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 look forward to reading your blog every week – those quilts and fabrics are lovely.
oh, dear Susan…..2,999 comments….wow……i’m hoping to be 3,000. what a treat. do have safe and fun travels….bless you. xo
I think you will be, except for how this crazy blog works, then maybe not! You’ll always be #3,000 to me dear Chris!
So many exciting things happening. Hooray!!!!
Hi Susan! Love your kitchen! Maybe some day you could do a decorating book showcasing all of your happy ideas from your homes. You must love it when others have great ideas for your time! :o) While I am recovering from eye surgery, I finished Isle of Dreams but I had to remember to take my eye drops WAY before I started reading because your book was so moving that I kept weeping and my teary eyes kept washing out all of the kazillion eye drops I have to take. FYI just wanted you to know that one of my favorite of your books is the Autumn book. I’m going to be rereading it next. Hope all is going well!
All is well here Becki! Glad to hear you’re on the other side of your surgery, on you way back! Take care! xoxo
You are so sweet and funny to tell about your eye drops;) Wasn’t the book just the best?! Hope you are on the mend and not in pain xoxo
Dear Susan! I’m just popping in from your latest Willard, which I very much enjoyed reading. I too hope that your story will become a Hollywood fairy tale, but what I really wish that I could come to England and meet you at the picnic. Even if I can’t, I’m looking forward to reading your blog post about it. XOXO, Eszter
I’m thrilled about the picnic too … I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures! xoxo
Hello Sue,
when will the bird fabric and the blue with little yellow flowers be available on Spoonflower??? Love them Sunshine girl! xoxoPeggy and Sparky
Maybe in May . . . Kellee has gone off on well-deserved vacation! She will put them up while I’m on the road.
So very exciting – Spoonflower and all else going on. I was so looking forward to seeing you in New Hope, PA but tickets sold out while I wasn’t looking. I am sure it will be a happy stop for you, though. Happy travels, I bet the turn outs are going to be record breakers!!!
Loved every single minute reading your latest book. This time I dragged it out purposely. Determined to make it last I even read another book at the same time which proved more frustrating than helpful. 2/3 of the way through I decided it was crazy to torment myself and just gave in and devoured the remaining pages. If you polled your readers, I bet we could all come up with a great list of topics for your next trio of books. How to Watercolor like Susan Branch, Travel the US with Susan Branch, Life on the Vineyard…etc., etc. Something tells me there are already titles percolating away. I am hoping.
Kind Regards,
Rhonda C
Love it that we’re all in this, percolating away, together! xoxo Thank you Rhonda!
Can’t wait to try Spoonflower and your beautiful fabrics, Susan!
Hi Susan,
I’m smack in the middle of the ~Isle of Dreams~ and I am trying so hard to take this one slow, for I went through a “withdrawal” after the last two books when I read them too fast!! 🙂
And I got to tell you that when my 93yrs young Mom came to stay with me last time, she TOTALLY & COMPLETLY ignored me for reading, with here nose buried deep into “A Fine Romance”!!! She really loved it! It was pretty darned cute!! I took a picture of her, I wish you could see it!! 😉
Well I am going back to ~reading~ got to see how that fireplace turns out!….I don’t like flying either ..how extraordinary the synchronicity of the plane halting!!!
Oh and I pulled my ~Heart of Home book~ and like it “dearer” than ever now!!
Sending warmth, joy and blessings, Linnie
LOVED hearing about your mom! Thank you so much! Yes, the plane, felt like it was de ja vu . . . even though it had never happened to me before!
I would love to share the picture if there is a way let me know!! 😀
What good news about the fabrics!
I’m looking forward to lots of experimenting and sewing!!
Tricia in CT
I can’t wait to read Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams! I have been excitedly anticipating it since I finished your last book. I’m sad that you’re not coming to OKC on your book tour, but I’m hoping to catch you in Kansas City. It would be wonderful to win that beautiful quilt.
Dear Sweet Sue, Hi!!!!!! I have been reading “Isle of Dreams” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s HARD TO GET BACK TO WORK< I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE THE FABRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOULD LOVE TO RECIEVE ONE OF YOUR OLD QUILTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE KISS THE KITTIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SOOOOOOOOO MISS OURS! HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
What an amazing giveaway!
