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!
Dear Susan,
I just finished reading your new book this early morning. What a pleasure! Then afterward when I went out to my kitchen I found my own rosy sunshine here on the west coast spreading dappled rays onto my window ledge and beyond. Thank you for your gifts and especially your gentle humor. I laugh out loud at times, touched by the mirth of it all. I’m enchanted!
Thank you Jennifer. You ARE enchanted! 🙂
WOW I am so excited about Spoonflower and all the creative potential it gives me! What a marvelous use of new tech, etc. LOVE being able to get your designs in fabric, again. See you on May 29th!
See you then Lynn!
Hello Susan, I absolutely loved your Marthas Vineyard Isle of Dreams Book!!! I have never read a book so fast, I could not put it down,, now I am going to start over and read the othe two and end with this one again,, I was telling my beauty operator about it,,as I was almost late for my appointment because I couldn’t stop reading your book, and she said it sounded like you could read it over again to get the full benefit of it,, and I agreed,,so I felt better knowing I could start all over and read all three of them again!!! Wish I could see you on your book tour but you aren’t going to be close to me when I would be able to travel to see you,,maybe someday!!! Love everything you do and love seeing all your pictures and travels,,enjoy your trip!
Your girlfriend,,,Sally Radley
Can’t wait to see you at Vroman’s in Pasadena!
I’m so pleased to find out you have fabrics on Spoonflower. I have no problem paying extra because the fabric is made here in the US and it’s always available! Can’t wait to see what you do next there!
Susan, your talent and generosity never cease to amaze me! You’ve been an inspiration to me since the early 90’s and I can’t wait to finally meet you at the book signing in Woodstock, Ga.
If Vanna draws my name for the giveaway quilt, I think it would be a wonderful addition to the vintage green quilt I recently purchased from your online shop. It’s on the way from California as I write; I’m anxiously awaiting it’s arrival. Thank you for all you do for us girlfriends! See you June 25th!
Susan Branch fabric !!! Hooray !!!!!!
I’m very excited about your new fabrics! A long time ago, I bought a tea cozy made from your Afternoon Tea party fabric. I use it almost every day and it has several tea stains. I’m not great at sewing, but I’m inspired to buy some new fabric and make a new tea cozy!
Good Day Susan, I love the way your mind works!!! Your works of art: blog, books, watercolor designs, and recipes just inspires me and keeps me wanting more 😊💕. I love being one of your cyber-girlfriends; you give off that can-do attitude and feeling if not now, when! Thank you for passing on some of your sparkle! 😊💕 love, Gloria
Can’t wait to check out the fabric. Thank you, thank you, thank you. May your travels be blessed. Happy trails Susan, from another Californian who found happiness in New England.
Oh, please the bird fabric ASAP!! I love it! I’m so excited.
Hi Susan
I can think of one more CON – never enough time to create all the wonderful things you inspire(-:
Susan, you make my day sing and my heart smile! This afternoons treat will be a cup of tea and checking out Spoonflower… Thank you!
Can’t wait to check out your fabric. I have aprons I made for myaself, daughter, and granddaughter from an earlier version. So cute! Love, love, love that quilt. What a generous give a way!
I am an avid quilter and will be checking out your quilting fabrics for sure! Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow! Congrats!!
Hi Susan: I just ordered your book a week ago here in the netherlands… It will arrive in 2 weeks; so I am looking forward to it! I love quilts: so I am happy to enter your giveaway!
I just started to try to make them myself…..but it need some patience! Greetings from the netherlands, Arjo
Loved ..Loved Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams soo much…tried to read it slowly to make it last…..just finished reading it this morning and the back to A Fine Romance to re read how it all started with your Joe again…..I am so happy for you that everything worked out just as it was supposed to. I have been buying your calendars since the first one and for all my friends as well……
Good morning Susan:
What a lovely blog. The pink kitchen photos were beautiful and really started my day.
I’m a quilter and can’t wait to look at your fabrics on Spoonflower. I have some of your originals and have a hard time using them because then they’ll be gone and I won’t have any left. Now, hurrah, I can get more of your fabrics and I’m thrilled!
Love the new book. I’m about half way through and look forward to reading a few chapters each day. I was tempted to power read the whole thing, but decided to savor it and treat myself each day to a couple chapters to make it last! Thank you for sharing your life with us girlfriends!
The beauty of this Spoonflower’s company is now you can have those long-gone previous prints remade, right? I LOVE the yellow teapot print!!
