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 a lovely quilt…can hardly believe that you’re giving it away as a GRAND, very GRAND prize!!! As a quilter, I was so delighted to hear about your fabric lines and Spoonflower! Having missed out on some of your fabrics, this is wonderful! Thank you for continuing to design fabric. Have a wonderful trip, and I am loving your newest book! Hopefully will get to see you while you’re here in California!
Love, Love, Love the fabric. Thanks for turning us on to Spoonflower! Finally, we can get your fabrics again. Happy belated birthday!!!
So excited about your fabric collections! I think I may have a piece of one of your fabrics from years ago! I must check my stash!
Happy aniversary, Susan!
Congratulations!!!
Hi Susan 🙂
Very happy that I will get to see you in Danville CA in May – Dreams do come true!
Love,
Lynn
Oh what a HOOT that you have fabric on Spoonflower! So glad to find you there.
I really miss some of the fabric prints from my childhood. My Aunt was a seamstress, good thing too as she made little dresses for my sister and I out of the leftover cloth. Our dresses were sometimes like Dolly Partons’ Coat of many Colors, but I LOVED every one she made us! She has passed and I miss her dearly. I made a lovely “Scrappy Many Trips Around the World” quilt from the fabric scraps that she passed on to me. Aunt Louise also had a beautiful Purple Wisteria Vine. My Uncle , whose name happens to be Joe, used to detest that vine. He would cut it back each year. One year he got so mad and trimmed it down to a nub. My Aunt would faithfully give it a dose of her manure tea and watch it come back in full force every Spring. It turned into a lovely “Small Blooming Tree” because of all the trimmings Uncle Joe gave it!
Thank you and Joe for being such inspirations, and for the walk down memory lane for me. I dream of visiting MV one day!
P.S. The book mark is lovely!
Help! I checked the spam on my email again, and couldn’t find the Willard! On a happier note, I loved Isle of Dreams so much, I’m just reading it all over again! ( I have only done that with To Kill A Mockingbird and Julia Alverez’s In the Time of The Butterflies…. What company you keep!) Also in great joy, my friend and I signed up yesterday to come to your book signing in Madison CT! Sign me up to preorder your meditation CDs! That would be wonderful
Hopefully you’ve gotten Willard by now, but in case you haven’t, here it is. What company I keep is right!!! Thank you Caroline, that was too much. xoxo
Whoops, I hit reply instead of finding the post comment button first. Sorry about that.
Your newsletter is so inspiring, I cannot wait until I retire and have time to
paint, garden, and bake more.
Love everything about your books and website girlfriend! So happy to know about the fabric option!
I was reading Isle of Dreams, and it made me think back to San Luis Obispo in my college day. I was wondering what restaurant you did the drawings for that you mention in the book. Not that it or the drawings are still there some 30+ years later….more for nostalgia than anything else. I love the SLO area; lived in SLO, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Los Osos valley; worked at Hearst Castle as a guide, etc. It is a place that still holds onto my heart in many tiny ways. And so, I was just curious about the restaurant for which you painted the lovely pictures back in 198?
Hope you have a wonderful road trip/book signing. Wish you were coming closer to my area. I know you will meet up with many old friends and make many new ones. OH, and I love the quotes!! They are wonderful and enlightening and like poetry for me.
Thank you for the gifts of yourself in all your books.
It was one of Rob Rossi’s restaurants . . . but I don’t know the name because it came and went after I’d up and gone!
I love the fabrics and the quilts. Would be happy to give one a home!
Oh Susan,
My head is spinning with the things I could make with your fabrics! I have missed them SO much! And to have a quilt that was owned by you! I can’t even find the words!
Thank you for this lovely opportunity and listening to your Dad 🙂
Big hugs,
Marian
Hi Susan–Happy Anniversary! My mom and I just read your newest book, and we both loved it! Please enter me in the great quilt giveaway. And one more thing–do you know the books of “Miss Read” (Dora Jessie Saint)? I think you would love them. Start with Village School, Village Diary, and No Holly for Miss Quinn. The Fairacre books are the best.
