They're both beautiful.
I can't help on the placement as I have never done a OBW.
For me, it's nice to play with placement especially if a friend helps and gives a different perspective but I'd set a limit to how many ways I'd twist and turn it.I think it would drive me crazy if I had to decide how they should go. I'm kinda like omak... I'd just do it----I could change my mind hundreds of times and many of the layouts would appeal to me but gosh, I can only make one design in one quilt.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
ranger