It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to grow and blissfully fragrant in the summer months. 
They were my mum’s favourite flower, so growing them now feels like a precious connection. Especially when I pick some and arrange them in her beautiful old blue and gold jug just as she used to do with the sweet peas my dad grew for her every year.
There are some really handy tips for growing success from founder of The Real Flower Company Rosebie Morton over on the blog (link in bio). Rosebie has a whole farm dedicated to sweet peas near Chichester so she knows a thing or two about the subject!
Main thing I’ve picked up from her is to allow lots of depth for root growth at this stage and to make my own supportive wigwams from twiggy branches when the plants are really starting to go for it and need a bit of direction. This photo is making me yearn slightly.
I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying out tiny living for a feature I was writing - this was taken on our way to indulge in a spot of forest bathing. To be totally honest, we were both a little sceptical beforehand. But we were only saying the other day how taken aback we both were by the amazing effect it had. I’m working on some new ideas around the subject - will keep you posted. X
I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole site - which has meant lots of photo editing and reorganising so much content. What’s been lovely (despite the claw hand from so much keyboard work!) is revisiting work and becoming engrossed all over again. I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve been (re) loving - with links in the bio to the old site for now, but not for long…! X
This  image is from a feature about preserving garden roses. I’m going to give this a really good go this year, now I have a better idea what I’m doing. I know there’s nothing quite like a fragrant fresh rose in Summer but there’s a fragile beauty to dried and preserved flowers that I also love, don’t you?
Snowdrops 🌱🤍 . . . . . . #capturequiet #ins Snowdrops 🌱🤍 
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#capturequiet #instabritain #natureandnourish #thewildernesstonic #cornersofmyworld
Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flower Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flowers Forever to be won! My bio has the link to enter as well as to get a peek inside. Beautifully photographed by Laura Edwards, I really enjoyed escaping into the pages and making plans for my own garden - hope you do too! X
To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Cla To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits has to be the perfect post Christmas craft project 😊 
If you fancy getting your needles out to make this adorable pair, the link to buy Claire’s pattern is in my bio. Happy knitting! X
Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists for a wonderful wreath making workshop yesterday. Such a special and creative space to spend time. I loved making my wreath - I went for a mixture of greenery arranged quite randomly with red waxed fresh apples, dried hydrangea, dried flowers, poppy and nigella seed heads and a winter white velvet bow. 
There were so many wonderful ingredients to choose from we were really spoiled for choice. 
Sarah’s new studio is such a beautiful, creative space. Think fragrant botanical candles flickering everywhere, mulled wine and apple juice simmering on the stove and containers full of fragrant festive greenery, waxed fruit, dried flowers and oranges, pine cones, lichen covered branches and even tiny gold wax-dipped fresh crab apples. 
Thank you for being so patient with my lengthy ribbon choice deliberations Sarah - and for bagging up a second choice option (dusky pink) to take home! X.  #wreathmaking #wreath #wreathsofinstagram #sustainablewreaths #wreathdecor #christmaswreath #velvetribbon #christmasdecor #festiveflowers
I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - s I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - she came up with the genius idea of embroidering on tulle using nature as her thread - and the results are sublime - like this Autumn colours beauty from her latest book.
I’m delighted that Olga is offering a fantastic prize bundle to my readers. For a chance to win one of her beautiful new dried flower embroidery kits (in collaboration with @driedandfloral ) as well as a signed copy of her wonderful new book(published by @quadrillebooks , pop over to my blog (link in my bio). It’s easy to enter so why don’t you give yourself a chance of winning this very lovely prize? Good luck! 
#driedflowers #driedflowerembroidery #olgaprinku #embroideryhoop #flowerembroidery #competitiontime #signedbooks #embroideryart #flowersontulle #autumn #autumncolours #hoopart #allthingsbotanical #instacraft
This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofp This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofpines and is from her beautiful new book Little Stories of Your Life. 
It’s packed with inspiration and practical ideas to help you become a visual story teller. Because, as Laura says, it’s the little moments that make up the fabric of all of our lives - and those moments are worth capturing and sharing with others.
We have three signed copies of the book to give away - just click the link in my bio to find out more. There’s a peek inside and a lovely film by @xantheb to enjoy too! X 
#littlemoments #littlestoriesbook #alifeofwords #lostinwords #competition #booksarelife #mindfulphotography #bookstagram #booksmakemehappy #booksconnectus #igreads #whatareyoureading #signedbooks
Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has sh Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has shared her wonderfully creative ideas for visibly mending well-loved clothing in need of repair and a little TLC.
She had me at ‘sometimes I like to use giant sequins…’ 
Hope you like Lisa’s ideas as much as I do. The link to head over to my blog and get all her step by steps is in my bio x
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MAKE, WREATH MAKING · October 14, 2023