Out of the thousands of comments, I hope you choose mine. I love your fabric designs
A serendipity story! I had a miracle of sorts in February…a cornea transplant! Such a gift!. (Just in case the transplant worked, I had pre-ordered your latest book!)My surgery was in Asheville, NC and I stayed with family for the recovery period, returning to my North Myrtle Beach home just in time for the book’s arrival! I see you will be in Asheville in June so I called Malaprop’s to check. Just so happens that my follow up eye appt. is June 27th at 1PM.
YOU WILL BE IN MALAPROP’S JUNE 27TH AT 7PM! (I think Vanna had something to do with this!!!
So, after 30 years, having bought your very first book at Bunch of Grapes in “you know
where,” I finally get to meet you! This girlfriend is a bit worn around the edges but I’m a terribly excited 83 years old and cannot wait!!!
Congratulations on wonderful successful surgery!!! You are so right, such a gift! Happy to see you in Malaprops, Barbara!!!
I am so pleased to learn about your fabulous fabric line!!! I have waited a long time to be able to obtain your artwork in cloth. What about turning your paint and pen blotters into a colorful, abstract fabric design? I always eagerly anticipate your blog and Willards! I am just going to start Isle of Dreams but I will let myself read only a wee bit at a time.
most sincerely, Kathy
I have just finished reading ‘Isle of Dreams’ and decided to take my time and indulge in every word. It is brilliant! I also love the idea of ‘Spoonflower’ and their website is just fantastic.
I will be coming to the Tea Party at Stourhead, and will be ‘camping’ in my Campervan called ‘Bluebell’ for a few days to enjoy the weekend. My Husband will be coming too. I wonder whether any of your other English Girlfriends will travel by Campervan or Motorhome? I hope so, as it would be fun to meet up. Looking forward to meeting you. After reading your books I feel as if I know you already!
Maybe they will see this and respond, Jan . . . that sounds wonderful! See you in England!!! (Can. not. wait.)
The fabric is beautiful! I may have to start sewing again.
I loved each book. And each, as they came out, are my favorite. Island of Dreams was so good!!! I’m already rereading it! Thank you, thank you, thank you! For all you do to add such joy to the world. Yes.
Hi Susan!
I left a comment yesterday but I can’t find it? 🤔 Maybe it’s gone walkabout!? In case it doesn’t come back I would like to say you’re the best and I love your cookbooks! Spoonflower is awesome! Best wishes for your upcoming trip!
Wonderful collaboration you and Spoonflower!Great idea.
I love quilts on a clothesline..
Sure looks like Spring there..starting here..no blooms yet ..on trees..nor leaves..scillas abound though.
I hardly know where to begin! I’ve just spent an enjoyable hour or more soaking up your latest Willard and related posts and musica. What fun it’s been for me; it’s a lot like visiting with a friend or reading a letter from one! Thanks very much for taking the time to put it all together. I also want to tell you that I am loving your new book–sad that you went through such a difficult time in your life, but glad you worked through it with such happy results!
Oh I would SEW love to win…..how very generous of you. Fingers crossed for luck. XXX
Dear Susan, I hope that my comment gets to you….it has been waiting moderation since yesterday…..4/22, 8:20pm……I am amazed that you can keep up with all the comments!!!! I do want you to know what a JOY you are!!! Miriam
I can’t keep up, which is, LOL, why, you are still in moderation! But it’s Saturday morning and I’m determined to get everyone “moderated!” Thank you Miriam! xoxo
I have loved your work for many years! Thanks for encouraging my creativity!
Just finished Isle of Dreams and loved it! The Jerk turned out to not be such a jerk but a friend for you and I was glad that worked out. But then you found wonderful Joe and the rest is history. You are blessed in so many ways. Your hard work for so many years paid off and your talent is appreciated by so many. I have the same pink and white China that was my grandmothers and just love it. Thank you for so much wonderful reading and inspiration in all your books. I was wondering if I could bring my friend Judy to have lunch at the Black Dog sometime,as we live in Falmouth and are only a boat ride away! My treat!
