Choosing a backing and choosing a fabric that has been sitting in stash are both great ideas for starting points. I will definitely try to keep those tips in mind.
Our new pup is a corgi (photo attached - because she is rarely behaving herself unless she's asleep or on her way there, that's what almost all of our pictures show. Don't believe the innocent eyes!). I actually made it into the sewing room this morning, only to have to run back out to go and rescue a table leg... I guess I forgot to close her pen!
Happy quilting everyone! :-)