Make a contemporary Christmas wreath

Scroll down for lots of ideas for making your own contemporary Christmas wreath if you already know how. If you haven’t made a wreath before, firstly it is much easier than you might think. Secondly, I’ve shared the wreath making workshop I did with the very lovely Sarah Diligent which is where I learned to make mine. Hope you enjoy! x

When Sarah invited me to join one of her workshops to learn how to make a contemporary Christmas wreath, I didn’t hesitate because I love her approach to flowers. She uses British-grown and foraged flowers and foliage as much as possible and has an effortless and natural design style.

How to make a contemporary Christmas wreath – The Workshop

Sarah’s workshop is in the rural Hampshire village of Eversley. I was feeling slightly frazzled when I arrived at her door on a bitterly cold frosty December morning. I’d spent much of the drive over crawling behind a wide range of slow-going agricultural vehicles. Along miles of winding country lanes with few places to overtake. Trying not to watch the time ticking by and then finally bursting in with the google maps directions still blaring from my coat pocket.

how to make contemporary christmas wreath with floribunda rose wreath workshopsfloribunda rose wreath workshopshow to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

The other side of the workshop door was a warm and welcoming space full of the fragrance of cinnamon, mulled wine and flickering scented candles. I unloaded my camera and notebook which meant I finally had a hand free to turn my phone off. Sarah welcomed me with a really good cup of tea and a mince pie.  I was soon feeling calmer and ready to get creative with foliage.

how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshophow to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

Sarah started the workshop by showing us how to create the basic wreath. She’d actually already made us one each, so we could, as she put it ‘concentrate on the exciting creative bit.’ But she wanted us to know how she’d done it.

how to make a contemporary christmas wreath with Sarah Diligent of Floribunda Rose workshops

To make the basic wreath

You start off with a metal wreath frame in the size you choose. You can pick these up cheaply at craft shops and florists. I reuse mine multiple times by taking the foliage off in January and keeping in the shed ready for the next time. Don’t worry if they start to look rusty and unappealing – as long as there’s still plenty of strength left (ie it hasn’t rusted away) you should be fine as you won’t be seeing it anyway.

DIY christmas wreath - how to make a contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Floribunda Rose workshops

Next step is to incorporate generous handfuls of damp moss and holding in place by winding floristry wire around as you go. The key is to keep the depth and shape as even as you can. I have a lawn full of moss which comes in very handy at this time of year.

how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

Add the greenery

After the moss has been added, it’s time to add the basic greenery. You can use off cuts from your Christmas tree or snip evergreen branches from the garden (which is what I do.)  Christmas tree suppliers are usually happy to offer free off-cuts too.

how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

The trick with this bit is to create a sharp point by cutting the ends on a diagonal. This should make it easier to push the ends through the moss and into position.

Start in one place and then work your way around, going in one direction and adding pieces as you go until you’re happy with the basic shape.

DIY Christmas wreath - how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

Decorating the wreath

This was the part I was really looking forward to. I’d spied some beautiful pink peppercorns in a jug and really wanted to add some. I was also drawn to fragrant  juniper and lavender foliage and the box of dried hops. The ingredients in Sarah’s studio were perfect to make a contemporary Christmas wreath.

how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshophow to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

The technique for adding in the decorations is the same as adding the basic foliage. If possible, you cut a diagonal end, poke through in position and ensure the end isn’t coming out the other side.

how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

If, like the pink peppercorns, the ends are too fine or delicate to poke through this way, you attach by using a length of florist’s wire. The technique is to cut a short length of wire, then bend it over like a hair pin before positioning it over the stalk of the piece you’re wanting to attach and poke through. Any ends that come right through can be bent over.

As you work, it’s important to keep an eye on the overall shape and balance – and to work out where the top will be.

DIY christmas wreath - how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshophow to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

Frosted fruit

My wreath was starting to take shape. All it needed now was some frosted fruit. I’d spotted the glass jars full of sparkling golden pears and rosy apples – but wrongly assumed they were fake.  It turns out they were real fruit that had been dipped in wax and sprinkled with sparkle. Which made me love them even more.

how to make a contemporary christmas wreathhow to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

Time to embellish

I decided to go for the rosy apples because I liked the way they looked with the pink peppercorns.

The knack to adding the fruit is to take two lengths of floristry wire and poke each through the base of the apple and then fold back and around to create one length of wire with an apple secured at one end. This gets poked through in the same way as the foliage and other decorations. 

