SueSew - I laid out four layers of fabric to match up the patterns (like for One Block Wonder) then cut two identical blocks. 8 layers can be hard to keep lined up. In truth, I did that for another block and had enough left over all ready matched up that I used some for this block without a whole lot of planning on what I'd end up with - I selected this block based on the suitableness of the layout.
I like to try new ideas, sometimes they work, sometimes I don't. I'm putting together Arkansas right now, and my block looks very different than the book - but it is the same basic block.