don't back out now - this is how you learn.
we all make design decision and some we like and others we don't - this will continue thru your entire quilting career.
when i make a new quilt i'll make 2. one i use to learn on and work all the bugs out of the pattern and then the 2nd quilt is the nice quilt. i've been doing it this way since my 1st day of quilting.
you could either choose a very small scale print for the background or use a solid color.
you did a great job and this is really the best time to learn - you have an entire forum willing to help you.
no one is expectingt a "quilt show" block out of this swap - this is just fun and a way for us to share our work with our friends.