Hello to everyone popping in from Willard (or wherever you’re popping in from)! MUSICA (sorry that the Musica doesn’t work unless you can open two screens at a time on your device. If you can, click on the link, then come back to this page while it plays) . . . Welcome to my pink kitchen!
Well, it’s not really pink. But there’s yesterday’s sunrise . . . see what it did to my kitchen . . .
You can see the reflection of the sunrise from the windows directly across from these . . . turning daffodils, walls, and Beatrix Potter People sunrise pink!
The stove was splotched in pink too . . .
Morning sun sent rays across my dishes cupboard . . . had to grab the camera! Such a nice way to start the day! 
Later on, a breeze came up from the harbor and under blue springtime skies, out went our sheets for . . .
. . . a little flight in the cool salt air . . .
And that reminded me, of a really good idea I had, of the perfect 30th Anniversary Giveaway for some lucky person . . . I thought perhaps a vintage quilt would be just the thing! The Grand Prize I mentioned in WILLARD. . .
I actually decided to do this way last summer . . . you can tell by the leaves on the trees and the green . . . to give away this quilt, the one closest to us in the picture, white with the patches of color . . . I’m not sure where I got it, I’ve had it for so long. Be sure to sign up for it at the end of this blog. I do this A. because I have lots of quilts and it’s fun to share the wealth. B. It’s the 30th Anniversary of Heart of the Home and that would never have happened without YOU ♥. And C. In honor of my dad who told me to 
Here I am in 1999, thrilled because I had just gotten my first collection of fabrics with Springs Industries. They put me on the cover of Giftware Business (which I don’t think exists anymore), wondering, in the headline, “Who the heck is this person?” So this was an unexpected thrill. I never imagined my cookbooks could lead to designing fabric (I couldn’t even imagine cookbooks!). We won a prize for our booth at the 
International Quilt Show in Houston that year.♥ My corner of their huge showroom was set up as a bedroom, furnished in white wicker, a bed (the headboard), chairs, desk, even a hope chest, and the Springs people had made everything in it from my fabric, pillow cases, duvet covers, throw pillows, dolls, dresser scarves, cushions, quilts, book covers, wall hangings, lamp shades, table toppers, you name it. At a time when so many quilting fabrics were tea stained, we stuck out, not like a sore thumb, more like a rainbow on a sunny day. I’ve always loved sewing and quilts and embroidery and every kind of needlework so designing fabric with my watercolors just seemed like a natural to me, and now they were actually letting me do it! How could it be anything but fun?!
And it was fun! After Springs Industries, I was lucky again to be approached by RJR and I designed fabrics and quilts for them for several years. The only thing about fabric designing I didn’t like was that they would print the fabric only once and after it was sold out, that was it, they didn’t make any more. You’d blink and it would be gone. Like everything you see above, all gone. So it wasn’t all roses in that respect. And it was hard to get the fabric stores to know you existed, because consistency was impossible.
See those cute little teapots? I was heartbroken when they sold out and no more were made. “Why?” I wailed . . . But, it was fun while it lasted and I did love having fabric, I loved designing.
I had so much fun piecing together quilt design ideas with paper on my living room floor.
I’ve loved quilts ever since my grandma gave me one that her mom made. That was it, I was hooked, and since then I have looked for old quilts wherever I go, antique stores, flea markets, anywhere and everywhere.
I used to quilt a little bit myself, but then I learned that I could paint quilts faster than I could sew them. So when the time came, I was thrilled to design my own fabric. I just wished it could be around longer.
But no, I was not in charge, it was all gone, no cupcakes, no blue flowers, no hearts with teacups in them, no flipping tea balls. Months of work, on the parts of so many people, only six months on the market, it was all gone.😳
The licensing business has gone topsy turvy in the last 15 years, along with many manufacturers and many fabric houses. Huge wonderful Springs Industries, for all practical purposes, doesn’t exist anymore. So I have waited, still getting letters all the time from you asking for fabric, wishing and hoping and thinking, maybe someone will find me again someday.
Gone↓
But so far I’m still waiting. And while they were not finding me, wonderful things were happening on the Internet. New ways of doing things were being invented. Even our small studio could give you free bookmarks and stationery to 
print out. We could send you patterns, via email. A new world was opening. And somewhere else, genius people were learning how to print fabric on demand. ON demand!!! Which meant a designer could put a fabric design onto their website, a customer could find it there, and get just what she needed, a quarter of a yard, 10 yards, whatever. The customer had a choice of designs that were available in no other place. And those print-on-demand sites have just been getting better and better.