There was a box of beautiful ribbons to choose from but I decided to keep mine simple and decided not to add a bow. It felt more in keeping somehow as I had set out to make a contemporary Christmas wreath.

To create the wire hanger, you take two pieces of strong florist’s wire and create a loop which gets poked in and back around at the point that you’ve chosen as your top.

Christmas wreath DIY -how to make a contemporary christmas wreath with frosted apples, pink peppercorns, juniper and hops...how to make contemporary fresh christmas wreath with Sarah of floribunda rose workshop

Another year another wreath…

I make a wreath every year, so I thought I’d share these other wreaths I’ve made over the years with you too in case they spark ideas.

This wreath was made at another wonderful day at a workshop – this time with The Sussex Flower School.

I went for a wilder look this time, using lots of evergreen foliage, pheasant feathers, seed heads and ivy. Read more details on how to make a contemporary Christmas wreath like this one here: Christmas Wreath DIY ideas & tutorial

love this wild christmas wreath with feathers, fir, evergreen foliage, seed heads and a blush pink oyster grey cotton ribbon. Click through for more DIY tutorial and lots of creative ideas for making your own Christmas wreath you'll love to make

Make a contemporary Christmas wreath – foraged with hand-torn white linen ribbon

how to make a contemporary christmas wreath. All the step by steps you need as well as ideas to inspire you including this one using foraged ingredients and homemade torn white linen ribon

This was last year’s wreath and I think it might be my favourite ever. It was made using foraged ingredients from my garden and homemade white torn ribbon. Read more on how I made it here: How to make a simply beautiful foraged wreath

Make a contemporary Christmas wreath – Amber glass and velvet ribbon

contemporary christmas wreath amber glass baubles and old gold velvet ribbon with foraged greenery and berries

This idea began with the beautiful amber glass baubles and velvet ribbon. I kept the base of this wreath very simple and evergreen using ingredients snipped from the garden. When I first made it I felt it needed a few lime white hellebore flowers to lift it. But I haven’t got round to doing this and now I’m not sure it isn’t better as is and have had lots of compliments about it.

Make a contemporary Christmas wreath – Fresh and dried

fresh and dried contemporary christmas wreath with bunny tails waxed red apples and velvet ribbon

What I loved about this wreath was the novel combination of fresh and dried ingredients. All finished with a lavish velvet bow. Read more info on how I made it here: Make a beautiful fresh and dried Christmas wreath

Make a contemporary Christmas wreath – more ideas to inspire

The basic technique is that same as above, but you can change things up depending on the foliage you go for. Here are some creative contemporary Christmas wreath ideas I love…

white flowers dried christmas wreath for a winter white contemporary look using everlasting white dried flowers and honesty. click through to find out more #christmas #wreath #white #flowers #dried

This beautiful dried flower wreath in Winter whites is by Kirsten Mackay of Henthorn Farm Flowers. Using a handmade wisteria wreath ring, dried anaphalis, helicrysum and honesty are combined to create a contemporary, ethereal look.

Kirsten has kindly shared her step by steps to creating this wreath to help you make one just like it:

Kirsten’s tips

I used a base of wisteria vine, woven into a wreath and then left to dry and harden. You can use any type of vine to make your own – be that ivy, grape, clematis or even long lengths of willow. But the key is to form it into shape while the wood is still fresh and flexible.

I wrap twine or wire around the frame to give me more anchor points and then I carefully thread my stems through the open structure.

This creatures a loose, airy and delicate wreath where the plant material appears to float.

The honesty needs to be carefully peeled on both sides to reveal the moon like disc and cut to size.

I use other dried white flowers to lighten the look and add interest. Dried gypsophila works well as do the tiny flowers of Anaphlasis triplinervis which is a perennial plant I grow especially for drying.

To finish, weave through some dried white helichrysum and add a wire hook to the back.

white flowers dried christmas wreath for a winter white contemporary look using everlasting white dried flowers and honesty. click through to find out more #christmas #wreath #white #flowers #dried

Based in beautiful Clitheroe in Lancashire, Henthorn Farm Flowers grow seasonal and sustainable cut blooms for weddings, events, workshops and farm gate sales.

I absolutely love their organic ethos and natural style, and will be featuring Kirsten over on the blog shortly – so watch this space!

This dried flower wreath is available to order for £70. To order one, contact Kirsten via Instagram here

Make a contemporary Christmas wreath – peacock feathers by Philippa Craddock

love this contemporary christmas wreath with peacock feathers, eucalyptus and fir by Philippa Craddock. Click through for easy step by steps to creating your own beautiful contemporary fresh natural foliage christmas wreath #frombritainwithlove #christmaswreath #creativechristmas #naturaldecorations #foraged #homemadechristmaslove this contemporary christmas wreath with peacock feathers, eucalyptus and fir by Philippa Craddock. Click through for easy step by steps to creating your own beautiful contemporary fresh natural foliage christmas wreath

Love this combination of eucalyptus, fir and peacock feathers by Philippa Craddock. 

