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!
What fun this site was to read and just look at designs and simply displays.
Wondering where I put in my name for the chance to win all those goodies be offered.???
I’ll check out spoonflower for more info and costs for any one of the non-profits I volunteer for.
Hi…..The fabrics are adorable! Just finished reading Willard and wondered if you need a house sitter in September when you travel to England – I love cats, need to walk the beach, want to write a book, and need some solitude!
I need to keep you in mind for next time! We have someone for this fall . . . but thank you for the idea! xoxo
What a fun site to receive from a friend. Where do I sign up for the chance to win all the goodies Susan has put together?
Right here! You just did!
Oh, dear Susan, I just finished reading your wonderful book. You feel like an old friend, so brave, so good-humored, so wise. I have known great loneliness here in my little corner of the wild, remote Rocky Mountains, so your blog (the only one I follow) and your books are like a fragrant, welcome breeze on a spring day. With all my heart, I thank you for the joy you bring to me and to so many. I have nearly all your books and absolutely treasure them. As I’m certain many others do, I would consider it pure serendipity to sit and share a cup of tea with you and celebrate the beauty of this grand life. Hugs to you from me in my humble home in Wyoming. <3 <3 <3 🙂
Thank you Rhonda. I know what a gift, and what a terrible heart-wrenching pain loneliness can be. I’m happy to think I
can help even a little bit. Sending love. Don’t forget Edith Piaf . . . stomp around, it will make everything a little better.
I’m gonna love Spoonflower!! I used to buy your wrapping paper and cards at a neat shop, The Ferrell Shop, in Oak Ridge, TN but she had trouble getting it in. Also found a bunch of your fabric while on a motorhome trip out west….bought all they had! You should see how cute my side porch swing and rockers look!! Also used some of the designs from your embroidery cards to embellish. Too cute!! This will be really fun!!
Have a safe and happy trip. See you in Asheville!
Wish you would come to Nashville, Tennessee. Would love to meet you.
We’ll be in Memphis! Close as we could get this time. xoxo
Susan, it is always a joy to read Willard – you inspire me with your delight in things big and small. I wish I could come to one of your signings but I am living in Mozambique so it’s a bit of a jaunt – and probably not on your tour! But wow, I am so happy I have one of the original Heart of the Home books tucked away in the US of A! Have fun! Laura
Had to go to your website. Love to see the angel work you are doing, with such joy. THANK YOU, Laura, YOU are the world. XOXOXO
I just love the fabric – what a fun website! And such a lovely giveaway – thank you for the chance to win 🙂
See you in California! Blessings for safe travels and as my mom always says, “vaya con dios”.
Love your quilts. The fabric reminds me of the old quilts my grandmother made back in the 40’s. My sister and I spent many hours sunbathing on them in the back yard.
Finished Isle of Dreams in two days! Needless to say, I didn’t get much else done!! Loved it! I’m moving to Martha’s Vineyard!! Haha. Thank you for another wonderful book to treasure. I think I’ll have to re read them all, in the proper order. Love the fabric. I know I’m probably gonna need some!!
LOVE your Willard letters so I know I would love to read your books wrapped up in that nice warm quilt! Thanks for being such a lovely part of my tea-break once in a while 🙂 HUGS!
I love, love, love everything in the Willard! All the news is so exciting! Can’t wait to go with you to England and Scotland. I will be hanging on every word!
Fabric! Yippee! I can’t wait to order some for my almost-92-year-old mom – she just bought a new sewing machine (old one gasped it’s last breath recently) because she can’t imagine life without sewing. I’ve tucked away your latest book to give her for Mother’s Day, she loved the first two. Off to check out Spoonflower now!
Hug your mom for me, please, Mimi!
Dear Susan,
So thrilled to be able to see your fabrics. was sad when I thought I had missed out on them. I don’t sew but could see many ways in which to do something with them. So charming. Thanks for the Willard and as I am, enjoy the spring.
I can hardly wait to read Isle of Dreams! Yay, yay! And, oh – Zooey is a perfectly, perfect actress to be you. Keeping my fingers crossed. ;O)
I love the new fabrics – and what a fantastic idea – you get to decide when enough is enough. You are a genius!!
LOL, I know, when does that happen?