And now, in case you haven’t heard of them, I’d like to introduce you to Spoonflower.com. Because all by myself, with no contract to sign and nothing standing between me and you, I can upload any fabric designs I want to this site, and you can get them there, in a magnificent almost unbelievable choice of 20 (twenty!) different fabrics. And you know what else? Not only can I do this, YOU can do it too! You can design your own fabric, and they will make it! Anyone can! Your child’s drawing could be fabric! They will send you one of their little swatch books for $1 (like the one above and below) so you can see all the different fabrics, check the quality, touch it and feel it. Too good to be true.
Not only can you provide your own designs, but you can shop Independent Designers from all over the world. And they have twill, they have organic cotton, they have silk Crepe de Chine, they have poplin, they have stretchy! You choose the fabric you like, and then you choose what weight you would like it in. You can cover chairs in their fabric! You can line picnic baskets! And you know what else? Let’s say you like a fabric so much you wish it was wallpaper. Guess what? You can have any of the fabric designs in wallpaper! AND in wrapping paper!!!! I am beside myself.
So I asked them to send me a fat quarter sample of my Martha’s Vineyard Toile in “Linen-cotton canvas” so I could check the quality, and this is what they sent. I wish you could feel it. It’s gorgeous. Digitally printed, eco friendly. You could make a bag out of it, or heavy drapes, or thick pillow covers. But you can also get this design in quilt fabric, you could make poplin jammie bottoms, it could be curtains, it could be wrapping paper. It could be wallpaper. And you can do this with any fabric on their site. All of it designer, all of it one of a kind.
My samples came fast too. Took maybe a week.
I asked for samples of my birthday fabric designs . . . and here’s what they sent. I thought it was wonderful. And this is a new design for me, it was never made! So we’ve decided to go ahead and let this fabric make its debut on Spoonflower! I see napkins, I see pillow cases, I see an apron. I see wrapping paper! I even see wallpaper used as drawer paper, polka dot drawer paper!
I’m a pros and cons person, so I really thought about it ~ the pros for doing fabric this way far outweighed the cons: Spoonflower fabric is made in America! No one can discontinue my fabric but me. I could wallpaper, make drapes, cover a chair, and make a duvet all in the same pattern. It ships internationally so my Australian and German and Japanese Girlfriends can get some if they want!♥
(Does anyone recognize those shoes on the window sill in my sewing room! Agnes!)
The other thing is that Spoonflower isn’t my business. They will sell my designs, but Spoonflower is responsible for the business side, not me. They take care of the customers, answer questions and are responsible for quality control. Once I upload the designs, they take over. And they carry so many choices of fabrics, they even have patterns you can buy that come with the pieces all cut out for sewing. And believe it or not, there is no minimum order! The Pros go on all day. I think they offer an amazing service. And they started their business the same way I started mine, at their dining room table. So I get to support a small business.
My wheels keep turning . . . I can have a line of Baby fabric again! My Teds! Lamb wallpaper! Lamb wrapping paper! Lamb curtains!
There is only one con that I can see, better known as a drawback . . . but even that has a pro side. It’s the price. Print on demand and “made in America” doesn’t come cheap. And their fabric isn’t available anywhere else! But prices aren’t really as bad as you might think, especially for the heavier weight fabrics ~ compared to other designer prices, it’s 
affordable. And the bright side of this “con” is that Spoonflower does not compete with all the wonderful little quilt stores that we love and want to stay around forever, because for all of this amazing service, they really can’t compete with quilt-store prices. The good side of that is that the shops don’t carry Spoonflower fabrics, and Spoonflower doesn’t carry the shop’s fabrics. They are the same yet entirely different.♥
And you can make a lot of pretty things with just a little bit of fabric. You can edge pillowcases, and make tiny quilt squares . . .
You can have sweet little appliquéd dish towels with way less than a quarter of a yard.
You can appliqué cupcakes for almost nothing. You can line a bread basket or make a window valance, or a scarf (because they also have 100% silk). You can cover boxes or line your shelves in the peel and stick wallpaper. You can use the wrapping paper as scrapbook paper. And I’m sure, with your kind of creativity, you can think of a jillion other things to do with it.
A little fabric goes a long way . . . someday I’ll design an I Love England collection. I’ve been playing with paper ever since I learned about this. I love the birds, that will be next.
