Sushi, I've seen a quilt that's a bit hard to describe but it looks distorted like its coming right at you. I know there's a lady in a foreign country that makes these and even sells her patterns. She's awesome in her quilting too. For the life of me I can't remember her name but think it starts with an "Leu" something. Your idea of graduated blocks from light to dark or vice versa is another idea to ponder on so thanks.