Your taste in material and patterns is impeccable. Loved this whole blog. I will be shopping for quilt material! I will see you at Joseph-Beths in Cincion May 7th! Life is good
I stayed up waaay too late to finish your latest book last night! I’ve been ‘rationing’ my reading to make it last, but then did a bit of a BINGE last night. It was wonderful! I want to go back and reread parts already, but know that I have the ribbon placed in pages 180-181. You have inspired me to get thinking about some BIG ideas…thank you for sharing. The book is a delight–so visually appealing and so soulful.
XOXOXO Susan!
Hi Susan
Loved reading my Willard! Hope to meet you in Denver at the Tattered Cover. Can’t wait to get the third book there and having you sign it! Have safe travel!
Your friend,
Marianne
Susan,
Thank you so much for being you , and sharing yourself with us. Some days I feel like I am the last person on earth who notices delights like wisteria and quilts, but then I read your blog and I feel connected to you and all the girlfriends. I would love to win a giveaway, but even if I never win, I have already won by discovering you and the joy you bring to the world!
Oh….MY…..GOSH!!… Thank you so much for this information Susan!.. Your fabrics are gorgeous!. I have happy memories quilting baby quilts with my Grandma and Mom when expecting my first baby, back in 1977!!! I LOVE LOVE quilts and all types of handiwork….I am better at crochet and I was also a sewing person back in the day. … may have to dust off the machine now that such pretty things are making my mind buzz!! Thank you again!!!
Love, Love, Love it that your fabrics are available on Spoonflower! As soon as I saw the pictures I thought where can I get some (all) of this fabric! What a treat! I so enjoy all your art and have to have your calendars every year. This year I even found a big desk calendar for work! You are a beautiful person to share all this loveliness with us! Thank you Susan Branch! hearts & more hearts!
Hello Susan…Happy Spring! Thank you for the latest Willard… you are a breath of fresh air in these hard times that we live in these days…so wonderful to read your posts and Willard, and put the world aside for a while…. I wish you were travelling up our way into the NW corner of the country…..!! Love your morning sunlight pictures and the beautiful spring blossoms….I hope your trip goes well…Happy Birthday and Anniversary too!!! Take Care, Susan…. Donna, from Montana
Thank you for the beautiful new Willard and blog! Your fabrics are so pretty!
Oh you and Spoonflower, a match made in heaven!
I have been wanting to start a quilt for a wee while now, maybe I was just holding off until you made your fabrics available! Please please do make some England ones soon, I would love to incorporate them especially!
Safe journeying to you both,
Gill
I consider myself one of your biggest and most loyal fans, dear Susan…but I know I have stiff competition! I just received your new book, Martha’s Vinyard, and had to sit down and look at it..I was immediately totally immersed! I LOVE the way you started the book picking up exactly where you left off after taking off from California. I know I will love it as much as your first two in the trilogy.
I look forward to your new blogs every week and especially loved your Downtown Abbey blogs as I, too, cried as the last credits ran on the BEST show EVER on Television.
I look forward to seeing you at Bookpeople here in Austin in June…I may have to come in a wheelchair but I’ll be there excitedly waiting …..you are such a blessing in so many lives. Thank you for just being wonderful you! And thanks for all the beauty you bring into our world.
God Speed on your book tour…wishing you and Joe safe travels and many fun new adventures!
Much love,
The fun thing about wheelchairs, which I imagine may not be many, is that they come immediately to the front of the line. Hope to see you there!
Today, our sheets are fluttering in the wind out here, too, in sunny NW Oregon. So nice to find kindred spirits through you & your blog. Just finished all three books & now I’m going to start back through before my daughter escapes with them. Especially love your adventures in England….reminders of some of the same places a teacher friend & I visited several years ago. Oh, my…that quilt would be such a special replacement for my grandmother’s lost in a move. I’ll see if I can find 4-leaf clover. ; )
What a great post! Be still my heart! I love quilts (I have one of my grandmother’s that she quilted using the bit of string that held the sugar and flour bags stitched closed. Nothing wasted!) I’m torn between the joy of that precious quilt or a paint brush held while doing the magic of SB! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Love that pink morning sunshine!!!! Thank you for all that you do and for being you!!
I am searching through my project samples, dreaming of the things I will make with your lovely fabrics. Thank you for all the darling choices!
What every quilter needs is another quilt! Love that quilt that you selected. Glad you discovered Spoonflower. All you have to do is design quilt labels for the company. A best seller for sure.
I did that once, course it went out of print way too fast, but I’ll put it up there again soon!
