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!
I am so excited about your fabric!!!! I already went to Spoonflower and looked at it and was so pleased with their prices!!! I thought it would be much more than that for all that they offer!!! I was so excited to get Williard in my mailbox, too!!! Very fun and newsy!!! Thank you for the wonderful give-a-way!!! Have a happy day!!!
Congratulations on 30 years! I have all your books and only wish I could remember how I first found them!!! Love, love the fabric option and that it will be there forever! Love the idea of a yarn store as I love to knit!! Enjoy your road trip!
Thanks for all you do! I have an original copy of Heart of the Home, and it’s one of my favorites. I look forward to reading your blog and the Willards – such a cheery break at lunch. Hope your new book is wildly successful and that your trip across the pond is more wonderful than you can imagine.
Love it! Love it! So many exciting things going on in the house today! My head is spinning! I am so happy for you in all your new endeavors!
Can’t wait to see you in Denver on May 21st! See you then!
Dear Susan,
Silly me, I left my comment for this post on “let’s do a drawing today” lol! I feel guilty when I don’t say a hello, I know how hard you work on your postings and should at least know how much they are appreciated! Much love.
The wonderful, unlimited designs of on demand fabrics may bring me back to sewing again! Got tired of not finding unique fabrics years ago so moved on to other crafts. Will have to go and find my trusty leather quilting thimble!!
Susan
I can not wait to meet you on May 15th in St. Charles Missouri! Would so love to win the wisteria seeds! So enjoy all you have to share—Willard was great and so the blog! See you soon!
Chris
Susan, I love your blog! It always brightens my day. Thank you!
Yes in deed! I am going to Spoonflower.com as soon as I finish this post. I have been quilting for 6 years obsessively and so thank you for the information….and this giveaway offer.
Haven’t commented in awhile, but want to say I LOVE YOUR NEW BOOK! I’m deliberately taking my time with it, and loving every minute 🙂 We have so much in common! <3
Susan!
A lifelong dream will be coming true in July when you come to New Jersey! My BFF and I – who have been dedicated fans of your cookbooks, calendars, scrapbooking supplies, notecards, prints – and the list goes on and on- for over 20 years – cannot wait to meet you and greet you in person!
This quilt is EXACTLY what I need right now! My daughter is getting married and we are using a cart that my father and I built together (it was even named after me!). I wanted to line the cart with a beautiful quilt, and the gifts will be placed inside! I just don’t have a beautiful quilt! Wouldn’t it look lovely? I think so too!
So very exciting about your fabric at Spoonflower! I see pillowcase dresses for my granddaughter! Thank you! Thank you!
Well Susan, I think you saved the best for last in “Isle of Dreams”! I have read it twice, then went back and read “The Fairy Tale Girl” again. All three books are just delightful! I just ordered the revised 30th Anniversary “Heart of the Home”. Seems like we just can’t get enough. Loved, loved the sun coming in the kitchen and especially on the dishes in the cupboard.
I just cried and cried while reading “Isle of Dreams”. Right now, seems like my life is in limbo in a holding pattern and I am wanting to retire and relocate from Georgia to Charleston, SC where my daughter moved, but it is quite scary and such a change. I am quite miserable not knowing where I belong, or where I fit, and your book was so inspiring to me and took me places in my mind and gave me courage to try new things and new places and gave me inspiration and hope that there is greater things in store for me in my future. If you did it, I can do it. There are dreams in all of us and we have hope and with a little fairy dust we can accomplish our dreams. Oh Susan, your book, “Isle of Dreams” was marvelous, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what it did for me!
PS. Please add me for the drawing.
Much love, from Judy Ann from Georgia
Love the quilts, love the fabric, I want that tea pot fabric so please do that one!! My sister pieces the quilts and I (sometimes) quilt them, and am a fabric hoarder!! Love the idea of the I love England fabric!!
Ahhh, Susan, you have such a lovely blog! I am always inspired when I stop by to read a wee bit more…. I will admit to having started going through all your archives so I can read past posts. That could take me some time. 🙂
I go by Miss Mouse Middleton on Twitter, where you follow me back…. and I love to see your tweets popping up in my timeline.
Thank you for spreading joy & love. *hugs & kisses*
~Bekah (@Miss_Mousie )
Love it!
That is so wonderful. And they don’t have to have money tied up in stock. Just print and send out orders. I will definitely check them out. I am so partial to your lovely lambs. Have a sunny day!
