Make room for some white space! That’s what I always say! Morning MUSICA! I have a little story I wanted to share with you: Back before most of us even met, way back when, just after my first book 
(Heart of the Home) came out, I had the most interesting thing happen. Most of it, actually, wasn’t good, even though it definitely started out good, and ended up okay, I think, overall I could have done without it. Out of the blue I was contacted on the phone by the New York ad agency that represented Pepperidge Farm ~ they said really nice things about my new book, and asked me if I would like to design an ad for Pepperidge Farm using my handwriting and watercolors. I was very flattered, as you can imagine. Leaping and jumping occurred, calling of parents happened. I traveled to New York to meet with the agency, and gave my new book to the all the Pepperidge Farm executives at the meeting (to take home to their wives), and said I’d love to. But something happened, I never quite understood what, but it all short-circuited, and even though it never made any sense to me, for some unknown reason I stopped hearing from them. Disappointing and kind of embarrassing, but for all I knew, this was normal in big-ad-New-York-world. I put everything I’d done for them in a shopping bag and pushed it under my desk. A year later, when I saw my own handwriting and my favorite wooden spoon (among other things) watercolored in a New York Times Magazine double-page ad for Pepperidge Farm,
and then People Magazine too, my heart fell. My own personal spoon. Really, the nerve of some people’s children. Apparently what happened is that they sent my book to another artist in New Jersey and paid her to copy my work and do the ads. And because I was just beginning my career and very naive, and I thought this was so wrong on all levels since this book felt like my baby, I found a lawyer 
and took them to court. Talk about David and Goliath. As you might guess, I didn’t fare all that well, mostly because, unbeknownst to me until the very end, there was a limit of $10,000 that could be awarded and that’s only if you WIN the case, which I did, thank goodness! It took two years for it to get to court, but by the time we were finished I’d easily spent that $10,000 on the legal retainer, postage, Mary Tyler Moore city clothes for court, travel and the hotel room in New York where I had to go for a whole week for the “trial.” It could have been way worse I found out later, they could have made me pay the lawyer the $250,000 bill it took to do this, but instead, thank goodness, they made the other side pay it. (Moral of the story, unless you are a lawyer try to stay out of court.) For a few days, I thought I’d have to pay the lawyers myself, tears came out of my eyes horizontally when I first heard about it, but luckily when the ad agency appealed, the judge made the lawyers settle and let me go. Whew! Anyway, one fascinating thing came out of it, my “style” was defined by an expert (and, as it turned out in the end, it was protected by the law 😊). The ad agency brought in all kinds of evidence, that I didn’t own “my style,” I didn’t own hearts, they said, I didn’t own handwriting or wooden spoons (I said, “Even with the little lines?”); they darkened the 
court room and showed an old black and white movie of the venerable foreverness of Pepperidge Farm, they would have brought in Margaret Rudkin in a coonskin cap and calico apron if they could have, to try and show that perhaps it was me that had copied them! But one person they did bring was an art expert from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Very impressive to me since I’d never had an art lesson and at the time, didn’t know I had a “style.” She was supposed to analyze my art (on the stand) and tell the jury if it had special properties that should be protected. She showed everyone the wide white borders and a few pages with almost nothing on them. And SHE said, the expert said, pointing and holding up my book, that I was, and I quote, “A master of the white space.” HA! A master! Of the white space! I almost fell out of my chair. So there. And I have lived off that bit of information for the last 30 years.
And there’s really no doubt it was true ~ I probably never would have seen it on my own, but it’s so obvious, what shows off splotches of glorious color better than white space?
Even in the bubbles . . .
Even in my first painting, I’ve always liked the paper as much as what I put on it and left a lot of it blank.
A little white space, especially in the pages of a book, gives the eye a rest . . . just like quiet listening during a conversation, gives gravitas and meaning to the words . . .
This is one of the pages the art expert held up to the jury to make her point. Who knew? But I’ll tell you, it means a LOT when someone from a museum says something like that to you.💝 After all she was under oath. Made it all worthwhile. 😜
When I look back at what has inspired me, what I’ve surrounded myself with, such as these embroidered tea towels, it all makes sense, I see how good those little stitches look against the white.
I particularly enjoyed designing a line of white quilting fabrics . . . What is an old quilt without white? I don’t know!
White gives flavor to everything . . .
. . . and more white . . .
. . . in every shape . . . that blue would be nothing without the white! Subconsciously, it was probably quilts that turned me into a “master of the white space.” Perhaps “mistress” would be better. Inspiration comes from everywhere!
White makes the perfect background . . .
It has such freshness . . .
and perks up and softens any room . . .
White lightens hearts, smooths away troubles and makes black and white kitties the perfect decorating accent.
And something else about white, it makes a room like a movie set. Change the pillows to black floral needlepoint, put in a brown and red quilt, and you’re ready for winter. Add a Christmas tree or a basket of spring flowers to the room, glass candlesticks and a bowl of oranges in the spring, brass and wood candlesticks in the winter, and you get a complete change with very little work. Not that this is the only way to go, some think white is hard to keep clean . . . but,
Maybe that’s why so many New England houses are painted white, because the seasons change, and there is never any color clash since white goes with everything, looks fabulous with snow, beautiful with colorful falling leaves, excellent with forsythia. This is our backyard yesterday morning. Spring has sprung! Tomorrow is May! Rabbit-rabbit!
And palest pink, almost white flowers, look luv-lee against the green . . .
Mix and match old vintage white yard furniture does too!
Everything shows up better with a white frame . . .
This was the table for a wedding shower I did for one of my girlfriends. Nowadays white space has a much broader meaning for me, it’s a kind of emptiness and space, whether it’s in decorating, or in open places left free for dreaming. Quiet mornings are perfect for white space. Reading a good book is white space with a story. A massage is black-out white space.
Like bubble baths and birdsong. It’s downtime. The nonthinking thing. Ommmmm. Know what I mean? Like 1864, when there were only ticking-clock noises, the sound of the turning of a page, the flicker of a candle, the scratch of a pen, the purring of a cat, the soft snoring of a dog, the rustle of fabric. These are my favorite sounds and always hardest to hear. The chick-chick-chick of the lawn sprinkler going round and round on a warm summer day. But it doesn’t just happen, not in this wild world of ours, like everything else, if you want it, you have to make it yourself.
Take note: even Downton Abbey knew the power of white . . . that table just would not be the same in green.
Perhaps not quite the same in grandeur, but pretty good considering the serious and bewildering lack of a downstairs staff!
So that’s what I’ve been doing to my own little home sweet home … since we got back 
from California, I’m my own downstairs staff, putting my house back together, smoothing things out, making space. I’ve been writing books, designing cups and calendars, and traveling so much, my home, my first love, got out of hand with clutter. Spring cleaning was number one on my list of things to do when we got home, I want my house back! I have a long way to go, but here I begin, by clearing everything off the kitchen table (a feat in and of itself) and oiling the wood top, so there’s more contrast between the cute white legs and the wood floor, and the wood table and the white wainscoting.
I oiled both the table and the wood counter top ~ because we have our furnace on all winter, the color gets dried right out of the wood . . .
You can see how it works here on the handles of my pans ~ I can’t believe they got this bad, they practically have splinters! A little mineral oil makes such a difference! You just brush it on your wood boards, spoons, whatever you have, and leave it to sink in to bring back the mellow colors of the natural wood.
Here you can see the table when the oil is about halfway soaked in. Takes a few days.
This is me ⬇️
While I was working in the kitchen, I would step out into the salty cold spring air, to take Joe a cup of tea while he was de-thatching and reseeding the lawn (and give him brilliant advice, lucky man) and gaze at the tulips and daffodils blooming . . . note how good they look with a white picket fence!
And we put a new roof on the house, because the rain was coming into my sewing room!
And birds were landing and frolicking in the birdbath . . .
And I put bright spring flowers in my little vases . . .
I washed all the dishes in my open cupboards in several dishwasher loads . . .
But anything hand-painted, or gold edged I washed by hand . . .
And dried . . .
And put away on my shiny clean shelves above my luv-lee oiled counter . . . the dishes and glassware sparkly and colorful against the white space . . .
ready for garden tea parties.
And then there was a joint April birthday party for myself and two of my best girlfriends! Which was wonderful of course! But, what I wanted to mention, as you can see by my outfit, I seem to have a new thing about the color blue.
I’m normally such a pink person, and now, all of a sudden, this yearning for blue. Kind of like 
all the years I couldn’t stand blue cheese dressing, and suddenly now I can’t get enough of it! I’m so happy new things keep happening! And I’ve learned, the only way to it is through it, so, hello blue, here I come! I kept thinking about changing the look of my newly clean and spacified kitchen . . . so finally, I went on line thinking, “rugs” ~ and sent away for some rag-rug samples . . . Something cool and fresh for the long hot summer . . . something, to be specific, blue.
I asked Jack, “Choose the one you like best.” And so, being the brilliant cat that he is, he did. I got out some dishtowels to see how they would look, and my new imaginary world began …
I thought, I wonder how Jack’s choice will look with fall colors?
Okay I said, how will it look with my new cups . . .
Within two weeks, and for about $300, I went to the Dash and Albert website and got three new rugs (there’s another of those lighter, windowpane rugs just out of sight on this side of the kitchen table) . . . I took all the little magnets and pictures off my fridge, and gave myself more white space and took a big deep breath of the clean emptiness. If anyone dares so much as set a newspaper down in here, I will have a fit. I’m warning me!
I shopped my house for other blue things . . . I changed the red-checked kitchen-table lampshade to one from the guest room that had bluebirds on it . . . the red checks will come back in the fall, when the seasons change again and all hearts turn to “cozy” . . .
I put away the red and pink potholders and pulled out the yellow and blue crocheted vintage potholders for the top of my stove . . .
And hunted through the dishtowel pile for some blue and yellow ones that showed up very nicely on the oven-door handles for which they were made . . .
I thought my little blue-flowered cup would be darling on top of my stove . . . with the miniature white chair as background.
Away goes the red-heart teapot, and out comes the blue one . . .
I lined up some of my favorite blue mugs . . .
And remembered the paper mockup of the blue-bird cup and thought I’d try it here . . . and decided this is a must-do mug, and so the real thing, lovely bone china from England will be coming into our web store hopefully by August! Oh the power! To be able to design a cup to match my kitchen! What a world!
And here it is, peaceful, calm, and plain, don’t you think? Almost Amish. Possibly Swedish. Definitely hyggeish. And the perfect backdrop to a summer filled with flowers, watch that vase on the kitchen table! I’m thinking perhaps next I need some new chair pads . . . perhaps in white . . . ?
I get to turn my calendar to May tomorrow, I peeked ahead and I was so happy to see it’s blue! Perfect timing!
My Beatrix Potter People have lived through years of my decorating transitions (transgressions!), but they are as they are forever, color matters not at all when it comes to them.
Blue schmoo. I love you just the way you are. 😘
Other than that . . . I’ve been getting the garden ready . . . the strawberries are doing really well, and there’s a fresh new layer of compost over everything. Spring rains are working their magic . . .
And I’ve been designing new dishes, interesting casual little things for serving and displaying . . . I love this little teapot plate! It’s whiteness is the perfect background for art, and for lemon cake or cookies too! I’ll do three different designs, this one and two with center art, so that they could either be used on the table or hung on the kitchen wall. I’ve been designing cat dishes too, and some other things . . . but not to put the cart before the horse and get us too excited, first we have to make sure this is all do-able before it is written in stone.
