I still have the 9" and 6" blocks to complete, but the large 12" ones are done.
For the BD - if you look on the inside back cover, the picture shows a closeup of the center four blocks, and if you look at the lower and top most ones (picture is on the diagonal) , every other diamond of the star is actually a four patch diamond, not a solid diamond.
I've noticed this happening with some other JK designs. I think she makes up the quilt as she goes, and then creates the pattern off it later and some things get simplified in the process.
I want to do my BD in a sort of "colored circles" look. Like start with light to mid yellows the for four inner corner blocks, then maybe orange/reds for the star points, and the yellow/green for the outer sides. Then a green border and using green/yellow/orange/red in the next rounds, keeping the green towards the inner side blending to red on the outer. Next round would be red/purple/blue with the last round moving from blue back to red/orange.
it would be a bit to keep track of, but would allow me to really play with my stash!