I really like your quilt. Actually, that's a very old block (Twin Sisters) updated with a much easier way to make it. It also in Eleanor Burns book, "Quilts Through The Seasons." I played around with the strip width and found that using 3 1/2" wide strips will yield an 8" finished block. I also used different colored strips and made a scrappy version. I like your idea of adding the solid squares between the blocks. The recipients are gonna love it.