These, on the other hand . . .
are written
in stone . . .
. . . and ready to ship from England on May 4th!!! I’m so excited. Did I tell you how strong 
fine bone china is? An English gentleman named Jon, from the manufacturer in England, came to visit us today (I gave him tea in my new Love cup in my plain but gorgeous new kitchen) and he almost gave me a heart attack with a little surprise demonstration of slamming the cup on the table edge! It didn’t break, neither the cup, nor the table! He was very proud. And now, so am I. Quality is so rare. And another thing, bone china is so dense it holds the heat really well. I already knew this ~ I could 
tell from drinking from them, but he confirmed it. I gave away two of the only samples I had to my birthday girlfriends, so I am waiting just as hard for them as the rest of you! Soon girlfriends, soon. And, btw, they are almost all gone! Which is good/bad, but I think everyone who wanted one has it by now, I hope so. Those designs will be retired. 
They are all yours. And I’m in the studio again, designing three maybe four more cups, including my bluebird, and this Santa Claus ~ all new designs, for fall, and tea, and the holiday season ~ Jon brought me some other sizes to choose from too. I love hearing your ideas, about what art you’d like to see on a cup, I wish we could afford to do all we’d like to do because there are SO many wonderful ways to go! One day at a time! 
So, this is where I’ll be on the Thursday before Mother’s Day! The perfect thing to do to celebrate my favorite holiday, raise money for children in need . . . If you’re in the neighborhood, put on your Easter bonnet, and please bring your mom, your sister, or your best friend and join us for this luv-lee Tea Party, mom-celebration, and book talk and signing in Massachusetts . . . for tickets and more information go HERE . . .
One more thing, speaking of white, have you all seen The White Queen? There are ten episodes, followed by eight more of the White Princess. Wonderful! Joe and I just started the White Princess, but the Queen was great! Look for it . . . it’s on Starz now, we get it by talking into our remote. Which makes me wonder, was talking into a remote really necessary? Anyway, that’s how we get it.
Last but not least, something else wonderful and new: you know how they call different generations by different names? How they slot us by age into our little Baby Boomer, Gen-X, Millennial, or Centennial boxes? Well, I just heard about a new one this morning ~ a 
group they are calling “Perennials.” Just the name made me want to join! And this label has nothing to do with date of birth, it’s for all ages, people from every generation are welcome. It’s for anyone who manages to weather the winter storms and survive, for those who stay current with the world, with technology (accepting talking remotes with grace), are passionate, creative and compassionate truth seekers . . . who keep curious about the world and stay involved. Those are the Perennials. So us. Ever-blooming. No more generation segregation! Don’t you love it!? I hope this spreads like wildfire.
And I decided to try something new . . . just to see if I like it. I’ve been meaning to for quite a while . . . Instagram! So I finally did it about a week ago, I’ve been over there introducing myself, and it’s been really fun meeting new people. If you want to see, here’s a link to my page . . . I don’t have it all figured out, but apparently it’s something that can only be done from your phone.
Sun’s coming up, the bottom of the sky is palest pink going up to lavender, then periwinkle blue, a gorgeous beginning to the day, trees black against the dawning light. Yesterday we took the first storm windows off, so this morning my studio is filled with bird song. And me? I just had a bowl of the biggest juiciest red ripe strawberries. And now I’m off to clean out the sideboard in the dining room! Bye Girlfriends, 💞 have a wonderful day! 
Oh my gosh Susan, all I can say is just awful, awful, awful what you had to go through with the court thing. In my mind they stole from you! It makes me wonder how does anyone protect their artwork these days. Can anyone just copy it and say it’s theirs? I’m just shaking my head that there are such unscrupulous people in the world.
On another note since I know you have loved all your kitties, I thought you might like to hear my story. I have never had a cat, only little doggies, but my good friend is babysitting a kitty for a dear friend of hers. Well, my friend had a trip already planned to go away for 2 weeks when she was asked to babysit the kitty. So, she asked me, if I might be able to watch him while she was on her trip. She showed me how to do the litter box, feed him, water, etc. So I go down to her house a few times a day to see how he’s doing. It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be, quite easy actually. When I go down there, he’s always hiding under the bed, but I try and talk to him while I’m there so he gets used to my voice. The first night I could only see the tops of his ears, but I knew he was alive because his ears moved a little – thank goodness! Well, last night was the 6th day and he finally came out from under the bed. I tried to very gently put my hand out so he wouldn’t be afraid, but when I got too close he went back under the bed. Maybe when I go down later today he’ll stay out longer.
I love the fresh new clean look of your kitchen. I think white chair pads would be nice or maybe a very, very light blue – like baby blue. Thanks for the advice about the mineral oil. I have an old kitchen table and I’m going to try it and see how it work. Do you need to wipe off the excess, or just let it sit for a day or so?
Thanks for this post Susan, it always feels like I’m visiting with a good friend.
As for protecting artwork these days, what with Google Images helping themselves to everything and nothing linked, and the Internet being in all countries, I don’t know. I try not to think about it. My books and art are copyrighted, but you have to wonder if people care. Luckily over the years, if someone has been blatant with copying, I point to this lawsuit, and usually they stop with no further steps necessary. But there are a couple out there who just don’t seem to care. I let my oiled things sit for as long as it takes, and really, our table can take 5 or 6 days for a really good soaking. You can wipe it off anytime you want to speed up the process, because if you don’t wait long enough every cloth or paper thing you put down with get oil spots on it.
It’s sad today that we have to worry about this kind of thing. Why can’t there be more of us ‘girlfriends’ out there! ‘We’ would never do anything like that! I guess like you said, you have to try and not think about the negative and remain positive about it. Okay Susan, I’ll try that with my table and my wooden handles and spoons, too. A big hug from me in Florida. xxoo
And back to you Sharon!
Love this post. I cannot wait until my teacup (and tea!) arrive. The new dishes sound wonderful. I have a couple of the now “vintage” pieces and use them frequently.
I love the idea of white space but am finding it quite hard to achieve. I retired and downsized, but not nearly enough. It is so hard to part with those things which remind you of the past, the things you’ve acquired over time and now, when you have the time to enjoy them, find you lack the space for them. The younger generations don’t want these things and I hate them having to eventually dispose of them. I did it with my Mother’s things and it was so hard. Hence why I still have so many of them!
You’ve inspired me to think about them in a different way. Maybe I’ll make more progress now.
Thank you for the very enjoyable posts and glimpses into your wonderful life on the Vineyard and beyond. Truly a highlight when ever I see them.
You don’t have to part with them until you want to! That’s the new rule! xoxoxo
Joyce, I downsized and retired when I recently moved from Phoenix to Portland. I certainly understand what you posted. My new house is smaller and sad because I had to give away so many treasures before I was ready. I do love my new house and snuggling into a smaller nest.
Flowers are the secret weapon. One, stolen from someone else’s garden, or the landscaping at the supermarket if you have to, in a little vase on a window sill will make everything better. xoxo
I will soon be moving and parting with many ‘treasures’ that no one else seems to want – even the real silverware – they don’t want to bother with keeping it shiny. I plan on at least taking photos – they take up a lot less space.
best to all who need to free up, downsize and simplify life. ~v~
Has to be done, especially in this house which is about to burst!
Oh my sweet friend, you have been through so much and still stay loving, creative, hopeful and ALL that is GOOD!
When I saw the Santa mug, I gasped out loud. He is FABULOUS!!! I love the birdie too. I would love to see a red cardinal for Christmas and others for each season for us birdie lovers. I do LOVE the holidays, so those would be great too, birdies or not. Just do what you do and we will LOVE them!
I so admire how you get so much done in a day. Love all your new blues! My kitchen is red, white and blue with BP critters that, I agree, do go with
everything.
Happy May Day tomorrow!
Melin
Jon, they guy from the manufacturer gasped at the Santa mug too, which made my day!!! xoxo
I love changing everything out by season and am starting to do my spring cleaning too. I’m realizing the white space is why I love your art so much. I’m such a color person that I often overload myself on it. But maybe more whit space is what I need too.
Looking forward to your bluebird mug. It will definitely be part of my collection. I didn’t get one of the others but now I realize I was waiting for just this mug!
Once again, your style makes me so happy and glad to know that just being ourselves is enough and that sweetness of style is still very much appreciated.
Oh and finally Perrenials, a perfect discription for us all.
Thanks again for an inspiring post!
Thank you for your post!!! My life has been a jumble of late and my soul needed the peaceful beauty of your words and pictures!!! Love love the cups, hoping one will be mine soon!!! Take care and enjoy the spring!!!
Best to you Linda!
Hi Susan…..I was diagnosed with “shingles” (can this be) this week and am coping. Your post brightened my day because the good girl(in the white hat) won and learned something from the experience. My reaction to the debacle is just – HOW COULD THEY? Alas, we all know it happens! Though I’m not feeling so great, when I looked out the bathroom window, I could see Lilies of the Valley blooming in my back perennial garden, and so I had to go and pick enough to fill a small vase. They are my “white” space for the day and the fragrance is heavenly! Thanks again for helping take my mind off of other things!
Hope it’s a quick and easy case . . . I keep hearing about an injection that’s supposed to protect us from that, but I’m always afraid that if I get the injection, I’ll also get shingles! Feel better soon Barbara! xoxoxo Lilies of the Valley make everything better!
I got the injection and my arm was really sore for a few days but I know people who have gotten shingles and it can be really bad so it was worth it.
That’s what I hear. It’s not fun! And I remember those chicken pox!
My sister got the injection and then she got the shingles……she has had them now over a year and can’t seem to get rid of them….very painful she said
See, that’s what scares me. I’m like that. I just got my first flu shot last year and was amazed I didn’t get the flu!
I’m a big believer in the shingles vaccine! Both my husband and I have had the shot and no shingles, but quite a few friends did not get the shot and have suffered a great deal with shingles. I’d gamble in favor of medical science. (My ‘I’m not a doctor’ opinion only.)
I totally agree with you Patty, I’m chicken, but I know you are right! One of my dearest friends had shingles and says even for a 10% chance of NOT getting them? It’s worth it!!!
So sorry about your shingles. I have had them several times…on my face! While I was teaching I often got them because some children in my class were not vaccinated and came down with chicken pox which let me share their virus and get shingles! Stress can be a culprit as well. Be sure you have seen the doctor, especially if they get worse. Please text and feel better soin.
Get your hands on some colloidal silver and dab it on rash several times a day. Worked for two friends. Their rashes lasted a short time.
I’ve never heard of colloidal silver so I Googled it, interesting stuff, I imagine you’d want to ask your Doctor…
Hi Susan!
I purchased your Heart of the Home and Vineyard Seasons books when they were new and just flew into my arms off the shelves! Later, whenever I needed a gift for a perfect GF, I’d go back for another. It just makes me sick that you endured all of that anxiety while I was giddily enjoying your talent. I’m something of a crafty person myself, and have been copied as well. Not to the scale of what was done to you, so I simply consoled myself with thinking, “Let them have it. I will move on to something even bigger and better and leave them in the dust.” I have done that – and so have you (although with $10K in your purse as we both sashay away, creative heads held high!)
Oh it’s okay, I didn’t know enough to realize what I was getting into! Thank you Joyce!
