When we came upon this sweet little cottage, a year ago....
we had no idea what was in store for us.
There was no sign on the door that gave a warning:
This Cottage might inspire great quantities of stories and tall tales...
It might cause excessive twirling in aprons...
You will feel the need to bake, no matter how much weight you gain...
You will be overcome with a peace like nothing you can explain to the outside world...
Your teacup will be full to overflowing...
No, nothing of the sort was posted on that sweet front door with the twisty doorbell....
And when we moved into this sweet little cottage and graced the tiny front porch with a bouquet of my precious hydrangeas, from bushes I had planted, transplanted, tended, and loved and was now leaving in the care of another woman....
we couldn't have possibly imagined how incredibly wonderful this year would be....just like a fairytale in a storybook.
My favorite Beatrix Potter story is the one of The Tailor of Gloucester...
Inside my little copy is a label from the stationer in England....
I was finding similarities every where I looked...
Just like the lady mouse pictured here....
upon the worsted chenille.... I was finding myself amongst some chenille...
Sophia's pink blankie, in need of repair...
My new little creamer was just like the one in the illustration...
The little lady mouse was found by the tea cups just like mine...
Eliza moved in with us...sharing the shelf on the old, old, cupboard with an assortment of pretty dishes and linen napkins and old silverware....
Each time Xavier, our grandson, came to visit...it was Eliza he ran to play with...
She was so real to him, that she became just as "real" to us...and my dear husband (who truly believes I can do anything I set my mind to) kept encouraging me to write down the stories...Eliza's Tales...
Finally...with a big pad of watercolor paper and a pencil, I began... I wrote and wrote and wrote...until the entire story, from start to present, was on paper....along with tiny sketches...
Husband thought the story was wonderful, but in the back of his mind, he wasn't sure my illustrations would be able to match the charm of the tale.
I called my mother and told her I had written a little book and I wanted to do the illustrations. She, the former art teacher, encouraged me to try my hand at watercolors. She brought paper, tubes of paint, children's watercolor sets, drawing pencils, sharpeners, rags, cups....let's just say...a huge box of watercolor painting 101.
I would paint, snap a picture and email it to her for critique...
Her response....add more water to your paint; these aren't acrylics. That was all I had had experience with since art classes in high school.
After much experimenting...I finally had an image of Eliza, sitting atop my jar of Tasha Tudor Moisturizing Cream and the vase of hydrangeas that sat behind her...
because that was where she sat when Xavier was not visiting. She watched my knitting and sniffed the tea at tea time...
Yes...replied Mother when she received the photo via email...this is it!
It wasn't until Christmastide, that the illustrated book was complete...all 46 pages!
We were in touch with an independent literary agent who was sent an email with a few of my illustrations. His response, after several months, took me by surprise...he wouldn't be able to work with us, as this wasn't really his genre. He thought the story might do well, but we would probably want to get another illustrator. Just a little heartsick...I regrouped. With my husband's confidence in my progress, I went back to the little table in the sunroom...and dug deep into my being. What else was there to do? I had a passion for this story...for this little mouse...who else could know how to depict what was going on in this fairytale storybook cottage?
I wanted to rework the book, but had become so attached to the images, I just couldn't attempt a change....yet....so I began the story of Eliza's move to Rose Water Cottage. Once again, the story tumbled out onto the pages of my sketchbook/journal...
I couldn't get to the paints fast enough. The images came so quickly as I began each new page...
I decided I wanted to begin each new book with a quote or Bible verse that seemed fitting. This quote from Beatrix Potter seemed to be the perfect beginning for these little tales....A plate of wisdom with a cup of tea....
At last, the book was finished...and Eliza was cozy in her daybed, ready for a long winter's nap...
We were soon in contact with a publisher in town. I packed my pretty box with everything I had painted...the two completed books, the beginnings of a rhyming book for autumn,
Eliza recipe cards...
Eliza Christmas cards, and another recipe card set, for adults...
The publisher was so encouraging ....loved my illustrations (my heart would surely burst when I heard his words) ...but it became very apparent that we needed to seek another avenue. We weren't a "fit", but he would help us find our way towards self-publishing.
My goodness, this has been a journey. I have been consumed morning till night...and often into the night...with re-working Eliza's way too long Tale...
I have divided it into 6 "read-to-me" tales. Three are completed. The first book is Eliza (the mouse in Grammy's House) the second is Eliza and a Cottage Door, the third is Eliza has a Cousin.
