Dartmoor Flower Shed

Growing and Sewing all things Floral

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The rhythm of my daily life which usually trundles along without any real dramas, has suddenly become a bit topsy-turvy. I am making some essential changes to my home which mean I have workmen here every day. I almost never have the house to myself anymore or any time to create and I can’t get into the garden. Yesterday, the first dry day for a very long time, I gazed longingly down into the Meadow from an upstairs window. I couldn’t believe what I could see! For there in the grass, sitting very close together were two black Cats! I grabbed my camera and rushed out to investigate. One of the Cats was Bertie. But the other one was not Marlon, who Bertie knows, but a Cat I had never seen before with a collar and gold bell. There was something so endearing about the way these two were sitting together. And when Bertie saw me he walked away from his new friend leaving he or she looking quite disconsolate. I was left wondering what connection they have struck up, or even if they are related-and it left me recognising how little we know of the lives of our Cats once they leave the safety of their homes (or in Bertie’s case, his greenhouse). Did I interrupt a romantic tryst? I have tried asking Bertie, but he just gave an enigmatic purr, rolled over onto his pet hot water bottle and fell asleep x #catsofinstagram #cats #catstagram #cat #catlife #catfriends #blackcatsruletheworld #rescuecats #rescuecatsrock #ilovecats #ilovecats🐱 #secretlifeofpets #justchilling #justchillin

The gentle glow of candles in vintage cups makes misty and moody Dartmoor days seem softer, more comforting and delicately romantic. Here, with china from @Niki_fretwell and candle spikes and matching candles from @pipiiathome I found the perfect way to decorate my supper table. Then, as if by magic, the darkness of these late Autumn days is transformed! Have a lovely weekend x #candlelight #hygge #vintagechina #mystyle #seasonal #seasonaldecor #tabledecoration #autumnvibes🍁 #autumn #dartmoor #stylingtheseasons #floralmoments #amomentintime #my_creative_square #dartmoor #flowergram #flowersmakemehappy #inspiredbypetals #botanicalpickmeup #still_life_gallery #slowfloralstyle #justbefloral #flowersandotherstories #petalsandprops #underthefloralspell #floralphotography #exceptional_pictures #flowers #floristsofinstagram #macrophotography

I have a passion for antiques and collectibles; for decorative furniture and keepsakes where their patina or layers of paint and wear tell the story of their past. I also have a passion for hand-made treasures made using vintage fabrics where every stitch shows the makers love for their work and their craft. And I also love Cats…have I ever mentioned that? @carrscurios an Antique and Collectables emporium, in Crediton, not far from my home, has everything I love all under one roof! The fabulous owner, Gayna, sources unique furniture and decorative objects, makes dolls, woodland animals and even moths from vintage fabrics. And just to make everything perfect, she has the most beautiful cats (and dogs). The Cats can often be found sleeping on a pile of quilts or are happy to wander into the shop to share their beauty. I first visited with my friend @niki_fretwell but returned soon after for a second visit.These photos tell the story of my time there. With so many fabulously unique items for sale it’s impossible to leave there empty handed. I can’t wait to go back again. #antiquestore #antiqueshopping #vintagestyle #vintageclothing #cats #cats_of_instagram #dolls #wirework #frenchfurniture #vintage #recyclingideas #paintedfurniturelove #shoplocal #vintageemporium #dollshouse #oldquilts

Today I took a step back from my daily routine. I forgot, for once, about the big picture and engrossed myself in the minute detail of a tiny wreath. I wanted this mini circle to speak of colour and Christmas, so I added dried baby Dahlia flowers and Strawflowers onto a soft bed of moss. And I worked in tiny sprigs of Turquoise Hydrangeas and deep coral ornamental Apples. Then for sparkle I chose some vintage clip on earrings which gave an old fashioned glamour and made me feel very festive. For vibrancy I sprayed a Japanese Anemone seed-head Electric Blue! This little wreath is only 16cm in diameter but it’s colours seem jewel like and rich; just what’s needed as we move slowly towards Christmas but are not quite ready for full on sparkle and tinsel! I think there is something so special about a wreath which you can cradle in the palms of your hands. I think they would make lovely little gifts. #christmas #christmasdecor #christmas🎄 #christmaswreath #hydrangeas #hydrangea #vintagejewellery #decorations #christmasstyle #hyggehome #miniwreath #electricblue #gold #lavender

