http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazi...2013_ss13.html
I went back and looked at the 'Way Around' quilt shown on allpeoplequilt site that I saw recently. Looking at those blue colors, I think the way you are planning to do the gradation will work very well. Especially if using the soft creams and not white, and staying away from the teal side of blue on the color wheel. More like taking the blue paint color strips at the hardware store that go from dark blue to the lighter hues.