I have failed miserably at keeping in touch with all of you ...my dear kindreds...but just know (as I'm sure you all do) that you stay in my thoughts and prayers and "amen corner." I know you are cheering me on from your corner of the world. Every now and then, I pop in, see what you're up to, and slip away quietly...back to work....
When I went window shopping in dear Anita's Castles Crowns and Cottages Etsy shoppe....oh glory! I had to have one of her beautiful glittery wands! (doesn't every fairytale cottage need a wand? Why, yes indeed!)
It is propped on the windowsill of my sun room studio, making all my wishes come true....
Dear Anita and I share such a sweet story of how our friendship began...this time last year...at her Paris Link Party. As the move to this cottage began, and I was weary from the packing and moving, she would write to tell me she was saying a prayer each evening as she lit her little fairy lamp, to remain on through the night ....that I would have strength, energy, and endurance for the next day and rest for my body and mind during the night. We both have a strong faith, and it is because of that, our bond was sealed. As bunny rabbits would hop through our tiny yard...I would snap pictures and send to her...
she would snap pictures of the bunnies in her yard and send them to me.
We have continued to encourage each other to follow the dreams we have as artists, writers, creative beings...and we are both seeing them come to fruition. Isn't God good?
Now, at last...we are counting down the days until we will hold the books Eliza and Eliza and Cottage Door in our hands, wishing that Eliza has a Cousin could appear, as well...but alas...it must be formatted. All in good time...I tell myself....
Each little book becomes my favorite, upon its completion...
I had to create my own pattern and materials and guide to avoid copyright issues. My little mouse is made of linen...her tail is blush pink jute...and her ears and feet are the pinkest pink...
We will have a booth at The Strawberry Patch Barn Sale in Hartsville, TN the 26th, 27th, & 28th of April and are crossing our fingers and toes that all will be ready...books from publishing, cards from printer, boxes completed and filled (20 out of 50 are ready, so far) and energy to meet the excitement of the 3 day sale. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this very hectic...not frantic, of course...extremely busy time.
I will gather photos to post along with the response to Eliza's big debut.
I cannot thank you all enough, for staying the course with me and our dear little mouse friend. What an exciting time this is for women who create! Do not be afraid....it is within reach, the thing that you dream of...
And as Susan Branch has written on one of her pretty girlfriend note cards "We do not consider the possibility of defeat." Queen Victoria
Scout, with her tongue out, will not entertain the possibility, either...
Blessings,
Christie
This is where I do my dreaming...where do you do yours?
we had no idea what was in store for us.
There was no sign on the door that gave a warning:
This Cottage might inspire great quantities of stories and tall tales...
It might cause excessive twirling in aprons...
You will feel the need to bake, no matter how much weight you gain...
You will be overcome with a peace like nothing you can explain to the outside world...
Your teacup will be full to overflowing...
No, nothing of the sort was posted on that sweet front door with the twisty doorbell....
And when we moved into this sweet little cottage and graced the tiny front porch with a bouquet of my precious hydrangeas, from bushes I had planted, transplanted, tended, and loved and was now leaving in the care of another woman....
we couldn't have possibly imagined how incredibly wonderful this year would be....just like a fairytale in a storybook.
My favorite Beatrix Potter story is the one of The Tailor of Gloucester...
Inside my little copy is a label from the stationer in England....
I was finding similarities every where I looked...
Just like the lady mouse pictured here....
upon the worsted chenille.... I was finding myself amongst some chenille...
Sophia's pink blankie, in need of repair...
My new little creamer was just like the one in the illustration...
The little lady mouse was found by the tea cups just like mine...
Eliza moved in with us...sharing the shelf on the old, old, cupboard with an assortment of pretty dishes and linen napkins and old silverware....
Each time Xavier, our grandson, came to visit...it was Eliza he ran to play with...
She was so real to him, that she became just as "real" to us...and my dear husband (who truly believes I can do anything I set my mind to) kept encouraging me to write down the stories...Eliza's Tales...
Finally...with a big pad of watercolor paper and a pencil, I began... I wrote and wrote and wrote...until the entire story, from start to present, was on paper....along with tiny sketches...
Husband thought the story was wonderful, but in the back of his mind, he wasn't sure my illustrations would be able to match the charm of the tale.
I called my mother and told her I had written a little book and I wanted to do the illustrations. She, the former art teacher, encouraged me to try my hand at watercolors. She brought paper, tubes of paint, children's watercolor sets, drawing pencils, sharpeners, rags, cups....let's just say...a huge box of watercolor painting 101.
I would paint, snap a picture and email it to her for critique...
Her response....add more water to your paint; these aren't acrylics. That was all I had had experience with since art classes in high school.
