Thanks eparys; yes I love foundation paper piecing....I enjoy Judy Neimeyers' patterns but they are soooo expensive I usually wait for a sale at a LQS to grab one so when this book was gifted to me I was thrilled. There are so many different blocks and options to play with it will keep me busy for ages I reckon! Thanks for the tip about cutting the background pieces a bit bigger...will definately give that a go.