I wish I could be a quiet little mouse that could accompany you and Joe on the book tour. All I’d ask for is a little bit of cheese and a front row seat to see the beautiful countryside, an escape from everyday life!
Susan, I received your new book last week and I’m almost to the end of it.
It is my favorite! I love your story and all of the wonderful drawings. I wish you well in your travels. Look forward to reading about them!
Hello Darling Susan and girlfriends and boyfriends and kits,
Wow!, thanks for another great Willard! What a treat!!!
Love the quilts, love the wisteria seeds, love the books!
Spoonflower is pure genius! There are really so many amazing things in our world now, such fancy, fantasy, and goodness at our fingertips as this.
Happy, Happy, Happy! (Wow, I am all come over with exclamation points!)
Have fun shopping today in Boston and be well! Ooops there’s another one. 😉
xox
Gabi
P.S. The bee-bees are coming this weekend. Bzzzz! I guess since I missed out on having babies, I am all expectant over the little dears. 🙂
Oh my goodness Susan,
The quilts and fabrics are amazing! You definitely make this world a happier place to live in with all your creative talents! Thanks for sharing yourself with others! What a generous woman you are to want to giveaway some of your books and then one of your gorgeous quilts. How exciting! You are loved by all 🙂
Hi Sue,
Great giveaway! I too love quilts and collect them. Yes I saw those little shoes and new right away where they came from. Going to check out Spoonflower right now. My favorite would be the Martha’s vineyard collection. So many to choose from.
Thank you Sue
NANCY jO
I love the “I Love England” fabric collection! Especially the bird one! I’ve checked out A Fine Romance from the Library a bunch… fun reading!
Thanks Susan!
Susan, I am so excited, I love your fabric designs. The idea of I love England collection is really wonderful! I went on Spoonflower and started following you so that I can see all of your designs. You continue to amaze me of what you can accomplish. I am still enjoy your book, but I have to put it down sometimes because it makes me cry. But it makes me smile allot too. I was telling a friend that perhaps you should have included a kleenex pack covered in one of your adorable fabrics, as a companion to the book. Susan, not only am I enjoy your Isle of dreams because of your writing, illustration and your story, but because it has helped me heal from my own pain from years ago. I divorced around the same time, I didn’t know that I still had some pain inside, until I started reading your book. Thank you for being you. Karen
Ahhh, Spoonflower !!! I discovered this awesomeness several years ago, I have one of their color guides on my bulletin board as inspiration. Since I’ve never designed for them (in spite of a pipe-dream to do so), I’m SO glad you have! I do have several of your earlier fabrics stashed away, yet in clear view to gaze upon…they make me smile every time I look at them. I’m anxious to read your new book ! 😉 Thanks for your enthusiasm for life, us girlfriends appreciate YOU!!!
I knew a little about Spoonflower, but this is wonderful new info on what they can do (am checking out your fabric choices!!). This is HUGE & plan on trying them out on a small piece of fabric, just like you did. Love your site and your insight.
I am so happy about your fabric!! Looking forward to getting some of my favorites!!
Thank you, Susan! I agree, what would we do without the internet????
Fabric!!!! I have a few pieces of your original fabric. I bookmarked the site. Thank you! Lani
Susan,
I have that first book of yours, and all the ones in between! Can’t wait to read the newest one!
Also, I agree with you about Zooey D. playing you in the movie. I first fell in love with her when she sang “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in the movie ELF.
Congrats on all your success — it’s well-earned.
I’m in Knoxville, TN, so I may drive over to Ashville for the book signing! Enjoy your trip!
Oh, Susan, what a delight to find and read your post on this rainy day! I’m practically flapping with excitement with all your news. Looks like the perfect day to check out Spoonflower, too. Thank you as always for thinking of us … spreading your joy and sharing your treasures.
Thrilled that we have an opportunity to create with your designs…let the creativity begin!! Many thanks!!
Dear Susan, I finished your latest book this past weekend. Spellbinding to the point that I could hardly wait to turn the page even though I knew full well that you turned out fine. But how you got to “fine” was at lot to do with being a well brought up little girl by parents who gave you such a great start for your life. BRAVO! The fabric is a very nice addition to my sewing room and will be looking into it soon. My sewing machine is THE favorite thing I own and would grab it as I ran out of a fire by the back door. Have a nice Spring!
