Traveling Quilts - Round 2

I've just finished the second round of the Traveling Quilts round robin. Monica sent me a rainbow star block along with an embroidered travel-themed quote. My task was to add something to the block, then pass it on to the next person. I puzzled for a while about what to do. Monica's block is a bit out of my comfort zone. There's a rainbow, and I get the hives every time I try to work with white.

I decided it was time to do one of those things I always wanted to do, but could never find an excuse to do: a paper-pieced circle of geese. I've had geese on my list ever since Lily's Quilts Lynne posted her double circle of geese.  For my block I rejigged a circle of geese block, pulling the geese to the center and allowing more white space on the outside, so the geese could meet and turn the corner.

A hundred people must have done this before, but I couldn't find a pattern so I made my own. The 12"x18" (finished) block is constructed from six 6-inch foundation paper pieced blocks (three from one template, and three from it's mirror image). I pulled 18 colored prints from my scraps and stash, and set to work.

Then I sewed it to Monica's block. I've intentionally left the bottom and top of the trail of geese open, and I can't wait to see how the others in the group decide to continue or resolve the path.

As for technique, This is the first time I've used freezer paper in my short foundation-piecing career, and I am a complete convert (here's a quick primer). There is no paper ripping, the templates are reusable, and it's much easier to align the fabric. I was well into it before I realized the alignment thing, but you're going to have to trust me!

If you would like to give it a try, please download the two templates and share photos of what you create!