This is my little Flower Room. It used to be a utility room with washroom and log store. These were all extremely useful amenities. But my husband left and began a new life and I needed to do something to distract myself so I knocked down all the internal walls with the help of the retired village postman. There was rubble and exposed water pipes and mysterious electric cables hanging down everywhere and it has taken years to come right again. But the demolition was so cathartic; it was part of knocking down the past and moving on. So now it is the special place where I bring my flowers to when picked, where I condition and arrange my flowers in Spring and Summer and where I light the little wood burner (called a Penguin) and craft in the Winter. It’s also such a perfect place for supper with friends. Because the room is built right on the end of the house there is always a feeling of freedom and adventure in here, almost as if you are on holiday in a caravan! Today I will be in there making tiny wreaths. The radio will be on and Harry (the Cat) will be beside me soaking up the heat from the fire. The work on my house is constant and these crafting days are infrequent. So this day will be special and savoured. I wish you all a happy day and I hope it includes a little of doing what you love best too x #myhome #myhomestyle #myhyggehome #mystyle #flowerstudio #flowerroom #vintageprints #dresser #mirror #movingforward #movingontobetterthings #cathartic #woodburnercorner

Daisy-Mae loves a blanket and sleeps on this red and black Vintage Welsh one every night with her friend Harry. Daisy still does not trust me enough to let me pick her up. But she does love to stretch out and show me her tummy, which is the gentlest shade of pale ginger and is as soft as a powder puff! Have a cosy Saturday everyone. #cats_of_instagram #caturdaycuties #instagramcats #tabbycats #tabbycatsofinstagram #rescuecatsofinstagram #rescuecats #welsh #blankets #lazysaturday #lazysaturdaymorning

Yesterday in my flower room started off innocently enough with me collating my collection of vintage china; a true @candacebahouth moment if ever there was one. I was supposed to be selecting cups and bowls for planting up with Paperwhite bulbs which I sell over the Christmas period. But look at the amazing designs on this china! It didn’t take long before I couldn’t decide between imagining myself in a yellow crinoline dress decorated with rosebuds, just as my dashing partner in his scarlet jacket, swept me up for a romantic swirl under the gigantic delphiniums. Or should I wrap myself in a pink cloak and mop cap and huddle with my handsome, rustic and poetic partner in this idyllic, English and pastoral landscape? It’s the age old problem we girls have always faced, its all about the choice between the glamour and excitement of Hardy’s Sergeant Troy or the steady dependancy of Gabriel Oak. And let’s not even bring Farmer Boldwood into the picture! My head was in a right old spin by the time I did the planting 🤣 #thomashardy #farfromthemaddingcrowd #vintagechina #springbulbs #narcissi #pastoral #byron #romantic #candacebahouth #gettingcarriedaway #floralmoments #amomentintime #my_creative_square #stylingtheseasons #dartmoor #flowergram #botanicalpickmeup #still_life_gallery #slowfloralstyle #justbefloral #petalsandprops #underthefloralspell #floralphotography #exceptional_pictures #floristsofinstagram #flowerpower #flowerstagram #cottagegardenflowers #macrophotography

A flurry of Snow here on Dartmoor. Just enough to add a pretty frosting to the Ornamental Crab Apples. Stay cosy x #dartmoornationalpark #dartmoor #snowfall #snow #Inmygardentoday #autumn #autumnvibes #celebratetheseasons #malus #crabapples

