Tales From

11/07/2024

Last Saturday in Kent. Amy & James said I do 🧡
Huge congratulations A & J!
I do love a pink/orange/peach combo 🧡🌸

02/07/2024

Blog post I’ve written for all the lovely DIY wedding couples coming to Flitterbrook flower farm
How to keep your cut flowers at their best for your wedding..

Caring and preparing your DIY wedding flowers from Flitterbrook.DIY FLOWER BUCKETS/ DIY WEDDING FLOWERSIf you purchase DIY flower buckets from us then you will need to follow all the steps on our 'Caring for your flowers' blog post before arranging your flowers. Gift bouquet flowers tend to be picke...

17/06/2024

Dreaming of balmy summer evenings & eating outdoors 🤍

The perfect spot in the woods on the edge of the lake. From a shoot a fair few moons ago.


The team:
Behind the lens|
Venue, concept, coord, styling |
Florals |
Tableware |
Natural table runner |

15/05/2024

I think buttonholes are so sweet & really love making them. Finding precious little elements to add. They really are like tiny bouquets.
Such a shame I always want to call them buttholes. Or is that just me?

14/05/2024

It’s that time of year when the flower fairies visit the garden🧚🏻‍♀️

22/04/2024

The Narcissus are nearly done for another year. It was such sweet relief seeing their happy faces after a long grey winter. They’ve been such a joy. I’m definitely planting more next year. When I visited the Keukenhof last week I noted down a few varieties that caught my eye and I’ve listed them below for you. I didn’t get good enough photos to share on here (sorry!) but look them up and see if you agree. Definitely some I’ll be looking into buying. Do you have a favourite Narcissus you’d recommend?

Doll Baby
Erlicheer
Silver Chimes
Lieke
Sweet Ocean
Acropolis
Dallas
Oceans Eleven
Niveth

17/04/2024

Spring doing its spring thing & gifting us with gorgeous blooms to lift our spirits.

I hope your spirits are lifted today 🌷💛🌸🌱

03/04/2024

Fritillaria uva-vulpis or fox’s grape fritillary. A favourite of mine and one I’d highly recommend growing if you aren’t already. I love all fritillaries but this one is pretty special. Spring is really bringing a lot of joy in the flower department 💛

In other news my wonderful local garden centre has suggested it’s moth larvae in my Victoria plums every year meaning we can’t eat any of the fruit. I thought it was wasp or fly but 🤷🏻‍♀️I’d really love to stop it from happening again this year. Has anyone else had larvae in plums and successfully got rid of it without using horrid chemicals? Any suggestions welcome 🙏🏼 I’m trying to get ahead of the game this year. Really hoping you lovely lot have some ideas for me please? 🤞🏼😘

27/03/2024

The very unmanly ‘Manly’ Narcissus. Shame about the name but it’s a beauty nonetheless. I planted loads of new Narcissus varieties this year. I’m so glad I did. The happiest flower you can grow. Especially when it arrives first after a long grey winter. Don’t you agree?

If you’re local and you’d like some Narcissus or tulips that you most definitely will not be able to find in a supermarket then give me a shout. They are all coming in to bloom now 💛

14/10/2023

We’ve woken up to the first chilly morning of Autumn here. So I thought it was a good day to share some images from a wonderful early Autumn wedding, when it really didn’t feel like Autumn at all other than the flowers. Amber & Jamie’s glorious September wedding in London. With my absolute favourite Autumn palette 🧡
Such a wonderful and gorgeous couple. Amber’s beaming smile & the way they look at each other says it all😍❤️ Don’t you think Amber looks stunning? Like a modern day Audrey Hepburn. That dress 😍😍😍
I absolutely loved creating the flowers for their beautiful day.

Beautiful images by who captured their day so perfectly.

Big thanks to my right hand wing woman for being the most fabulous side kick on this event & the best company 🧡

13/10/2023

Jade & Alex’s beautiful wedding back in August
Beautiful photos by

With big thanks to .lane for going above and beyond on this wedding to supply me with the most beautiful seasonal flowers to create with. And thanks to my super team & for being so fabulous. Couldn’t have done it without you all. And to Jude for always being my fabulous work wife.

09/10/2023

I’m so excited to be back for a wonderful programme of Festive workshops over two weekends this December. Every year we have such positive feedback & our wonderful attendees are returning year after year. They say it’s a wonderful way to start off the Christmas festivities, spending the day doing something creative with loved ones and friends. We’ve had people attend with elderly parents, mothers and younger daughters, sisters & besties. We’ve also had back year after year Wickerwood brides which is so lovely to see. We’ve hosted neighbours, groups and individuals. Everyone is welcome, no previous experience is needed and everyone is made to feel part of the Wickerwood family. I know I do! It’s such a warm and welcoming place. Jude and I work so hard every year to up the ante so that each time people come there’s something new to experience. This year will be no different. The barn will be decked out & looking beautiful, home baked treats will be on offer & we’ve got a few new workshops added to the programme for those wanting to try something different this year. We’ve even added the option of booking lunch at the farm with us. We are so excited to welcome you back this year and hopefully see lots of new faces too. If you’d like to see our full programme and book please follow the link in bio or DM to ask any questions. We can’t wait to see you in the barn this December!

