I confess, sometimes this makes me cranky, as I have enough fabric I've picked out that I look forward to using and I (mildly) resent spending time on fabric I didn't choose.
I feel I have to use the donated fabric, though, as a sort of karmic thank you to the generosity of others. This time was pretty easy. The blue fabrics and the white are natutical in theme and came already cut in two and a half inch strips. Yep, precuts! I considered a rail fence, then started making little four patches. I found the red which has little white polka dots on it, and planned to box the four patches, and then I saw this pattern where the squares ran through the borders and through the blanket, and I knew that was it.
It turned out much better than I expected, and I'm happy to have it off my plate. Now to work with my own fabric!