I set off on Sunday morning to pick some Hydrangeas from my neighbours hedge. I took my little basket (painted ‘Celestial Blue’) and I wore my warm foraging scarf, (a woolly tartan one) to protect me from the chilly November air. There is something so deeply satisfying about walking along a path which one has trodden so many times before. I came to this village on childhood holidays, many, many years ago, rushing out onto this very lane each morning to gather wildflowers for my hotel bedroom. So I am not alone as I swing my basket and walk on this fresh, Autumn day. For walking with is me is the child I once was, the young woman I grew into and now the older lady who still loves this leafy lane as much as I did when I was 5. I settle myself into the Devon bank and start to pick my flower heads and as I do, neighbours walk past and we chat. And everyone exclaims that they had walked past these flowers and never even noticed them and their beautiful colour. I fill my basket and return home, passing other neighbours walking their dogs. I am so happy because I have a basket of flowers and someone refers to me as the ‘Flower Lady’ as I pass. Yes, I am the Flower Lady in my village; happiest when I have a bunch of flowers in my hand. And when I get home, suddenly the absolute joy of the colours of these Hydrangeas, from shades of Turquoise, through Apple Green to Mauve make me so happy. In this moment I recognise that this simple act of gathering has made my day complete. Celestial beauty in a little basket 🧺 #hydrangeaseason # #floralmoments #amomentintime #inmygardentoday #my_creative_square #inmygarden #stylingtheseasons #dartmoor #wildforflowers #flowergram #flowersmakemehappy #inspiredbypetals #botanicalpickmeup #still_life_gallery #slowfloralstyle #justbefloral #flowersandotherstories #petalsandprops #underthefloralspell #floralphotography #exceptional_pictures #flowers #floristsofinstagram #flowerpower #flowerstagram #cottagegardenflowers #flowersfromthefarm #macrophotography #thebeautyinautumn #

Returning home after foraging on my neighbours land, it was impossible not to gasp in sheer wonder at the beauty of my finds. Still outside, I placed this tiny twig of exquisitely perfect and dainty Miniature Crab Apples on some velvet fabric scattered with a soft and dreamy Hydrangea print. And in a moment of glorious Autumn sunshine, the beauty of the moment, of the season and of nature and these perfect little Apples, tinted coral and with streaks of pale yellow, was overwhelming. Here it is now, for you. As a message of goodwill and beauty to bring you all a good week ahead x #autumnvibes🍁 #autumn #floralmoments #amomentintime #inmygardentoday #my_creative_square #inmygarden #stylingtheseasons #dartmoor #flowergram #flowersmakemehappy #inspiredbypetals #botanicalpickmeup #still_life_gallery #slowfloralstyle #justbefloral #flowersandotherstories #petalsandprops #underthefloralspell #floralphotography #exceptional_pictures #flowers #floristsofinstagram #flowerpower #flowerstagram #cottagegardenflowers #flowersfromthefarm #macrophotography

In Flanders Fields John McCrae - 1872-1918 In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. #remembrancesunday #remembrance #remembranceday #lestweforget #lestweforget🌹 #lestweforget🌺 #poppies #flandersfields #flanders #wewillrememberthem

My sense of well being is gently intertwined with the health and happiness of the wildlife in my garden and most especially, with my little family of Cats. And just like people, Cats and wild creatures do have their ups and downs and difficult times. But yesterday was a perfect day all round here. Please come with me as I share this day with words and pictures. Daisy- Mae and Harry were waiting for me in a puddle of sunshine when I went to make their breakfast. Then through the kitchen window I could see Bertie in his bed in the greenhouse. His photo shows him squeezing his eyes ( Bertie’s special little smile). He does this when he is on his hot water bottle and is cosy and warm. Then Marlon dropped by! With his little white heart on his chest. Marlon has a way of rolling and purring and tugging at my heart strings with his love of food and bowls of cat milk. As darkness fell, it was time to feed the Hedgehogs. I put out several saucers of cat food for them and spent the whole evening thereafter, rushing to the window to see which ones were visiting tonight. To my surprise, quite early on, there was the Cat I call BIG GINGE! And he was feeding almost nose to nose with a hedgehog! With everyone fed and happy, I had my supper and cuddled up with Daisy and Harry. I am just so grateful for such a lovely day. #catstagram #cats_of_instagram #rescuecatsrock #hedgehogs #hedgehogsofinstagram #myperfectday #wildlife #photography #blackcatsofinstagram #tabbycatsofinstagram #mycountryliving #mycountryhome

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