Olga Prinku

dried flower embroidery hoop art christmas tree by olga prinku

This wonderfully creative idea is by the very wonderful Olga Prinku. It’s made by adding lots of little dried flower tulle embroidery hoops. Olga has shared her step by steps to embroidering with dried flowers on tulle over on the blog: How to make embroidery hoop art with dried flowers. To make a ‘Christmas tree’ with your hoops, simply make 15 of them and group together in rows as shown and top with a simple star.

Make a contemporary Christmas wreath – Worm London

love this unusual dried flower christmas wreath by Worm London. Click through for more ideas and simple step by steps to creating your own beautiful Christmas wreath

I love this unusual dried flower wreath by East London florists Worm, c0-founded by Katie Smyth and Terri Chandler (they offer various workshops including a Christmas Wreath making one.

love this book Wreaths by cool florists Worm London full of contemporary christmas wreath making ideas you'll lovelove this rustic foraged wild christmas wreath by Katie Smyth and Terri Chandler of florists Worm London. Click through for step by steps and other DIY Christmas wreath ideas you'll love to try

For more wonderful wreath-making ideas, Terri and Katie have written the most beautiful book on the subject, Wreaths, which you can order on Amazon here

Here’s a peek at a few of the ideas you’ll find inside and on their Instagram gallery.

love this giant fresh foliage christmas wreath by Worm London. Click through for step by steps on making your own wreath as well as other beautiful ideas you'll lovelove this giant fresh christmas wreath by Worm london. Click through for more beautiful fresh christmas wreath ideas you'll love to make #frombritainwithlove #christmaswreath #handmadechristmas #foraged #naturalchristmas

Simply by Arrangement

How gorgeous is this giant wreath (below) made by Sarah of Simply by Arrangement and photographed by Sarah Mason (www.sarahmasonphoto.co.uk)?

adore this giant and rustic holiday christmas wreath by Sarah Statham florist of Simply by Arrangement of yorkshire and lancashire. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try from other creative UK florists too along with simple DIY step by step tutorial to making your own wreath #christmaswreath #howtomake #tutorial #freshwreath #frombritainwithlove

Sarah made a base using copper pipe that she built up with lots of moss and textural foliage – dried thyme, mimosa, eucalyptus, berries, lichen-covered twigs and a few pheasant feathers.

copper base giant christmas wreath

adore this giant and rustic holiday christmas wreath by Sarah Statham florist of Simply by Arrangement of yorkshire and lancashire. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try from other creative UK florists too along with simple DIY step by step tutorial to making your own wreath #christmaswreath #howtomake #tutorial #freshwreath #frombritainwithlove adore this giant and rustic holiday christmas wreath by Sarah Statham florist of Simply by Arrangement of yorkshire and lancashire. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try from other creative UK florists too along with simple DIY step by step tutorial to making your own wreath #christmaswreath #howtomake #tutorial #freshwreath #frombritainwithlove adore this giant and rustic holiday christmas wreath by Sarah Statham florist of Simply by Arrangement of yorkshire and lancashire. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try from other creative UK florists too along with simple DIY step by step tutorial to making your own wreath #christmaswreath #howtomake #tutorial #freshwreath #frombritainwithlove

This idea is by Treasures & Travels – to get the simple steps to making a giant wreath click here:

how to make a giant fresh christmas wreath. click through for step by step tutorial and lots of other inspiring wreath ideas #christmas #wreath #tutorial #giant

Pod & Pip

The lovely Sarah at Pod & Pip (listed in our directory here) also offers creative wreath-making workshops as well as fresh wreaths available to buy. Love these two made by her – both using deep red colours and pheasant feathers.

love this fresh fir, eucalyptus and pheasant feather christmas wreath by Pod & Pip. Click through for more beautiful and simple to make ideas for your own christmas wreaths. #frombritainwithlove #christmaswreath #creativechristmas #naturaldecorations #foraged #homemadechristmas love this fresh fir, pheasant feather and deep red hydrangea christmas wreath by Pod & Pip. Click through for more beautiful and simple to make ideas for your own christmas wreaths. #frombritainwithlove #christmaswreath #creativechristmas #naturaldecorations #foraged #homemadechristmas

Catkin Flowers

Also really like this combination of pine cones, pheasant feathers, ivy and seed heads by Rachel Petheram of Catkin Flowers (listed in our directory here)

love this pheasant feather, ivy and pine cone christmas wreath by Catkin flowers. Click through for simple to make ideas so you can make your own beautiful christmas wreath