Gone, but not forgotten. ↓
Just so you know, this is not paid advertising, or even unpaid . . . I have never spoken to anyone at Spoonflower, we’re not connected in any way. They don’t know me from Adam. I just like them and knew that if you didn’t already know about them, you would want to. You can follow them on Twitter, along with their 33,000 other followers, of which I am one, at @spoonflower. So NOW:
As of today, we’ve put up three collections, 15 designs, HERE. And we’re just beginning . . . The first is called “They Say It’s Your Birthday” ~ the second is the “Martha’s Vineyard Watercolor Collection” ~ and, lastly, just in time for the think-
ahead people, our “Christmas Watercolor Collection.” And we will just keep adding on . . . we’d love to hear what you want, you want the big Santa face that looks like Joe? No problem! We will always do our best. Slowly, over time, when we are not crazy with new books or on the road traveling the country, we will add more collections and build up a nice little store where the fabric designs stay up forever and ever and ever. Ahhh, the Internet, how I love thee, let me count the ways.
And here are a few more reasons to love the Internet ↑ Giveaways! And we can connect in a way we never could before. This back and forth we have together is just amazing.♥ When I was in my twenties, I had to have my wisdom teeth pulled, and they gave me some sort of knock-out drug. While they were waiting for it to go into full effect, I started talking to my mom in a drugged-up-loony-bin-way about how someday, la-la-la . . . I wanted to have a knitting store, la-la-la, Mommy, where all my girlfriends could come and we could sit around and knit and embroider and drink tea from a tea pot and watch soap operas and teach each other things. The idyllic world. And guess what? If you count Downton Abbey as a soap opera, which I do, I got my dream! Pretty darn close, anyway!
So Girlfriends, Happy my Anniversary! Please be sure to leave a comment at the end of this blog. Just any little comment will enter you in the drawing . . . there will be three winners, three names drawn in a week or so, each getting a set of books (the trilogy) PLUS a well-used paintbrush, a pencil stub, a blotter bookmark, and a seed package from my own driveway . . . And then, ONE MORE name will be drawn, for the Grand Prize . . .
This gorgeous old quilt ~ and of course, a package of wisteria seeds. Because I know you. ♥ Happy Almost Mother’s Day! ♥ See you at the bookstores! ♥ Lots to look forward to in 2016!
Dig and be dug Girlfriends! Wob you!
Love that there will be fabric available again. I scour every new quilt shop to see if I can find more of the original for my stash. Now I won’t be so afraid to cut what I have! Great Willard! Wonderful post!
I love your decorating style and would love to see a decorating book.
I remember receiving the postcard announcing your first line of fabric when it was included in a Willard (back in the snail mail days). Hard to believe it was 1999! I was so excited and rushed out to find the fabric at my local quilt shop. Have enjoyed several projects from your other fabric releases over the years. Spoonflower — what a great concept!
How exciting to have your wonderful designs on fabric, Susan! Thank you for sharing this information! I am looking forward to meeting you in May at The Learned Owl bookstore in Hudson, Ohio. Happy anniversary!
Just finished reading The Fairy Tale Girl and so enjoyed it! I have every one of your cookbooks and cherish each one. It is weird to put in words but your books are so warm and cozy- they always make me smile when I read them. I have always felt like we could be great friends because we like the same things! My Mom’s go to song/ lullaby song was. “Mares eat oats….”. Sang it to all my children as well. And never heard of any other person making sausage and potatoes besides my Mother-in-law. Her recipe was my husbands childhood favorite! Your recipe and hers are nearly identical! Thanks for making me smile!
Mmmmm, sausages and scalloped potatoes!
Congratulations on your anniversary — how time flies!
Martha from CT
Good afternoon Susan,
Our first quilt was made in West Virginia, 52 years ago. The pattern is
Colonial Girl, each block is a girl holding an umbrella. Each girl was done in a different color, the main shade they used by my request was lavender on white. Every inch of the sewing was done by hand, with some embroidery on the girls. Can You believe I paid $25 to have it made!!! It is a treasure, very worn because we used it on our bed for years to keep us warm. Your blog brought back many memories of the trip to West Virginia, and meeting the ladies that made our first quilt. Thank You!!!
Lovely Marion!
Ah — the Martha’d Vineyard toile. Must have that. Remember the blue and white toile bedroom Audrey Hepburn stayed in while visiting Rex Harrison’s mother in “My Fair Lady”? Toile on the bed, on the walls, on the drapes ……..
I loved it!
Susan, your delightful, relaxing, refreshing blog has been blessing my inbox for only a couple of years, but especially this year is it especially a basket of sunshine.
