Great ideas here. I too am looking for some new and different ideas for baby quilts. I also do charity quilts, and have collected some adorable prints that are begging to be used. I love that star block quilt. I don't do paper piecing or applique, like quick and easy. Babies and children are not picky about design, just need lots of visual stimulation.

Take 5 is an easy pattern, too. It emphasizes the fabrics. And it's fast!

Here is a link for a fairly simple biplane pattern. http://www.quiltviews.com/free-pattern-blanes-plane

I clicked on the link and the web-site said they are closed. (Not moved, but closed.)

The link should be www.quilterscache.com.

Have you checked out the giant coloring books? I have several that I 'plan to use for applique on a simple or solid background when I get to it'...on my to do list.

Snowball quilts with either a plain block of focus fabric, or snowball blocks and 9-patch blocks alternating the blocks makes a great quilt, also easy to quilt, just quilting straight lines through the 9-patch blocks and snowball blocks. You could also use patterns put out by Linus quilts, always good ideas. If you wan applique blocks, search through coloring books for simple applique designs.

The Downy project quilt I made by their pattern was just a focus fabric alternating with 4 patches. It came out very cute. Slightly more work was 4 patches alternating with a focus fabric with colorful strips of fabric on either side. These were 8.5" blocks so you got to see the focus.

I Spy Quilts are always fun and be easy.

I have a 10 degree wedge ruler that makes a super nice, super fast round play mat--just 36 wedges sewn together and a circle machine appliqued in center (I use a cake pan as my template for the circle). You can mix up the 36 wedges with any number of fabrics. And if the child is older--but don't do with with the little guys!--you can attach a drawstring or cord around the outside with loops or rings and they can pull it together with toys left in center.