Oh my, Patti, removing that paper is the part I hate the most! I try to be very careful and I still feel like I stress the threads. I have been removing mine after I finish each block. When I print the pattern, I also print the block page, then I pin each finished block on the back side to the page. I feel like that provides some protection and each 6 week group, is in a large ziploc.
Not all of my blocks are exactly 5 inches, some are 1/16 to 1/8 short...so I suppose I will need to make up the difference with the sashing, I am growing more concerned about that, as I thought the sizing would come in closer the more I made. :(