Cicely was born in 1895 in Croydon, England. She suffered from epilepsy at an early age
and was unable to attend school. She was educated at home.   In 1908, she enrolled in
Croydon Art Society, where she eventually exhibited her work. She enrolled in correspondence
art course till 1918. At 16 she was elected a life member of Croydon Art Society,
the youngest person ever to receive this
honour. In 1911 her first work was submitted and used for greeting cards.
From then on she started selling her art. She was paid a total of 25
pounds for a total of 24 illustrations and verses in Flower Fairies of the Spring,
the first of the Flower Fairy series.