Thank you for all that God has gifted you…you share with the world. These shared gifts really do help the world go around with a bit of Musica!
Thanks again!
Oh Susan! What a wonderful Willard and then also your blog post. Love seeing photos of spring in New England. Can’t wait for your book and am so excited to hop on over to see the Spoonflower site. Thank you for sharing about that. You are so sweet for giving away one of your beautiful quilts. I believe what you give away comes back to you tenfold! So watch out for those blessings!
You had me at “fabric”! I will be ordering soon! Yay! Yay!
Wow, love the fabric idea. Then I could have geraniums everywhere. Oh, I would love that!!! You are going to have so many things that you are doing that you won’t have time for sleep. When I am thinking of sewing something in my mind I come up with a fabric design that I want to use and never find it. Guess it is time to draw my own. Thanks for the info and keep on creating!!!
As a quilter I’m excited to have a chance to see your fabrics again and possibly purchase them! Thanks also for the Isle of Dreams – I’m savoring each chapter and trying not to rush through it. Enjoy your trip and all your successes!
Am immersed in your book and enjoying it for many reasons- we’re the same age and I can identify with the era, the music, the heartbreak, etc. I love that you have such respect for nature, mothers, home arts, and dear Agnes. How brave you were at that young age. And you have truly earned your happiness and success. Hope to see you at Joseph Beth in Cincinnati-
Hi Susan, I’m still enjoying Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams. Just left off where you had just received your book contract from Little & Brown, when I decided to dig out the Martha’s Vineyard House & Garden book I’d ordered a couple of years ago. You can imagine how how delighted I was to discover the first home featured in this book is your beautiful Vineyard Haven. What a special treat to see your cozy rooms decorated with antiques, lace curtains, & your Spode dishes that we see in this blog. It even makes me nostalgic for wallpaper. Since I have a home in Salem, Oregon, filled with all the same kind of stuff, it’s good to know everyone hasn’t gone minimalist contemporary!!! We visited Martha’s Vineyard in 2001, & I fell in love with the island’s historic homes. I used to live in Carmel, Calif., & developed an obsession for fairy tale cottages. Thanks for your inspiration!!!
The quilt is beautiful…you can never have too many quilts. How can you bear to give it away?
Just received you new book, can’t wait. Sure it will be as wonderful as the other two
Spoonflower! Fabric power! What a great idea and now a chance to buy some of your adorable patterned material. This is my bliss for today. And prolly tomorrow’s bliss too. Thank you Susan Branch 🙂
I KNEW I should have learned to sew!
LOL!
Wow! What a wonderful give away. And I’m excited about Spoonflower!
Hi Susan,
What lovely fabrics!!!
I am very interested to read about the Spoonflower connection and will have a look at their site after I finish commenting. Happy 30th! I have not a single thing of yours in my house, yet I have bought numerous books – all gifts for someone else. I think it’s time for me to remedy that and perhaps the first thing will be a little bit of fabric!
Awesome anniversary and such good news and so many beautiful pictures, it is such a pleasure to come here for a visit !! Thank you!!
Love reading your blogs! The Downtown Abbey, day after, blogs were entertaining reviews of the latest episode. My mother and I very much enjoyed reading a library copy of “A Fine Romance.” You are a wonderful travel writer. I am looking forward to adding a few of your books to my library. Love your watercolor art, verses, recipes and stories. Your books make me happy!
Could anything be warmer than beautiful quilts? Another beautiful read leaving me totally inspired. Also, there is no scent more fresh than sheets on your bed that have been line dried in Spring breezes, no matter where you live. Love it! Thank you, again, for a wonderful inspiring and colorful read! Judi from Arizona
Oh! What a wonderful adventure for you, finding a “FabricStore” that will sell all of us your wonderful quilt fabric. I am excited to make another quilt. Better find a suitable pattern. Would love to win the vintage quilt. Tickle Vanna for me please, Thank you.
A year ago, our granddaughter-in-law designed fabric for their first child’s nursery and ordered it from Spoonflower. She made knife-sharp Roman shades that are both adorable and practical. I was completely enthralled with the idea and the quality. Now YOU have multiplied the possibilities a million times over. Thanks so much for your generous sharing of all things creative.
On another note: Being very close to 80, I never like to wish away time, but I just finished Isle of Dreams and can hardly wait to send the second copy I ordered to my friend for her birthday next month.
