highly valued.
Hi Susan,
Happy Anniversary! So glad to follow your blog and to be a Friend of Susan Branch on Facebook. It’s always exciting when I see a new blog post from you, a happy, cheerful break in my day.
Would love to win any of these lovely items, but even if I don’t just want to thank you again for brightening my world with your art, recipes and homemaking tips.
Thanks and blessings,
Nancye T.
Wells, Maine
Love to win any of these
Giveaways are so exciting! Seeing your quilt fabric made me wonder, do I have some of these in my quilt hoard? I will have to go ramble through the many tubs of fabric to see. This, of course, requires a full day, as once I start looking at all the wonderful fabric my head starts to plan a dozen new quilts and I get lost, surrounded by fat quarters and remnants of all my friends’ sewing projects and treasured garments I will “someday” put into a quilt…
At suppertime, my husband will call down to me if I am ever coming up from the basement or should he bring me something down? A cuppa tea is always nice, thank you, the roast is in the oven….hmmm, now where was that yellow with the little white lambs…..
Congrats on your Facebook & blog anniversaries,gosh! Have I been reading them that long? You have been such an inspiration in my life (more than Oprah!) and everyone around me gets to hear about you, more FOSB! Look forward to more years of books, calendars, and cool stuff. Thank you
More than Oprah!!! How can that BE? ha ha! 🙂 Thank you Jenny xoxo
Heartfelt Anniversary wishes to you Susan! Much work and love has gone into your endeavors! This particular blog was so beautiful. I had secretly wanted to see your quilt collection too–and now I have. I especially loved the foxglove picture as I want to add this to my garden. I’m hoping at least one of the giveaways goes internationally. I love the idea of Fabric/Art Ambassador!
Susan, you described that flower in the photo as hollyhocks. I thought when I saw the photo, they were “foxgloves” or what as I remember as foxgloves from growing up in England. Are they different names for the same plant? I’m totally confused, but I know I love them whatever their name is!
I realized that and changed it to Foxgloves, because of course that’s what they are!
Oh Susan, You just have to be the ‘most generous’ person in the whole wide world. I would love to own any of the three prizes. Hope Vanna picks me!
Oh my! I’m sooooo excited! Almost speechless really. Susan, you have outdone yourself this time! Gorgeous post, such good news and info on all the goodies! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I will await Vanna’s expert technique with my fingers crossed!
Let the fireworks fly! Boom, Boom, Boom! Congratulations! There should be lots of hoopla today! Susan Branch for President! You’d have my vote! Heart of the Home is truly what it is all about! Made me smile to hear Frankie sing, “Imagination is funny, it makes a cloudy day sunny, Makes a bee think of honey, just as I think of you.” Cheers!
🙂 Michelle! Next life!
I have my first grandbaby . She must have a yellow dress with lambs dancing about! Thank you and congratulations. Have been a admirer of your craft for a long time!
Hello, Susan,
Your joy and giftedness with color have been a joy to me for nearly twenty years, and I have been journaling in your DAYS book for eighteen years. I just re-read Gladys Taber’s Stillmeadow Calendar and share your love of her work. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are.
Susan,
You really love us, don’t you? It feels so good to be a friend of yours. You just give and give and I am thankful to you for that. Happy Anniversary.
Cecelia in Virginia
Happy Anniversary! That bundle of fabric is yummy–as is anything with your lovely artwork on it. Congratulations!
Congratulations, Susan! So happy you started this blog. It gives me a “fix” of happiness anytime I need one.
Oh, boy – it’s a “Sensory Overload” post, my favorite kind. The colors, the patterns and prints, the ideas! One of my favorite things to do is to go into JoAnn’s or Michael’s or if I’m really lucky, a little independent quilting/sewing store somewhere – just to gaze all the walls of colors. Seems like acres of it as far as the eye can see! A pure pleasure for the senses. And thank you Jack for being the world’s cutest camera hog. You inadvertently make it possible for all of us to see MORE of you. PS – many congrats on your Blog Anniversary, Sue! Wish I could say I’ve been here from that first day but it took me until October to find you. I think the first post I read was the day you brought baby Jack home. Was that close to Halloween? Looking forward to hearing about the Gladys Taber event & have a great weekend.
