!!! Thank you everyone...
Marilynr, the colors are about right, they don't get any better with better lighting!
paperprincess, love 'wild vs mild'
gardengnome, I was only dissing the fabric - I like your word too: 'understated'
cj & gingerk, good counsel. yes, first quilt, and am so relieved the pattern is actually turning out - I have a great teacher in my quilting class.
NZ & Jane, thank you, and food for thought. I'll keep looking at the backing fabric...and thinking. I've got one more piece to attach to the rest of the blocks, before I piece them all together. Seam ripper by my side, and I've used it!