check out the tutorials page for the bargellos done here, there are some great tips and tricks that will help. i found with the one that i made with all the same size strips that some applique helped bring it to life, the different size strips to make things move but either way they are nice. and maybe for your first one you should do it that way, working with the same sizes will help you 'get the hang' of the process. then you can branch out and be more adventurous with the next one.