…and how neat is that fabric…makes me wish I was craftier. 😉
Xoxo
Hope it’s not too late or enter for the drawing for the quilt. Love you Susan Branch and thank you for sharing your “wealth” with us, your dear friends😊
You’re right on time Jean!
Just finished your “Fairy Tale Girl” book! Loved every inch of it. While I was searching for more books written by you, I came across this blog. Thanks for writing, drawing, sewing for us, and thanks for the chance to be in the drawing!
Nice to meet you Connei, or is it Connie?
Cant wait to see you in St. Charles Susan, I hope you enjoy your visit
I know I will Alisa! So looking forward to it!
Hi Susan! I love every book I’ve come across that you’ve written. My husband and I were at a small antique store in Sebastopol CA for our anniversary, and what book did we come across? Your LOVE book. How appreciate! I was so excited. Have a happy day everyone!
Perfect for an anniversary!!! Happy happy, by the way!
I loved all three books! Thank you for sharing your life story with us😊 I can’t believe all the famous people you have met or run into in your life. Have fun on your book tour and I’ll try to catch you at a book signing while your in California!
I am on my second read of Martha’s Vineyard , Isle of Dreams since it touched me so much and made we believe that if I can believe in myself my dreams can some true! I love EVERYTHING you do and I would love to get a signed set of your books and to snuggle under one of your quilts every night would make me dream that your courage might rub off on me. Thank you for all you do to make us all happy! I hope to see you in New Jersey in June!
A friend just introduced me to your site! Looking forward to getting to know you!
Love, love, love the fabrics!
Best,
Maureen in New Orleans
I remember the fabrics….and I still have one little doll dress made from one small piece….because I still have the doll, Tiny Thumbelina, tucked away in a chest. Wonderful news about the fabric, the giveaway, and the books, of course!
Well, here it is…Monday, April 25th and I’ve finished reading the book. Now what do I do? I’ve been wandering around all day unable to do a single thing. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!). The book was 368 pages of wonderfulness. Girlfriends: I got chocolate on page 174!!! That is just how good this book is!!! My cat, Louie, found a new toy: the beautiful book ribbon. He thought it was his new play ribbon. Once more, Susan, bravo. Bravo indeed. PS: I’m ready for the trip. Let’s go.
SO happy you liked it Susie . . . It’s just starting to get into stores now, so every review is like a pluck of my heartstrings! xoxoxo Thank you!
Your morning sunlight was divine, thanks for sharing it with us! Travel mercies for you and Joe.
Can’t wait to get my copy of your newest book, and have you sign it in Iowa!
Thank you for doing this wonderful giveaway Susan! You’re always so kind!
Love this! Can’t wait to meet you in GA. Looking forward to your book signing!
I wish you and Joe the very best while on your book tour! All of this is so exciting! The trips, the fabrics, the new blog posts, the new Willard, and of course the new Isle of Dreams book. I don’t know what to be more excited about! It all brings me to such a bright sunny happy place! Thank you Susan
Lovely Post! Looking forward to dreaming about fabric options.
Susan, I look forward to reading your blog each time. It is a treat for the mind and the eye. I recently had surgery and am now doing radiation. Not as much energy to do the normal things but reading your blog makes the day better. I am hoping to purchase your books soon as well. Can I still buy the early ones or are some of them out of print? I had hoped to meet you when you come to Danville , CA. It is a little trip to a lovely city but I will still be having cancer treatments. You will love the city though-it is charming. Best to you, Gail Risden
Get well soon dear Gail, and keep that sunny side up, you strong girl. XOXOXO
Gail, Hope you are feeling ok. Thinking of you as I know radiation is not fun. You can buy some of Susan’s earlier books here shopping.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch//Susan-Branch-Books-Cookbooks-C44.aspx They come signed, which is exciting;) A few are out of print, but I am usually able to find them on ebay or abebooks.com or local used book stores. They are all wonderful. Happy hunting and best wishes for your health xoxo
Susan. You’re an elf every day, you give beyond what you even know! ❤️
XOXOXO
I am a Spoonflower fan as well. Cannot wait for your book, I’m pretty sure its my Mother’s Day gift from my daughter. 😉 That quilt…..beautiful!
