I worked on two more variations of the Blackford's Beauty block.  I like the black star points.  Also leaning toward the flying goose method over the flip and sew chevron 

Then, as long as there were scraps flying everywhere, I made a few half square triangle units to try out the inverted star plan.   Both stars are exactly the same, but with the colors in opposite positions.  Not sure yet if that will be enough to see the pattern, I'll have to make another block or two before I decide.   

Here is the sunrise from today.  Just a quick peek before I dashed out the door as this is our week of meetings almost every day.