I like both equally. Each has it's own merits.
I have to ask....why this pattern for a picnic quilt? By their very nature, picnic quilts need to be washed a lot and are subject to damage from roots, rocks, dogs, etc. This quilt is so pretty that I would want it to be an inside one that graced the home, but that's just me. If I were making a picnic quilt, I would probably buy a layer cake and just arrange the squares for a simplistic, easily cared for quilt.