(Sorry that the color in this photo isn't very good- this isn't yellow. The background fabric is tan, the rest are browns and greens.)

This is a wall-hanging that I'm making my in-laws for Christmas. It's going to be a family tree. The idea I had is to add borders that will include all of their descendants' names in them. My original idea was to make squares out of two triangles- one muslin triangle, one print. Each muslin triangle would have a different family member's name on it. There would be rows of these squares all the way around. I'm having a hard time figuring out sizes to make these blocks, in a way that fit with the top's current dimensions (22 1/2" ) and have enough room on the triangles to fit a name. So then I thought of doing 2 inch squares, alternating a couple of rows of the 2 inch squares of prints and muslin like a checkerboard all the way around. Any thoughts?

And, the second thing I'm having trouble with- my original thought was to have the prints around the outside be scrappy. But now that I'm seeing how finished and "planned" the green and brown look together (even though the "leaves" are green scrappy), I'm worried that going completely scrappy will look weird with it. My husband suggested just doing scrappy of one color, like blue or something. My mother-in-law likes bright colors so I don't want to just leave it this muted, but I just don't really know what to do with it.

I hope this makes sense. I'd appreciate suggestions! Thanks!

I am not good at picturing from words, but I love the center!! Possibly blues alternating with tan on the top and top sides, and browns on the side lower halves and bottom? (sky and ground)

I think u did a good job!

Hmm, I like this with the green scrappy and tans, but I'd think adding more colors now will make it look odd. It is very nice as is and the colors coordinate beautifully. Have you considered writing the names on the tan--depending on the number they may fit--then just adding enough browns to finish it? It would make a beautiful wall hanging.

I would only do controlled scrappy for the outside - which means use as many fabrics as you like, but keep the colors the same as what you have so far - greens, browns, golds and tans. Adding other colors at this point would take away from the lovely tree you have in the center.

As far as a place to write the names, what about a piano key border? Maybe pieces 2" high by 4" long, alternating colored pieces with tans or muslin to write on.

It's going to be great!

Hmmm, ok, so I guess I'm definitely not going just straight scrappy. I think I'm going to do scrappy greens on the outside, alternating with a light tan/muslin, then bind it with a brown. Using greens to alternate with the muslin makes me think of leaves from the tree, which works for the whole "family tree" thing, I think. I also like the idea of the piano keys.

So I guess that means that now this will be for my parents, instead, lol! This will be much more my mother's colors; I'll have to make another one for my in-laws and just go much more scrappy with it from the beginning. Wasn't planning to do two of them this year, but oh, well!

Thanks very much for the input, that really helped me sort out what to do with it! : )

I like it so far and it's going to be a great gift when done. Asnfor the colors and whether it will be to scrappy. If it where me I would choose a different color/fabric for each person but a color that reflected them, their personality, etc.

I like what you have so far.