I LOVED thIs entire post so beautiful,newsy and uplifting! Looking forward to my mugs and I ADORE the tea plate you are creating and I am so very hopeful that little teapots follow these beautiful mugs for n China! Hugs and happiness!
I am always amazed that so many of us are on the same page with changing up our homes. I love your new look, even with less it stills says, Susan. 🙂 I just realized my kitchen is the same color as yours. I love it! Shame on that ad agency. So underhanded! I wonder what Pepperidge Farm thought when they found out. 🙁 Kit
Probably said, talk to the hand! xoxo
Oh, Susan! I had so many things in my mind as I read the first part of your post! I wanted to go punch these bad guys, hug you, jump for joy for you that you went after those thieves (WOO-HOO!) and on and on! SO gad everything turned out well, and that it was an unforgettable boost to your confidence as an artist!
Spring is in the air, and as a lover of the seasons and holidays, I have always felt a kindred spirit to you! A girlfriend gave me your first book when it first came out. She knew me well. Of course, I have most of your books now.
Big hugs to you! Nancy the “snowflake lady” SeasonsOfJoy
Thank you Nancy!
Dear Susan,
Your blog is always like a breath of fresh air. I love what you’ve done with white. It is such a peaceful way to decorate. I was so glad to hear our new cups will be on their way soon. My daughter and I will be spending Mothers Day in the Cotswolds so I’m in hopes our cups will arrive before we leave on the 9th. If they do, we will take them back to England with us and enjoy our “Cream Teas” using them. You are the most creative person and give us all the encouragement to try new and wonderful things. Thank you!!
Have a wonderful trip Kay!
Susan – More of this Please…..love seeing your home and how you decorate
…..very inspiring. Thank you.
Sign me up for the Perennials!! What a refreshing idea. What a relief! It makes the most sense – love it. I’m a white space person and blue and yellow are my favorite color combinations. I’m also in the process of cleaning out and reorganizing. You’re inspiring me to keep going. As I mentioned on twitter, I collect English bone china mugs. They’re in various sizes, all whimsical and I love the look and feel. I didn’t realize they’re so strong-wow. Can’t wait to add yours to my collection. I use them as vases, pencil holders, etc. Just like one of the girlfriends, I missed the first 3 designs due to budget reasons but I love the Christmas one and waiting to see your others with anticipation. I hope you’ll do a summer design as well. Thank you for sharing yourself and thus adding so much good to the world.
Ah, print housecleaning always makes me feel fresh and new. I love to change everything up with the seasons.
And I can’t wait for the new bluebird cup. I didn’t get one of the others and now I know I was waiting for the best😀.
Thank you for your inspiration and the joy you bring. It feels good to enjoy your posts and feel that it is more than ok to just be ourselves. That simplicity and sweet style are always welcome.
Enjoy the spring!
I Googled their ads from around 1989. “In Praise of Selfishness” screams “SUSAN BRANCH”. You can bet your boots that O.M. definitely beyond the shadow of a doubt for sure and certain knew they were in violation of your copyright. What smugness. I read the summation, and saw terms like “$1” and “innocent infringers”, and wondered who the judge thought he was fooling. Constant infringement via blogs on the Internet is the bane of most creative people. And those attorney fees keep a lot of us from pursuing anything other than a cease and desist notice. Thank you for going up against the Big Guy. BTW, my kitchen is blue and yellow in the spring and summer. I think you made a wise choice!
Two great minds!
I will soon be moving and parting with many ‘treasures’ that no one else seems to want – even the real silverware – they don’t want to bother with keeping it shiny. I plan on at least taking photos – they take up a lot less space.
best to all who need to free up, downsize and simplify life. ~v~
Thank goodness for cameras! xoxo
I see that you can purchase that ad. Seems that Susan should get a royalty. ~v~
Oh my goodness, yes, that’s one of the ads they did!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the story of the unscrupulous ad agency and how you triumphed, you are the Master of The White Space! Funny how there’s a reason for some of the awful things that happen in our lives.
Happy Spring, happy colour blue, spring cleaning, sprucing up, oiling, gardening and the Joy of passing on your words and pictures to us! Thank you for all…
S
I know, it always seems to work out that way, although at the time you are thinking, what the heck is THIS!? 😃
What a fascinating story! Never would have thought of it but you are indeed the white space mistress. I love the blue in your kitchen! Looks fabulous with the pale green walls 😍👍 maybe the palest, palest of yellow (almost white😉) cushions for your chairs? Thanks for all the decorating inpiration! Btw, you can instagram on an IPad if you have one. xoxo😘
Dear M’Lady, Mistress of White Space: 🙂
Shame on those Pepperidge Farm folks. But success is the best revenge, and I’d say you’ve accomplished some serious revenge on them. 🙂
Perennials! I’m glad to finally know how to label myself. I’m technically a baby boomer, but have never really felt like one because I came at the very tail end of that baby windfall. But your definition of a Perennial fits me this year. I sent my only child off to college, and used my time to start a business, build my own website, take up Pilates, and start a blog about my experiences. I call it The Full Nester, because it’s not empty, I’m still in it! 🙂 I’m in a Facebook group with some other bloggers, mostly way younger than me, and I learn something new from “the kids” every day! I’ve learned more this year than I would ever thought my aging brain was capable of.
Every time you share something about yourself like the white space thing, it reminds me of when you said one time to look at our old Girl Scout badges to see what we were good at as children, and how yours revealed interests in stuff you love to do to this day. Now hearing you were white spacing all over the place without even knowing it, it makes me think that we are so much more of what we are even before we come to know it. 🙂
My sister is also at the tail end of the Boomers and I don’t think she feels like one either! I couldn’t agree with you more, “we are so much more of what we are even before we know it!” Perfect!
My downstairs staff has alao disappeared! LOL. I used to spring clean until moving to Texas! Now spring means, get outside while you can and when the thermometer inches to that 100 mark, I move inside and clean house. Really nothing left to do at that point! 😀
Love the new blue rugs! That color just reaches down to my soul! ❤️
Susan…loved today’s post as always. So sorry you had to go thru all that stuff with Pepperidge Farm, but am glad that it was an experience that gave you the will to go on and make a career out of your lovely wooden spoons and “white space.” We just gave a copy of your “Heart of the Home – Notes from a Vineyard Kitchen, Revised & Expanded” to our first granddaughter and her husband as part of their recent wedding present. Of course we bought one for ourselves too!
Enjoy Spring’s awakening and your “new” lovely kitchen.
Thank you Sherrill!
Sue – I LOVE the blue! It’s such a calming color and looks great with your light green walls. I’m thinking of my dad who loved the colors blue and green. I remember always having either a blue or green car when we were growing up. He would wear blue and green plaid short sleeve buttoned down shirts in the summer, and he would tell us that it was God’s favorite color pallet since he made the sky blue and the trees green. How about navy blue chair pads? Would look great with those rugs!
It’s fun to change things up at home from time to time. I have been doing that myself in my little apartment – more contemporary, clean lines, neutral colors with a pop of dark red accents. Bought some new art to hang on the walls – never thought I’d like abstract, but I do! I agree that white is beautiful, especially in a beach house or near the ocean, as you are. The blue just makes it even more beachy. Lovely!
Can’t wait to check out your Instagram page! Happy Spring Susan!
Happy Spring Gina, thank you!
Wow what a post! It’s a tough world out there in advertising. For everyone’s information, according to Wikipedia, Margaret Rudkin founded Pepperidge Farm because of her son’s food allergies. She ran in very successfully and did many of her own tv commercials. I remember them as a kid. In 1961 she sold the company to Campbell Soup Company. She stayed on as a director retiring in 1966 and she died in 1967. So she was gone long before your career.
She was quite a character. I’d like to think that in different circumstances you would be kindred spirits, but who knows. My uncle was the Rudkin’s boat captain for a time. My sister and I met her in 1961 or 1962. She sat us down in her Connecticut house in front of her original Jackson Pollock and proceeded to give us an art lecture!
I’m sure we would be kindred spirits! It wasn’t her fault! It was that ad agency that did what they did. You’re lucky to have had that interesting experience!
I can’t get over PF!!!:(
I just cannot.
I love white too..and we have white in the sunroom and I agree..it can change seasons in a Society 6..or tulip moment..
I love the teapot plate..
and I am wondering if you will be in a bookstore ..by the Cape..June 6th or 7th?:)
we had our shingles redone to metal 2 winters ago..I love hearing the rain..:)
Our snow was just too thick and heavy here in QC to not entertain the idea..
I love making things sparkle anew in Spring also..inside out.
C’est la vie..le cycle de la vie~
The birthday girls and cake♥
Mineral oil..yes..the only way..food safe.
Happy Spring:)
I still have your stencil letter set..BIG:)
Oh yes, I’ll be at Titcombs Bookshop on the Cape in June! You must have the insider info! I’m waiting to hear back which day it will be, but I’m already looking forward to it. All about Gratitude, and their 50 year anniversary in business! I love everyone there, such a wonderful, happy, hard-working bunch! We have rules here where I live . . . the historic district rules all, and chooses what kind of everything you can put on your house! Love you Monique! xoxo
I just subscribed to their newsletter..you don’t seem to be scheduled while I am there..but who knows!
Thanks Susan.
I’ll be at Titcombs either June 6, 7, or 8, haven’t heard yet. But for sure I’ll put it on the blog when I find out!
Happy May Day Susan!
LOVE your spiffy streamlined kitchen! I think I smell a lovely lemon dessert billowing from the oven. 🙂
1) The bone china cups are simply divine on multiple levels and now the year plates – oh be still my beating heart.
2) Wouldn’t “seasonal” cups be divine? A spring, summer, fall and winter?! Mmmm…. Yes!
3) What a treat to receive a Willard on a rainy, chilly Sunday afternoon. THIS was my hygge today!
Thank you! 😀
Thank you back Marita! xoxo
I’d like to add a couple of comments on your discussion of things white. In one of my art classes the instructor told us to remember that the white of the paper is the prettiest thing in watercolor. Also, for years I sold Home Interiors (a home party plan years ago for decorating). For one lesson on color they told us when you are in a home with many different colors and the hostess needs help in “tying it all together”, suggest that she add touches of white to the room. White will always work to bring other colors together. I’d say you have nailed it with white in your art!
How interesting! Love hearing from the experts that we’re doing things right!
Susan, you deserve every bit of success you have enjoyed and coming your way. I am sorry you had to go through this but honestly you handled it with grace and dignity. Love the new items and can’t wait to get the new mugs! I would also like to see you do some wooden things with a vintage feel in white or ivory. I agree with your color furniture choice; so easy to change out with the seasons.