Oh, Susan – I love your blog entries and your Willards – they really are like watching an episode of Downton! I finished Isle of Dreams in two days and LOVED it!! You are so much like me, and you don’t even know it! haha Love you!
Happy birthday last week!! I can’t wait to tell my sister about Spoonflower; although she might already know. Gotta wait ’til she gets back from HAWAII to find out! You keep on living a fairly tale life and telling us all about it! Safe travels to you and Joe! I was hoping to see you in Cincy, but my only living aunt will be celebrating her 100th birthday that day. So sad to miss seeing you, but I’m so looking forward to celebrating with her. One of these days I’ll send you a letter with all our commonalities. Love being a part of the girlfriends and reading their comments. God bless you!
Happy Anniversary! What an amazing journey your life has been, you are much blessed. And we, through you, are also blessed! Thank you so much for the new fabric site. I’m a quilter myself, so this is a real find. And I hope, hope, hope, I win that lovely old quilt…it’s calling to me!
So excited to have access to your fabric! I missed it the first time around, and I’ve been thinking lately how wonderful it would be if your fabric was around. This is fabulous. Spoonflower is a wonderful group. My mom paints, too, and she’s turned some of her work into fabric from Spoonflower and she just loves getting their packages.
I can’t wait to get some fabric to create, oh, so many fun things for my home and office. Now the hardest part will be what to make first…a wall hanging? Some outdoor cushions for my porch? Pajamas? It’s just so exciting! Yay!
This sounds rife with possibilities! Thank you for shining the spotlight on this company…I had no idea this was alive and doing well!
Oh Susan!! Of course we all love your giveaways! But the truth is that you already make us each winners as you giveaway in every single post. Like Morning Science! I loved seeing the wisteria before & after their happiness explosions! Never been that up close & personal with wisteria before. Please keep up the great work!!!!
Gasp! I am so thrilled to hear about your fabrics on Spoonflower!!! What an amazing website to represent amazing Susan Branch! Congratulations on the 30 year anniversary of Heart of the Home, I own the original and can’t wait for the new edition! I, too, have a passion for old quilts. The oldest one I have belonged to my aunt and was made for her by my grandma. It was a wedding gift and is over 80 years old. Blessings to you, Susan, for a terrific Tuesday!
Susan love, love, love, the fabrics. Don’t know if you recall seeing the picture I sent of your fabrics that I have in my stash! Yes I often go on ebay etc. looking for your fabrics. Spoonflower rocks. Signed up today. I managed to find some fat quarters at the odd quilt show nothing has shown up in the last couple of years. So excited as I have made many “tea runners” from your fabrics. People always comment on the uniqueness of them. I am doing the happy dance now. It feels like Christmas.
You just keep spreading the love,
Thank you so much!! 🙂
HI Susan!
What an exciting blog to wake up to this morning!!! I love all of your quilt and fabric pictures, and the pink shading coming in your windows was so sweet and magical! I am a quilter and have already checked out Spoonflower and WOW!!! How exciting for you and anyone else to have such an opportunity to create to their heart’s desire! I’m so happy for you! Your fabrics are darling and can’t wait to plan a project to include some of them. ( would love to just have them all!) See you on May 15th at the bookstore!!! So, so excited!!!! Safe travels, Susan.
Mary Ann
I always love Willard especially about your new adventures. As I was reading it I was thinking about “our” past! It started with cards (I think), stickers, stamp set, cookbooks, and calendars followed! But my favorite was Willard!!! I looked forward to getting my snail mail, of course this was way before computers, at least at my house. I loved your handwriting your stories and you are whimsical paintngs. You included things I love in life. I felt like I was reading a letter from best friend. We go back a long way as friends though, I think to around 1986. We’ve grown up together and added so many friends along the way.
Hope to meet you in person in St. Charles! Can’t wait for another adventure to England( I haven’t been there since 1961).
Endless possibilities if you can sew : \
Happy Anniversary…you are an inspiration!!!
