Children's Garden 6 x 7 Layout - Two More Variations

I decided against the 5 x 7 layout with the scrappy cream sashing for the Children's Garden quilt.  The proportions seemed too out of balance.  I think this 6 x 7 layout looks better.  I'm still playing with fabrics for borders.

Here's my next thought for sashing fabric between the flower blocks and a possible border between the flower blocks and churn dash blocks. 

I think the light green compliments the flowers, leaves, and block backgrounds in the center and is good with the churn dash blocks, too.  But is it too quiet, too dull, too boring?  Would a different color be better?

What about the border?  Brighter red?  Different color altogether?  The dark red has green, blue, and gold in the little paisleys, colors already in the flowers and churn dashes.

My husband suggested I try it without an inner border. 

I think it looks bland this way and needs at least a narrow inner border.  Maybe the red squares could be larger and from the darker red fabric (shown as border in top photo) and the border could be a narrow, cherry red fabric like the small squares.

I also have to consider whether to add an outer border or let the binding act as a narrow border.

Isn't it great how we can lay out our quilts without having to stitch them so we can look at them instead of having to visualize mentally?  I don't visualize very well -- which makes it really difficult when it comes to things like house paint!  It's easy to change the sashing or border on an unstitched quilt but hard to repaint a house.

Perhaps you're wondering how I have time to play with this quilt when I'm trying to finish hand quilting the High Five for Brenna?  My fingers get sore and tired after a few hours and I have to take breaks every so often.  Plus, I think I'm having withdrawals from not sewing.

Thanks for stopping by.
--Nancy.
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