Wonderful advice about fabrics- if you like it , buy it right then, otherwise regrets. Love quilts and quilting. I began quilting in 1967 and I am still quilting- great fun, designing my own styles and great friends and connections!! Vintage quilts are wonderful – they tell a story of remembrance, great love, comfort and a way to keep warm. And they helped keep their sanity in trying, hard times of poverty and grief!
May I just say how helpful and friendly your California peeps are! I thought I had pre-ordered my book……and waited…..and waited…..and when no book arrived, then realized I was obviously having a senior moment! The best part is while I was on the phone getting an actual order in place……I took the perfect opportunity to pre-order the 30th Anniversary cookbook……I have the original……and they should be together.
Looking forward to meeting you once again, at Rakestraw Books in May!
Wisteria seeds! How fun that would be! -Not to mention all the other wonderful goodies from generous you. Thank you, Susan!
Love the toile especially! just wish i could sew, i’m a dunce at it so i find quilt tops on ebay and some lovely ladies at my local quilt shop quilt them for me! thanks for your wonderful giveaways; i’m crossing my fingers!!!
Oh such fun!! I’m happy to try to win your giveaway, but the best prize is having your fabric available. I’m an avid quilter (because I can’t paint) and can’t wait to get some to use!! Thanks!
What a generous give away. Thank you for the opportunity to enter!
I just read your FANTASTIC news about your beautiful fabric and Spoonflower!! I LOVE Spoonflower!! I found out about it last year when I saw this really darling fabric with little Nuns all over it!….. Yes…had to have it!!! Your news today was a great birthday gift for me! Thank you!!! Oh….I am JUST LOVING YOUR BOOK!!!! I want it to last forever!!! I read it every night before bed laying on my stomach over my mountain of V E R Y soft feather pillows and nibbling on Jordan almonds. Heaven!! Thank you for always brightening my day!!
Beautiful, beautiful fabric. I’m a fabri-holic. Oh Susan you just keep on with your wonderful. I love you. There is sunshine here too in my neck of the woods. Ain’t life grand!! So happy to have you in mine. Thank you, thank you.
I have this awful paper fetish, and I can see your amazing prints in papers of every kind! My problem would be that I would have to be terribly selective as to the person/persons I deem “worthy” of any creations, wrappings, or missives from your papers!
The fabric looks amazing! Your humor, your stories, your photographs….YOU…make life just wonderful! A sincere thanks!
Carol in rainy Oklahoma (the gardens needed it!)
Still reading The Fairytale Girl, so still haven’t started Isle of Dreams. Soon to get to it Susan – I am so enjoying each book and wish they would never end. But it will soon end and I will have another to read – YAY! Hope your spring is still springing. Thank you Susan!!
What a joy to read your blog today Susan! Beautiful photos and fabric to feast my eyes on while I sip my some tea. Thanks so much!
There’s probably something wrong with me, but when I heard… a pencil stub…, everything inside me LIT UP! Oh, my love for pencils and paper is madness! Congrats on everything you’ve got going on. The fabrics are lovely and what a neat idea that you could design your own! (of course, I can’t draw a lick, so mine would all have stick people on it!)
I never knew either of my grandma’s or had anyone who quilted so I’ve never known the cozy comfort of a quilt! Would be lovely to have one here in the Midwest. So creative Susan…you go girl!♡♡
Thank you, thank you! All my quilter friends will love these. I will “share” it on Facebook, so they can be excited too.
xoxo
Oh my giddy heart! What more could a girl ask for…well a quilt of course. I would curl up with my cup of tea, books surrounding me and a darling bit of history woven with love and mystery to cover up when the urge for a nap became to irresistible to refuse.
I love all your fabric and you talent is a wonderful gift you share with everyone. I am so happy you are going to England again and can not wait for the book.
Sue
I love all your things. When I need to go back to where my heart is, I pull out one of your books and restore my perspective on life. Thank you.
Tonight we will have potato pancakes and hot tea for supper. Thanks to your very first cookbook which I found in an antique shop in Texas. It is cool and rainy and cloudy…a perfect night for comfort food. Thanks Susan for the drawings..again!
Just when I think you can’t top whatever you have done so far you do!!! The fabrics are adorable; one is cuter than the next. I think you are some kind of fairy godmother Susan who knows what we all need before we even realize it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Oh,Susan, I feel like we’re neighbors. I also lived in Northridge (close to Reseda), but I’m a few years older than you. I recently made my FIRST quilt and I’m doubtful I’ll make another one, but I LOVE the feel of old quilts like the one you’re giving away. Pleeese draw my name! 🙂 Love to you.
