thank you all for the wonderful vote of confidence! I am overwhelmed. OMG! the feedback- you are all too kind.
I don't feel I'm really talented when it comes to the level of expertise by some of the quilters on this board, so I'm astonished (and blushing). Holy cow!
I decided I will get some invisible thread and "outline" all the sections next to the bias to keep the critters from escaping- the bits of fabric that want to not behave. I was almost to the idea of gently tugging on each section to see which ones lift up and re-cut the pieces, slightly larger, and stick them in. But that would have just killed me. So I think the invisible thread idea should work.
Thanks for all your good wishes! I took it to church today and showed the minister and her husband and they loved it. So hopefully I can get it done for next week.