With special thanks to for the beautiful images taken at last years workshops x

03/10/2023

Have you come across this beauty before? If not I’d like to introduce you to a favourite of mine. Thunbergia alata ‘African Sunset’. A delicate beauty who likes to gently entwine and dance with her neighbours, lasts forever in a vase and fades beautifully from blush, apricot and orange to pale yellow bleeding into its rich dark centre. It’s delicate but also strong as this tiny stem holds it’s own just with the help of a teeny tiny pin frog. It also leaves beautiful little casings when the petals fall. I only started growing this last year but it’s a firm favourite. I never seem to buy enough of them though. Definitely one for the plant list next year. Have I persuaded you yet?
Have you grown any delicate beauties you’d recommend?

08/09/2023

A flower faff with all the delicious September garden bounty. We love September! 🍇🌸
I hope you’ve all had a good week & stayed cool. I’ve been utterly useless 😂 The heat doesn’t agree with me unless there’s cool water to jump in every so often to cool off.

02/08/2023

Really excited to announce that I will be exhibiting at this years Strawberry Hill House Flower Festival 22nd - 24th September.
Huge thanks to .chappell.flowers and for inviting me to join an incredible line up of floral designers. Imposter syndrome kicked in big time when I saw the list of fellow florists.
I’m really excited to be part of it and hope some of you will come along to see all the amazing designs and floral beauty. It really is a stunning venue & event.
As we get closer to the event I’ll be sharing some behind the scenes designing, flower selections, farm visits and mechanics. All the flowers will be grown locally to me too & I’ll share more about my farm partnership soon. Keep popping back for updates!
I hope to see some of you there!

Strawberry Hill House & Garden
Curated by .chappell.flowers &
Kindly sponsored by .homes

19/06/2023

Oxeye daisies, Hares Tail grass, Nigella & Geum. A beautiful tangle of wafty stems.
News from the weekend from East Sussex….IT RAINED! Did it where you are? I’m thinking it won’t be anywhere near enough to stop the hosepipe ban or sort out the enormous cracks in the ground but it’s something. I’m very thankful for the rain. It smelt heavenly.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend?

14/06/2023

The path to my studio ~ it’s wild and unruly, but I love it & so do the insects. It changes a lot through the seasons. First with all the Spring bulbs, then the daisies, poppies, ‘Mai Tai’ Geums & strawberry foxgloves. Closely followed by the roses and Nigella and then the Chocolate Foxgloves & Verbena. I might squeeze in a couple of Cosmos just for the hell of it. As I said, it’s pretty unruly and suits the backdrop of the dilapidated old green shed. It isn’t water tight so can’t be used for much and has seen better days. I think it might be full of rodents but I’m too scared to venture in to find out! I tried sending Charlie the Jack Russell in first but he’s just as scared as I am! It has some pretty wonderful window reflections in golden hour though and has the perfect crumbly door for photographing wreaths on so it’s not going anywhere. The garden is finally getting into its stride with the nightly golden hour watering, deadheading, slug removal & weekly feeding (and some photography) going on. I think it’s my favourite hour of the day in Summer 💕🌸🤍💚

07/06/2023

Flower Crown Workshop ~ join me on 25th June for a wonderful session making wild garden inspired flower crowns. If you don’t already know The Gallivant it’s a fabulous venue right by the beach at Camber. The perfect place for a day out with the added benefit of beautiful sand dunes to frolic in afterwards wearing your floral crown! Hope to see you there. Link in my stories to book or go to website

27/04/2023

Tulip fever is high ~

Floor scenes from a 1:1 floral styling session with with blooms from her garden &

17/04/2023

Hot off the press ~
I love the moment when you oh so carefully peel back the blotting paper to reveal the wonder underneath. These will all be arranged, carefully stuck down and mounted & added to the website soon. Really looking forward to creating something special with these.
I’m loving the Fritillaria. They press so beautifully but the Violas always make me smile. Which is your favourite? Do you press flowers? What’s your favourite to press?

I have a selection of pressed flowers already in my webshop. Plus loads more to add soon! Keep checking back for updates and also if you have something special you’d like pressed and framed then let me know. They make beautiful unique gifts.