Colleen
OH, I’m excited to look at those collections, but had to leave my comment first. I’m hoping a lamb print is there somewhere, or will be coming soon. However, I know I will love them all!
Coming soon!
Oh my goodness! What wonderful news! I am a quilter, as well as a painter, needleworker, reader, gardener, Mom, Etc, and only found you a year or so ago. I was so sad to learn that you used to have fabric that wasn’t available any longer. I am already visualizing the quilts I can make with your designs!!!!
Thank you so much for the Spoonflower tip!
Ah Spoonflower, I could see that coming. Back at the turn of this century I found a lovely fabric print on Etsy, sadly not for sale and someone said it was Susan Branch… that’s how I found out about you. The lady I corresponded with was so nice and I apparently spurred her on to rediscover your fabric… it was the tea time print. Anyway she found an online supplier and bought some and then told me and I was able to buy some too. I still have it and have been too afraid to cut into it. Spoonflower have some great designers, up until now I haven;t taken the plunge to purchase anything. Good luck with your new venture oh and ask Johnny Depp about Australia’s stringent quarantine laws, just mentioned that as you can’t post seeds to Aus.
Hi!
I am so excited about the fabric! I was hoping the birthday design would be available one day. It’s adorable! My favorite is the afternoon tea collage design. I have a dish towel I made out of it and it is very worn. I would love to make another one. And the Santa face would be so fun too. I just finished reading you’re latest book and absolutely loved it! I have been a fan since your first book and have loved them all 💙. Thank you so much for sharing your talent, you are truly an inspiration and kindred spirit!
Thank you for the introduction to Spoonflower. I love fabrics. I’m afraid I collect more than I sew. But I loved the cupcake appliques. Great inspiration. Love getting your blogs!
I’m just doing the happy dance all over the place. Fabrics! Susan Branch fabrics!! Yay! I already have plans for the MV toile! Thank you thank you thank you!!
See you in May at the Tattered Cover. Counting the days!
Love it ALL….how to choose??? Love the birthday and of course, the Christmas. Susan, how happy can you make us? Just when I think you can do no more, here you come with something else. How can we ever thank you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I absolutely adore your blog! Your fabrics are dreamy and the pictures of your sweet home reduce my stress level significantly on the days I have to work sitting at my desk as I shove my lunch down my throat.
I have loved and given your books as gifts for years, but only recently found your blog. Thank you so much for continuing to bring joy!
Oh how fantastic! What a great website. And how generous of you to give away a QUILT 🙂 LOVE Vintage – Antique Quilts.
Would love it if you could also have Anniversary Editions of:
The Summer Book, Girlfriends Forever, Christmas from the Heart of the Home, and Vineyard Seasons
Don’t want to seem too demanding but would LOVE to add these books to my collection!! 🙂
Wonderful news about your cheery fabrics. Hope to see you at the Tatterd Cover bookstore in Denver, and happy anniversary.
4-19-16: First time I saw anything Susan Branch was at Cape Cod. 1994? I bout the wall calendar. One has graced my wall kitchen or computer room ever since. Except that one year there was none created. I have the 1st edition of H of the H, will pre-order the anniversary edition. Love this fabric idea – will def have to get some. AND I am still using the red leather check book cover. Well loved.
Looking forward to the next trans Atlantic trip!
Marcia in Sewell
Oh my! You’re actually giving away a quilt? It is so beautiful! And the fabrics! And books! And everything! It’s almost too much to imagine! Good luck to all the girlfriends! Now off to the Spoonflower website I go…..
Wonderful to hear about Spoonflower.com- can’t wait to check this out. Love your blog, thanks
Love your blog and love your books! I hope I win!!
Thank you for giving away a beautiful quilt. I also love all types of quilts.
Love the fabrics!!! I did get a few patches and fat quarters several years ago but…alas…as it goes, there it goes…no more. Glad for the revival efforts. Thanks to the opportunity for the wonderful gifts you share too. Happy… Happy! and Happy Spring! -r-
What a beautiful quilt. I went to Spoonflower and love all your creations. I will be planning my next quilt with them in mind.
I will think of you when I am visiting the Lakes District in May! I actually made a quilt with your fabric several years ago and have enjoyed your cookbooks and “A Fine Romance”.