I am going to use the term perennials as often as possible!! I love it and thanks for sharing your sorrows and joys. Always an inspiration and hope. I love shopping my own treasures too, tho I am always on the lookout for new ones. Hugs back-
Susan,
This post was such a happy one for me. Thanks for sharing pictures of your spring cleaning and nest-feathering. I love pink and green together, and have always considered pink my favorite color of all time…but, when I was a teenager, my mother subscribed to Colonial Homes Magazine. Do you remember those? She gave me all of her copies, and I dreamed over them while I was engaged, chose shell-pattern flatware, Pfaltzgraff Heritage White dishes, and cobalt blue stemmed goblets. Thirty-five years later, my white dishes and blue glassware are still in an antique pie safe, and we are still using it and the flatware. Each spring, I put my blue willow out on the open section/middle plate groove of my everyday china hutch, and in the winter I display Currier and Ives Winter scene plates that I call my “winter blues”. I love adding barn red with it in the winter to add coziness, and now, since seeing your towels, I think I will try to yellow with it for Spring. I have never thought I was the “French Country” type, so wouldn’t put yellow with my blue, but I think you just gave me permission. 🙂
Have you loved your kitchen wall color since you re-did your kitchen? I tried to find the post where you talked of it, but didn’t really know how. I am not bold with paint, prefer refreshing light colors, but just can’t bring myself to go with a “neutral/beige background”. I like to try for light colors that serve as neutrals, and yet imparting a distinction, too. I am not sure if this makes sense, but I wanted to see if you had been happy with this color. I know you are very busy, but just in case you have a moment, I asked.
I love the blue-bird cup you are doing in china. I have a few pieces of an old blue bird pattern from the early 1900’s. I have found most pieces on anniversary outings because we married in the spring and my husband listened to a song about blue birds while we were engaged…and I love bluebirds, and we have always had a blue-bird house that we can watch from our kitchen window.
Thank you again for the pleasant and inspiring post. Your are a blessing!
Love,
Rebecca in Arkansas
I love the wall color in my kitchen! I would do it again in a minute. Can’t remember the name of it right now, but I do love it. Happy blue birds to you Rebecca! xoxo
I love David & Goliath stories, but only if David wins…congratulations!! You were right & they were very wrong…so sad to hear that about a big company. I love this post & your new favorite color…blue. I’m 71 & it’s been my favorite color since I was a wee child.
Love your take on white space…especially when it refers to daily life. I admit that I don’t have enough of it in mine. Today after a lot of gardening I decided to sit in a chair that sits high overlooking my creek…my new quiet place. But in no time I noticed some poison ivy climbing up a tree & my gloves were back on & knife in hand.
I have had two tragic losses in the past four years…two of the four people closest to me in life…my husband & oldest son. I know I need to find that white space, but for now busyness seems to be my best friend…especially in my gardens.
I just love the intimacy you are able to capture in your posts. Your phrase “girlfriends” always rings true.
Anita ~ the cabin on the creek
I’m happy to hear that, because I feel it too… and I am so very sorry about your losses, there are just no words. I think your work in the garden must be the best possible thing to do. I never feel closer to the earth and what really matters than I do in the garden, in nature. Sending love to you Anita! xoxo
Hi Anita,
So sorry for your losses.I found that when dealing with grief busyness in nature can be its own meditation. WEEDING can be avery helpful meditation.Nature is healing.
Karen
Susan-
I was so happy to see this blog post. I have been following you in Twitter and now Instagram. I love both, but I really like Instagram. It is so much fun to see the things you are doing right away! I am anxiously waiting for my mug to arrive, and super excited to see what you do with dishes and other things! Your art has always been my absolute favorite and I love that is has a name! Who knew?!
Hi Susan, I’ve left a comment and you’ve moderated it and it’s there but so are two other comments attributed to e which I didn’t write. One is waiting moderation and the other is posted. Very strange, indeed. Thought you’d like to know.
Yes, people were leaving comments and others names were attached to them…strange but true. I told my computer expert guy and he said he thinks he’s fixed it. Sorry!
Hello from Japan, where I’m visiting my son daughter in law, and grandsons! Never much of a blue and white person til recently. Life is on a smaller scale here, though they do live on a mountain. Loving the plants and gardens and greenery…and being together. You have stolen my heart with the bird cup design– can’t wait for them–for me and for my bestie who loves birds as much as I love dogs.
Happy, happy May to you and Joe.
Perennially your fan,
Jo
Hello to you Jo Marsh, in Japan! Have a wonderful time. xoxo
I LOVE blue and white in the summer time—it practically shouts summer to me. Even when shopping for clothes, I have to tell myself—no more blue and white today! LOL! I cannot wait to order the Santa and Bluebird mug and the kitchen dish——our checkbooks are going to be in so much trouble! ☺
I love the Santa cup; he looks so friendly. Your kitchen looks so clean, fresh and inviting. Happy May Day!
I’ll never by Pepperidge Farm again!
I’ll never buy Pepperidge Farm again!
I’ll never buy Pepperidge Farm again!
No no, it was really the ad agency I believe, I’m not sure how much PF even knew about what they had done. I really don’t know, but I would hate to deny anyone their PF stuff for no reason!
Hahaha!! Katherine…I said the same thing! No more of those delicious Mint Milanos in this house!
hmm I haven’t bought Pepperidge Farm goodies in ages, I usually bake our goodies and they seem to taste better than theirs do. but shame on them for doing that to you and good for you for winning. now I can walk by a Pepperidge Farms box at the store and say NYAH!!!!!! I can make it better than you can!!!!!
Well, you can! 👍 Homemade is always the best! Plus, you have the freshest eggs!
🙂 shhhh that’s the secret ingredient…. LOL!!!
First off, Sooooo very happy to see you on Instagram….I know Stella and Mia are happy as well, Meow, Meow!
Love what you’ve done to freshen up your kitchen. I’m way behind and need to get busy!
Love the Santa mug and the teapot plate…too cute! And, did you say, Kitty Bowls??? I know that Stella and Mia will have it on their wish list! <3
I was wondering if you ever found a spot for the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Mug that I gave to you at your book singing in Hudson, Ohio, last year? I still can't believe it's almost been a year! It truly was one of the best days of my life and such an honor to meet you…your work truly inspires me with my own artwork and with keeping my home.
I have SUCH a mug collection, and believe it or not, I change them out too, because I love them all, and want to see them and not hide them, and yours is right there, cuddling with all my other guys! Thank you Kim! Love hearing from you! xoxo
The plate is so cute! Can’t wait to see what else you design. I agree that white gives you a lot of options when decorating. In my old house I was always painting rooms a color. I had a green living room, terra cotta orange kitchen, and brown powder room. ( We had it all painted neutral to sell it🙄) Now I have antique white walls and white trim. No more color! At least not on the walls. I have a lot of blue in my house too. Different colors ‘trend’ from year to year, but blue is always nice. Love your quilts. I have a family heirloom from my husbands great grandmother. I sewed plastic rings to the back and hung it in my dining room. It is hand made. Makes the house so homey.🏡 It feels like summer here so I put my red geraniums in my pots and hung my flag buntings on the back deck. Ready for Memorial Day early.🇺🇸 Have a great summer 😎
Love to hear about your Domestic Bliss! Heavenly!
How about designing a coloring book for adults? Luv everything you create …
I’ve thought about it, but worry that the minute I do it, the fad will go away. There are already so many in the world!!! Thank you Diane, for the compliment! Maybe I could do a coloring book journal, where all the art would be line drawings people could color in, and then write in.
I love that idea, I journal just about everyday and I have for years!!!
It might be a fun thing!
Susan, I love the idea of a journal. It could be a colouring book journal or one with just some of your artwork. Those journals are so handy for so many things. I love the Santa mug…just gorgeous. Your Christmas artwork is so beautiful. A collection of your Christmas mugs would be very nice. I dream of having a collection of your Christmas dishes (candy dishes/serving trays etc), fall dishes, and spring dishes with hydrangeas on them. I also dream of having a mug/cup or container to keep in my creative space to put pens, pencils etc. in. Like your Disney water pot on your art table. You could put something inspirational on it for us. Oh my, so many ideas. So sorry to hear about the whole Pepperidge Farm ordeal. But you know, you did all the right things from the very beginning and it paid off for you. I guess we never go wrong by doing the right things.
Good ideas Rhonda!! Thank you! Love the pen and pencil cup!
I loved your post about the color blue!! It’s my favorite color. I have a lot of blue and white in my house that I find to be very soothing. So enjoy “blue”! Also I can’t wait for my new tea cup to come in the mail!! My daughter gave it to me for my April birthday!! Looking forward to my first cup of tea in my new cup!!
You will love it. I have to say, it does taste better! I can’t wait until everyone gets them!
Oh, I’ve unwittingly been doing the same thing. Great minds run together?!?!?!?
We had new carpeting put throughout our whole house. That meant clearing out all closets, nooks and crannies. Found some stuff I forgot I had and got rid of some things I’ll never use. (Having a friend that has a consignment/antique store is a real plus). Anyway nothing went back in the closet unless it is loved, will be used and is sentimental. Love making more room in my house and filling my blank (white) spaces very discerningly. Good for us!!!
Sometimes things, like getting new carpet, that shake it all up are the best gift ever! Yay!
Hi Susan, Thank you so much for your Beautiful Blog, I didnt get to read it till about 9:00 p.m., I have a table in my dining area that looks just like yours, I plan to clear it and take care of the top, Planning on using Murphy’s Oil, I am looking forward once again coming to Martha’s Vineyard in the summertime, I Love all your artwork I have many of your books, I bought my last book of yours right on Martha’s Vineyard, Have a wonderful Day today Im sure you will be reading this on May 1st, I just changed my Susan Branch calendar to May, I Love reading all the nice things you write and draw each month….Karen Seward
I use my kitchen table to roll out pie dough so I can’t use anything like Murphy’s on it . . . but as long as you’re not eating directly off it, then Murphy’s is great! Happy May Day Karen!
I too, like many others, are in love with your 2 new prototype mugs. Would you possibly make a fall mug, with leaves and maybe a squirrel or two? Thank you for doing all the special things you do!
I think a definite yes would be in order!
Autumn cup? Yes?!! Yay! Oak leaves and acorns and maple leaves and bowls of apples and beech leaves and turkeys and chestnut leaves and marigolds and pine cones and aspen leaves and a horn o’ plenty with dried gourds and hickory leaves and pumpkins and elm leaves and a V of geese and braids of onions and cat tails and sycamore leaves and ears of Indian corn and cranberries and sheaves of wheat and a jug of cider and stormy skies and hanging herbs and baskets of red apples and jars of preserves and hayrides and bonfires and did I mention leaves? Can you tell I’ve been looking thru your “Autumn” book again? Love to read it during the too hot summers to remimd myself that the temps WILL go down, eventually, and glorious Autumn WILL return
You have our number Christie! So funny, I’m excited about spring, loving every unfolding moment of it, nevertheless, my blood starts racing at your words and the thought of fall!
I do love spring, too, but when it’s 80oF on April 30 then 90 on May 1, my PNW sensibilities start getting dizzy ~ thus my flight of fancy into the land of falling leaves yesterday (I keep your “Autumn” book nearby all year long). So grateful for morning breezes and the shade of lovely leafy trees and little trips to your springtime garden and seashore walks and Carrie’s rambles with her Jack thru the green glories of Oxford.
Yes, I’m no good in the heat either. Joe installed window air conditioners here a few years back and they’re a life saver in the summer. When I moved here in ’82, no one had air conditioners, not even in our cars. My old Volvo has no air conditioning! Now we can’t live without it! xoxo
I’m with you on that Susan, I love the spring but I can’t wait for Fall, my favorite time of the year!! 🙂
Hahaha, we’re so bad! Our leaves aren’t even back ON the trees yet! Now we want them off. . . oh well. 😜 That’s why I love us!
Susan, I just saw your ‘autumn’ mug concept on twitter. It’s perfect, thank you, thank you!
Yay you like it, makes me happy!