Have a wonderful book tour,
Carla
Thank you, Susan, for this lovely offer. Wow, 2,493 responses -that is monumental! Love you … Janet xoxo
P.S. I just love that your fabrics are available. ideas are already spinning in my mind.
30 years! Isn’t it so hard to believe just how quickly time flies! Love your blog and your uplifting view on life!
Love your Willards! And your newsletters! and blog, website, cookbooks, books. Love it all!
Dear Susan, Yes there is now so much good coming out of the internet for Us all.I never forget the good….friends, touching others around the world with love and fun.Our great big God can and has used it for good.I would so so Love to have a chance to win Your beautiful quilt-what a generous gift. I have learned from following You that You are such a sweet person and that famous people yes can be truly blessed with a sweet spirit…that is You My Dear.
Famous people start off normal, which I’ve decided to stay. 🙂 xoxo
What a wonderful lift to this day it was, to read your Willard and then come over here and read your blog post. Thank you dear Susan; you are such a joy. I am so glad you were birthed to this earth!
I so, so hope Vanna draws my name for this book trilogy drawing; I NEED this prize!!!!! 😉
With love,
Lindsey
Can’t wait to check out your fabrics on Spoonflower . They look amazing!
I’m in love with your toile. Just delightful!
Oh, that quilt is devine. So pretty. I’ve never heard of Spoonflower – what fun. I will look forward to learning more and checking it out. I’ve discovered ebay and etsy recently for finding out-of-print patterns. I’ve collected fabrics for years – just picking up pieces that I just couldn’t put down. Only one little problem – when I finally use them I sometimes need more. Thus I search on ebay for anyone who is cleaning their fabric stashes and am so happy sometimes to discover the pattern for which I am searching. I’m happy that you have found a creative outlet for your talent and look forward to seeing your patterns in print!
Happy belated birthday, Susan! How sweet that you’re sending us the presents. Wishing you a bee-you-tee-full year!
Hi Susan! What a beautiful, exciting and charmed life you lead — to me anyway!!! Just finished your newest book and it is truly “enchanted” — everyone who buys it will LOVE it and not ever want it to end. Thank you for just being “you” and sharing your remarkable gifts with us all — have a safe and romantic road trip — can’t wait to read all about it!
Jo
wow i love the idea of your designs on fabrics. i love to sew and draw so i can think of lots of ideas. thanks you Susan!
patti
Susan,
I just got my Willard yesterday. I was afraid I had done something to my computer to not allow it. It was so fun to read. I can’t wait for your trip abroad. I’m sure it will inspire me to try to go again myself. Once you’ve experienced the British Isles, it calls you’re name. You feel like your second home. I hope I win one of your prizes. I wish you were coming to western New York. Oh well, maybe next time…Have a wonderful trip…..Sue
Seeing Agnes’ shoes in your sewing room window was precious…I’m midway through your new book, reading slowly to savor every little bit…as my grandmother used to say, “This one’s a gooder!” Love, Carole
Love you and your style. I have three original cookbooks – Heart of the Home, Christmas Heart of the Home, and my fave, Vineyard Seasons. My sister, Debbie, also treated herself to your books and she wrote in the front of each one: To Debbie… Love, Debbie!
Happy 30th, dear Susan!! So happy to have you in our lives and thankful for you!! Love from just one more girlfriend!!
Wow! Happy Anniversary! I can’t think of anything lovelier than one of your quilts or books. Thanks for such a nice giveaway!
Cathy
This evening I meet the owner of the 100 year old christening dress set to return the family keepsake once lost.
Six months ago the little dress tugged at my heartstrings from the side shelf in an antique shop housed in an old mill.
The lid off, crumbled tissue about the floor, and the most sweet of a tiny hand stitched baby dress sleeve tied with faded blue ribbons peeping over the box edge. Two faded handwritten cards were on the shelf, one yet to be found in the box.
For the owner of the dress had kept a journal on recipe cards of who had worn the dress over the years.
Their names, the place of baptism and other comments.
