I like to make a lot of controlled scrappy - where there is a pattern formed by the use of colors. most often it's Light/dark, and sometimes it's color/neutral. I did one that used light, dark, yellow and red.
Once I have them sorted that way, I pretty much grab what is next. Though I'll try not to put the same color right next to itself if I catch it. Though once it's sewn, I don't worry about it, and don't give it a lot of concern when sewing blocks together.
Most of the scrappies I make use 1.5" strips in some arrangement.