Also by Rachel is this stunning combination of dried and fresh materials. Dried ferns and hydrangea contrast beautifully with fresh greenery, Chinese lanterns and pink peppercorns.

christmas wreath by Rachel Petheram combining dried ferns, pink peppercorns, dried hydrangea, chinese lanterns and seasonal greenery. #christmas #wreath #chineselanterns #orange #dried #frombritainwithlove

Leigh Chappell

How beautiful is this fresh foliage with dried flowers wreath by Leigh Chappell flowers?

love this contemporary christmas wreath by leigh chappell combining foraged foliage and greenery with dried stems and pretty strawflowers or helichrysum in pinks and reds - we've shared links to book up the online workshop to make one with Leigh as well as lots of other inspiring holiday wreath ideas #christmas #wreath #holiday #tutorial #workshop #diy

I love the combination of dark, glossy foliage, dried stems and leaves and the pops of pretty colour from dried helichrysum (or straw flowers). The beautiful pink velvet ribbon makes the perfect finishing touch, don’t you think? It’s from The Natural Dye Works – well worth checking out for some of the loveliest ribbons around.

You can buy wired dried straw flowers from Etsy here.

The Real Flower Company is always a great source of ideas. Love this wreath they made for the Chelsea Cabbages & Roses shop

love this rustic christmas wreath with fir, pine cones, eucalyptus, poink peppercorns and twigs by The Real Flower Company. click through for inspiring DIY Christmas wreath ideas you'll love to try

The Real Flower Company

And how gorgeous is this simple rustic wreath using a willow hoop, olive leaves, eucalyptus and some simple blooms, from one of The Real Flower Company’s wreath making workshops?

love this simple willow olive and eucalyptus leaf christmas wreath in the process of being made by The Real Flower Company. Click through for simple DIY Christmas wreath step by steps and lots more creative ideas you'll love to try love this simple willow olive and eucalyptus leaf christmas wreath in the process of being made along with pretty roses by The Real Flower Company. Click through for simple DIY Christmas wreath step by steps and lots more creative ideas you'll love to try pretty rustic christmas wreath using roses, olive leaves, eucalyptus and wild flowers by The Real Flower Company. Click through for more DIY wreath ideas you'll love to try

For a contemporary take on traditional dried orange wreaths, what about this beauty also by RFC? It’s available to buy here

where to buy this contemporary christmas wreath eucalpytus, ivy, bay, pink peppercorns, dried citrus fruit and eco friendly moss #christmas #wreath #ecofriendly #oranges #citrus #fruit #foraged #frombritainwithlove

Love the combination of eucalyptus, fir, ivy, bay, pink peppercorns and dried citrus fruits. It’s the wild, abundant look and how the colours work together, that makes it, don’t you think?

Kate Langdale

And how beautiful are these creations by wonderful Brighton florist Kate Langdale? To make a large wreath like this, you will need

5-10 long willow or other pliable green woody stems that have been soaking in water until pliable. Best way to do this is in a deep sink or large bucket (you will need to gradually bend the stems as the stems below the water line become more pliable until the stems are fully submerged). Once you’re happy that your stems have become pliable, wrap them up in a damp towel to mellow.

To make your wreath, take hold of one length, with the thick end in your left hand (if you’re right handed|) and then and form a loop as though you are tying a knot to create a loop at the size you’d like your wreath to be. Hold the ‘knot’ in one hand and wrap the two ends around by going under and over as you go. Then take the next stems, poking them through the hoop, holding the thick end in your left hand and wind around going over and under.

Continue until you have added all the stems, working in the same direction. You can mould by gently pushing into the circular shape you’d like. Cut off any ends that won’t bend into the wring and you’re done. Then it’s time to add your embellishments. To create a wreath like this one by Kate, add grasses, hydrangea, evergreen branches and dried ferns in two sections the bottom of the wreath, attaching with strong florist wire as you go.

love this contemporary giant christmas wreath with willow, pampas, hydgrangea and fir by Kate Langdale florist of Brighton. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try by Kate as well as other creative UK floristslove this contemporary giant christmas wreath with willow, pampas, hydgrangea and fir by Kate Langdale florist of Brighton. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try by Kate as well as other creative UK floristsadore this giant and simple green fir contemporary christmas wreath by Kate Langdale florist of Brighton. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try by Kate as well as other creative UK floristslove the combination of hydrangea, willow wreath and fir for these contemporary christmas wreaths by Kate Langdale florist of Brighton. Click through for more creative and simple ideas to try by Kate as well as other creative UK florists