When I read “this dress was made by my mother in 1916 for my brother and then mine to wear” I had to save this precious stitched dress before it was swept away without identity.
The price tag was $40.00 but when taking all the pieces to the owner, they said it could go for $20.00 as it had sat there for so long without anyone wanting it.
By going with the name on the cards, I searched for the owner online, and found Katherine had passed many years ago.
With hope I searched for the two descendants listed in the obituary.
Did they still want the dress after all these years? Had it been accidently tossed out in the process of clearing a house in settling the estate? Or were they heartbroken the family heirloom had somehow disappeared.
The dress and slip, handstitched with embroidery and cutwork, the little sweater and cap.
For six months it was a part of the household.
Seeing in the holidays and lovingly refolded each month to avoid creases, rereading the cards Katherine wrote. Each stitch admired.
Then I heard from her son.
The family thought the 100 year old christening dress was lost forever.
Overjoyed to have the chance to have the heirloom back.
As my beloved Mom, who passed away two years ago, always said “Land !” as I thought this moment would never take place.
I go with a happy heart to take Katherine’s dress back to her family, for perhaps another 100 years of memories.
Good sleuthing job, Linda! Land is right!!! xoxo
oh, dearest Linda. what a lovely, and loving, thing you are doing!! wow. you’ve made my heart to soar. may you someday have such a loving gesture made to you. prayers of thank-you will always be yours! bless you, a hundredfold!!
How lucky that family is that there is you:)xoxo
I would love to see your little teapots on fabric, etc. again! I’ve been losing myself in Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams and actually have to force myself to put it down and get some sleep. Last Sunday I went through the first 148 pages! Needless to say I did not get anything else done except two loads of laundry and that was because the machines did most of the work! I now have all your books (including all your cookbooks) and just about everything you ever designed for scrapbooks. Don’t ever stop. Your designs are so uniquely beautiful and I can spot them a mile away. I do have a question, though. I have no experience with stamped fabric. How does it hold up to repeated washings? Have a safe trip and I love the both of you (and kitties, too)!
I haven’t had time to wash any of it yet, but they answer that question in the FAQ on Spoonflower.
Congratulations on all the happy happenings in your life right now, Susan! And thank you for your generous time with all of us. Wondering if you are creating a calendar for 2017? You might just be too busy this year…not sure. Enjoy your travels.
Beautiful fabric! I am a quilter and love all fabric. What a wonderful idea to design your own fabric. Looking forward to your wonderful fabric collections!
Dear Susan,
A very belated Happy Birthday – I always think it’s nice to prolong the celebration. Thirty years ago sometimes seems like yesterday, sometimes like another lifetime ago. Love the new Willard! Thanks for being an Elf.
The spring pics are amazing. Loved reading the latest Willard.
Dear Susan,
I can not wait to start sewing! You have inspired me to start designing fabric too. Lots of love from Addie in Illinois
Susan, you can turn a dreary day into one filled with sunshine when I read your blog and Willard. My husband and I will greet you in May in Hudson, OH. Safe travels!
Susan – I enjoyed all of your books. While I was reading Isle of Dreams, what came to mind was how blessed you are to have such a totally amazing Guardian Angel. Your Angel kept you on the right path that was meant for you to follow. Then your Guardian Angel came to life when you met Joe. Through all your happiness, sorrow and WOW moments – you still made your dreams come true! So happy for you! Love the quilt you are giving away. I made my very first quilt – pieced and quilted by hand when I was widowed at the age of 45. That quilt helped me get through some very sad days. It was a life saver. I love quilts for the reason that they making me feel safe, warm, cozy and it feels like a great big wrapped up hug. Then to sit and appreciate all the small stitching that someone took the time to do. That is a real gift of love. Have a great time at all of your book signings and meeting your Girlfriends! Safe travels to you and Joe.
Quilts!!! I love them! For beds, for picnics on the grass or on the livingroom floor, for table coverings and for door coverings in the drafty Minnesota winter.. and for my adorable 2 year old grandson Henrik’s TENTS!