Susan, could you please tell us what you have planned for the back of the bluebird mug?
I’ll put it up on the blog maybe tomorrow!
Loving the blue bird mug and Mr. Santa for sure. So sorry to hear about you problem with Pepperidge Farm. I remember getting the Pepperidge Farm cookbook as a gift from my mom right after I got married. I have to admit I was more entranced by the illustrations than the recipes. Could never get into cookbooks with just WORDS. Your cookbooks were delicious to look at as well as cook from….the best of both worlds!
And now so many have the luscious photos of the food! Love that too!
First of all… boooooooo to Pepperidge Farm! What a horrible thing to do to you! Just like Calvin Klein did to Kramer with his Ocean scent on “Seinfeld”!
And how very funny with you starting to like blue! The same thing is happening to me! I have never liked blue, always green and pink, now all of a sudden, I do! Especially cobalt, aqua and periwinkle!
I LOVE the bluebird mug design! And I still ADORE your windmill mug!
Love from Mary S. in Fresno, CA (where we have had almost double the normal amount of rainfall this year after a 4 year drought! Yay!)
Seinfeld! LOL!
I loved this post-full of domesticity! Love the changes in your kitchen. I, too, joined Instagram just about a month ago when someone told me you can get it on your computer! So you don’t just need a phone anymore. Next month (tomorrow=May, yippee!) I’m going to read your books through again for the second time. I was late to the party and only got them last spring, which was a perfect time to read them-spring and summer, since summer is so often mentioned in them. I grew up in a beachtown in the 70’s so could really relate to your stories of living by the ocean, listening to music while driving along, etc. Loved the books and love your domestic posts. Happy May Day!
Happy May Day back to you Joanna! I see Instagram on my computer, but so far, don’t see a way to post photos… Can you do that?
~SuSan~
Interesting story, and what is good that came from it “Master of White”
I too love blue & white, Blue & Yellow true love right there !!! I had to giggle when about you said “Amish Kitchen” for I live in an Amish town and they would think your kitchen is fancy ! I sure wish my downstairs staff would show up for work , hehehe ! I love your new rugs that your kitty picked out.
When I seen the Santa mug I was like Elf yelling Santa Santa! Will you been doing any other holidays? Halloween sure is very popular I can see that being a winner for your creative soul ! Remember me if you do a black cat mug (wink wink).
So glad to see May days are ahead for the love of Spring filling our hearts with beauty.
Have a wonderful week , and looking forward to your next posting!!
Your girlfriend from Indiana
Paula
LOL, Oh I know it’s not very Amish, but relative, to what it was, oh my, it’s practically a desert! Jack is such an excellent decorator! Love hearing from you Paula, sending love!
Thank you, Susan, for another beautiful, well thought out piece. It’s a lesson for living and learning, as well as not letting a horrible injustice stop you.
Hope this post doesn’t vanish. You are so loved and appreciated.
Debbie in Tampa
I think it’s not vanishing, but now we put it to the test . . . thank you Debbie!
Hi Susan,
Your posts always bring me such comfort and joy. I’m really glad that you have started posting on Instagram. It’s my favorite social media outlet. I was hoping to find you there. Your bone china designs are delightful! I hope to order a couple of the mugs soon to use for my afternoon tea.
I worry about the way art can be stolen so easily. I love to draw and paint and it has taken me a tremendous amount of time and effort to develop my skills. Your story about Pepperidge Farm was distressing to me. It’s s if they thought that they could take whatever they wanted without any thought of business ethics or moral principles.
Thank you for introducing me to “Perennials”. I am definitely one of them. Since I retired from teaching, I feel like I am still part of the education field. Now I can explore learning on my terms. It’s fun to explore my creativity and learn to produce art.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful glimpses into your days at home. It brings me great pleasure to follow your journey.
Love to have you here Janet. It’s the laws. They are written so that people can steal and get away with it, written for the corporations (hence the $10,000 limit for me, but note the amounts of money the lawyers got) and not for the little guys. Because there are lobbyists in Washington, and they are on the side of the big guys so the laws get written for them. Which is why (climbing on soap box) that I keep saying, money out of politics. It’s the secret to getting our government back, it would be nice if our representatives worked for US, we the people. ☺️ That was the Perennial in me talking! Nothing will change until enough of us want to do something about it. So it’s just a one day at a time thing. More and more of us are figuring out how our government really works!
Love your letters! I have been reading them on my phone and today realized how much I am missing not seeing everything big! Love your white with everything-I have been into green lately and can’t get enough of it.
Wish you would make a set of 4 mugs, one for each season that one could leave out for water or tea. Love anything “season”!
Thank you for writing us all! You really are amazing!!
My pleasure! Glad you are seeing it “Big” again!
Susan, thank you for this post. I have trouble reading since vision is a problem these last months but my constant companion, my giant magnifying glass, while tedious, brings the words and pictures to me. The Beatrix Potter quote is a treasure as i find myself in my familiar space the most comfortable for now! Shame on Pepperidge Farm. But yay for you and persevering and finding the glory inyour style! It’s what we love about you…your style and your ever-smiling attitude. A true gift you give to us with every post.
I’m so happy you have your magnifying glass and can read lovely quotes like the one from Beatrix Potter. 💞 Sending love to you Sarah!
Please, please do not abandon your wonderful blog for Instagram like so many bloggers have done. A picture and a quick sentence is not the same as a long, beautifully written blog. As for Spring cleaning, you have made me want to start, but I can’t, alas, until our bathroom is completely remodeled and the contractor, with all his dust goes home! But, it will get done. And I am thinking, “White!”
Well, so far, that is not my plan. They don’t seem at all alike to me. You have a new bathroom to do! FUN! Don’t forget the picture wall I wrote about sometime back. It makes bathrooms very popular rooms! xoxo
Dear Susan,
Can you hear the wild applause coming from my house in California? Can You? I just loved this post. Well, all but the first part. I surely did not love the first part about the thieves and the courts and the lawyers. I will never ever buy a Pepperidge Farm product again; it would leave such a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t care if it was 25 years ago and that those same people probably are not there anymore. I am just fuming. My stomach is churning. The ad agency may have been at fault too but I don’t see how that lets PF off the hook. I don’t particularly like their stuff anyway so not buying it will be no sacrifice, believe me!
Thank goodness all that good stuff followed; like the bluebird cup coming in August (how do I get on the list? Can I order now?) I have been coveting it ever since you first showed us. I love your refreshed kitchen! I love that you are loving the blue! I too have always been a pink person but have recently been thinking “blue”. Boy, wouldn’t I love to knock on your back door and be invited in to sit at your newly oiled table and share a cuppa with you and have a good old chin wag, but I’ve got to get my own spring cleaning done now.
Thanks for the great post.
We’re here, chin wagging to pieces, and that’s pretty amazing!!!! I’ll let you know when we do the presale for the bluebird cup, I’ll put it here on the blog. As soon as they are actually ordered! Want to make sure nothing goes awry! Happy spring cleaning Kathy, thank you!
Susan, I love everything about this post! So sorry the infringement happened to you! I can’t imagine how anyone could do this to someone else. All of your mugs are perfectly beautiful, but the bird is my favorite. I think it is the white space that makes the bird “stand out,” and it is so lovely in its simplicity. I would love that little bird greeting me every morning.
Your home is more darling than ever! I’ve been doing yard work and gardening, but now I’m inspired to “spiffy up” my home, too. One comment about your other dishes—love them! Hope you’ll design a simple tea pot trivet that will go with any tea pot. I have more than I need but only one trivet. Happy spring, Susan, and happy belated birthday!
Would the trivet be white china . . . is that what you’re thinking, with a bit of art on it?
Susan, that would be the perfect trivet. I love the pink rose on the mini May calendar, but anything you chose to paint would be pleasing and appealing. I do hope you will add the trivet to your collection of dishes!
I’ll try! I like the rose too!
Wonderful! Thank you! Fingers crossed; I can’t wait to see it and own it!
Kathy
I am baffled as to why my posts are not showing up. Neither Tom nor I can figure out why. I suggested that I’d been banned. He laughed and used the word paranoia. This is my 5th effort.
With a sad heart,
Just Debbie
Really? I’ve been approving comments with your name Debbie, so they are disappearing? That’s terrible. Let me know if you see this one. It’s so hard to explain this to my computer person. Because what we can’t see, we have a hard time fixing! Crazy!
..well…sorry to keep bothering you about this but I think the reason Debbie can’t find her first comment is because my name says that I wrote her comment..hope your computer guy can help you….
Aha! Of course, kookie thing!
That happened to me earlier today, when I was ready to post my comment, I noticed someone else’s name and email was where mine should have been. I deleted that and put mine in. I did see my post later on, but now it has disappeared. 😊
Hmmmmm. I know my computer guy has been working like crazy to fix this thing . . . it’s early this morning, and I’m not sure whether he did it last night (he’s a night owl) or not . . . so let me know how things are today if you can!
Yes, Carol, right now, Christie Levin’s name is in the box. Cue the Rod Serling music! But I’m sending it anyway, after changing the boxes. Testing, testing, testing.
Debbie in Tampa
Helpful, copied and pasted into email to computer guy . . .
Meditation on White Space ~ Bravo, Susan! This post resonates with me to the very center of my heart. I’m sorry that you had to deal with courts to defend your rights against a big company. That’s just not right on so many levels! I’m glad it ended well for you, but should have never happened, your work is after all copyrighted!
I admit that we live with lots of color. Our home is not one of the all white, neutral abodes, but white is a favorite color none the less ~ white shirts, white jeans, pearls, white dishes, white linens (especially with white monograms) white flowers, white cupboards and woodwork, white sheets and comforter, blank white paper on which to write or draw ~ yes, you have it right. White goes with everything, especially black and white or blue and white, and of course red, white, and blue.
Oh, and I think you will love living with blue in your home. If I could, I’d send you a big bouquet of Texas bluebonnets. Excited about your new ventures into ceramics.
Have fun tidying the nest and happy springtime!
Hugs from Austin ~ Sarah
I love your Texas bluebonnets, you are so lucky to have them! Do you give lots of credit to Lady Bird, or is that a myth and they were already there? I always think of her when I see the photos of the magical Texas wildflowers.
Yes, Lady Bird deserves the credit for the masses of bluebonnets and other colorful wildflowers that grow across our beautiful state. She was the force behind beautifying our roadways and in creating the hike and bike trail that goes along Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake at the time). Did you Joe get to walk the trail when you were here? I remember you wrote about dining at the Driskill Hotel and relating the story of Lyndon Johnson purposing to Lady Bird at the Driskill over dinner. Cute story and true! It was on their first date. ‘-)
That’s what I thought! To me that’s the perfect job for the First Lady. Making the world more beautiful. She did an amazing thing that will keep her memory alive forever! If I was First Lady, I would get all the phone wires buried in all the little towns! I really can’t take photos of our downtown because the wires are like spider legs floating over the town and all our 19th century building cuteness is overcome by them! It was so HOT the day we were near the LBJ Ranch, we could barely get out of the car, but we need to come back!
Wrote a long response, but poof it vanished!
