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!
Susan –
I just love your artwork and enjoy taking out a cookbook just to look!!!
Just got your new book 😊 Wish you were coming to the Northwest. Would love to meet you in person although we have so much in common it feels we know each other. Have a wonderful trip visiting all those independent bookstores !! Would love to be along for the ride.
P.S. Read your new book in one sitting…LOVED it!
Hi Susan,
I am reading your Martha’s Vineyard book now and loving it. I am rationing it out to myself, so I don’t get to the end too soon! I love all your books, and they are proudly displayed in my house on a shelf all by themselves. A place of honor.
Thank you for the wonderful fabric news in Willard. I’m heading to check that out next! Hope to see you soon!
What a wonderful find Spoonflower is!!! Sounds like all pros for those who are wishing for your wonderful designs on fabric!
See you in May at Joseph Beth’s book store!
What an amazing Internet source for your charming fabrics. I’m saving the website for future projects 🌼 Susan, “… Isle of Dreams” is everything I hoped it would be. Can’t wait for your next adventure/book. That being said … happy 30th anniversary on your first book. I have a copy of the 12th printing, but your next book “Vineyard Seasons”, I was able to obtain a first edition. I haunted our local bookstore watching for your next book😊
Love the fabrics. Love Willard! 💕💕💕
Happy Your Anniversary to you, Susan! I LOVE your fabric and that toile is to die for! Toile is my favorite kind of fabric, and I’ve collected all kinds of it (even though I don’t sew, even a bit – okay I HAND sew, but no machine sewing, and who’s going to make a quilt by hand if it’s the 21st century? Even the Amish use machines!) I have a cowboy toile, and one with skeletons for halloween, and several sweet children’s toiles, and a few Christmas ones, and beachy ones, but yours is so pretty, I might just have to see if Spoonflower can sell me some.
All the fabrics you designed are scrumptious – so pretty and fresh looking, they look like they have the wonderful scent of summer days being line-dried. Sometimes, the things you do are so beautiful, they make me cry. Really.
You are just the real deal. So kind and generous with all your girlfriends. Thanks for sharing spoonflower. Is the house next door available? Please won’t you be my neighbor?
Thanks so much for the info on the fabric. That is so great. I am really excited and happy to learn about it. I look forward to having access to your fabric!
Thanks!
Carol
Can’t wait to get the two new books, which I will be getting when I come see you while you are in Kansas City next month! Yay! And I LOVE the new fabrics! So many things I can think of to make with them!!!
Just last night reading back blogs, I felt sorry that there were no SB fabrics in my collection. The Spoonflower thing sounds wonderful. It took me a long time but I’m so glad I found my people. (It is hard to understand but not everyone loves kitties, Peter Rabbit,vintage tea towels, crocheted potholders, just about anything in a jar and quilts in soft colors.)
Seriously? How could that BE? 🙂
Thrilled to pieces that you have discovered Spoonflower! I have been waiting and waiting for you to have fabric collections again… 🙂 YAY!! Can’t wait to take a look…
It is so much FUN to see some of your quilt collection and to see the quilts hanging on the line ! Really Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing the Joy.
It’s so True….”a joy shared is a joy doubled” !
Linda in Wisconsin
Love the Spoonflower concept. I will definitely be checking it out. Wish I could make one of your book store visits. Another time…..
Luanne
I can remember a number of years ago looking for your fabric and not being able to find it…so sad! My grandmother quilted and together we made a crib quilt. I pieced it together by hand and she quilted it (after she went over my stitches!!).
The old ones are such treasures…
The internet IS a wonderful thing if it can connect us with your whimsical fabrics again. Your outlook on life is so refreshing and inspiring Sue. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Dear Susan,
It always makes my day to see a new post on your blog in my inbox! I love your tips, recipes, and photos of springtime up where you are. I am so glad that your designs will be seen on fabric again! Also, I am excited to give spoonflower a try, it sounds wonderful. Have a great day!
Wow❤️ Everything looks amazing!! I have already signed up for your book signing in Woodstock, Georgia in June….I can’t wait. Am reading your new book and love it:)). Thanks for all you do! What a blessing you are to me:)
Congrats, Susan, on the new fabrics. I love Marthas Vineyard Toile. It’s just wonderful. Though, I must confess, I can hardly wait for the England line. You’re certainly a busy little bee!