Never thought you could top “The Fairy Tale Girl”, but “Isle of Dreams” is my all time favorite. I don’t want it to end, so I’m savoring every page…only reading right before sleep or if I can’t help myself a few pages when I wake in the mornings. I’m taking in all your little borders, pictures, and daydreaming a little as I go. I’m now on 50 something page and I feel like I’m going too fast, LOL. I always thought when you mentioned flying across the continent, settling in a place where you didn’t know anyone that it would have been very stressful. when you mentioned the anxiety attacks…..I was right with you. I have always been proned to having those terrible attacks when the stress in my lfe gets overwhelming. So glad you included that in your book, but sorry that you had to experience them…they are not for the faint of heart….very, very scary. I also love, love Agnes’s things, and the way you preserved and kept them when no one else wanted them, I just feel like thanking you for doing that, even though I didn’t know Agnes. Again, I love the book, and so wish I could meet you for just a few minutes. I’m about three hours from Nashville, so I’m sure it won’t be feasible, but good luck on your tour and I’ll be reading your blog posts. Thanks for writing such an excellent book….I told a friend that it was wildly underpriced..with all the work you did, it should have cost twice that amount. Bye for now.
Susan, I finished Isle of Dreams in a day and a half and began it again! I was right there with you – crying, hurting, rejoicing and becoming peaceful again. I took your advice and began writing down my dreams and aspirations. Then I made lists of the steps to accomplish them. It’s so very simple and really works. Thanks for the encouragement.
You are such a gifted writer. I think your writing and watercolors are your ministry in a world that needs comfort and all the warm fuzzy feelings your art conveys. It’s a true blessing to be one of your girlfriends and I will treasure it always. Stay safe and say hi to Joe and the kitties. See you in Wilmette at the tea party in May.
I am so excited about being able to get your fabrics again! Yippee! Wish I could see you in person for the book signing tour but I understand you can’t make it all over the country! Have a great time sightseeing and wandering!
I love quilts too!
This is so exciting. I bought some of this fabric in the past (curtains!) and have been disappointed that it was no longer available. But now? Yahoo!
I can’t wait to get your book. Fell in love with your artwork when I was first married. Thank you, Country Living.
Hope to get to meet you in Woodstock, GA!
Thanks for sharing your gifts!
I would be so honored to win the quilt, books, anything you want to give away! Found you about a year ago and can’t get enough. I’ve read your last 4 books and plan to get some of the older ones. Got a $35.00 B&N gift card for my birthday yesterday!
You’re excitement is soooo catchy. Like I don’t have enough crafts to do, now I want to sew, sew, sew up a storm with your cute fabric. That web site is way too cool. My mind is racing too with all the decorating possibilities. Never got my Willard so I’d better bop around your web site and re-sign up. Yeaaaa for you and Yeaaaaaa for all of us. You ROCK girl!!!!!
Thank you, Susan, for all you do for us. We wob you, too!
Hi Susan
A great blog. Can’t wait to meet you next month in Missouri.
Another fabulous giveaway…how wonderful! And, a vintage quilt??? What a treasure for the lucky winner. Happy 30th Anniversary! Happy Spring!
~ Hi ~ It looks like everything old is new again! ~ I still have your original little ❤️ Love ❤️ note cards~ I’d sometimes slip in lunch boxes and your old fashioned stove “jot” holder that holds your paper and pencil that says ~ With love from the Heart of the Home ~ I also the rest of your stationary products too ~ let’s hope letter writing and reading a physical book never fall to the wayside! ~ From one old ~ fashioned girl to another Happy Tuesday! ~ Lynn ~
Thank you for creating….LOL
So glad to here that I’ll soon be reading a new Willard. But I’m sooooo excited about Spoonflower!!!! As soon as I’m finished here I’m checking out your designer fabric. It’s so exciting! Thank You! For doing this for all of us! Thank You!
Omg! I am forwarding a link to this post to all the women sewers/quilters in my family. This is really wonderful, Susan!
Dear Susan,
I know just who would love this information about the fabrics being at Spoonflower.com! I am going to forward your blog to her and you will have another new girlfriend. Thank you for being so kind to us, so loving and so inspirational. We are truly blessed for knowing you and how you better so many of our lives with all your wisdom and knowledge.
Best regards,
Carol
Oh Susan, I loved this post! Have been in love with quilts since I discovered them as a young woman. (No one in my family made quilts so it took me awhile!) For years I made mini quilts to hang on the wall, even sold some of them through an antique shop. But I’m with you…. if you make them the old-fashioned way (all by hand), they take so long to finish! So as much as I still love quilts, I have retired from making them. Winning yours would be such a thrill!
And I adore that little bird print that you said would be next! Darling!
