I'm very sorry to hear about your brother.
The tube quilts can turn out great, as well as Warm Wishes. Both can look like they took a lot of time and work.
You might be interested in Bento Box, see this thread:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-27891-1.htm
And I love this squares in squares quilt Charismah created. Her fabric choices make this simple pattern soooo elegant, and she got the block online from Quilters Cache:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-33715-1.htm