Happy 30th anniversary, Susan and “Heart of the Home”! As for your 6 reviews (for “Martha’s Vineyard”) on Amazon, they’ve grown to 23 5-Star reviews. Thanks for your Martha’s Vineyard Spring photos. I love your pink morning kitchen. It’s sunset colors I love here in Austin – a beautiful coral pink, a mystical green, and (very occasionally) a spectacular gold. They bathe the world, suffusing everything with radiance.
Yay for your fabrics on Spoonflower! Oh, the temptation!
See you at BookPeople on June 18th.
I noticed that Katherine!!!! Must say Thank you once again . . . always knew life would be no good without my Girlfriends! See you in Austin!! xoxo
What a ton of fun is planned in the next few months! I’m so happy to be along for the ride. I’ve bought my ticket and I’ll see you in Morro Bay at Coalesce Bookstore at the end of May. Loved the new book!
I look forward to reading your blog. You have marvelous and positive things to say. The artwork just seals the deal! Thank you.
Oh I am so excited to hear about the fabric printing site… would love the birds and forget-me-nots especially. Never win anything but fun to try and the quilt looks wonderful!!! Happy tripping!!!
Thank you for the information about Spoonflower! How exciting is that?! Your talents are amazing! And thank you for sharing them with us! (There needs to be other punctuation marks to show enthusiasm and emphasis besides exclamation marks! And I don’t mean emojis — just good old plain punctuation!)
Emphatically,
Barbara W.
Whew…you are one amazing woman! Congratulations on your 30th and thank you for the joy you have sprinkled across the planet (and beyond?). I have enjoyed the first two books in the trilogy and look forward to #3 and following your across the USA travels and then to England and Scotland. Since you will be their most wonderful guest speaker ever on the voyage I hope they give you and Joe their very best suite!
I have long been a Susan Branch fan. Your books, and now your blog, are always delightful. I am so excited that I will get to see you in Hudson, Ohio! Have a safe trip. I know how you’ll miss your cats. I have three and it is so hard to leave them.
I actually saw you on Spoonflower (stumbled across you somehow!), before you wrote this post and I was so excited to see your new shop, I had to immediately send the link to my friend Pippa who has gone on and on about how much she has loved your fabrics (and missed them) from back when it was printed for quilting shops!
I’ve been on Spoonflower a few years, and yes, everything you say it true!
How fabulous to have all these options at your creative fingertips!!
I began designing fabrics and wallpapers for my SP shop (my shop’s name is LilyOake), because I couldn’t find what I really wanted on the market.
I’m a one-trick pony. I like one look or style! lol And when its out of style, I suffer. 🙁
Designing fabrics and wallpapers has now become my life (well, not really – I still work FT for someone else), but the second I’m home, I’m at my computer or drawing board, working on my next idea!
I’m even wallpapering my dining room right now, in patterns that coordinate with my curtains!
And I use the gift wrap to decoupage furniture with.
And I have to say, the linen cotton canvas is the BEST! I use it for all my curtains, slipcovers, table linens, pillows….. and tea towels.
And that brings me to the topic of TEA TOWELS! Spoonflower holds a tea towel designing contest every fall and I always enter it. Its sized for a linen cotton canvas fat quarter. I’ve gone on to design dozens on my own and they are one of my favorite things to make.
I think Susan Branch designs; the fabulous cookbook designs & illustrations, recipes, etc., are a natural for the tea towels.
I must insist you design some!!
Sometimes I’ll design 4 up on a yard so I can a price break (its cheaper to buy an entire yard of the linen cotton then just a fat quarter)(shh – you didn’t hear that from me).
Welcome to SP and I’ll love seeing what designs you upload and make available for everyone.
Have a terrific day!
“Traveling” with you through life has certainly been a creative adventure ~ from snail-mail Willards ~ to purchasing your first cookbooks and greeting cards. I even got to visit your shop in San Louis Obisbo when it was open (loved it) Newly retired (and enjoying every minute) with lots of time on my hands, I have been re-organizing my “stuff” and found two of your little greeting cards that I kept for myself… one is the cutest little house with light blue shutters and the other is a green VW convertible (I had a yellow VW convertible…back in my youth…with sunflower decals on the bumpers…) Didn’t you just love the 70’s… But to bring the story up to today, I have to tell you I was addicted to “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams” before it even arrived. You ran away from CA to Martha’s Vineyard. I ran away from MI to CA (as far as I could go & stay on land…) And, of course, when it arrived I sat and read it ~ hour after hour – putting it down only so I could have it to read & finish the next day. Thank you for all of the happiness & creativity to bring into our lives! And, another ThankYou for the new & continuing fabrics @ Spoonflower, and another ThankYou for the 30th year anniversary edition of Heart of the Home.