Hi Susan,
I already feel like all of us, your Girlfriends, are winners! Having a hard time keeping up with you this week though. Last Saturday when I found my name wasn’t one of the six, guess what happened? My copy of Isle of Dreams was delivered!!! Yahoo, huh? Oh, and I wanted to send Joe a Gold Star for his idea to give out paint brushes and book marks. Just plain brilliant, Joe! Good job, well done! I will have to confess to lusting after those. Glad you’re including them in this drawing. Safe travels as you start across the country and Happy Trails.
love,
Bev
Happy Anniversary to you, Susan! I am so happy to see that I can get your fabric from Spoonflower! That is a great concept, and makes me want to sew even more!
Blessings!
I would love to be included in the drawing – Thank you. Safe travels for
your book signing tour.
oh a wonderful blog and a generous give away ….I have a few quilts that I treasure and this would be a wonderful addition…. I must stop and see you when I visit the vineyard from over here on cape cod …..fingers crossed …..happy anniversary !! thank you Lorraine
How wonderful that you can offer your fabrics in this new way. That’s very exciting – even to me, who can’t sew a lick. But my wheels are turning on how I might incorporate your designs in my scrapbooking. And like so many others, I would love to read your entire trilogy. You are a blessing to all us girlfriends!!
What a happy post from the beautiful sun dappled shots of your cozy kitchen, to the rainbow of colors in your beautiful fabrics! It made my day 🙂 Love, Julie
Susan:
Thanks for the information on Spoolflower. Who would have thought something like this would ever be possible? My sister, an avid quilter, used to spend hours searching for just the right kinds of patterns for her quilts, table runners, and hangings. I must tell her about this.
Thanks also for having another drawing. You always provide another opportunity o keep hope alive. God bless you and Joe and keep you safe and well.
Lois from Westchester
Martha’s Vineyard Toile is fabulous! Will it come with white ground and blue print?
Yes, I think it will!
Hello our Fabric Fairy Godmother! Love your fabrics! “One yard of fabric,like one cookie, is never enough!” Love the photos of the quilts hanging on the clothes line,dancing in the breeze. I would do one heck of a jig if that prize quilt landed on my clothes line!
Love ,
Quiltbug🐝🐝
Hi: I Received my very first “Willard” email yesterday. It was wonderful! I’m new to your blog, I Just love it. Have one question for you, Where in
the world do you get all the energy to do all the things you do??? Your wonderful, Thank You . . .
Oh, I so love the idea of giving away seed gifts that arrive as “unwrapped packages” on your front step. Wishing much wisteria success to the winners — someday maybe you, Susan and Joe, will visit the gorgeous wisteria hanging over Monet’s pond at Giverny. As beautiful as anything English or MV! Warmest best wishes from northern New Mexico 🙂
ooops – my comment disappeared. Trying again, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll write a letter 🙂
So love the gift you send of a present from your “unwrapped” collection that arrives each spring on your doorstep. Someday, perhaps you and Joe will get to stand under the magnificent wisteria hanging over Monet’s pond at Giverny. As beautiful as anything England of MV can offer.
Loved your Willard letter! I LOVE all the give-aways! would love a set of your books and love that wonderful well-loved quilt! And it’s so exciting about your fabric lines at Spoonflower! How exciting and wonderful! I’ve always wished you would have a fabric line… I would LOVE one with teapots and teacups and little plates of goodies… and love one of your house and gardens and wonderful flowers, and the sea and all that Martha’s Vineyard has to offer. I could live it in your fabric! Am excited to follow you along on your England trip! Marilyn from Oregon.
Susan….it must be nearing my 30th anniversary with you too! Since I first picked up ‘Heart of the Home,’ all of those years ago, I was enthralled. Many congratulations, and thank you for all of the joy your cookbooks and books have brought me. See you in Kansas City!
Love the fabrics! And am excited about the drawing for the books and quilt. Thanks you for everything you do for us girlfriends.
xoxoxo
Sherry
Love the fabrics and the spoonflower site! Congrats on 30th Anniversary!