It just gets better and better! Spoonflower what a great idea. It is an exciting prospect to get your fabrics again. So sad that your book signing closest to me is all sold out. In the past, my girlfriend and I have driven down to Connors Prairie, IN to see you, twice! So, I guess I shouldn’t be greedy, and share you with girlfriends in Wlimette, Il. I already commented on your Isle of Dreams book. My SB girlfriend and I agree that actress Amy Adams should portray you in the movie. Hope you and Joe safe travels during the book tour.
What exciting news about how to get your wonderful designs in fabrics. So nice to know about it. Progress can be good when it keeps old loves alive.
Smiles
So excited about your fabrics! I received a Janome sewing machine from my husband for Valentine’s Day. I had been wanting one to make crafts with. Now I need to teach myself how to sew again. It’s been a long time. Your fabrics have inspired me!
I can’t wait to see you in Cincinnati!
Wow, what great news! I have never been much of a seamstress, but wallpaper and gift wrap, now the ideas are really coming. And thank you for another giveaway – you are spoiling us! : )
Just started your new book and am to the part about Agnes…..thank you for keeping some of her treasures…..happy to see the booties on your windowsill…..maybe her life was so busy she wasn’t lonely and she did have friends that included her for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner:-)
Looking forward to seeing you on May 21st at The Tattered Cover in Denver!
Thank you so much for the spoonflower.com introduction, I think my heart stopped for a minute while looking at the amazing patterns. Love your blog and books, greetings from the gulf islands on the west coast of canada! Fellow islanders!
Oooh..so excited for the fabrics ! Love them ! And….can’t wait to make baby quilts and other fun things ! Thank you !
Spoonflower is fabulous; saw a PBS special on them…love they’re a NC business and wish them all success. Susan, love your designs are available and so sorry so many American textile businesses are gone forever. The Chalmers quote is my favorite, the quilt is beautiful…all of them. The first quilt I ever made, mistakes and all, my Beloved asked to have on his casket instead of flowers; I only wish I had a photo.
Clothes hanging on the line…nothing much better than sleeping between sun washed sheets!
Now, to check again on my book…they’ve not finished shipping, have they?
At this point the preorders have, but anything that came after, you know, as orders come in, they are still shipping. If you have a question Sandra, go to [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ and either Kellee or Sheri can check on it for you.
No worries…somehow I managed to not complete the order but Sheri handled with kindness. I ordered The Martha book (as the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon, VA is known) AND pre-ordered the updated Home book.
Computers and I are barely nodding acquaintances; OTOH I still churn my own butter so there are compensations…lol.
You’re doin’ good Sandra xoxoxo
I am once again amazed at your continued generosity!!! Who doesn’t love quilts?!? I am shaking my head at how lucky we are to have you brighten our lives & our bookshelves just to name a couple of good things. Those wisteria seeds are a bonus as well. Sigh.. Blessings abound. The fabrics are going to be so fun to explore. Thanks for EVERYTHING😍
Love the toile
My precious mother-in-law gave me several quilts she had made as well as one her auntie made. I am truly blessed. She also made my husband (her son) and me a quilt as a wedding gift. I treasure them all!
In the winter I have 2 quilts on our bed and in the summer only one!
Take care. Dina
I so enjoyed your books…read all three one after the other 🙂 Also, so look forward to your blogs, Willards and just everything Susan Branch! And now your fabrics through Spoonflower. Life is good !!
How very exciting, Susan! I love all things Susan Branch!!:-) Now that your fabric is once again available through Spoonflower, I envision our brand new home having Susan Branch valances, pillows, quilts, and lining my cabinets and drawers with your wallpaper, etc. Thank you for being so resourceful! Hope to see you on your road trip this summer! (Wish, wish, wish you were coming to the Page and Palette bookstore in Fairhope, Alabama, but one cannot have everything.. )
I would love to win that beautiful quilt! thanks for the chance!
I’m too excited, now with the apron pattern and your beautiful fabric available. I am inspired to get my sewing machine out of storage. As far a the new book…I am savoring each and every page. The book itself feels too wonderful when you hold it in your hands, not like any book I have ever had. It is sooooo special. I hope it takes me weeks to read. Thanks so very much for the gift.
Congratulations Susan on your lovely book! It is truly an inspiration! Thanks so much. Always love those happily -ever -after endings too! So pleased your fabrics are coming back. Looking forward to seeing all of them. Have purchased some in the past & found them to be so darling & so easy to quilt with. Good luck on your book signing tour and will look forward to riding along!
