i got a PM asking me to post pics of the cutting mat seen in the pics i've been posting.
this mat is something DH put together for me for when i'm paper piecing or when i fussy cut - i like it because it spins.
we went to ikea and bought a lazy susan it measures about 15 inches across. i gave him an old cutting mat that i didn't use any more and he cut it down to size, smoothed the edges, and glued it to the top of the lazy susan.
its great because it spins really nice and smooth and i'm able to leave the block/fabric on the mat and just turn the lazy susan so i can cut/trim the next side.
here's better pics of it