I have written you before – and I will share the message once again BECAUSE I am so EXCITED about your book!!!!! I read along and stop abruptly to declare (to the wall) OMG SHE THINKS THE WAY I DO & LOVES THE SAME THINGS I DO!!!!!!! And the best news is that you reintroduced me to the thing I loved the BEST – Stouffers Chipped Beef!!! I ran right out and looked! Fortunately the 2nd store had it and I bought 8 boxes!! LOL I am not kidding about how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE “Isle of Dreams!” Right down to the cottage in the woods and what it meant to you. I have my own “cottage in the woods” and know how important it is in my life. Treasures like this in our lives keep the blood pumping and give us time to reflect on who we are and how we can gain more in our life. And the story you share, is amazing!! THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!!!! My book is filled with post-it notes of things I want to remember and go back to. I feel so lucky to have you in my life because it helps me gain strength in my own life. HUGS HUGS HUGS
OMG! Your fabric is back! I was just thinking about that the other day! I have dreams of making birthday banners, pillow cases and cushions for the patio chairs! Oh, YAY! On demand! What a great idea! I hope you will bring back the watercolor stripe fabrics (the blue one, the green one and the red one). And, then (you know I can never keep it simple, right?!!), maybe add a multi color stripe: yellow, blue, red, green, orange and purple? Oo0Oo0! The possibilities! Meanwhile, I absolutely adore the quilt that some lucky girlfriend will get! Absolutely divine! And, I love the blotter bookmarks! I have little bits of ‘test’ scraps that I keep…to slip into a journal or make a sticker from. Ok, Sue. I’ll end this here….the rest of the girlfriends are waiting for you to read their comments! See you in June! xoxoxoxo
Congratulations on your new fabric with spoonflower. I would love the vintage quilt. Jean
Oh my goodnes, I am SO excited about your fabrics coming back (ten exclamation points!!!)I am already dreaming up some quilting ideas! I know everybody says this and feels this way but I honestly think we’d be such good friends. I grew up in Sepulveda in the 50s/60s, just down the street from you in Reseda. Lived in a neighborhood where the kids ran free and everybody’s mother was your mother for the day. Cruised Van Nuys Blvd in high school, saw A Hard Days Night at the Reseda theatre. Learned needle arts from my Grama and to this day always have a crewel, crosstitch, needlepoint and/or quilt project going. Or all four at once! I discovered you through your Summer book (I’m still hoping for Winter and Spring books) and was lucky enough to meet you at a signing on Mothers Day at your store on Branch Street in AG a year or two after I moved to SLO. So I feel like we truly are old friends. Thank you for your art – I’m still trying to learn how to paint and I just love how you never painted till you were 30(ish). There still might be hope for me! Thanks also for the heads up on the fabric website – what a fabulous opportunity to make something entirely unique. Can’t wait to try it! Hope to see you out west when you come to town. Safe travels to you and your fella!
Good morning Susan,
Wow! what a nice giving away!!! Thank you! Loved reading Willard this morning. What a beautiful way to start my day. Enjoy your trip and meeting all the girlfriends on your book signings. You and Joe have a safe trip and looking forward to reading all about it on your blog.
Love,
Gail from Ca.
Just finished reading your new book this morning. Just as lovely as the other two!
Wow!! Happy anniversary Susan. You have made my day. I have to get some of your Martha’s vinevard fabric. I have done my living room in what I call a Cape Cod theme. The fabric will fit perfectly into my theme. Have a good day. Hope to see you in Cincinnati. Jayne
I had heard of Spoonflower, but did not realize you could buy other people’s designs. I thought it was only your own.
Enjoyed reading “Willard” so much. Of course immediately had to pre-order “Heart of the Home” cookbook, Oh Yes! I gave our daughter a copy of the original when she got married. Now I will have the anniversary copy, sweet!!! And I am in the midst of reading your new book “Martha”s Vineyard Isle of Dreams” so many emotions. My home is happy too, as I am inspired to perk up our place here on the land that is our forever home. Hugs!
And now we have Spoonflower!!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Do you have any idea what this means to an absolute fabric junkie??!! Just completed my 4th ‘HAND’ stitched (the quilting) crib quilt for great nephew #4. (I’ll send photos to your email address!) This opens up a whole new world. It could be dangerous! I am in the midst of something, but will come back and read all about Spoonflower. I LOVE the idea of print on demand fabric! Does this mean they will never be out of stock? In other words, we order . . . sorry, you’ve got enough to do! Don’t answer this!!! I’ll read up on it!! Off to finish my project. . .which involves you!! Then, I’ll be back!! Just wanted to shoot this comment off to you now!! So much wonderful excitement! I don’t know if I can take much more!! Thank you for all your hard work, Susan. It certainly is paying off!! xoxo
Susan,
I walked into your ENCHANTING WORLD this morning…..and I was so overwhelmed with all the fabric and the giveaways. I have already gone to Spoonflower (saw the connection last night from the twitter page) and I have a list started already…from fabric THAT I NEED…and wallpaper and even Christmas wrapping paper. OH YEAH I AM ONE HAPPY CAMPER HERE. I have been looking for new shelf paper….well I found it now and it is so easy to do. Thanks again for making my day and inviting me into your ENCHANTING WORLD. Love, Susan P.