Yes, Lady Bird deserves the credit for the masses of beautiful bluebonnets and other colorful wildflowers that grow along our roadways. She was the force behind the beautification of our roadways and also the beautiful hike and bike trail that goes all along Lady Bird Lake ( Town Lake at the time). Did you and Joe get to walk the trail when you were here? I remember you commented about dining at the Driskill Hotel and sharing the story that Lyndon Johnson purposed to Lady Bird over dinner at the Driskill. True story! It was their first date. ‘-)
Comment section still doing strange things other than disappearing after typing. The name and email section is already filled in with a different person’s info. Have to delete and then type. Also, you comment shows up below the name box rather than under my original comment. Just FYI.
I think I saw this and replied to it earlier . . . Thrilled to see at least it didn’t vanish! xoxo
Oh, I hope you will come back to Texas. Come earlier in the spring. It is absolutely perfection here now with alfresco dining on the terrace and things in bloom. The summer heat will arrive, but hopefully not for another month. It can take longer. I’d be happy with that! 😉
So glad you joined Instragram. I’m not on twitter, so love seeing your posts. I’m sjpa48 on IG. Stop by to see some alfresco dining. Perhaps it will entice you to return to Austin. I’ll take you on a walk around Lady Bird Lake. We have baby swans this year! I shared on my FB page.
I followed you on IG, but not sure it’s right because this account has no photos or posts . . . hope I went to the right place. Yes, let’s take a walk!
Yes, oh yes, about the white space, dear Susan! I feel the same way about white space, and maybe that’s one of the things that has attracted me to you and your style. White space is also in your writing and your ideas–you give me room to think and dream around the words and pictures you write and draw–around the thoughts you convey, and the facets of your life that you’ve shared.
I need the quiet and serenity of white space, and seek it wherever I can find it. I’ve loved all the beauty and love you so freely share through your blog, your books, your book tours, and your life.
I’m sorry Pepperidge Farm’s ad agency was so lacking in integrity, and caused you such great expense and heartache. But I’m grateful that the beauty of your white space shone brightly out of the darkness of that experience and that you took time to share this experience with us! Just what I needed!
Lots of love – hearts, flowers, wooden spoons, and white space–to you,
Cynthy B
Very sweet Cynthy, thank you so much. xoxo
Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing your story. I cannot imagine how horrible it must have been to be courted by such a huge company and get your hopes up only to have them go behind your back and steal YOUR artwork. How utterly abominable. It’s one thing to be rejected, but that level of corruption and deception takes it to a whole new level. It is admirable that you fought the good fight and won! My favorite thing about the story is that you chose to take the positive away from the experience (an art expert defining your style by pointing out your masterful technique of “white space”)! I knew there was a reason I didn’t like Pepperidge Farm cookies! Your house looks gorgeous and so inviting- very storybook cottage. Perfect for the “Fairytale Girl”! My husband and I just bought a new home- one of those brand new mass produced garden homes with no yard that secretly makes me gag. Options are limited in Alabama if you want to be near the city! It’s been so difficult making this place feel like home and figuring out what my style really is. Quality furniture is so expensive and antiques intimidate me, but I am learning…slowly. Thank you for all the inspiration!
Amanda
We have a house in California that we now use as our Studio and almost everything in it came from yard sales. It’s so much less expensive than all the new things, plus it gives character. I like my rooms to be perfect back drops to flowers. My living room actually looks rather empty unless I attend to the pillows and put out flowers. You’ll do it. It’s really about you, what you love, and your comforts of home. xoxo Good luck with it.
Thank you so much, Susan! Yard sales will be a fun adventure. It’s all about the journey rather than instant gratification anyway. Sending love your way!
-Amanda
Oh yes, the hunter-gatherer syndrome can be addictive ~ it’s so fun! It’s recycling at its very best!
I think with all the collections you have (and use for inspiration as I used to for my photos) it is easy to get a bit cluttered and finding and making white space may well help you clear the muddle. Sometimes all the collections get too much. Did for me and when I moved last year I actually gave all my Beatrix Potter figurines to my daughter (they are worth hundreds as I have some of the gold stamped early pieces) and then sent you (via the group in CA) a lot of the BP misc I had. Now that I am in the new home in the retirement community I have lots of white space and it is so refreshing. I am a photographer and used to have the wall behind my sofa full of my photos. No more. only a few pieces that were my parents are there now and it looks so much more sophisticated. So rotate the collections, keep weeding them, use some for inspiration and then enjoy the white space.
Good advice! Although I only have a few BP figurines, ones I’ve had all my life, and I think they will be very last to go!
I find myself drawn more and more to the color blue lately too. Love your kitchen. I live in a house that is over 100 years old. I feel the older homes have so much more character. My Lilly of the Valley aren’t blooming yet. I look forward to them every year. Happy May Day, remember to hang a basket of flowers on a neighbors door.
liz in Illinois
Happy May Day!
Love all the white space! It does a soul good to do this, rearrange and get rid of the clutter. I need to do the very same!
I am going to be sad to see you new and wonderful mugs be retired so soon! I do not have the extra funds to purchase one, but maybe in time I will own at least one!
I’m sad about it too. We ordered what had been sold in the presale and tacked on another bunch “to last us until Christmas” ~ honestly, we are surprised they are almost gone. And yet, they are so expensive for us to purchase, it’s hard to take the chance of not selling them. We’re pretty small and always trying to keep the balance. The presale is a huge help for us, we know what to order, but maybe the “tacking on” needs to be upped! Now, next time we’ll order too many!
Wonderful post, wonderful pics – as always, you inspire and delight the artist and lover of life in all of us. Thank you for that!
My vote for future mugs is this (while I patiently wait shipment of mine):
may we have holiday mugs (Santa/Christmas is already on its way) – Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year/New Start, Irish/St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day/Fourth of July? And if we cannot have all those, may we have Autumn, Winter, and Summer mugs? I count one of your original three as Spring.
Keep on creating – the world needs all the beauty and whimsy and mastery of white space it can get.
xoxo
CA Desert Girl
Yes, I couldn’t agree more! It’s my calling! Thank you Nancy, all good ideas . . . 💝
Dearest Susan,
I love it when I find you’ve posted on your blog…just makes my day….Thank you bunches.
The comment about clocks ticking, the sound of candles flickering, cats purring, fire crackling…..is what I’ve always called house music. Just love it ! I need to get busy…on my way to bed….Have a glorious day !! Love to you all, Barbara
House music. Perfect. The loose shutter than bangs during a storm. The soft hum of the furnace. Blessings all. xoxo
…A wooden screen door slamming on the screened in porch. The sound of a wooden spoon stirring batter in a favorite old bowl….
Wind blowing through cherry trees, across the water . . .💞
the sound of the wind whispering through the pine trees, the chickens cackling and the roosters crowing, the ducks quacking and the sound of the squirrels eating their acorns. the tapping of the woodpecker, the swish of the fans on a hot summer’s day, the little birds chattering back and forth between themselves and the wonderful sound of tree frogs before a rain at night.
Luv-lee sounds all . . . church bells on Sundays . . .
the lazy buzz of bumblebees flying above the flowers or clover.
I’m just heartbroken that your art was so blatantly stolen. I’m sure this kind of thing happens everyday, but it’s still shocking to me that some people have the capacity to do something so obviously wrong to a fellow human being. Do they not have consciences? Never heard of “do unto others”? Thank goodness you won your case, and thank you for continuing to be so positive in spite of that experience!
I know. They have a choice, and they choose crazy. It’s rare though, at least for me, it helps that I forget they are out there doing this while I am in my own little world making things. Plus, I have you. Behind me, cheering me on, it means the world. xoxo
When I scrolled down here to comment it had filled out that I was Barbara Case etc………….very interesting. So I erased that and we will see what happens
Stick to white with your blue rugs and don’t go for anything off white as it will not look right-
Your Santa is marvelous and love the “by gosh by golly” part!!
My son was an artist also and he would see HIS paintings on the internet with other people’s names as the artist and it just really frustrated him even though he had copyrighted his artwork ……..but poor artist that he was he couldn’t fight it. So sorry you had that done to you
Linda from Idaho where it has been a very cool Spring but trees finally blooming and leafing out.
Yes, we are not very well protected I’m afraid. I worked with an artist years back, who came to me from a corporate setting where they pumped out cookbooks and calendars. She had been the head of their art department when they began what became a multi gazillion dollar business. It had all gone bad for her with them, she was actually a sister-in-law of one of the owners and so it was a family thing, and when she came to me she told me she’d been handed my books by the owners of this company and told “this is what we want our brand to look like.” I’ve known that all these years. My artist friend passed away from breast cancer very soon after that, it was all very sad. It gets my goat a little, looking at the way people can be, but then onward and upward. I’m sorry your son was used so badly. But I have to say, I saw those who copied Beatrix Potter, so it’s been going on forever. A good part of everything I do is pure luck, I know it, and I’m grateful to have slithered under the fence when I did. xoxo
Bet you I can guess who that company was……….Gooseberry Patch. The first time a young acquaintance showed me their cookbook I thought I recognized the format—the handwriting , the artwork, the themes, the whole works. They didn’t just copy your artwork they copied your whole concept from the style to the content! Why have I never put that together before!!! Oh……shame on them and especially the way they treated their own relative.
I am sitting here with one of their cookbooks in front of me and if their logo was missing and someone asked me to identify who made this book I would have said “Susan Branch, of course!” This is even worse than your story on the ad agency although that was horrific enough. IF they make a movie about you I hope both these stories get included. Mercy me, they may get away with this in this lifetime, but the next one is eternity—good luck to them there.
Yeah, pretty bad, finally when they did their first calendar I wrote to them and asked them to watch out how close they were getting to my art, and as I remember it, they sort of backed away from what they were doing … I think they’ve got their own style now, and they are HUGE, and I don’t even think they’re owned by the original people anymore, so live and let live. 🎶”She’s got everything she needs, she’s an artist, she don’t look back . . .”🎵 In a long career, which I have been so blessed to have, things happen. Sounds like MANY more than there actually were, just a few times for me, and I consider myself lucky. Plus I don’t know anyone who has the luv-lee Girlfriends I’ve made over the years! 💞
There is alot of comfort in being able to look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and be happy with who you are. Happiness comes in many forms and the best form is in knowing you have tried to be as fair as possible in your dealings with people. So you have managed to “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!!””” And yes, you do have US girlfriends at your side and covering your back!! PS> I googled Gooseberry Patch and they still are copying you.
LOL, I kind of know that! But it’s way beyond what I would even want to fool with at this point! Unless of course it gets worse! Thank you Linda, too sweet of you, and all the girlfriends! I love our world. xoxo
I really applaud you on winning your lawsuit, way back when. Today is a minefield and the Chinese are the worst. An artist friend of mine caught them manufacturing ribbons using her art, but when she tried to get them, they just close up shop and start another one. Its insanity! I can’t tell you the number of times I have found my art being used by others and they also think that so long as they tell you they are doing it, its okay. Had a person email me a few weeks back saying they were going to use my work to make cards for the the place that they worked. ITS NOT OKAY people. NOT okay. I sound like an old grump, but I promise you I am not. White space. You have inspired me with all of your white spaces. I think blue with white polka dot chair covers would be gorgeous in your kitchen. Your teacups are just darling. I wish they were being sold over here. I would buy lots! Happy May! xoxo
PS – I am Cuckoo for Polka Dots, hence the chair pad idea.
No, you are not an old grump. Especially when it’s the way you make your living. It’s a wild world out there these days. I love the polka dot idea Marie, me too, I’m crazy about them!
