I like the second one best. The main focus for me is on the center block in mock-up #2. How very nice of you to make a quilt for you brother-in-law in memory of his grandfather.
It's easier to focus on the star in the first photo. I think there's a little too much background movement for me in the second photo. So I'd go with the first design.
I prefer the second. I might consider putting the star off center, almost but not quite up in a corner. The star could be rotated on point, but perhaps that would be tricky.
It's easier to focus on the star in the first photo. I think there's a little too much background movement for me in the second photo. So I'd go with the first design.