Not much blogging of late, but I've just spent the past few days turning my compost heaps, and it's been so lovely I guess I wanted to put it out there. 
The final stage compost heap gets sifted, which is a slightly physical but relaxing job. I have put the clinker (twigs and bits) under the two tall redwoods at the end of my garden. And some of the soft compost has already been put on the flower bed near my back door. The five sacks left over are ready waiting to top dress the island bed where I have planted strawberries, black-currants, a camelia, hardy geraniums, astrantia and columbine, amongst other things. 
The second stage compost heap was a bit exciting. It's just a case of shifting it over into the final stage box, but it seems I have bumble bees nesting right at the bottom. It was a bit of a stop-start affair as they weren't very pleased to be disturbed but I moved it over, because, well, I had to. This morning they were still there when I started to move in the first stage material so hopefully this will be o.k with them until the Spring when I will be doing the whole shenanigans again. Maybe the little fledgling robin, which has been my companion while I've been busy doing this, will be nesting too.
  

As the busy-ness of college has diminished I've been relishing a little time to unwind and be quiet. 
I've been to the beach a couple of times. There were roses and tree lupins in flower at Lowestoft as well as the end of year show for the Design Crafts Degree at the technical college. At Burnham Overy, I walked out along the sea wall to the sea, as the sun was rising at 4.30. It's a few years since I've been there at that time of the day and it was magical as ever. Tho' the landscape changes, different flowers are in bloom, masses of multi coloured poppies, pink, purple, red. And a bank of wind turbines on the horizon just where the sun catches the sea at first light. 
Today  my shoulders are feeling looser after two fab yoga classes, both of which focused on opening up the shoulder girdle and upper back. On monday it was the lovely Lou Kitchener http://www.yogahappy.co.uk/ and on tuesday Joan Stonehouse http://www.joanstonehouseyoga.com/.
They are both really great teachers in different ways. I've been going to Joan's class, on and off, for fifteen years, and I still come away refreshed and inspired by her teaching. I started with Lou about a year ago after attending a yoga and raw food workshop with her. I find their teaching styles very complimentary. I'm blogging today mainly because I want to name drop them as really wonderful teachers of yoga, amazing women, kind spirits, who make a difference, as they generously share their knowledge.

Bracken and hedgerow flowers

The walking was hills and heath, and riverside, and flower filled meadows. These things are always a tonic to my heart and soul.

Just back from a trip to Wales. A week of walking. And a morning in the Ruthin Craft Centre, looking at the Nuno exhibition http://www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/08artists.html which was very inspiring. 

Thankful that I have handed in this term's project. Today I shall have a quiet day pottering in my house and garden.

Feels like summer has come at last, gorgeous sunshine and the garden lush after the abundant rainfall of the last month. The tulips are nearly over, but the choisya, wallflowers and lilac are making the garden smell sweet.

Hand-in is on monday, my work is mediocre but hopefully good enough for a pass, I've been looking at flowers and texture and vintage fabrics. Been using shibori ties and stitching to get movement and a "how does this feel" quality into my textile design process. It's the first steps along this road so I'm not sure about these pieces but I feel I have a bit of invisible learning under my belt.