Thanks for all the kind words! Colors are similar to the pattern, but I used what I had on hand. I read the directions in the Karasik book and decided to make this a "class" for myself...each day I pieced one of the diamonds for the center and then set it aside. By the time the center was done, I was comfortable with the piecing technique, and the outer "bursts" were easily done. Wasn't really sure about the background batik...but I like it now.