So many great ideas. I'm a visual type person so I need to see what it is going to look like when it is finished. I even have difficulty sometimes reading patterns so I have to really take my time. I love the clear vinyl and dry erase markers idea. I could lay out a top, cover it with the vinyl and draw out a basic pattern and get an idea of what I like and what I don't. An extra step but better safe than sorry. I'm going to keep following for more idea and i'm also going to look for the book mentioned. Thank you for your suggestions.