Susan, I forget to mention this…You have Your Agnes and I have my Aunt Agatha. I love that you love, understand, appreciate and care for the past and still find the right places for their special treasures….never to be forgotten. As I do for my Aunt Agatha I have her quilts and her mothers and her grandmothers also..hats..hat pins…shoes..glassware..pink champagne glasses just like from an Affair to Remember ..books etc etc etc I am so blessed by her treasures..she lived to be 102 and 8 months….I miss her…she was very alert to the end and I was blessed with her knowledge in cooking and baking and all the stories….I could write a book…..hhhhmmmmm??????? I have most of her treasures on display and shared allot with my daughters…we use the glassware and we all wear her hats…YES WE DO…I have tea and we wear them to tea and baptisms and weddings!!! Life is short, you have to enjoy the small things and those of moments of happiness. Love you and all that you do!!! Susan P.
I loved your fabric, and miss seeing it in stores. Can’t wait to see all of your new designs on Spoonflower!
I have a pen friend in The Lake District in England, and I have sent her “A Fine Romance”-she loved your drawings and stories!
Your blog keeps me sane in a fractured, anxious world!
How exciting! I have wanted to make a Susan Branch quilt for years,but could never find the fabric. Dreams do come true! I have a special treat planned for this afternoon. I am going to sit down with a pot of tea and a chocolate chip scone piled with home-made clotted cream and raspberry jam,and devour your new book – yup,read it all the way through without stopping. Dinner will have to wait!
There’s absolutely too much to comment on!! The sunrises is beautiful!! The quilt is beautiful!! The fabric is even more beautiful!! How exciting to have such a wonderful source for “fabric on demand”!!
Can hardly wait for my “Willard” to show up! Life just seems to be full of exclamation points!
Here’s a question about book signings. If there is no tea and tickets aren’t mentioned, is attendance open to all who show-up? It would be sad, sad, sad to drive all the way to Ohio or New Jersey and then be turned away without a chance to say hello.
Oy! Loved, loved, loved Isle of Dreams….just as much as the others! You are a wonderful writer…you truly are. I read it, then gave it to my Mom to read over our snowy Colorado weekend! See you at Tattered Cover in May! Can’t wait!
I have read one of your books, and soon to read the other 2, LOVED it!!!!
I have loved your product lines for years!!! Thankyou for what you are and what you do!!!! Safe travels soon, I hope to meet in California!!!!
Hi Susan,
Oh my, so much excitement and joy today with both a Willard and a new blog post, not to mention the fabulous giveaways! I almost jumped out of my chair! Vanna, please pick me! The person(s) who invented Spoonflower is a genius–what a great idea. I cherish the previous fabrics of yours that I’ve collected, and look forward to what Spoonflower has to offer.
See you on May 10th!
So excited about Spoonflower! It maybe what pushes me to sew my first quilt. I love all your books. I just pulled out Your Spring book to look for new recipes and old favorites. Your books are one of the ways I celebrate the changing of the seasons and holidays. Love everything you do!
Happy Anniversary!!!! I am so excited for this last book to come out…waiting on pins and needles excited!!!! I have it on hold at the library as I have to wait for Mother’s Day to actually get the book (it’s become a tradition for Mother’s Day and my birthday, as your timing is perfect!!).
I LOVE hanging my sheets on the line so your photo made me Happy 🙂 And then the quilts?? I do the same thing! My grammy gave me my first one and I’ve been hooked ever since! Love making quilts that will someday hold family members I’ll never meet, but they’ll know they were loved!
Happy Day Susan!!!!
Thank you for your generosity and this giveaway opportunity. I am not a creative person in the least, but love to live vicariously through your work — your blog is wonderful – almost a virtual hug 🙂
Spoonflower is definitely something I will look into. I love everything you do and having fabric available to buy again would be awesome!
Best of luck on your book tour, my copy of your newest book came this week. I can hardly wait to delve into it, but must finish up my latest quilt first. Wish you were coming to the Pacific NW (Powell’s maybe?) this trip.