Safe travels ~ your girlfriends await….
Thank you for the Willard post. Makes me smile whenever I have news from you. The quilt is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.
Can’t wait to “join” you on your next trip!
Thank you for bringing sunshine quilts into my life today. Happy 30th anniversary, Susan!
Everything about what you write, paint and put on your blog appeals to me in a place down deep in my heart. I’m a country girl at heart and actually but I own only one quilt. What a joy to win this one.
Your books are wonderful too and I get mine out periodically when I need a mood and heart lifter.
My wish to take some of your wonderful wisteria seeds to Charlotte, NC when we move later this year! Enjoying you since 1988!
Who would have thought that all those years ago I would have walked in to a darling bookshop in a sweet little town and picked up the most precious little book titled ‘Love from the Heart of the Home’ and fall in love with its wonderful author.Not only that,but to meet her once(going on twice) You would not believe how many Susan Branch EVERYTHING I have.I am crazy about Martha Vineyard,Isle of Dreams.Do you know how hard it is to read a book (that you LOVE) so very slowly because you do not want it to end?I am so glad you have your fabric back,missed out on it the first time.It would be so wonderful to have a movie or series on your life,Zoey would be perfect,but Diane Keaton…oh too wonderful. I said many years ago to a friend,you remind me of each other.Thank you for being you…see you in Hudson.xoxo
OH BOY, see you there Ruthie!!
Congratulations on such wonderful and exciting news! ! I’m over the moon excited for you and completely thrilled about the new book and the idea of a movie!! Yay!! Clapping and singing! I adore you and your art and your blog and your books and kitty’s and we’ll evrtuthing!! So thrilled for you. Really hoping to meet you at one of your book signings!! Love love love to you and Joe. Safe travels and hoping you have a Fine adventure!
Oh, Susan! That quilt is a beauty!
You had so many wonderful things to tell us, that I had to read through this post twice 🙂 I am looking forward to virtually traveling with you , and Joe, on the road and on the Queen Mary 2. I think that it is pretty great that you want to take us along! I am also ready to go on a Spoonflower spending spree, with Susan Branch designs. So many cool things going on – thank you!
P.S. Please give Jack and Girl kitty hugs from me~
So excited to learn about spoonflower and the Heart of the Home anniversary edition. Fabrics and cookbook were both long gone when I first discovered you. thank you for sharing your art !
I just finished Isle of Dreams and it did not disappoint. Of course I had to go back and retread a Fine Romance – what a joy to read again and again. I have been trying to lend the trilogy to my girlfriends but so far can’t quite part with them. I really want to but just not ready. I’m hoping to be chosen in your drawing then my problem will be solved. Can’t wait to sail with you again. Have a joyous spring.
Can it REALLY be thirty years? I put your first book on my wish list and my nother-in-law gave it to me for my birthday. I have many of your other books, but that is still my favorite!
I LOVE that Langston Hughes quote! This is another one of my favorites by him: “Looks like what drives me crazy don’t have no effect on you– But I’m gonna keep on at it Till it drives you crazy, too.”
Can’t WAIT to get my hands on some custom fabrics!
Susan, I recall seeing some of your fabric several years ago at the Road to California quilt show in Ontario, CA. You were not there but your associates were. I hope I am the winner of the quilt. Enjoyed the recent Willard. Linda, So CA
Still no Willard! Did I need to sign up to get it? I have received it before. 🙁 Debby
So, sorry! It takes 4 days for it to all go out . . . we just finished our second day. If you don’t have it by Friday, let me know Debby, thank you!
Thanks Susan.
Hi! I’m also still waiting for a Willard, so hope mine comes in the “mail” (email, that is) by Friday. I love reading Willard’s, Susan’s Blogs, and all her books!
So excited! Just received my book Isle of Dreams and I can’t put it down. And the thought of a TV series or movie – that is beyond surreal!! So happy for you Susan!! I sit here in Atascadero, CA looking out my window at tulips, hydrangeas and wild columbines in bloom. Spring is just the best I know you’d agree.
