Not Quite Twins

My only sewing this month has been this block. 
I think it came out pretty well.  It's a 12" block.

I based the block on this pattern and altered it somewhat,

  to recreate this antique block from Lizzy.

That brown frame around the diamond and two central squares fascinated me.  The finished block adds up to much more than its parts, composed of five squares, 20 half-square triangles, and 12 flying geese.  I don't know the block's name but it makes me think of stylized search lights.  After studying it a bit and looking through Judy Hopkins's book, 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks, I realized that the block was based on an 8-unit grid, which made the recreation of the block so much simpler.  It was easy to calculate the size of the squares from the pattern.

When I finished the block I though, Oh, twins! 

But no, they're more like older sister and  younger sister.  Younger sister was made perhaps a hundred years ago and is smaller, finishing at about 11".

Lizzy's block was on top of my blue sampler blocks when I realized the center was the same format as most of the other blue blocks, with a square in the center, either on-point or horizontal, surrounded by a square or two in the opposite position.  Some of these blocks are also based on an 8-unit grid; others on a 6-unit grid.

I'm asking myself two questions at this point:
First, could I mix brown blocks with the blue ones?
Second, would I dare use an antique block in a quilt that will get washed and dried at least once in its life?  It's a well-made block with good, sturdy fabric, but . . . .

I have five more blue blocks already made.  And I'm currently thinking of sashing and borders in an old-style pink fabric.  (Or not.)  Hmmmm.  The blocks are too busy to use a fabric with a busy pattern.

I hope you've had a more productive January than I have!

--Nancy.