Fun! I’m thinking a pillowcase made of Susan Branch fabric would be lovely!
Keeping my fingers crossed for the giveaway…if only!!!!!
Hi susan would love to win the quilt!I plan on being at your signing may 7 in Cincinnati ohio.how can I get some of the wisteria seeds?would love to have some. Glenna mt orab ohio
Not sure what happened. I wrote my comment above and it said waiting for moderation. I mentioned that I was so excited for your fabrics. I received a Janome sewing machine for Valentine’s Day. I did want this. Now I can learn to sew again and make some crafts. Maybe a quilt! Who knows?
I love this! I’ve known about Spoonflower for some time but have never ordered from them. This, I think, will be the push I need to do so!
Love all your books and looking forward to the new/old book to come out. Hope to see you in AZ.
SO excited for your fabric collections! just know they will ALL be fabulous 🙂
Love, love, love all your fabric designs. Will love using them in the small tea baskets I make that only use 1/3 yd pieces. I can get 3 out of each piece.
Hope you and Joe have a safe and wonderful trip across the country making many new friends and seeing old ones.
Lynn from Illinois
Dear Susan, I love everything that you do! And, I have for almost 30 years! Keep doing what you do and stay happy. You inspire me.
I am so excited to find out about Spoonflower. How fun!! 30 years is amazing. Congratulations!! I’ve been with you only a small portion of that time, but I’ve enjoyed it all. Ready for the next 30!
happy dreams, happy travels, happy meetings, bon voyage and may happiness follow in your footsteps. have so much fun for all of us…
Wow, Spoonflower looks amazing, I have a thing for wrapping paper and your designs are so pretty! It’s been a long time since I’ve sewed anything, but this is inspiring me to try my hand at it again. I did try and learn to quilt by hand many years ago, it was hard! Would love to win that quilt, I do have an appreciation for all the time, work and love that go into every one. Thank you for all the smiles you bring our way!
Your book arrived and I couldn’t put it down! Read it in one sitting. Love,
love it! Please keep writing! Looking forward to your fabrics on Spoonflower.
I quilt and can’t think of a better quilt to make than one with your fabric.
Dearest Susan,
You just keep on amazing us! First, the book. I have read it through twice now and am starting on my third time. You have bared your sole to us, your girlfriends, and we thank you for the courage and strength it too. You have given hope to so many people. If Susan can do it, I can do it! Bless you , dear lady. You deserve all the happiness that you have gathered around you. Second, the fabric! OMG!! I thought I’d never be able to get another piece of Susan Branch fabric and SURPRISE!! I can! I can hardly wait to place an order. Bless you again and again.
Safe travels and Godspeed.
Carol
So happy for you and the quilters/sewers! Great news❣
Thank you for such a lovely post and now we get to have access again to your fabric and also gift wrap and wallpaper!!! I’m doing a happy dance right NOW! I very much enjoyed “Martha’s Vineyard…” I hope you have a wonderful trip and lovely book signings all along the way! Hope to join you in Asheville!
Looks like it’s time to start a new quilt!
Love those sweet fabrics, and really liked Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams.
In fact, I believe I like all the things you like, usually the “older the better”!
I hope you and Joe have a safe trip out and about. Still cherish the time I spent with one of my sisters when we came to the Gladys Taber reunion and met you and Joe there. God Bless people who try to make the world a saner place to live.
Hi Susan,
I especially liked this Willard. I love, love, love your fabrics and it’s such a thrill to know they can be ordered so easily. My mind is in overload thinking of all the things I can do with those precious patterns! I have used spoonflower before and they are a wonderful company to work with. Congratulations to you!
I have a tape measure that I’ve had for years that stays in a small case with “Sue Sews” painted on the case. So I smiled when I saw your blocks on the window sill.
Susan, thank you for sharing your life with us. You brightened my afternoon after a difficult lunch date with my troubled brother.
“Life is short. Ear dessert first”!
Thank you for sharing your “new” beginnings with Spoonflower! So wonderful to have your fabric back. I’ve always been a cross-stitcher (my mother was a designer for many of the major cross-stitch companies like Leisure Arts). However, I’ve always appreciated the art and craftsmanship of quilting. I currently possess (and cherish) SIX generations of quilts. My favorite one has a bright, cheerful yellow border and edge and is covered in what I believe are “Hidden Star” pattern blocks–all in the best colors and prints from its era. My grandmother, who would have been 100 in March, carefully documented who made this quilt which makes it ever more special: “Pieced by Esther Ulga Warren (my grandma) in 1928 and quilted together by Esther, her mother (Ruby Deaver Warren) and grandmother (Emma Bacon Deaver) in 1932.” Priceless treasure for sure and in VERY good condition (no holes or tears but some odd small stains). Oh, and I’m LOVING “Isle of Dreams.” I’m trying to savor it as long as I can. Hard not binge read it! All the best on the book tour 🙂
I’m very excited to know about Spoonflower! Love.