Such happy news about your fabric designs being available again! And even as wallpaper and wrapping paper – I’m so delighted!
Hi Susan! I’m very excited for the fabric, especially the Christmas line. I’ve been wanted to create a Christmas lamp – I think I found the material for my lamp shade 🙂
Wounderful Kathleen!
Dear Susan… You rock! I am in love with your books! As an artist myself I appreciate your creative drawings and beautiful handwritten stories. Your blog is so helpful and filled with interesting comments and information to really use. Thank you!
Hi Susan!
I love that quilt and would be thrilled to win it!
Maureen
Wow, I love Spoonflower too. I haven’t ordered fabric from them but love to see all the different prints. And the ability to have your own pattern fabric made is so much fun…
Hello Susan:
Such a beautiful quilt- how generous of you to give away something that you hold in such high value. Whoever receives it knows that it comes with special Karma.
Inspired by so many of the girlfriends who are begging for new books, more fabrics, more travels,etc. while conversely (or perversely) telling you to relax and all the time reveling in what you are revealing are YOUR plans and dreams, I decided to be one more girlfriend with an unsolicited suggestion. 🙂
The love of my life is currently recuperating from Cardiac surgery and I realize more thought has to go into healthy eating and menu planning from now on. Why not a Susan Branch cookbook all about healthy eating. limiting processed foods, finding new and exciting fruits, veggies,beverages and desserts to let us all enjoy you for many more healthy years to come? I KNOW that you can make such a book more fun, more clever and more satisfying than anything out there and I am sure that many would sign up for it in a flash. (Just a thought….)
Well-time for you to hit the road and start yet another great adventure-may good fortune and love be your companions all the way! Marty.
Very good idea Marty! I will think about it!
Hi Susan!,
As always, your blogs are full of information and inspiration-got me to send in my ‘pre-order’ for Heart of the Home, and bought my ticket to Sunday’s signing in Madison. See you then!
See you then Denise! xoxo
Isnt this response Spectacular!!!
So happy for you and all the great things that are happening!
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
It’s fantastic! Everyday more of us find each other! So lucky!
I love all your creations! I wish I could purchase two of everything, one to keep for myself! So glad I found you so many moons ago!!!
Thank you for those rays of Sunshine today. What blessings you always share. And, how lovely the thought of being able to order new fabrics from your sweet designs.❤ The new ones look Wonderful~! And I love Spoonflower too. And to think of wrapping paper~? Well, we ALL know You are the Best.
I am *very sure* some of those very fabrics you are holding (on the front of that magazine) made it into some of my own designs of Christmas stockings and table runners and other projects way back then. Thank you for years of fun and imagination.
Godspeed as you and your Dear Joe travel through our fantastic land of Freedom. Angels guard your way.
((HUGS))
Thank you so much Carolyne!
Oh my gosh! I’m so excited about this drawing! Fingers crossed! Thanks for the wonderful blog! It always brightens my day when I see a new post!
I could almost smell the cool sea breeze that was blowing your sheets & quilts! As always, a delight Susan!
Thanks for your smiles & inspiration 🙂
As my preschool students say, “Me! Me! Pick me!”
Happy Monday to all.. See you soon Susan !!
We just buried my father two days ago and, after reading your most recent blog this evening, I feel so comforted and I actually felt like smiling. Thank you for being such a gift in my life and in the lives of so many others.
Peace and love, Carolyn
P. S. I would also like to be included in the drawings.
I am so sorry Carolyn! xoxoxoxoxo I’m thinking of you . . . . sending blessings.
So excited about the material, Susan!!!
Thank you for ALL you do!! There are so many of us “giddy gals” enjoying every little detail of your watercolors and photographs! I especially love the pictures of your house, inside and out, because they remind me of my Granny’s house in the Shenandoah Valley. Sometime I would love to see a pic of your entry hall 🙂 My siblings and I have fond memories sliding down her bannister…when no one was watching!
