Wow, ladies you are going lickety-split! Such beautiful fabrics and blocks! My blocks were scrappy so sorry DonnaPea I can't answer the background fabric question.
I ended up making two smaller quilts rather than the one larger one. My Sister chose the one I had completed..... and the other is still a flimsy waiting for it's turn to become a quilt.
I am loving seeing your pictures, thanks for sharing them.