Personally, I love Bonnie Hunter's
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/free-patterns.html patterns there are lots and lots to pick from. She uses lots of strips
Quilter's Cache
http://www.quilterscache.com has a lot of patterns
Braid top pattern is great for 2.5" strips
http://www.quilterscache.com/B/BraidBlock.html