I live next to Pepperidge Farm corporate headquarters in Connecticut. From now on this Perennial will emit a satisfying “hmph!” with each drive-by!
If only you knew how many of us are inspired to do the things you write about – from snips of outdoors in tiny vases to liquid starch and now to oiling the wood. Thank you for being you. Such a treasure!
Thank you back Mary Anne, it would be no fun without all my wonderful girlfriends! xoxo
I love seasonal clean outs….makes all look clean and new! Changing the front door wreath and pulling out old dead flowers and vines and starting fresh. Your photos look so uncluttered and peaceful.
I am Linda Metcalf but “Helen Boehnke ” is showing up when I post….not sure how to get this fixed?
I copied and sent your comment to my computer person Linda, I don’t know why this is happening. He thought he fixed it yesterday, but apparently not! We’ll stay on it. Thank you for letting me know!
..different names and other e mail addresses keep appearing at the bottom of my screen as well…never had this happen before yesterday and this morning…
Well, I appreciate your details, it helps when trying to tell my computer guy what people are experiencing! Thank you Mary!
Feels that way too, (I know you’re Linda, I read your other comment) . . . thank you, happy May Day!
How lovely to find this new blog post from you this morning! I am so grateful for you! I am just dying to get my hands on the In Love With Nature mug I ordered! Can’t wait for the new dishes and mugs! I must have the bluebird one! I have been spring cleaning too. Makes me feel happy! I sure have a long way to go. All good things to you!
You are going to LOVE it Peggy. It’s one I gave to my Birthday Girlfriend, but I had it here for a while, and it’s adorable. I can’t wait for them to come in! There’s just nothing disappointing about them at all! A solid hit out of the park, quality-wise! Yay for us! We deserve it! All best to you too! xoxo
Definitely white chair pads! If the chairs were mine in that shiny, bright kitchen I would consider white muslin….
Also love white space in all things,
Lorie Hartsig
Love the input! xoxo
Good morning Susan,
As always-loved your post. Its so good to go through all of your goodies and wash, rearrange and most of all…get rid of clutter! Don’t you feel so much more organized and productive? Ive been in spring cleaning mode myself and have taken on a new task daily as I go in and out of the house all day feeding birds and squirrels, looking at what has popped up in my perennial beds, planting my garden beds and greenhouse, smiling as each day gets greener and greener by the minute and taking lots of deep breaths of the fresh spring air, love it! Proud of you for sticking up for yourself and fighting the fight. Ive been through it and its no fun and honestly will never put myself through that again. Years of ups and downs just to find out nobody really cares but you, everybody else just waiting for their check, not my cup of tea, but good for us for not allowing anybody to take advantage of us and saying no. Plus, I believe in karma 🙂 Have a luv-lee day and I can’t wait to see what new designs you’ve come up with. I know I will want them all!
Thank you Rhea! Off we go to the task of the day!
Rabbit rabbit and happy May Day! Love the blue … but whatever color you choose it always looks great. Maybe it is the white mixed in? I think the bluebird cup is adorable. Santa too. So glad you joined us on Instagram! <3
Thank you, Love being there! Happy May Day Lori!
Hi Susan – I am stunned beyond belief at the treachery of Pepperidge Farm, but I think that the Met’s art expert, who ironically was a woman, was PF’s secret weapon who turned the tables towards justice. Shame on this company that so many revere!! The lesson from your story: The truth will set you free!
I know, I remember stirring in my seat that she was a woman!!! It was such a male-powered room we were all in. And one did not dare to get uppity with them, though one already had propensity, but was already good at being female impersonator when necessary! It was more the ad agency than Pepperidge Farm, I’m very sure, it was the ad agency that hired the other artist!
#RabbitRabbit Sweet~Sue I Am Sipping a Cuppa Blue~Berry Tea (Yummy) 😉 & Reading Your #BlueBlog #Simply~Delightful! Herbster And Me #WE Are #BlueFolks Our Kitchen~Counter~Tops Are #Blue 🙂 Two Walls in Our~Livingroom Are #Blue & I Even Have My Tiny~Studio Painted This Magical Light~Blue & Very #Beachy I Even Call It #TheAnnaMariaRoom (Our Most Favorite Beach On The West~Coast Of Florida) #AnnaMariaIsland 🙂 When You Walk Into It You Actually #Sigh How #Peaceful It Is….. Once We Even Had Fishies In a Fish~Tank That Were #BLUE #Really 🙂 & We Both Wear #BlueTopaz Rings I Know I’m #BabblingBLUE 😉 Anyway All #YourNews Is Wonderful & That #PepperidgeFarm Story OMG…..#MindBoggling I’ll Never Think Of Them The Same….SHAME on Them! Well Today We Begin The #Merry #Lusty #MonthOfMay Yay! on Saturday I Put Your Birthday~Card Back~In~The~Mail 😉 so #LookForIt #KittyKisses & Lots Of #Hugzzzz & Always #LOVE xoxo #Poof! 🙂
Happy Day AngieTink! No blues for you today! xoxoxo
#YouFoundMe 😉 #NoBluesForMe 🙂 #Exactly 😉 Yay! & Always a #Poof 🙂 #SweetestSue 🙂
#LoveYou
Coziest, most nostalgic home ever! I just washed & ironed my embroidered towels over the weekend and loved ironing them! Jack is the cutest kitty. The quilt collection you have is beautiful. Thanks once again for sharing the beautiful pictures and inviting us into your home! Spring is domestic bliss!
Yes it is!!! 😽
I saw that you are on Instagram now and posted a picture on your page of the tablecloth quilt I made from your tea time fabrics. I hope you see it. Everyone who sits at our table likes to examine and read the fabric! Also, Instagram is a quick and easy way for all of us to show you our world, which excites me. I have often thought I would like to show you one thing or another here. I don’t know how you keep up with everything you do already, but it would sure be fun to give you a glimpse of our farm. 😘
Aha! It has appeared again! I should have said I tagged you on a photo of the quilt.😉
I’m too new at Instagram, what is “tagged” and where do I find it?! 😘
“Tagged” is when someone posts something and if they want a particular person to see it. For instance- @susanbranchauthor, then you should have a little dot above the ❤️At the bottom of your page. Click on that and you will see everything you’ve been tagged on.
Ohhhhhh. 👏
I tagged you in a photo on Instagram of the quilt 😉
Okay, now you have to tell me how to find it, please!
I can’t seem to figure out where that quilt is! I didn’t even know people could post pictures on my page, so wherever that is, you have to tell me!
I just saw your replies! I said the wrong thing, I can’t post on your page. I think I put @ susanbranchauthor so if you click on your ❤️Option at the bottom of your page it will show you who has liked your posts and such. Also, I #susanbranchfabric if you search for that you should be able to find it. Hope you do!❤️👍
Mine is the pinwheel one. I am Gramdeiber on Instagram. Now I can’t remember if it’s a capital G or small! 😂😂so, try it either way if you would like to follow me on Instagram. Then you can see my photos. Also check out #quiltpalace. My daughter started that when she wanted to record our fun when she visited. There are a few knitted things pictured there that I don’t know who they belong to. See you on Instagram!
Small g
I found you!
I think I’m seeing everything now . . . . I hope!
I noted your emergence on Instagram… that’s how I found the blog had been updated (I generally check daily). The same sort of thing happened to my mom (writer) as happened to you. 2 (semi-major) publications printed a story of hers without permission. It was earlier in her writing career and she couldn’t get very far with them. She did have an attorney working on it but apparently one of the big guys….can’t remember if it was S & S or McGraw… jumped into the battle because they owned some sort of rights to it and once they jumped in, the ‘semi-majors’ were overpowered. Mom got nothing out of it other than the satisfaction of them losing her work, the big guys got it all.
We just watched a movie called “Joy” with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Deniro, et al… about the woman that invented that string mop that could squeeze the water out without having to touch it.. and how many people tried to rip her off in the beginning of her journey. I didn’t think I would like it but it was quite good. You would relate. If you haven’t seen it, I believe you would enjoy it.
Happy Blue!
Rotten to the core! I did see that movie too! Happy Blue back to you Laura!
I am a new perennial admirer of anything associated with Susan Branch. Thank you for your inspiring messages and fabulous pictures of your designs. Thank you for sharing so much with your readers. I will be eagerly waiting for your next email.
Nice to meet you Sally!
Welcome to the world of blue. I was born in it and have remained in my blue world for eons.oh, there may be sudden streaks of red, yellow, green depending on mood and season but blue is my anchor.
Enjoy it for awhile.
I will. I’m a kitty. I don’t stay in one place! xoxo
Susan – This is a P.S. to an earlier blog I sent this morning. I told a close friend who worked for 30 years in the NYC corporate world about your unethical experiences, and Jim said, “The best ideas of my career were stolen outright by the television minister Rev. Robert Schuller, The Hour of Power television program.” I guess deception knows no boundaries.
You really expect people who tout love for God and the Bible to be better. I’ve had that same experience with a supposedly Christian author. Terrible. Like my Mom says, “You know the difference between right and wrong.” xoxo
Hi Susan! How awful to have to go through that whole court thing. I’m glad that it worked out for you. Rabbit Rabbit! – Happy May Day! I’m wondering why it’s not a bank holiday here like in the U.K. And I’m wondering why we don’t have afternoon tea has a tradition here. I love all the blue touches in your kitchen! We used to have a kitchen with lots of blue and then when we redid our kitchen our new stove came with big red knobs! White opens up everything and it’s fun to add different colors as the seasons change. I love decorating for each season. It wasn’t something that my mom or my grandma did but I think I picked it up from other family members and from books and magazines. I make little banners for my kitchen window and I have different runners and placemats for the dining room table and we have a place for two wreaths in our sunroom and right now I have square-shaped boxwood wreaths and a beautiful robin’s egg blue floral tablecloth on the table. The flowers are blooming outside and my husband has been planting a lot and getting our garden ready for heirloom tomatoes and herbs! The orioles are back and the rose-breasted grosbeak isn’t far behind. Have a lovely day and be well and be happy! Love, Karen 🙂
I feel it is *okay* to steal from other cultures and celebrate the way they do! If we want! Who says we can’t! 👍 Your decorating sounds beautiful!!! Thank you Karen!
The Queen of Spoons & White Space: love the new Blue You, the lambie figure with the blue floral wreath collar, the blue rugs, etc. and the fact you won the lawsuit. Vindication! Plus, Instagram FYI: 1. my daughter–who knows these things–says ‘no, there’s no 1 photo-a-day limit on posting, I’ve never seen that anywhere’, so no apologies necessary there; 2. Yes you can use it on your computer, not just your phone (for us semi-Luddites), I’m using it with success (and downloadable app) & can upload photos with a program called Gramblr. For those of us who take pics with a camera instead of a phone, it’s wonderful. Insta-On, Susan! Am loving your pics & comments!
Must get that app! I managed to upload a video onto Instagram this morning, my first. No biggie, went just like a photo, but I THOUGHT it was going to be hard! xoxo
I am a perennial!!! I looove that! 🙂 The Lollipops are perennials for sure – all ages!
I hope I’m not too late to order the mugs – I had to save my pennies! xoxoxo
Hugs,
Lisa
Today’s the day Lisa, you’re right on time!!!