Susan–your work makes me so happy and peaceful. Been having a tough time with the blues lately so I come to your blog for inspiration and to cheer me up. Thank you!
Good morning! I love the toile fabric. I put a yard in my cart….enjoying, “Isle of Dreams”, very much….taking small bits in at a time to savor the joy it brings reading another of your books. Blessings to you from Kansas !
BRILLIANT!!! And I have already done Spoonflower on my own twice which makes me feel like I beat you in a game of tag or something. They do lovely work. But the idea of getting your stuff!!! Swoon. Blue birds? That entire line of blue fabric you posted in your blog, I am going to Spoonflower right now!! And really consider print, black on white.
With all of these beautiful fabrics, I may have to think about sewing again!! Lovely!!
Wow! This is really exciting. I can see that my craft room might have to have an extension put on it to deal with sewing as well as paper crafting! Susan you are too good to us. Thank you for all that you do.
That quilt is so beautiful in its faded-ness!
Absolutely love the whole fabric, paper etc.; plan. I will check out that website. Love, love the quilt too.
Oh my gosh, Susan, your news has me so excited! I, too, love old quilts-such a story they tell. My daughter and I will be making a quilt of your fabulous fabric designs! Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Good morning Susan! I was so happy to see your new fabric. I loved your old fabrics too! Sewing skipped a generation with me….my Mom and Grandmothers quilted, sewed and made so many beautiful things and I am so fortunate to have some of them. They are treasures!! I just cross stitch! When I saw your fabric years ago I wanted curtains, tableclothes, napkins, quilts and even clothes made with the fabrics. Things for my grandchildren too! I remember looking for it but could never find it but for me that was before I was on a computer. I can’t wait to share the info for your new fabric with my sewing and quilting friends…they will love it too!! Looking forward to meeting you when you come to Missouri!
Wow! What a give-away! Loved Willard and learning about Spoonflower. I’ve always loved quilts. Made a few in my younger days and own one family applique heirloom. Safe travels for you and Joe.
Donna in Michigan
So exciting to think your quilt fabric designs will be available forever!!! I still have some charm squares from your first collection I’ve not been able to use – they are just too cute.
Just finished Isle of Dreams last night!! What an incredible journey. Your writing makes me almost feel like I was there. I kept finding myself wanting to ask you questions….some were later answered, what was the restaurant your paintings hung in? I am looking forward to traveling along on your trip.
Dear, dear Susan!!
What a beautiful glorious Sunrise sparkling over your kitchen!! What a Creator we have! Would love a book and would love the quilt…….you are so generous!
Trusting I will see you at Tattered Cover in Denver! I am so excited.
Blessings and safety from the Lord as you travel :
Oh Susan! This is wonderful news about your fabrics could you please make the tea party fabric Line available through Spoonflower? Especially the blue background with teacups and flowers inside hearts. I WANT your quilt! Happy anniversary love and hugs, Carol
Another informative and amazing blog–one that makes the corners of my mouth to go UP! Spoonflower–creative minds and new technology make for happy girlfriends. That’s a beautiful quilt–I’ve yet to finish quilting my two twin quilts. They are on the beds but only partially quilted and still basted. Time to get busy and finish them!
A Willard AND a new blog post on the same day!! What a treat! A cup of coffee (sorry Susan, I’m a coffee drinker), some dry cereal for snacking, and SB Willard/blog post ~ can’t think of a better way to start the day. Soooo looking forward to your visit to Austin this summer ~ can’t wait to meet you! Safe travels.
xo
I’m in the middle of reading the Martha’s Vineyard book right now. This morning I dug out “Baby Love” I used for my daughter’s baby book back in 1997 and we looked through it. Looking forward to your visit to SoCal.
Oh Susan, you are too good to us! Got up this morning, made a cuppa and turned on computer, went to your blog first (as I do everyday,lol), and the OMG’s flew!!! I loved waking up to your pink kitchen. Just gorgeous. I so love mother nature (most of the time). I too, am attracted to sunlight and rays shining throughout the house, love it. And thank you so very much for telling us all about Spoonflowers. It sounds like a perfect ‘store’ to carry your beautiful, gorgeous, yummy fabrics. I am so excited as my Sister gave me a sewing machine for my birthday this year!! I know, what a great Sis!! But now I have a wonderful place to buy fabric & wallpaper, which I already plan to use for the inside back of my bookcase. My mind is just racing with the possibilities! Endless for sure, but what fun. Thank you so much! I have a small request: can you do a Jack & Girl fabric? I would sooo love it. I do love to pieces the Martha’s Vineyard toile. Oh and while I’m asking for requests, maybe a new ‘little’ book; Quotes & Bits of Wisdom by Blog Daddy!!! Maybe you can mention it to him ♥ I’m sure it would be a hit. Well must go to my e-mail and see if my Willard has arrived. Too much excitement for one day. Much love to you ♥♥♥ P.S. I did not recognize the baby shoes, who is Agnes? P.S. again, have fun shopping……..
