When making a D9P, I generally use a specific TOT or solid for the center square and don't use it anywhere else......maybe a red, putting the novelty fabric in the four corners and white in the middle of each side that gets sliced through. It doesn't have to be the same white......use up those scraps and leftovers. Hope this helps. :-)

I was going to use red, (have to buy) for the TOT, but wasn't sure what to buy for the four corners since I didn't have any more ladybug fabric. I don't have a lot of leftover, so I did buy the white you see in the picture.

How about leaf fabric? Or other bugs (butterflies would go well)? I can donate some of either or both for the cause.

Great minds think alike Geezer, ;>)

I was going to suggest Bev buy a few medium value solids chosen form those print charms, like the lady bug red, the clover leaf green, some med. bright blue, the maize from the upper right square. Yes, those center square solids would end up quartered, acting as nice pops of color through out.

I too would alternate them w/ ToT white. I'd check any sale bins when you shop & here, my local store sold solids more cheaply than prints, in case you can find a deal like that.

You could also try a small gingham check in colors from the prints, or even a thinnish multi-colored stripe, which when sliced & then placed vertically & other places horizontally will lend movement to the quilt.

My first quilts were like what you are making. The first was a lap quilt and the other an "I spy" quilt with novelty squares.

The "I Spy"

The lap quilt:

The lap quilt was my first quilt and I really struggled with the colors, etc. I must have taken 100 photos of that quilt, asking advice every step of the way. The ladies here really helped. This is what my nine patches looked like:

The white and blue stayed in the same place and the corner squares changed.

I have lots of 5" "novelty" squares (I spy type), so you'll have to trim them down. In fact, I just finished a swap. Tell me how many you need and PM me with your address and I'll send them. I probably don't have enough ladybug squares to finish the quilt, but I have plenty of others you could mix in. Also, if I dig in my stash, I can come up with a couple of ladybug fat quarters or so that I could send if that would help. Either or both...

bkay

I went through the last two swaps and found 7 ladybug squares - two are duplicates - so that leaves 5 distinct ladybug squares. I found a half yard of ladybug fabric which I'm willing to send. Also, found several general bug squares (ants, dragonflys, bees, butterflies) that I'm willing to donate to the cause. Let me know what will help.

bkay

bkay, I sent you a message. I think I'll try and complete it will a ladybug theme. Grammyp, thank you for the offer. Let me see what I can do with finding more ladybug fabric first. If I can't finsh with that, I'll take you up on your offer of other bugs. You guys are the best!

Here's a pic of some of the kids and quilts we made for the first children's home.

Nice idea, terrific to see the pic & their interesting & varied smiles. TFS.

Barbara, the fabric arrived and it was plenty to finish the D9P. Thank you so much! I worked all morning and was still short a few and then your second envelope arrived and I've been able to finish. I'll post once I cut and sew it together.