Hello Susan,
So Happy!!! to receive my Willard. I always look forward to reading your blog and Willard. I also am enjoying both your books , you have such beautiful artwork on everything you do. Happy Anniversary and safe travels!!!
I loved reading all three books, now I can’t wait to check out the new fabric and I think the quilt is beautiful, but what I really want are those seeds!!!!
My sweet sister-in-love introduced me to you Susan with your very first cookbook, “Heart of the Home” I loved it and my family especially loved me having it and cooking wonderful things from it. I went on to buy every cook book and now every book you have written. I love them, it is like a special friend coming to visit! Now fabric again…I am thrilled. Can’t wait to get some and sew up some very special items that will be oh so loved! Can’t wait to meet you in Danville CA when you are here for the book signing! Thank you, thank you for so many moments of sheer joy!
Now that I’ve read your last three books, I love you even more! We “baby boomer” gals really do have so much in common! I went through many of the same things in my life as you did. I laughed and cried through all three. Your words helped me to figure out some of the messes in my own life! Thanks so much! I think we even switched coasts the same year (1976?) Although I did this twice. I know I’ll read these gems again and again.😊😢😀🌹
I ran away in 1982!
Okay! It was my second time in 1982! I still have half of my brain function left.
Hi Susan! I absolutely love quilts too; old and new! I can’t wait to see you in Woodstock, Georgia this summer!
Hello again! Oh that quilt is wonderful! It would be amazing to have it!
Susan you always brighten my day and gladden my heart. Keep telling you you have to visit The Emerald Isle. 🍀You’ve girlfriends here too!!🍀. Would love to win one of the prizes. Enjoy your road trip I know you will with Joe by your side😘
Loved Martha’s Vineyard – Isle of Dreams. What a wonderful story! I want to move there. There is nothing more comfortable than sitting down with a cup of tea and one of your books. Well done!
Hi again Susan, I’ll bet you are getting excited about your book tour, I know we all are excited to see you and Joe. I would love to win that gorgeous quilt. I am going to pre-order “Heart of the Home” to add to my Susan Branch collection. I was one of those who bought your first book from a gift store shortly after it was published. I didn’t think of you as a “real person” back then, but now you are soooo real and I admire you very much.
this is so exciting Susan! Can’t wait to order some fabric. I’m enjoying your latest book, I’m just to the chapter that gets into fall….as soon as my girls are down for a nap I’m going to jump right back into it. I can not wait!
I have started a collection of your books, as have others. They are delightful! Thank you for sharing your many talents!
Love your books! Love your blog! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love your books ! I have almost all of them. Love your fabric and quilts too. Some day I’ll get back to quilting when I retire?! Happy 30th !
I would love to have all your books! I’ve had you on my wish list for far to long! Time to get serious!
Such excitement! Such an exiting time for you and for us too. So glad you are coming to England.
I so enjoy reading your blog, especially your Downton Abbey reviews. I’ll miss those, not to mention the series itself. I’m definitely going to check out your fabrics. They sound wonderful. Willard and the giveaways are wonderful, as well. Have a great road trip!
So enjoyed the latest Willard and your blog with the news of Spoonflower and the return of your beautiful fabrics! Like so many of my fellow Girlfriends, you’ve been part of my life since the 1980s! Your recipes are family traditions, there is Susan Branch everywhere in my home and garden 💜. My recipe box has the recipes and artwork you did for Country Living and do I dare admit – I still wear all those cozy pajamas that you designed. Well I had to tell you that when my husband saw your latest book, Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams, on my nightstand- he got the inspiration to take me to Martha’s Vineyard for my birthday in July!! I’m so excited to explore this gorgeous place and I know I will fall in love with the island as you and so many of the Girlfriends have! Safe travels to you & Joe on the book tours !
Inspired!!! How can we not love that??! So happy for you. Hug that perfect husband for all of us!
Well I have to admit my Susan Branch pj’s are my favorite and I’m wearing them right now! Glad I’m not the only one who still loves them😘
Me too – so glad I’m not alone – aren’t they the coziest?😴😊
Hi. Susan, How wonderful to find out about Spoonflower and your beautiful fabrics. I have always loved quilts and quilted things. I have made several and this maybe the way I get back into it. So much fun thinking of all the things to make. Thanks for this super post. I just adore your artwork and writing. xoxo,Joanne
Jumping on your magical band wagon cause I want those wisteria seeds!!!