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You might also like:

How to make Christmas crackers with pretty paper

Handmade Christmas Decorations

Christmas crafts to bring seasonal joy

Christmas sewing ideas to love

Floribunda Rose is listed in the From Britain with Love directory

Olga Prinku is listed in the From Britain with Love directory

Catkin Flowers is listed in the From Britain with Love directory here >>

Philippa Craddock is listed in the From Britain with Love directory here >>

Pod & Pip is listed in the From Britain with Love directory here >>

Feeling inspired? Take a look at the Creative Workshops category in our Directory, where you’ll find a variety of inspiring courses, from art and crafts to fashion and beauty, interiors, cooking and flower & gardening.

If you run a creative course that would interest our readers, please get in touch. Email us at editor@frombritainwithlove.com

In: MAKE, WREATH MAKING

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Comments

  1. Paulina says

    December 3, 2019 at 8:01 am

    Hello! Thank you for posting this wonderful, helpful guide to wreath-making. I just have a question – how long do the wreaths survive? If I make mine today, could it be alive and well on Christmas Day? If there are some techniques to assure the livelihood of a natural wreath, could you please share? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Laura Dunkley says

      December 3, 2019 at 8:45 am

      I’m so glad! So, I made mine around the end of November and it looked perfect all over Christmas and was still going strong when it was time to take it down in January. The frosted apples needed to be removed but the rest of it would have lasted for weeks and weeks more. Sarah told us to keep it cool and not be tempted to store indoors before hanging. The other tip Sarah shared was to ideally hang somewhere that is slightly sheltered from rain. Mine was only slightly sheltered by overhanging porch rafters, but I think it did help. Hope that’s useful and hope you enjoy making yours!

      Reply
      • Paulina says

        December 3, 2019 at 10:12 am

        Thank you, that was really helpful 🙂 I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog, I think I’ll visit more often 🙂 all the best!

        Reply
        • Laura Dunkley says

          October 13, 2020 at 12:20 pm

          You’re very welcome – hope you find more ideas to enjoy 😊

          Reply
  2. Elizabeth Bertenshaw says

    December 24, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    Lovely! Thanks for sharing. Also wanted to comment on the antique clippers seen under the basic wreath heading and shown with the red twine. They also are featured in some other blog posts. I have inherited my mother’s as well as her mother’s. I can remember them both being used to cut various flowers in their gardens as well as make many floral crafts and arrangements. I now use and cherish them.

    Reply
    • Laura Dunkley says

      October 13, 2020 at 12:19 pm

      Those clippers sound like very precious possessions! I would love to be able to follow in my mother’s footsteps and cut flowers with her old clippers 😊

      Reply
  3. Claudia says

    July 20, 2020 at 8:33 am

    Wow wow wow toll!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  4. Rosalinda Henry says

    December 22, 2023 at 9:55 pm

    Everything looks lovely on this blog!👏👍
    Warmest Christmas wishes to all!😁🎄🕊

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How to make a dried flower wall hanging – wildly beautiful by Bex Partridge

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I'm so glad you're here. I'm Laura - national women's magazine editor and journalist now sharing my passion for sustainable and creative living here. Hope you find something to enjoy and inspire! X