Thanks, Susan, for introducing Spoonflower. I love to look at fabrics, and even though I don’t sew, I have many friends who do. I’m going to check out the Christmas Watercolor Collection…I’m thinking Christmas gifts!
Going through a bunch of recipes and found some that came from Country Living magazine, also a few Gladys Tabor columns. Wonder who the recipes beautiful detail were drawn by? Why, it is Susan Branch!!
It is wonderful to feel your enthusiasm for each new project. I look forward to enjoying your upcoming travels. Much love, Pam in Michigan
You are so inspiring! Love the fabric ideas and being able to buy some of yours. I’m a
quilter but knitting is grabbing my heart and hands too! Travel safely!
How can I sign up to be on the Willard mailing list? Thought I was but missed this one. Great quilt contest. Love it; please sign me up for that, too.
thank you for the Mother Teresa quote – beautiful!
Love your books. And oh my the lovely quilt.
Your fabrics are very beautiful. I might have to put my knitting away and take up sewing again! What inspiration. I’m half way through “Isle of Dreams,” and enjoying it immensely. What personal growth you attained through your bravery in starting out a new life for yourself! I only read a few pages a day so I can savor it longer. Enjoy your upcoming trip. I’ll be along for the ride via the internet. Bon Voyage!
Love that your fabric will be available again!!!!
I am beginning to read Martha’s Vineyard for a second time. There is so much food for thought. Thank you for sharing your vision with your readers.
I love reading your newsletter and blog! Can’t wait to read the new book either. I will hopefully be getting my copy for Mother’s Day. Thanks for sharing your life with us and for the great giveaways! 💜
I love seeing all those previous fabrics including one of my favorites, the white flowers set on a red grid design AND discovering it’s available in blue as well. I have ordered the Ribbons fabric from Spoonflower – what a wonderful enterprise. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the new technology, BUT this fabric source where one can design one’s own is WONDERFUL. Love the quilt you’re giving away. Loved seeing Agnes’s shoes 🙂 Have fun shopping. Wonder what you will bring home . . .
Now you have inspired me to get back to sewing! Love the materials, quilts, embroidery & to see the linens on the clothesline! Read an article once on “The Art of Hanging Laundry on the Clothesline”. Brought back memories of the old neighborhood where I grew up. Can you imagine some allotment neighborhoods prohibit clotheslines and gardens! I have to hang my bedding outside. There is nothing like the aroma of sheets and pillowcases when you get in bed the night after they have been on the line!
Spoonflower will be fun to explore – so glad to now have a source for your fabrics! And your new book, Isle of Dreams, is a page-turner – I couldn’t put it down!!! What a great read! And it is a very beautiful book – the dust cover, the binding, the ribbon bookmark – wow! Thank you for sharing with us. Your blog is such a pleasure! I wish you a wonderful book tour road trip!!!
LOVE the Martha’s Vineyard Toille! It reminds me of a Cape Cod tablecloth in a seafood restaurant. I can see the ocean waves lapping the shore, a Boston bean pot setting in the middle of the table with packets of sugars, surrounded by salt and pepper shakers. Gingham curtains….
Thinking spring thoughts! How wonderful for your gift of fabrics and designs!
O frabjous day! That would be any day with a post from you, Susan. Such a respite. Thank you for lifting me up. Thank you for spreading joy throughout the land.
oh how i love you and your blog!!
Good luck everyone! I feel like we have already won because we are able to read this fantastic blog! Thanks Susan! Cheers😃
2016 is turning out to be your year! Thanks for
sharing it with me…Wob you More!
Diane Moon, McKinney, Tx
Just been loving your books for so long, and so happy to hear that my first one, Heart of the Home, will be releasd again soon with all your wonderful updates.
Looking forward to the latest book, and will check to see if your book tour brings you close to me. Thanks so much for telling us about Spoonflower, too.
Your creatvity is always an inspiration, hope you never run out of wonderful things to share ! !
It’s always a great day when I hear from Willard!