I should belong to PAA (plants anonymous association). On another note, you don’t know what I had to go through to find some Peah Ci-da. But I found it and it’s wonderful. Love to you for your caring, sharing heart.
Hi Susan, I treasure my collection of your books…we could eat your cranberry apple crisp recipe EVERY day ! Most of all when life gets to be a bit too much your lighthearted drawings and lilting written words sustain me ! Thanks for all you do ! Anne
Thank you for a lovely Willard!
Susan, Thank you. I couldn’t of wished for a better birthday gift. I received your latest book, which I love and reading slowly because I don’t want it to end! Haha Now your beautiful quilts and fresh laundry on the line. And great beautiful watercolors. Great pics of your house. All of my favorite things and it’s spring too. Your writing is just perfect. It makes us all feel like we are right there with you. You do have a talent for words beside your wonderful art. You really do deserve the happily ever after life!!! I hope Joe appreciates how lucky he was the day he met you!!! Hope to meet you at the bookstore in Danville, Ca. It’s number 1 on my bucket list.
Oh my goodness, Spoonflower is amazing! What a cool idea! Your fabrics are just gorgeous. The perfect designs for quilting. I too, love quilts. I’ve never made one but perhaps someday!
Love, love, love all the new fabrics and can’t wait to get some. Enjoy that book tour. I can hardly wait to hear all about those 8,000 miles of good friends and good fun.
I first started following you before our first Transatlantic crossing as I read your wonderful “A Fine Romance” book. I truly lived every moment with you as if I had stowed away in a fabulous vintage trunk and was wheeled on board the ship by a brawny steward! Your kind spirit is inspirational! Thanks for giving me faith in mankind with the sweet doses of love! (and, with a couple of amazing charmers of my own, your relationship with your kitties is heartwarming and quite familiar as well)
You were so good in quiet in that trunk, I can’t wait to take you again!
Love, love, love you Susan. You’ll never know how reading this has brightened today’s outlook for me! Thanks for the smile and that warm glowy feeling.
Mary Beth
It makes me very happy to hear that!
Happy Anniversary! I love your books and your blog!
Okay, this is all very exciting in a surreal way. Am I dreaming?
I have several quilts my great-grandmother and great-aunt made in the 1950s and love them!! Would love to have another meaningful quilt to add to my small collection.
What happened to your little cottage in the woods?
It’s still there, somewhat changed because of additions.
I had never heard of Spoonflower before; so thank you.
I just love your blog and Willards. I hope you have a wonderful tour and vacation to England!
You are always so upbeat and an inspiration!
I love the quilt and also love all you do for your girlfriends. Thank you❤️
I’m so looking forward to your new book! I just recently found your blog after admiring your artwork for years!
What a wonderful post! I have some of your fabric stashed and was so sorry to see it disappear form the market. Now I can use the bits and pieces since I can get more when ever I want. And congratulations on 30 yrs Susan, it’s been so fun to come along for part of the ride with Willard and your wonderful blog. Thank you for your generosity as well, crossing my fingers that the luscious quilt finds its way to Long Beach, CA!
Love love love the new Willard! Love your fabric connection – I had actually ordered some of your fabric from eBay not too long ago! Finished Isle of Dreams last week and cried in all the right places 🙂 and we are looking forward to seeing you in July for a book signing! I’m bringing my whole Susan Branch stash to have signed!! The wisteria pods popping is the best sound right now.
Safe travels to you and Joe for your soon to be road trip.
Mindy Gauthier – in Rhode Island
What a delightful giveaway! So looking forward to reading your book. I’d love to win.
Susan-used to get Willard in snail mail many years ago. Love receiving them .Still have the paper ones in my desk. I also have some of your fabric-The Language of Flowers and Birthday fabric. I never wanted to cut it up. Maybe now I will make a quilt for my granddaughters!!! Have a wonderful trip across this wonderful country. Safe travels to you and Joe!!!
You are a kindred spirit. Your books take me away. I love reading them. You bless my life with your unique talent! God bless you🌷
So excited about the fabric! Also, excited about our trip! Sure glad I don’t take up much room so I can join you! 😉
Hi Susan, happy anniversary! Your new book arrived and I won’t be sleeping until I’ve read it all the way through a few times. 🙂 You’re very brave to reveal all the many parts of you “in full color”… xoxo
You lead a fairytale life and tame us along on your Magic Carpet. For this, I am so grateful.