Hi Susan! I would LOVE to win the quilt! Just read your new book. In ONE sitting! Couldn’t put it down. Now I’m starting over with the first one and will read them all again. Love you! Kerrie
Love, love, love when I get home and Williard is awaiting me in my inbox. I live vicariously through you! Thank you for the joy you bring to so many.
Thank you Susan for sharing so much beauty and for always thinking of us! Looking forward to once again going on a great adventure with you! 💗
Hola SUSAN tanto tiempo siguiendote en silencio y hoy te hablo en estas lineas
Sos mi descanzo y paraiso en el medio de la lectura de mis mail.
Amo lo que haces, aqui desde ARGENTINA tambien intento poner dulzura a los momentos oscuros . Voy a comenzar encuentros con mujeres qon Cancer de mamas .En estos encuentros escucharan cuentos , pintaremos con acuarelas, bordaremos, y amasaremos pan, Tus libros estan presente en mi vida .
QUE LINDO SERIA TENER UNA COLCHA PARA QUE SE COBIJEN , estas mujeres en los momentos que cuenten su dolor.
Bueno tal vez tengamos suerte y tu colcha llegue a ARGENTINA
Un abrazo calido para TI
Paula Martinez
I don’t speak much Spanish . . . I had to use Google Translate . . .
Gracias por el buen trabajo que haces, querida Paula usted. Espero que gane la colcha! XOXOXO
Oh, Susan, I so love your fabrics. I have made 2 quilts with your designs so far and have much more fabric to use from my stash. The first I bought I got from a small quilt shop and they had to raid their “vault” of bolt ends. I was delighted to get them. Now I’m retired and grandkids are bigger I have more time to quilt. I meet with a group of women that range in age from 93 to 65 (I’m second youngest at 66!!) We meet weekly to hand quilt on consignment. They are an amazing group of women.
Now my question: is there a possibility that your designs from Spring Industries and RJR will be available thru Sunflower in the future? I’d love to add to my stash.
Love, love, love your style!!!
I am just so darn excited about this Spoonflower thing! Maybe I’ll design some fabric of my own or then again maybe I’ll just buy some of yours. Can’t wait to check it out!
Dearest Susan, I just finished Isle of Dreams and I must say that you have created ANOTHER masterpiece!! The words were so beautiful and made me feel homesick in a good sort of way…..I hope to see you in Asheville at Malaprops!!
It’s all so wonderful, Susan! I am so excited for all the good things that are coming your way. Wob you too! 😘Just about finished reading Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams. It has been such a treat learning more about you and how it all started. Amazing story!
Love the fabric! So excited the older books are being re-released…love to give them as gifts. Keep up the good work!! 🙂
I look forward to your blog! I love it! I would love to win your quilt. It’s beautiful!
Wow, digital fabrics…what will they think of next!
I think it’s AWEsome! Thanks for sharing your cute designs!
Now if I only sewed…
I get so excited when I see an email from Susan Branch! I know there must be something new about Willard! Thanks for making my day!
I just finished your book, “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams” it was the best book ever. I couldn’t put it down. It brought back so many of my memories going through the same things that happened to you, but like you I found my Isle of dreams in a wonderful husband, and we had two great little boys, ( I was 40yrs old) when I had my first one. My husband and I are enjoying retirement and our 2 yr. old grand daughter. Keep up the beautiful art work you are an inspiration.
After reading this wonderful blog, I felt I needed to put my name in the drawing, too! Many years ago, I worked in a wonderful fabric store owned by a friend. The fabrics were beautiful and I loved going around the store and touching them. Another friend laughingly said, she wasn’t sure about buying from this store, because the fabrics must be worn out from all the happy caresses. So sad, the store is long gone and my friend is, too, but I remember all the fun and the lovely fabrics and the clothing I created for me and my daughter. Thanks for making me think about those happy days! (Still can’t pass a bolt of fabric without wanting to touch it) 🙂
I know JUST how you feel!