Love your cookbooks, AND your fabric. I quilt and have used your fabric (from a number of years ago) , with the quotes and, of course, the adorable sketches, in children’s quilts. Your work is so personal–feels like it is directed only to me…as all of your fans feel!
Susan, you are such an amazing lady. I’m reading the new book, and love it!
My story is different, but on a similar path. My husband died in 2011, and my path brought me to FL. I grew up in NC, my husband was military, and we were fortunate to live where we had seasonal changes in the USA and Europe during a 20 year career, and then 20+ more in the Kansas City area. For me it was a treat to head to a warmer climate. This has been quite a journey. I’m an art major, but while raising a family art took a backseat, but I always stayed creative. I remember telling my family and friends after I settled here that I dropped my bucket in the well of creativity, and when I pulled it out…it wasn’t empty…I found my heart. I’m back to watercolor painting and drawing again. My bliss, my passion. Thank goodness I have my art! I’m sure it has saved me.
A success story! XOXOXO
I made myself wait all day to read your” over the moon “post with all the great news ….your fabrics are so delightful…all the possibilities of what we can do with so many glorious designs…and I don’t even sew…but maybe I’ll learn..how exciting to contemplate..don’t ever stop dreaming and creating Susan..you fill our cups endlessly and it is all so lovely..thankyou!
I just enjoyed every word of Willard and found out that a drive to your nearest signing is a mere 12 hours and 35 minutes (Weyburn, SK to Denver). I wonder if I can convince some of my Susan-Branch-fan friends that we need a road trip. I also wonder what the longest distance is anyone drove to see you.
Long . . . we have Girlfriends who fly in from other states sometimes (not just for me of course, they make an event of it, bringing their moms, sisters or best friends) . . . and others drive from far away, even several states. It’s the MOST wonderful thing to see us all together. I am so touched to see them. Really, humbled to be exact. I’m not sure anyone has come from a whole different country! You might be the first . . . hopefully it won’t snow! xoxox
Hi Susan:
What a lovely sunrise to wake up to in the morning. It is my favorite time of day: quiet, serene, lovely. Perfect time for contemplation with a hot cup of tea. I would love to receive your books, so here I am leaving a little wish and will keep fingers and toes crossed!
Susan, did you know that your Happy Birthday fabric is featured on this page of Spoonflower: spoonflower.com/welcome under “Shop Latest Favorites”? Way to go, you! (I hope it’s still there when you go check.)
Your generous spirit is such a blessing to all of us. That vintage quilt is a beauty. I recognize the pattern as Shoo Fly. I think I’d swoon if I won that, but I’m willing to take the chance. Or your books and the treasures that you’re giving away with them might do it, too.
Enjoy every single thing that you share with us from the sunlight in your kitchen to the wisteria seeds on the driveway.
Safe travels to you and Joe as you zoom across the country. Thank you for all you do to make bright spots in so many lives.
It was there! Thank you for letting me know, Linda . . . so nice to see that! XOXO
You’re welcome. Glad it was still there for you to see.
I know, everything gone in a flash, enjoy it for that second or maybe never!!!!
Heading straightaway to spoonflower. Ohh, this could be dangerous!
Beautiful sunrise, a new Willard and the chance to win a gorgeous quilt – who could ask for anything more – happy, happy, joy, joy!!
Happy Spring from MO!
I just adore quilts. Especially the ones with the more-or-less old-fashioned white background, with a multitude of pastel colors and no particular, perfectly color perfected design, just simple, soft and calming. Mostly, I love the cool feel of them against the skin and the coziness that they promise to give you. I LOVE quilts <3
You are so giving!! Reading your blog and Willards always brightens my day. Thank-you!
I’m so glad you found Spoonflower – it would seem like a happy ending for you – and for us, too!
Happy dreaming ….and packing!
HI Susan,
I read Isle of Dreams while my sister and I toured Bluebonnet Country, the Hill Country of Texas last week. Hated for the book to end!!
Happy to hear about the fabric. Safe journey and Happy Book Signings.
Thanks for taking the time to tell all us girlfriends about Spoonflower! This is so exciting!
Haha! while I was reading the beginning of your post, I was wondering if you had ever heard of Spoonflower 🙂 So exciting, I can’t wait to start planning sewing projects!
I am so excited to find out about your fabrics at Spoonful flower. I am making some things for my new granddaughter’s nursery and I bet one of your designs would be perfect!