Your quilt is beautiful and if chosen, I would display it respectfully. I love quilts!! In fact, I actully have a quilt that my great, great grandmother wove. She died the yarn with walnuts and it’s one of my prized possessions. BTW…..I love your site and reading your posts. It’s like having you right in my kitchen. Thanks for your brightening comments……..they really brighten my day!!
Thank you for your always beautiful and inspiring post! I am so excited about the fabrics!
I’ve ordered fabric from Spoonflower for quite some time and I have ALWAYS been happy with it! I am so excited about your fabric designs I can hardly stand it. I’m going to order it ALL! My poor husband will squeak when the credit card bill comes in! HA! My daughter and I both are quilters and buy fabric from Spoonflower frequently. Such wonderful news! Happy dance! Somehow I missed the fact you could order gift wrap also! That is too fabulous. I’m going to order the new Heart of the Home book too. I already have it. Fifteenth printing. I’ve got a first edition of Vineyard Seasons. I have all your books. I guess I am a big ole fangirl! Hope you don’t mind. All your books are treasures to me. Thank you!
Dearest Susan ,My heartfelt gratitude to & for you and all the joy you so generously share!Much love & very best wishes to you !
Ahh Thank you for the dawn sunshine pictures and Agnes’s shoes! And you just knew how much we all would love wisteria seeds!!! and your books!! Bless you giving self and Joe in all your travels. Don’t forget to write another book about your upcoming travels!
Wow! So much wonderful information and prizes…I love prizes. Thank you for the chance to win. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
Enjoying my lunch and reading my fav. BLOG! Thanks Susan.
I love your new fabric and am so happy to know about spoonflower. You are a treasure to us all. And I’d love the quilt!
Wow, you have me thinking about quilting again, I haven’t thought about quilting in years. I’m definitely going to check out your fabrics. I hope I win the quilt. I need a new cover on my bed. I love coming to your website. You never know what you will find. You definitely brighten my day. Thank you… Sue
Oh my….after a gloomy two days in poor flooded Houston TX, I really needed this blog and Willard today! Thank you, Susan for lifting my spirits in such a lovely way. The fabrics are eye-candy and I’m getting fat on them! Have a wonderful trip and I do hope I’ll be able to come see you in Austin on the book tour!
XOXO, Willa
LOVE LOVE LOVE all things Susan Branch and now wisteria seeds! It’s too much. I am soooo excited. Hope to get to see you along the way too. It took me very long to read Isle of Dreams – only because I read it really slow because I didn’t want it to end. It was fabulous. I wish I had known you then. I would have been your east coast Diana!
You and I must be related somehow. I love everything you do. It seems that you just know me. I life would not be nearly so wonderful if you were not apart of it. You make me happy with your blogs, Willard’s, fabrics, books, artwork, etc. Please do not ever not creating Happy!
Hi Sue,
My mother was a quilter for years, doing everything by hand. Her work was meticulous and I am fortunate to have a number of her quilts. I am always on Ebay and in antique shoppes looking for quilts but they are vastly expensive. I even like the quilt cutters as they can be used for table toppers and such. I am not a sewing person but I do appreciate the work that goes into sewing. I hope you have a wonderful day! xo
I can’t wait to visit with you in Plainville very soon. It just occurred to me that sometime back when you were contemplating your tour, I offered you my guest room if you would come to Plainville. Should I be dusting and fluffing for you??
Your posts are like sunshine coming through my computer! I can’t wait to read each one. Thank you for all that you do for us!
Good Morning Susan,
Enjoying Willard today and all of your Wonderful updates . . .
Would love to win one of your packets of seeds : )
Meanwhile I just placed an order and am excited to make a Happy Birthday table cloth to use for years to come celebrating family and friends !!!
I am actually taking off now to celebrate a girlfriends birthday . . .
Safe Travels to You & Joe,
See you on the West Coast : )
Linda C. of So Cal