Yes it was! THAT was a red letter day!
You have touched my life in so many ways. Thank you so much for sharing your many gifts and talents. I love my “Susan Branch” inspired home.
Oh what a lovely blog for this spring day! So enjoyable to read and relax! All of these giveaways are fabulous. Quilt would be perfect for new granddaughter in England.
Congratulations on your anniversary! and many more to come.
Betty
Dear Susan, You really are an angel. Your blog pic’s are beautiful and your giveaways just keeping getting nicer. I can’t think of anything more heavenly than digging in the dirt, planting a garden, taking a break lying on a pretty, comfy quilt on the lawn in the shade of a big tree. Drinking a cup of tea and eating lavender cookies while reading a Gladys Tabor book and looking up recipes in your Summer book ( which is one of my favorites) Oh my, we girlfriends are so blessesd having you and all your talent. You have created a little piece of heaven on earth. Thank You. Xoxo
Oh my, a stack of new fabric is like a new box of crayons to me. So many possibilities…. I love to feel fabric and it’s even better after it’s washed.
Congratulations on your double anniversary. We all love you because everything you do comes from a very genuine heart!
Reading your posts is such an inspiration. I feel like a girl who always wanted to do the things and go to the places that my heroines always did in the books I would read. You, Dear Susan, are one of my Hero’s, and your Joe as well, because he is certainly the Best Kind of Kindred Spirit 🙂
I never knew you ever had that bee fabric at one time. when I left the New York suburban area and moved to an old farmhouse in a small town upstate, I became enamored with bees and they have been a theme in my life. Once in Country Living Gardener I read a wonderful essay about bees written by your friend Sharon Lovejoy and her words inspired me to name my farm after the bees. I also love quilts and quilting although I will never be an expert. I just love your work and how generous you are in your celebrations. Have a lovely summer!
Have you seen the darling bee cups and teapot in my web store? You might like them!
i’ll check them out. xo
Hi Susan,
That was a beautiful(again) blog! You are so creative and I just love everything!
I am looking forward to your new book . Autumn is so beautiful . I love doing Fall decorations, cooking , and the cool nights. Blessings in all you do.
Susan, I believe the thanks also goes the other direction! Thank you for the wonderful blog!!!! Thank you for ideas, inspiration and very pretty pictures!
LOVE all the wonderful pictures of quilts, old and new! Your art is so wonderful and really does invoke the homey feelings that keep us warm…
This is such a generous giveaway – thank you for the chance to win, and for the few days to dream that maybe it will be ME!
How wonderful,sweet and kind of you to give away your treasures!
Ohhhhh, another drawing. That is always so exciting to view the wonderful items and have a glimmer of hope that just maybe they will be MINE! I love your blog. It is always so bright, thoughtful, inspirational and makes me want to try harder to be a better person. I love the trip down memory lane seeing your collection of quilts, your fabrics and your stories. I have never had a quilt made from the 30’s vintage fabrics, and as a quilter, it is time I finally make one!
You are always so generous with your give aways! And more generous still sharing your pretty life with us wanna be’s ! I enjoy your products and your blog and your adorable furry companions. They (all of them) always cheer me up. Thanks Susan!
Happy Anniversary and thank you for the wonderful giveaways! I love reading your blog and books. You are a great artist.
Loved seeing your pretty quilts. I’ still piecing at age 84 but can no longer do my own quilting. Your blog is such a happy , inspiring place to spend time.
Susan, your work brings joy to so many. It reminds me in this hectic world to slow down and enjoy making my home a haven for all those that I love. Thanks for sharing your art with us via your blog. I especially enjoy Jack and his rubber bands even though I am super allergic to kitties. He is so funny!
Your joy in creating such beautiful colors, patterns, beautiful items, is passed on to us through your equal joy in giving away what you’ve been given. Your hope to touch our sometimes dark world with light, beauty, and encouragement is happening! How blessed to share in your love of life!
