I like the gradiation and the colors. I too think it looks better with the triangles going in the same direction, or some sort of more organized way. Here is my suggestion....keep the light to dark but take the gold out of the many of the light squares and use grey and black in those squares. Also, maybe more gold backgrounds instead of just one?
I also agree with what Cheryl said on page 7. Good luck. You'll find a way that pleases you if you keep up with it. Also, if this is only half the blocks you have a lot of possibilities for change.