Thank you sooo much for the wonderful newsletters and blog posts. You transfer us into your world, where, for a little time, we are in amagical place, just like in the movies. Let’s hope. Thank you for a chance to win one of your books or that beautiful quilt. Another tool to us to share your world.
Dear Susan,
I love your new fabrics. I am a hand quilter so I love fabrics very much. I have been busy sewing baby items for our daughter who is expecting in September.
Please, please enter me in the contest for the lovely old quilt.
What a generous gift for you to give one of yours.
I love reading your blog, your books and your recipe books.
I love trying out your recipes.
I am so delighted to be able to finally get some of your
fabrics at SpoonFlower. Aren’t they just wonderful.
Have fun on your cross country adventure and autograph
lots of books and meet new and “old” friends along the way.
You are a blessing to so many people.
Love the fabrics! What an excellent idea! I am introducing my three-year-old granddaughter to your books and we’ve made several recipes from the Heart of the Home cookbook. She calls it her “birds” cookbook. 🙂
So excited about the fabrics! My husband and I are (hopefully – keep your fingers crossed!) moving into an old Victorian built in 1900. I would love to find a way to use your fabric in our new (old) house – loving the idea of having it in a drawer! Can’t wait to see what else you add to your fabric collection!
I love this post! Though it is sad to gaze at the darling fabrics that are gonegonegone, I am delighted to see that the Internet continues to evolve to a point where one can find a ladder over what had been a BRICK WALL. I must buy some of the Christmas fabric for a friend who doesn’t wrap gifts in paper, but instead stitches up darling drawstring sacks to hold the presents, and carefully folds them away for the next Christmas – she’ll love the fabric!
I also wanted to pass on a thank-you for all of the wonderful quotes throughout your books – I recently started a “postcard clique”, sending quotes to friends each month on a pretty postcard, to keep in touch with friends who live farther away and to keep personal correspondence alive in an age of texting and IM. Many of the quotes I’ve sent have been from your Autumn book, among others, because they are too lovely and thought-provoking not to share. I love the format of your books – they spur me to creative ways to continue pastimes and endeavors that matter to me, and keep the beautiful in my life.
Happiest congratulations to you on your most recent publication!
Hi Susan, and thank you for opening your heart and inviting us in through your blog. I’m looking forward to meeting you at Vroman’s! Will you have books in addition to “Isle of Dreams” for purchase and signing? Can’t wait to see you!
I’d love to make a home for that vintage quilt!!♡♡♡
Hi Susan, Congratulations on 30 years! I’m very grateful for you and this space you fill with goodness. Every new post and Willard makes me smile and I thank you for sharing your light with us all.
My daughter and I always look forward to finding a message from you in our inbox. It’s like receiving a gift in itself and always brightens our day. Enjoy your book tour. Hoping we are one of the lucky winners!
Today we are celebrating our lovely Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday I loved to read how you viewed the English countryside in A fine Romance and can’t wait for you and Joe to get your kilts on and visit Scotland !
Neither can we!
Oh my I love fabric. I make tea towels and this would be so lovely. Love your books, so fun to daydream.
You’ve always had such wonderful designs, Susan! Cheerful and tender at the same time, like my beloved Grammy was. She is recalled every time I see your work. Blessings on your upcoming adventures!
Susan,
I just love your blog posts and all your photos! I appreciate how much you share your life and you always make me smile. I can’t wait to follow along on your trip to England. I so look forward to traveling there one day. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you that your books are made into a movie or series. I know it would be an amazing once in a lifetime thing to have happen.
I was also very excited to read about your fabric at Spoonflower. I will definitely be purchasing some to quilt with.
Congrats on your book being finished and have a safe cross country trip.
I so loved your island when I visited last fall…would be so excited to actually have a very small piece of it here in the wisteria seeds.
I am so in love with your fabric line! I have been quilting for a few years now and I am looking forward to ordering some of your fabric designs soon. Your website is such an inspiration and I look forward to reading all about your travels.
Oh, to have something once owned by you would be such an honor. Thank you for sharing. Love your stories! I’ll see you in New Hope, PA.
