Project Preview

My sewing machine is still in it's little suitcase, so obviously there has been no sewing at my house this week.  However, I have been catching up on some blog reading, trimming pinwheel blocks, and planning future projects.  Maybe you'd like to help me with three of these projects? 

 I've had yards of this Cowboys & Cowgirls fabric for a couple of years now, absolutely love it, but can't decide what to do with it.  I'd like to make a king-size quilt and need help in deciding the best way to feature those cute cowboys/cowgirls.  All I've come up with so far is to combine the "people" fabric with assorted colors of Kaffe shot cottons.  The ones pictured above I just happened to bring with me, but I purchased other colors at Gruber's (thanks Mom for the gift certificate), and they are being shipped as we speak.  So....do you like the idea of using shot cottons with this?  Any other recommendations if not?  If so, what pattern would you use?  I've thought of using several horizontal strips of those cowboys/cowgirls with something (but what) in between to separate the strips...or fussy cutting the cowboys/cowgirls and adding colorful 9-patch (or 36-patch, etc.) blocks.  Any thoughts?

Another question I threw out at the Gruber's retreat concerned these liberated coin strips.  The three strips have been finished for months now but were put on the back burner for other projects.  I have them spread out on a Kona gray...or charcoal...really not sure the color.  Is this the best color "sashing" for these colorful strips?  If not, what color do you suggest?

OK...last question...For a full-size bed quilt, what size string blocks would you use?  I have been collecting fabrics and scraps from my daughter's clothes to use in a string quilt for her.  She has requested this purple fabric as the center strip.  Depending on the block size, how wide would you cut your center strip?

Thanks in advance for helping me out with this!  I'm energized to finish up those few lingering WIPs and to get working on some new quilts!

Have an amazing weekend!!!