I hope I can make it to one of your book signings. My mother and I were going to see you at our local Bucks County signing, but it was canceled due to bad weather. So sad! Now I may have another chance.
I am looking forward to reading your newest book. I have your original cookbook. I enjoy reading it, even if I have no intention of making a single thing.
You always include us in all of your success….and FUN! Thanks for being such a sweet girlfriend! Hugs, Diane
Susan,
You are truly inspirational. Thank you for continuing to open up your home and creative world to us. It’s so nice to be a part of!
Oh Susan…that is such exciting information that I can’t breathe! I am not sure if there is a limit to how long I can ramble on at ya but you may want to warm up the tea water…I will chat until you turn the lights off on me. I “discovered” you a few months ago from an old magazine – Christmas 2014 I believe, because I made myself go through the pile that I was hanging on to. It was a magazine that I had looked at before, I could tell by the dog-eared pages, but I had not noticed your article until this time around. Life is funny that way. I am a stay-at-home momma of three wee ones, the last being a toddler who is growing. Sniff, sniff. Alas, it has come time for momma to reinvent herself as some moments of the day become hers again. On my way to my dream of a hobby farm and some sort of gift shop thingy, I am dabbling in my creative talents to see if I even have any! My desire is to sell USA Made and to support locally made gift items “plus”, and I decided that I just might like to design some things of my own to sell. Discovering you, your talents and your story inspired me in many ways. Your moments keep encouraging me to work on mine. With a head full of dreams and a complete lack of knowledge on how to make them shine, I plug along and little by little tidbits of just the right information find their way to me. Thank you for always sharing, for being happy and for enjoying life’s moments – it is so much fun. And I cannot wait to check out Spoonflower! Aaryne
Thank you Aaryne . . . A quick reminder that no one knows what they are doing when they are creating! (I suffered through this too.) You’re doing something that’s never been done before! So just step over that problem and keep going. xoxo Good luck!
Ha! Thanks for the reminder, it is good advice. I’m off to check out your fabrics – I had a brainstorm last night when I was supposed to be sleeping. They should be just the thing I need to enhance a creation I am planning on. Have a fab trip…Aaryne
Happy Anniversary Susan! How gracious of you to offer such wonderful gifts! I hope to see you when you are in Hudson Ohio! Susan
I so enjoy reading your blog and Willard. I was hoping that on our way home to NS at the end of the month that I would have been able to make one of your book signings but that is not going to happen. Boohoo!! The fabrics look wonderful. Safe travels and have fun on your travels signing your fabulous books.
Beautiful quilt, Susan. I love old quilts as they remind me of my Grandmother who made them by hand. She has passed many years ago now and so have her quilts but seeing yours bings back the memories. Thanks for the chance to win yours. What a wonderful giveaway!
Love the idea of your graphics on material or wallpaper, thanks! Keep up the great work.
Love the fabric! Hope to meet you in Prescott Az in June!
Oh Susan, I love your blogs! I’m telling all my friends about you and all you do.
Thank you.
I can’t thank you enough for spending your time and talent creating such wonderful books. they inspire, cheer and encourage. I always reach for them when I need to re center myself and relearn to just love being me!
ps my cat is named Billy too! Wums for short as in willwums.
Susan I have followed and read each and every blog and can’t even begin to tell you how much enjoyment you bring to all of us – thanks! !!!!!!!!! I have four of your books and am still collecting . Please enter me into the drawing, books, quilts, wisteria seeds be still my heart. Thanks again
Denise
Hi Susan,
As I write this my copy of Martha’s Vineyard , Isle of Dreams is winging it’s way to me. I can’t wait for it to arrive . I have loved all of your books that I have ,starting with The Heart of the Home that I bought back in the late 1980’s. I have never seen the seed pods from my Wisteria, I will have to pay better attention to what’s happening in my garden in the future. I love the photo of the quilts blowing in the breeze there is always something comforting about clean washing on the line. Enjoy your day. Kay
I’ve never owned a quilt! (10 exclamation points!). Yours are lovely. I would give it a good home. Happy 30th Anniversary Susan.
Hello Susan, Thanks for the new book, I finished it in two days. I’m going to reread the books in proper order, they stand alone just fine, I just want to read them in order. You had me laughing so hard about your winter experiences, I guess I took winter for granted. Never gave a thought about the things you wouldn’t know. Off to check out Spoonflower. I don’t think you realize the happiness you radiate. Have a great tour
I love your fabrics, and your books, have a wonderful tour, and sunrise is one of my favorite times of day! Your blog always strikes a resounding chord!
