Thank-you all for your suggestions. I never thought of framing the center- very interesting idea that I will play with along with the boarder with piping. Hmmmmm. I took a break from these blocks and focused on a design I created using redwork embroidery blocks and 2 inch patches. I must say I refound my mojo. I had an aha moment when I felt happy. It's when I creat a design on graph paper and execute it rather than following directions from a pattern.
Had two machines humming today: my janome 12000 creating the redwork and my good old Viking Emerald 118 sewing the patches. Pure bliss.