Beautiful fabrics, quilts…when do you sleep? 🙂
Happy Anniversary to you! What a lovely post. And such generous giveaways. I would love any one of the three, but just being one of the girlfriends is a prize enough for me.
I am a quilter and I would love your number 1 give-a-way of the quilt fabric. I just love those colors. I have just the perfect quilt in mind too! Of course your number 3 give-a-way of the quilt is also on my wish list. Thank you for your wonderful blog, I so enjoy reading it and seeing all the things I love, that you love too. I even had (until a few years ago) a cat named Pearl who could have been Jack’s mother. Pearl lived to be 12 years old. Thank you for letting me share your wonderful life. Hugs, Jane
Congratulations! An amazing blog done with heart; thank you.
What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversaries! Thanks for sharing your charming artwork, tasty recipes, and photos of your joureys with all of us on your Blog!
What a terrific list of give-away items. I would love any of them.
My mother’s quilts and the Susan Branch books she bought me are a few of my most prized possessions! Loved this post, Susan!
When I am reading your blog, I feel as tho I am talking to an old friend and would love to receive any of your offers especially the fabrics. I have your Hats pattern and would love to use those fabrics to make it for my granddaughter, who loves wearing hats. She is also an aspiring writer and artist, likes “A Fine Romance” almost as much as I do, altho I can follow along in my mind, reliving my own trip to England, many years ago. I’d love to take her with me on another visit.
Love your quilts and your sweet cats ! Congratulations on the anniversary.
Happy Anniversary!! My heart does a little “zing” when I see “Susan Branch” in my e-mail. I know it’s going to show me some lovely drawings and/or pictures. I particularly love the pictures of Martha’s Vineyard – they make me homesick. I am stuck in landlocked Alberta Canada and miss the sound of the waves and the beach. Thanks for your blog – I love reading it.
I am really enjoying my copy of A Fine Romance! We spent the summer of 2010 and 2011 in England and went to all of the places that you did, Susan. It is so much fun to relieve the memories and to find kindred spirits that love England as much as we do. Your delightful account and wonderful drawings make this book so special and I highly recommend it as a great read for everyone!
I’ve had your summer and autumn books for years and keep them on my dresser so I can read them over and over. I didn’t realize you had fabric…the little lambs and polka dots are so cute, I’d want them for myself 🙂 LOVE your quilts!!!
Finding your blog and your books are some of the best things that have happened to me. I love your art and now I know it’s because I love to quilt. I enjoy every one of the entries on your blog. You have created a beautiful community of people from all over the world. Congratulations on both of your anniversaries. I wish you many more in the years to come.
I would love to one of your gifts this time. Any one would be perfect.
Thank you for your generosity.
xoxo
Your blog has brought me so much pleasure over the last 3 years, I don’t think I’ve missed a single post. You inspire and remind us about all the little things in life that are important – thank you! I loved seeing all your quilts, they are so beautiful and truly works of love and art. I tried learning many years ago and quickly realized this is a skill I do not possess! But you have inspired me to take up my needlework again (counted cross stitch!), nothing can compare to something beautiful made by your own hand. I will look forward to your next post!
Congratulations. What a wonderful blog!!
Congratulations, Susan! Your blog is one of my favorite places to visit when I need to take a break from all the bad news in the world. There’s so much joy and beauty to be found in the ‘everyday’ things of life, and you have the special gift of reminding us of that…thank you.
I just love your blog! And the photos of Jack and Girl Kitty are always precious. Jack reminds me of my little Jasmine–a perfect imp!
As always, your blogs are a breath of fresh air! No matter what I’m doing or how busy, I always stop for your messages — they’re such a great renewal. Of course, it goes without saying that I would feel incredibly lucky to win any of your things…so, I’m here for whatever happens. Naturally, Jack is the highlight of all your beautiful pictures….he’s pure joy! P.S. Every recipe I’ve tried from your books has been a success–I have all of them, but there’s a long way to go to try everything…