I am planning to come see you when you visit The Learned Owl in Hudson. Can’t wait! Thanks for your sweet generosity in this, yet another, giveaway! Hugs!
Thank you for adding your designs to Spoonflower, I can’t wait to make an order! I love all of your wonderful ideas and projects! Thank you for being you! Good luck on your road trip, I know it will be great fun!
What a great post!!! I am going to spoon flower next. Hoping to win seeds and the quilt! My book arrived and I think hubby was as excited as I was to get it open. He said he loves the smell of your books when you first open them ( take that kindle!!) The cookbook was a wedding shower gift so I will need the new and expanded for sure. Safe travel. Enjoy!
How wonderful that this small business fabric printer is helping creative folks like you make beautiful things! It’s awsome!
The things one can do on the Spoonflower website boggles the mind! What a treat to have a blog AND Willard from you all in one day!! xoxo Love from Mary S. in Fresno, CA (right now visiting our son in CO)
Loved your new book. Keep them coming The quilt is beautiful
I just read your “Fine Romance” book and was enchanted! These fabrics are sweet as can be 🙂
Hi Susan,
Received my book last week and have been enjoying it. I hate to finish reading it! I am thrilled about spoonflower as I have had trouble finding your prints (in the past). I love the tea pot print. Yay. Thank you, thank you.
xoxo Pam
Isn’t Spoonflower just ingenious !! So happy to have access to your wonderful fabrics again. I made a mistake, some years ago,in the little shop in Cambria, not buying up oddles of your fabric! Now about that quilt…I must be the winner!! xxx, Penny
So uplifting–many wonderful things keep happening. Happy Anniversary!
Hi Susan
Just finished “Isle of Dreams” – LOVELY – I enjoyed it so much. Going to try all the recipes now:) AND write quotes on my chalkboard. THANK YOU!!
Susan – love, love the idea of Spoonflower – how fun to have a line of all your own or someone’s whom you love. Your quilts are wonderful!
Oh, my! I am relatively new here, (I live in New Zealand) and all I can say is that things just keep getting better! A whole post on quilting and fabric, and me a quilt-o-holic! I’m going to look Spoonflower up right away. And who knows what else you may have in store for us???
Thank you, Susan, for all that you do, and are.
xxx
Thanks for doing a giveaway! I love your fabrics! I hope to see you in Danville, California! Have a great trip! 💕Sherri from Modesto
I love your designs. Glad to know we will be able to get fabric again with your designs.
Dear Susan,
You are a true gem in a sea of rhinestones! I have loved your work since the beginning and have saved all your wall calendars for inspiration. Thank you for always bring a bright spark of sunshine to an otherwise cloudy day on many days.
Dear Susan ,
You have encouraged me to act with this post. I have known about Spoonflower for awhile now and yet, I hang back from starting. I was in retail in the 80’s….we sold much of your line of stationery, recipe cards, recipe books and all your cookbooks. We wrapped your grocery list notepads in clear cello with a bow at the top and tied on a pen….a great little gift it was, too. Recipe cards were packed the same way and tied onto jam and food gift baskets. The item we sold the most was “Heart of the Home” your first cookbook! We packaged that with a carved wooden spoon and hung recipe cards off the spoon, so recipe sharing with girlfriends could easily happen. All my customers loved your products. I went to gift shows regularly in N.Y. Retail is a very busy undertaking and I loved my customers and the everyday time in the store, but always wanted time to create and draw. Unpacking boxes everyday, running inventory, ect. leaves little time for the quiet span of time needed to “create.” I always hoped to clear the path of work tasks and be “ready”to climb the stairs to my sewing room, close the door and just “start”.
That was, I am ashamed to say, almost 17 years ago. It seemed like everything else got in the way of my “starting”. Life has a way of doing that. My father said to me one day this beautiful sentence…” Start before you are ready!” Just start! Focus on one thing and everything else will find it’s place and fall in line. If you keep putting things off, how can anything ever start? So dear Susan , because of this post, I am “starting”. With your gentle urging and the talk of Spoonflower, you have encouraged me to “let loose!” If not now, when?
Tonight!
P.S. Thank you for your generous way of sharing. Thank you for the encouragement. Thank you for your very example.
And………I’m off ….!!!!!! Hope other girlfriends will be inspired, too.
Yes, it’s that first step . . . have fun Gale! xoxo
Yea, Gayle’s father……Start before you are ready!!!! Love it!
What a great comment, Gale. I love reading about the 80s and about Susan inspiring you. Go Gale Go