“The move to the quaint Victorian cottage was quite delightful. Grammy had made sure that Eliza’s treasures had been packed carefully in the old picnic basket with the red plaid tin lid…”
Eliza at Rose Water Cottage - Christie Jones Ray
Grammy’s Flower Garden Quilt - a collaboration with The Stitchery
In a world where there is so much anger, jealousy, insecurity and stress, Christie’s Storybook World is the perfect antidote. Now that I have met Christie in person I can confirm that she lives and breathes that storybook world, as much as she is able. Spreading a little joy, magic and kindness wherever she goes.
We met through Instagram over shared interests and hobbies: stitching, knitting, crochet, watercolours and homemaking. We share a love for the same soft colour palettes and fabric prints. I aspire to Christie’s homemaking skills, keeping on top of my laundry, sweeping and baking cookies!
I was soothed by Christie’s gentle voice talking about her watercolour practise, stitching and knitting projects as she showed them on her instagram pages.
I have battled my fair share of anxiety and depression over the years and worked in the kind of corporate environments where people are just numbers.
Since leaving that world in 2017 I have made it my mission to focus on the soft and joyful things in life and I actively seek out the kind of gentle, creative, kind, passionate and positive people whom I want to surround myself with. Christie ticks every box.
Check out her youtube channel and you will find Christie’s dazzling smile and soft southern accent sharing all things lovely in her world. Handmade mice, a pink kettle whistling on the stove, tiny hand-stitched quilts and charming stories with illustrations of all the normal everyday things in life and the celebratory too - moving house, making friends, visiting the ballet and pumpkin picking to mention just a few.
Eliza the Mouse, the star of Christie’s books, came to be from a little fabric mouse kit that Christie customised one Easter Sunday more than ten years ago. Christie’s then-small grandson loved the little mouse and, like all good grandmothers, Christie told sweet unthreatening stories about Eliza to entertain and delight him. Overhearing the tales, Christie’s husband too was enchanted and made the suggestion that she publish them.
Christie isn’t a trained writer or illustrator. Her stories and illustrations are the result of endless practise and determination, all underpinned by her family’s faith and gentle encouragement.
This is what I find most inspiring about Christie and Eliza the Mouse. That beautiful little mouse with her tutu, sparkly tiara and (really quite large) pink ears sits on my shelf and reminds me that with support, determination and a lot of practise we can achieve anything we want to - whatever our age. (Christie was 50 when she started painting and illustrating. Proof that we don’t need to have studied at university or have a certificate to try something new and be good at it!)
From Christie’s videos and instagram posts it is easy to imagine that her life is perfect: it isn’t. She shares the same struggles, heartache and responsibilities that all of us have but her storybook world is a fairytale escape and one that quietly amuses, relaxes and calms after a stressful day in the ‘real’ world.
Christie actually came to the UK for an event with Hugglets - a special event for bears and toys - one that Really Old Bear (an old well-loved teddy bear resplendent in handmade tiara, antique baby gown and sparkly pink ballet shoes) was quite keen to attend. It was a bonus that Christie could tack us onto the end of the trip and pay a visit to our humble studio in the Northamptonshire countryside.
For two glorious days the studio was alive with chatter and laughter - creative, kind and joyful women connecting with each other, sharing stories, support and scissors! One particular moment will stick with me for a really long time, reminding me why I so love to hold these stitch clubs and matchmake friendships!
It is quite a brave thing to sign up for any kind of workshop alone and walk into a room full of strangers, particularly those of us more shy and introverted than others. I am always aware of this when welcoming new visitors to the studio.
My friend had come along for the day but has suffered a bereavement recently and the workshop followed a tough weekend for her. I showed her to the last available seat at a table already full of ladies unpacking their sewing boxes and shuffling coffee cups, busy and excited. Overhearing snippets of the conversation about funeral arrangements the women stood up as I walked away and leaned in towards my friend, introducing themselves with warm smiles and almost literally enveloping her in love and kindness, helping her to settle for the day. It was just a fleeting moment but set the tone, for me, for a day of Christie magic, kindness and acceptance.
We started a gorgeous little English paper pieced doll-sized quilt using only delicate Liberty fabrics, all written up in Christie’s hand with calligraphy and illustrations matching those found in the Eliza books.
It is a short run of kits that we have released but we hope to create more in the future. Christie and I have plans and ideas aplenty for future magical Storyboook World collaborations too. Watch this space.
Huge thanks to Christie for coming to visit us. Huge thanks also to everyone who came, shared and played all day. All were a breath of fresh air and a burst of sunshine in our grey and wet February!
Do have a look at Christie’s social media channels if you can - you will find her on youtube, instagram and etsy. Step into a world where play and creativity is encouraged, homemaking is celebrated and softness abounds. It’s the reminder we all need that peace and happiness can be found in the most unassuming things.
You can buy Christie’s kit here on our website. Look out for our special Zoom where we chat and stitch - date released soon.
Nicki x
