We'll be counting stars
GolfScript, 30 characters
.{.'
 '?)\42if}%.{@'*'/,(}2*]`

Takes the input from stdin. Example (test online):
&gt; |  v  |
&gt; * * * *
&gt;  * * *

[&quot;*  *  *\n* * * *\n * * *\n&quot; 7 10]