Congrats and Happy Anniversary dear Susan! But most of all, thank you!! Thank you for being such an inspiration. I just read your 3rd book in the Fairytale series and I LOVED it SOOOOO much!! I loved all 3 of them, but I think Isle of Dreams is my favorite. Just so good!!!!
I just love how much you shared of yourself and your story. You inspire me to want to be even more creative and to be more brave about my abilities. After reading it I feel like anything is possible and the world could still be my oyster in even a small way at age 44. I PRAY these stories will become a movie or tv kind of series!! Please, please, please.
I can’t wait for the anniversary book of Heart of the Home and I look forward to reading more of your past books…as well as hopeful for more new ones in the future! If you keep writing them – we will come. 😉
Wishing you many blessings and every good thing for the summer ahead.
xoxo
You’re a young’un Carrie . . . barely into the years where, for me, it all began to sort itself out (really slowly)! Thank you for the lovely words, I could never express how much they mean to me. xoxo
Love knowing that – and thanks for the vote of confidence. I will keep being open to the all of the inspiration (& potential opportunity) around me. I’m excited for all the possibilities the future may yet hold.
Blessings my talented Friend. xoxo
And to you dear Carrie.
Happy 30th Anniversary! I’m so glad I found you Susan Branch. See you at the bookstore!
WOW! That was some blog…and Willard too! LOVED it…have to go back through it several times to catch everything, but WOW!! Thank you. Safe travels; have fun; enjoy the journey. Sending lots of love and hugs.
Hurray … my copy of Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams arrived today! Add a sunset walk on the lakefront, a chunk of brie, and a glass of cabernet, and you have a pretty perfect Friday. And now I get to enter for a chance at a quilt from Susan, to boot!
I love seeing all of the beautiful pictures on your blog!
So excited to be able to access your fabrics !!! THANK YOU 🙂
Oh my gosh I would be so overjoyed to win! My mother introduced me to your books when I was a child and I have loved your art work ever since.
I am so happy that you are going to have fabric out again. I am in love with your designs. I still have some of the tea pot fabric. Thank you
Just finished your new book and felt a little sad it was done, so picked up the Heart of the Home cookbook, as it seemed to extend my time with you. and picked out a recipe to try for breakfast. I’m beyond excited about the fabric. I’ve pre-ordered the 30th anniversary edition to celebrate with you and all the girlfriends. I think I need to go order the towels with the applique birds now. Looking forward to traveling across country with you and then to England.
Susan, you are such an inspiration! Your mind is so full of creative ideas, it is no wonder you have to get up early to be sure you get through all of your wonderful ideas! xo Kari
I was so giddy when Isle of Dreams came! Your book is art from cover to cover! Who uses cursive when writing a whole book? Only the best artistes! I’m completely under your spell of beauty and all thoughts glorious. And fabric too!!! I ♥️💜💙💚💛💗 sewing. Have been hoping there was more Susan Branch fabric in the works. Oh happy day…gmapat who has 9 granddarlings to spoil. They have Susan Branch Christmas pillowcases from your last line of Christmas fabric, by the way. Blessed kids! Those fabrics were soooo beautiful😍
So excited to see you have made fabrics for us! I can’t wait to make a little table cloth quilt. I gave up on big bed sized quilts, too many patterns and blocks to try. A smaller quilt lets me try out the block and then move on before the next shiney idea catches my eye.
We are on a wedding trip weekend to welcome a new daughter into our family. So many family members and friends gathered in one spot to celebrate. What joy!
I just read the last few pages of Isle of Dreams and will now read the book of how this fine romance began. I love that the sweet shoes have become such a part of your life, and now of ours as we read your story. Thank you dear Susan for sharing your “enchanting” story with us!
So much lovely loveliness in everything you do!
Susan, Thank you so very much for all that that is you and more that you share with us all!!!
Susan, Thank you so very much for all that that is you and more that you share with us all!!! Yay and Congratulations on thirty years!!!!!!
