Sorry to hear your sad news, Lorna, condolences to all your families.

I would suggest a sketch pad and some graph paper, so that you can work out scale, and end up with it being no smaller than 24" and no larger than 40" in any direction A rubber/eraser, ruler and a small box of colouring pencils might also come in handy - I know they do for me when designing.

PS don't forget the pencil & sharpener

So sorry Lorna what sad news for you. My condolences to you and your husband and family.

Would you like me to postpone posting the quilt tomorrow until you get back?

So sorry, Lorna.
Thinking of you and sending strength and energy for you and your families.

And a sketch pad is never wrong when you're going on an intercontinental flight or two

Ideas have been perculating in my head. Wendy's quilt is very lovely!

Unfortunately, my FIL just passed away. We leave tomorrow to go to Florida. I'll be back next Tuesday. Any ideas have to stay in my head until then. Or perhaps I should take a sketch pad.

That is how we would interpret it here too Nancy.

PosyP wrote: We use both of those phrases, too.

I don't know if this is accepted usage, but to me "cooking the books" is more negative than "fudging the books". Cooking the books brings to my mind completely making up the numbers while fudging the books seems more like tweaking some numbers just because things aren't quite adding up right because you have a mistake you can't find. "Creative accounting", again to me, seems more like "cooking" than "fudging". But this is probably all just me....

Nancy

loise98 wrote: Well, I've cut 2 x 2.5" slices off of every fq, then I started doing some maths and worked out that I will need to cut another 2 slices off to be able to make my backing big enough . I have stitched the first quarter into strip sets, which now need pressing & cross cutting etc. But it is nice to have a plan I can work on. I haven't achieved complete randomness, because I have lined the colours up blue, red, neutral/pale, green, and then the last 3 strips are just as them come, although I have swapped one or two about to get better contrast. I guess I have cut into just over half of the fabrics I was sent, but it is one way to get your backing fabric - host an exchange

crocus999 wrote: Here if we are having that sort of problem with the books we call it 'cooking the books' - no idea where that phrase comes from. It is also sometimes called 'creative accounting'

Big congrats, Wendy! Bet it feels good to be sending CW along... Lorna, enjoy the journey, have lots of fun with it! Isn't your turn the last? Wow!!!

Terrie, I would agree that "fudging the books" is a bit more serious offense than easing fullness in a seam.

I worked in an office years ago, and they spoke of 'fudging the books', which meant put in figures that made it work out even in the end. (although false.) I was 19 and aghast at the thought that some 'professional people' would lie and cheat in their own business. That's what it meant to me.

Yes. That's how we use the term. Ricky used the term in today's episode which was oh so good BTW! Alex, wondered if our friends across the pond and around the world used it in the same way. I like these word things we get into now and again. Thought I'd asked the question. Thanks for the responses.

Rosemary, I like the idea to used left overs for my backs. Using all the gifts folks sent you will make you WotR0t quilt all the more special. Can't wait to see it.

To fudge something here is to skirt around it - so I guess that would suggest that the fudge factor is something in or around something rather than being exact and precise. Is that right Lois?

Well done Wendy, I am so glad for you that you have completed your mission impossible. Now Lorna, your mission, should you choose to accept it ...... good luck and may the force be with you!

Congrats, Wendy!

Rosemary, Can't wait to see your WotRott quilt completed. Not very many people have finished theirs.

Guess I will go check my email... 'nite, everyone.

Lorna