Turtles under construction

As some of you may know, I have an issue with needlework "smalls" (which to you who are unfamiliar with the term, are stitched needlebooks, scissor fobs, thimble holders, scissor cases... you get the idea). I have a lot of kits for some beautiful sets of smalls. The problem is, I just for the life of me cannot figure how to put them on the cloth.

I see this big huge piece of blank linen, and I know I have to fit 5 or 6 stitched pieces on it. Logically, I know it can be done. But I have this spatial orientation issue that prevents me from "seeing" how it can. Rae says it's because I don't think dimensionally. I'm supposing that's probably true, because I can't see how to arrange furniture in a room either.

In February, Ellen Chester released a wonderful set of Quaker Turtles.Aren't they just the cutest things you've ever seen?? So I called up Drema at Needlecraft Corner and made sure I snagged 'em as soon as they came out.

Tax season is over, so it's time to consider a new project. But how to fix the cloth so I know where to put the turtles?? Fortunately Ellen gave exact dimensions so I was able to baste my linen and know where each piece was supposed to go. I spent last night preparing the linen.You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it to see my basting lines. Turns out my linen was larger than what the pattern called for, so I've got a 4 inch margin at the top. Maybe I can use that for an ornament or something when all is said and done.

I'm hoping to start the turtles tomorrow, after I've had yet another battle with my accounting software company. They're supposed to be calling to fix the problem I had back in January. We'll see.

Wish me luck. With both the turtles and the software.