This is not the first time I have heard of someone other than the owner of the store browbeat a person new to quilting. It happens.....why? Reasons could be as different as the people involved. Maybe the person "beating" you in that manner wanted to appear superior to you, as in "I know more than you, so listen to me." Maybe that person was just trying to drum up more business for the shop owner. Maybe you weren't yet one of their store's groupies and she didn't have the time to deal with a newbie. Who knows...... Questions for a new quilter: are you planning to make a large bed quilt your first time out? Perhaps you could make a few blocks to see if the Log Cabin block is really for you? I agree that watching videos on beginning quilting and the Log Cabin block would be helpful. I made a baby quilt using the Log Cabin block and do not think it would be difficult for a beginner. I agree with Beverly that buying jelly rolls for your project might not be the best. They could be cut incorrectly and not on the grain of the fabric, and, learning to correctly cut your own fabric pieces for the quilt block is a very important part of the learning process, in my opinion. We're here to help you in any way we can. Teresa

Gosh don't tell me I'm the only one with "stuff" they don't know what to do with? I have this. It's from a house my parents bought that was built in 1900. It's the back from a fireplace, but IIRC the fireplace was more modern so gas, maybe? It's NOT iron...I'm not sure what it is, really. The center circle opens up via a hinge and it's about 20 wide by 27 high. It would fit my fireplace perfectly, but it would be sitting sideways :( Anyway. Would you get rid of it and try to exorcise your sentimentality, put it back in the closet, or try to so something (?) with it?

Hey guys! Thank you so much to everyone for posting suggestions! Just to clarify, what was previously there was the original builder's grade stock 90s countertop with an overhang. If there was a gap with the previous countertop, we couldn't tell/never thought to look for one. The countertops and kitchen backsplash are all fortunately level thanks to the shims that the countertop installers put in place. No one informed us that the cabinet base wasn't level (including the template person) until the installers started putting everything in place a week later and said they would have to shim this area. I reached out to a contractor I know this afternoon and they suggested just putting a piece of trim to cover it up, but it wouldn't match the rest of the kitchen. :/ Anyone have suggestions as to what type of service I should reach out to, ie. custom cabinet maker, general contractor/handyman, for an estimate? Thanks again for your help! :)

You would tape something that large with drywall tape, and get some premixed drywall mud and put it on there smoothly. Once dry, light sand, and do coat 2. Same as before, and then put on coat 3. Primer it and paint it when you have it nice and smooth.