When I have had a hot pad laid out to sew on and I have to leave it I lay the pieces in order on a sheet of paper and cover with another sheet of paper. then staple along the sides leaving one side open if you wish or staple all the way around. Now it will stay organized until you can get back to it. Just make sure teh staples are spaced enough so the pieces can't fall out.
then you can layer several of these and they will be ready for you when you are ready to pick them up and work on them again.

Rhonda, seems like freezer paper could work well for that purpose. You could iron it closed, and the pieces down, if you wanted. Then you wouldn't need the staples and there would be less risk of it falling out?

Foxflower, I really like the idea of using freezer paper to save a block layout. This works nicely with applique, as well.

Yes sounds like that would work. I just always have a stapler and paper handy. I imagine you could use a glue stick and glue around the edge as well. whatever version is handy for you.

that is a great idea dumb question does it muck up your iron?

Jaba your scraps are wonderous. I am using a ton of her Christmas scraps for my quilt along blocks (block of month catagory) that I am making. Between the two of us I will have plenty to make a decent sized quilt. Seven blocks into it and its coming out I think rather nice. Smooch smooch for those scraps. One mans trash is anothers treasure. I love holiday fabrics. sucker for them big old target on my back.. oh you NEED that one (forget that there are 9 others in the bin with bunnies on them too) but this one is a NEW one and a quarter yard wont hurt will it..

Well off to sew. I hope everyone has a grand morning and Rhonda you are living proof scraps do have a home in our world. You get the grand prize for being extremely useful and no fabric goes to waste in your home. I am not getting any awards this year BUT I am sending to other quilters here who can use the ones I cant. (most). now I am saving them in a bag which I keep on a chair next to my sewing area. they are not the big ones but they seem to be enjoyed. phew.

RE: keeping block pieces together
I have cut a cheap vinyl flannel backed table cloth into squares (14 is great for a 12" block) then place quilt pieces on it-they stick to the flannel. If doing multiple blocks they stack nicely and pieces do not stick to the plastic back side of the previous block. Smaller squares work great for mini blocks.

Elisabrat, only one side of the freezer paper will gunk up your iron. You can safely put your iron on the matte side.

oksewglad, I'll have to keep that one in mind also. I keep vinyl tablecloths around a lot because of the kids. I could use the ones that get holes or unsightly stains on the vinyl side. Thanks for the idea.

Someone recenly gave me the idea of using clean pizza boxes to keep certain projects organized as well....cheap and easily stacked and organized.

I asked Bob if he would cut the tumbler block. He is willing to but I don't know how much he will charge,. He needs the dimensions of it so he can figure out how much it will cost him. Do you have the size you would want the tumbler to be? I thought I would look it up online and see what the size is offered.

Great idea G!

I am willing to do a 12.5" scrap block swap.