I find it a little worrying.............

...............that so many of you know my husband better than I do.

Yes, you've guessed it - the kids and I ended up clearing the conservatory of all those coats and shoes. Don't ask - lets just say the possible impending row wasn't worth it

No don't shout all at once 'We told you so'

However the coats, shoes, scarves, hats, gloves and bags were very lucky to get back into that cupboard. It was very nearly claimed for something else

Louise decided she'd like to be Harry Potter - mind you if you've seen the state of her pigsty (sorry that should really read bedroom but it would be a contravention of the Trades Descriptions Act to call it that) you'd understand why a newly painted empty cupboard would seem so attractive and preferable.

Enough of coats and cupboards and onto more stitchy things

I've received details of my partner for the final Summer part of the Four Seasons Quilt Swap

Obviously I can't tell you who he/she is but a love of red was one of the things on the preference list

To me Summer always means roses - so I dug out this piece of 'sort of Cath Kidston' type rose fabric.

I've also started a bit of stitchery to compliment it. I took my inspiration from a design for a home decorating stencil.

Now I have a big query here for all you experts.

I'd like to shade the insides of the stitching like the scarf and nose on this random photo I've pulled from the net - sorry if it's yours (obviously Scandinavian) but I didn't keep a note of where I found it - however I can't remember what to use for the shading - I seem to think I've read somewhere that watercolour pencils do the trick but I'm not sure if I have the wrong end of the stick. Maybe someone could give me a clue or two.

Yesterday I went on a workshop held locally and arranged by a lady from our Monday morning group - how fortuitous it was in the holidays and I could make a weekday.

It was on Atarashii patchwork which is a variation on the theme of Japanese Folded Patchwork

This was the result of my work yesterday and last night.

I ended up making 3" blocks which were more fiddly than the recommended 4" ones - my pieces of card were too small to make templates for 4" blocks.

The outer circles are pieced and the inner inserts too - with careful placing of colours and fabrics you can produce endless combinations of patterns. I shall persevere with this piece of work - after all I've completed nine of the 16 blocks but I wouldn't say it's a technique I'd play with on a regular basis.

However it was very nice to spend the day just stitching amongst pleasant company.

I've completed my offering for the ALQS run by Kate - now to post it off - just couldn't resist using these colourful heart buttons I've been saving for something special

And the fancy took me the other day to try a little mini-mini heart quilt on the same lines as the others I've been making but smaller still - I shall give this one a home next to the fireplace in my living room.

Here we are - how dinky - the initial squares are 1" and the hearts about 3/4" - the whole thing measures a hair's breadth under 5.5" finished and those little heart buttons are just teeny

Here's another bit of heart nonsense I played with the other week combining applique and stitchery - this time the heart's back to the size on the black quilt.

And finally a sneak preview of my 400th post giveaway - not long now - only a few postings left until all can be revealed.

Right I have some 'work' work to do today - BORING! - yes and it's for work but in the holidays! - I've brought home a great wadge of paperwork which has been piling up and crying out to be sorted into some semblance of order (before I get a surprise visit from the auditors too) - I'd never get the time or the workspace in the office to do it so home seemed the most sensible option - I shall claim the time for it though but it does seem a shame to take up a chunk of my holiday time

Never mind once I've completed it I might just have a go at finishing off the Japanese Folded blocks - or crack on with the Summer quilt.