Precious Susan, love the Sunrise Pink; love the little cupcake earlier fabric; happy and excited for you to be able to enjoy your fabrics again and bring it all alive again; will surly visit Spoonflower.com especially wonderful to be made in America. Yay!!! Bless you. How awesomely generous to offer your treasured quilt, and how awesomely wonderful to still have your family to surround you. Thanks for caring about our hearts. Much love to you. “GM”
I love to read your blog Susan. you have a wonderful way of looking at life in a beautiful positive way. You love life and enjoy making your home a place fill with things you love…..you inspire me…..Thank you
Love the fabric!! You are a endless source of inspiration. 🙂
Thank you for another lovely post. I will certainly check out Spoonflower. If we are going to all that work creating a handmade heirloom we should certainly use the best fabric we can so it lasts for many years!
ooo the fabric sounds so neat, i always hated when you went to look they would be out of what you wanted and couldnt get anymore. love your designs
It is my first time here, and living in England I would love to hear about any ‘I love England’ designs that you come up with!
My comment above still says awaiting moderation. I’m not sure if it went through, so I will just say I would be so happy to win any of your prizes. Your Willard and your blog were just SO FULL of great news! Your life for the next few months with Joe will be so exciting and rejuvenating for you! After all your hard work, you enjoy your fun times! Thanks for “taking” us along wherever you go!
Your kindness and generosity never cease to amaze me Susan. The idea of giving away a vintage quilt is just incredible. I have one that my husband bought for me when he went on a business trip to Atlanta in the 80’s. It’s a real treasure, I think probably made in the 20’s or 30’s and by a group of women or girls. Some of the stitches are quite fine but some are bigger and not quite straight. (they are the ones I like the best!) Congratulations on 30 years. Here’s to the future and many more books, Willards, calendars etc etc. I love them all – and you. Julie Ratcliffe (Stoke-on-Trent, UK)
Sometimes I like my giveaways to be beyond wonderful . . . something really unexpected, and one of a kind ~ a handmade quilt fills the bill. I know, with all the kindred spirits here, my quilt will go to a happy home. Thank you Julie!
I love the pictures of the beautiful seasons you have there. Ours are pretty nice here in the South also.(We live in Georgia) I also LOVE your books! So beautiful!
This is wonderful!! I learned about you and your beautiful world after all the fabric and most other products had left stores. I have slowly collected all of your books by hunting antique stores, thrift stores, and the internet. I have also came across some of your other items including a neat old recipe box complete with cards. But I have yet to find any of your beautiful fabric. I am so excited to check out this new site. Thank you again for sharing your wonderful world with all of us!
Thank you Erin, it’s nice to have you here!
hi susan….i have some of your old fabric that i turned into a tabletopper…love it!!! would love to win the beautiful quilt blowing in the ocean breeze. happy spring!
Dear Susan. I finished Isle of Dreams last night and although I was glad for the Cliff update and will check out his book, curious what he says about you, having lived through the other side “-), my main question remains unanswered — your little cottage? Your house now? I’ll re-read A Fine Romance — which I loved and have given away so many times, introducing others to your world — to see if you mention anything there. I somehow think you’re in the same location, with the wonderful walk through the woods, but wonder about Holly Oak! Nancy in Hudson NY. xo xo xo
Joe came and could barely fit in at Holly Oak, too tall, too big. So he went and found us another house, Spring Street, and in 1989 we moved into it, leaving Holly Oak in the hands of my girlfriend, Elizabeth. She had it for a few years and then sold it to the woman who lives there now. We walk in basically the same place now as I did all those years back, just on the other side of the lake. xoxo
Dear Susan, reading of all your creatively crafty ways is always inspiring to me and my feeble attempts to dabble. So sorry you are not pausing in Indiana on your sweep across the US. hope so next time. My offer to serve tea “like mother” on your sea voyage still holds. Cheer-io!
Thank you for all you do and your generosity with all your girlfriends. As a quilter I just peeked at Spoonflower…awesome concept and your designs are beautiful. Can’t wait to do more browsing/shopping. Thanks again
I wish we were neighbors! I just love all of the homey things of home too! I so enjoy reading everything you write about!