It makes my heart happy! 🙂 Keeps me smiling all the day long!
*sigh*….what a nice long,, dreamy post with the chance of winning some amazing prizes! Thank you Susan. :o)
This is wonderful news… to Spoonflower I go!
Oh my! Books, Fabric, England and Scotland and quilts! No wonder we are all friends!
No wonder!
Your work is amazing, Susan. You’ve brought alot of joy to me. Thank you.
XOXO
Oh! Susan! The grand prize quilt is almost a carbon copy of the one I slept under for twenty years and then……..it shredded up so badly we couldn’t use it anymore. All of my children had asked for that quilt to be handed down to them. I’ve saved the little pieces of it to make something for each of them but OH! if I should be the winner of that lovely quilt, I would cherish it so!
I am loving your blogs……..as always!………. and can’t wait till my WILLARD shows up in my box! I always love it. You make life so much fun…….YOU are one of the grand essentials of happiness! You give us “something to do, something to love and something to hope for!”
Oh my, that was darling Nanette. xoxo
Wow what a great idea, Spoonflower, even if you don’t sew. It sounds exciting for creative people like you. Thank you for sharing. Love, love love all your designs and style. What a pleasure to see them. Your kitchen feels like home, with the sun shinning on all your sweet collections. The comfort of home comes through in your photos.
Dearest Susan,
I wonder if your mother realized when you were a child, just how much
Joy and good cheer her little girl would bring to the world ! ?
Thankyou for brightening mine ! 💞😊🎶
I’m a carbon copy of my mom, she was all joy and good cheer. I came by my happy gene organically! xoxo
I hope your mom reads this;) READ IT, BLOGMOMMY;)
My mommy keeps as far away from computers as she possibly can! That’s why I had to write it all down in books! xoxo
Susan, you always make my day!
Oh my goodness! So much wonderfulness all in one blog! I have loved your fabric over the years and look forward to checking this new option! Such a blessing! Happy anniversary to you, Susan, thanks for including us in the celebration!!
I’m reading, actually savoring, The Fairy Tale Girl. I especially loved the story of you settling into your little house … Making it your own. In 1978 I moved to New England from South Dakota – never imagining that it would become my forever home. But here I am 38 years later … Still in Massachusetts … Still loving all that New England has to offer … A fan of Heart of the Home since the beginning. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
I was sent a calendar of yours for a Christmas gift by a very dear girlfriend, it delights me each day to see the wonderful pictures and quotes here in England. Stunning quilts blowing in the breeze on your washing line.
We love our English girlfriends, Julie, thank you for being here!
Thanks for transferring your joy and love to paper…I’m always smiling when I read your books. Can’t wait to check out spoonflower…my head is full of ideas. Have a lovely trip!
I finished reading your new book last week and I’m still thinking about it!!! I am so excited about your new fabrics and can’t wait to shop! I still have a few scraps of some of your older fabric lines, I used most of those fabrics to make quilted potholders & pillows.
I do love the fabrics and designs you have created, Susan, but I must admit I have trouble sewing on a button that has come off something, or fix a hem that has come unraveled, never mind make a quilt or sew curtains. I’m of an age when we had Home Economics classes in school, for the girls; the boys had Shop. Several years I found an apron I never finished — I don’t know how I passed to the next grade!
I have purchased many lovely quilts and I love them. None of mine are antiques and one, I think, is hand made (what I paid for it !!), but I cherish them all.
I envy you and all the Girlfriends who are able to create things with fabric, yarn, watercolors … and I hope one day I will find my talent. I’d better hurry, because I’m not getting any younger, heh!
Happy Spring to you, Joe, Girl Kitty and adorable Jack. I’m wishing you safe travels on your book tour, and I’m hoping for Blog Updates as you go along. And also hoping for Blog Updates on your travels in England and Scotland. Please bring us along — we love traveling with you!
Barb
No question, we are leaving room in our suitcases for you!
Susan you are very talented in everything you do!!!
And lucky! Because I have you for friends!
Very excited about the fabric! Makes me start thinking about all of the creative possibilities!
now I have another reason to love Spoonflower!
I know, let me count the ways!
I love every little thing about your blog! Would LOVE to have that gorgeous quilt, especially fresh from the clothesline!
Oh Susan!
I cannot wait to follow you on your “blog-about” the country and beyond!
Great coinage, Kelly – “blog-about”! When Susan is in Scotland, we can follow her “blog-aboot”! LOL!!