16/04/2023

No Sunday laid back vibes here today as I’ll be continuing to crack on in the garden as there’s so much work to do. I got loads done yesterday which felt great. Only one of 6 cutting beds prepared though (more today!) and direct sowed some beautiful Calendula and Papavers, roses fed, loads of weeding done, a bit of potting on and huge amounts of clearing up from winter neglect. It was so wonderful to be outside working in the sunshine yesterday. I even took my jumper off it was so lovely 😱. More of that today please! I’ll try and share some of the stuff I’m doing in stories later.
I’d love to hear what gardening jobs you’re getting stuck into today? Who’s as behind as I am?
In other news my new dried wreaths are finally up in my web shop (link in bio). I say new but I’ve had them ready for quite some time but life got in the way, as it does.
I also do commission pieces so if you have a specific room, mantle, shop window or display area you’d like something special for then give me a shout.
Have a Happy Sunday everyone! X

15/04/2023

Ready for the press ~ I’ve had very mixed results pressing Narcissus? They tend to rot. I’ve had a few go ok (see last two images on carousel). Any fellow flower pressers got any tips or is it just trial and error? I’ll keep trying anyway as I’m determined to work it out. I also saw recently on her beautiful dried daffodils so I’m also giving that a go. Her account is so inspiring. I think I’ve worked out you have to let the main petals start to dry out a tiny bit before you hang them to dry so they don’t wilt. It’s all an experiment but it’s fun playing around to see what results I can get. I’ll keep you posted. Anyone else having a go at pressing or drying Narcissus?

14/04/2023

Did you see my post from yesterday of the bucket of blooms from the cutting garden? Well, this is what some of it became. I absolutely love creating this style of arrangement & photographing it this way to create something hopefully reminiscent of the Dutch Masters paintings.
If you would like to join me for a special Dutch Masters style masterclass then message me now. In order to do this class justice I can only do 1:1 or 2:1 classes for anyone interested in learning how to create and photograph this style of florals. This will cover flower selection, vessels choices and styling ideas, how to create an impactful floral arrangement (in a sustainable way) in the style of the Dutch Masters paintings and how to photograph your arrangements to create the mood using simple techniques and no expensive lighting or camera equipment.
Send me a message to discuss dates and the price and please share with anyone you think might be interested and hit the flag icon to save and come back to later.

05/04/2023

It’s all in the little details ~
The fluffy dried Clematis, the whispy dried thyme, the vintage silk scarf and the muted and faded tones. I take huge delight in taking time over these pieces. Each one is totally unique and I take great care and attention to those special touches.
These are all available to purchase and can be posted. I also make commission pieces so if you have something particular in mind or a room you’d love something long lasting for then get in touch. It doesn’t have to be a wreath either. Hanging or wall clouds, fireplaces, bowls or vases. Whatever takes your fancy. Get in touch x

17/03/2023

The Vintage Collection ~ all on the website for local collection or delivery. Go to my website to see the full collection & more. Why not treat your Mumma to a beautiful sustainable gift this Mother’s Day 🌸💕

https://www.talesfrom.co.uk/shop

10/03/2023

Really excited to share all the new items loaded to my shop this week just in time for Mother’s Day or perfect for birthdays or just because gifts or treat yourself with some early Spring indoors. I can post the artwork but the planters are only for local delivery or collection. Please take a look!

https://www.talesfrom.co.uk/shop

19/02/2023

Last Monday we had to say goodbye to our beautiful Betsy girl. We are completely heartbroken 💔 but at the same time realise how lucky we were to have her for so long (she was the grand old age of 15 & a half). It’s been such a privilege having her in our lives. She has blessed us with unconditional love and affection. She’s been my constant through ups and downs, always there with her gentle loving nature. My children don’t know life without her. She is our family & she’ll be so missed. We really hit the jackpot with her. She was also my biggest supporter. Always on hand in the garden, sniffing the flowers, checking my deliveries, foraging with me, recycling my delivery boxes into a bed & a fabulous flower picking assistant (we won’t mention that she ate my tulip bulbs and dig up my roses). Whenever I was in my studio she’d come visit to see what I was up to. Always there, always free and giving with her cuddles. She was the best dog in the world. Sleep tight my beautiful Betsy girl 💔😔

11/02/2023

I have some beautiful Spring flower bunches for sale.
£15 a bunch.
Bunches include beautiful early British grown tulips, Narcissus from Cornwall and wonderful Ranunculus.
Message to arrange collection from studio in Crowhurst TN33 if you’d like to buy some.

08/02/2023

Good morning! Another beautiful one here in East Sussex. I hope it is where you are too?
I’m not sure if you’ve seen my vintage planted collection on previous posts but as part of that collection I also have a really beautiful collection of vintage scarves I have collected. These beauties are adorning my dried wreaths as an alternative to ribbon (which I love and continue to use). I’d love to know what you think?
In other news I have finally bitten the bullet and signed up to a natural dye workshop. Something I’ve wanted to do for years but never seemed to get round to. I’m also hoping to start a ceramics class soon too as I’ve decided 2023 is going to be a year of learning. Stay tuned as I share my early and probably not great 😂 first attempts.

06/02/2023

Yesterday, on a walk to our local pub I spotted little clusters of snowdrops and a whole bank of early daffodils. Such a welcome & happy sight. Spring is coming for us soon.

Have a good week my insta friends x🌸💕