After much experimenting...I finally had an image of Eliza, sitting atop my jar of Tasha Tudor Moisturizing Cream and the vase of hydrangeas that sat behind her...
because that was where she sat when Xavier was not visiting. She watched my knitting and sniffed the tea at tea time...
Yes...replied Mother when she received the photo via email...this is it!
It wasn't until Christmastide, that the illustrated book was complete...all 46 pages!
We were in touch with an independent literary agent who was sent an email with a few of my illustrations. His response, after several months, took me by surprise...he wouldn't be able to work with us, as this wasn't really his genre. He thought the story might do well, but we would probably want to get another illustrator. Just a little heartsick...I regrouped. With my husband's confidence in my progress, I went back to the little table in the sunroom...and dug deep into my being. What else was there to do? I had a passion for this story...for this little mouse...who else could know how to depict what was going on in this fairytale storybook cottage?
I wanted to rework the book, but had become so attached to the images, I just couldn't attempt a change....yet....so I began the story of Eliza's move to Rose Water Cottage. Once again, the story tumbled out onto the pages of my sketchbook/journal...
I couldn't get to the paints fast enough. The images came so quickly as I began each new page...
I decided I wanted to begin each new book with a quote or Bible verse that seemed fitting. This quote from Beatrix Potter seemed to be the perfect beginning for these little tales....A plate of wisdom with a cup of tea....
At last, the book was finished...and Eliza was cozy in her daybed, ready for a long winter's nap...
We were soon in contact with a publisher in town. I packed my pretty box with everything I had painted...the two completed books, the beginnings of a rhyming book for autumn,
Eliza recipe cards...
Eliza Christmas cards, and another recipe card set, for adults...
The publisher was so encouraging ....loved my illustrations (my heart would surely burst when I heard his words) ...but it became very apparent that we needed to seek another avenue. We weren't a "fit", but he would help us find our way towards self-publishing.
My goodness, this has been a journey. I have been consumed morning till night...and often into the night...with re-working Eliza's way too long Tale...
I have divided it into 6 "read-to-me" tales. Three are completed. The first book is Eliza (the mouse in Grammy's House) the second is Eliza and a Cottage Door, the third is Eliza has a Cousin.
I have failed miserably at keeping in touch with all of you ...my dear kindreds...but just know (as I'm sure you all do) that you stay in my thoughts and prayers and "amen corner." I know you are cheering me on from your corner of the world. Every now and then, I pop in, see what you're up to, and slip away quietly...back to work....
When I went window shopping in dear Anita's Castles Crowns and Cottages Etsy shoppe....oh glory! I had to have one of her beautiful glittery wands! (doesn't every fairytale cottage need a wand? Why, yes indeed!)
It is propped on the windowsill of my sun room studio, making all my wishes come true....
Dear Anita and I share such a sweet story of how our friendship began...this time last year...at her Paris Link Party. As the move to this cottage began, and I was weary from the packing and moving, she would write to tell me she was saying a prayer each evening as she lit her little fairy lamp, to remain on through the night ....that I would have strength, energy, and endurance for the next day and rest for my body and mind during the night. We both have a strong faith, and it is because of that, our bond was sealed. As bunny rabbits would hop through our tiny yard...I would snap pictures and send to her...
she would snap pictures of the bunnies in her yard and send them to me.
We have continued to encourage each other to follow the dreams we have as artists, writers, creative beings...and we are both seeing them come to fruition. Isn't God good?
Now, at last...we are counting down the days until we will hold the books Eliza and Eliza and Cottage Door in our hands, wishing that Eliza has a Cousin could appear, as well...but alas...it must be formatted. All in good time...I tell myself....
Each little book becomes my favorite, upon its completion...
I am also anxious to have our Mouse Making Guide to go along with the mouse making kits I've created...
We will have a booth at The Strawberry Patch Barn Sale in Hartsville, TN the 26th, 27th, & 28th of April and are crossing our fingers and toes that all will be ready...books from publishing, cards from printer, boxes completed and filled (20 out of 50 are ready, so far) and energy to meet the excitement of the 3 day sale. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this very hectic...not frantic, of course...extremely busy time.
I will gather photos to post along with the response to Eliza's big debut.
I cannot thank you all enough, for staying the course with me and our dear little mouse friend. What an exciting time this is for women who create! Do not be afraid....it is within reach, the thing that you dream of...
And as Susan Branch has written on one of her pretty girlfriend note cards "We do not consider the possibility of defeat." Queen Victoria
Scout, with her tongue out, will not entertain the possibility, either...
Blessings,
Christie
This is where I do my dreaming...where do you do yours?