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It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to grow and blissfully fragrant in the summer months. 
They were my mum’s favourite flower, so growing them now feels like a precious connection. Especially when I pick some and arrange them in her beautiful old blue and gold jug just as she used to do with the sweet peas my dad grew for her every year.
There are some really handy tips for growing success from founder of The Real Flower Company Rosebie Morton over on the blog (link in bio). Rosebie has a whole farm dedicated to sweet peas near Chichester so she knows a thing or two about the subject!
Main thing I’ve picked up from her is to allow lots of depth for root growth at this stage and to make my own supportive wigwams from twiggy branches when the plants are really starting to go for it and need a bit of direction. This photo is making me yearn slightly.
I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying out tiny living for a feature I was writing - this was taken on our way to indulge in a spot of forest bathing. To be totally honest, we were both a little sceptical beforehand. But we were only saying the other day how taken aback we both were by the amazing effect it had. I’m working on some new ideas around the subject - will keep you posted. X
I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole site - which has meant lots of photo editing and reorganising so much content. What’s been lovely (despite the claw hand from so much keyboard work!) is revisiting work and becoming engrossed all over again. I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve been (re) loving - with links in the bio to the old site for now, but not for long…! X
This  image is from a feature about preserving garden roses. I’m going to give this a really good go this year, now I have a better idea what I’m doing. I know there’s nothing quite like a fragrant fresh rose in Summer but there’s a fragile beauty to dried and preserved flowers that I also love, don’t you?
Snowdrops 🌱🤍 . . . . . . #capturequiet #ins Snowdrops 🌱🤍 
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#capturequiet #instabritain #natureandnourish #thewildernesstonic #cornersofmyworld
Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flower Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flowers Forever to be won! My bio has the link to enter as well as to get a peek inside. Beautifully photographed by Laura Edwards, I really enjoyed escaping into the pages and making plans for my own garden - hope you do too! X
To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Cla To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits has to be the perfect post Christmas craft project 😊 
If you fancy getting your needles out to make this adorable pair, the link to buy Claire’s pattern is in my bio. Happy knitting! X
Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists for a wonderful wreath making workshop yesterday. Such a special and creative space to spend time. I loved making my wreath - I went for a mixture of greenery arranged quite randomly with red waxed fresh apples, dried hydrangea, dried flowers, poppy and nigella seed heads and a winter white velvet bow. 
There were so many wonderful ingredients to choose from we were really spoiled for choice. 
Sarah’s new studio is such a beautiful, creative space. Think fragrant botanical candles flickering everywhere, mulled wine and apple juice simmering on the stove and containers full of fragrant festive greenery, waxed fruit, dried flowers and oranges, pine cones, lichen covered branches and even tiny gold wax-dipped fresh crab apples. 
Thank you for being so patient with my lengthy ribbon choice deliberations Sarah - and for bagging up a second choice option (dusky pink) to take home! X.  #wreathmaking #wreath #wreathsofinstagram #sustainablewreaths #wreathdecor #christmaswreath #velvetribbon #christmasdecor #festiveflowers
I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - s I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - she came up with the genius idea of embroidering on tulle using nature as her thread - and the results are sublime - like this Autumn colours beauty from her latest book.
I’m delighted that Olga is offering a fantastic prize bundle to my readers. For a chance to win one of her beautiful new dried flower embroidery kits (in collaboration with @driedandfloral ) as well as a signed copy of her wonderful new book(published by @quadrillebooks , pop over to my blog (link in my bio). It’s easy to enter so why don’t you give yourself a chance of winning this very lovely prize? Good luck! 
#driedflowers #driedflowerembroidery #olgaprinku #embroideryhoop #flowerembroidery #competitiontime #signedbooks #embroideryart #flowersontulle #autumn #autumncolours #hoopart #allthingsbotanical #instacraft
This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofp This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofpines and is from her beautiful new book Little Stories of Your Life. 
It’s packed with inspiration and practical ideas to help you become a visual story teller. Because, as Laura says, it’s the little moments that make up the fabric of all of our lives - and those moments are worth capturing and sharing with others.
We have three signed copies of the book to give away - just click the link in my bio to find out more. There’s a peek inside and a lovely film by @xantheb to enjoy too! X 
#littlemoments #littlestoriesbook #alifeofwords #lostinwords #competition #booksarelife #mindfulphotography #bookstagram #booksmakemehappy #booksconnectus #igreads #whatareyoureading #signedbooks
Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has sh Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has shared her wonderfully creative ideas for visibly mending well-loved clothing in need of repair and a little TLC.
She had me at ‘sometimes I like to use giant sequins…’ 
Hope you like Lisa’s ideas as much as I do. The link to head over to my blog and get all her step by steps is in my bio x
Thank you @therealflowerco for these heavenly swee Thank you @therealflowerco for these heavenly sweet peas - the perfect way to celebrate #britishflowersweek 
I just wish I could share the blissful fragrance with you too 💕🌸
#locallygrownflowers #flowersofinstagram #supportlocal #britishflowersweek2021 #britishseasonalflowers #flowersfromthefarm #sweetpeas
