Stars and Stripes? Panel Quilts? Both?

 I got a new panel.  and I had to drive all over the world. and while I drove... I planned.....

( the driving was because a kids car decided not to work... nothing fun, just so you don't get jealous)

and when I got home, I sat down and started playing and what I laid out.... I liked!

I get a lot of emails about the Eagle Quilt of Valor in my header, and they all ask if there is a pattern. and... there is not... but this is how I start.  

I put the panel on the center of my design wall, and I lay blocks out around it, and then I start stitching. Then when I figure out the sizes of the coping strips that are missing, I cut those and keep assembling. 

The sizes of these blocks are 9 1/2 inches.  I can do 9 1/2 inch block math - and will probably come up with a top and bottom border to make this a little more than the 72 inches is is planning on being in this photo. 

This was my first idea - and While I still like it - I really like the dark blue as a frame - it looked chunky to me, So I moved blocks around, and I think the way I moved them sorta elongated the quilt.... even thought the size will remain the same...

Alright - Back to stitching... my goof of days are getting shorter...

Linking to:   Design Wall monday    Monday Making