Grrr! That’s my reaction to your court situation. I guess “Pepperidge Farm didn’t Remember” after all.” YOU should have been awarded the $250,000! Alas, there is always something to be learned from our life’s situations! And, in the words of one of my favorite bloggers, “I’m so Happy New Things Keep Happening!” (This should be framed with your charming borders and sold on your site – along with many of your other 🌿Branchisms.🌿
Loved your blog, always do (except for the political one!). With your permission, I will share this one to brighten some dear friend’s day. BTW, You and I have travelled this Earth the same number of years! Hasn’t it flown by? Many more blessed days to come, Susan! Thank you for your many gifts.
Susan
Same to you Susan, many more blessed days. And of course, please share, and thank you for the kind words!
Oh Susan, I was so enjoying reading your latest blog post until I came to the piece about the mugs. They are almost all gone and those designs will be retired!! I could have wept 😥 Your fans on this side of the pond never stood chance 😩 How unfair is it that your beautiful designs are being made almost down the road and we can’t buy them over here. I really hope that Jon is a miracle worker because I am counting on him to find a suitable outlet for your creations in the UK. Surely, nothing is impossible.
With lots of love and hope,
Ann in Chester xxxx
Oh Ann, so unfair. You can get them from the website, there’s just a wall of postage involved. I copied and pasted your comment into a letter to the manufacturer to see if maybe they have some ideas for distribution inside the UK! So thank you for your eloquent words, I’m sure all hearts will be touched by it!!! xoxo Every comment or request I get from a Brit is going to them, I intend to be squeaky wheel extraordinaire!
Unfortunately, both the exchange rate plus the postage puts me out of the picture for the mugs too even if there were hundreds left…….I just enjoy seeing the photos on your blog and I imagine afternoon tea 😀
Yay for the colour blue. It’s been my favourite colour since early childhood but over the last ten years or more, white has definitely taken over
We’re working on getting them in England, Chris…sorry!
What a wonderful post. I just disappeared into it. And the new plate…love! And the Christmas mug…I have a difficult time holding big mugs with liquid in them, they are just too heavy for me so I would very much enjoy a size perhaps between your current mug size and a teacup. Right in there would be perfect. Exciting!
Mistress of white space. Wow, is that why I love space so much….to set off all around it? What a marvelous peek into our brains. Thank you for your post.
I promise you, in addition to being strong and almost unbreakable, and holding the heat, and dishwasher and microwave save, these cups are also light as a feather! Truly! But I’m designing smaller ones for fall anyway, so don’t worry!
Your writing is always inspirational, but this post was just what I needed today. Reading to the near the end, I find we really are kindred spirits. I’ve always said if I were a flower in the garden I would be a perennial. I see now there are other like-minded folks. Thanks again. I’m almost 70 and I’m a Perennial.
It’s the perfect description, a club we can all aspire to! xoxo
I’m all for “white space”. I love to color but hate those new coloring books for adults – they’re too busy and intricate. Give me a kid’s coloring book any day!
Me too!!!! Amazed to hear you say that! I feel the exact same way, I look at the pictures and think, “where do people find the time?” I want a house, two windows and a door, a chimney, a tree, a cloud and a bird!!!! 😃
Your recent post so reminded me of June Hymn, a song by The Decemberists. Listen to it, or just read the lyrics, you will see what I mean-and you will truly be a perennial by listening to current music. (follow carsonellis on instagram-the lead singers wife-amazing artist…)
Listening to it right now, perfect for spring! Thank you Donna. 💞
Dear Susan, This was so wonderful especially the part about the “white” space and sounds! I feel we are kindred spirits. Thank you. Blessings, Julia in Cincinnati
Happy MayDay, Susan!! You know your experience and discussion of white space o this post drew me in like a moth to a lamp. It is such a simple concept but one that I think will help me too. Since I love colors and patterns, I tend to have too many things that the eye has to digest to make sense. As a result, I am never very pleased with my decorating efforts. Now, I think I might have an answer: white space. So, thank-you for sharing this important insight!!
The Island looks so gorgeous in it’s spring wardrobe! Inside and outside, your home there is such an oasis of cozy, welcoming, and beauty. I ALWAYS love shots of how you do things inside and outside. Now in my mid 60s, I realize that artists, like yourself, have that eye and perspective that can make beauty out of simple combinations. Then when you share with all of us GF, we get the truth nuggets of success and can apply them to our own spaces. Voila! World made prettier for everyone!!
You have a great week!
Yes, another instance of more being too much! Couldn’t love reading your sweet words more . . . everyone likes to think they help a bit! You do too, always love hearing from you Winnie!
You probably won’t want to hear this, but color perception changes as we age. Especially the color blue. I myself have never been that fond of blue, but of late find myself attracted to it more and more. Although I do not consciously notice, blues are softer (faded) and not as bright. Who doesn’t like a good pair of faded blue jeans?
I think everything changes as we age, and so many of those things seem to be for the better! So I don’t mind hearing it at all! 👍😘
What a wonderful, beautiful post… even if it did begin with a scary story of those big NY companies who wanted to snatch the light away from a most amazing artist by having her things copied. UGH!! You are right about some peoples’ children!! I love happy endings, and yours fits the bill for that. 😀 “Master of White Space” is a wonderful title. You have surely displayed that in your artwork through the years and now most recently in your home decor. I have a real penchant for the combo of buttery yellow and clear blue. Even my art studio walls are covered in a beautiful buttery yellow color (I wanted it to simulate sunlight, since my studio doesn’t have enough natural light… but we must make do with what we have) called Provence Cream. So your tea towel combo hanging from your lovely white stove and your stack of doilies made my heart smile. 🙂 I love the name “Perennial” …have always loved them as flowers because they give so much and require so little… and as a 53 y-o who can still out-technology my own children, I am thankful to be part of that group! When I started in the design world, every bit was done by hand… even typesetting or rub-on letters. Now, I can do nearly anything design-wise on my computer… just amazing!! But, I am thankful that I also have the privilege of playing in the paints and colors with my two hands! 😉 Thanks so much for this wonderful space on the internet (maybe you should call it “Heart of the Internet”) here, where we can slow down for a minute, have tea or coffee and conversation, and remember what it’s like to stop and focus on the lovely things in life! There is much too much focus in other places on the dark and mean side, so this lovely spot truly feels like an oasis in the desert. xxoo
Love to have you here Christi! Yes, me too, I used to send my Willard out snail mail, all through the 90s, and just when the cost of it was getting totally prohibitive (and therefore, scary), voila, email! I loved snail mail, and wish those days weren’t behind us, but I’m thrilled I can still send letters to everyone! Gotta keep up. I do lament sometimes and say, “Why do I have to keep LEARNING new things every SINGLE day? I’m SICK of it, I want everything to STOP and stay still for five years until I catch up!!!!” But then, I go learn something new and get over myself. xoxo
I loved this post! Super excited to see the Bluebird mug – that’s the one I will be ordering, once it is available. The rest are lovely, but I adore birds!! I can’t wait to see the kitty things, as well. And anything “tea” is always good.
Thanks for sharing!
Good to know Connie, thank you! Maybe I will do a bird cup a year!
good morning Susan, Girlfriends. Susan you sound busy with spring cleaning, my kitchen now has it’s spring/summer design on and the winter things are put away for now. all yellows, blues and violets. my front garden has violets, crocus and hyacinths in full bloom, the tulips are all up and my shy little violets are all over the yard. the chickens are happy campers for now, they had a big snack this morning of leftover salad fixings, leftover tater tots, some stale biscuits and lots of noodles ( their favorite treat of all). so I can say they are definitely happy for now. unfortunately Reuben, our rooster, has been picking on Dotty again and Dongo, her mate, does not like that so the ducks have been busy chasing Reuben around the pen and going after his tail feathers again, I figure by summer he will be a bare-butt rooster again…LOL!!! 🙂 he never learns to stop bother Dotty, oh well not much I can do about it. looks like big doings around town for the next week or so, a circus is coming to town, and this weekend is a pet parade for kids, and a special dedication at our local museum designating it an historical landmark. we also have a garden faire coming up in Galice along the river and it’s a good place to go get fresh houseplants and seedlings for your garden. we also have open house at the cat park, all types of big cats there and during the summer you can actually go swimming with them. anyone care to go swimming with a panther or a tiger???? well I have 2 big loads of laundry to get done and out on the line to dry, yes I can use my clothesline again and I plan to make the most of it. saves me money instead using the dryer. you all have a wonderful May day today, hope someone left you a may basket on your door. can’t wait to see the designs for the Fall cup, have a great day. love much, laugh often and live well everyone…… hugs……. 🙂
Someday Dotty will write a book about Rueben and then he’ll be sorry! Course it will be hard to read, all that chicken scratch! xoxo Happy day Pat!
we could always call them duck scribbles!!! LOL I wish you could see how silly it is to look out the window and see this big rooster being chased by 7 ducks hell bent on getting his tail feathers…. LOL!!!!!!! 🙂
Hi Susan,
Happy May Day and please accept the virtual May basket filled with with blue and white violets that I just sent you. I just love your new blog, Spring cleaning is such a wonderful project and the result makes the indoors as crisp and fresh as outdoors. I love the blue and white combination, just a suggestion, but maybe a crisp white with a thin blue stripe would make nice chair pads. Your kitchen looks so much like Spring I can almost feel the sea breeze that probably is coming the window. Happy May.
Lillian O.
Basket accepted, loved and appreciated. Thank you Lillian!
Love you – bought my first SB book in Chagrin Falls Ohio in 1987 when I was there for a wedding and just loved it. I fell like I’m an old friend of yours! Thanks for it all!
:):):)
You are! 1987 is a long time ago!
I am SO excited to see you on Instagram — because that’s my preferred social media other than blogs. 🙂 YAY!!! Please keep posting on Instagram!!!
Can’t get over the art story! I can’t believe they copied your art!!!! Wow. Loved hearing the details of it, but just wish it hadn’t happened to you.
Like any experience, going through it and coming out the other side intact, saying a big whew, thank you for letting me dodge that bullet, then as time goes by, it gets better and better. 😃 Loving Instagram so far. Took a “chance” and put up first video today, didn’t know how, but was easiest thing in the world, just like a photo. ✅ video. Yay!
Kind of ironic. I was alway taught that “white space sells”. And for a large
ad agency not to see or know that, well let’s just say hmmmmm.
Congratulations on becoming the Master.
LOL. Yes. My father, the true Master, used to call me “grasshopper” — from that old Kung Fu TV show.
Happy to see you are on Instagram. I tagged you in a photo of the tablecloth quilt I made with your Tea Time fabrics. Everyone that sits at our table enjoys reading your fabric.
Also Instagram is a great way for girlfriends to show you our individual worlds. I have often thought – I wish I could show this to Susan. As if you don’t have enough to do!
I love it already Carol …. still a little way to go before I’m really good at it, but I get what you are saying. Love looking at the photos as they come in!
You persisted! That’s why you won. So glad you did. I cannot wait, as everyone else, to get my mug. The new ones look wonderful too. I always enjoy your cozy home pictures. So many of us girls love our cozy homes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the respite you give us from these crazy, news filled times. Love you
Just this minute, I received the Fed-ex announcements, the cups are shipping TODAY, and supposed to get to our studio, TOMMORROW! They will go right out, so, if all goes as planned, and the US mail is good to us, everyone should have them in time for Mother’s Day! I am SO excited. I know you’re going to love them! Thank you Peggy!