How about a pineapple? Just keep the center square and the 2nd round fabrics the same for continuity.

Iceblossom, I always love reading your answers no matter what the question as I always learn something new!

I'm not a scrappy quilt fan but my friends who are love Bonnie Hunter. You might check out her web site.

Thanks., I will check this out.

Try a scrappy log cabin, they turn it really neat when you don’t follow the rules

You mentioned that you didn't just want to sew little squares together, but in case you do have a lot of little squares, some people did some fun stuff in the Scrappy Irish Chain Sew Along
https://www.quiltingboard.com/quilti...g-t304703.html

Another site that i use often is Weddingdressblue. Good clear photos in her tutorials and so many free patterns. Many are 2Inch squares but they easily translate to 2.5 in. I have made about 6 of her patterns and currently working on a baby quilt using the Star Kissed pattern. Love the results from all of the patterns. My avitar is a version of Growing up Odd from WDB. Take a quick wander for some good ideas. https://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/tutorials/

1) a Dresden. I used contrasting scrappy with a consistant white background and the same dark brown inner circle. Came out magnificent.
2) big squares and little squares. This is a free manufacturer pattern called Honeybell.(I think) key for this would be a controlled color palette and consistent sashing
3) 16" stars. The centers are all 8.5. Keep consistent colors on the 4.5 star points and you can do whatever you want on those insides. 16 2.5 squares. Or larger fabric with bigger pattern. Diamond in square? Strips? Maybe even fussy cut. Sashing is 4.5 and I also used 4 patch cornerstones because this was for my mother.

I hope this helps!

If you need inspiration, check out the Scrappy Quilt Show Right Here on our own board.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...ht=scrap+quilt
Lots of ideas.