Always blessed to get anything “Susan Branch”. You put smiles on my face, dear Susan !!!
What an inspiration you have been to us all over these long years…how you have brightened our days and made us feel cozy and wrapped up during Winter months with your truly uplifting and inspiring words…I have loved ALL your books and so enjoy getting the Willard…my best friend and I both read it then email each other and discuss what you have written….she used to live down the lane from me, but sadly moved away 16 years ago but we are still ‘kindred spirits’ we joke all the time that if we lived by you we would all be the greatest of friends. We love you Susan Branch, and thank you for many many wonderful years together.
I’d love that quilt. Going to Spoonflower NOW!
Susan, your blog tickles! I wrote you a year ago 8/28/15 820pm and you answered the next day, about the pillow case you have in your Peter Rabbit Room – perhaps you can have that made into fabric for the Spoonflower? My request then was that if you can have the whole picture shown, as I would like to do an embroidery of it or a quilt – now that your blog talks about Quilts! Today’s my first daughter’s birthday! Oh, please, I hope you do! Thank you very much!
Dear Susan, I am almost finished with Isle of Dreams and am making myself read so so slowly so it won’t end!! Thank you for being you and sharing your vision of life with us. You make my life so bright and cheerful. Xxoo,
Lisa
Reading your Willard is the highlight of my day and getting a chance to win your book and a lovely old quilt was the icing on the cake! I collect old quilts and that is a lovely one. I can’t wait to read your new books, have only gotten the first one so far. Really looking forward to reading your blog as you travel all over. You are such a delight Susan, all I can say is I just love everything about you!! Take care and safe travels
Love quilts, love fabric, love your blog! Thank you so much – many leisurely hours have been spent reading your blog!
Susan, I am filled with joy that you are designing fabric again and I can, with a click find it and buy it and be making something with it in a matter of days. Aint life grand!!!!!!! Looking forward to meeting you in Cincinnati.
I have every (yes EVERY) one of your books! Currently reading Isle of Dreams and keep thinking of its double meaning (I love dreams!) This teacher is about to retire and my sewing room is awaiting additions of your new fabrics and my perennial gardens await! Oh boy!! I think that you and I must be twin daughters of different mothers! We truly share a way of seeing the world. (But alas! You can paint, but I cannot!) Can’t wait to see you in Hudson at our sweet little bookstore, The Learned Owl!
So glad that the rest of the world can enjoy your life and your pleasant and delightful take on life and all it has to offer. As a fabriholic, I am excited to see and purchase some (or all) for your wonderful designs. Your enthusiasm for life’s little pleasures are the springboard of ideas as to how to use your fabrics.
I hope a movie (or more) will be made from your books so that I can view them again and again when I need a relief from all the things happening in our world.
Susan, I am savoring and loving “Martha’s Vineyard…” as I have the 2 earlier books. My husband passed away suddenly just a year ago, so the new book has been special in that it has helped inspire me to move forward with this new life that has been thrust upon me. I hope to share Spoonflower with one of my patients and a friend who quilts, sews and creates. She just finished a baby quilt for me to give to another friend who’s wife is expecting soon! Because of her disability, this may be one place she can expand her creative possibilities! Thanks for sharing your life so generously, with optimism, humor and creativity. (oh yes, I also agree with the choice of Zoey Dechanel to play you. Especially if she can “la dee da” some young Diane Keaton into her interpretation, huh?).
Exactly!!!! And Christine, I’m so sorry about your loss. “Thrust upon you” is exactly right. All my very best to you in this very different world you face, with, I read, beautiful grace. xoxo
Just made my grandkids quilts for their beds when they come to visit me. My first quilting project and they loved them! Can’t wait to see the fabrics on Spoonflower. And would love to win the quilt and your books!
I just love you so much, Susan Branch. You make me so very happy!
Thank you for your blog, I was feeling a little weepy and blue and it cheered me right up. Good luck on your book tour!
Goodness , just reading all the wonderful comments takes a good bit!!! Absolutely love the fact you have put your fabric designs for sale on Spoonflower, Are we ever blessed!!! They are fantastic! so I would love to be entered to win your lovely quilt, I have a brick and mortar quilt fabric shop in Iowa and LOVE quilts!! I hope Joe and you have a wonderful time traveling around the country meeting all of us! because we are all looking forward to meeting you!