Hello Dear Susan, Love your creativity and your beautiful heart. Thanks again for being you, It is wonderful to enjoy your blog. So full of happiness and creativity.
Many Blessings, Caroline
How fabulous to have the option of printing Susan Branch fabric! Thanks for taking the effort to put them up on their site.
The giveaways sound so fun. And the quilt is beautiful. I love the handwork design. Thanks for your generosity.
So excited today,when I received my copy of Isle of Dreams in the mail. Can’t wait to start it. Thank you and safe travels.
Thank you for All you do! There are so many of us “giddy gals” enjoying every little detail of your watercolors and photographs! I especially love the pictures of your house, inside and outside, because they remind me of my Granny’s house in the Shenandoah Valley. Sometime I would love to see a pic of your entry hall 🙂 My siblings and I have fond memories sliding down her bannister!
You are absolutely amazing!! How do you do it!?!.How do you tend to so many projects at once? I know you have lots of help, but still……And you’re right. Going on a trip is both sweet and sour. It’s so hard to leave the cuties behind! Happy Trails!
Hi Susan! When I received your Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams book, I could hardly wait to get home after work to keep reading and finished it in record time!! I then went to the library for A Fine Romance and am loving reading about all of your adventures with Joe:) Thanks for sharing your blessings with us!
“Today is a blessing, brimming with opportunity!”
Hi Sue B!! ❤️💕 It’s me, Bon Bon! xoxo. 😊 I love all the fun things you’re doing, and your fabric was always so adorable!! What a wonderful way to bring it back!! 👏🏻👏🏻 We all LOVE that! Your quilt is adorable too, and looks just like you….Beautiful!! 👍🏻💕😊
I know your getting ready for your cross country trek…. I can’t wait to see you in Morro Bay the end of May! 😊 Have a safe journey, and I’ll be keeping up with you along the way…
Love you!! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Thank you sweetheart, can’t wait to see you!!! xoxo
What a generous giveaway! I’ve loved your work from the start, Susan, and am so excited about your fabrics 🙂 Thanks for many, many hours of cozy happiness 💖
Yay! What a lovely giveaway! We are so excited to see you in Cedar Rapids along with the other girlfriends! What happy spring days! Thank you for bringing us all joy! I’m teaching my kids about “the happy gene!”
Hi Susan,
Your blog…the fabric…endless ideas & possibilities…it’s all so amazing…I’m blown away! Thank you & God Bless you!
I’ve hung your calendars for years…marked time.. recorded important memories on them…then couldn’t bear to part with them when it was time to hang a new year on my wall…
Then I discovered there was a whole, Susan Branch world??!! The way you weave such beautiful thoughts with words and your watercolors has captured my heart. You’ve inspired me to get out my watercolor paints I’ve stored away for far too many years.
What a thrill it would be to receive your three books…but most of all …
to actually be able to hold one of your paintbrushes in my hand! That would have to be an inspiration!!
Hi Susan!!
Love seeing the pictures of your adorable kitchen, especially when it’s a pink colored one!! Love, love, love your stove!! Hope you have a wonderful trip and I hope I can see you in Danville, CA.!!! 🙂
Dear Susan~~~I am so thrilled that your fabrics are now available. They are just the cutest, sweetest ever. I will definitely go check them out.
Also I got my~Isle of Dreams~a couple weeks ago but am savoring it until after I move into my new house in a couple weeks. That’ll be a real treat after all the work of moving.
I’m thinking of naming my new house: “Isle of Dreams-West”
(it’s on a street called “Westley Lane” so I figured it’d fit perf.)
Lots of love and light and blessings,
Beth
Your precious quilt,
So beautifully built,
Warms me heart to the hilt,
If only my name you picket, wilt.
LOL, too cute!
LOL, so cute, Rhoda!
So excited that you have fabric again! I started a pinwheel quilt with your Vineyard Seasons Watercolor Collection many years ago but I didn’t really know what I was doing. I’ve recently been taking quilting classes and can’t wait to try again with your new fabrics!
Susan, you help us (your girlfriends), learn how to fulfill our dreams!! You are an inspiration!
