JeanneS, I love your blocks together, especially the wide variety of blacks. Each one fits in perfectly, despite the fact that they really have different "values."Sandra-P, your photo is especially fine, first because of the gorgeous kitty, but also because it clearly shows the glory of laying the blocks on the diagonal. When I first looked at your photo, I "saw" the 4 blocks of four meeting in the center and it looked easy to understand. Then I tilted my head and that same group looked much more complicated, as if they floated in the center.
I think that this quilt was very well thought out, with so many of the blocks using consistent fabrics. It would probably have been beautiful if it were done totally scrappy, but the blocks that everyone has shown really stand out and are very forceful in part because of the consistency of fabrics.