From your "update" it sounds like I'm too late to pipe in on these blocks. But for future reference, I'd recommend you check out the book "Setting Solutions" by Sharyn Craig. The whole book is dedicated to creating beautiful quilts from problem blocks (ie. sizing inconsistencies, colors that don't seem to go together, orphan blocks, etc.). She definitely encourages you to think outside the box. The book was published in 2001 but can be found on Amazon. I found mine last year in a used book store. It was more than I initially wanted to pay, but has been worth every penny.