This heavenly knitted lamb is by Claire Garland ak This heavenly knitted lamb is by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits and just one of the creative spring projects you might enjoy immersing yourself in right now. To discover other inspirational ideas and to get all the info you need - including this free pattern by Claire - click the link in my bio. Hope you find something that brings you a little seasonal joy x
Thanks to Erin at @floretflower for sending me a s Thanks to Erin at @floretflower for sending me a surprise signed copy of her dreamy new book Discovering Dahlias - and another signed copy to share with one of you. 
To enjoy a peek inside - and for a chance to win - click the link in my bio. 
The truly beautiful photographs (including this one) are all by Erin’s husband Chris Benzakein #discoveringdahlias #floretflowerfarm #dahliasofinstagram #flowersgivemepower #giveawayuk
Thanks to @sarahravenperchhill for sharing a beaut Thanks to @sarahravenperchhill for sharing a beautifully simple way to arrange snowdrops and other early spring flowers over on the blog (link is in my bio). I’ve already made my own simple flower grid using foraged twigs and it works brilliantly! 
As well as sharing her simple step by steps, there’s also a video tutorial where Sarah shares more inspiring ideas for creating with early spring flowers. The beautiful photographs are by @jonathanbuckleyphotography - hope you enjoy! X
Last call to enter our Pippa Greenwood Grow Your O Last call to enter our Pippa Greenwood Grow Your Own gift bundle competition!
My favourite #gardenersquestiontime panellist @pippa.greenwood offers a range of totally brilliant Grow Your Own gift bundles - which include garden-ready veg plants sent out at the right time for planting, email growing advice, tips and recipes from Pippa herself as well as signed copies of The Gardener’s Year. It’s the perfect gift for anyone interested in growing their own fresh produce - and comes with the best expert advice!
We have two Pippa Greenwood GYO gift bundles to be won - the link to enter the competition, and to find out more is in my bio - Good luck!
Last call for anyone who’d like to enter our Cla Last call for anyone who’d like to enter our Claire Garland Christmas Mouse knitting pattern competition. The link to enter is the top one in my bio. Good luck!
If you’re finding the world a somewhat shouty an If you’re finding the world a somewhat shouty and overwhelming place right now, you might like to get behind Sarah Corbett @craftivists new project - she’s crowdfunding to create the final part of her Craftivism trilogy: the Craftivist Collective Handbook. It will be a beautiful hardback with 20 gentle protest Craftivist projects and tools to help readers become positive and effective change makers. Because slow and gentle can be more effective in the long run than fast and loud. I am 100% behind Sarah’s project and have no doubt that those of us in the crafty, creative community have plenty to contribute when it comes to making a better, fairer world. 
Stitching a powerful message can be  more effective than shouting it at someone who’s not listening to you. If you’d like to get involved or find out more, follow the top link in my bio.
Thanks to @botanical_tales for sharing beautiful d Thanks to @botanical_tales for sharing beautiful dried flower wreath ideas over on the blog - link in bio. I love this dried mini wreath as natural gift wrapping decoration (you can buy ready-made too) - all the links are in the post.
Thanks too to Kirsten @henthorn_farm_flowers for sharing her step by steps for creating a stunning giant foraged dried flower wreath as well as her beautiful simple wreath in silvery winter whites. 
I’m increasingly obsessed with the idea of growing my own flowers for drying and creating lovely things with them. Watch this space for more dried flower inspiration coming soon... X
One of the joyful things about this time of year f One of the joyful things about this time of year for me is making plans for next spring and summer in my flower cutting garden. After two years of growing cut flowers, I’m ready for some fresh ideas and to raise my game a little more. I would like to fill some gaps in shape and colour and to extend the flowering season in particular. I’d also like to start drying and preserving my flowers... so I am thrilled that Kirsten of @henthorn_farm_flowers has shared a beautiful glimpse into her seasonal and sustainable flowery world as well as lots of fantastic expert tips and ideas over on the blog - the link is in my bio. I hope you find some inspiration too. Kirsten lives in a very beautiful part of the world - the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. It’s an area very close to my heart as I grew up not far away. Loved spending a little virtual time there again, thanks to Kirsten - and I am yearning to go back in person one day soon and breathe it all in again.
To be honest, I’m still clinging on to the last To be honest, I’m still clinging on to the last moments of Summer. I do always eventually embrace Autumn but, this year in particular, I’m wanting to hold on for as long as possible to the quiet bliss of the last few months. 
I do really worry about what lies ahead for us all, but spending time outdoors, connecting, really up close, to what’s going on in the garden definitely helps. I still have roses, sweet peas, snapdragons, zinnias, asters and LOTS of dahlias blooming so there are always jars and jugs of flowers on every available surface. Rose geranium leaves have been a revelation for adding a fragrant green frilliness - and now I’m full of love for abelia. 
This beautiful photo is by @gandgorgeousflowers and captures the between-seasons beauty in the flower garden right now. I am inspired to create something similar as I have many of the same colours. 
I do realise that it’s silly (and utterly pointless 😂) to resist Autumn as it’s actually one of the most beautiful times of year. As soon as the leaves really turn, and everywhere starts to smell like Autumn, I’m sure I’ll be fully on board. 
With that in mind, I’ve shared lots of inspiring Autumn Flowers ideas over on the blog (link in my bio) from some of my favourite flower creatives including @gandgorgeousflowers @simplybyarrangement @therealflowerco @wildbunchflowers @floribundaroseflorists @thesussexflowerschool @electricdaisyflowerfarm 

Hope you enjoy - and find a little bit of creative inspiration too. X

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