Dear Susan,
Heart of the Home was one of the first cookbooks I ever received. I love it! It’s pages are dirty from ingredients. Since then I have purchased several other of your books and take them out even when I am not cooking just to look at the illustrations. Looking forward to the new one!
I love your blog and just want to say “Please Pick Me” 🙂
Happy Anniversary Susan!!
Spoonflower will make all the difference in our creativity, using textiles with your beautiful artwork!!
I am enjoying Isle of Dreams! Great book!
ox
Deb in Southwest Missouri
Love your fabric and leaning to sew is on my bucket list . I think I bought a pair of pj years ago made with your fabric. They are of summer and beach things. Love them!
Have a great day.
I am a fan of Spoonflower, too, and thrilled that some of your fabrics are available again. I still have some small pieces of your originals…. treasures. I grew up helping my Mom hand quilt, so have tremendous appreciation for the hundreds of hours that go into creating one. The one that you are sharing is beautiful and so gracious of you to gift to one of your girlfriends. I’m rereading “Isle of Dreams”…. loving a happy ending. And, looking forward to seeing you in Ohio.
Such a pretty way to start your day with a morning light show! Love the sheets flapping in the breeze, & I took a deep breath of your sea air, aaahhh, thank you! Deep breaths here, and we get a pollen infused sneezing attack! I ordered my 30th Anniversary “Heart of the Home” book, can hardly wait for her arrival! Quilts on the clothesline, such a wonderful old-fashioned picture, and a nudge to my memory bank. Amazing how I can remember some things, and others – 0 – !Thank you for your generous giveaway! And, amazing is the word for the clever folks at Spoonflower! So exciting to be able to have SB fabrics again! Love this blog, and Musica too, and you! xoxoxoxo!!!!!
Oh, happy day! I am so pleased to have stumbled upon all of this creative goodness!
Just finished your latest book and loved it! Thank you for daring to put your life on paper…I am in awe.
Love all of your work!
Thank you so much for all you do for us and for all you give us! I was so excited to learn about Spoonflower!! I am so hoping that my BFF and I can come to
see you in Kansas City. It would be wonderful to meet you in person!! I am
keeping my fingers crossed! XOXO Susan L.
Congrats on yr anniversary! Love the fabric idea and choices-will follow up-thx so much for the info-u r the best!
I am all packed and ready for “the trip”! I am looking forward to the pictures to come. Have a good week of preparation.
Susan, you inspire me to try harder, do better and dare to hope. Thank you very much for that. I’m lucky enough to have a sister (Beth) who has gifted me with each of your latest books! What a treasure trove of wisdom has come to me through reading about your journey. I’m also an artist and I particularly admire your determination and self-discipline (both traits that ebb and flow for me). Oh how I enjoyed reading just a little bit about your creative process. Most importantly though, your gift of truthful disclosure through these books have changed me and helped me see things in a new way. Thank you.
Everything is so beautiful! I need that lamb fabric! The tea pot fabric is so darn sweet!
Not sure which reply works for the drawing so am entering here too. Love to read Willard.
I love your books and your blog. We will be decorating the guest room in a Beatrix Potter theme. This would be perfect.
Almost done with Isle of Dreams! 🙁 Thought I could make it last longer. It is so much fun (and yet heartbreaking) to read. I just want to stay in bed and read, read, read! I am looking forward to seeing you again at the bookstore.
And a snuggly quilt would just be about the best thing from you!
I have a similar friendship quilt that my husband’s grandmother made. Her quilting neighbors each signed/monogramed a square. She even put the date on it – March 1938. Yours would go very well with mine in my lamb bedroom.
I have been collecting your books for several years and can’t do with out the wall calendar. thanks for sharing your wonderful talent.
Fabric on demand, just the coolest thing ever. Love your “blown dandelions”
Dear Susan,
Can’t wait for you and Joe to get to Colorado! I am loving the new book. about half way through it. I am going slow….so much to take in…narrative, pictures, drawings, quotes (I love your quotes! I copy a lot of them in to a book!). A true feast for the eyes and for the brain! Congrats on another “best seller” and for making us smile.