Gail
Can’t wait to find out more about Spoonflower! I will be heading over there next. Thank you for letting us know about it and for this opportunity.
Happy B🐝Lated Birthday! I hope to see you in Austin, Tx at Bookpeople, one of my favorite bookstores in these parts. Congratulations on your new book! I can’t wait to dive right in. All the best to you and thank you for all the joy you bring! ❤️vic
Dear Vanna, oh please might you choose me? I’ll just sit right here and hold my breath while I wait. 🙂 Love you Susan, as always you’re such inspiration!
Super excited to see your fabrics available on Spoonflower!!!!! I would love to order the Quilt Labels (large) – and please put up your tea time colllection – I have several pieces from it in my stash, have been saving it for something really special (and bought them before I knew who Susan Branch was) Lol!!!! Went to the site (via your link in the blog today), and “due to an unusually large volume of users” I was unable to see each one I am interested in ;-D – I’ll go back later!
Thank you for another wonderful blog and Willard – your pictures are just soooo gorgeous!
I am glad I read your post because I learned something new about you- your love of fabrics!
The fabrics are delightful. Your blog is a happy comfort and reminder to appreicate the little things of beauty in everday life. Thank you very much.
Wishing you a safe and happy travel.
I just joined in today and can’t say how happy this makes me. I was introduced to your books many years ago by my big sister who was living in the Bay Area. I have all the Heart of the Home series thanks to her. I lost her a few years ago, but every time I go to your blog, you remind me of her. You have her same sweet smile and she is instantly with me again. Thank you so much.
That is such a sweet thing to say, truly humbling, and wonderful at the same time. xoxoxo Thank you Kathleen.
dear Susan,
I am a newbie to your creativity, but after stumbling upon “A Fine Romance” and devouring it, I am a fan girl. We have so many of the same interests and similarities. I did feel like I was on the trip with you. Very excited for your upcoming trip in the fall.
I love quilts! Especially the bright colored ones from the 30’s and 40’s. Thank you!
I am 16 and I have my own collection of quilts. My mom and grandma taught me how to quilt.
Look at you Laura P. 👀💓 xoxo
What a red letter day! Celebrating your 30th anniversary, your wonderful books, and now (for those of us who have just recently found you) we can enjoy your fabric designs! Just pinch me~
Dear Susan,
Willard and this post have been the antidote to a crazy day. Thank you for you words, your paintings, and your photos (especially the ones of the morning sun in your kitchen)! Just what I needed to get my mind back in shape. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
xoxo,
~queenmum
I love wisteria and quilts! I’m crossing my fingers!!
Love the idea of turning the fabric print into wrapping paper! That would be so much fun! I wonder how long it takes a wisteria seed to grow to a sizeable plant; it’d be neat to see. Hope you have fun on your tour!!!
Just pre-ordered your 30 year-Anniversary first cookbook! I can’t wait to see it and use some recipes. Oh, and a very Happy Belated Birthday wish to you! Just love your “Isle” book.
Safe Travels!
Margie from Morro Bay
After receiving your book, I found I couldn’t put it down. Such a beautiful and fun story. Thank you. I’m so proud to have most of your books.
Hope Vanna picks me, because I share an April birthday with you.(the 30th) Have a wonderful and safe book tour!
How did I miss this!?! Over two-thousand comments already! What wonderful news; fabric again! My copy of MV Isle of Dreams arrived yesterday. My fault. I thought I had pre-ordered, but I had not. So now I’m reading it with much enthusiasm. And, yes, I recognized the shoes. So dear. I’m so excited about another generous drawing. You are just so sweet!
(Please forgive all the “So s) 😉 Now I must find Leonard!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
Oops! WILLARD!!!!
nt
Congratulations on your 30th anniversary. Thank you for this generous giveaway.
Marilyn
HAPPY 30th ANNIVERSARY. This is a lovely giveaway. Thank you.
Joan
Started reading the blog sometime during Downton and was HOOKED. Just received my first Willard. Invited a friend to the blog and she says we (SB and I) speak in the same spirit….which flattered me to the moon and back! Might see you in GA 😀
Happy Anniversary!! It’s been a lovely ride, hasn’t it?
I’ve read your books, quilted with your fabric (a special one for a special friend’s birthday) and look forward to all the next projects yet to come! I love the Spoonflower idea – have known about it but not shopped it. Finding your designs there will motivate me to wander on over.
All the best!